Sweden is cool. I've been here for three full days now and am having fun. We're working very hard (12 - 14 hour days) but with 16 hours of sunlight it makes it a little easier to wander around before and after work to see a few sights.
I just posted pictures from Days 1, 2 and 3. It's fun to wander around and snap pictures like a fool. There seem to be suprisingly few other tourists, so I know I stand out. (I was informed by a Swede that I look "very American" so I guess there's no chance of blending in, even without the camera.)
I was having a little laugh with the people we're working with about how much history is in their city compared to Irvine, which was established in 1976. Their office was built in the late 1800's while ours was built in the late 1980's. Ours is "old and crappy" while theirs is "old and cool."
Pictures from Day 1 offer some bland shots from the airport in Chicago, a panoramic view out of my hotel room and a few pictures of my first meal in Sweden. (It was delicious.)
On Day 2, the first full day in Gothenburg, I stretched my legs early in the morning and took a long walk around the city. I also posted a giant panorama of the sunset I mentioned in my previous post. I'm really proud of how it turned out. Quite a lucky shot!
In addition to a great tour of the city, Day 3 (Wed) gave me my first glimpse of just how crazy "football" fans are. Valencia, Spain was playing Marseille, France for the UEFA Cup title.
The folks from Valencia (who I nicknamed "The Orange People" for obvious reasons) were pretty noisy... and just happened to be holding their rally just outside the office in which I was trying to work.
Day 4 was spent locked inside a conference room writing copious amounts of design documentation. I'm really proud of the work we've done thus far. It's going to be the best implementation of this kind of feature ever in a console title. I can't wait to see it functional within the game and in the hands of hundreds of thousands of gamers.
@ 11:09 PM by TNorthcutt | Comments (0)
So, I'm in Sweden! You read that right. 4200 miles from home in sunny SoCal. I'm here on business working on a project with our fine friends from <client name>. Who is <client name>? you are wondering? I'll tell you in approx 6 more months when the game ships!
I had a great flight over, though it was spectacularly long. Almost 18 hours of travel time - 2 PM PDT on Sunday, arriving at 3 PM Mon Gothenburg time. We had a great stroke of luck and were upgraded to first class (business class on SAS) for the long flight across the ocean in an Airbus 330-300. I never want to travel standard/economy again!
I had only a few hours to run to <client name> and take a tour of the game with the associate producer and then eat a bite before I collapsed from exhaustion.
I woke up bright and early this morning, though, and took a few good pictures of the Gothenburg before heading to work. I arrived back at the hotel (Radison SAS Park Ave) tonight just in time to snap a few pictures of the gorgeous sunset.
Check 'em out below. I have ~ 100 more but sleep beckons! Look for more later this week and a pile when I return to the States.
@ 1:49 PM by TNorthcutt | Comments (4)
I finally got around to putting all of the first haircut pictures up. Read more about our first haircut experience in "Shave and a Haircut, 20 Bucks."
After the haircut we spent the afternoon fingerpainting. Emma's quite the artiste. She attacks the canvas with gusto! When I was a child, apparently, I didn't want anything to do with fingerpainting because I would get dirty. Given what a slob I am now, this seems laughable (Marla can offer evidence).
Sometime over the weekend a horrible thing happened: I stopped being "Daddy" and became just "Dad." I'm not sure exactly when and not sure exactly how, but it seems to be here to stay. I'm a little sad to see those tiny two letters go.
@ 10:17 PM by TNorthcutt | Comments (1)
We had a great party tonight with lots of friends present to help wish Emma a happy second birthday!
We started the Sunny SoCal day stylin' with our sunglasses. Emma and I paid a visit to Party City to pick up some lovely balloons. Mommy stayed behind to slave over the stove cooking some tasty grub.
The party started later in the evening with folks from far and wide (OK, the Madigans from San Diego) wishing Emma a happy birthday.
In addition to the lovely Samantha, we had Matthew Rogan and sweet Sarah. Baby Tabor still hadn't made his/her grand appearance. The (soon-to-be) Vonderhaar's were also present gathering intel.
@ 10:14 PM by TNorthcutt | Comments (0)
Today was the big day: Miss Emma Grace Northcutt turned two!
We had a small ("intimate" ?) party with just Mommy, Daddy and the honored guest in attendance. Cupcakes were served, along with a healthy dose of fun.
Gifts included: a John Deere tractor (with integrated book!) from Grandma and Grandpaw Northcutt, an easel for the budding artist from Grandma and Grandpa Mandel and a train set from Mommy and Daddy.
A good time was had by all.
@ 11:59 PM by TNorthcutt | Comments (1)
Two new sets of pictures tonight - still playing catch up after my recent City of Heroes addiction.
First is a set Marla (who is turning out to be quite the budding photographer) took at a recent play group session. I believe most of these kids have been together for almost a year now, most of them learning to walk together. It should be fun to see how the kids react to the recent new additions.
There's also a new set up from a walk around the lake at Rancho Santa Margarita. It's a popular spot for residents of our fair city. See the Tabor's recent trip for proof!
Anyway, Emma had quite the time feeding the little duckies... or at least attempting to. The ducks weren't very cooperative. Not a single one came to sample the tasty morsels she was throwing into the water.
After we ran out of break we continued on around the lake. The "lallow" ball proved to be the key to getting Emma to finish the 1 mile walk. She chased that thing all the way around the lake!
Oh, and Grandma, don't worry: I wouldn't let her fall.
@ 10:09 PM by TNorthcutt | Comments (1)
As promised, I've gotten around to putting up pictures from our second Easter egg hunt. This one was on Easter Sunday, after a tasty breakfast of bacon and matzoh brei. (Like that mixing of traditions?)
We tried barefoot in the grass, but she wouldn't have it. She wanted her new white shoes on her pretty little feet.
Inside the eggs she would discover her new favorite treat: jelly beans. (She's partial to the "lallow" ones.) We're still having jelly beans for dessert at night.
Just before Easter, Emma and Marla spent an afternoon planting in the backyard. Sunflowers for Emma and basil, parsley and some nastertium for Marla. Emma had to break out the ruby red slippers for the occassion.
Nothing but the finest will do, right?
The shots at the end do indeed show us wearing underwear (clean) on our heads. Jessica probably didn't have this in mind when she gave Emma the cute dress!
@ 3:33 PM by TNorthcutt | Comments (1)
