tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357131822024-02-20T16:32:09.801+01:00Eat, drink & be merryA weblog devoted to fests, parties, soirées, shindigs, and balls.... to the things that make life worth living: wine, women and song.Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-59319911994479033212007-02-19T18:27:00.001+01:002007-02-19T18:32:02.145+01:00Party at Catrin's place<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/395345617/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/395345617_f7e8146567.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/395345617/">_MAL8714</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlowry/">Michael A. Lowry</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> My new Lindy-hopping friend Catrin invited me to an impromptu party at her place in Hammarby Hojden, not too far from where Lotta lives.<br /><br />Catrin had an excellent spread of food prepared, including an amazing carrot soup the recipie to which I have requested. As is the custom in Sweden, each person brought something to drink; so there were a dozen or so bottles of wine opened throughout the evening.<br /><br />It was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/archives/date-taken/2007/02/16/">fun party</a> with lots of interesting and friendly people. I saw a few folks there that I already knew, including Coco, another Lindy hop dancer.</p>Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-83243809272602045262007-02-18T23:14:00.000+01:002007-03-05T12:08:01.382+01:00Debaser Saturday night<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/395481466/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/395481466_9fd7b88271.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/395481466/">_MAL9110</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlowry/">Michael A. Lowry</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> Maria invited me to join her, Johan & Susanna at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=debaser&d=taken-20070217-20070218&z=t&w=44124463651%40N01&m=tags">Debaser on Saturday</a>. The music was loud and the beer, umm, alcoholic. <br /><br />After a while we found a relatively quiet table in the back and enjoyed chatting for a while. I also ran into fellow Lindy hop dancer Daniel and met a nice woman named Anna there.<br /></p>Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-81250198358918288412007-02-14T14:17:00.001+01:002007-02-14T14:28:24.869+01:00Dinner & bowling with colleagues<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/390049232/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/390049232_0e91a80293.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/390049232/">_MAL8263</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlowry/">Michael A. Lowry</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/archives/date-taken/2007/02/13/">Yesterday</a> afternoon I attended a meeting with colleagues, some of whom I had never met before. After the meeting we got a chance to visit with one another over drinks and dinner. Then, a bit later in the evening, we went bowling at <a href="http://www.bowlinghallen.com/inenglish.html">Södra Bowlinghallen</a> on Hornsgatan across from Mariatorget. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet my new colleagues.</p>Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-63039048385499287252007-02-12T21:56:00.000+01:002007-02-14T14:58:17.671+01:00Thôt @ GMC<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/390010792/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/390010792_3c618a7e48.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/390010792/">_MAL8075</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlowry/">Michael A. Lowry</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/archives/date-taken/2007/02/12/">Monday</a> night after my Lindy hop lesson, I swung by Gleen Miller Café for a while. There, a band called <a href="http://www.stephanepayen.com/Thotuk.htm">Thôt</a> played some nice improvisational jazz.</p>Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-18241561558065918462007-01-21T18:36:00.001+01:002007-01-21T23:52:42.647+01:00Wail @ GMC<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/364598880/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/364598880_e07067a95a.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/364598880/">_MAL3253</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlowry/">Michael A. Lowry</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> Last night after <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/mlowry/tags/kl%C3%A4ttercentret20070120/">climbing</a> at <a href="http://klattercentret.se/">Klättercentret</a>, I took a quick shower, put on a fresh change of clothes, and caught the subway downtown to listen to a little live music at <a href="http://www.glennmillercafe.com/">Glenn Miller Café</a>.<br /><br />As always, the music was delightful and the company friendly.<br /><br />The band last night was called <i>Wail</i>. Björn Cedergren was on sax, David Ståhl played guitar, Calle Bagge tickled the ivories, Lars Ekman plucked string bass and, the ubiquitous Moussa Fadera deftly handled the drums.<br /></p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">The place was <span style="font-style: italic;">packed.</span> At first, I coudln't even get a seat. I hung around near the bar and chatted with the other guests until some seats became available. Then I took some nice <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/mlowry/archives/date-posted/2007/01/21/">photos</a>.<br /></p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">I met several nice folks there, including an American named David, a fellow salsa-dancer named Per, and a couple of Swedes who are regulars at GMC. I seem to be meeting lots of friendly folks lately; I believe it has something to do with the places I frequent and the activities I pursue. I appear to have gravitated toward the particular crowds that are the most outgoing and cheerful.</p><p class="flickr-yourcomment">Life is short; be merry!<br /></p>Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-46199602565557734882007-01-08T21:45:00.001+01:002007-01-08T21:45:09.749+01:00Ringing in the New Year in Oslo<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/350706872/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/350706872_4399f84e43.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/350706872/">_MAL0336</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlowry/">Michael A. Lowry</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> I finally got around to posting all of the best photos from the celebration of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/tags/newyear2007oslo/">New Year in Oslo</a> a week ago. It was quite a party, and I had a great time with all of Elina's lovely friends.</p>Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-68763006832445974072007-01-08T20:09:00.001+01:002007-01-08T20:09:01.645+01:00Glenn Miller Café Saturday night<style type="text/css">.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }</style><div class="flickr-frame"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/349467255/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/349467255_805a245a7c.jpg" class="flickr-photo" alt="" /></a><br /> <span class="flickr-caption"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/349467255/">_MAL1575</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mlowry/">Michael A. Lowry</a>.</span></div> <p class="flickr-yourcomment"> On Saturday night, Matt, Lisa & I went to the <a href="http://www.glennmillercafe.com/">Glenn Miller Café</a>, a jazz club, bar, and restaurant here in Stockholm. It was a lot of fun, and I took a few <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlowry/tags/glennmillercafe/">photos</a> while we were there.</p>Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-39761251079052408202006-12-21T23:57:00.000+01:002006-12-22T12:43:19.496+01:00Essist Christmas party, 2006Here are a bunch of photos from the Essist company Christmas party on Monday night.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8641.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8641.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We started out at the <a href="http://www.lunchinfo.com/5/restaurang_detail/id/571">Bull & Bear Inn</a>, a pub on Birger Jarlsgatan downtown near Östermalmstorg.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8646.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8646.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8648.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8648.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8653.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8653.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8660.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8660.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8663.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8663.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8665.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8665.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8667.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8667.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8669.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8669.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8671.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8671.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8676.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8676.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8677.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8677.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://ablund.blogspot.com/">Åsa</a> was having fun playing with her new Canon Ixus camera.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8678.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8678.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The party was at <a href="http://www.beirutcafe.nu/">Beirut Café</a>, a nice Lebanese restaurant located on Engelbrektsgatan just a bit North of Humlegården.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8680.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8680.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8681.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8681.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8682.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8682.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8683.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8683.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The man. The legend. Erik.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8684.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8684.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8687.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8687.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hey, now that's a nice picture.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8693.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8693.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8697.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8697.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8699.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8699.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8702.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8702.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8704.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8704.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8705.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8705.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8707.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8707.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8709.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8709.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Speech!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8710.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8710.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8713.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8713.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8715.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8715.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8719.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8719.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8720.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8720.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8723.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8723.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8724.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8724.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8725.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8725.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8726.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8726.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8728.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8728.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8733.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8733.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I met another photographer there named Sanna. Say cheese, Sanna!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8734.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8734.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The food was <span style="font-style: italic;">excellent</span>.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8735.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8735.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8737.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8737.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8740.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8740.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8741.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8741.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8743.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8743.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8746.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8746.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8749.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8749.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8752.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8752.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8753.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8753.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8760.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8760.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8761.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8761.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8762.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8762.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8764.0.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8764.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8769.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8769.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The barman made me an excellent mojito.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8778.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8778.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8779.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8779.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cheers!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8783.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8783.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8784.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8784.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8785.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8785.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8786.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8786.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8787.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8787.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8789.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8789.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8792.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8792.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8803.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8803.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8804.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8804.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8805.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8805.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8806.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8806.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8810.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8810.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, that's a keeper.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8811.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8811.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8813.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8813.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8814.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8814.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8815.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8815.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8817.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8817.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Such pretty girls!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8820.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8820.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A bellydancer enteretained us for a while, and even convinced Mister Häggman to dance.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8826.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8826.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8838.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8838.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8841.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8841.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8843.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8843.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8846.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8846.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8854.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8854.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8855.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8855.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8858.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8858.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8863.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8863.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8870.0.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8870.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8873.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8873.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Howdy, cowgirl!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8880.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8880.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After the restaurant kicked us out, we reitred to <a href="http://www.cafeopera.se/">Café Opera</a> for some dancing and a few more drinks.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8884.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8884.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8888.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8888.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8895.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8895.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8896.0.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8896.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8897.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8897.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8898.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8898.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8906.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8906.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8910.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8910.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8913.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8913.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8914.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8914.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8915.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8915.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8918.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8918.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8920.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8920.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8922.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8922.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah , baby. <span style="font-style: italic;">Yeah!</span><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8929.0.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8929.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The other dancers appeared to be having fun.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8931.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8931.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">fun.</span><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8934.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8934.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />More drinks? Noooooooo!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8939.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8939.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Just a little one!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8948.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8948.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Well, ok. Just one more.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8957.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8957.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8960.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8960.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8963.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8963.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mister Cool.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL8999.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL8999.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL9011.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL9011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL9013.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL9013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Greetings from Stockholm!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL9041.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL9041.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />That's all, folks!Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-1162305392153076752006-10-31T15:36:00.000+01:002006-10-31T15:36:32.186+01:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6546.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6546.jpg'></a><br />Here are some photos from my 34th birthday party this past Saturday.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6547.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6547.jpg'></a><br />There were about 18 people at the party, including friends I've known for years and friends I met only recently.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6525.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6525.jpg'></a><br />It's fun to see how my various friends interact.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6548.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6548.jpg'></a><br />I fixed hamburgers for the crowd, and the kitchen was one of the places where folks congregated.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6527.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6527.jpg'></a><br />I received some nice gifts from my friends. Here I am opening one of them.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6528.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6528.jpg'></a><br />Lotta looking cute as always.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6529.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6529.jpg'></a><br />Åsa and Patric.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6532.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6532.jpg'></a><br />Jay, Pamela & Xia.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6535.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6535.jpg'></a><br />Jens, with Anne & Carolina in the background.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6536.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6536.jpg'></a><br />Carolina.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6538.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6538.jpg'></a><br />Rodrigo, a friend I know from moutain-biking.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6542.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6542.jpg'></a><br />Matt & Lisa.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6549.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6549.jpg'></a><br />Each person brought something to drink and some sort of snack, so there was plenty of food and libations to go around.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6552.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6552.jpg'></a><br />Just in case, I also bought a few cases of beer, several botles of wine, and a case each of Coke & Red Bull. It was cold enough outside to keep the cold drinks on a table on the balcony. Here Jens & Lotta take a smoke break. Ack!<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6568.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6568.jpg'></a><br />Zita came in a lovely Chinese outfit. She gave me a nice dinner plate on which she had hand-painted a lovely abstract star. Zita is an astronomer, and so she and I share an interest in <a href="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html">astronomy</a>.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6573.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6573.jpg'></a><br />Erik was there too, although I obviously don't have a very flattering phot of him. Smile, Erik!<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6594.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6594.jpg'></a><br />Anne is a friend I met on a flight from Chicago to Copenhagen a few years ago when I missed my orignal flight to Stockholm due to bad weather. She is originally from Ohio, and like me, moved to Skandinavia for love and then ended up single again. She flew up from Denmark for my party. Thanks, Anne!<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6595.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6595.jpg'></a><br />Lisa & Matt again.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6600.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6600.jpg'></a><br /><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6603.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6603.jpg'></a><br />Three of Rodrigo's friends showed up later in the evening, including these two cuties whose names I forget. Sorry, girls!<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6605.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6605.jpg'></a><br />Erik & Lotta.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6607.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6607.jpg'></a><br />Rodrigo & friends.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6614.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6614.jpg'></a><br />Cheers!<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6619.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6619.jpg'></a><br />Cheers right back at you!<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6623.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6623.jpg'></a><br />Zita wanted to show me something, so she did some web surfing. What she showed me was <a href="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap061016.html">this amazing photograph of Saturn</a>, taken by the Cassini spacecraft.<br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL6625.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #666666; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL6625.jpg'></a><br />Time to call it a night!Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-1161543244980987102006-10-22T19:54:00.000+01:002006-10-23T07:29:28.873+01:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5322.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5322.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After Saturday's ride, I went over to Matt's place to join him and Lisa for a bit of Matt's excellent lemon chicken on rice. Naturally, I broght my camera — something neither entirely unexpected nor entirely sanctioned by Matt, judging from his facial expression in this photo.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5324.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5324.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We ate, drank red wine, and made plans for the eveing. Matt's friend James had invited us to join him at a bar on Södermalm.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5327.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5327.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This particular bar, <i>Ugglan</i>, was located in the basement and had a gravel floor where several people could play boule. Matt and James played a game or two.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5326.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5326.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Matt must have one that round, because he played Jame's girlfriend Karin in the next.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5328.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5328.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After a couple of shots taken with the flash and my 18-70mm lens, I switched back to my favorie party lens, my trusty f/1.4 50mm. The downstairs area was illumnated by some hideous green flourescent bulbs, so that explains the odd cast to these photos.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5334.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5334.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Joining Jame and Karin was Stephen, an Austrialian photographer who's living in Stockholm. He and I chatted quite a bit about cameras and photography. He also told him about his <a href="http://www.hopkinsfoto.com/">photography business</a> here in town.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5337.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5337.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5340.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5340.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5347.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5347.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />James, me, Karin, Stephen & Matt. Lisa took the photo.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5351.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5351.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Candle.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5353.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5353.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Karin & Stephen, watching the ping-pong game in progress.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5358.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5358.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In addition to the boule courts, there was a ping-pong table. Folks there were playing a sort of game in which everyone lines up around the table and moves clockwise around the table. When you get to the end, you take one strke at the ball. If you miss, you're out and the circle of players shrinks by one. When it gets down to 6 people, they're really moving quickly. When it's only 3 people, they're scrambling to make it around to the opposite side in time to return the ball. When it's only two people left, these two play 2 out of 3 standard ping-pong games to determine the winner. Then it starts over.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5355.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5355.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />James playing.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5362.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5362.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Stephen borrowed my camera for a while, and took a few photos, including this nice one of Karin.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5364.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5364.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />... and one of me.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5383.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5383.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I took this close-up of Lisa while she was engaged in spirited conversation. She uses her hands a lot when she speaks. In this photo and several others, a candle on the table illuminates the subject. The candle provided much more natural looking light than the harsh flourescents bulbs. The combination of orange candlelight and green artificial light makes for an interesting photo though.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5386.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5386.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The ping-pong table, with a circle of players.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5391.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5391.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I met these friendly girls from England. The are here in Stockholm just for five days of holiday, so I told them a few sights worth seeing.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5395.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5395.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hi. mom!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5404.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5404.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Matt.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5421.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5421.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Matt & Lisa.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5430.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5430.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After being eliminated from one of the ping-pong games, I chatted briefly with this friendly girl and her boyfriend. She's a photographer too. There are photographers everywhere!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL5434.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL5434.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />She posed for this photo. Lovely!Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35713182.post-1160353031313357292006-10-09T01:17:00.000+01:002006-10-10T09:05:19.670+01:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4209C.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4209C.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday evening, I went to the <a href="http://www.stockholmbeer.se/2006/english/index3.html">2006 Stockholm Beer Festival</a>. I stood in line but then realized that because I would be taking lots of photos with my camera, I could probably go through the V.I.P. & Press line instead.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4212.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4212.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The festival, actually called the Stockholm Beer <i>and Whiskey</i> Festival, was held in the same place as in years past, a big converted automobile factory in Nacka.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4219.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4219.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I walked in through the press line, stating truthfully that I was taking photos for my blog. Hey, my camera is finally beginning to pay for itself!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4235.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4235.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I met Daniel & Jenny there. Here, Daniel peruses the beer list of Slottskällans Bryggeriet from Uppsala.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4259.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4259.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Jenny usually prefers cider to beer, but that wasn't a problem; there were many other beverages there aside from just beer. I had an interesting Flädercider that came recommended by Daniel. It was sweet, tangy, and refreshing.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4225.0.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4225.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cheers!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4245.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4245.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Of Slottskällan's assortment, I tried the Kloster, Roslager, and Pilsner. The Kloster was an interesting beer: strong, spicy, and unfiltered (cloudy).<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4253.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4253.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These helpful folks at the Carlsberg stand served me a nice blonde beer from Carlsberg's new Jacobsen brand. Very nice!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4391.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4391.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The place was packed. It was a capacity crowd.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4299.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4299.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Live entertainment was provided throughout the evening.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4230.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4230.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After a while, it got too warm inside so went outside for some fresh air.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4231.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4231.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Outside, I met another photographer, and we exchanged notes. There was also this hot dog stand. Foods of many kinds were widely available.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4294.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4294.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Nuts!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4313.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4313.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />By coincidence, I ran into some folks I know from salsa dancing, including my friend Inger.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4266.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4266.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4267.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4267.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />More salsa-dancing friends.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4279.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4279.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I introduced my friends to one another; some of them had met at last year's birthday party.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4426.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4426.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The girl in the gray was someone I recognized, but I coulnd't put my finger on it.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4517.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4517.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Later on, I went up and chatted with her for while. I discovered that we knew each other from climbing. She is often at Klättercentret, and I have probably even posted some photos of her climbing!.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4469.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4469.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My salsa friends seemed to enjoy themselves.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4434.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4434.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4443.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4443.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Later in the evening, I bumped into some colleagues from IBM and some of their friends.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL44451.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL44451.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My colleague Jimmy (the one in the striped shirt) took a couple of nice photos of me.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4453.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4453.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cheers again!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4454.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4454.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He also treated me to a bottle of this honey-flavored beer. Interesting!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL44611.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL44611.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Salsa friends one more.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4288.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4288.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And now here are a bunch of photos I took of random people enjoying themselves.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4306.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4306.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4307.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4307.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I chatted with these guys for a while. I believe the guy on the right is named Roger.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4318.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4318.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I liked this girl's tattoo.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL43191.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL43191.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4325.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4325.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4326.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4326.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4327.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4327.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4328.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4328.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For most of the indoor shots, I used a 50mm f/1.4 lens. What I like about this lens is that it's fast enough that I don't need a flash in most cases. Also, when I shoot at f/1.4, the background is very blurry, and I like this way this sets the subject out in the picture.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4329.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4329.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4330.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4330.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The narrow depth of field can be a problem though, especially if the subject is at an angle to the focal plane. Notice that in this photo, the right side of the beer tap is slightly out of focus. A deeper depth of field could be attained by tightening the aperture a bit (going up to f/2, say). But this would mean that the exposure would have to be longer to capture the same amount of light. It's a trade-off.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4341.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4341.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4346.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4346.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4361.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4361.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4367.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4367.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This woman's profile caught my eye.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4437.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4437.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Later, she introduced herself. Her name is Majida. Hi there!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4374.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4374.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4377.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4377.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In a room at one end of the hall, there was little restaurant area. There, a German oompah band was playing. When I walked in, they had just begun to perform the Tuba Polka — not an easy piece to play!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4386.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4386.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />At the exit from the restaurant area was a chocolate seller.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4390.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4390.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />While standing at the Oliver Twist bar sipping on a Samual Adams Boston Lager, I met a nice girl named Carro who had similar taste in beer.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL43911.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL43911.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oliver Twist was offering many beers, including a whole assortment from America.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4393.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4393.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Carro introduced me to some of her friends.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4394.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4394.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One of them had a NIkon camera, so we chatted a bit about photography.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4392.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4392.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Decisions, decisions.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4398.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4398.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4400.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4400.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, most people in the photos are drinking out of similar glasses. One gets a commemorative Beer Fest glass with the price of admission.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4404.0.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4404.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />More live music.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4408.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4408.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not a big stout drinker, but I did like these taps.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4409.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4409.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4411.0.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4411.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the flags flying over the Oliver Twist bar.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4416.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4416.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Sipping on my beer near the Oliver Twist bar, I also met these friendly folks.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4417.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4417.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I chatted politics with the girl on the right. I think her name is Veronica, but I must admit, my memory isn't 100% clear on this.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4418.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4418.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Considering the amount of alcohol flowing, I imagine there are lots of folks who don't remember much about last night. Some of the stands were quite well done. I didn't have any beers at this stand, but I did think it deserved a photo. Say cheese!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4423.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4423.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The best deal in the place was at the Discovery beer stand. There, for 40 kronor, you could get 40 cl of beer and a little pizza.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4304.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4304.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The pizzas were the little frozen ones that you can get at any supermarket, but these folks had something to make the pizza a bit more interesting: Tabasco sauce. I had two of these little pizzas, and put jalepeno Tabasco on them. Yummy!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4429.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4429.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4432.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4432.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I had a nice chat with this chap, but his name escapes me. I wish there were an easy way to annotate photos at the time they are taken.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4433.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4433.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4436.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4436.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I also chatted with these fellows for a while. They were super-friendly. In fact, everyone I met during the evening was very friendly. It's amazing how friendly Stockholmers can be when either 1) the sun is shining, or 2) they've had a few drinks. :)<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4441.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4441.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />More friendly people.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4462.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4462.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Even more live music.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4488.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4488.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"Who is that guy with the camera?"<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4489.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4489.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This cutie favored your humble photographer with a smile.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4518.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4518.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Later I learned that I wasn't the only one who thought she was attractive. I saw the two girls with flowers and asked "What did you get the flowers for?" "Because we're cute," was the reply. Yep!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4491.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4491.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bottoms up!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4502.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4502.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Speaking of cuties...<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4501.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4501.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4503.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4503.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL45081.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL45081.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Whiskey sippers.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4510.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4510.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4511.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4511.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"No, that one's no good either. Take one more!"<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4519.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4519.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I left the party only after they began asking folks to go. On my way out, I collected a bunch of the glasses folks had left behind on the various bars throughout the hall. I put them in a couple of cardboard boxes, and carried one under each arm.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4520.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4520.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Closing time.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4523.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4523.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Three of the glasses broke on the way home, but somehow I managed to keep thirty-four of them intact. Here they are freshly washed.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/1024/_MAL4528.jpg"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 2px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/262/981/400/_MAL4528.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />They're great for parties, which is convenient because my birthday party is just a few weeks away!Michael A. Lowryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00162013062722940620noreply@blogger.com0