Now playing: The Highwayman by Jimmy Webb 🎵 If someone told me to name my all-time favorite song, this would be the one. I love everything about it!
Archive
2025
Finished reading: Från Noice till nu by Peo Thyrén 📚 This book is a nostalgic trip back in time, but only if you’re from Sweden and old enough to remember the band Noice (yes, that’s how they spell it) at their peak during the late ’70s and early ‘80s. For those of us who grew up with their music, …
Photo challenge day 19: Equal 📷
From one of the stops during yesterday’s work in the archipelago. Silverpilen = Silver arrow. 📷
Trying the Raycast extension for Micro.blog. Not sure if or how I will use it, but I like the possibillity. ✍️
The overthinking blogger: Struggling with ambivalence about blogging, overthinking platform and language choices while seeking enjoyment in the process.
Photo challenge day 18: Texture 📷
Never forget to remember: A day spent working in the beautiful archipelago felt more like a vacation, highlighting the importance of gratitude during tougher workdays.
Photo challenge day 17: Warmth 📷
Jumped on the Google tram, but before I reached my destination, the AI voice announces: “Service canceled.”
One step at a time: Breaking tasks down into smaller steps reduces stress and makes achieving goals more manageable.
BlogBuddy is an updated version of an Apple shortcut I’ve made to boost and inspire blogging. ✍️
Photo challenge day 16: Blur 📷
We all need a hobby: I recently read the autobiography of one of Sweden’s most well-known actors, Mikael Persbrandt. Among other things, he talks about his deep interest in cars and motorcycles, and how he finds something meditative in tinkering with them. It’s his greatest passion in life, and he mentions that he …
I just recently found out that you can use MB as a feed reader, subscribing like micro.blog/mgx.me. Is that something you do? I think it works pretty great! An easy way to follow while still visiting the actual blog when reading a post. ✍️
Blogging Tips & Tools page updated with a Logos category and lots of other useful resources. ✍️
Just trying something with the beautiful Micro Social app 📷
Photo challenge day 15: TIE 📷
Photo challenge day 14: Twilight 📷
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 make up to seven customer visits a day, so that’s a lot of places – places I never would have set foot in if not for my job. Yesterday, I spent the entire day out in beautiful Värmdö. During …
Finished reading: Thorsten Flinck : En självbiografi by Thorsten Flinck 📚 What a ride! Great book, both inspiring and incredibly tragic at the same time. Definitely worth picking up, especially if you’ve also read Mikael Persbrandt’s book – they make for a really interesting pair to read …
With great platform power comes great reader responsibility: You probably recognize the inspiration behind the title. Even though Voltaire coined the phrase, most people likely associate it with Spider-Man: With great power comes great responsibility. That quote came to mind as I was thinking about my new choice of platform for this blog. Micro.blog offers …
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 outdoor patio, feeling grateful that this time of year finally has arrived here in Sweden. It was almost full. When a group of friends couldn’t find a table, I offered them to sit at mine. Since I was …
Your Swedish Local Guide: There are so many things I love about my job inspecting houses. Getting to meet people in their homes every day, and visiting places I never could’ve dreamed of otherwise, is something I’m genuinely grateful for. Right now, as I’m writing this, I’m out in the beautiful archipelago, sitting at one of …
Photo challenge day 13: Pathway 📷
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 that time on the road, there are plenty of moments when I think other people are driving like idiots. I’m sure plenty of drivers feel exactly the same way about me. It’s often said that people find it …
Photo challenge day 12: Hidden 📷
Nacka, Sweden 📷
Blogging & Design Resources: Those of you who’ve followed me for a while know that I like to collect useful links related to blogging and web design. Everything from handy guides and colorful patterns to inspiring articles and other reads that help spark creativity. I’ve now moved this extensive — and constantly growing — …
When saying no is the right answer: The other day, I received an offer that sounded both fun and interesting. I started drafting a reply: “Absolutely, that sounds great! I’m looking forward…” Then I paused. Something didn’t feel quite right. I deleted the message and instead replied that I’d get back with an …
Photo challenge day 11: Brick 📷
Curiosity as a compass: We all feel disappointed, sad, hurt, or unfairly treated from time to time. When it’s something big, we speak up—if we can. We explain what we believe was wrong and why. Sometimes it gets resolved; other times, it doesn’t. Then there are the smaller things—the ones we don’t think are worth trying to …
Finished reading: Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger 📚 An inspiring read. Also some fun trivia, like Danny DeVito filling Arnold’s cigar with weed on the set of Twins. The book even made me reflect on my own blogging in a way.
Photo challenge day 10: Rail 📷
Photo challenge day 9: Wood 📷
Upplands Väsby, Sweden 📷
Photo challenge day 8: Travel 📷
My blogging inspiration: As a blogger, one of the questions I sometimes get asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” The truth is, inspiration is everywhere—you just have to tune in. Most of my posts are sparked by everyday experiences. It might be something that happened at work, a passing comment during lunch, or a …
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 habit that helps me land in my body before the day really gets going. But not long after, the day took an unexpected turn. I felt something itchy behind my knee. At first, I thought it might be a …
Photo challenge day 7: Switch 📷
Celebrating Sweden’s National Day: Today is Sweden’s National Day, and I celebrated it with family and friends in my childhood neighborhood, Åkersberga. It was a lovely day! We combined the celebration with a birthday party for one of my sister’s children, who turned 12. There was delicious food, cake, and plenty of joyful memories. …
Photo challenge day 6: Contrast 📷
My blogging workflow: Now that I’ve moved my blog to Micro.blog, my blogging routine looks a bit different. So I figured it’s about time I updated my contribution to the Our blogging workflow list. Writing Most of the time, I write my posts in TextEdit on my Mac, in full-screen mode. I love the completely stripped-down …
Photo challenge day 5: Reflection 📷
Trångsund, Sweden 📷
Why I remember you: I’ve conducted over 6,000 home inspections. That’s taken me to countless places — and brought me face-to-face with even more people. Each inspection is unique, not just because of the property, but because of the people I meet along the way. Every now and then, I come across a customer I’ve met …
Photo challenge day 4: Nostalgia 📷
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 thought that popped into my head was: “What can I use this time for?” As if something always has to be happening. As if it’s a loss not to do something productive the moment a gap appears. As if a quiet …
Photo challenge day 3: Shadow 📷
Photo challenge day 2: Curve 📷
You have time: When I finished one of the day’s jobs, the customer asked if I wanted a cup of coffee. I politely declined and explained that I had to head to my next appointment. He smiled at me and said: “Oh yes, you have time.” And of course, he was right. Sure, I had another customer to get to, but it really …
Farsta, Sweden 📷
Google has placed a giant Dala horse in the “Central Park” of Stockholm. 📷 Hej Sverige! Your new Google Cloud region is here.
Photo challenge day 1: Tree 📷
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 obvious choice. I posted my first entry on Bear on February 16, 2023, and I still love the platform. My time there has led to several valuable connections, thanks to the fantastic community that has …
My Junited 2025 list: Junited is all about sharing. If you’d like to join in—or just see which bloggers are taking part—check out the Junited 2025 post. Each day in June, I’ll update this page with a new link to a blog or post that I think deserves a little extra love. My first attempt at iOS app development by mgx I …
Finished reading: The Empty Chair by Jeffery Deaver 📚 It was good, but not quite as strong as the previous books in the series. Still had solid suspense and some nice twists, but it didn’t grab me quite the same way.
Finished reading: Tio tankar för själens hunger by Antje Jackelen 📚 Not my cup of tea, but it’s a good book that will definitely appeal to a lot of people more than it did to me. One interesting thing I picked up was that René “I think, therefore I am” Descartes died in Stockholm. …
Finished reading: Wolf by Mo Hayder 📚 A good book with a thrilling, unpredictable ending, but the middle dragged and lacked engagement. Worth reading, though not my favorite in the series.
Finished reading: I May Be Wrong by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad 📚 A truly wonderful read, filled with profound and insightful wisdom. It’s one of those special books you can pick up and read again and again, always finding something new to reflect on.
Finished reading: The Coffin Dancer by Jeffery Deaver 📚 An outstanding thriller-even better than the last Lincoln Rhyme book I loved. Deaver cranks up the suspense with unpredictable twists, tight pacing, and a chilling villain in the Coffin Dancer. Gripping from start to finish.
Finished reading: Mikael Persbrandt by Mikael Persbrandt 📚 What a wild ride! A great example of when reality surpasses fiction. It’s a story more unbelievable than any role he’s ever played. Definitely a must-read … at least if you’re from Sweden.
Finished reading: Markoolio – mörkret och den rosa bubblan by Marko Lehtosalo 📚 I liked it. It was both funny and sad-full of honesty and openness. Felt very real and human all the way through. Definitely worth a read-if you’re Swedish.
Finished reading: The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver 📚 A top-notch crime thriller-gripping, smart, and suspenseful. The forensic detail is compelling, and the twists kept me hooked. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!
Finished reading: A Life on Our Planet by David Attenborough 📚 A powerful and sobering read. The shrinking percentages of wild spaces hit hardest, painting a stark picture of humanity’s impact.
Let's get curious: I listened to an interview with the Swedish artist Ernst Billgren. Among other things, he said: “If we had half as many opinions, and if the ones we had were half as strong, I think we would live happier lives in a more peaceful world.” I am convinced that this is true. There is so much …
Finished reading: Din tid kommer by Carl-Johan Vallgren 📚 Definitely worth reading! I love Vallgren’s books. I think he has an incredible ability to take on different genres, eras, and subjects, and write about them in a format that perfectly suits the spirit of the time and the story.
Finished reading: Poppet by Mo Hayder 📚 A decent read, but the weakest in the series so far. It felt scattered, trying to juggle too much-especially wrapping up the last book. Still enjoyable, but I’m hoping the next one is more focused.
Finished reading: Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane 📚 Just read the book for the first time, and it was at least as good as l had hoped. I feel like watching the movie again now when I have the book fresh in my mind.
Finished reading: Gone by Mo Hayder 📚 Easily the best Jack Caffery book yet! Non-stop excitement. If you’re into thrillers or love Mo Hayder, don’t miss this one!
Finished reading: Skin by Mo Hayder 📚 Another chilling, gripping ride with Jack Caffrey. If you’re a fan of the series, this one won’t disappoint. Dark, twisted, and totally engrossing.
Finished reading: En bra man by Tina Trender 📚 Thought about putting it down more than once. But somewhere around the middle it turned around, and from there it just kept getting more and more intense as the main character got into worse and worse situations.
Finished reading: Sömngångaren by Lars Kepler 📚 Really exciting all the way through, and definitely the best one in the series about Jonna Linna so far. Couldn’t put it down.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 →
Finished reading: The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2) by Thomas Harris 📚 Finally read it after a million viewings of the movie-it totally holds up. Just as creepy and gripping. Some iconic scenes were missing (no tense door-knocking!), but the book adds its own great details.
Finished reading: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 📚 I love the movie! Seen it a bunch of times. Finally got around to reading the book, and wow! I loved it just as much, or even more. So good!
Finished reading: Jävla karlar by Andrev Walden 📚 I absolutely loved it! It’s a fantastic mix of both fun and sadness. Andrev Walden has a brilliant sense of capturing odd and spot-on likenesses.
Finished reading: Jag lever, pappa by Siri Marie Seim Sønstelie 📚 I found myself wishing it was fiction— something imagined. But sadly, it’s not. It really happened, and that makes it all the more heartbreaking. A tough but important reading.
Finished reading: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave 📚 Kept me interested, but didn’t blow me away. I wanted more depth or suspense. Fans of family secrets and complex relationships might enjoy it more.
2024
Finished reading: No Time Like the Future by Michael J. Fox 📚 Inspiring and beautifully written. Michael J. Fox manages to be both funny and vulnerable, which makes the whole thing super relatable. If you’re looking for something that will leave you feeling hopeful, definitely check this one …
Finished reading: Will by Will Smith 📚 Not quite my cup of tea. While it’s undoubtedly a fascinating look into the life of a Hollywood icon, I couldn’t shake the feeling of it being a bit too self-absorbed.
Finished reading: Sonny Boy by Al Pacino 📚 A refreshing read, feeling open and honest. It offers an intriguing glimpse behind the scenes, giving us a more personal look at Al Pacino.
Saturday, September 14, 2024 →
Finished reading: The Practice by Seth Godin 📚 A quick, inspiring read. It’s filled with practical advice and thought-provoking ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this book can help you level up your skills and mindset. Definitely worth a read!
Finished reading: The Mirror Man by Lars Kepler 📚 This one moves fast and totally pulled me in—it’s perfect if you’re into dark crime fiction. Just a heads-up though: it definitely doesn’t hold back, so maybe skip it if you’re not into the heavy stuff.
Finished reading: Lazarus by Lars Kepler 📚 Action packed thriller, from the first page to the last.
My blogging journey: Inspired by Juha-Matti Santala’s post, Short History of My Blogging Journey, I decided to write a little about my own blogging journey — which has been a bit bumpy, to say the least. I started blogging about 20 years ago using Movable Type, which was pretty much the only tool available at the …
Finished reading: Ritual by Mo Hayder 📚 Brutal, like the other books in the series, but well written with a good and gripping story.
Finished reading: The Treatment by Mo Hayder 📚 Liked the first one better. This one felt unnecessarily dragged out. Nonetheless, it is still a tense and horrifying story worth reading.
My Junited 2024 list: Junited is all about sharing. Each day in June, I’ll update this page with a new link to a blog or post that I think deserves a little extra love. Building software to last forever The world’s worst boss Cheers to the Small Web The moment of a lifetime Lighten your grip Attracting similar people …
Junited: a blog love letter: May has been—and still is—all about the wonderful WeblogPoMo. Just one more week to go. Let’s keep it up, friends! Some folks have been asking if there’s anything fun or inspiring lined up for June, while others are secretly hoping there isn’t. But before you say, “Not another challenge,” hear me …
Finished reading: Birdman by Mo Hayder 📚 Great stuff – that’s guaranteed to give you great nightmares.
Why write?: I’ve been thinking about why I write… Is it a call for attention? A hope that it might lead to something “big”? A fear of missing out? To be honest—yes, that was true in the past. And it felt good, for a while. But then, it started to itch… A constant sense that nothing was ever good enough, …
Finished reading: No and Me by Delphine De Vigan 📚 I loved it! Sad, funny and interesting in a perfect mix.