26.12.08
Alternativ jul
It was the same procedure as last year - husband of feitpingvin and I spent julaften (Christmas Eve) and 2.juledag (Boxing Day) at Alternativ jul doing the dishes. Husband of feitpingvin sent stuff through the industrial dishwashing machine while I did a lot of manual washing, mostly of pots and pans, and cleaned up the dishwashing area every chance I could. At one point during julaften, husband of feitpingvin disassembled the dishwashing machine and he scrubbed down the whole thing while I hand-washed all the parts. We spent all of last year doing dishes, and our experience came in handy, as we were able to systematize the procedures, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. It seems like our efforts were really appreciated; lots of people commented on how good and efficient we were at doing our work...
There were a lot of guests on julaften. The doors opened at 4 pm; when we took our dinner break around 7 pm, it was difficult to find a place to sit and eat. When some of the volunteers dressed up as Santas to give out presents at around 9 or 10 pm (don't remember when they did this), I went out to take a peek at the action, and the main dining area was completely full. It was not that full last year or the year before. Good thing there was lots of presents. And food! Sheesh... it seems like every year we get more food than the year before (and we've been doing this for eight years). Among other things, we got more marzipan pigs from Nidar and individual-sized cartons of orange and apple juice than anyone knows what to do with. The volunteers were allowed to take as much as they wanted to home with them (and there's still lots left over!). We also got to take some leftover smoked salmon and free-range eggs and cream (hah! we have the ingredients to make ice cream now!). Yummy :-) Oh, and I also managed to snag a plush Pingu (leftover from last year's gifts) hehe. Just what we need here. More penguins... ;-)
On a sad note, Alternativ jul did have a nasty incident. Gypsies showed up, and while many of the guests were sleeping/resting, the gypsies went around and stole from them. WHAT. THE. FUCK. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with them?! The "regular" guests are people who don't have much to begin with. The gypsies, on the other hand, are tourists from the EU (Romania - they can come here on a 3-month tourist visa). So while we've more or less always had an open-door policy in the past, we were instructed to not let them in. It really, really sucks that they have to ruin things like that. Seriously, is it really possible to stoop so low?! Aaarrrrgh...
The guests were otherwise well-behaved, polite, and very appreciative of our efforts and all the presents and all the food. As always.
Anyway... it's all over for us this year. We're tired and happy, and will most likely do this again next year. Now... what on earth are we going to do with 2 kg. of marzipan?!
There were a lot of guests on julaften. The doors opened at 4 pm; when we took our dinner break around 7 pm, it was difficult to find a place to sit and eat. When some of the volunteers dressed up as Santas to give out presents at around 9 or 10 pm (don't remember when they did this), I went out to take a peek at the action, and the main dining area was completely full. It was not that full last year or the year before. Good thing there was lots of presents. And food! Sheesh... it seems like every year we get more food than the year before (and we've been doing this for eight years). Among other things, we got more marzipan pigs from Nidar and individual-sized cartons of orange and apple juice than anyone knows what to do with. The volunteers were allowed to take as much as they wanted to home with them (and there's still lots left over!). We also got to take some leftover smoked salmon and free-range eggs and cream (hah! we have the ingredients to make ice cream now!). Yummy :-) Oh, and I also managed to snag a plush Pingu (leftover from last year's gifts) hehe. Just what we need here. More penguins... ;-)
On a sad note, Alternativ jul did have a nasty incident. Gypsies showed up, and while many of the guests were sleeping/resting, the gypsies went around and stole from them. WHAT. THE. FUCK. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with them?! The "regular" guests are people who don't have much to begin with. The gypsies, on the other hand, are tourists from the EU (Romania - they can come here on a 3-month tourist visa). So while we've more or less always had an open-door policy in the past, we were instructed to not let them in. It really, really sucks that they have to ruin things like that. Seriously, is it really possible to stoop so low?! Aaarrrrgh...
The guests were otherwise well-behaved, polite, and very appreciative of our efforts and all the presents and all the food. As always.
Anyway... it's all over for us this year. We're tired and happy, and will most likely do this again next year. Now... what on earth are we going to do with 2 kg. of marzipan?!
25.12.08
ah yes, the usual "holiday food will kill you" stupidity
As usual during this time of year, lists like this one show up and tell you that you are going to get really fat and all kinds of nasty health problems and die if you eat typical holiday goodies.
Well, geez. I thought a good part of helping people lose weight and get healthy and fit was to give them a healthy, angst-free attitude towards food. That is, for example, that you don't tie in negative emotions (guilt, anyone?) with eating, or that you don't instill irrational fears of any kind of macronutrient, whether it be fats or carbohydrates. Take the example of the turkey. "Choose white meat, not dark meat." If you look at the nutrient information, dark meat does not have significantly more fat or cholesterol or kcal than white meat. Or am I missing something? Are we supposed to get all anal-retentive over 20 or so kcal?
(And didn't they debunk the cholesterol-animal fats myth anyway?)
Oh, and I ate lots of pork ribs with crackling at Alternativ jul last night. It was a great source of energy for doing dishes for 8 hours. I also ate more baked goods than I should have, but I only do stuff like this once a year. Sure, I'm bloated now, but it won't last. Things will be back to "normal" in a week or so. So bugger off, "naughty list" Nazis!
Well, geez. I thought a good part of helping people lose weight and get healthy and fit was to give them a healthy, angst-free attitude towards food. That is, for example, that you don't tie in negative emotions (guilt, anyone?) with eating, or that you don't instill irrational fears of any kind of macronutrient, whether it be fats or carbohydrates. Take the example of the turkey. "Choose white meat, not dark meat." If you look at the nutrient information, dark meat does not have significantly more fat or cholesterol or kcal than white meat. Or am I missing something? Are we supposed to get all anal-retentive over 20 or so kcal?
(And didn't they debunk the cholesterol-animal fats myth anyway?)
Oh, and I ate lots of pork ribs with crackling at Alternativ jul last night. It was a great source of energy for doing dishes for 8 hours. I also ate more baked goods than I should have, but I only do stuff like this once a year. Sure, I'm bloated now, but it won't last. Things will be back to "normal" in a week or so. So bugger off, "naughty list" Nazis!
24.12.08
23.12.08
today's good deed...
Husband of feitpingvin and I had just finished a workout at the gym. When we were going to cross a rather busy road to get home, we saw a young gull - one of this year's chicks - on the other side. Something wasn't right about it; it was holding its left wing in an awkward position, and it wasn't flying away when people walked by it. When we crossed the road and approached to take a closer look, it was quite apparent that it had an injured wing. By then, several people had come to take a closer look, and the poor thing freaked out and ran out into the busy street. As it didn't have the "green man," it nearly got hit by the cars driving by. Luckily, the drivers were paying attention and avoided the gull...
We had to do something, and I ran out and picked up the gull (for a good-sized bird it was very light!) and decided to take it home with me. Well, not inside the shoebox, but outside in our back yard area, where it would be a lot safer than on a busy road. (And damn, it bit me! Hard! Several times! Until I managed to hold its beak shut while carrying it carefully to the safe haven.) While husband of feitpingvin kept an eye on it, I first called fuglehjelpen and asked what I should do. I was given another number to call, and I waited for around an hour and a half for the guys to come and pick up the injured gull...
I suppose I could have waited in my warm, cozy apartment while waiting for the guys to come. But there were kids outside, and I didn't want the kids to find and pester the bird. There were also a bunch of magpies that would try mobbing the poor gull from time to time. And I just wanted to make sure it was OK in general; I could see that it was frightened and not doing so well. It stood under a picnic table most of the time, its injured wing shaking...
When the guys finally showed up, they approached the gull, who flapped its wings and tried to fly away, but couldn't get the required liftoff. One of the guys caught the gull by approaching it from behind and grabbing it by the neck; the expression on the poor thing was of shock. I wish I had a photo of that moment. It was priceless! The gull was packed up in a cardboard box, and it was taken away to a veterinary central...
It didn't seem to be a very serious injury, so the little thing should (hopefully) be out and about in the near future :-)
We had to do something, and I ran out and picked up the gull (for a good-sized bird it was very light!) and decided to take it home with me. Well, not inside the shoebox, but outside in our back yard area, where it would be a lot safer than on a busy road. (And damn, it bit me! Hard! Several times! Until I managed to hold its beak shut while carrying it carefully to the safe haven.) While husband of feitpingvin kept an eye on it, I first called fuglehjelpen and asked what I should do. I was given another number to call, and I waited for around an hour and a half for the guys to come and pick up the injured gull...
I suppose I could have waited in my warm, cozy apartment while waiting for the guys to come. But there were kids outside, and I didn't want the kids to find and pester the bird. There were also a bunch of magpies that would try mobbing the poor gull from time to time. And I just wanted to make sure it was OK in general; I could see that it was frightened and not doing so well. It stood under a picnic table most of the time, its injured wing shaking...
When the guys finally showed up, they approached the gull, who flapped its wings and tried to fly away, but couldn't get the required liftoff. One of the guys caught the gull by approaching it from behind and grabbing it by the neck; the expression on the poor thing was of shock. I wish I had a photo of that moment. It was priceless! The gull was packed up in a cardboard box, and it was taken away to a veterinary central...
It didn't seem to be a very serious injury, so the little thing should (hopefully) be out and about in the near future :-)
22.12.08
Do NOT give money to street children!
Sure, there's an "economic crisis" and you may see more beggars on the streets, including child beggars. But before you give that urchin with the big, sad, hungry eyes your loose change, keep the following things in mind.
Money given directly to street children:
If you want to help poor children, support legitimate non-profit organizations that do that task.
Money given directly to street children:
- promotes a lifestyle of begging
- is frequently used to buy harmful substances
- is given to adults who force the children to beg for them
- encourages crime
If you want to help poor children, support legitimate non-profit organizations that do that task.
21.12.08
oh, and speaking of cluelessness...
I saw this gem the other day. It's so full of fail it's unreal, and it's typical of "journalism" these days, especially in matters relating to science, nature, health, and medicine. And if that weren't bad enough, you should read the comments. People actually wash their produce in bleach. Fascinating. I'll bet these are the people who are sick all the time...
It really makes you wonder how human beings managed to survive so long. Now excuse me while I go feast on some raw eggs and "rinsed just to get the dust off" fruit..
It really makes you wonder how human beings managed to survive so long. Now excuse me while I go feast on some raw eggs and "rinsed just to get the dust off" fruit..
a cute little Yule robin
Here's a lovely little wintery robin. However, the journalist has it all wrong, as journalists often do when writing about anything science or nature. (Yep, this is a big pet peeve of mine.) The robin is not albino. If it were albino, it would be completely white with red eyes. The worse part is that the journalist writes that the bird's condition is caused by hypomelanism, but doesn't seem to know that hypomelanism is not the same thing as albinism...
19.12.08
Bigotry baiting under the guise of political correctness
The more I read about something-or-other Christmas being banned because Christmas "offends" other cultures - the whole "War on Christmas," for example shit like this (OK, we're talking about housing association twats and they're by default a pack of dumbasses, and they took back their petty demand, but still) - the more convinced I am that it has nothing to do with "offending" other cultures and all to do with inciting "Christians" (and some others) to hate people of other cultures, religions, and whatnot. I doubt anyone has asked what Muslims, Hindus, Martians, whatever think about the Christmas lights or other Christmas crap...
Here in Oslo, a lot of Muslim businesses actually decorate their establishments with tinsel and lights while spraying god jul on their windows, with that white fake snow stuff. It's usually pretty garish, but at the same time kind of funny and cozy...
Here in Oslo, a lot of Muslim businesses actually decorate their establishments with tinsel and lights while spraying god jul on their windows, with that white fake snow stuff. It's usually pretty garish, but at the same time kind of funny and cozy...
16.12.08
January sales in December
So there's this so-called financial crisis, and all the stores are having sales now. Yep, in December. Right before Christmas. Supposedly, this will get people to buy more stuff to give as presents or whatever. Just what we all need. More stuff. Yippee...
I have never seen anything like this before, at least not here. Sales are for January, not December. I wonder what's going to happen in January, when it's time for me to hit some of these sales (I recently purged my closet of some winter clothes that are too worn out to wear to work, or use for anything else other than dusting rags for that matter, so I need a few things, unfortunately). Will the clothes I would have bought been already sold out? I really don't have the time, or the desire, to shop now... sheeeesh...
I have never seen anything like this before, at least not here. Sales are for January, not December. I wonder what's going to happen in January, when it's time for me to hit some of these sales (I recently purged my closet of some winter clothes that are too worn out to wear to work, or use for anything else other than dusting rags for that matter, so I need a few things, unfortunately). Will the clothes I would have bought been already sold out? I really don't have the time, or the desire, to shop now... sheeeesh...
11.12.08
Elephants 'die earlier in zoos'
According to this article in the BBC, elephants die earlier in captivity than in the wild.
Well, duh! Elephants are highly intelligent herd animals with close-knit kinships, and need a lot of space and intellectual stimulation. They get stressed out and depressed quite easily. Wouldn't you want to die sooner if you were stuck with monotonous days and boring routines, and perhaps even abuse, with no way out?
After seeing elephants in the wild in both South Africa and Namibia, I can't stand seeing elephants in zoos. In fact, it really bothers me to the point of boiling rage. Don't even get me started on the work elephants in Asia, for example on the streets of Bangkok. Although that Burmese project that was mentioned in the article seems interesting. Like all wild creatures, elephants need to live their natural life...
Anyway, I can't end this blog without showing off one of my favorite elephant photos. I took this last September when I was in Namibia; it's from the Damaraland region and these are desert elephants ("regular" African elephants adapted to desert life). If they look kind of angry, it's because they are. They attacked us not too long after the photo was taken. I'll write the whole story in the travel blog when I finally get to it ;-)
Well, duh! Elephants are highly intelligent herd animals with close-knit kinships, and need a lot of space and intellectual stimulation. They get stressed out and depressed quite easily. Wouldn't you want to die sooner if you were stuck with monotonous days and boring routines, and perhaps even abuse, with no way out?
After seeing elephants in the wild in both South Africa and Namibia, I can't stand seeing elephants in zoos. In fact, it really bothers me to the point of boiling rage. Don't even get me started on the work elephants in Asia, for example on the streets of Bangkok. Although that Burmese project that was mentioned in the article seems interesting. Like all wild creatures, elephants need to live their natural life...
Anyway, I can't end this blog without showing off one of my favorite elephant photos. I took this last September when I was in Namibia; it's from the Damaraland region and these are desert elephants ("regular" African elephants adapted to desert life). If they look kind of angry, it's because they are. They attacked us not too long after the photo was taken. I'll write the whole story in the travel blog when I finally get to it ;-)
pepperkakepingviner!
I just got done decorating this year's batch of pepperkakepingviner - Norwegian pepperkake cut into a penguin shape. I've been doing this for the past four years. My infamous penguins have sort of become an expectation now...
I haven't taken any photos yet, and I'm really not sure if I will this year (unless I bake and decorate another batch). Circumstances beyond my control and all. I'll try but I can't promise anything. But if you're not familiar with my twisted little Yule tradition, here's a photo from last year:
By the way, have any of you seen Mini Wolfgang's Santa sweater? I can't find it anywhere. I'm sure he found it and burned it, because he found it quite humiliating to wear. Well, if it's not found soon, I have an even more humiliating sweater for him...
I haven't taken any photos yet, and I'm really not sure if I will this year (unless I bake and decorate another batch). Circumstances beyond my control and all. I'll try but I can't promise anything. But if you're not familiar with my twisted little Yule tradition, here's a photo from last year:
By the way, have any of you seen Mini Wolfgang's Santa sweater? I can't find it anywhere. I'm sure he found it and burned it, because he found it quite humiliating to wear. Well, if it's not found soon, I have an even more humiliating sweater for him...
10.12.08
midweek report, rants, raves...
- I can't stop eating pepperkaker and clementines...
- Martti Ahtisaari of Finland received the Nobel Peace Prize 12:49 in Oslo today. Congratulations!
- Last night was the last formal Krav Maga training until next year. Grading is tomorrow, but not for us. We have to wait at least a year until we are allowed to go for G1. This is a good thing, because I'm nowhere near ready for G1 grading now...
- High to very high intensity training is quite nasty when you have a cold. I was hoping last night's training would be relatively "easy" because of the upcoming grading. I was wrong...
- Aside from the pepperkaker and clementines feeding frenzy, I've been quite indifferent to food and drink since getting food poisoning about three weeks ago. Nothing really tastes good anymore, for some odd reason. It seems like the only reason I bother to eat at all is because I need the kcal for training, and pepperkaker and clementines aren't really optimal for that...
- So unlike Oprah Winfrey, who is now well over 90 kg if you follow the tabloid press, I have managed to keep my weight stable. What's up with that woman anyway? Always a drama. And always excuses... "I hate exercise," "I have a thyroid problem," "I'm so stressed," blah blah. With expensive (and apparently useless) personal trainers and chefs at that. Is it really so difficult for her to admit that she simply loves good food, and thereafter live the lazy gourmand lifestyle she wants to live, and tell everyone who doesn't like it to piss off?
- I really need to find some winter tops and sweaters, but it seems to be impossible to find anything I like this season...
- Not too long ago, I was made aware of a BIRD CAM from Brazil. It is one of the best I have ever seen. I am so addicted to it!
6.12.08
Mmm... pasta...
We tried a relatively new restaurant for lunch - Brunello. I had ricotta and spinach-filled ravioli with three different sauces - pesto, butter and sage, and tomato. Husband of feitpingvin had pizza with different kinds of cured meat, mushrooms, and gorgonzola. The pasta was very good and cooked to a perfect al dente, and it was nice having the three different sauces for different kinds of tastes. (Sometimes it can be a bit "much" if you have a huge portion of pasta, and the taste gets monotonous.) The portion size was decent but not extreme, which is something I also appreciated. Husband of feitpingvin's pizza was also quite nice (I managed to get a few bites of it :).
The general atmosphere was cozy, and all the staff spoke Italian to one another...
Brunello is definitely going on our list of alternatives when we go out to lunch or dinner with friends...
Here's a review in Norwegian if you're interested in knowing more...
The general atmosphere was cozy, and all the staff spoke Italian to one another...
Brunello is definitely going on our list of alternatives when we go out to lunch or dinner with friends...
Here's a review in Norwegian if you're interested in knowing more...
3.12.08
everything is better with bacon
Mmm bacon...
The bacon and apple coffeecake looks especially interesting. I'll have to try making that sometime. Perhaps over Christmas/New Year's break...
The bacon and apple coffeecake looks especially interesting. I'll have to try making that sometime. Perhaps over Christmas/New Year's break...
99 things...
This is some kind of "what have you done on this list" meme. I've bolded my "done" things; some have comments in parentheses.
1. Started your own blog (duh)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6.Given more than i could afford to a charity
7. Been to Disneyland or Disney world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang/played a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art form from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (the last time was quite recently)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa
20. Slept on an overnight train (I love trains…)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you weren't sick
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunset or sunrise
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (the drunk boat to Denmark counts,right?)
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (Africa is a huge continent; I've only scratched the surface)
45. Walked on the beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel tower
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (it's been ages… HMMF!)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold girl scout cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason (well, I suppose the underlying reason was to get me in bed or something, but I never did anything to provoke the action)
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (laid off, fired, same shit really)
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the paper
85. Read the entire bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (fish are animals)
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Made a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the great salt lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone (there are very few people in Norway who haven't owned a mobile phone)
99. Been stung by a bee
1. Started your own blog (duh)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6.Given more than i could afford to a charity
7. Been to Disneyland or Disney world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang/played a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art form from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (the last time was quite recently)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa
20. Slept on an overnight train (I love trains…)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you weren't sick
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunset or sunrise
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (the drunk boat to Denmark counts,right?)
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David in person
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (Africa is a huge continent; I've only scratched the surface)
45. Walked on the beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel tower
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (it's been ages… HMMF!)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold girl scout cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason (well, I suppose the underlying reason was to get me in bed or something, but I never did anything to provoke the action)
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (laid off, fired, same shit really)
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the paper
85. Read the entire bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (fish are animals)
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Made a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the great salt lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone (there are very few people in Norway who haven't owned a mobile phone)
99. Been stung by a bee
2.12.08
long time, no writing here
Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm a bad little penguinette. I've just had too much going on...
To sum things up since my last post (the first of April):
- don't know if I mentioned I started a new job in March. It offers new challenges and stuff, and although I had a really rough start, things seem to be going well now. I'm finally on an interesting project. Yay! Unfortunately, I can't talk about it... ;-)
- husband of feitpingvin (yeah, we got married) and I graded to Practitioner Level 5 in Krav Maga in June...
- travelled to Svalbard and Prague on business in the spring
- I finally went to husband of feitpingvin's rocket campaign on Andøya. I didn't get to see a launch, but I did go on a puffin safari :-D
- got married the 12th of September, without anyone knowing about it (except for a small handful of people)
- went to southern Africa (surprise surprise) more or less right after getting married. Most of the photos are up, but I haven't started the trip report...
And now... here we are. I'll try to be better about writing in the future...
To sum things up since my last post (the first of April):
- don't know if I mentioned I started a new job in March. It offers new challenges and stuff, and although I had a really rough start, things seem to be going well now. I'm finally on an interesting project. Yay! Unfortunately, I can't talk about it... ;-)
- husband of feitpingvin (yeah, we got married) and I graded to Practitioner Level 5 in Krav Maga in June...
- travelled to Svalbard and Prague on business in the spring
- I finally went to husband of feitpingvin's rocket campaign on Andøya. I didn't get to see a launch, but I did go on a puffin safari :-D
- got married the 12th of September, without anyone knowing about it (except for a small handful of people)
- went to southern Africa (surprise surprise) more or less right after getting married. Most of the photos are up, but I haven't started the trip report...
And now... here we are. I'll try to be better about writing in the future...
1.4.08
I'm going on holiday to King George Island!
I can't wait to see these little miracles of evolution in real life!
2.3.08
Friday's fishy feast at Fjord
On Friday, February 29th, we ate dinner out at Fjord, a new fish restaurant here in Oslo. Having only opened right before Christmas 2007, it's being touted as the best fish restaurant in Oslo. As we had an excuse to go out and do something interesting (ending one job to go to a new job), and as we love fish and seafood, we decided to check this place out...
We started with a glass of Franck Bonville Blanc de Blancs grand cru champagne and an amuse bouche platter. Let’s see, if I remember correctly... from the left it was potato with crème fraiche and roe, quail egg, gazpacho, salmon tartare, and something or other with avocado. All very nice and RoF-stimulating…
As for the courses:
1. Salmon sashimi with papaya salad, ginger and wasabi sorbet, and an interesting soy sauce with toasted sesame seeds. Served with Bourgogne Aligoté 2006 Saint Aubin. The sorbet was, um, different but tolerable for me (I can't really deal with wasabi or any other kind of horseradish). The fish was fresh and tasty...
2. Crab and scallop with apple purée, petit pois purée, and chorizo. Served with Schloss Lieser Riesling 2006. The scallop was absolutely perfectly prepared. The dots of apple and petit pois were a bit too small in my opinion. I would have liked more of those tastes...
3. Skrei (Lofoten cod) with mushroom soup, shitake mushrooms, and asparagus. Served with Domaine de la Sancesse 2006 (Côtes du Rhône). The fish was also cooked perfectly, and the soup was nice and creamy-foamy with lots of flavor...
4. King fish with lentils, chestnut purée, savoy cabbage, and anise and olive sauce. Served with Moulin à Vent Maison-Blanche 2006. Interesting combination of flavors, but the king fish was rich enough to tolerate them all. Yum yum...
5. Cheese with fig preserves, nut bread, and candied nuts. Served with two different wines - Andre Brunel (Rhône) and a sweet dessert wine - Henri Ramonteu 2004 Jurançon. Boyfriend of feitpingvin had roquefort on his cheese plate. As I'm allergic to that, I just got larger portions of the other cheeses...
This was followed by some chocolates, though we didn't have any coffee to go with it. I don't even think we were asked if we wanted any coffee...
Not having been asked if we wanted to order coffee is among the little annoyances about this place. The other annoyance was that I felt that they moved through the courses too quickly. Which I suppose they had to do if we were going to chow down in time for them to clear us out and clean up the table for the next seating. They have two different seatings - one at 17:30 and one at 21:00. I guess it's to get as many customers as possible, but they're both annoying times to eat dinner out, and I don't like being rushed...
Otherwise, the food itself was lovely and the atmosphere was lively. I don't think I'd call it the best fish restaurant in town, but it's not the worst...
We started with a glass of Franck Bonville Blanc de Blancs grand cru champagne and an amuse bouche platter. Let’s see, if I remember correctly... from the left it was potato with crème fraiche and roe, quail egg, gazpacho, salmon tartare, and something or other with avocado. All very nice and RoF-stimulating…
As for the courses:
1. Salmon sashimi with papaya salad, ginger and wasabi sorbet, and an interesting soy sauce with toasted sesame seeds. Served with Bourgogne Aligoté 2006 Saint Aubin. The sorbet was, um, different but tolerable for me (I can't really deal with wasabi or any other kind of horseradish). The fish was fresh and tasty...
2. Crab and scallop with apple purée, petit pois purée, and chorizo. Served with Schloss Lieser Riesling 2006. The scallop was absolutely perfectly prepared. The dots of apple and petit pois were a bit too small in my opinion. I would have liked more of those tastes...
3. Skrei (Lofoten cod) with mushroom soup, shitake mushrooms, and asparagus. Served with Domaine de la Sancesse 2006 (Côtes du Rhône). The fish was also cooked perfectly, and the soup was nice and creamy-foamy with lots of flavor...
4. King fish with lentils, chestnut purée, savoy cabbage, and anise and olive sauce. Served with Moulin à Vent Maison-Blanche 2006. Interesting combination of flavors, but the king fish was rich enough to tolerate them all. Yum yum...
5. Cheese with fig preserves, nut bread, and candied nuts. Served with two different wines - Andre Brunel (Rhône) and a sweet dessert wine - Henri Ramonteu 2004 Jurançon. Boyfriend of feitpingvin had roquefort on his cheese plate. As I'm allergic to that, I just got larger portions of the other cheeses...
This was followed by some chocolates, though we didn't have any coffee to go with it. I don't even think we were asked if we wanted any coffee...
Not having been asked if we wanted to order coffee is among the little annoyances about this place. The other annoyance was that I felt that they moved through the courses too quickly. Which I suppose they had to do if we were going to chow down in time for them to clear us out and clean up the table for the next seating. They have two different seatings - one at 17:30 and one at 21:00. I guess it's to get as many customers as possible, but they're both annoying times to eat dinner out, and I don't like being rushed...
Otherwise, the food itself was lovely and the atmosphere was lively. I don't think I'd call it the best fish restaurant in town, but it's not the worst...
7.2.08
the stick of pain
You know you're in for a training from hell when the instructor says that he's going to whack you with the stick of pain if your tempo (when doing drills) is too slow...
It was a good training though :-)
It was a good training though :-)
30.1.08
sure, give Norwegians another reason to hate foreigners...
This really pisses me off.
I need to calm down before I can write much more about my feelings about the matter. My guess is that the people who thinks this is a good thing are the "I'm from Oslo and therefore better than everyone else in Norway" elitist twatballs who want to force the Oslo dialect (a rather unpleasant dialect I must add), and it's a severe insult to everyone from anywhere else in Norway; this has historical roots.
Of course, they're going to make foreigners the scapegoat rather than the arrogant Oslo elite who think they're better than everyone else. And let's not ignore the fact that this makes foreigners look stupid and incompetent. Like that stupid Russian chick mentioned in the article. "Waaah waaaah waaaah, boo hoo hooooo, poor me I can't understand dialects, accommodate me!" Like that stupid journalist, who can barely translate Norwegian language articles to English. This hurts us more than it helps us, but I guess my cries fall on the deaf ears of the coddling crowd...
Also keep in mind that the kind of "people" bearing the arrogant "get rid of the dialects" mentality are also the same "people" who refused to let rooms to people from the districts, before the Pakistanis started showing up...
*grrrrrr*
I need to calm down before I can write much more about my feelings about the matter. My guess is that the people who thinks this is a good thing are the "I'm from Oslo and therefore better than everyone else in Norway" elitist twatballs who want to force the Oslo dialect (a rather unpleasant dialect I must add), and it's a severe insult to everyone from anywhere else in Norway; this has historical roots.
Of course, they're going to make foreigners the scapegoat rather than the arrogant Oslo elite who think they're better than everyone else. And let's not ignore the fact that this makes foreigners look stupid and incompetent. Like that stupid Russian chick mentioned in the article. "Waaah waaaah waaaah, boo hoo hooooo, poor me I can't understand dialects, accommodate me!" Like that stupid journalist, who can barely translate Norwegian language articles to English. This hurts us more than it helps us, but I guess my cries fall on the deaf ears of the coddling crowd...
Also keep in mind that the kind of "people" bearing the arrogant "get rid of the dialects" mentality are also the same "people" who refused to let rooms to people from the districts, before the Pakistanis started showing up...
*grrrrrr*
29.1.08
Sedentary life 'speeds up ageing'
One of those "no shit, Sherlock" articles, this time from the BBC. It's still rather interesting...
In dumping that sedentary lifestyle, keep in mind that low intensity aerobic exercise is NOT the way to go in the long run. You will get the best results, including significant anti-ageing results, from doing anaerobic exercise (weights) and high-intensity interval training as your cardio as your primary form of exercise. Krav Maga a few times a week doesn't hurt either. Well, yes it does, but in a different, more tantilizing way ;-)
So get off your lazy fat ass and move it, you old fart. Wait, you're younger than me? :-P
In dumping that sedentary lifestyle, keep in mind that low intensity aerobic exercise is NOT the way to go in the long run. You will get the best results, including significant anti-ageing results, from doing anaerobic exercise (weights) and high-intensity interval training as your cardio as your primary form of exercise. Krav Maga a few times a week doesn't hurt either. Well, yes it does, but in a different, more tantilizing way ;-)
So get off your lazy fat ass and move it, you old fart. Wait, you're younger than me? :-P
24.1.08
Yay! Krav Maga!
We just had our first training of 2008. Good fun :-D
At the end, we did this interesting variation of the bodyguard drill. The drill involves three people - the bodyguard, the atackee, and the attacker. Normally, the attacker attacks the atackee and the bodyguard tries to do anything to keep the attacker away from the atackee. This time, the bodyguard had to hold the attacker at the hips and prevent his/her movement that way. It kills the evil legs...
Heh, the instructors were also selling these Krav Maga calendars, and we bought one. I should take it with me to my new job when that starts ;-)
At the end, we did this interesting variation of the bodyguard drill. The drill involves three people - the bodyguard, the atackee, and the attacker. Normally, the attacker attacks the atackee and the bodyguard tries to do anything to keep the attacker away from the atackee. This time, the bodyguard had to hold the attacker at the hips and prevent his/her movement that way. It kills the evil legs...
Heh, the instructors were also selling these Krav Maga calendars, and we bought one. I should take it with me to my new job when that starts ;-)
22.1.08
toothaches and gym freaks
Well, it looks like I'm going to lose my root canal virginity tomorrow. Yay yippee yo. I want painkillers and I want them now...
After I was through with the evil dentist and booked the appointment for the root canal, I went to the gym to do the workout I was supposed to do this morning but didn't do due to lack of sleep because of the damn painful tooth. Anyway, it was mostly hardcore-looking bodybuilder types there this time, except for a few oddballs here and there...
The main Freako of the day was this older guy who was a bit too interested in watching me squat. I racked up 50 kg, and he was all like "why are you doing 50 kg?"
"Because for the time being, it's all I can do," I snapped back at him. Keep in mind I'm in pain, in a bad mood, and still recovering from an injury.
He said, sheepishly, "well, it's a lot." "Not really," I uttered. He then skulked away.
Then there were these two Freakettes who were yakking away, and eventually came up to the topic of British Airway's new carry-on luggage rule where you can take 23 kg as long as you can lift it into the overhead compartment yourself.
"It's unfair and sexist. Women can't lift that much weight over their heads..."
I said "uh, wanna bet?" and grabbed the 25 kg barbell (it's a smaller bar with weights already set up, not the regular bar) and lifted it over my head. "See?"
They both gaped at me, and then tried to lift the bar themselves but could barely do so, and then started mumbling about if it was some kind of "trick" apparatus... sheesh...
After I was through with the evil dentist and booked the appointment for the root canal, I went to the gym to do the workout I was supposed to do this morning but didn't do due to lack of sleep because of the damn painful tooth. Anyway, it was mostly hardcore-looking bodybuilder types there this time, except for a few oddballs here and there...
The main Freako of the day was this older guy who was a bit too interested in watching me squat. I racked up 50 kg, and he was all like "why are you doing 50 kg?"
"Because for the time being, it's all I can do," I snapped back at him. Keep in mind I'm in pain, in a bad mood, and still recovering from an injury.
He said, sheepishly, "well, it's a lot." "Not really," I uttered. He then skulked away.
Then there were these two Freakettes who were yakking away, and eventually came up to the topic of British Airway's new carry-on luggage rule where you can take 23 kg as long as you can lift it into the overhead compartment yourself.
"It's unfair and sexist. Women can't lift that much weight over their heads..."
I said "uh, wanna bet?" and grabbed the 25 kg barbell (it's a smaller bar with weights already set up, not the regular bar) and lifted it over my head. "See?"
They both gaped at me, and then tried to lift the bar themselves but could barely do so, and then started mumbling about if it was some kind of "trick" apparatus... sheesh...
13.1.08
UPDATE - Ms. Freaky Beaky
NEWS FLASH!!!
Nebbeline(*), otherwise known by her stage name Ms. Freaky Beaky, was spotted early this afternoon at her usual hangout at Aker River. She was seen with a handsome drake with a shiny green head; he seemed to be the jealous type, not letting anyone else go near her! Will he smash the paparazzis' camera lenses with his shiny yellow beak? It's risky business, the duck entertainment world!
We were still able to bring Nebbeline her treat, some hand-selected crickets from the local (gourmet) pet supplies store. She ate them deliciously; no eating disorders in the duck entertainment world! She even fended off some crazed fans (pigeons) who wanted to steal her crickets as a souvenir, ramming them with her pink tongue!
All is well with her it seems. She looks healthy, strong, and in love!
(*) nebb is the Norwegian word for beak, hence Nebbeline ;-)
Nebbeline(*), otherwise known by her stage name Ms. Freaky Beaky, was spotted early this afternoon at her usual hangout at Aker River. She was seen with a handsome drake with a shiny green head; he seemed to be the jealous type, not letting anyone else go near her! Will he smash the paparazzis' camera lenses with his shiny yellow beak? It's risky business, the duck entertainment world!
We were still able to bring Nebbeline her treat, some hand-selected crickets from the local (gourmet) pet supplies store. She ate them deliciously; no eating disorders in the duck entertainment world! She even fended off some crazed fans (pigeons) who wanted to steal her crickets as a souvenir, ramming them with her pink tongue!
All is well with her it seems. She looks healthy, strong, and in love!
(*) nebb is the Norwegian word for beak, hence Nebbeline ;-)
6.1.08
Ms. Freaky Beaky
Boyfriend of feitpingvin and I discovered this unusual female mallard while baiting the local ducks with bread, in order to take some photos of them.
At first we didn't know whether she had somehow gotten her beak snapped off or whether it was some kind of birth defect. Upon closer inspection, it looks like some kind of birth defect. Her beak is very short and curved up, and her lovely pink tongue sticks out. It was so sad to see...
It seems like she's doing OK though. While she's slightly smaller than the other ducks, she most certainly does not look unfed...
Ms. Freaky Beaky was also a lot tamer than the other mallards. Or perhaps desperate for food due to her strange beak making it more difficult to find food? Anyway, she didn't even hesitate to eat food right out of the palms of our hands, licking them with her funny little pink tongue...
While it was cute and all, we decided it would be best to just throw her the food. She's still a wild bird and it's not really that good of a thing if she's too trusting of humans...
RoF-stuffing at Palace Grill
We celebrated my birthday a little bit early, and the usual tradition is to go out for a no-holds-barred gourmet meal. (Not really something I want to do on a weekday.)
This year's meal was at Palace Grill. The restaurant at Palace Grill used to serve more simple fare such as burgers. Now days, they serve an up to 10-course gourmet meal. But they do not take reservations. This means you have to get there early in order to secure a table. As long as you get there around 5-ish to 5:30-ish, you should be OK. There's a (somewhat popular) bar next to the restaurant where you can hang out and have an aperitif while waiting for your table...
Oh, and the setting is somewhat informal, so you don't need to wear a suit and tie or a fancy dress. Actually, it would be a good idea to wear something that allows you to eat a lot of good food hehe...
We did the "full package" of course. This is what we feasted on (note: click the photos to see larger versions):
Coffee afterwards.
All in all, a wonderful meal. I left stuffed and happy... :-) It was definitely worth the visit! :-D
This year's meal was at Palace Grill. The restaurant at Palace Grill used to serve more simple fare such as burgers. Now days, they serve an up to 10-course gourmet meal. But they do not take reservations. This means you have to get there early in order to secure a table. As long as you get there around 5-ish to 5:30-ish, you should be OK. There's a (somewhat popular) bar next to the restaurant where you can hang out and have an aperitif while waiting for your table...
Oh, and the setting is somewhat informal, so you don't need to wear a suit and tie or a fancy dress. Actually, it would be a good idea to wear something that allows you to eat a lot of good food hehe...
We did the "full package" of course. This is what we feasted on (note: click the photos to see larger versions):
- Dish: Oysters. Raw on the half-shell, served with vinegar and slices of lime. The oysters were very nice and fresh and tasty...
Wine: Daniel Dampt et Fils Chablis 2006
- Dish: sashimi of salmon, with salmon roe, cucumber, green onion, sesame seeds, quail egg yolk, and teriyaki soy sauce. The salmon was very fresh and flavorful. The quail egg yolk had quite a lot of flavor...
Wine: Schafer-Frölich Riesling Kabinett 2006. This wine kicked ass! :-D
- Dish: smoked eel, eel with sour cream, and salad and capers. The eel pieces were very tender and tasty...
Wine: same as for the 2nd course
- Dish: lobster soup with lobster and hazelnut ravioli, raw shrimp, mussels, apples, hazelnuts, and fennel. You could tell that the cooks spent hours reducing the broth for the soup. I would have loved a whole plate of that ravioli! The apple pieces in the soup were a very nice, sweet touch...
Wine: Macon-Chardonnay Récolte, Clos de la Crochette 2005
- Dish: halibut with caviar and mango greens. Perfectly prepared fish mmm...
Wine: Chassagne-Montrachet Cru la Maltroie 2005
- Dish: cod with oxtails, mushrooms, jordskokk purée, and red beets prepared in red wine. This was probably one of the most interesting dishes I have ever eaten. The cod and the oxtails were a very interesting, flavorful combination. Too bad we forgot to take a photo...
Wine: Cote de Nuits-Villages La Montagne 2005 (pinot noir)
No photo - Red currant and vodka smoothie (for cleansing the palate). Very lovely...
- Dish: filet of venison, rutebega, lentils with chicken livers and bacon. This was absolutely divine! The venison was perfectly tender, and melted in my mouth. The lentils were also perfectly tender, and the chicken livers were an especially interesting and flavorful touch. The lentils were served on the side so they're not in the photo.
Wine: Roda I Reserve 2003
- Dish: cheese board with lots of flavorful, runny, stinky French cheeses :-) Served with nut bread and rye bread...
Wine: same as with #8
- Dish: Dessert - raspberry sorbet and a chocolate dessert, both with a passionfruit sauce. The crust of the chocolate dessert was a bit hard but it was otherwise good. The sorbet was fantastic, and the sauce wonderfully tangy and tasty, passing perfectly to both desserts...
Coffee afterwards.
All in all, a wonderful meal. I left stuffed and happy... :-) It was definitely worth the visit! :-D
5.1.08
new year, new freaks... (where have we heard this before?)
If only I could resolve to never be a freak magnet again *sigh*
The first freak of the new year. 2nd of January, 2008.
It's one thing if you're going to assume I'm a certain nationality based on my looks. I could pass for lots of things and I'm sort of used to people trying to figure out what I am. Not that I ever tell them (it's not their damn business) unless I have a reason to tell them (like in a formal job interview or networking situation or something). I most certainly don't tell random strangers... but I digress...
Anyway, if you're going to come up to me assuming that I'm some nationality or other, and start speaking a language I don't understand as if you were my lifetime best buddy, and I ask you if you speak Norwegian, DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT GETTING PISSY WITH ME. And don't even think about saying you were trying to be nice, friendly, helpful, or whatever. You were being nosy and intrusive...
I can see how it's embarassing and sucky to be wrong, but sheeesh... what do you expect when you go off like that with a complete stranger?
The first gym freak(s) of the new year. 4th of January, 2008.
There was this one Middle Eastern-looking guy, all decked out in tank top and posing in front of the mirror, puffed out like some kind of animal during breeding season. He's one of those macho misogynistic types that tends to hate women in the free weights area. Another guy with the same Middle Eastern-look and the same made-for-posing outfit came up to greet him. They embraced and kissed each other on the cheek at least 5 times... *smooch* *smooch* *smooch* *smooch* *smooch*... you could hear the smooches echoing across the whole gym...
The funny thing is that there was this gay guy there (yes, I know he's gay, he's a regular and he's told me he's gay), watching and enjoying the whole scene with that funny pervy smile of his...
The first freak of the new year. 2nd of January, 2008.
It's one thing if you're going to assume I'm a certain nationality based on my looks. I could pass for lots of things and I'm sort of used to people trying to figure out what I am. Not that I ever tell them (it's not their damn business) unless I have a reason to tell them (like in a formal job interview or networking situation or something). I most certainly don't tell random strangers... but I digress...
Anyway, if you're going to come up to me assuming that I'm some nationality or other, and start speaking a language I don't understand as if you were my lifetime best buddy, and I ask you if you speak Norwegian, DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT GETTING PISSY WITH ME. And don't even think about saying you were trying to be nice, friendly, helpful, or whatever. You were being nosy and intrusive...
I can see how it's embarassing and sucky to be wrong, but sheeesh... what do you expect when you go off like that with a complete stranger?
The first gym freak(s) of the new year. 4th of January, 2008.
There was this one Middle Eastern-looking guy, all decked out in tank top and posing in front of the mirror, puffed out like some kind of animal during breeding season. He's one of those macho misogynistic types that tends to hate women in the free weights area. Another guy with the same Middle Eastern-look and the same made-for-posing outfit came up to greet him. They embraced and kissed each other on the cheek at least 5 times... *smooch* *smooch* *smooch* *smooch* *smooch*... you could hear the smooches echoing across the whole gym...
The funny thing is that there was this gay guy there (yes, I know he's gay, he's a regular and he's told me he's gay), watching and enjoying the whole scene with that funny pervy smile of his...
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