August 12, 2009
Requires no caption.

Requires no caption.

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May 5, 2009
Spring in Hamburg
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December 31, 2008

Realm of Is

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“ Long underwear. Every day.
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December 26, 2008

How to Christmas

Choose one or more of the following styles and install in several or all windows of domicile, office, etc.

a.heart luminaryb.star topped candlesc.red advent riserd.

e.f.g.h.

You may install one or more of the following, as an alternative.  (See above note regarding placement and quantity.)

i.j.k.

Lights will be lit during all waking hours, including sunrise to sunset (1000-1500).  Participation is mandatory.  Non-participation may result in substantial fines or Swedish gulag.

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December 25, 2008
I loved this film, Underbar och älskad av alla, written by and starring Swedish actor-comedien Martina Haag — and that says a lot, considering that I watched it in Swedish, without subtitles, from the rear of a bus heading from Sälen to Stockholm.  It’s seriously goofy, plus romantic, and the color direction is fantastic.  Which makes it sound like it has an Almodóvar-ish vibe — which it does.

I loved this film, Underbar och älskad av alla, written by and starring Swedish actor-comedien Martina Haag — and that says a lot, considering that I watched it in Swedish, without subtitles, from the rear of a bus heading from Sälen to Stockholm.  It’s seriously goofy, plus romantic, and the color direction is fantastic.  Which makes it sound like it has an Almodóvar-ish vibe — which it does.

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December 23, 2008
If you ever feel like the wolves are at your heels, it’s only the passing of the days.  In the Norse mythology of day and night, Sol (Sun) and Mani (Moon) race perpetually over the Earth in horse-drawn chariots, pursued by a pack of wolves.  When the wolves finally catch them, which is also part of the myth, that will be the end of our time.  p.s. Sol-Sun is female, and Mani-Moon is male.  Ain’t that refreshing?

If you ever feel like the wolves are at your heels, it’s only the passing of the days.  In the Norse mythology of day and night, Sol (Sun) and Mani (Moon) race perpetually over the Earth in horse-drawn chariots, pursued by a pack of wolves.  When the wolves finally catch them, which is also part of the myth, that will be the end of our time. 

p.s. Sol-Sun is female, and Mani-Moon is male.  Ain’t that refreshing?

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Sculpture by Wladyslaw Hasior (1928-1999, Poland), in situ half way between Ulf’s mom’s place and the grocery store, Södertälje, Sweden.

Sculpture by Wladyslaw Hasior (1928-1999, Poland), in situ half way between Ulf’s mom’s place and the grocery store, Södertälje, Sweden.

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And the winter solstice is finally behind us. Thank you — and welcome back — sun god.

And the winter solstice is finally behind us. Thank you — and welcome back — sun god.

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December 22, 2008

Last week with Ulf, near Sälen, about halfway ¨up¨ Sweden, and 25 kilometers from the Norwegian border, I finally experienced real Scandinavian snow (and put the Sorels and skis to good use).  It was spectacular.

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December 13, 2008
December 13 is Lucia Day in Sweden.  As a holiday, Lucia appears to combine elements of Catholic ritual (it began in Sicily, originally), with Nordic paganism (a pretty girl with a dangerous halo of fiery candles on her head appears around the time of the winter equinox to shoo away the darkness), plus a nationwide beauty pageant.  There is a long build-up, with posters all over the grocery stores and post offices, touting the local teenage contestants to play the role of Lucia.  I was supposed to get up at 6 AM this morning to watch the culmination, but I slept in as usual and ended up reading about it online.

December 13 is Lucia Day in Sweden.  As a holiday, Lucia appears to combine elements of Catholic ritual (it began in Sicily, originally), with Nordic paganism (a pretty girl with a dangerous halo of fiery candles on her head appears around the time of the winter equinox to shoo away the darkness), plus a nationwide beauty pageant.  There is a long build-up, with posters all over the grocery stores and post offices, touting the local teenage contestants to play the role of Lucia.  I was supposed to get up at 6 AM this morning to watch the culmination, but I slept in as usual and ended up reading about it online.

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