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*
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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