Had a strange moment when I saw this box and wondered what it was. Oh! A phone booth! Remember those? Wow. Wonder how much it costs to make a call now?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Relic
Thursday, July 30, 2009
...as the rain buckets down
There's another Madonna concert in Oslo tonight. GLAD I am not going to
that one! It is POURING rain out there.
that one! It is POURING rain out there.
Though, honestly, I could have not gone to the first one and been happy,
on hind sight. I mean, that ticket cost me over 800 kroners and it got
me the entry to a giant parking lot with stage and big screens WAY at
the other end. Couldn't really see the stage as it was also very far
away and I am NOT the sort of person who pushes to the front. Not that I
even could have gotten to the front, as the VIP section (for which
tickets cost an additional 400nok) was there. So the closest I could
have gotten was maybe 150 feet or so? I don't know. Not worth the
pushing and shoving for that. The best I can say is that I was in the
same city with Madonna for a few hours. I can't really say that I have
seen her live as I never really saw HER, just her image on a screen.
So we stood at the back, where drunk people bumped into us as they
meandered between beer stands and toilets and then back again. We waited
an hour an a half between opening act and the main show, with no music
or anything. I think Madge was waiting for it to get dark. Hello? Summer
in Norway! It doesn't GET dark!
People have asked me what the concert was like. My response?
Like standing for 5 hours in a giant concrete parking lot, getting
knocked into by drunk people and watching videos on a screen a block
away. Valle Hovin is a crap venue.
I could have watched it on my sofa at home, with a nice glass of wine,
and saved myself 850 nok. I could have had Rich sideswipe me and dump a
little beer on me every time he walked by for the added atmosphere of
drunken louts crashing into me.
Sigh.
Madonna is in awesome shape, I do give her credit for that. That woman
was jumping rope on stage while singing. I can hardly WALK while
singing. She's superhuman.
I just wish I could have seen it up close.
I have higher hopes for Massive Attack later in fall, as well as
possibly seeing Dinosaur Jr end of August. Neither of those are at Valle
Hovin, which I will never see another show at.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Funny drunk
When trying to show how teeny Madonna is to us mortals this guy showed up. Looks like I'm pinching his nose!
Monday, July 27, 2009
so much for American journalistic integrity......
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/zontv/2009/07/the_wanted_nbc_news_norway_cir.html
This ‘expose’ is really stupid, especially the part about hiding behind bushes where they could get killed. In
What a joke.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
anticipatory stress
After going through a bit of a rough patch where I was thrown into uncertainty on every level, things seem to be on a more level playing field now. I know that I will stay in Norway a bit longer. I know Rich's job is ok, for now. I know that my job will be going gangbusters from here on out. Career trajectory set to take off. (My job situation was all hinging on Rich's and if we were going to stay in Norway. Now that my boss knows I am here for a while, he's throwing stuff at me right and left and it's like project manager boot camp in Karla Work Land. Nice to know I'm needed, but WOW it's busy.)
And I know that we will move into the new apartment. SWEET.
But I've changed my stress from the "aw shit wtf what will we DO?" kind to the kind that I think of as excitement stress, or anticipatory stress. You know, where you have so much stuff happening, that, even though it's exciting, you can't sleep because you are thinking about it all the time? For the past couple nights I haven't been able to sleep because my brain just will NOT shut down.
I am thinking about:
Now...while I'm thinking......what color will I paint that chest? I'm thinking black to match the black and white toile de jouy wallpaper in the entry........hmmmm......
And I know that we will move into the new apartment. SWEET.
But I've changed my stress from the "aw shit wtf what will we DO?" kind to the kind that I think of as excitement stress, or anticipatory stress. You know, where you have so much stuff happening, that, even though it's exciting, you can't sleep because you are thinking about it all the time? For the past couple nights I haven't been able to sleep because my brain just will NOT shut down.
I am thinking about:
- what furniture to get for the new place
- what furniture to get rid of for the new place
- what furniture to paint
- where it will go
- how will it be delivered
- what movers to use
- when to move that I can be available as September is gonna be an awful busy month workwise
- will Rich be able to handle the move without me?
- Hahhahahahaha!!!
- sorry cracked myself up with that one
- how will I arrange my closet(s)
- which Ikea closets will I buy
- how will we sell our clothes washer and our outside furniture
- how will we move little last minute things without a car (and my inherent and unmitigated fear and loathing of driving in central Oslo)
- when's the housewarming party
Now...while I'm thinking......what color will I paint that chest? I'm thinking black to match the black and white toile de jouy wallpaper in the entry........hmmmm......
Thursday, July 23, 2009
you guys in Austin could always try this technique for getting some rain.....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090723/od_nm/us_girls_odd_1
Girls? How about it? You up for some naked plowing?
Monday, July 20, 2009
September....
This will be the building we live in.
This will be the dining room.This will be our home.
I meant to take pictures this morning, but forgot to do so because I was too busy exclaiming over nooks, crannies and awesome period details in our new soon to be Oslo flat in a building built in 1898. Then I jumped around and hugged Rich and started mentally placing furniture and planning the house warming party. And so no pictures ever got taken (these come from the broker's website, and no I am not posting that, you think I want EVERYONE at our door?) My heart was POUNDING. I haven't felt this giddy since we found our house in Austin. This apartment, in Oslo, is ME. Me to a 'T'. A bit funky, oh-so-not-perfect, a bit creaky, but it's got soul and style and heart.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I'm not sure which is worse.
Ok, so you've heard the jokes and rumors about how the Chinese eat anything, including dogs.
After seeing this little blurb about how dogs are now trendy as pets in china, I have to ask:
Which is really worse...eating the dogs or doing THIS to them?
Hmm?
After seeing this little blurb about how dogs are now trendy as pets in china, I have to ask:
Which is really worse...eating the dogs or doing THIS to them?
Hmm?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
ow
I hate being a dork.
I fell up the stairs at work today. UP. The. Stairs.
Ow.
(Note: I usually take the elevator at work for this EXACT reason, but took the stairs today. From now on, when I get peer pressure from my Norwegian colleagues to take the stairs, I am going to show them the piece of bone that is probably missing from my leg now, as proof that me and circular stairs do NOT mix.)
It was caused by my toe getting caught in the hem of my wide legged pants, and the fact that my new, cute, teeny tiny glasses don't actually offer me any peripheral vision and so looking down is problematic. And I sort of need to look down on stairs.
So I fell and my shins banged really hard on the stair above the one I was on. Damn it hurt. I went down to get ice from the canteen but guess what they don't have? Can you imagine, a kitchen with no ice? ARg.
So I waited til I got home and put a bag of frozen mushrooms on the right leg (the one that hurts more) and a bag of frozen broccoli on the left. The mushrooms worked better.
I have an egg sized lump on my right shin.
Ow.
(FYI: I am awaiting word on the flat of my dreams that I saw yesterday....keep fingers crossed. I really need some good luck now, I am tired of all bad news. Here's to mojo improvement!)
I fell up the stairs at work today. UP. The. Stairs.
Ow.
(Note: I usually take the elevator at work for this EXACT reason, but took the stairs today. From now on, when I get peer pressure from my Norwegian colleagues to take the stairs, I am going to show them the piece of bone that is probably missing from my leg now, as proof that me and circular stairs do NOT mix.)
It was caused by my toe getting caught in the hem of my wide legged pants, and the fact that my new, cute, teeny tiny glasses don't actually offer me any peripheral vision and so looking down is problematic. And I sort of need to look down on stairs.
So I fell and my shins banged really hard on the stair above the one I was on. Damn it hurt. I went down to get ice from the canteen but guess what they don't have? Can you imagine, a kitchen with no ice? ARg.
So I waited til I got home and put a bag of frozen mushrooms on the right leg (the one that hurts more) and a bag of frozen broccoli on the left. The mushrooms worked better.
I have an egg sized lump on my right shin.
Ow.
(FYI: I am awaiting word on the flat of my dreams that I saw yesterday....keep fingers crossed. I really need some good luck now, I am tired of all bad news. Here's to mojo improvement!)
Monday, July 13, 2009
random
Random stuff today·
- Last night I saw a show called MXC. It's a MST3K style reworking of Takashi's Castle, an 80's Japanese show. Rich kept hollering at me to 'Come here! You gotta see this!', so I got my ass out of bed and checked it out. That's some funny shit, yo. It's on Spike in the US, catch it if you can, especially if you liked MST3K and snarky commentary. (And, as always, if you have heard of it, seen it, or you're all, 'WTF Karla, that is OLD NEWS! That's been on for AGES', well, then, be nice, m'kay? We are behind the times with US TV here in Norway.)·
- I also spent more hours than is normal watching season 5 auditions of 'So You Think You Can Dance'. God I love to watch 'the dance'. To have that sort of facility and power over one's movements, what a talent. I am an ok dancer, have good rhythm, but judging from the one modern dance class I took in college (I got an A only because I wrote an essay on the history of the dance, as my dancing skills were just NOT where they should have been), and my being politely asked to leave my ballet classes when I was 7, I don't think I'd ever have been a candidate for SYTYCD. (I think I could be a kick ass belly dancer though. I think I do have a talent for that.)·
- We saw two places on Saturday that are possibilities for new housing. One is a rental, a rather large rekkehus (townhouse), a bit of a walk from where we are now but doable. (I'd definitely lose some weight in the walking back and forth to the train, 2km each way.) VERY early 80's, needs some paint on all those bare wood walls. It was almost too big. Rich liked that. I'm iffy. It did have a gorgeous outdoor terrace, though. There was also a smaller place we saw, a perfect little jewel of a place, so cute, I loved the kitchen and everything was just as it should be for a small place, but Rich said he felt like it was too small. (Remind me in my next life to have a smaller husband). I don't like big places. I like places that are cozy, manageable, and with a place for everything. No more no less. I have never wanted a McMansion. It's not my style.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Balcony flowers and stormy skies
The sun broke out of the clouds and made the colorful flowers pop against the lowering skies. I'm suprised by how much joy these flower boxes are bringing me. Shoulda done it years ago!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Old Skool Lunch
Quick post before my second round of drinking today.
Our canteen at work was closed today, which meant no lunch on site. (FYI, for you Americans, in Norway it is a common 'perk' at work to get a subsidized lunch on site. This is for two reasons: lunches are short, no more than 1/2 hour, and food is expensive, so a subsidized lunch can be a real financial consideration. I know people who choose jobs based on the canteen. Lunch is definitely NOT a going out occasion here. )
I sent out an email to a few work buddies that I usually sit with at lunch, suggesting an Old Skool Mad Men style lunch as a treat since we didn't have a lunch otherwise. I booked a table at an Italian place near the office for 8 people.
The email got sent around, and a bunch more people said they wanted to come. I called the restaurant and got a bigger table. I spread the word that people needed to let me know if they were coming as I had to make reservations and the restaurant could only hold so many.
As I left the building to go to the restaurant, I saw a big group of people who had not been on the list heading over to the restaurant. Hmm.
I got to the restaurant and the table I had booked was full of people who hadn't told me they were coming. This kind of annoyed me, like, hello, is it common to crash a reserved table reservation AND take places of other people who HAD reserved? Jeez.
Luckily a few people (unluckily for me, as they were among my usual lunch buddies) had canceled so everyone was able to fit, but, man, what if they hadn't canceled? I would have kicked those other folks ot the curb, I swear I would have.
Anyhow, it all worked out in the end. We had 20 people when all was said and done. I had a couple glasses of wine, most other people did too, and we had a very non-Norwegian long lunch of pasta and anti-pasti and leisurely dining. When it came time to pay I ended up being the money handler, and between those who paid their portion with card, and my having had wine, and people giving me cash, I gave up keeping track of who did what, and just left my number with the waitress telling her to call me if there were any problems. As I have not heard from her, I guess it turned out ok.
I got a lot of comments from people telling me what a great idea that was and we should do it more often. I thought that was kind of funny....I mean, it was just LUNCH. I can't really take credit for LUNCH being MY great idea, you know?
But I will, if they insist.
I giggled my way through the rest of the afternoon. Luckily I did all my work on my spreadsheets and financials earlier in the day. Wine + Math = Not Good.
Our canteen at work was closed today, which meant no lunch on site. (FYI, for you Americans, in Norway it is a common 'perk' at work to get a subsidized lunch on site. This is for two reasons: lunches are short, no more than 1/2 hour, and food is expensive, so a subsidized lunch can be a real financial consideration. I know people who choose jobs based on the canteen. Lunch is definitely NOT a going out occasion here. )
I sent out an email to a few work buddies that I usually sit with at lunch, suggesting an Old Skool Mad Men style lunch as a treat since we didn't have a lunch otherwise. I booked a table at an Italian place near the office for 8 people.
The email got sent around, and a bunch more people said they wanted to come. I called the restaurant and got a bigger table. I spread the word that people needed to let me know if they were coming as I had to make reservations and the restaurant could only hold so many.
As I left the building to go to the restaurant, I saw a big group of people who had not been on the list heading over to the restaurant. Hmm.
I got to the restaurant and the table I had booked was full of people who hadn't told me they were coming. This kind of annoyed me, like, hello, is it common to crash a reserved table reservation AND take places of other people who HAD reserved? Jeez.
Luckily a few people (unluckily for me, as they were among my usual lunch buddies) had canceled so everyone was able to fit, but, man, what if they hadn't canceled? I would have kicked those other folks ot the curb, I swear I would have.
Anyhow, it all worked out in the end. We had 20 people when all was said and done. I had a couple glasses of wine, most other people did too, and we had a very non-Norwegian long lunch of pasta and anti-pasti and leisurely dining. When it came time to pay I ended up being the money handler, and between those who paid their portion with card, and my having had wine, and people giving me cash, I gave up keeping track of who did what, and just left my number with the waitress telling her to call me if there were any problems. As I have not heard from her, I guess it turned out ok.
I got a lot of comments from people telling me what a great idea that was and we should do it more often. I thought that was kind of funny....I mean, it was just LUNCH. I can't really take credit for LUNCH being MY great idea, you know?
But I will, if they insist.
I giggled my way through the rest of the afternoon. Luckily I did all my work on my spreadsheets and financials earlier in the day. Wine + Math = Not Good.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Shoe Porn 2
I bought these shoes 3 years ago in London. Donald Pliners made for Russell & Bromley. They cost a bomb even on sale but were necessary as my other shoes that day literally fell apart. Anyhow these ended up being too uncomfortable to really walk in so I put them aside. Never got rid of them as I love the way they look. Seems that now I can wear them! Maybe not for a marathon but defo to the office!
Shoe porn 1
Sandals I bought on sale Saturday. 40% off, last pair, my size. Been stalking them for months. Brown leather absolutely encrusted with silver studs. Boho bondage sandals!
Saturday, July 04, 2009
High summer
Walk on a hot summer day. All the car guys are out cruising in their vinage American convertibles. Birds sing. I sweat. Sun shines over ancient former Viking landscape. Rain forecast all next week. Walk while I can!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
house for rent in Austin!
Howdy y'all. Our beloved house in Austin will be up for rent in August. It's a 2 bed 1 bath, 2 living, with big back yard and awesome deck, original 50's tiling in bath and kitchen and tons of storage and in a great central neighborhood. If you know any responsible people who want a real gem of a place to live, contact me at karlagodwoman at yahoo dot com (Serious enquiries only please.) I'll get you in touch with our manager who takes good care of everything for us.In the meantime, I am endlessly trolling the housing listings here to see what is available, and am seriously torn between renting and buying. One big thing putting us off buying? Usual down payment in Norway is 20-25%!!!!! And housing starts at around 300kusd. I don't know about you, but I don't seem to have a spare 75 or hundred thousand bucks laying around, do you?
It all kind of just makes me want to go back home and live in my own, perfectly lovely, sensible home. I just wish I could bring my job with me.
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