Everything in my life is a project

My relationship, my games, my work, my friends, my diet... everything is a project. I open a worksheet and start filling things in. Some projects are large (like my p****), some are small (like Pelles p****). Some projects ends within days, some within months and some I have no idea how long they will last. There are some I hope never ends.

I know what you guys are thinking "FUCK! ROFLMAO! Here's ANOTHER philosophical 'let's think about life, universe and everything!', cry in a little jar - eat the jar and... probably get really sick/die because eating a Jar of any shape, metal or consistency isn't a really good for you... STORY"

Eh, what? Right, going back to the topic.


Projects I have ended

I am Tony Stark, BO-YAA!

I just finished Mass Effect 3, which was awesome (not that it actually ended but I enjoyed putting the dot at the end of the story).

I not so long ago also decided to push aside a few of what I call "fake friendships" with people who care a little bit too much about them self and a little bit to little about anyone else. That was also quite awesome. Waste of time.

I'm quite happy that I ended the chapter at PokerStrategy.com. I don't think I would want to go back working there even if I was offered a really good opportunity. Although I am happy I got the opportunity to learn so much about how a business works and more importantly how people work. This way I know what kind of people I would like to work with in the future. I feel richer knowing know what I did not know before starting working there.

They are having a Summer Party today, but even though I was offered I don't want to go. This project has ended.


Projects I want to focus on

Rock Band from an armpits perspective

1) My self
2) My work
3) The people I care about

My plan is to be as happy as possible. In order to get this I need to make sure that things I do is a bit more involved in what is good for me, rather than what is good for others. Sounds shit, but I tried the other way around already and the return of investment wasn't consistent enough. Focusing on myself is.

But to be happy I need to spend the time I invest in my life wisely. I therefore will have to make sure that going to work every day is something that really excites me. Good thing for me is that Traffic Generation is a damn good company with damn good people. I get to do what I want to do, work with gaming, being there from the start and building something great together with people I enjoy spending time with.

But as I am a quite (believe it or not) emphatic person, something even more important to me is to care for and surround myself with lovely, funny or totally insane motha' fuckahs like my friends, family or my extremely pretty girlfriend (whom which I share my kingdom with).


Now, what the fuck was this post all about? No idea, but I'm going back to watching Dr. House now. Cya bitches!

Beards - a Couple Decision!

While trying out Mass Effect 3, going WTF over spontaneously swollen legs, experiencing the World Championships of Ice Hockey 2012 I started to think about my beard.

Some things you have to decide together.

She hasn't said it yet, but her eyes tells me what I need to know. It has to go. But the question is, how long can I wait until she finally takes matters into her own hands? Should I push the limits or concede. The man in me says I should keep it, but some part of me (guess which!) tells me that it is probably a smart decision to shave.

Three days? Two? Four?! Maybe a week! Can I risk it... hmm?

I love her too much to let a beard get in-between us. I'm shaving... soon.

Other stuff!

Mass Effect 3 isn't really impressive... but Swedish Ice Hockey is! It has been many years since so many hot shots came back from NHL to support our country. The only one missing now, really, is Henrik Lundqvist. We need a solid Goaltender or we are toast.

The game against Germany and Czech Republic was easy, but I admit we struggled on the rest (especially Russia, but they do have a stronger team this year + Jemelin who rather shows off his acting skills rather than playing Ice Hockey). I liked to watch the game against Germany. A good team some years, but only dust to an Ice Hockey nation as Sweden.

What makes a Friend?

NOTE: I'm drunk atm, and I am always a bit too philosophical about life and all that when I'm in that condition...

I've been thinking lately about a few things. Friends that say they wanna meet up and do something and then never get back to you, friends that not contact you for a long time and kind of fade away a bit... then friends that live nearby that you hang out with and stay in contact with quite often.

What is the difference? Who is the real friend?


People who care about you

Even if a friend tell you "we should do something someday!" and not really get back to you on that, or doesn't keep in touch very good, it doesn't always mean that they are not really caring or are not really your friends. I think that if you really consider someone a friend and you know the feeling is mutual, that stuff is okay.

When things really matter, you truly see who is your friend and who is not. You'r brother dies or you lose your job - they are there, no matter what. You feel like shit and give them a call, they listen. That's what it's all about.

I think many people take too drastic decisions about who their friends are. Think a bit further before you make up your mind. It is worth it.


People who care only about themselves

Who is not your friend? That is easy. People that only talk to you when it is something about them that they need to talk about. They never ask how you are, what you have been doing (at least not sincerely) or if you need help/support with anything. They simply want attention and pity.

To these people I say: Fuck off, I am not your friend. Suck someone else's blood, you leech. I can't be bothered with you stealing my time.


I'm pretty sure about who my friends are. Are you?

Games: Taking Advantage of Problems

I've been thinking about problems quite a bit lately. There is always problems everywhere and people are always whining about them. Sometimes you solve the problem, sometimes you can't. But, have you ever thought about taking advantage of the problem?

In this post I will give you an idea of what I'm taking about. After you've read the post, think for yourself if any of your current problems can be taken advantage of to your benefit.


Help! People are misusing my product to make $!

There are many different perspectives we can look at this, but I choose the Design & Business perspective for some unknown reason.

Problem: People are farming in-game gold and selling it outside of the game, illegally. There is even an industry for this. Players gets pissed off, abused and many even leaves because this problem grows. You lose revenue.

Reaction: Spontaneously you would just take the aggressive approach to this and just ultra-ban any kind of illegal activity, but if you want to play smart you need to look closer at the problem. What are we not seeing here?

Why is this illegal business model working? Because people want easy ways of getting in-game money. They want a short cut. They enjoy a short cut - it makes them a happier player (even if it some times actually ruins the experience for the player).

So what can you really do? Obviously the need exists and there is a proven market for it. This is actually quite simple: Get into the market, compete with these illegal businesses and make it not/less worth while to buy illegal coins.

Example: EVE-Online was quick to find a smart solution: The introduced PLEX - an ingame pilot license that grants the user, when using it, 30 days of game time. This PLEX was created because a player bought it with real money, from the developer, and received the in-game virtual item. The player could now either use it himself or simply sell it for in-game money to other players to the highest bidding. Actually, there is even an entire market section for the PLEX right now. It is working great, the illegal activites has been reduced and the company is even earning more money now than before they had the PLEX... OR the illegal farming problem. 

Wicked, huh?


Here is delonewolf (damn Frenchie :P) from Youtube that explains a bit about the impact of PLEX in EVE-Online:

Is this a pointless question at a job interview?

There have been a few discussions lately about one certain classic question that almost always shows up in job interviews. If  you haven't guessed it by now: "Where are you and what would you be doing in X years?".

This question has a theoretical purpose but no practical point.

From the English "The Office" in case you went "WHOOT?!"

Theoretically it is a good question to ask

In theory this question is good to ask to find out if the candidate is ambitious or not. If he/she might threaten your own position or if the candidate simply have no ambitions what so ever. It is simply good to know what kind of person you would be dealing with.

In my opinion, the perfect answer would be: "I will be in whatever position I can do the best possible job for the company I am working in.".

Of course, that comes of a bit cheesy. I have used it myself and the person interviewing me wasn't really satisfied with the answer (even though i.m.o. she should have been since it was quite clever :P).


Practically there is (mostly) no point asking it

Most people who do interviews don't know how to process & analyze the answer or even why they are asking it in the first place. Some people might understand it though and try to analyze it, but the chance of misunderstandings and failure to understand the point of the question from either side will probably sabotage the interview more rather than doing the opposite.


The exception?

I would like to ban this question from any interview that doesn't include a very experienced person who does the interview who has complete understanding of the question and how to analyze & process the answer it. It should also only be asked to people that are being hired for position deep down in the chain of command. It would be good to know where you have your "grunts". Will they need advancement to stick around or not? To ask candidates for higher positions is useless. If they were not ambitious they wouldn't be applying for that position anyway.


Instead you might want to ask...

Instead of asking this (in my opinion) useless question, the one who gets interviewed should instead be asked: "Where do you see this company in X years and how would you have contributed to the result?". Anyone I would hire should have his/her focus on the performance of the company rather than any "gold digging" dreams of his/her own.

NOTE: This only applies if you can't make an exception like I described above.


Also, this is how you alternatively could do your interviews (how I would prefer to do it) :P

The power of... silence?

Inspired by some dude that I don't know, but apparently cares enough about me to follow me on Facebook, I am today blogging about "the power of silence". Actually, it is a more interesting subject than you first think.

Just think about how employers, you just visited for an interview from, can make you feel by simply... saying nothing. Or when you come home and your girl/boyfriend looks at you and doesn't say a word. This is truly the power of silence to me.


5 ways of using silence to your benefit

1. When you are on a date, shut the fuck up and let the woman speak.
2. If you want someone close to really feel bad, just do what girls usually do. Look at them... with silence.
3. If you are insecure about yourself and feel like you have to make others feel bad to make you feel better, be silent and try to deal with your own problems instead.
4. When interviewing people, use silence as a way of testing your subjects ability to take initiative.
5. Be considered a good friend by shutting the hell up with someone is trying to tell a story/joke.


5 ways of messing up with silence

1. When answering a phone call.
2. When being asked a question.
3. When a girl you like tells you she loves you.
4. When in a life threatening situation where a shout could save your life.
5. When your boss is telling a joke (doesn't matter if it's good or bad).

There, that should have made your lives a lot easier to live. :)

Now, a tribute to my dear beloved friend Andreas Knöpke: