Monologuer

Calling Tokyo

noL — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:20:03 +0000

Testing testing.

Hope to, in this way, keep Monologuer up to date when I go to Japan tomorrow. Let’s hope Wordpress on iPhone and Japanese wifi want to play.

Sayonara for now!

25 minutes

noL — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:14:26 +0000

Why didn’t you get started on that speech/task/chore/project/phone call you should’ve done last week? Let me tell you how I got the party started.

But first - why is it so hard to get it started? How do you get something done? To put it absurdly simple; you must start. And starting isn’t easy, it’s a very distant place that’s we don’t really like. So we postpone until no longer postponable. Then we invent deadlines and it barely saves us as we stumble over the project finish line. Phew! I made it!

The Pomodoro technique has changed the way I get things done. By simply GETTING them started. It subtly surrounds the core, the unmanageable tasks, and gives you a motivational push. In a brilliantly, 100% foolproof way. Sounds sophisticated huh?

Here’s the 101: Set a timer (app for iPhone/Android, kitchen timer, computer software) on 25 minutes. Start the task. When the timer stops you’re finished and congrats; you started a task. Even better so - you probably got much longer than you expected.

Why does it work? Maybe because the technique is the opposite of multi-tasking that actually focus on focusing. That’s why.

Are you surprised? The simplest of things sometimes work the best. Give it a try. It’ll only take 25 minutes.

PS. If I finish/start four pomodoros during a day I get a reward. Mostly ice-cream.

Guest Post - Solitary Together

noL — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:23:47 +0000

by Hans Adamsson.
Location: Svalbard, 2010.

WoW & Friends

noL — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:04:11 +0000

Standing in my own shadow during Mumford & Sons.

Reindeer wrap and free tap water - gourmet festival style!

Cheers!

The National.

Sorry about the poor sound quality - iPhone isn’t near perfect.

Bubbly Next Door

noL — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:46:13 +0000

Our neighbour bubbled last evening in the pouring summer rain.

One of them landed on our balcony rail.

Holiday Mojo

noL — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:26:24 +0000

Soon on board.

Eriks Hale, Ærø.

Drejet.

Sun.

And rain.

But who cries?

Photo A. Bergek

At Last

noL — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:31:05 +0000

Three and a half months later. This 1967 little apartment still has an air of the past but with enough comfort and practicality to suit itself perfectly. And us.

Recap

noL — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:07:59 +0000

I’m starting to run out of synonyms for gathering the last weeks in one, slightly embarrassed little post.

So never mind then. If there still is anyone out there in space, thanks for sticking around. In less than a week even I will hang around more. Yes, it’s finally time. The last days of tropic heat and a day off in the sun has not only left us burnt and sweaty but also ready. Ready for the final touches and this weekend we should, according to deadline, be set to actually live in the home we bought in March.

Until then, a sneak preview - the final steps.

Lately

noL — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:32:02 +0000

Busy and lazy. Busy renovating, lazy blogging and being sociable in general. But then I go through pictures and realize; I could do a lot worse.

Swedish Touring Car Championship, some weekends ago.

BBQ’s.

Summernights. With royal Charlotte-visits.

And then…back to reality.

Props to A. Bergek (and his Nikon D90) for photos.

iScotch

noL — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:58:26 +0000

A bit broken, abandoned and bold - Glasgow through my iPhone.

A view from the hotel room.

Wonder who John is and what he does.

Outside the Glasgow Science Center. No, it’s not me in a kilt.

One of the neater bridges I’ve seen, beautifully arched from one side to the other.

The conference center and exhibition along river Clyde.

You’d think I’ve been here a week. But these things are all spots I found on my 20 min walk from my hotel to the conference (except the accident sign). Which was basically all the time I had ‘exploring’.