I caught the tail end of a service. The girls in their bunads outside the church is a classic scene that could have been viewed any time over 400 years.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Favorite
While I have the car I popped over to visit my favorite place, Tanum Kirk. 1000 years old but holding firm. Gorgeous. Peaceful.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Things
Things I've learned over the past two days:
1) When trying to go to bed quietly, and not turning on the bathroom light, a tube of Dermologica Gentle Cream Exfoliator and a tube of Solidox toothpaste feel exactly alike.
2) They do not, however, TASTE exactly alike.
3) It is not possible nor advisable to exfoliate your tongue.
4) Do not take your husband furniture shopping on an empty stomach. He gets very grouchy and you will get into a screaming fight over something stupid like parking and you won't understand why he is being such a BITCH. Men turn into three year olds when hungry. Even he admits it. FEED THEM.
5) When you do eat before shopping, beware of the heartburn effect caused by the Ikea meatballs with brown gravy. Oy. *Urp*.
6) Buying PAX closets at Ikea takes about three hours. If you are buying three. And there are about a million choices and you just want it DONE ALREADY but there is no way you can figure out how to do it yourself. And you know what you want already, and it's NOT the ones on display. And there is no one to help you until the very end when you are rescued by a wonderful Swede. And then you want to cry with relief when he (Jarle! I love you!) FINALLY helps you.
7) Shopping at Ikea is not too bad on Friday night between 7 and 10pm. The rest of the world has dates and, you know, real lives. But get out of there before they close at 11, because holy CRAP the lines. And don't get there at 6, everyone will be in line for meatballs, just like you.
8) That being said, 5 hours is way too long to spend at Ikea. WAY TOO LONG.
9) Ikea delivers.....and they have a "one price we deliver all the crappe you want" option.
Things I've bought over the past two days:
Now I have to go pack some shit up.
1) When trying to go to bed quietly, and not turning on the bathroom light, a tube of Dermologica Gentle Cream Exfoliator and a tube of Solidox toothpaste feel exactly alike.
2) They do not, however, TASTE exactly alike.
3) It is not possible nor advisable to exfoliate your tongue.
4) Do not take your husband furniture shopping on an empty stomach. He gets very grouchy and you will get into a screaming fight over something stupid like parking and you won't understand why he is being such a BITCH. Men turn into three year olds when hungry. Even he admits it. FEED THEM.
5) When you do eat before shopping, beware of the heartburn effect caused by the Ikea meatballs with brown gravy. Oy. *Urp*.
6) Buying PAX closets at Ikea takes about three hours. If you are buying three. And there are about a million choices and you just want it DONE ALREADY but there is no way you can figure out how to do it yourself. And you know what you want already, and it's NOT the ones on display. And there is no one to help you until the very end when you are rescued by a wonderful Swede. And then you want to cry with relief when he (Jarle! I love you!) FINALLY helps you.
7) Shopping at Ikea is not too bad on Friday night between 7 and 10pm. The rest of the world has dates and, you know, real lives. But get out of there before they close at 11, because holy CRAP the lines. And don't get there at 6, everyone will be in line for meatballs, just like you.
8) That being said, 5 hours is way too long to spend at Ikea. WAY TOO LONG.
9) Ikea delivers.....and they have a "one price we deliver all the crappe you want" option.
Things I've bought over the past two days:
- Three closets. Ikea. I discovered, to my joy, that I will have MORE hanging space in the new place than I do now. Thanks to approximately 4 meters of acquired Ikea closet space. PLUS shelving. Degsbo doors and shelves and drawers. HOURS of fun to put those together on the horizon.
- A sofa. Ikea. Ektorp, with a cute black and white toile floral print. (I wanted the sofa bed, but the non-sofa bed one was so much softer and squashier that my ass made the choice for me.)
- Two convertible ottomans/guest beds. Skeidar. These we found by mistake today, and they are so cool, and exactly what I wanted. They fold up small, but open out to twin beds. We can have guests!
- A NEW BED! Skeidar. Glory hallejulah and praise the Lord of your choice, we bought a new bed! It has this flippy option where one side can be firmer and one side softer. Because I always want softer and he wants firmer, and all this firm (because he won that argument 14 years ago and it's now lumpy and old) bedness is killing my back. So now I will have a softer bed and I am SO HAPPY. OH a new bed....so decadent to even consider.
- Two carpets, 50 candles, 6 pillows, a microwave, two little bookshelves, and some bathroom storagey things.
- Yet to buy...Rich's long desired flat screen tv. That's his baby....I'm stepping out of that one.
Now I have to go pack some shit up.
Friday, September 04, 2009
space ship
I rented a car today, for the weekend, so that we can go to IKEA and other furniture type stores in preparation for the move. (Closets! Must buy closets!)
The last car I bought was in 1997, my Subaru. I bought it new. I thought it was pretty spanky. It had cruise control, a/c, nice stereo, 5 speed, auto locks and windows, etc etc...all the things one needs for a nice ride.
This rental car? Like a SPACE SHIP compared to my old Subaru. A VW Passat diesel, black, sleek, shiny, all red and blue subtle lights and automatic everything and buttons and gizmos. I won't figure out what they all are for before I have to return it. I feel intimidated by its sophistication, but oddly cosseted.
It will make an extremely elegant carrier of flat pack furniture. I'm sure my 1961 2CV in Texas would do the job as well, but with far fewer gizmos and buttons, and, er, roof.
We go to IKEA tonight. Was teased at work for going on a Friday, but most people there said that they go there on Friday, too, as it's less crowded and you can get stuff done. Let the cool people date and go to clubs. I'm buying Pax wardrobes, Schmerglby sofa and Bjørkmeister rug and having kjøttboller for dinner. (Names made up except for wardrobe and kjøttboller, which means 'meatballs' but it pronounced suspiciously close to 'shitballer'.)
Shitballer with fries and that brown cream gravy. Nummy.
And, apropos of nothing: I stepped on a slug today. It was mostly presquashed, and I was wearing shoes, but oh my god it was nasty. I slid in slug guts. I have managed to not step on those horrrible things for 7 years and then, today, I did it. Like nails on a chalkboard, you never forget the sensation of slug underfoot.
The last car I bought was in 1997, my Subaru. I bought it new. I thought it was pretty spanky. It had cruise control, a/c, nice stereo, 5 speed, auto locks and windows, etc etc...all the things one needs for a nice ride.
This rental car? Like a SPACE SHIP compared to my old Subaru. A VW Passat diesel, black, sleek, shiny, all red and blue subtle lights and automatic everything and buttons and gizmos. I won't figure out what they all are for before I have to return it. I feel intimidated by its sophistication, but oddly cosseted.
It will make an extremely elegant carrier of flat pack furniture. I'm sure my 1961 2CV in Texas would do the job as well, but with far fewer gizmos and buttons, and, er, roof.
We go to IKEA tonight. Was teased at work for going on a Friday, but most people there said that they go there on Friday, too, as it's less crowded and you can get stuff done. Let the cool people date and go to clubs. I'm buying Pax wardrobes, Schmerglby sofa and Bjørkmeister rug and having kjøttboller for dinner. (Names made up except for wardrobe and kjøttboller, which means 'meatballs' but it pronounced suspiciously close to 'shitballer'.)
Shitballer with fries and that brown cream gravy. Nummy.
And, apropos of nothing: I stepped on a slug today. It was mostly presquashed, and I was wearing shoes, but oh my god it was nasty. I slid in slug guts. I have managed to not step on those horrrible things for 7 years and then, today, I did it. Like nails on a chalkboard, you never forget the sensation of slug underfoot.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Big day today
Today was a big day.
We got the keys to the new flat and got our settlement papers finalized.
First: The flat. It's traditional to have a formal handover with the landlord on the first day of a lease. He is a very distinguished looking gentleman and she is his very sweet, rather elegant mom. Turns out, I knew the man, he worked in the same building as I do! We saw each other all the time in the elevators. Oslo is a lot like Austin in that regard, it's small enough that you start to recognize faces after a while. But to have one of those faces become your landlord...that's pretty co-inky-dinky to say the least. The landlords are very nice, and there is a full time caretaker on the property, which is rare and AWESOME to have on site. The building is big, but so are the apartments, and it seems to be well run by the family who have owned it since it was built, I believe. The mother of the landlady was born in our flat in the early part of last century.
But yes, we got the keys. BOY did we get keys...21 of them! So damn many keys. Keys to about 10 different doors (trappebod, kjellerbod, kjeller, kjøkkentrapp, porten, entre, kjøkkendør, front door, main door, and some others), security key, post box key....oh my god there are KEYS. I'm going to have to be like one of those Victorian chatelaines with the ring of keys at her waist. I'll have to use four keys just to get into the apartment. A far cry from our 'one key fits all' apartment now.
BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO GET IN THERE. (Even if the cellar is VERY SCARY. I'm pretty sure that will be Rich's job, to get anything from down there that needs gettin'. Boo scary.)
After the handover, we went to the UDI to get our settlement permit finished. We applied for (and got) 'permanent' settlement in Norway. It lasts for 10 years. For the past 7 years we had to reapply every year for our work permits, at great cost and inconvenience, with the rest of the huddled masses and refugees. We won't have to do that any more, and oh what a relief of both time, effort and our nostrils (some of the huddled masses really smelled.). And, oddly, the UDI said it would take 9 to 10 months to get our settlement finalized...and it took one and a half months. So, wow.
In one day we got a new apartment and a new country.
We got the keys to the new flat and got our settlement papers finalized.
First: The flat. It's traditional to have a formal handover with the landlord on the first day of a lease. He is a very distinguished looking gentleman and she is his very sweet, rather elegant mom. Turns out, I knew the man, he worked in the same building as I do! We saw each other all the time in the elevators. Oslo is a lot like Austin in that regard, it's small enough that you start to recognize faces after a while. But to have one of those faces become your landlord...that's pretty co-inky-dinky to say the least. The landlords are very nice, and there is a full time caretaker on the property, which is rare and AWESOME to have on site. The building is big, but so are the apartments, and it seems to be well run by the family who have owned it since it was built, I believe. The mother of the landlady was born in our flat in the early part of last century.
But yes, we got the keys. BOY did we get keys...21 of them! So damn many keys. Keys to about 10 different doors (trappebod, kjellerbod, kjeller, kjøkkentrapp, porten, entre, kjøkkendør, front door, main door, and some others), security key, post box key....oh my god there are KEYS. I'm going to have to be like one of those Victorian chatelaines with the ring of keys at her waist. I'll have to use four keys just to get into the apartment. A far cry from our 'one key fits all' apartment now.
BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO GET IN THERE. (Even if the cellar is VERY SCARY. I'm pretty sure that will be Rich's job, to get anything from down there that needs gettin'. Boo scary.)
After the handover, we went to the UDI to get our settlement permit finished. We applied for (and got) 'permanent' settlement in Norway. It lasts for 10 years. For the past 7 years we had to reapply every year for our work permits, at great cost and inconvenience, with the rest of the huddled masses and refugees. We won't have to do that any more, and oh what a relief of both time, effort and our nostrils (some of the huddled masses really smelled.). And, oddly, the UDI said it would take 9 to 10 months to get our settlement finalized...and it took one and a half months. So, wow.
In one day we got a new apartment and a new country.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Lookee what I got
I bought this car.Backstory: My dad has always been a car guy, and his favorite cars were always Citroen, from France. He concentrated on mid century ones, the DS, CX, SM, Traction Avant, 11cv, Mehari and, above, the 2CV. I grew up with them, I love them, and they are like home to me.
My brother had this one that he was going to sell, which, I discovered, would mean that my family would be without a 2CV for, possibly, the first time since I existed. I didn't like that thought. I mean, I learned how to drive stick shift on one of these (well, attempted to learn, but got so mad at Dad in the learning (he's not exactly patient) that I got out and walked home.) When I was a kid, Dad asked me what I thought of it and I said, "It's so ugly I think I'm in love with it". I was about 4 at the time. I can hear one coming down the street and just KNOW it's a 2cv. They have a unique sound.
The 2CV is not exactly a power beast. It's a 2 cylinder vehicle. It's got maybe 50 horsepower, and its top speed, downhill, with wind behind you, is 60mph. It gets about 60 miles per gallon. It's the original Prius. The original gas conserver. I think the gas tank holds about 7 gallons. This one is from 1961. There's not that many in the US anymore.
So, I bought my brother's car. (Sweet boy gave me the family deal.) Mom and Dad will keep it, and when I move back to Austin, eventually, I will have this as my second, putter about town car. (While you CAN drive on the highway in them, and I have, in fact Dad and I went to California in one, I don't recommend it. I also don't recommend taking one of these on the Autobahn in Germany, that's like taking your ass in your hands and kissing it goodbye.) I'm gonna trick it out a little bit, and have already decided to have the interior redone in leopard spots. I might also paint the white part black.
In a few years, if you are in Austin, and you see pass by this car on the road (and you WILL pass me, I just can't go very fast in it) stop and say hi. It's just me, the Texpatriate, carrying on the family tradition for eccentric cars. I'll be wearing my Citroen beret....you can't miss me.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I was right
Fall.
It's here.
I knew it. It's cool and rainy and the wind was very Fall feeling today.
Some trees already are yellowing. I HATE this. I HATE how summer just STOPS.
It's not natural! Summer should not just STOP! In Texas it never ends.....
It's here.
I knew it. It's cool and rainy and the wind was very Fall feeling today.
Some trees already are yellowing. I HATE this. I HATE how summer just STOPS.
It's not natural! Summer should not just STOP! In Texas it never ends.....
Sunday, August 23, 2009
last days of summer
Historically, in my little part of Norway, it always seems that summer ends on August 24th.
As tomorrow is the day, we'll see what happens. I hope I'm wrong.
However, this weekend was heavenly.
Yesterday we went for a long walk around the lake. It's a lake not far from where we live, and we can walk there, and then around. Takes about 2 1/2 hours total trip. It's a microcosm of European rural culture. There's cows with cowbells (I am ALWAYS in favor of more cowbell), old farms, ancient burial areas, craggy hills and cliffs, deep dark forests and the blue blue water reflecting (when I'm lucky) the blue blue sky. Off in the distance you can see the spire of the church, this one replacing the ancient 11th century one which burnt in the mid 1800's but is still surrounded by Iron Age burial mounds. There's little areas with beaches and naked Norwegian babies running around. (Where there's water and sun, there's naked Norwegian babies.) There's a waterfall and an angry old goat whose balls drag on the ground and who will attack you if you even look at him wrong, though you would too, if your balls dragged on the ground, and people running, walking, biking, strolling, swimming and horseback riding. There's a pleasant little old farm house where you can stop for boller og café eller té. I love that lake and that whole area.
So we went around there, unusual for me to drag Rich's lazy ass out on a weekend, and then came back and I did a bit of grocery shopping and we had a nice dinner of grilled marinated scallops with chorizo and cilantro rice for dinner. I had an early night, was in bed by 10:30.
Today, glory be, ANOTHER gorgeous day. This time we went out to an island nearby, where there is a Sunday flea market, and we bought odd useless things. Me: an old coffee can from an Oslo coffee brewery, all red and gold and black, with a great graphic design, that says "DRINK GOOD COFFEE" (but in Norwegian, of course) and a totally goofy little three legged late 60's early 70's table with a glass top and black and white monochromatic design. I didn't need a tiny little table, never planned on owning a tiny little table, but a tiny little table is now mine. (See below for pics, Norwegians think I am nuts when I take pictures of a tiny table and a tin can in the middle of a field on an island). Rich: a little clay oil lamp, jury is out whether it is authentic ancient or not, but he has some that ARE and a couple that AREN'T and this one could be either. It was cheap, and it's cool, so that's all that matters. He collects antiquities. He has a good eye, he really does.
The flea market was right at the edge of a nature area with walks and beaches and stuff, so I carried my little table with me and we had a stroll. Yes, I am a crazy table and tin can lady. Ah but the day was so perfect, and I had no place to leave said table, so it got to accompany me on the stroll. It was perfect to rest my purse on while I rested in the grass and Rich looked for fossils. I don't know about you, but I abso-freaking-lutely ADORE flea markets on a sunny days, (any day really) so to find a decent one in Norway and on such a glorious day...well, this might be my version of heaven. I also scored an authentic Norwegian Navy sailor's shirt. I've always wanted one.
Came home, hung out on the deck with the latest Vanity Fair in the sun, (it seems I reach a certain level of tan and then cease to get any darker, or to burn. Not one burn this summer and a nice golden tan!) and then Rich grilled the pork loin I had marinated overnight in sugar, fish sauce, lime, sesame oil, garlic and chilies. It made a great pork salad, layered over fresh greens with cashews and nuoc cham sauce. And, need you ask, some rosé.
Now Rich has gone to see Inglorious Basterds, and I am going to have a nice bath and a session with Mad Men (the tv show, not some lucky guys I find) and will count today a perfect end to an all too short, all too rainy summer.
As tomorrow is the day, we'll see what happens. I hope I'm wrong.
However, this weekend was heavenly.
Yesterday we went for a long walk around the lake. It's a lake not far from where we live, and we can walk there, and then around. Takes about 2 1/2 hours total trip. It's a microcosm of European rural culture. There's cows with cowbells (I am ALWAYS in favor of more cowbell), old farms, ancient burial areas, craggy hills and cliffs, deep dark forests and the blue blue water reflecting (when I'm lucky) the blue blue sky. Off in the distance you can see the spire of the church, this one replacing the ancient 11th century one which burnt in the mid 1800's but is still surrounded by Iron Age burial mounds. There's little areas with beaches and naked Norwegian babies running around. (Where there's water and sun, there's naked Norwegian babies.) There's a waterfall and an angry old goat whose balls drag on the ground and who will attack you if you even look at him wrong, though you would too, if your balls dragged on the ground, and people running, walking, biking, strolling, swimming and horseback riding. There's a pleasant little old farm house where you can stop for boller og café eller té. I love that lake and that whole area.
So we went around there, unusual for me to drag Rich's lazy ass out on a weekend, and then came back and I did a bit of grocery shopping and we had a nice dinner of grilled marinated scallops with chorizo and cilantro rice for dinner. I had an early night, was in bed by 10:30.
Today, glory be, ANOTHER gorgeous day. This time we went out to an island nearby, where there is a Sunday flea market, and we bought odd useless things. Me: an old coffee can from an Oslo coffee brewery, all red and gold and black, with a great graphic design, that says "DRINK GOOD COFFEE" (but in Norwegian, of course) and a totally goofy little three legged late 60's early 70's table with a glass top and black and white monochromatic design. I didn't need a tiny little table, never planned on owning a tiny little table, but a tiny little table is now mine. (See below for pics, Norwegians think I am nuts when I take pictures of a tiny table and a tin can in the middle of a field on an island). Rich: a little clay oil lamp, jury is out whether it is authentic ancient or not, but he has some that ARE and a couple that AREN'T and this one could be either. It was cheap, and it's cool, so that's all that matters. He collects antiquities. He has a good eye, he really does.
The flea market was right at the edge of a nature area with walks and beaches and stuff, so I carried my little table with me and we had a stroll. Yes, I am a crazy table and tin can lady. Ah but the day was so perfect, and I had no place to leave said table, so it got to accompany me on the stroll. It was perfect to rest my purse on while I rested in the grass and Rich looked for fossils. I don't know about you, but I abso-freaking-lutely ADORE flea markets on a sunny days, (any day really) so to find a decent one in Norway and on such a glorious day...well, this might be my version of heaven. I also scored an authentic Norwegian Navy sailor's shirt. I've always wanted one.
Came home, hung out on the deck with the latest Vanity Fair in the sun, (it seems I reach a certain level of tan and then cease to get any darker, or to burn. Not one burn this summer and a nice golden tan!) and then Rich grilled the pork loin I had marinated overnight in sugar, fish sauce, lime, sesame oil, garlic and chilies. It made a great pork salad, layered over fresh greens with cashews and nuoc cham sauce. And, need you ask, some rosé.
Now Rich has gone to see Inglorious Basterds, and I am going to have a nice bath and a session with Mad Men (the tv show, not some lucky guys I find) and will count today a perfect end to an all too short, all too rainy summer.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Growing up
I got my birthday care package today. I got some fun stuff from J. Peterman, and the DVD of True Blood FINALLY. All sent courtesy my mom, who saves up my random online purchases that I have delivered to her and then sends them to me in a bundle every so often. This way I can still have my online purchase yaya's but not have to pay the exhorbitant fees to send to Norway.
It was like my birthday all over again, opening that care package. And Mom and Dad sent me a lovely card, and Rich had gotten me a beautiful Hadeland vase, and my friends gave me some fun things, so it was, all in all, a very nice, peaceful birthday. Just what I wanted.
I have had a bit of a hard time at work lately. Don't get me wrong, I genuinely like my job, my coworkers, my boss and the company I work for. But, I am learning, the hard way, that I have to say no sometimes and wow, is that hard or what? So my new "no" is getting some backs up but I really, truly, CANNOT do what I am being told to do, it's a job in itself, and it needs to be discussed as a department issue, and everyone for some reason is very fiery about it. So I feel guilty, and bad, but also strong, and determined, to get this worked out, but it is hard to balance that with my very powerful desire to please and have everyone just LIKE me. I don't like 'strong discussions' and a few toes are being stepped on, but I have to toe (haha) the line and keep on with my 'no', so that we get some positive outcomes out of this.
As I do work with men and technical stuff, however, I thought this saying my Aunt sent me was rather fun:
IF IT HAS TIRES OR TESTICLES IT WILL GIVE YOU PROBLEMS.
I posted it on my office door. Yes, we have the sort of office where this is considered humorous.
We'll be in the new flat by September 11. I know I should be doing more in preparation, but right now.....nah. (See, that no is workin' rather well for me right now.)
It was like my birthday all over again, opening that care package. And Mom and Dad sent me a lovely card, and Rich had gotten me a beautiful Hadeland vase, and my friends gave me some fun things, so it was, all in all, a very nice, peaceful birthday. Just what I wanted.
I have had a bit of a hard time at work lately. Don't get me wrong, I genuinely like my job, my coworkers, my boss and the company I work for. But, I am learning, the hard way, that I have to say no sometimes and wow, is that hard or what? So my new "no" is getting some backs up but I really, truly, CANNOT do what I am being told to do, it's a job in itself, and it needs to be discussed as a department issue, and everyone for some reason is very fiery about it. So I feel guilty, and bad, but also strong, and determined, to get this worked out, but it is hard to balance that with my very powerful desire to please and have everyone just LIKE me. I don't like 'strong discussions' and a few toes are being stepped on, but I have to toe (haha) the line and keep on with my 'no', so that we get some positive outcomes out of this.
As I do work with men and technical stuff, however, I thought this saying my Aunt sent me was rather fun:
IF IT HAS TIRES OR TESTICLES IT WILL GIVE YOU PROBLEMS.
I posted it on my office door. Yes, we have the sort of office where this is considered humorous.
We'll be in the new flat by September 11. I know I should be doing more in preparation, but right now.....nah. (See, that no is workin' rather well for me right now.)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
middle
Well, today is my birthday. I'm now "in" my forties.
I'm officially middle aged. So my husband told me this morning when I woke up. Gee thanks, honey. When do I get my red sports car and my arm candy affair with a 25 year old? Aren't they included in the Middle Aged Spread?
I fucking hate that. So I just won't think about it. Yeuch.
Thanks, everyone, for the kind words about the new abode. I am very excited. Strange thing is that the new place will actually save us quite a bit of money over the place we live now. It was a practical decision! Not me indulging myself! (Much.) Seems like we are moving up, into that gorgeous, elegant place, but in fact we are moving smart! I feel very lucky. The Gods of the Abode are watching over me. I shouldn't feel so attached to a place that I don't even live in yet, but, oh, I do, I do! It's got soul. It's got part of MY soul.
In other news, working from home today as a moving company will come give an estimate regarding timing, etc, for the move. One of the benefits of being (shudder) 'middle aged' is that you get smart about certain things, and one of them is that you don't move yourself anymore, you let other people do it for you. I've used the backs and trucks of my friends (and my brother and HIS friends) a few too many times now, so they get a rest. (Though, Kit, and friends, you are welcome to come to Norway to help this time too. I promise there are no giant sleeper sofas which will get stuck in doors! And it won't be 150 degrees outside, either.)
Working from home. Humph. If my work computer will let me. I have to change my network log in password on it and that invariably causes me troubles which only a harried visit to IT can fix. They make me change my password every few months, when I am perfectly happy with the one I have. Why must I change it? I HATE changing it! don't make me change it on my BIRTHDAY! I'm middle aged now, I only have so much memory space left, cut me some slack.
Oh look, the sun's out. Maybe I can change that password later?.....
I'm officially middle aged. So my husband told me this morning when I woke up. Gee thanks, honey. When do I get my red sports car and my arm candy affair with a 25 year old? Aren't they included in the Middle Aged Spread?
I fucking hate that. So I just won't think about it. Yeuch.
Thanks, everyone, for the kind words about the new abode. I am very excited. Strange thing is that the new place will actually save us quite a bit of money over the place we live now. It was a practical decision! Not me indulging myself! (Much.) Seems like we are moving up, into that gorgeous, elegant place, but in fact we are moving smart! I feel very lucky. The Gods of the Abode are watching over me. I shouldn't feel so attached to a place that I don't even live in yet, but, oh, I do, I do! It's got soul. It's got part of MY soul.
In other news, working from home today as a moving company will come give an estimate regarding timing, etc, for the move. One of the benefits of being (shudder) 'middle aged' is that you get smart about certain things, and one of them is that you don't move yourself anymore, you let other people do it for you. I've used the backs and trucks of my friends (and my brother and HIS friends) a few too many times now, so they get a rest. (Though, Kit, and friends, you are welcome to come to Norway to help this time too. I promise there are no giant sleeper sofas which will get stuck in doors! And it won't be 150 degrees outside, either.)
Working from home. Humph. If my work computer will let me. I have to change my network log in password on it and that invariably causes me troubles which only a harried visit to IT can fix. They make me change my password every few months, when I am perfectly happy with the one I have. Why must I change it? I HATE changing it! don't make me change it on my BIRTHDAY! I'm middle aged now, I only have so much memory space left, cut me some slack.
Oh look, the sun's out. Maybe I can change that password later?.....
Sunday, August 16, 2009
oslo apartment-entry
The entry. Toile de jouy wallpaper, moldings galore, downlights. I knew this place would be mine the second i walked in the door. I just felt it.
oslo apartment-balcony into dining room
Here's the balcony that leads off the dining room. The windows above the door are stained leaded glass.
oslo apartment-living room
View of the living room with fireplace. So many places here, when you see them photographed, have been photographed by a fish eye lens, so when you see the room in person, it's 1/4 of the size you thought. This place? No fish eye lens needed. It's a nice big cozy room!
dining room, 1898
What will be our dining room. Stained glass windows and original paint effects from 1898. I'm a decorative painter, so to get to live in a place with original paint effects is just thrilling as hell! Note stained glass window.
For more you can go to my Flickr page to see the whole set.new oslo apartment-living room
Living room looking from study area into main part of room. The round thing is the fireplace. Note stained glass window...there are a few of them in the place!
Friday, August 14, 2009
because you asked.
I will post pictures of the Amazing Awesome Oslo Flat tomorrow. Because I was there today.
And yes, I still love it.
And it photographs beautifully.
It's been a helluva a week and I really needed to see that beauty again, and to remind myself that I have things like that to look forward to.
And I found a cool new bar, I think it will be my new 'local'. It even said, over the door, "The Friendly Bar".
And it was. Friendly. I think I attacked a guy so I could look at his cowboy boots. Literally lifted up his leg and hoiked up his pants leg so I could have a gander. As I suspected, they were by Lucchese. This Texan knows her boots.
And she likes her wine.
And, so there. And.
And yes, I still love it.
And it photographs beautifully.
It's been a helluva a week and I really needed to see that beauty again, and to remind myself that I have things like that to look forward to.
And I found a cool new bar, I think it will be my new 'local'. It even said, over the door, "The Friendly Bar".
And it was. Friendly. I think I attacked a guy so I could look at his cowboy boots. Literally lifted up his leg and hoiked up his pants leg so I could have a gander. As I suspected, they were by Lucchese. This Texan knows her boots.
And she likes her wine.
And, so there. And.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
View from hotel in daylight
I zoomed a bit to cut out the ugly ass building to the right. I go back to Oslo tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Byooteeful
Look at these flowers I got today! They rock my world. There were so many gorgeous ones to choose from. I love summer flowers.
It goes to 11
Go to this link.
It's an interesting piece about Abbey Road.
Now adjust the little volume toggle on the video itself....go ahead, turn it all the way up.
Somebody at the BBC has a sense of humor!
It's an interesting piece about Abbey Road.
Now adjust the little volume toggle on the video itself....go ahead, turn it all the way up.
Somebody at the BBC has a sense of humor!
Friday, August 07, 2009
random tipsy maudlin post
Ok, so I have had some wine, so sue me. It's time for a bullet post. It feels like a day for bullet posts. I feel bullet posty.
- John Hughes is dead.
- My childhood is dead.
- I am old.
- So there's that.
- It's been an insane week at work.
- Stressful
- Exhilarating.
- All consuming
- I am trying to come down from it, I figure by Sunday night I'll be ok, then next week?
- Even busier.
- I will be needing a raise, and soon.
- The sun came out today.
- I laid in the hammock for a while.
- Fell asleep almost instantly.
- My knee is healing nicely.
- Except I wore white jeans yesterday?
- And that was the one time, the ONLY time, my knee bled.
- ON the white jeans.
- Of course.
- This?
- Might be the most delightfully oddball thing I have ever seen.
- "Ahhh no more yankee my wankie, the Donger needs food."
Monday, August 03, 2009
when it rains it pours
...and I do mean that literally.
STOP IT WITH THE DAMNED RAIN ALREADY!!!!!!!
Jeez. Norwegian summers can really suck. (AND yes, I know you guys in Austin are gagging for some rain. Sorry, we seem to be bogarting it.)
And in another area of the 'suck' department, I am tired of hurting myself. Yesterday, in what I can only call a rather instant example of karmic payback (which I won't go into, but I did deserve it, I just didn't expect it that soon), I fell down a small flight of stairs in a movie theater and FUCKED UP my knee. In my defense, it was dark and there was NO WAY I could have known that there were stairs there...but shit, man, I ate it so hard that the thud reverberated throughout the theatre ( I was re-watching Harry Potter) and some rude teenage boys laughed at the old lady (me) who fell down the stairs. Little fuckers. One nice lady did ask if I was ok, but do you do that thing where if you do something stupid or embarrassing and someone asks if you are ok, you say "Yeah, sure, I'm FINE" like it's no big deal and why are you TALKING to me, and then sort of run off?
That's what I did.
But I wasn't ok. I was mad and hurt and embarrassed and upset and honestly, kind of weepy.
I hate it when I do that.
So today I went to work in a New Fabulous Outfit with bruised and scraped knees. And it rained, so I couldn't wear the Cute Sandals. I had to wear the Boring Old Boots. Today went ok, though. No real problems beyond shoe frustration. So maybe karma is satisfied with the instant payback from yesterday.
I am getting a little scared of karma. She is keeping an eye on me and the retribution for my sins is fierce. And really damned fast.
STOP IT WITH THE DAMNED RAIN ALREADY!!!!!!!
Jeez. Norwegian summers can really suck. (AND yes, I know you guys in Austin are gagging for some rain. Sorry, we seem to be bogarting it.)
And in another area of the 'suck' department, I am tired of hurting myself. Yesterday, in what I can only call a rather instant example of karmic payback (which I won't go into, but I did deserve it, I just didn't expect it that soon), I fell down a small flight of stairs in a movie theater and FUCKED UP my knee. In my defense, it was dark and there was NO WAY I could have known that there were stairs there...but shit, man, I ate it so hard that the thud reverberated throughout the theatre ( I was re-watching Harry Potter) and some rude teenage boys laughed at the old lady (me) who fell down the stairs. Little fuckers. One nice lady did ask if I was ok, but do you do that thing where if you do something stupid or embarrassing and someone asks if you are ok, you say "Yeah, sure, I'm FINE" like it's no big deal and why are you TALKING to me, and then sort of run off?
That's what I did.
But I wasn't ok. I was mad and hurt and embarrassed and upset and honestly, kind of weepy.
I hate it when I do that.
So today I went to work in a New Fabulous Outfit with bruised and scraped knees. And it rained, so I couldn't wear the Cute Sandals. I had to wear the Boring Old Boots. Today went ok, though. No real problems beyond shoe frustration. So maybe karma is satisfied with the instant payback from yesterday.
I am getting a little scared of karma. She is keeping an eye on me and the retribution for my sins is fierce. And really damned fast.
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