Archive for category Work
GDC+SXSW
Games Developer Conference used to be a conference for developers only. I remember back, maybe ten years ago. I was attending my first conference in San Jose and the language was definitely alien. It’s not that I was completely out of the loop. I’ve spent the past twenty years involved in the gaming industry. The last few years however, after the demise of E3 in Los Angeles, the show has become a very significant one even for Business Developers like myself. Maybe the most important conference of the year even after E3 got back on it’ knees.
So there I was, back in San Francisco where the show moved a couple of years ago. 40+ meetings penciled in over as many days with networking at nights to boot. It was a crazy busy, mad, interesting and very good week – but no time for photography.
After such a tiring week it was quite depressing to sit at the airport, watching my friends and colleagues preparing for their long flights home. My trip had just started. I was headed to Austin and SXSW.
I probably would not have traveled to Austin and South by Southwest had I not been invited to speak at a panel with some great peers in the industry. Once I got there though I’m glad I went. I’ve been to Austin many times before. I’ve written about this oasis surrounded by Texas and how I like the place. Something was different this time though. It was a different energy in town. It was buzzing with creativity. It was truly a great experience. Quite unique and I hope you have the chance to partake, have you not done so already.
I didn’t bring my camera to the streets at night. In a way I wish I had – to share the energy and life around the hundreds of concerts, film previews or interactive events – but I’m also glad I didn’t – so that I could enjoy the liveliness without shutter speed and aperture distractions.
A good start
For once I was home the whole month of January (apart from a quick visit to London). It’s been nice, but the weather was so-so for my taste – very, very cold. Once again I confirmed that I’m not made for Nordic winters.
Being home it’s been quite interesting to follow the changes in the river running past the house. One evening it was just amazing to listen to the crackling ice. I wish I could record it for you all. I haven’t heard anything like it.
February is off to a very good start. Work is busy and interesting. Held a lecture at an event organized by the Embassy of Canada in Oslo on Wednesday and two days later I was at Cambridge University, holding a lecture at Judge Business School. The event in Cambridge was very rewarding. The passion, the interest, the curiosity, the participation, in general the vibe in and surrounding the different colleges is very inspiring and if I win the lottery something I would love to get better acquainted with. £50K is not something I just have laying around… :)
After a nice dinner with friends on Saturday night I enjoyed Oslo from its best winter side, cross-country skiing in Nordmarka with my dad and brother. On days like these I forget all about what I wrote earlier. It’s one of the best places to be. Sparkling white snow, bright sun a clear blue sky.
No pictures this time around, but I’ll make up for it in my next blogpost. In five days I travel again – going back to the more “natural” life of being here and there.
Ping-pong
It’s been two months since my last post – two very hectic months. Now, on what feels like the longest flight ever, I do have plenty of time. So what has the past months been like?
NYC
In the end of September we traveled over the pond with tickets to Springsteen and E-Street band’s final concerts at Giant Stadium. That my birthday fell in the same week didn’t hurt either… :)
I love New York. Every time I visit I wish I could stay longer. Had a great birthday dinner in Brooklyn with friends, strolled the streets of Manhattan and smiled at the sun up on High Line Park. Enjoyed Central Park as ever, and a rainy day at the Met. Ate very well and a few tall drinks. Had the usual stop, well two, at B&H, but managed to stay away from the big purchases. That said, all in all, we did our best to help the US economy with a healthy shopping spree. It was so great to take full week off in the autumn. Not done that since the late eighties. Scary.
The two concerts were great. Amazing atmosphere. It was nice to experience Bruce in his backyard before the old stadium was torn down. I wouldn’t call myself a hardcore fan, liked his music before the shows, but now I catch myself humming his songs more often than not. Curious that.
Seoul
Arrived home from NYC on a Monday evening, had a quick meeting at the office on Tuesday morning before heading back to the airport and the flight to Seoul with my boss. Three continents in two days, not advisable, not surprisingly it turned into a jet lag rollercoaster. Had a great time though. Met with our Korean partners for a few days. Very busy schedule. Didn’t even find the time to take a single picture before we continued on to Beijing.
Beijing
It had been almost six months since I’d visited our team in Beijing. It was great to be back and to spend some time with them. It was the first time in the office not being directly in charge. A bit weird, but I still think of the studio as one of my babies.
It still amazes me how fast the city develops. Even when I visited more frequently I saw changes. With a half-year break it was just amazing. The area around our studio is completely transformed. Only three years ago I drove over an empty, bumpy field (the taxi made a wrong turn and decided to take a short cut over the grass – which turned out to be more rocks and potholes than anything). Now, at least ten skyscrapers were in construction on the same lot. Luckily, the little green oasis we have around our studios is still there, just surrounded by concrete.
The only bummer with this visit was that I didn’t find the time to visit 798. It was my boss’ first visit to the Far East, so we opted for the usual suspects instead. Unfortunately, we arrived at the Forbidden City ten minutes too late. It closed earlier due to the 60-year celebration. Tiananmen Square was packed with, I would guess, at least 200.000 people. Its on days like that you get an idea of the share number of the Chinese. We did get to see the “Egg”, the music hall, which was a first for me as well and I was very happy that we managed to stop by my favorite café in Houhai for a Tsing Tao. The planned trip to the Great Wall went down the drain too, but we did visit the “bird’s nest” and “water cube” at night.
San Francisco
I spent ten days at home, before flying out again. This time I traveled to the West Coast and San Francisco, another favorite city. The weather was perfect, warm, and sunny. Waking up to a cup of tea at Samovar in Yerba Buena Gardens, having a great Sunday brunch at Mama’s and strolling along the Embarcadero was a great way to start ten busy days. I did of course burn my nose…
Los Angeles
After a few days in the Bay Area we turned south to Los Angeles, to more meetings, dinners and more fun. Good drinks and company at Philippe and Roger Room. Gazing out over the Pacific in spare moments in Santa Monica. A pre-Halloween bash at the Hollywood cemetery was OK, didn’t bring any costumes on our trip which made us stand out quite a bit. So when we the following day were invited to Heidi and Seal’s Halloween party at Voyeur, we had to find something good. I ended up as an undead renaissance something…
Seattle and London
The day after we continued up to Seattle. Stayed at the 1000. Brilliant hotel, you should try next time you visit. I’ll book it again for sure. It was a quick stop in the Pacific Northwest before we headed back east the following day, across the Atlantic to London. I must like cities, because this is another favorite.
Home
Coming back to Oslo was nice, even though November is the saddest month of the year. A joyous time of cold, dark, and wet, occasionally white, quickly turning into wet, cold sleet. After two weeks without much sunlight I found myself back on an airplane, and my first visit to Busan in Korea.
Busan
Speaking at ICON/G-Star, meetings, dinners and walking the show floor. A five-day visit. I managed to squeeze in a free day, on Saturday, taking a taxi to unknown destinations. I like it that way. Stepping out of a cab, not knowing what I’ll see or experience. My trusted friend, Nikon and I on yet another adventure.
I found myself in what I believe is a national coastal park area. All signs are in Korean only and all around me were locals. I saw a group of people walking over to a booth buying tickets. I followed their example, and before I knew it I’m on the kiddy-train. Driving 5km/h along the footpath… It was fun for 300 meters, where I jumped off and walked down to a pebble beach. And to my surprise I see someone I’d wanted to meet since I read an article in National Geographic Magazine years ago; the pearl diving grandmothers. Amazing women.
Stumbling along on the large pebbles I was almost blinded by the brilliant, incredible flat, white sunlight. Enjoying the gentle sound of waves until it was suddenly drowned by the weirdest, kitschy, Korean electro pop music I ever heard. As a perfect score in a Wes Anderson flick it blasted out from a tourist boat on the other side of the beach. What happened next is hard to describe. Standing there listening to that music, shielding my eyes I saw silhouettes of a crowd of old, small, Korean seniors rushing – on slow motion – down a hill to catch the boat. Such a surreal experience, and I loved it.
The walk around the peninsula was quite pleasant. After three hours I continued my journey into the unknown city. Stopped at different markets before heading back to the hotel to pack my bags, and an early night sleep before the long flight home the morning after. Or so I thought. Damn you, jet lag. In bed, wide-awake I counted down the hours till I had to get up. At 5:00 I finally submerged into dreamless sleep, giving me a full hour…
In transit
I’m arriving in Frankfurt in a few hours, just one more flight left before I’m home. The journey will take me 23 hours door to door. Knowing that I don’t sleep on airplanes I figured that by the time I’m diving into bed I will have slept only one out of past 47 hours. I’m so looking forward to get to my bed.
Kölnerdomen
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels, Work on 090818
I’m in Germany for the annual European game industry expo, a show with many different names and locations over the years. Today it’s called Gamescom and is held in Cologne. I flew in this afternoon. Knowing the next couple of days will be extremely busy we, a few colleagues and I, went for a stroll in the old part of town. It is quite nice. A few long pedestrian streets with shops, cafés, restaurants, bars etc. In the heart of all you find Cologne’s Cathedral, Kölnerdomen, one of most beautiful cathedrals in Europe. Well worth a visit in itself. I visited the first time, close to 25 years ago with my school band. We played with other local bands on the square outside the church. Memorable experience. I also remember walking up, in circle, the entire stair to the top of one of the towers. Try it when you visit – and see if you manage to walk straight when you reach the end.
At night highflying birds surround the illuminated cathedral, it was quite the sight. I tried to capture it, filming with my mobile camera. The long exposure time created a rather marvelous effect. So here, my first video upload :)
Köln from Nicolay Nickelsen on Vimeo.
On a rock in the Atlantic
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels, Work on 090815
Driving from the International airport at Keflavik to Reykjavik you get a taste of the barren, mythical, beautiful landscapes of Iceland. I visited in the late nineties and wanted to return ever since. Now, more than ten years later I finally returned to the saga island.
Being 66 degrees north (6 degrees farther north than Oslo) the air had a chill I’m used to feel in the end of September. We were very lucky with the weather. The sun was out and on the second day the sea was still as a mirror. Looking across the bay into the valley behind I wanted to get one of the big ass arctic trucks and just drive into the wilderness.
But, I was on the island for a few business meetings. My second visit was, as the first, way too short. Had the airline provided a decent time schedule I would have stayed longer. Instead I gave myself a quick, “around Reykjavik in two hours”, speed walk in the afternoon. The economic crisis is very apparent in the city. Unfinished high rises planned in a different time skeleton reminders. Once being one of the expensive cities to visit is turned into a low-price shopping mecca and curse for the local retail margins. After my short urban photo safari we had a very nice dinner, which was followed by crashing the opening party at the annual Jazz festival – learned the day after it was by invitation only, for the artists and benefactors. We had fun!
Everything was in place for a great weekend in Iceland, but we had to leave. I count the third time to be the charm with plenty of time to get to travel around capturing the magic landscapes with my camera.
The return of E3
What a relief to look over the Pacific Ocean after days in the desert heat. As always, it felt good to be back in California. This time to attend the annual E3 show downtown Los Angeles.
Santa Monica. I always stay down by the sea when I visit LA. The view of the ocean, the possibility of actually walking around – a rare thing in this city – and the opportunity of a morning jog on the beach are too good reasons to change that pattern. I’ve been on a good work out routine lately and was pretty bummed that I missed my exercise as my bag was on route to some random destination earlier in the week. At Loews, where I often stay, I got the chance to make up for lost time. It felt good.
Over the years I’ve acquired a decent understanding of LA. Friends in the city have been so very kind driving, and showing me around to the different neighborhoods – for something I’m ever so grateful, in case I don’t say it enough. In turn I end up being a mini-guide for follow visitors. It’s a city with so much to offer, it would be interesting to actually spend a longer period of time – to experience that too. I know it would be different, but not how.
E3 used to be the biggest tradeshow in LA. Three days where the video/computer games industry pounded its chest and celebrated its existence. After the 2006 show, which was humongous, it was decided to scale down the event. The following two years were nothing less than disastrous, so it was with a happy heart I saw some of the past promise return this year. It was great to hang out and chat with peers, friends and new acquaintances in the industry as well – all in all a very good week.
When in LA there’s always a good chance to meet or at least see people who normally are fifteen feet tall on the silver screen. Watching James Cameron talk about Avatar, Pele about a new football game, standing next to Steven Spielberg on the show floor and sitting next to Megan Fox enjoying a Jerry Seinfeld performance was my star struck moments of the week. It was fun.
The sound of leaves
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels, Work on 090527
Sitting in the shade, leaning back against a tree trunk, I enjoyed a few relaxing minutes in Parc du Mont-Royal. I sat there listening to the rustling of the maple leaves and thought about this blog, and what to write.
I was back in Canada, third time in just over a year. Seven colleagues and I were spending five days in Montreal and the area around. The weather was much more inviting than a few months ago – the sun shining with twenty-plus degrees and a gentle breeze in the air.
In the weekend we strolled the city, walked past Cirque de Soleil’s tents in Old Port before we made it over to the two small islands in St Lawrence River. On our way over the taxi took us on part of the F1 racetrack. Not planned, he seemed as surprised as us when we suddenly drove around a bend and found the skid marks and white and red markings on the curb. I was very happy by this coincidence.
Parc Jean Drapeau is very nice. An outdoor activity fair was on and people were climbing and rappelling the Biosphere. I hope I can do it too one day. Maybe have a time for rollercoaster rides in La Ronde as well.
On Sunday, two of us took a day and drove a few hours north of Montreal, up to Mont-Tremblant. We wanted to see what the locals are raving about. What’s supposedly the best ski resort on the North American east coast. True, not much snow on the slopes in end of May, but we got and idea of what it’d be like – and it’s very promising. I for sure wouldn’t mind going back in winter.
We were told before driving up that the little town at the bottom of the slopes was inspired by Oslo. We didn’t really believe it, and rightfully so. I guess he had a few too many shroomz when he came up with that idea… That said, looking out over the pine trees and rolling hills reminded me somewhat of Nordmarka.
Leaving the shade of the tree I walked through the park, crisscrossing down past the wonderful houses in the hills of Westmount, continued down to Atwater Market, then among joggers and inline skaters and cyclist along the canal to Old Town and finally back up to our hotel downtown – all part of an assignment during this visit. Photo-documenting the city. Tough job! =D
California
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels, Work on 090329
I’ve always liked California. Flying in, stepping out of the terminal with a feeling of anticipation of what the visit will bring never fails. And most of the time the warmer air does the trick too. This time however I stepped out of LAX and froze. It was much colder than in Beijing. Almost 10 degrees (Celsius) difference – and I, how was looking forward to warmer weather.
Spent a few relaxing days in Santa Monica. Enjoyed myself under the grey skies and cold wind. Visited Samy’s of course and walked out with a new beauty, used it well after. New for me this time was visiting Palos Verdes. On the south side of Los Angeles, this beautiful peninsula was well worth the drive down. I also stocked up at Whole Foods Market. I wish we had that store back home.
The following week I spent in San Francisco – a very hectic week. Flew in for the annual GDC (Game Developers Conference). In preparation of this week I suffered a case of extreme meeting booking syndrome and during my days in the City I paid for it. Over 40 meetings in four days, phew… It went well, but I slept eleven hours straight after the last day.
I did get some time to enjoy life outside the conference scene as well. Had a marvelous meal at Beretta (23rd/Valencia) in the Mission. The worlds best Tuna Melt, and great tour of Pacific Heights and Marina and some time under a warm sun. Great weather the whole week – the way it should be.
CES in Vegas
The first business trip of the year was for the CES in Las Vegas. I’m not a huge fan of Vegas, to say the least, but this time was better than before. The show itself was so so – you could really feel the effects of the global economic crisis we’re in- but I had some very good meetings so the trip was worthwhile.
There is something to be said about Celsius in the twenties in mid-January. For a northern soul as I the warmth of the sun give a much needed energy boost. Don’t get me wrong. I love Norway, but I believe I was made for warmer climates. And ending this trip in San Francisco where the mercury has crawled up to 26C made that even clearer. Oh, and yes. I know, it’s usually not this warm in San Francisco in winter, but that does not make like the city any less. It’s still firmly in my top three – where Vegas will never be, but it’s growing on me. Next time I’ll explore more.
Xtrail in Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome, fifty thousand people, some of the best snowboarders in the world. I was invited to Japan to experience the TTR snowboard circus up close and it was fun. On the inside I found a close-knit family a pleasure to spend time with. I’ve always enjoyed my visits to Japan and this was no exception. The only flaw was the short time I had. Flying back and forth between Norway and Japan for a three-day visit is rough, but I’m very happy I got the opportunity. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Looking forward to the next event, and maybe more.
