"Michael Lowry" ambigram

Ever since reading Dan Brown's book Angels & Demons, I've wondered if it would be possible to reverse my name and end up with a legible ambigram. I finally found a way. I woulnd't have thought it possible before actually putting pencil to paper; but once I started drawing, the solution presented itself. I'm particularly pleased with the ae/Lo combination because it was dificult to design, but ended up looking quite good. I drew the basic design with pencil and paper first, and then copied it into the computer using a mouse.

Incidentally, the ambigrams in Angels & Demons (including the one on the cover) were designed by John Langdon. There are many other sites on the net devoted to ambigrams. Some day I would like to try to design a more attractive version of the ambigram above, perhaps in a calligraphic style similar to the ones in the book.

Here's an exterior shot of the IBM office in Stockholm last night. The snow makes a marked improvement in the amount of light.

Finally, it looks like winter again.

Over the weekend, about a foot of snow fell on Stockholm. It's supposed to stay below freezing this week, so it looks like we'll be able to enjoy the white stuff for a while.
Naturally the snow caused chaos with the traffic this morning. There were more than 70 automobile accidents and some local bus services were cancelled. Several of my colleagues stayed home today — one benefit of working for BigBlue is that many folks can do their jobs from home if necessary. The snow is pretty thick and fluffy. Luckily the temperature hasn't risen above freezing, so we're saved from the brown slush of last week.

Here are som photos I took of the ice formations next to the sidewalk along Oddegatan.

Snakes

This is lovely.

This is what the sunrise looked like from my livingroom window this morning.

Found sweatshirt

I found this sweatshirt at my apartment. It's not mine, and I think someone who attended my birthday party may have left it. If it's yours, let me know.

Finally, some positive news from Iraq.

I was moved by the high voter turnout in today's election in Iraq. I was also relieved that the bloodshed was limited. I don't agree with how Iraq got into its current situation; I was against the U.S. invasion. However, I feel like today's election may be a turning point and that things may be set to improve significantly in the near future. Let's hope so.

Thorns of a dog rose, sprinkled with frost. The red fruit of rosa canina is commonly used in Sweden to make nypon soppa, rose hip soup.

A sunrise photo.

Our flight from Steamboat was delayed a bit because of a fog bank covering the airpoirt in Denver. In this photo, downtown Denver and the Rockies can be seen in the background, and the South end of the airport appears through edge of the fog bank or right in the foreground.

IBM Sweden's 2005 kickoff party

IBM Sweden's 2005 kickoff party at Globen (the globe) arena.


The place was hopping!


Lena Philipsson was there. She sang a few songs for us.

Quick trip to Säfsen

Yesterday I went on a day trip for a little skiing at Säfsen with some colleages from IBM. Here we are posing at the warming cabin at the top of the mountain. With me in the photo are Torbjörn, Martina, Annette, and Håkan.


I skied a few runs wearing my black felt cowboy hat, but that was a bit chilly.


Annete, Håkan, Tobbe, and Tina posing at the top.


Ski pro Tobbe lost a ski while boarding the lift. Ha ha!


The snow was pretty thin, and the snowmaking machinery was running the whole time.


There was a lovely sunset over the mountain as we packed to return to Stockholm.

Delayed in Chicago

When I flew through Chicago on the way home from to Stockholm, my flight from Austin to Chicago was delayed due to a big snowstorm there in Chicago. By the time my plane landed in Chicago, it seemed too late for me to catch the SAS flight to Stockholm. My AA flight from Austin taxied by the international terminal on its way to its gate in a different terminal. In the distance through the snow, I could see the SAS plane I needed to catch. But by the time I had gotten off the plane, gotten through the terminal, taken a train to the international terminal, gone back through security, and made my way to the gate where the SAS plane was, it had already left. I had to wait six hours in the Chicago airport for the next SAS flight, a 10:30 p.m. flight to Copenhagen. This also meant that I had to catch yet another flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm. As a result, I arrived home in the evening on the 6 January instead of the early morning. C'est la vie.


There was a lot of snow falling in Chicago, so the de-icing crews were out in force.

Strawberry Park hot springs

I'm testing Picasa 2. Here's a photo of me in Strawberry Park hot springs near Steamboat. It was really enjoyable. The water coming out of the ground was well over 150 F, and was collected in several pools along the banks of a river. I warmed up in the hottest of the pools and then took a swim in the ice-cold river. I could only stay in the cold water for about 15-20 seconds before my legs began to ache and I had to get out again.

Steamboat ski trip, part 1

Here's the lovely home where we're staying in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The house was built by a prize-winning architect. It's unique. The lower level has a sauna, hot tub, steam bath, and a door out to a balcony where the very brave can roll in the snow.


Here's the view from the line for the gondola at the Steamboat ski area. The layout of the mountain is a little different than any other place I've skied. It takes some getting used to.


My first run at Steamboat. I had to go to the top of Storm Peak and then hike up another few hundred meters to get to this slope. It must have been the highest point around because the peak was dotted with radio towers like the one in the left of the photo. The snow conditions on the first day were not so great. Rain and wam temperatures combined to make the snow on the lower part of the mountain rather slushy. I stayed on the top of the mountain.


Our host Jev and I skied together for a while today. The weather was much better. The temperature stayed below freezing for most of the day and we even got some sunshine.


Here I am basking in one of those rare sunny moments. A kind passerby took this photo.


The top of the mountain was very windy. Wind speeds of up to 50 mph were recorded. The gondala and one of the express lifts were closed shortly after midday due to the high winds.


My place of frequent refuge today was the Four Points Hut. It's a tiny little cabin about 3/4 of the way up the mountain. It has a little fast food bar and restrooms with hot air dryers -- good for warming up gloves.


I did a few mogul runs today but not this one. Just looking at it made me tired.


I stopped in at the house for lunch, and to warm up my frozen toes. Ethan and Kelly had already set up the AirPort Express base station and were happily surfing the net.



On the way up Storm Peak Express lift. Four Points Hut can be seen in the distance.


The view from the top of Storm Peak looking back toward the top of the gondola.


The lovely town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado.


Somewhere on the mountain.


Here's one more of those scarce sunny moments.


Ethan and Kelly built a snow-Mildred!


The last rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow throughout the house.


Naturally, the sun came out AFTER the lifts had closed.