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Tag archives for Mikaela

When fall sneaks up on us, it’s time for some Swedish film

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Sadly, soon enough we’ll have to consider the Swedish summer a chapter coming to an end. The evenings are getting darker for every day passing and this morning I actually had to find my stash of winter clothes and dig up one of my long-sleeved sweaters.

But the fall sneaking up on us is, in my opinion, not a bad thing at all. I find it kind of liberating to get rid of the feeling of obligation to spend every waking minute outdoors, always up to something. Now I can allow myself to spend my evenings on the couch watching films, which is something I really love doing! And there is a lot of interesting Swedish film! A few I’ve been planning to see for some time now is for example “Flickan“(The girl) and “Snabba cash” (Easy Money).

I’m sure I will also spend some time at the movie theatre where I most definitely will watch “I rymden finns inga känslor” (Simple Simon) and “Himlen är oskyldigt blå” (Behind Blue Skies). Bill Skarsgård, the son of Stellan Skarsgård and the younger brother of Alexander Skarsgård, plays the lead part in both films.

Bill Skarsgård as Simon in Simple Simon

Bill Skarsgård as Simon in "I rymden finns inga känslor" (Simple Simon). Photo: Naive AB

/Mikaela

Mikaela

August 18, 2010

A summer in good company

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For more than 50 years Radio Sweden (Sveriges Radio) has been broadcasting the show “Sommar i P1” every day during the summer months. It’s a show where well-known Swedes share their life stories and play some of their favorite music. It’s a good show and in my family it’s bit of a tradition to listen to the re-run every night of the summer holiday.

This Wednesday I listened to the summer host who happened to be  Per Holknekt, world artist and one of the founders of very successful Swedish brand Odd Molly. And what a life story that man had to tell! A roller coaster ride through life. Up and down. And then up again.  From professional skater (more about that here) to drug addict. From famous and financially independent to homeless at the bottom of society. A Big Brother participant. A pinball competitor briefly parked in the top ten of the world rankings. A brilliant entrepreneur…

So far I’ve also listened to Natasha Illum Berg, East Africa’s only female licensed professional hunter, film director Babak Najafi and Pär Johansson, founder of the Glada Hudik Theatre, where mentally disabled and “normally disturbed”  actors work side by side. And there are still a lot of interesting people and stories left. I have a feeling it’s going to be a really nice summer!

/Mikaela

Mikaela

July 2, 2010

The day I decided to never go zorbing again

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This weekend two good friends of mine came to visit Stockholm. While in town they had decided to try out zorbing. I came along to watch the whole spectacle.

I saw the two of them gracefully (more or less ;) ) climb into the gigantic plastic orb and then be taken up the hill on the loading platform of a four-wheeler.  I didn’t think it looked that much of a deal. They didn’t go very high up the hill and the down slope was not really that steep. I waited at the foot of the hill and then suddenly the orb started its journey down. After a whole lot of screaming and laughing my friends stepped out of the orb.

-Now it’s your go! they said with a smirk.

What choice did I have but to take their place, crawl into the orb and be taken up the hill by the four-wheeler? I guess it was a good thing I didn’t have much time to reflect over what I had gotten myself into. I won’t tell you what it was like. Instead I’ll share this video with you and let you hear my scream of agony.

/Mikaela

Mikaela

May 31, 2010

A Royal Wedding Photographer

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As the day for the Royal Wedding gets closer and closer I can’t help to speculate about which photographer Crown Princess Victoria and Mr. Daniel Westling (or more likely the Royal Court!) have chosen to perpetuate the Royal Wedding Day. Of course they won’t be having much trouble with their wedding NOT being documented enough – Swedish as well as international media will most likely cover the event second by second.

Scanpix is the official image agency during the Royal Wedding and there is a good chance their photographer Henrik Montgomery, who shot the couple’s engagement photo, is the one getting the prestigious mission to make the wedding portrait. Henrik Montgomery, by the way, got the award for best Swedish picture 2010. But there are also some rumors saying that another possible candidate for the job is the fashion photographer Mikael Jansson, who took the portrait pictures for the slide show presented at the Swedish Royal Court web page. If you are interested in following the progress of the wedding and the hysteria surrounding it, The Local has a special Royal Wedding Blog.

Whoever gets the honor to take Victoria and Daniel’s wedding portrait, I’d still like to highlight another successful Swedish wedding photographer. Jonas Peterson is originally from Gothenburg but now lives in Australia. Some time ago he decided to leave a splendid career within the PR industry to go for his passion whole-heartedly and became a full-time photographer, specializing in weddings. He shoots the weddings in a very personal and intimate way, capturing all the memorable little moments, and I think he always manages to tell a story with his pictures. Jonas is blogging about his amazing job and also shares some of his everyday life, and there, among his magical photos you can dream away for a little while. I for one know who I would choose to shoot my wedding if I were a bit more anxious to get married!

/Mikaela

Mikaela

May 27, 2010

Tyresö Castle – an oasis 20 minutes from Stockholm

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Tyresö castle by Stefan Aaltonen

Tyresö Castle. Photo: Stefan Aaltonen

 

Two years ago I found this amazing place not far from central Stockholm and it would be a shame not to share it with you! 

Tyresö Castle is located 20 minutes from Stockholm City and you can easily get there by bus. The castle’s origins date back to the 17th century and are now in the possession of Nordiska museet. It’s open for guided tours Saturdays and Sundays from May to September. 

The castle is surrounded by a fantastic English-style royal park which is perfect for a picnic or a slow stroll. There is also a big garden center for those who want to see more flowers and plants than the park has to offer. 

By crossing a little wooden bridge you’ll reach Notholmen, a small islet where you soon find your own personal favorite spot in the sun, either on one of the bare cliffs or on a jetty. From there it’s time to enjoy the view over the castle and the lake and watch the boats silently pass by. If the urge for a coffee gets too strong, just stroll over to Café Notholmen and take the chance to taste some of the really good pastries served there. And then – just let the hours pass by unnoticed. 

Notholmen. Photo: Lotta Holmström

Notholmen. Photo: Lotta Holmström

 

Later on when it’s time for dinner, just drop in at Tyresö Slottskrog and make sure to get a seat on the porch. From there you can enjoy the food and the scenery as the sun sets over the lake and the tree tops. Do you need anything else for a perfect day? 

/Mikaela

Mikaela

May 12, 2010