It’s a rainy day in Stockholm, perfect for taking the time to fix proper workspaces in the studio for me and Helena. We haven’t had the time to do that after she came back from her maternity leave a couple of weeks ago. It turned out well enough for us to treat ourselves to a wine lunch. We’re blasting through todos, listening to Elton John, and enjoying the fact that it’s a somewhat calm Friday.

Being away for a week, albeit while handling some emergency work and regular correspondence, certainly gives you a hefty todo list when you get back. With that in mind, it feels like a stroke of genius to do some early morning laundry, because that means that I’ve been checking of todos since 7am. I’ll surely regret this later in the day, but getting a head start on a day like this isn’t without its merits.

I used to do get up early, make coffee, and hammer out 2,000 words on whatever project I was working on, but last year’s back and forth to Stockholm, from the house I had down south, killed that proper. That, and the stress attached to that whole situation, and its eruption. I’ll get back to that daily routine, or some version of it, soon enough. That’s the idea at least. Got to keep your goals in focus, both short and long term, which is something I told a friend recently, but have been failing somewhat myself the past six months. It’s hard, but most good things are, in the beginning. Just pick up a guitar for the first time, and you’ll see.

Spending the day on trains, going from the south of Sweden, back to Stockholm. I’m going to miss that horizon.

Been to a family reunion the past few days, hence the silence. Also, other things, as per usual. We’ll return to regular schedule (i.e. daily journal entries) tomorrow. Meanwhile, here’s me at the beach, and no, swimming was not an option.

Went to Lousiana (which is in Denmark, in case you didn’t know) today, and stood among the stars, or whatever those things were. Such a wonderful place.

Copenhagen behaved yesterday, with a sunny evening and a great dinner at Rufino Osteria, very much recommended! Today brings dreary rain, but we’ll make do. There are, after all, plenty of bars to choose from.

I’ve spent most of the day working on a game project. It’s work for hire, so don’t expect me to release anything, but it’s fun nonetheless. I’m putting the finishing touches on this thing on the train to Copenhagen, which is quiet and cool at the moment. Things have been worse.

Today is July 4th, which is celebrated with such fanfare because it’s Malin’s birthday. Happy birthday, Malin! Malin is, of course, known for being the mother to Paazu the Shiba Inu. I’m glad we got that sorted.

It’s a beautiful day passing by outside the train’s window. I’m southbound, a trip I haven’t done in quite some time. The idea is to get some things done while on the train, but also take the downtime to read and contemplate things. You know, that sort of thing that get pushed aside when you’re rushing through the days. Enjoy your day, and I’ll try and do the same.

Preparations for tomorrow’s trip down south is all but done, I just need to pack, which is simple enough because I obviously have a list for that. Easy workday today, in part because of late night whisky drinking with Mark, great fun. I’m actually looking forward to my train ride tomorrow, something I’ll no doubt regret saying, but there you go. Train rides are great for writing and reading, which is what I have planned. It’ll be good to leave Stockholm for a bit. Take good care of my city while I’m gone, kids.

An old friend of mine, from the good old days when blogging was the shit, passed away recently. I, and thousands of others online, got the news today. We hadn’t spoken in some time, it’s probably been almost a year. And now never again. I enjoyed our chat sessions, always pleasant. You were too young, Tommy. You’ll be missed.

Spent yesterday taking it easy with Helena and Max, and then taking it somewhat less easy with Jesper. Suffice to say, today is a slow day. It’s so hot Paazu, who’s here for a few hours, hides under the bed. I guess it’s slightly cooler there. All in all, a nice weekend.

Got hijacked to a birthday party last night. It was fun, many thanks and I hope you had a happy birthday, Emilia!

Spending the day preparing for my trip down south next week, picking up things to optimize my packing list. It’s hot in Stockholm, chasing shade and trying to not stop for coffee or something cool too often. I’m somewhat successful.

This week is truly one long race to the finish line. Yes, I’m getting bored with telling you that too, so let’s just assume everything goes well, and that’s that.

You know how you’re swamped with work, deadlines, and people demanding thing from you? And you also know how the brain tend to solve this by injecting new ideas? Yeah, so I wrote part of a lyric while making coffee this morning. Now to quench the urge to make it into a song before all my todos are done. Friday fun times.

The workday is almost over, and I survived it despite a late night with the team, and three hours of sleep. Going to wrap it up, and then head out for dinner, before crashing on the couch. Yep, that sounds like a plan. And no, there are no public photos from the evening’s shenanigans.