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May 27, 2007
Why Bother?
During the Dean campaign, I met Britt Blaser, an interesting fellow among other things. I occasionally check his blog - this recent post made me laugh out loud...
As we get older, the pressing question is asked: Will I live to be 80?
Posted by pgutwin at 12:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2007
Capital City, State
My oh my. Stockholm is nothing like what I remember from my last visit over 10 years ago. Granted, it was February when I visited, and a bit, hmmm, dark. Now, practically glorious summer, I was treated to a wonderful tour of the inner harbor / city center by Annalena, Beth's college friend. If you have any inclination to visit this country, I couldn't encourage it enough - simply book a flight and hotel, and don't bother with the tour books. About a million tour guide / civic boosters walk the streets every day, just waiting to give you tips and point you in the right direction in lilting english.
You may have gathered that I stayed at the IBIS hotel while I was here. Think about it a second...think again...anything strange? You've seen this before, but just didn't notice it: IKEA, not Ikea.
While I can't explain it, the names of things all seem to be capitalized. I am rushing to contact an expert on the subject and will report more details in the sequel.
Which brings me to my point: If you were to name an electronics store in Sweden, what would you pick? OK, I havn't given you all that much to go on, but here it is - ONOFF.
Just for the record: I think the Swedes are very, very clever, and not in the look-at-me way, but in the awe, shucks sense. Like I said, you owe yourself a visit. Soon.
Posted by pgutwin at 9:09 AM | Comments (0)
May 9, 2007
Ironing Around the World
It's a bit sad - so many shirts to be ironed, so many different places, and no real record of the details. Well, here for the first time is a glimps of what it's all like.
As you might expect, there's a range. At the "ultimate convenience" end of the scale you have the Oberoi. Simply push a small button on the console next to your bed, and a bright young man arrives to attend to your sartorial needs.
Next in line is a vast middle ground of "do it yourself" places. It's de regeur in the US to have the room pre-stocked with an iron. I can't recall the last time I stayed in a hotel without one. However, not so in the rest of the world.
For example, at the Yokohama Bay Sheraton in Japan, you call the front desk and they send up a very, very compact, cute little ironing board and cordless iron (!!). The iron rests in a recharging cradle - you pick it up, do you thing and rest it back in it's recharging dock.
In (good 'ol) Germany, a similar call to the front desk of the Bauer hotel produces a massive, industrial strength ironing board and iron. Gentel reader, please forgive me for not taking a picture - it's difficult to describe. Suffice to say that this is a German solution.
Finally, at the far end of the "do it yourself" scale is the Ibis hotel. They have a communal iron and board. Apon request, you are ushered into the inner sanctum behind the front desk, where a small line forms waiting for the equipment. NB: The Ibis has a "Microtel" feel to it, although with a Swedish twist. All very friendly and efficient, but lacking much charm.
That's an overview - for more detailed information, you'll have to just...do it yourself.
Posted by pgutwin at 1:26 AM | Comments (0)