Amazing Sunset Tonight

(click to order a print from SmugMug.com)

View from our balcony (Kallebäck neighborhood of Gothenburg, Sweden).

Iceland Volcano: 1) Satellite Imagery; 2) Eruption Video

This morning’s diversion (the creation of this video) started with me pondering the question: “Might Eyjafjallajokull’s ash cloud jeopardize the warm weather we’re starving for after a long winter in Europe?”

Based on this article, it sounds like the current plume isn’t big enough to have much of a global impact.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that northern Europe will likely suffer some ill effects, even if the volcano is done erupting (last time the eruptions went on for over a year).

Snow on You Crazy Diamond

Just messing around on this beautiful, snowy day here in Sweden. The weather, music, and mood all came together. Plus a new tripod (thanks, Hugo).

Click that first picture or here to see the snow falling outside our window. I’m glad I decided to stop to smell the flowers (thanks, Cici), and to watch, listen, and feel the snow and wind, and to hear, for the first time, a new rendition of an all-time favorite song. That’s what sealed the deal, the Floyd cover (thanks, Christy).

More pics after the jump.  The first one (below) is from Monday (2/22), the second one is from Thursday (2/25) and the third one is from Tuesday (2/23). The tulip pics and video (above) are from Saturday (2/20). The video cover shot is from Sunday (2/21).

Animated Google Map Overlaid With Geotagged Photos

(click to view the animated google map / photo slideshow)

Here’s how to geotag your pics and make an animated map of your own:

1. Get a GPS tracker (or other device) and learn how to use it.  I have, and like, the Columbus V-900 GPS Data Logger.  Here it is on Amazon.com and here are some review links from Google. I especially found this review, and it’s comments, helpful and interesting.
2. Take pictures with your digital camera. Make sure the clock on your camera is set accurately (as close as you can get to the exact correct time). And, make sure the camera and the format is compatible with your software (just use JPG format and you should be fine).
3. Upload your GPS log file and pictures to your computer.
4. Use the software that came with your device (or other software) to geotag your pics.  The software matches your pics to your data points using the time (that’s why you need to make sure your camera clock is set as accurately as possible).
5. Upload everything to EveryTrail.com or one of the other free sites (there are others, right?).

That’s it. Use the documentation that came with your GPS, Google, and trial-and-error to perfect your workflow. Cheers!

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Gothenburg, Sweden

This was one of the best displays I’ve ever seen — and I’ve seen a bunch of good ones on the National Mall in Washington, DC on July 4th. These Swedish guys rocked it! See this video of the grand finale (click “watch in high quality” mode, expand to full-screen mode, and turn up the sound).

The last pic is from our balcony about 8 minutes after midnight, after a 15-minute barrage of fireworks from everywhere (all over the city). The fireworks were going all night up to the midnight finale (video clip shot from our balcony).

The four  bonus pics after that are from our New Year’s Day walk.

Overall, it was a great New Year’s Eve with Annica and Henrik and a great New Year’s Day with Birgitta and Roy!  Happy New Year to you!

Käringön Island (Sweden) Christmas Party

Another great Jul Bord at Peterson’s Krog. There were about 21 of us this year, with 19 of us closing the place down. I don’t know what time we went to bed (around 3:30 or so, I think).  Jorgen didn’t teach any new words this year, but Anna taught us how to say “marsipan gris” (“marzipan pig”) in Danish.

-Skål!

PS: I was kind of hurting this morning, but thankfully Martin hooked me up with one of his Hustlers. Not the Larry Flint kind of Hustler, but some crazy energy drink they got here. BTW, Maria is somehow related to Larry Flint, so maybe he did hook us up with these power drinks, I have no idea. I’m just glad I was able to start my day with a Hustler and some Advil Liqui-Gels, washed down with some cold San Pellegrino. Ah!

Thanksgiving at Per’s Wine Cellar

Thanksgiving came early to Sweden, and a dozen of us celebrated at Per’s wine cellar (that’s Per with the cast on, which he had to get after our pool and game night a few weeks back.  Per’s parents belong to a club and they let us use it Saturday night – thank you!  The dinner party lasted from 7:00 Saturday night until 2:00 Sunday morning.  Good times!

Unrelated trivia: Bill Gates was the best man earlier the same day at a wedding in the church you see, which is basically across the street from our wine cellar.  Also attending the wedding, I hear, was Elton John, Ulf Ekberg (Ace of Base), and the Prince of Monaco.  Mick Jagger was a no show.  The reception was a few blocks away.  Article here.

Bruce & The E Street Band in GBG Today

Yes, Mr. “Born in the USA” is doing his American Independence Day show here in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Susanne and I are going (it’s her birthday present from me). Before the show, 18 of us will gather at Martin and Anna’s place for a BBQ and some pre-partying. Looks like it’s going be a perfect day weatherwise, perfect blue sky and 25-30 degrees Celsius. That is the ultimate summer weather in Sweden, it does not get any better. (more text and images below)

Rebecca’s First Fashion Show, My First Fashion Shoot

Tonight, I did my first fashion shoot, and I learned a lot of things I’ll improve next time! Still, I managed to get a few decent shots. There were many more clothes and models, but my other images didn’t make the cut.

Get in touch with me if you’re interested in modeling for our startup, BuzzPal – The World Is Your Party! We’ll be doing shoots for web and print images to promote the site. The pay isn’t so great, but you will get exposure, credit, link, portfolio shots, and free t-shirts.

The photo at the end is of Gustaf, an up and coming designer and photographer here in Gothenburg. Get in tough with Gustaf for design work, especially print, interior design, and photography. The location was Erik Dahlbergsgatans Festvaning, which was happens to be where Susanne and I had our wedding reception. For more information and bookings there, get in touch with Mikael and Martina, who run the space, hosting everything from wedding receptions and parties to meetings and, as you see, fashion shows! Besides a great space, Mikael and Martina are known to be two of the best chefs in Gothenburg.

A Few Pics From Käringön (more coming, including full size pics)

Update: The rest of this year’s pics are here.

Midsummer’s Party in Orby (a mellow year… and rain)

Downtown Gothenburg and the Harbor

Coast and Islands Outside of Gothenburg

Some Pics From Aex and Lotta’s Wedding

Alex and Lotta — Start of Wedding and End of the Night!

Graduating Students – Downtown Gothenburg

Nature Walk From Our Apartment in Kalleback to The Lake

April Weekend on Tjorn at Anne’s Mom’s Summer House