October 2025
: Read: The Death Sculptor by Chris Carter 📚 Yet another great Robert Hunter story. I’ve never read a …
: A good example of how much we love to fika here in Sweden. My favorite café is now selling cinnamon …
: My brother (yes, I’ve told him to move to Micro.blog) has been using AI to colorize old photos. I …
: Playing: Stand Back by Kite 🎧 The Swedish band Kite is one of my absolute favorite discoveries in …
: I spotted a demonstration outside the café window today. Ran out and snapped this shot.
: I’ve done a complete redesign of the Blogging Tips & Tools page. It’s been on my to-do list for a …
: The upside of downtime — a positive take on the current technical issues with the Bear blogging …
: Bear is down for some custom domains, including mine. I’ll take it as a sign that running two blogs …
: Watched: A House of Dynamite (2025) 🍿 I really liked it. It was well-made and had almost a …
: My latest Bear experiment: a custom search feature for my blog page. There’s an official version, …
: Time for some transcenDental meditation. Getting to the root of things, one tooth at a time. …
: Playing: The End by Mammoth 🎧 Just discovered this great track after listening to an interesting …
: Watched: The Perfect Neighbor (2025) 🍿 A crazy and tragic story. One of those times you wish it were …
: One last Micro Bear update for today: I added a Videos page and decided to separate movies and shows …
: I was greeted by an explosion of autumn colors at one of my jobs today. 🍁
: I’ve updated the Postroll on my Bear blog. It now uses my Micro.blog bookmarks instead of Raindrops, …
: Playing: Wasted Years by Iron Maiden 🎧 I was in my teens when this song came out. I’d just started …
: Out with some friends at this cool burger joint tonight. Went to the bathroom and discovered a tiny …
: The lussebulle arrived early this year. A soft saffron bun baked for Lucia Day in December here in …
: I just noticed that IMDb has random 404 pages with messages inspired by movie quotes. This one’s my …
: Watched: Black Rabbit (2025) 📺 Ozark is one of my favorite shows. This felt like the New York …
: Sunday summary #1 Trying out a weekly Sunday summary of the new posts on my other blog. It’s still all quite new, but …
: Latest experiment on my Bear blog: a Status page showing books I’m reading, my latest post and …
: Playing: Black Cat by Janet Jackson 🎧 My cousin and I used to work as bricklayers for the same …
: Playing: The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) by Simon & Garfunkel 🎧 What’s a song that …
: Watched: Black Phone 2 (2025) 🍿 It was… okay. If you liked the first one you might enjoy it, but …
: We have AI, self-driving cars, and space tourists. Getting a custom favicon for your blog to show …
: I’ve been tinkering with my Bear blog and added a few new things: a Postroll to share recent posts …
: Huddinge, Sweden — boats laid to rest, adding their colors to the autumn canvas, as if painted there …
: I added a new photos section on my other blog, showing the photos I post here. To me, Bear and …
: Ingarö, Sweden — same spot as the video from earlier. Just experimenting a bit with a new photo …
: Ingarö, Sweden — the sound of silence. Sometimes, it’s what we don’t have that gives us the most.
: Today I did work at Muskö, an island south of Stockholm known for its old naval base hidden inside …
: Watched: The Woman in Cabin 10 🍿 Not great. Greed, a billionaire, a shady doctor, and a journalist …
: I received my “IndieWeb is Punk” stickers today. Jim Mitchell kindly sent them for free, since I was …
: Huddinge, Sweden — on my way to the next client, I stopped for a short break to enjoy the beautiful …
: Yesterday I wrote about not having decided how, or if, I should connect my two blogs. Now I’ve added …
: Blogging in stereo So far so good having two blogs, though I haven’t quite figured out how (or if) to connect them. …
: Watched: The Long Walk 🍿 Let’s just say you can expect body fluids. A lot of them. All sorts.
: I’ve been thinking about (no surprise there) what to call follow-up posts from other bloggers. …
: I asked ChatGPT to create a script that sorts posts on my Bear blog by year. This was the result on …
: Watched: Monster: The Ed Gein Story 📺 Not my favorite season, but still worth watching. I liked the …
: Saltsjöbaden, Sweden — mirror morning, with autumn colors slowly making their entrance. I love this …
: I figured it was time to give my new theme a proper name and description ✍️ Theme Name: Project …
: Balancing two blogs I think I’ve finally found a way to make my two blogging worlds work together — without losing my …
: Watched: Bo Burnham: Inside 🍿 I decided to rewatch it with some Covid distance (no pun intended), …
: If you ever visit my hometown, Stockholm, I highly recommend taking the retro tram. There’s even a …
: I’ve been working on the design for my “new” Bear blog over at robertbirming.com. There’s still a …
: Since I still haven’t been able to decide about mixing short and long posts, here’s my previous one, …
: Happy cinnamon bun day It’s Cinnamon Bun Day in Sweden! The perfect excuse for an extra fika (as if we needed one).
: Just watched: Sentimental Value (2025) 🍿 So sad, so beautiful, so good. I loved it! The acting was …
: A video from one of the clients I visited yesterday. It might look like the home of a hoarder, but …
: Haunted by ambitions Ambition can be a spark, but for me it often turns into a shadow. Some thoughts on recognizing the …
: Värmdö, Sweden — I stopped for a coffee between jobs and had this foggy fairytale view from my …
September 2025
: Skarpnäck, Sweden — this is the picture many people have of my home country, Sweden. And to be …
: Just watched: Speak No Evil (2022) 🍿 An unsettling feeling that kept growing as the story unfolded. …
: Stockholm, Sweden — I was greeted by a mighty sky on my bike ride to work this morning. One that …
: The world’s worst blogger Sometimes blogging feels more like a struggle than a flow, as I sort through thoughts and platforms.
: Just watched: One Battle After Another (2025) 🍿 I skipped the trailers and all the pre-info on this …
: The guru on the wall Sometimes knowing one name is enough to look like an expert, even when you’re not.
: From rookie to master Experience doesn’t always show up as new skills, but in knowing the drill and trusting ourselves.
: No shortcuts to wonder Shortcuts save time, but they also steal moments. The path of least resistance isn’t always the …
: Publish, don’t polish Chasing perfect posts only slows us down. Publish, don’t polish — raw words often say more than the …
: Read: Gruppen by Sigge Eklund 📚 It was an OK read, no more, no less. Nothing that blew me away, but …
: Stay curious We can’t stop the years from passing or the body from aging, but curiosity keeps the youth in our …
: Life without labels Life shifts, it stops and starts. I remind myself not to cling too tightly to labels, because life …
: The mysterious stranger On my bike ride home I keep meeting the same mysterious stranger, always with his head in the …
: From grumbling to growth Sometimes venting helps, but real change begins when complaints turn into suggestions. A few words …
: Blogging builds bridges Sometimes it feels like we’re the only ones with certain doubts. Blogging can be a great reminder …
: Choosing writing I’ve tried mixing my blog up, but it never feels right. In the end, it’s not about less, it’s about …
: From problem to perk Sometimes the smallest shift in perspective can turn a frustration into a little gift. A story about …
: Making promises It’s easy to make promises. The real challenge is keeping them — and it starts with only promising …
: Bro, Sweden — surf’s up. 🏄♂️
: The mess we hide I see a thousand homes a year, most a little messy — like us. We polish the outside, but inside can …
: Where do thoughts go? Thoughts come and go like clouds. Writing helps me catch them, turn them into raindrop letters, and …
: Catching creativity Even in dull routines, inspiration isn’t gone. With a small shift, a different angle, the colors can …
: The free ride Life is quite a ride — ups and downs, laughter and sorrow — and the best part is that the ticket was …
: Stockholm, Sweden — this tiny piece of street art made me stop and think. I guess it did its job.
: The silent applause Loneliness in blogging isn’t always what it seems. Even when we don’t hear the claps or see the …
: Finished reading: The Night Stalker by Chris Carter 📚 Great read! Just as horrifying as the others …
: Not good in group I’m not good in group. Too many voices, too much at once, so I slip away to recharge and find my …
: Guided by the Sandman Sometimes the best guide isn’t logic or lists, but the way my body exhales and finally rests.
: Too many balls in the air In Sweden we say “många bollar i luften” (many balls in the air). I’ve learned I’m not that person. …
: Why write for an audience? Why I write for an audience, the quiet nudge it gives me, and the blogkin family that makes it all …
: The courage to trust ourselves Sometimes it’s not about the noise around us, but the quiet nudge within, asking if this is really …
: The real problem isn’t the problem Most problems aren’t what they seem. Sometimes it’s just our minds turning small things into big …
August 2025
: The "just one more" trap We keep saying just one more book, podcast, or tip before we finally start. But the truth is, we …
: How I use AI for my blog A look at how I use AI on my blog — from proofreading and meta descriptions to small design tweaks — …
: Passion doesn’t shout Sometimes the quiet things matter most — like leaving a home safer or writing a blog post simply …
: The kindness of early warnings Sometimes the smallest warnings save us from the biggest surprises — in houses, and in life.
: The mysterious people A flooded basement, a child’s laughter, and a reminder that we could all use a little more curiosity …
: My lucky seven Seven years, 6642 places, and countless faces. Looking back, what I’m most grateful for isn’t the …
: When worry grows like mould A day of house inspections turned into a reminder of how easily we let worry grow — just like mould …
: The boredom antidote Staying home doesn’t have to be dull — the secret is having something you love to do.
: Right here, right hiraeth Today I learned the word hiraeth, a longing for a past that may never have existed, and it made me …
: Routine beats word counts Blogging gets easier with routine. Forget word counts, write a little every day, and let the posts …
: Blogging is beyond age Blogging erases age and borders. It’s a space where walls turn into bridges and inspiration flows …
: Where inspiration lives Everyday life is full of creativity, but only if we make ourselves available to it.
: Doing the work Talent helps, but without hard work it fails. Those who succeed are the ones willing to do the work.
: Most people care A sick day made me think about kindness, trust, and how most people - strangers included - really …
: Writing within limits I used to write my blog in Swedish and translate it into English. Now I write directly in English. …
: Beauty in the chaos In times of chaos, something new stirs. When our walls crack, we open, and hidden creativity finds …
: The unseen victories Even in dark times, progress happens quietly — unseen victories that remind us why we must keep …
: Finding your own way Finding your own way in life can mean sticking with one thing or exploring many. Both paths can be …
: Am I the new asshole? Spent an hour inspecting a house and listening to a blame list longer than the inspection itself. By …
: Writing it off This week started badly, everything went wrong twice. No advice, just this: write it off. Writing …
: Your blog, your rules Personal blogging isn’t about rules, it’s about rhythm. Some days I write a chapter, some days just …
: Our kryptonite Just back from the new Superman movie, and it got me thinking. We all mess up, regret things, and …
: You have me A customer once said he had nothing of value, and his girlfriend replied, ‘You have me.’ A joke, but …
: Bloggers unite Earlier this year I joined the original Bear blog question challenge, and with Kev’s help it spread …
: Many men called Otto Met the neighborhood’s own “Ove” the other day — car horn, complaints, and all. Unlike the movies, …
: Cookies and blogs A little story about cookies, generosity, and how the blogging world still carries something …
: Finished reading: Wild and Crazy Guys by Nick de Semlyen 📚 The stories live up to the title. A crazy …
: A suitcase full of dreams A family I met today is off to Thailand for half a year — finally living out a long-time dream. It …
: The balance of just enough Trying to find the right balance — in blogging, in habits, in life. Not too much, not too little. …
: Pride Stockholm 2025 Went to the Pride parade here in Stockholm with my mom. A colorful, joyful day full of warmth, …
: The bored blogger Trying to find the perfect way to blog… again. This time it felt right — until it didn’t. A few …
July 2025
: The cost of not listening Today’s client talked non-stop, leaving no room for me to do my job properly. It got me thinking …
: Less time, more blog A rare afternoon off got me thinking about time, creativity, and why I actually blog more when I …
: Fungus and flow An unusual house inspection got me thinking about routines, resistance, and why blogging — like most …
: Turning resistance into reward Some days the attic feels like a sauna, but I still climb up there — because it’s what I do. This …
: Passion as the recipe for success I listened to an interview with a Swedish baking star and it got me thinking about how joy and …
: Text or talk? Had a job out in the archipelago the other day and ended up calling instead of texting the person …
: Can't please them all Did a routine inspection, gave a thumbs up and explained everything clearly to the client — still …
: What keeps us going I met a 99-year-old client who was full of energy, and it got me thinking — maybe the secret to a …
: It’s not wrong, it’s life Life rarely gives us a week without challenges — and that’s not wrong. Accepting the ups and downs …
: I want a blog restart Thinking about restarting my blog — new name, new domain. Just sharing some thoughts (again) to …
: Beginner's mind Some thoughts on how a beginner’s mind can outsmart twenty years of experience. Sometimes, not …
: Finding flavor in life A customer told me he quit his high-paying job because it just wasn’t worth it anymore. It got me …
: Overthinkers non-anonymous Yesterday, a blog identity crisis. Today, all clear thanks to writing it out and hearing from others …
: Finished reading: Atomic Habits by James Clear 📚 Nah. Some good bits, but formulaic and uninspiring. …
: Blog identity crisis — again Just me, once again, trying to figure out how to balance micro posts and long-form writing. No big …
: The lost art of listening I’ve been thinking about how rare good listening has become. Here’s why being a listener matters to …
: Re: Starting without a plan Thoughts on why I love seeing new blogs pop up, and how blogging can be both a creative outlet and a …
: Finished reading: New Thinking by Dagogo Altraide 📚 An interesting read! It’s cool to see how much …
: Dancing with ghosts A dreamy dive into Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights — ghostly vocals, red dresses, and a story that’s …
: The present Reflecting on past, future, and the uncertainty of life, I realize the most important part isn’t …
: Finished reading: The Executioner by Chris Carter 📚 Yep, he’s done it again! Without a doubt the …
: A lifetime of lessons I recently overheard a conversation where someone proudly shared a photo of their grandchildren. The …
: Setbacks with a purpose I was recently listening to a thoughtful interview with the wonderful Finnish singer Arja Saijonmaa. …
: Clarity over chaos This day started out with a bit of a challenge… The first client I visited had a (false) …
: A place that feels like elsewhere Right now, I’m sitting at The International Bar. It’s just around the corner from where I live. …
: Finished reading: Creativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition) by Ed Catmull 📚 A great read! Packed with …
: The perfection myth I just finished reading Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull. I loved it! So interesting and inspiring. …
: Finding your voice — and keeping it There’s one challenge most bloggers face: discovering their unique voice. And honestly, the only …
: No likes, no stats, no problem I really appreciate the new features available on this fresh little blog home of mine. I like how …
: Blogs have birthdays too I just read the post Thank you for being you by Ruben Verweij. He writes that his blog has just …
: I’d rather be a fake millionaire I heard on the Swedish news that our dear neighbors in Norway had a bit of a bummer the other day. …
: Yay, I got my ”IndieWeb is Punk” T-shirt today! 😎 This awesome creation is a perfect example of what …
: After the blogging honeymoon With this new home for my blog, I’m still on the limited Micro.one $1/month plan. It’s a …
: JulyReply 2025 is here Junited 2025 is over, which means it’s time for JulyReply 2025! If you’ve been following my blog for …
June 2025
: The beauty of blogging I’ve been blogging for about 20 years now — give or take a couple of breaks along the way — and I …
: Finished reading: Battle Scars by Jason Fox 📚 An honest, interesting, and at times deeply unsettling …
: The illusion of overnight success I recently listened to a documentary about the artist Charli XCX. It featured, among others, the …
: The Zen of CSS Creating a rainbow logo or category styles takes me a long time. Too long, most people would …
: Cherish what you have I remember a house inspection I did a while back. Before I started looking around, I asked the owner …
: Blogging balance In her latest post, Véronique writes that she’s been thinking about posting daily “card pulls” and …
: Finished reading: Studie i mänskligt beteende by Lena Andersson 📚 I really like her books! She has a …
: Finished reading: The Innovators by Walter Isaacson 📚 Very interesting read! From the invention of …
: Awesome aging Since I’m in the one step at a time process of moving my blog, and today picked Ava’s post I like …
: Micro.blog Rainbow Logo Want to sprinkle some rainbow magic on your Micro.blog during Pride Month? Or why not keep the joy …
: True success is daring to fail We often only see the finished product, not the messy journey behind it. That thought struck me …
: High on low expectations We’ve all been there: the anticipation of something great, only to be met with disappointment. It’s …
: Finished reading: Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter 📚 A new favorite of mine in the crime/thriller …
: A life in motion Lately, it’s struck me that I now prefer books, movies, and shows that feel real and take place more …
: Blog Recycling I listened to an interview (it’s in English by a Swedish journalist) with the American songwriter …
: Micro.blog Question Challenge A while back, Ava kindly invited me to take part in her wonderful initiative, the Bear blog question …
: Swedish Midsummer: family, frogs & flowers Today is Midsummer’s Day here in Sweden. Of all the holidays we celebrate, this might just be the …
: Finished reading: Från Noice till nu by Peo Thyrén 📚 A nostalgic read for anyone who remembers Noice …
: Finding my genuine English voice My blogging workflow used to involve writing in Swedish and then translating it into English. I did …
: The overthinking blogger I’m dragging my feet when it comes to writing this post. Or rather, publishing it. Not because I …
: Never forget to remember Today I spent the whole day working in the Swedish archipelago. A colleague and I traveled around by …
: One step at a time One ongoing project for this new home of my blog is to move content over from my old platform—like I …
: I recently read the autobiography of one of Sweden’s most well-known actors, Mikael Persbrandt. …
: The simple perfection There are many reasons why I love my job. One of them is all the amazing places I get to visit. I …
: Finished reading: Thorsten Flinck : En självbiografi by Thorsten Flinck 📚 What a ride! Great book, …
: With great platform power comes great reader responsibility You probably recognize the inspiration behind the title. Even though Voltaire coined the phrase, …
: The uplifting burdon of living I started the weekend with a visit to a burger joint in my neighborhood. I took a seat on the …
: Your Swedish Local Guide There are so many things I love about my job inspecting houses. Getting to meet people in their …
: Everyone's a genius behind the wheel I visit up to seven places a day in my line of work. That adds up to a lot of driving. And with all …
: Blogging & Design Resources Those of you who’ve followed me for a while know that I like to collect useful links related to …
: When saying no is the right answer The other day, I received an offer that sounded both fun and interesting. I started drafting a …
: Finished reading: Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger 📚 An inspiring read. Also some fun trivia, like …
: Curiosity as a compass We all feel disappointed, sad, hurt, or unfairly treated from time to time. When it’s something big, …
: My blogging inspiration As a blogger, one of the questions I sometimes get asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” The …
: Learning to live with uncertainty This day started like any other. I woke up and did my usual little yoga routine in bed—a comforting …
: Celebrating Sweden’s National Day Today is Sweden’s National Day, and I celebrated it with family and friends in my childhood …
: My blogging workflow Now that I’ve moved my blog to Micro.blog, my blogging routine looks a bit different. So I figured …
: Why I remember you I’ve conducted over 6,000 home inspections. That’s taken me to countless places — and brought me …
: When nothing is everything I was a few minutes early to one of the jobs today. I sat down on a park bench to wait. The first …
: You have time When I finished one of the day’s jobs, the customer asked if I wanted a cup of coffee. I politely …
: Why I moved my blog to Micro.blog This blog has moved from Bear and now has a new home on Micro.blog. But it was far from an easy or …
May 2025
: Finished reading: The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver 📚 It was good, but not quite as strong as the …
: Finished reading: Tio tankar för själens hunger by Antje Jackelen 📚 Not my cup of tea, but it’s a …
: Finished reading: I May Be Wrong by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad 📚 A truly wonderful read, filled with …
: Finished reading: Wolf by Mo Hayder 📚 A good book with a thrilling, unpredictable ending, but the …
: Finished reading: The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver 📚 An outstanding thriller! Even better than …
: Finished reading: Mikael Persbrandt by Mikael Persbrandt 📚 What a wild ride! A great example of when …
April 2025
: Finished reading: Markoolio – mörkret och den rosa bubblan by Marko Lehtosalo 📚 I liked it. It was …
: Finished reading: The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver 📚 Another great one in the series. Horrifying …
: Finished reading: A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough 📚 A powerful and sobering read. The …
: Let's get curious I listened to an interview with the Swedish artist Ernst Billgren. Among other things, he said: If …
: Finished reading: Din tid kommer by Carl-Johan Vallgren 📚 Definitely worth reading! I love …
: Finished reading: Poppet by Mo Hayder 📚 A decent read, but the weakest in the series so far. It felt …
: The value of a firm "No" It’s been a pretty challenging week at work — lots of home inspections and a whole lot of driving. I …
: Finished reading: Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane 📚 Just read the book for the first time, and it …
March 2025
: Finished reading: Gone by Mo Hayder 📚 Easily the best Jack Caffery book yet! Non-stop excitement. If …
: Finished reading: Skin by Mo Hayder 📚 Another chilling, gripping ride with Jack Caffrey. If you’re a …
: Finished reading: En bra man by Tina Trender 📚 Thought about putting it down more than once. But …
: Finished reading: Sömngångaren by Lars Kepler 📚 Rreally exciting all the way through, and definitely …
February 2025
: Finished reading: The Treatment by Mo Hayder 📚 Liked the first one better. This one felt …
: Finished reading: The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris 📚 Finally read it after a million …
: Finished reading: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 📚 I love the movie! Seen it a …
: Finished reading: Jävla karlar by Andrev Walden 📚 I absolutely loved it! It’s a fantastic mix of …
January 2025
: Finished reading: Jag lever, pappa by Siri Marie Seim Sønstelie 📚 I found myself wishing it was …
: Finished reading: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey 📚 I loved it. It’s full of wild stories and …
: Finished reading: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave 📚 Kept me interested, but didn’t blow me …
: Finished reading: No and Me by Delphine De Vigan 📚 I loved it! It’s such a beautifully written book …
: Finished reading: No Time Like the Future by Michael J. Fox 📚 Inspiring and beautifully written. He …
June 2024
: My blogging journey Inspired by Juha-Matti Santala’s post, Short History of My Blogging Journey, I decided to write a …
March 2024
: Why write? I’ve been thinking about why I write… Is it a call for attention? A hope that it might lead to …