Erik Ström: the official story

I was born in the Swedish town of Uppsala on January 2nd 1976. I grew up in a small suburb and went to school there until 6th grade, when I moved to a small village north of Uppsala called Storvreta.

During my years in Storvreta, I finished elementary school and went on to study Natural Science at highschool. I learned to play the piano and a few guitar chords.

After graduating from highschool (spring of 95), I went to join the Swedish army with the intent of becoming a military police. But life in the army wasn't what I'd hoped it would be, so I quit after a week and began to study mathematics at Uppsala University.

At the university, I found my karma. I've always liked to learn and I enjoy mathematics, so my last year has been the best one yet. When I got free 24-hour access to the Internet, I discovered a whole new world. It's really a privilege to be a part of the electronic revolution.

I moved away from home in november 95, since the bus traveling to Uppsala every day took up a lot of time. The concept of running my own life has changed me a great deal. I used to be quite lazy and was rarely enthusisastic about helping my parents at home, but when I realized I was on my own, I didn't have any choice but to make some fundamental changes to my personality.

I think I've learned to know myself better, accepting my weaknesses and my good sides. I'm far more organized now, almost to a fault: I've kept note of every single krona I've spent since I moved away from home, so I know exactly for how much money I eat per day (25 kronor), how many CDs I've bought and so on.

In the spring of 96, I quit mathematics and began to study for a Master of Science degree in Engineering Physics. Although the studying pace increased greatly, I've enjoyed this spring immensely. This summer I've taken two five-point courses in theology, a welcome contrast to the scientific studies.

These are the things I consider to be my good sides:

I like being helpful.

I'm generally positive about most things in life.

I'm reliable.

I'm generous with both my money and my time.

I'm very organized.

I like to be creative.

I like to work hard, if I like the work.

I'm very persistent when I want something.

I don't smoke.

I'm patient.

I never lose my temper.

And these are my bad sides:

I rarely admit it when I'm wrong (not that I've ever been wrong, but I know I wouldn't admit it if I were).

I can become so engrossed in something that I'm closed for communication.

I don't really take anything so seriously that I can't joke about it.

I can go totally nuts about something I like (ie Paul Simon).

I'm a very bad driver.

I like my own sense of humour more than most other people do.