In sixth grade, because we didn’t know any better, my class did this thing called Model United Nations. I decided to be Sweden because the flag was easy to make with construction paper and I figured I wouldn’t have to participate very much. And I was right!
While some honor student was busy nuking the PLO, good old Sweden over here was holding fast to his neutrality, washing down lutefisk with akvavit and putting the moves on the very foxy ambassador from Brazil, who needed a bra six months before anyone else in our class. (My moves, then as now, consisted of saying her name while belching and then raising a questioning eyebrow.)
Point being, Sweden likes to kick back and enjoy the good life. Check it: ABBA, Roxette, Ace of Base, Europe, The Cardigans, Sahara Hotnights. Yngwie Malmsteen. And who doesn't like to unwind after a hard day by sparking the hydro and watching The Seventh Seal?
Our two competitors today, Jakob Nylund and Joakim Jansson, both herald from the Kingdom, and both call upon the distinctive character of their homeland in their work. They share an appreciation of unexpected collisions and whimsical typography, but are still grounded by that classic Scandinavian cleanliness and elegance.
I asked these Swedes if they had a strategy for winning Layer Tennis. Jakob chimed in from London: "Drink some beers and have a good time!" Yes, Jakob, yes. Your heritage is proudly on display — skål! And as for Joakim?
Joakim didn't write me back.
I assume this is some sort of mind game and that's fine, but frankly I find the whole thing pretty un-Swedish. It looks like Joakim's current home of Oslo ("The Pittsburgh of Scandinavia") is rubbing off on him and it just makes me sick.
But I'm not going into this thing all biased. It is my duty as commentator to remain as neutral during the conflict as Sweden itself. But there is a small part of me — the part that likes to pick up coeds at IKEA by saying, "I think my Allen wrench could tighten you up real nice" — that wants Jakob to smear Joakim across the screen like so much lingonberry jam.
I can't stay mad at Joakim, though. Gaze upon his Twitter post from earlier this week: "Downloading Road House (1989) w/ Patrick Swayze!" The kid's heart is in the right place.
I did, however, fix the coin toss. Jakob goes first.
Joshua Allen lives in Fireland, USA.
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Naz and Sam Peeling Back the Layers on last Friday's amazing photographic and musical live Layer Tennis Match. No Tennis this week by the way, we'll be back live on the 19th
Layer 10 is up. And that's a wrap! Big thanks to Sam, Naz, Mark, and all the fans. No voting this week, but be sure to sign up for Season Tickets and be the first to get match info and learn how to play in our qualifying matches. Layer Tennis is taking a week off, we'll see you back here on March 19th for our fourth exhibition match.
The coin-flip and Match Preview are up for today's live Photographic Exhibition Match. We're almost set to go. Tweet your comments and include #lyt and then follow the chatter on our Crowd Page. And if you don't have 'em already, sign up for Free Season Tickets for news, contests and maybe even a chance for you to take the court this season.
Mark Simonson shares his insider's view of Friday's typographic battle, including a nifty chart of all the glyphs created during the match.
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