Fourth day of spring

So I woke up to this, on the fourth day of spring. I was just thinking we had turned the corner on the white stuff only to be greeted by more of the stuff. soon (tomorrow) I'll be leaving for the warm climes of Texas. No sweaters to pack! My only worry now is that it will be way to warm for me. :) That's a nice worry too have.

March Madness in Stockholm

This is for my brother Don, the one person I know that March Madness truly takes over his day to day. He's got the madness down to an art. Thankfully there's this thing called the internet and thankfully CBS is streaming live the games. Almost like being home.

A banner day in Stockholm

So first I had to take a picture of how the office looked like at 5:15 tonight. Notice the sun pouring into the office windows. (don't notice the fact that only one other person was there). It is such a great thing to see, the sun still being up at this time of the day. I know, we haven't switched to daylight savings time (that's in a couple more weeks) but I'll enjoy it while I can. The second thing that happened was this evening. Here most people barely acknowledged your existence much less smile on the subway. Well I happened to be riding with a friend sitting across from me and I made what I thought was a funny comment responding to a guy two rows down talking on his phone about this great St. Patrick's Day party he was going to. After I made my comment, I looked over at the two strangers sitting next to me and they both cracked a smile. I couldn't take a picture of it - too fleeting and maybe inappropriate to take it in that circumstance. I felt like I had accomplished something for the day.

My recycling bin in Stockholm

Recycling is part of everyday living here. Everyone does it here, it's not a question of whether you do or not. Not quite that way back in Dallas. In Dallas, you have these nice recycling bins in your alley. You simply have to walk out your garage to the alley and put your stuff in it - that's as much effort as there is to recycling. Here I have to walk to a common recycling center. It's about a 8 minute walk. I don't mind. It gets me out of the apartment. I have forever been changed on my view of recycling after living here. It's not an option for me.

Kind of cruel

I was going home the other day after slogging through some snow and shielding myself against some chilly wind. I sat down on the train looked up and saw this advertisement. I was thinking to myself, that's kind of cruel showing these cute sandals that there's no way in hell I will be wearing anything remotely like that for a couple of more months here.

Social healthcare

It's always "interesting" going to the doctor here. It's different for sure. Today took three hours. First you take a number, then your number is called and you pay, then your name is put in the queue for your assigned house doctor, then you wait, then you see the doctor, then in my case I had to go see a nurse, then I waited for the nurse, then I saw the nurse, then I went up to wait for the doctor, then I got a prescription, then I went to the drug store. Three hours later I was done. Some of it is real efficient but other times you feel like a cog in the wheel.

A Beautiful Commute

Today was a beautiful day at least from the visual standpoint. It snowed all day (and is still snowing as I type). I just gives the commute a little more of a challenge to it for sure but also just some beauty to it as well. It's funny see store windows with spring clothing being featured and the snow keeps coming. Seems ludicrous to buy anything spring like since it seems so far away.

The BEST dairy

This place has the best dairy products. They're so fresh. The cheese, milk, cottage cheese, etc. The yogurt is the best I've had - no tangy after taste. You can get a bigger size milk but it's not so common at least in the inner city stores. That's one of the reasons I frequent the grocery store - at least 4 times a week. And that's why whenever I go back home to Texas, it takes me a little bit to get use to the enormous size of the gallon container. Not the most riveting blog entry so far but had to share.

For Adrian

Spoonman wanted me to tell you that he misses you. He's so in need of polishing. It's really dull right now. Maybe it's the weather.

Not brave enough

I did my fast walk (can't run just yet) on my trail which I always enjoy. It's fun watching it change with the seasons. it's a soft surface trail that lines a canal. very picturesque. Well I noticed today a few brave souls walking on the frozen water. I just don't think I trust the "solidness" of it. I kept waiting for someone to fall through the ice (I've watch too many movies or Rescue 911 series). It is a gloriously sunny day on a weekend day so I can't blame them for being a little enthusiastic.

Print is not out here

I was thinking about my sister-in-law who invited me to "join" on facebook a group about not letting the printed newspaper die. something along those lines. Well the printed edition of news is alive and well here. I had to be subtle taking this picture and wanted to take another one inside the train where there were several folks reading their printed newspaper but that would be kind of creepy. I guess it's the fact that you commute via train/metro so you have time to enjoy the printed edition. I'm assuming it's similar for any other urban area with a good mass transit system. Possibly. I personally love the printed edition of newspaper, books, etc. Love holding it in my hand, drinking a cup of coffee. Anyway, no fear Mel, it's alive and well here.