Green hat People

So I've been doing an internship for a company called Green hat People.  They are a company who creates games that can be played via your phone (spelas med mobilen), using Java applications.  They have a number of games.  Some are fast-paced and some are a bit slower.  Their games range from action games, team building, treasure hunts, to a tour of the Old Town (Gamla Stans Stadsvandring).

Their main target right now is corporations, selling their games to corporate companies as team building activities,  as well as for activities during corporate events or conventions.  The games they sell can be played by as few as 12 people, and up to as many as 1,000.  I think to date their biggest game was played by a group of 700.

Some of the games they sell are The Hunted (Spelet Jagad), The German Order (Spelet Tyska Orden),  Team Building : The Creative Mission (Teambuilding: Det Kreativa Uppgradet), Sigtuna Treasure Hunt (Sigtunaskatten), The Big Game (Stora Spelet), Old Town City Tour (Gamla Stans Stadsvandring), Find Me (Hitta Mig), as well as a few more.

I've been creating posters for them, helping them sell the games, as well as taking pictures for use in their games.  Today we finished up The Old Town City Tour (Gamla Stans Stadsvandring), and used 44 pictures that I took.  I've been helping out the main scriptwriter (Lars) for the tour, and we've gone on it together twice.  After taking a number of pictures, I did quite a bit of color correction, because Stockholm is usually pretty grey outside, to make them look fairly vibrant.  Then we edited them and gave them to the computer guy to upload to the application.  After that the game was a go. 

After all of that happened, the CEO, Pres. & Vice Pres. (Niklas, Alexis, & Erik) went out to take the tour.  They knew the basis of the questions and whatnot, but hadn't seen the finished product, so it was their first time taking the tour.  Lars and I followed behind with phones as well, "officially" taking the tour for the first time.  

There were a few bugs that we will have to fix, but that was part of the reason we tested it out.  All three of the guys loved it.  They had a few suggestions, but told us we did a really good job.   They said that the pictures really made the tour.  Lars deserves the vast majority of the credit, for scripting the game, but he also told me I did a great job with the pictures, and I'm glad I could help.

This internship is turning out to be pretty cool.  I have been able to create some cool posters, putting a creative spin on their pre-existing posters (actually flyers, not really posters), but giving them a much more exciting feel.  I even made my first "sale" today.  One of their new games I made a poster for, and today it sold for the first time.  They were pumped.

Well that is a little bit about what I have been doing here.  I only have 12 days left, so I am trying to make the most of them.  See some more sites, get some more work done.  All in all, it has been a good experience.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

All these came to life while we were there, just like in the movie Bedknobs & Broomsticks.  It was crazy.  Luckily they were on our side.  What do you think of those spurs in the last picture?  I don't think the horse liked them.

It's good to be KING

Ja

Today was a beautiful day.  The weather report said it was going to be rainy and gross, but it turned out to be one of the most beautiful days yet.  That is why I never listen to meteorologists.  Today Tom and I went to the Royal Armory Museum, as well as the Nobel Museum. 

The armory was really cool, a fun trip into medieval times.  We saw swords, cross bows, maces, old school armor, guns, shields, spears, etc.  We also saw lots of really old clothes, books, paintings, and a number of the old Royal Carriages.  Those were really cool.  The armory allowed pictures, so we took quite a few pictures of old armor and whatnot.

In between the two museums we walked around Gamla Stan ( Old Town ) for a bit, and took some pictures.  We also went to the store and bought some food.  I had this sandwich on some sort of bread that was great.  All i can remember about the sandwich really is the bread.  It was so good.  The bread ( actually a roll ) was awesome.  It was really cheap too, less than $2 USD.  

The Nobel Museum however was somewhat disappointing.  Not really very cool at all, and I don't even have any stories about it.  They didn't allow pictures either.  But, I guess it is cool to say I went.  

After that we walked around and took a few more pictures.  Was a pretty good day.

Afrika Afrika

Some Stockholm street art.  This picture is for my friend Laura Hoffman, "Afrika Afrika". You know it.

Smoking is for Girls

No, seriously, in Sweden smoking is for women.  Real men only use chewing Tobak.

Ode to Me

It may be selfish, but it is my blog.  Here are a few pictures, I took all but one myself.  Which one do you think someone else took?  So, for your viewing pleasure, and to prove I am actually here in Stockholm, an ode to me.

Just hit comment, and leave your guess.  I'll be waiting.

Oh yeah, I guess I like to point at things.

Sigtuna

Sigtuna is the oldest town in Sweden.  It wasn't the first incorporated town, but it is the oldest town still in existence.  The churches I have pictures of up there were built in the 13th century. The red one (marias kyrka) is still in use today, and is approaching it's 750th birthday.  

While this town is somewhat of a "tourist trap", I've been told that not that many tourists go and visit.  I thought it was a really cool town, and enjoyed my visit.  Reminded just a little bit of Leavonwerth, WA, but not that much.

Sigtuna has around 7,000 permanent residents, and as you can see in some of the pictures, has many buildings that are hundreds of years old that are still being used.  I went on this journey with two fellows from my internship (they actually work there, I work for free), and while they were setting up meeting, I went out exploring. 

I took about 350 pictures while I was there, and unfortunately I couldn't post them all here.  I tried to post more, but I got an error message, so I think 15 may be my limit.  I took my tripod along as well, so all the pictures of me were actually taken by me too.  Makes it a little tougher without someone to focus and all that, but after a few tries on each picture, I think I got what I was looking for.  

We went to lunch at this place called Farbor Blå, or Uncle Blue, and it was pretty good.  I had the lamb burger, because there were only three option, lamb, fish, or salad.  I was skeptical at first, but after I got it I really enjoyed it.  It was basically like gyro meat in a patty w/ feta cheese and some sort of dressing.  Quite good.  It also came with steak fries, unlimited salad, unlimited bread and cheese, (well I hope it was unlimited or I wore out my welcome) and a glass of beer.  Overall I was completely satisfied.  And, the two waitresses were the two of the best looking girls I have seen in Sweden.

After lunch the guys had a few more meetings, so I was able to go out and get the pics where the sun was setting (The suns sets early over here).  It was a really good trip overall, and I think I covered the whole town.  I was quite tired after everything, and fell asleep on the car ride back home.

So, Sigtuna was a good experience, and I am really glad I went.

Tracks To Nowhere

Look at these train tracks, they don't go anywhere.  Cool design, but not very useful.  I'm sure they were used for something way back when, but not much anymore.  Not nearly as cool as the stairs to nowhere on the campus of WWU though.  This picture was taken near Slussen, overlooking Sodermalm ( I think that translates to "South of the City" ).  

It was 0˚C today, but in reality much colder than that.  I spent most of the day near the water, and it really froze me through.  I had to go into Stockholms Stadsmuseum for awhile to thaw out.  It was a really cool museum with lots of exhibits about Stockholm's past.  It was free too, but unfortunately, no pictures were allowed.

Semla, The Scandinavian Treat

Semla is a great treat, I enjoy it a la mode.  Apparently is is a Scandinavian dessert associated with Lent, and has been around since the 1500's.  I've heard a few stories about it, but I don't know which ones are true.  It is only served for a few months out of the year, with Fat Tuesday being "National Semla Day."  I heard that is was originally made when the King told one of his bakers he wanted something new, or off with his head.  I don't know the real story, but read up on Semla with the following link.  While not as good as a cream puff in my opinion, I enjoyed the treat.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semla

Sweet Job

So I took this picture of this guy on a main street here in Sweden.  If I were to compare it to Miami Beach, this street would be Lincoln Rd.  In Anywhere,USA it is just a main tourist street with lots of cafes and shopping spots.  

I had to split the picture into two because blogger will not let me post vertical pictures.  Plus, if you have any photoshop skillz you can just paste them together with ease, if you please.

I just wanted to share with everyone that you probably do not have the worst job ever.  This guy probably doesn't either, but he is very close.  I can only think of a few worse jobs on the same pay scale ratio.  I'm sure digging up old outhouses is a far worse job, but it probably pays at least 4x better than this job.

Got My Ears Lowered

So the other day I got a haircut.  I probably could have gone without one, but I was looking a little bit too shaggy for my liking.  So I went to a salong, no I didn't misspell that, it is salong.  I also could have went to the frisor ( the o has a  ¨  over it, but I cannot make that letter on my computer), but the salong looked more legitimate.  So I went in and asked if they spoke English, and they did speak a little bit.  Not very much, but enough to figure out what I wanted done with my hair.  I was a little worried, but figured I would go for it anyway.  

It turned out just fine, and the haircut meets my expectations.  Not quite as good as Jackie in Pullman, but this new dew will do me well.  Fortunately I wasn't given a Eurohawk, or any of the crazy hairstyle they enjoy over here in Europe, and it only cost me 140 SEK.  ($21.47 USD)  

Overall, I am pleased with my European haircut experience.  Phew.

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