24.2.07

teach yourself Xhosa

Well, now we've gone and done it. We bought a "teach yourself Xhosa" course, with a CD and book and everything. We'll soon be well on our way to clicky-clicky goodness... or was that confusion? ;-)

Heh, for one of the first lessons, you get to practice singing The Click Song hehe...

Igqirha lendlela nguqongqothwane...

What the song translates to is kind of funny :-)

23.2.07

getting drunk without the booze...

At the end of last night's training, we did this rather intoxicating drill. We got into groups of three. The first person (placed between the second and third) had to roll (sommersault) to the second person, the second person attacks and the first person counterattacks, and then rolls to the third person, who attacks, and the first person counterattacks and rolls back to the second person... this goes on and on until the instructor says stop and switch... the first 2-3 rolls were ok...

Then the dizziness, the drunken feeling hit... woohoo...

Maybe I should try some rolling around along with some beer and wine tonight hehe...

18.2.07

Madiba: Man of Destiny

boyfriend of feitpingvin and I went to see Peter Magubane's "Madiba: Man of Destiny" photo exhibit at the International Cultural Center and Museum here in Oslo. It is about the life of Nelson Mandela and the fight against apartheid from the end of the 1950s to Mandela's release to now - the new South Africa.

Magubane captured many disturbing episodes during the apartheid regime, including Mandela's arrest, student demonstrations, various massacres, and the resulting funerals. His photographs have been show in, among others, Life magazine, The New York Times, National Geographic and Time magazine. For his efforts, Magubane has been jailed and tortured, and even banned from taking any photographs at all. It's a good thing he never let anything stop him...

I think some of my favorite photos were ones where white people were also included. It's very obvious that the blacks were opposed to the evils of the apartheid regime. It's easy to forget how many white South Africans were also involved in the struggle. I'm not sure what my absolute favorite photo was though. I think I'll have to go back and have a look again. The exhibit was free after all ;-)

3.2.07

woohoo! more bullshit exercise equipment!

(This is almost as good as the Vacunaut)

I proudly give you the CelluBike - the cellulite-removing exer-cycle! It has infrared technology! w00t!

This thing is supposedly used by millions in Western Europe (which Norway is a part of), yet this is the first time I've ever heard of it. Considering how much of an exercise-junkie I am (I guess I'm too old school since I'm "only" familiar with things like killer self-defense/martial arts and Soviet-style weightlifting).

I'm especially LOL'ing at this because, despite being overweight (if one should believe the BMI charts), I don't have cellulite (well, barely). Sure, I have a big ass that would put Serena Williams to shame, but like Serena Williams, I move my big ass on a regular basis. My workout routine includes doing HIIT on a stationary bike. If stationary bikes are the key to getting rid of cellulite. No need for infrared technology here...

And of course, they have the various disclaimers. For example, that in addition to the actual exercise, you have to follow a set of basic rules:
1. Reduce your carbonated drink intake
2. Get regular exercise
3. Avoid alcohol and smoking
4. Drink an adequate amount of water (it takes 22 oz. of water to metabolize 1oz. of fat)
5. Eat sensibly, preferably whole, fresh foods; avoid processed, fast foods, fats and sugar

I also found the following disclaimers very fascinating:
To use the CelluBike you need to be in general good health, you should not use the bike if you are:
1. Pregnant
2. Menstruating
3. Have any heart problems
4. Have a pacemaker or other stimulators
5. Have lessened pain sensibility due to other treatments
6. Have artificial limbs
7. Have increased cartilage
8. Have shortness of breath

Menstruating?!

*boggle*

*sigh*