Happy New 2013!

From Nordstjernan Editor and Publisher Ulf Barslund Martensson:

Julparken at Liseberg Amusement Park in Göteborg opens from mid November and is usually open until December 23.
The holiday season is a time to reflect on the year gone by. You have the time to think about ups and downs, any errors or mistakes you did or didn’t make and express gratitude to all those who have made a positive impact on your year. As such a positive impact, I want to thank you for being a loyal Nordstjernan reader.
Gott Slut = literally "Happy Ending" thus referring to the year of course and a common greeting in Sweden between Christmas and New Year.
You are the reason we go to work each day, cover events, sit by our computers, crack out words or lick labels, and you are the reason we constantly strive to be the best we can given our resources. I thank you for the opportunity to keep you informed and entertained. I know that everyone who has been part of creating the content for each issue shares my thanks.
Allow me to take this opportunity to also thank those who one way or another contributed to the content of Nordstjernan. Amanda, Anders, Bo, Bob, Carl, Cecilia, Chipp, Chris, Eva, Emilia, Erik, Hanna, Jessica, Jim, Kerstin, Klas, Leif, Lisa, Marianne, Mette, Mona, Mitch, Muriel, Niclas, Nils, Olle, Pernilla, Roxie, Ted, Ulf x 2… everyone! Without you, Nordstjernan would not be what it is and my life would be a lot less fun.
The Swedish Santa, Jultomten, here in one of illustrator Jenny Nyström's (1854-1946) depictions.
We pride ourselves on open communication with our readers and this year we ventured into some new channels online, started supplying some of our material in a video format and further developed our presence in the social media world. This opens up even more lines of contact with you and has made us all feel an additional amount of gratitude and connection with each and every one of you. We read every comment in every channel, so please keep them coming!
As most of you know, the way I see it, working with Nordstjernan is both a privilege and an obligation—and that privilege, that honor, has never been more fun than today. And, working with and for Nordstjernan has never felt better. Never better!
Wintery view of Strandvägen, Stockholm from the water. Photo: Henrik Trygg – Stockholm Visitors Board.
Ulf Nilson is hopeful but not overly optimistic about the world we’re in today. No one can be solely optimistic with so much evil around but as for me, with the opportunities I have, I adhere to the principle of every man trying to do as much good as he can here and now to those lives we touch or can reach out to one way or another. Now.
Not too long ago, someone—I think it must have been one of our religious leaders—said: “Do as much good as you can, for as many people as you can, as often as you can, wherever you can, for any reason you can, for as many days as you have.”
Begin today. Begin with just a smile.
let’s make 2013 a good, safe and happy year together...
Continued Happy Holidays! Christmas may be over when some of you read this, and let’s make 2013 a good, safe and happy year together.
Ulf Barslund Mårtensson
Editor & Publisher