Today, after whining in frustration to a friend, it dawned on me that as much as I'd like to be friends with my mom, and as much as I'm envious of people close to me that are good friends with their moms, my mom isn't the kind of personality (at least with me) that I would choose to have as a friend.

This is a harsh realisation, and it's quite difficult to accept. I will have to, though, because the conflict of longing for a friendship that I wouldn't want is kind of deteriorating...
At the same time, it's kind of sad. It's like some part of me has to die... that longing part that just isn't on par with the reality of who I am and who my mom is. I guess that's what makes it so hard to accept.

[Musikfestivalen is the Swedish song contest to find the artist that goes on to compete in the European Song Contest]

For once, I'm really glad I followed Musikfestivalen, this had to be the year I guess.

One song stuck out for me, above and beyond eny that I heard this year or any year before. For some reason that I cannot explain, this song digs deep in me and moves me to tears, every time I listen to it.

According to what I read, this years Musikfestival marks a shift in generation. All artists that performed according to the old forms that we were all used to (and on my part, utterly bored with) didn't make it to the final, this has apparently never happened before.

Anyway, Loreen stuck out, with an aura and a performance that blew me away. It'll be interesting to see what she does next.

Definitely a name to watch for.

That's kind of an odd title, isn't it? It will become clear, in just a few lines...

I've been following The Burning House, a photo project where people submit one picture that has the stuff that they hold dear and want to take with them if their house burns.

There's really a gazillion pictures, some of them make me laugh, I have a hard time seeing how they'd bring all that stuff in a fire situation.

One submitted picture stuck out, though... James van der Velden included not just stuff in his picture, but also his girlfriend, and I found that to be really sweet. (I've keep it "unread" in my feed reader, just to be able to go back and see it again)

xkcd featured a strip that I really like, today. Basically, I'd love it if my programs sometimes told me error -41... or having that book, for that matter

You know how there are songs that stick in your mind? I'm finding them a little now and then... today, I stumbled upon one while waiting for some take away food, playing softly in the speakers there... Coming home, I just had to find it.

I'm collecting these songs in one of the static pages... just go to the static tab on top of this page, I'm sure you'll find them.

Unlike last week, there was some real snow today. Actually, the day started with rain, and Anna and I were joking that something was wrong, it was supposed to be winter, but all we got was the typical weather of the fall...

An hour later, we started noticing that there were some snow flakes in the rain, and they were growing in number... then in size, and we found ourselves having what we asked for. Apparently someone listened?

So now we have this layer, some 5-10 centimeters of snow, and it seems to want to stick around for a little bit.

Maybe, just maybe we will have a white Christmas after all this year.

Snow is late this year, but some actually fell the night before yesterday. Not much, mind, just a little bit, like a tease of sorts, and a fall in temperature...

Of course, this is the kind of temperature fall that comes with a cold. Not more than the usual, and just as annoying as usual. Went out for groseries yesterday (oh, I payed for it, I was exhausted when I got back home), and took the time to take this picture (well, really a bunch of them, this is the one I like best).

... a little more than a month ago. He passed away quickly, it seems, from a heart attack, only 42 years old.

I remember him as kind, warm and true to his word... and ever present, at least at Stacken which was our common base. mho was how we usually reffered to him.

I was at the funeral last thursday, together we 20ish other Stacken members, as well as the following memorial. Many memories were shared, and there was some beautiful songs sung, lead by mho's father (who looks so very much like his son!). Emotions were high at times.

At the end of the memorial, we all got to choose one item from a collection of things (books and music) that mho cherished. It felt a bit unusual, but nice... it's like those objects reinforced the memories. I picket a book by Heinlein...

A number of us went on in the evening, for dinner and beer. We raised one for mho.

Rest well wherever you are, my friend. You will be remembered.

Today, the apple front page simply has an image of Steve Jobs and the text "Steve Jobs 1955-2011". Simple, as was one of Steve's marks of genius, and to the point.

According to the news, he passed away yesterday.

I can't claim having known Steve Jobs... and yet, I knew about him, and I'm most certainly affected by him one way or another. He was a genius, without a doubt, and had things to say that we'd do well remembering. I hope we will.

R.I.P Steve, you will be missed.

I just got to know that an old friend of mine has passed away last week. As far as I understand, it was quite sudden and quick.

There will be a ceremony in about a month. I'll be there of course.

You will be dearly missed, my friend