Psychosis corner

Attentionwhoring 101

2011-06-26T01:09:00.002+02:00

Not as bad at it sounds, it's just a pretty recent picture of me.

Notice the very useful frog-on-a-stick and my lovely Sackboy. Both marvellous purchases. :)

Goodnight, sweet Eris

2011-03-26T15:12:00.001+01:00

Goodnight, sweet princess. Now you and Diana can play together forever.

A lovely day...

2011-01-07T17:14:00.006+01:00

Hello again and happy new year! It's been ages since I last blogged, but now I finally have something that I want to write about.

This Christmas I got something I've been wanting for years. I opened the present from my man and it was a gift certificate for a treatment at Jessheim Spa! (He's the best, right?)

Well, today it was time for my appointment, so I jumped on the bus from home to Jessheim a bit before one and arrived at the spa at a quarter past one. My appointment wasn't until two so I started my spoiling by "checking in", getting my soft, white bundle that consisted of a soft robe, a pair of cute comfy slippers and a fluffy towel. I wandered into the dressingrooms and even they were comfy. The lockers were spacious and there weren't any of those classic large showers built to fit ten. There was single-person shower stalls with proper showers. After I had changed into my bathing suit I slipped on the robe and slippers and walked, allready smiling, back in to the main area of the spa. There I was shown around by a nice Swedish girl who told me how to operate the bubbles in the hot tub and let me know that I was welcome to help myself to fruit and iced water before my treatment. Still smiling, I poured myself a glass of icewater with lemon and munched a couple of grapes before I hung up my robe and slipped into the hot bubbly goodness.

Twenty glourious minutes later I went to change back to my underwear, slip on the lovely robe again and wait for my massage. "My" masseuse was a nice, chatty girl who asked a lot of questions to make sure I was comfortable at all times. She started with my back and shoulders, then went on to my legs, my arms and rounded it off with another round on my neck. I must admit that it was rather painfull at times when she was doing my shoulders, but considering my level of tenseness it could only be expected. And besides the rest was so lovely that I forgot about it. It took me a while to be able to relax completely, not to mention getting used to having a strange girl kneading my bum, but once I got over that I really really enjoyed it.

After my massage was over and I had been served another glass of lemonflavoured icewater I changed back into my bathing suit, complete with slippers and robe, and went back into the main area. First I went into "The Lagune" (the spa's relaxation area) and laid back on a bed-ish thing with soft pillows in there to read a magazine before I ordered a glass of red wine and slipped, yet again, in to the hot tub. After another half-an-hour I suddenly realised that my mum was probably waiting for me outside so I took a quick shower in the Tropical Rain Shower (basically a huge shower head embedded in the ceiling giving the impression of warm summer rain) and went to change again. I reluctantly gave up the robe and slippers, paid for my wine and went outside with a smile on my face.

Now I'm sitting in my couch, still comfortably limp, happy and very much in love with my man. I do really recommend a day at the spa to anyone needing to relax, loose some tension or just getting spoiled for a while. Also a wonderful gift for anyone you care for. Doesn't have to be a girlfriend, I'm pretty sure mums, sisters and even boyfriends will appreciate it. Maybe not so much for manly-man dads though.

Pictures: Borrowed from Jessheim Spa's homepage.

Ode to the West Wind

2010-09-18T19:07:00.002+02:00

ODE TO THE WEST WIND

O Wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being,

Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead

Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing,

Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red,

Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O Thou,

Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed

The winged seeds, where they lie cold and low,

Each like a corpse within its grave, until

Thine azure sister of the Spring shall blow

Her clarion o'er the dreaming earth, and fill

(Driving sweet buds like flocks to feed in air)

With living hues and odours plain and hill:

Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere;

Destroyer and Preserver; hear, O hear!

~Percy Bysshe Shelly (1819)

Survival

2010-08-21T16:40:00.004+02:00

The title of this post is as you know "Survival". But it's not survival in the middle of the Arctic or anything like that. It's the survival of the first week of school.

As I've mentioned in the previous post I got accepted to Hedmark University College, Language and Culture studies. Well, last Monday, the 16th of August, was the start of term and I showed up happy, eager and absolutely terrified. The first day was pleasant, even if it was slightly confusing due to all the information I was supposed to absorb. The rest of the week has been interesting, scary and a little overwhelming.

On tuesday we started with the first class in the language bit of the studies (Tuesday and Thursday's Language days), and I really enjoyed it. I had a little trouble telling all the terms and such apart, but my teacher is an engaging man who's very good at what he does, so I think I'll get the hang of it after a while.

Wedensday was the start of Litterature part (Monday and Wedensday's litterature days). This also seemed like a very interesting subject and I can't wait to delve deeper into it. Especially since I've never been much of a fan of Norwegian litterature and so I'm hoping that this year will give me a new understanding and love for both the Norwegian language and our many writers.

Yesterday, on Friday, I had a mandatory course in academic writing and how to use and refer to various sources given by one of the college's librarians. Usually, though, Friday is a day when we can study at home.

Right now I'm sitting on my mother-in-law's veranda just relaxing before a new week that starts when I have to get up at 05:45am on Monday.

New things

2010-07-25T14:05:00.004+02:00

This post is being written on my new gadget. It's a Samsung N210 mini laptop. I bought it yesterday after getting a loan for it from the granny-bank. I've got a downpayment plan going and within three months it will be mine instead of my gran's. I've been thinking about getting one of these for over a year now, but suddenly on Friday it became a necessity since I was accepted to Hedmark University College to their Language and Culture studies. The pretty little laptop will be very handy when it comes to notes and such because, for one, I'm horrible when it comes to organizing papers and second with the laptop I can't draw on my notes which is another of my bad habits. I've also decided that I'm gonna remove everything on the laptop that I don't need for school. No games or anything to tempt me away from my studies. Oh my, I'm going to have to learn how to be organized and scheduled now. (Rob, if you're reading this you promised me a lightning course in being organized.)

But anyway, things are happening after a long wait and I'm very happy (and very scared) about it. I'm really looking forward to doing something constructive with my time and finally be out of what I've been calling my "storage box" which is the vacuum I've been lounging around in for soon-to-be three years.

Veggie patch update

2010-07-13T20:13:00.001+02:00

I feel that the time is right for a little update on my vegetable patch now that I've got all the "support systems" and "climbing aids" in place and the plants are growing nicely. My pumpkin's blooming and the cucumbers, tomatoes and garden peas are budding.

Here you see my little patch of heaven. The picture's taken today after a night and a day of massive rain and everything's got that clean, beautiful shade of bright green the raid always brings midsummer.

My poor garden peas were falling over and needed a bit of help and something to hold on to, so I gathered my tools and set to work. I have a sweet spot for things homemade and a little rough around the edges so there was never any doubt about the style of the trellis. Reclaiming materials and using what my garden gives me is also something I love and the materials used for this ended up being the trunk from two small trees we took down earlier this summer for the side poles, an old 1x1inch thin beam from the shed as the top support, a "pretty" peach coloured skirt board (you can only see the unpainted side of the board on the picture) as the bottom support and for the bit that the peas were actually going to climb on I used various branches that needed to be cut off some of our garden trees (rowan, birch, apple, pussy willow and elder) and the rest I gathered from our "garden dump" were we've thrown a lot of twigs, trees and branches that only lies there to rot. It's nice that it can be used instead of just waste away. And I'm pretty happy about the result, looks good and it's homemade.

Here you have my five cucumber plants, they've just started budding slightly and the little tentacles has only recently poked out into the sun reaching for something grab a hold of. I decided on letting them grow upwards instead of going all creepy crawly on the ground because, firstly, I sort of think it's better once the cucumbers come that it's not lying on the ground, but rather hangs freely. Secondly, my patch isn't that big and this way they won't require that much space. I found the materials for the support for these at "the dump" as well and I just used regular cotton string to tie the simple triangular construction together.
Next to the cucumbers you can see a few of my tomato plants. I've only got nine left now since I gave away half of the plants I originally had, but I figured that nine plants will be more than enough for my small household. The sticks that support the tomatoes are bought though. Yes, I am a little ashamed about that, but I just couldn't be bothered looking for nine straight sticks that day and I found a packet of sticks for just under

I had to include a close up of my pumpkin plantl since I think it's so much fun that it's blooming and several more buds are about to unfold as well. I really hope I'll get a decent sized pumpkin in October so I have something to carve for Halloween and my birthday.

I have learned to appreciate the rain this summer after realising how much I have to water the patch to get the equivalent of one night of proper rain.

Have a great summer and enjoy the sun! I know I will!

Sweet dreams, Diana

2010-07-08T23:20:00.000+02:00

Sleep tight, sweetheart.. I miss you..

Summer toesies

2010-07-05T22:20:00.001+02:00

I've finally managed to get something similar to a tan on my legs and I felt like trying something new. So here they are, my tosies, all made up and ready for sandals. No, I usually don't go for pink, but it's such and outrageous shade of pink and it was the only bottle of nailpolish I had within reaching distance so both my toe nails and finger nails are now shockingly pink.

My introduction to yoga

2010-07-03T13:56:00.000+02:00

For a long time I've been interested in yoga and been thinking about joining a yogaclass. The problem has been, however, that those classes are rather expensive and since I'm a skint little hippie that has been out of the question. But then suddenly I realised "Hey! I've got the internet, there's got to be something out there that can guide me along the way." And there was.

I asked around this forum I hang out at and one of the girls there suggested an instructional video called "Ashtanga Yoga Beginners Practice" with a woman named Nicki Doane. So I searched for it, found it and downloaded it (I really am sorry, Nicki. If I ever come across your DVD I'm gonna buy it, I promise!) and it's great! She guides you through the various vinyasas slowly and eases you into it gradually and gently. Nicki's voice is very soothing and the constant guiding when it comes to breathing and such doesn't disturb my focus at all.

I must admit that I haven't been able to go through the entire video yet though since I'm in lousy shape and these past few days (I only had my first session two days ago) have been very warm and it's difficult to keep the Downward Dog for five deep breaths when my hands and feet are sweating and I'm just slipping around on my mat. (If anyone has any tricks up their sleeve on how to avoid that I'd be very happy to hear them.)

Even though I've only done two sessions I can feel the yoga working its magic on my muscles. Especially my tummy. My poor practiacally non-exsistant abs are so sore, but somehow it feels good. I'm glad to have found yoga as interesting in practice as I did in theory and also very thankful for finding Nicki Doane's wonderful video.

Happy birthday to you, bloggie!

2010-06-19T13:55:00.000+02:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PSYCHOSIS CORNER!!
(Okay, so it was really on April 9th, but I didn't know then.)

I was just looking through my old blogpost and suddenly realised that my little blog's over two years old now, so I just had to make a little birthday post.

Reading through the old post was so much fun, a little bit of nostalgia, some laughs and giggles. Looking forward to blogging for another two years at least. And thank you, my tiny crowd of followers for sticking with me.

Love and Light,

Voodoo

The crops are in the ground

2010-06-07T21:04:00.000+02:00

I just came in from re-potting my tomato plants and I feel pretty good about myself now. All
my vegetables this year is in the ground or neatly potted.

I've got:

18 potted tomato plants
6 pots with sprouting cucumbers
1 pot with a lonely pumpkin plant
1 row of garden peas for the taste, the fun and the pretty flowers
3 decent rows of carrots
5 rows of 6-7 leek each
a medium sized patch of lettuce
a small patch of parsley

In addition to that my Gran's put down three rows of potatoes next to my veggies.

We've got a few bushes of various berries aswell; black, red and white currants and a rather big and tangled raspberry patch that we've finally managed to get under something similar to control. All the bushes have been blooming and the raspberry bushes(?) are shooting nicely.

Even the old rotted appletree is blooming. I doubt that the apples on that tree will be suitable for anything, but apple pie, but hey, apple pie rocks!

So after all these observations I'm guessing that the garden will be bountyful come fall.

Beautiful visitor

2010-04-02T21:16:00.001+02:00

Hello again!
I know I haven't blogged in a while, but I haven't really felt like I've had anything to blog about, but today I got an excuse.
I was sitting around just watching a movie when my gran called me from downstairs to tell me we had a visitor in the garden. So I looked out the window and there he was, and what a visitor. A young male roe deer standing right under my apple tree. It's the first time this winter I've seen any of them up close even though I've seen their tracks and such around. I managed to snap a couple of pictures of him from my gran's veranda and here's the best one.

Beauty in writing

2009-11-28T23:07:00.000+01:00

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
by
Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,; I am not there, I do not sleep.
: I am in a thousand winds that blow,; I am the softly falling snow.
: I am the gentle showers of rain,; I am the fields of ripening grain.
: I am in the morning hush,; I am in the graceful rush
: Of beautiful birds in circling flight,; I am the starshine of the night.
: I am in the flowers that bloom,; I am in a quiet room.
: I am in the birds that sing,; I am in each lovely thing.
: Do not stand at my grave and cry,; I am not there. I do not die.

The ukulele has arrived!

2009-11-01T08:34:00.000+01:00

My ukulele is here!!! As you can see from the picture, it's black and not pink, but the pink would have taken ages to get because it wasn't in stock where I bought it.
The black one's amazing though! The sound's soft and pretty and I'm allready getting a hang of the playing. I'll be posting more pictures of the ukulele once I've decorated it!

And, by the way; HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Giving a little back

2009-10-27T20:04:00.000+01:00

A little while ago I became a World Wildlife Fund support member. I'm donating a small sum each month to help them with their work for the wild animals around the world.
As a welcome-to-us-and-thank-you present I got a lovely little polar bear plushie and a gymbag with the WWF logo on it.

So I give you - drumroll - Sealsnuffles, the polar bear!

And here he is again. This time dressed in a fashionable hoodie from Puppia!
(No, I don't have a little fashion dog, the hoodie was on sale and I tried to put in on the cats, but they didn't agree... You can actually see the cat's feet behind him.)

I've been told that I should be including the story about how the little polar got his "slightly" special name, so now I will!

Well.. The package from WWF arrived in the mail and the beautiful little bear was unwrapped. I said to my boyfriend that the little guy needed a name. So my boyfriend suggested the name "Honeysnuffles", but polar bears doesn't eat honey! They eat seals! So, the bear is now Sealsnuffles.

If you want to become a supporting member or adopt a species, simply go here and sign up; http://www.worldwildlife.org/

....

2009-10-22T21:49:00.000+02:00

I just bought a pink ukulele...

Thank you for applying, better luck next year

2009-07-27T22:18:00.000+02:00

Early April I applied to Oslo University College for their Teacher Training in Art and Design (basically a fancy-pants way of saying Arts and Crafts teacher). Since I applied I've been holding my breath, figuratively off course or I'd be slightly dead by now. On July 20th I got my letter back from OUC.

"Your application is now processed. Unfortunatly you have not measured up in the competition for any of the studies of your choice."

Even though I didn't measure up in the first place I was still welcome to stay on the waiting list and off course I accepted that offer, it could be that some of the other applicants decided to do something else, work, move or whatever.

But now a week later, after the deadline to accept or decline, my hopes are beginning to dwindle as I'm still on the waitinglist... As number 51... On the 20th I was number 60. So unless there are alot of unregistered declines out there, the other applicants have unfortunate accidents or the entire class drop out during the first few weeks of the term I don't really have a chance.

So I'm back to the drawing board... Again. I must admit that it hurts a little to be back there. I was hoping to finally get my life back on track and get something worthwhile to do this fall. Guess I just have to start thinking again, maybe redo some exams and pray that I better my grades and not make them worse. Maybe I can try to get into a school as an assistant teacher in arts and crafts or something. Just have to wait and see.

Any suggestions you might have is appreciated.

*Fingers crossed*

Voodoo's amazing talents!

2009-07-02T14:50:00.000+02:00

Well, if it's skill I've got is open for discussion so I'll just call it natural talent. But anyway.. The reason for this post is that I discovered a new talent last night and I figured I needed to write something about it. So here's the list of my amazing talents:

1. I can open pants with my toes
(Not just buttons, also zippers, and with one foot!)

2. I can balance stuff on various part of my anatomy
(Haven't tried with babies, but glasses, bottles, bags of snacks...)

3. I make wonderful popcorn
(Just ask anyone who's been popcorn-pampered by me)

4. I can sleep through anything
(More practical than amazing really)

5. I can find sexual innuendo absolutely everywhere
(Mostly a fun talent)

So there they were.. My talents!

Fetish Model for a night

2009-06-10T04:37:00.001+02:00

A couple of days ago I got a brilliant idea. Corset! Camera! A good combination.
So I put on my makeup and got dressed up and my darling was behind the camera and here are the fruits of that "labour": Fetish Model for a night - the album
And if you choose to comment, be nice to me, okay?

Purple!

2009-05-21T21:43:00.000+02:00

So... I've just taken my love for purple a step further and I love it!

It's only semi-permanent though. The dye I used is called Manic Panic Ultra Violet and it's easy, relatively cheap and pretty quick. It stains skin and surfaces rather fast, but nothing chlorine and a little scrubbing can't handle. Believe me, I spilled some on my grandmother's bathroom counter and even though I had a small panic attack (no pun intended) when I tried to wipe it up and it just got worse, I was able to remove it with toilet paper soaked in clorine. So have that ready, because spilling is easier than one might think when starting off.
I'll definetly buy more of the Manic Panic colours at a later time, maybe go for a little Cotton Candy next time.

Here in Norway you can get the Manic Panic hair dye stuff from Dragens Hule. Dependable place, nice prices if you ask me and I'm seriously cheap because I'm poor..

Name change

2009-05-20T06:41:00.000+02:00

Okay, as you might notice my name has changed from Vinter to Voodoo. I've done this because I've chosen "Lady Voodoo's Creations" as the name for my new "see what I can do!" blog. But I'm still me and this blog will stay the same. Slow, boring and introverted, that is.. Hehe!

But anyway.. If you want to take a look at "Lady Voodoo's Creations" you'll find that there: http://ladyvoodoo.blogspot.com/ And I will post a few bits and pieces there over the next few days to give people something to start off with.

Have fun!

- The sillyness formerly known as Vinter

Finally inked!

2009-01-23T22:38:00.001+01:00

There! There it is! My new tattoo!

Yeah, yeah, I know I'm a day late, but I didn't think any of the piccies the tattoo artist (Johnny Robin) took and when it was wrapped in plastic is was just impossible to get anything taken.
It's not crooked even though it looks that was in that picture, but it's because my skin insist on moving.. Stupid skin..

The numbes in the barcode is my parents' birthdates so the tattoo itself is a tribute to them. And I love it allready!

An error has occured, please try again later

2009-01-20T19:44:00.000+01:00

Okay, on Saturday I said that I was getting tattooed today, YAAAY and all that.. Well, that was sort of fail... I first spent almost over an hour on the bus there, then I waited at the tattoo shop for twenty minutes and then the chick who was supposed to do my tattoo comes out of the back, calls my name and tells me that she doesn't do barcodes. I was like "What???" so she tells me that she has never done a barcode before and just doesn't know how and the only one who does things like that is the owner of the shop and he's not really free until the end of May. I thought I was gonna cry, but I think she felt sorry for me so she managed to squeeze me in on Thursday. It's a good thing that I don't have to wait forever, but it made today a bit of a waste really...

But again, I'll get back to you with pictures and stuff when the damned thing is actually on my skin.

Nerves, they know no logic

2009-01-18T03:18:00.000+01:00

On tuesday I'll be getting my new tattoo (yeah, I'll post piccies!) and for some odd reason I'm nervous. Even get that scared feeling in the pit of my tummy when I think about it. But seriously! It's idiotic! Why be scared of something I've done five times before...? Oh well, I guess that's just how the brain works.

Speaking of tattoos, just before Christmas my dad asked me to do something I'm not sure if I'm able to do. He asked me to draw him something that really represents me that he could tattoo on his arm. Any idea how hard it is to do that?? It has to be something that'll represent me not only now, but in the future aswell... So far I've decided that the piece if going to contain a spiral of some sort since I've got two different kinds of spirals tattooed on my body allready and they will continue to be a part of me. But that choice was easy... The rest isn't.. So anyone who knows me, feel free to make suggestions.

I'll be back tuesday night with a full update on the tattooing!

Peace and love and all that

A favorite song to a favorite person...

2008-12-18T02:40:00.000+01:00

I'll Stand by You - Pretenders

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

And when...
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

To my favorite person... You know who you are after this...

Vinter enjoys winter

2008-12-14T20:27:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking about going out to play in the snow for a couple of weeks now, but the first day I thought about it, it was just too cold and after that the snow hasn't been cooperating. No fun to play in the snow when you can't even make a snowball.. But today the snow was nice and moist! So I got into my polarbear suit and waddled outside.

So with a smile on my face and the mental state of a four year old I went to work! And about half an hour later my two masterpieces was done; The pretty lantern and the little snow-goddess. Yes, the little witch in me comes out from time to time!

Hopefully the weather will hold so that I can put new candles in the lantern tomorrow night to keep the fire burning in this dark time of the year. Sort of my way of preparing for the Winter Solstice.

Merry Christmas? Allready?

2008-12-11T14:06:00.000+01:00

December 11th and I just had the joy of saying this year's first Merry Christmas and even though I think Christmas is the year's greatest hassle (followed closely by "How to get your family to forget your birthday") and I really celebrate Yule, not Christmas, it still gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. It still feels too early though.
Right now I just feel like making personalized Christmas cards to the friends I won't be seeing for the holiday and the ones that lives far away or abroad. I really hope I'll actually get around to doing that this year..

So from all of me, to all of you; A very merry Christmas (or Yule, or Solstice or whatever..)!

Order your stay at the asylum here

2008-10-17T15:21:00.000+02:00

Let's all go to Berlin and find the hotel room of our dreams, or should that be the room from our nightmares maybe?

At Propeller Island City Lodge ( http://www.propeller-island.com/english/2/2/ ) you can find rooms of all kind.
Dream about sleeping in a lion's cage maybe? Well check out room 42 then!
Want to see yourself from any angle? Then The Mirror Room might tickle your fancy.
If the thought of being locked in a coffin sends tiny shivers down your spine, then guess what? Propeller Island can help you with that aswell! Room number 31, Gruft.
And my personal favourite, room number 28; The Padded Cell, where everything is green and padded. What a wonderful place to spend the night! If you didn't belong in an asylum before you go there, you just might fit right in after your visit.

I love this concept, twisted as it might be, and if I ever go to Berlin I'll make sure that I get at least one night in this Island of madness.

Original source (in norwegian) : http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2008/10/17/550581.html

Happy birthday, Paddington!

2008-06-15T14:16:00.000+02:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PADDINGTON!

Or not yet really... Not until October 13th, but I just had to yell it out the moment I found out that the world's favourite bear's turning 50 this year.

Fifty years ago the eyes of the world, or at least of the UK, fell upon the adorable frame of Paddington Bear as Michael Bond's first book starring the lovable litte creature made its way into the bookstores. Over a period of 21 years Bond wrote twelve books about Paddington and his adventures with or without the Brown family of 32 Windsor Gardens. The thirteenth book in the Paddinton series is soon going in the press. In "Paddington today" we will join Paddington as he enters today's world and getting into trouble as usual. A movie with the little bear is also in the making.

Visit http://www.paddingtonbear.co.uk/ for more information about Paddington's birthday and history. Enjoy!

http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2008/06/15/538250.html

The oldest house in Northern Europe

2008-06-14T21:35:00.000+02:00

The Knap o' Howar, the oldest discovered dwelling in Northern Europe. 5500 years old... Older than the Great Pyramid of Giza. When this house was built the chinese hadn't even started thinking about the Great Wall.

The techniques used are outstanding and the walls, beds, grinding stone and shelves are still intact after 5500 years. The roofing has been destroyed, but as it was made by earth and grass it's not really that weird, or difficult to rebuild if that would be the case.

Not only is the Knap o' Howar a remarkable archaeological discovery, but it's also a very beautiful, nature-friendly and practical house. Well, if you ignore the lack of natural light and the fact that the room will probably fill up with smoke rather quickly once you light a fire in the hearth.

I recommend everyone to check out this site: http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/knaphowar.htm if you want to know more about the Knap o' Howar and also the other fascinating sites of the Orkney Islands.

http://www.dagbladet.no/magasinet/2008/06/11/537866.html

The Robert Plant surprise

2008-05-21T02:31:00.000+02:00

Around three in the afternoon on Sunday my friend, Charlotte, called me. She asked if I wanted to go to the Robert Plant concert with her and her brother later that night. They were supposed to go with their dad, but since he was, and still is, stuck in South Africa going to a concert at Oslo Spektrum proved rather difficult. I didn't have much of a relationship with Robert Plant as a solo artist and I knew nothing about Alison Krauss, the singer he's touring with either, but I couldn't pass up the chance to see Robert Plant live. And I was not disappointed!

Alison Krauss is a wonderful singer! Her beautiful voice filled the entire concert hall and gave me serious goosebumps several times. And Mr. Plant was no worse. Even though our seats were pretty high up in the stands the show was still great due to the brilliant use of lighting (no pun intended) and backdrops. All in all it was a good concert experience!

If I have to make a complaint (and I do) it has to be directed at the logistics department backstage at Oslo Spektrum. It shouldn't have to be a half and hour time gap from the warm-up act ends until the main act enters the stage.
And the prices are ever so slightly stiff, 500NKR (or 64Euro/£50/100$) for not so great seats, but by all means, most people earn more than I do and would probably pay this amount and more to go to a concert. I usually draw the line at 300NKR (you do the bloody math) and I must admit that cheaper, more intimate concerts suits my taste better than the huge ones, where you're so far away from the stage that the performers look as though they're tiny sock puppets.

But as I said, it was a good concert and I'm very happy I accepted my friend's invitation.

The perfect house

2008-05-15T23:15:00.000+02:00

I've found the perfect house, just too bad someone's allready living in it... In this house a family of four have found the home of their dreams. It's also the house of Mother Nature's dreams. It's an organic house, eco friendly both in building and in use, created to bring its inhabitants back in touch with nature the way we all should be. The house has no sharp corners, only smooth organic lines.

I don't mean to sound like I'm trying to sell you this house, but I'm just so in love with it... But my words can't do it justice. Just go check out the link: http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm and see its beauty for yourself.

And while your at it, check out my gardenblog as well: http://vintersgarden.wordpress.com/ And tell your friends!

I so need to read more...

2008-04-28T22:11:00.000+02:00

On the 25th of April the Telegraph online published a list of the 50 best cult books and I'm appaled at the fact that I've only read two of them!

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1979) Forget Asimov or PKD. Douglas Adams was so brilliant a visionary that even in the late 1970s he was able to foresee a time when digital watches would look pretty silly. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy – a radio show before it was a novel, and a film, and a game, and a TV show – was incredibly clever and wildly funny. Thanks to the Guide, an entire generation of Britons was nursed to adulthood with the phrases "Don’t Panic" and "Mostly Harmless", and the number 42. SL

and

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran (1923) Pocket-sized set of aphorisms that sound like they were written by a medieval monk but were actually the product of a Lebanese-American alcoholic who died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1931. The Prophet is a beautifully phrased exercise in pointing out the obvious but Sixties hippy kids loved it. SD

But there's still so many books left that I should read. Off course I'm not saying that I'll read every book on the list because Telegraph says their cult classics, but hey, there are alot of them that should be in every book worm's library, even if that library is just a rickety shelf in my living room.
So note to self: Get your ass to the book store! Once I've finished reading the Harry Potter books for the mmphteenth time that is!

Speaking of libraries, by the way, that's one thing I really, really, really, REALLY would like to have in my house. A room dedicated to literature. We're talking floor to ceiling shelves, literature realated art on the walls, a nice and comfy armchair, a small couch and nice table and off course a mini-fridge so I'd never ever would have to leave the room. Except to buy more books, off course! I'm actually willing to give up the thought of having two kids and just make one of the bedrooms into a library... And just think of the extra space there would be in the living room if I was able to move the bookcases out of there. Oh well... I guess it'll never really happen... At least I'll get the smallest shelf out of the living room once I get my ass in gear and make the spare room into a guest bedroom/study...

Links:
The Telegraph's list: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/04/26/nosplit/boanotherlist126.xml&CMP=ILC-mostviewedbox

Thomas Land!

2008-04-22T15:50:00.000+02:00

Oh my God! Drayton Manor Theme Park is opening Thomas Land! I don't care if this is supposed to be for the children. I want to get my picture taken with Thomas and Topham Hat too! And take a ride in Bertie Bus and everything! This is my childhood we're talking about. I grew up watching Thomas and Friendson the telly. Okay, so it was dubbed to Norwegian, but that doesn't matter! I even had a Thomas egg cup. Still has it actually..

The rest of the park looks awsome too! Even has a zoo.. I've never been to the zoo before.. I think I'll try to talk my friend into taking a trip to Drayton Manor Theme Park when we're going to the UK this summer.

http://www.dagbladet.no/dinside/2008/04/21/533245.html

Family... Don't you just love them to death?

2008-04-13T23:12:00.000+02:00

I sure as hell has a stick and I would like to use it to hit certain family members over the head!

What is it with family anyway? What makes them think that just because you have similar DNA they have the right to give you shit about the way you live your life? And for something that is definetly not your fault? *Sigh* Oh well, I'll explain..

It's my grandmother.. Okay, so I'm unemployled.. And on sick pay at the moment because I got an injury during my last job and my contract didn't get renewed since I was out sick. The big problem here though is that this was in November last year and I only just now started having my injury treated by a professional after my dicktor (no, that is not a type-o, he really is a dick) admitted that he couldn't cure me with his multicoloured wonderpills. This treatment is helping, but the problem is that I go to her, my therapist, two times a week and after I've been there I can hardly walk for the rest of the day and most of the day after. Doesn't seem like a good situation to be in, does it? Well, it isn't... And it really doesn't make it better when my own grandmother, my family, one of the people who is supposed to help me in such difficult times, decides that she's gonna throw shit in my face because I don't have a job.

When I was downstairs in her appartment tonight - I live in the appartment above her - she started talking about jobs again, as she does pretty often.
"I saw that the local news paper is hiring now... There has been alot of jobs in the paper recently", she said, looking away from me. She didn't even look me in the eye when she said it.
"I still don't want to talk about jobs, grandma", I told her, like I have done before since I really do want to work, but as the situation is at the moment I just can't. And do you know what she answered me?! Off course not, you weren't there.

She said "No, you don't want to work, do you?" with so much blame in her voice I couldn't believe my ears. It's as though she thinks that I'm actually brought this on myself so that I wouldn't have to work. Such venom hurts... I don't think I would have cared if it had come from someone else be it a friend or maybe even a doctor, but when it's family... I don't know.. What am I supposed to say to her anyway? If I say that I want to work her eyes say "Then why don't you?" and if I say nothing I silently agree and that's even worse. I guess I'll just have to wring my brain and try to figure out a way to tell her how it really is... But it's just so fucking hard (Excuse my language, but it's my bloody blog, isn't it?) to find the right words. She's my gran for pity's sake! But it doesn't seem like there is much pity involved here anyway...

Sloth.. It's such a lovely sin..

2008-04-10T16:12:00.000+02:00

Pain... It should really be outlawed, along with schools giving people sertificates that say; "Hi! I'm a professional pain-giver!" And yes, you're right. My physio session today was a success. If you count limping and having trouble sitting properly a success. But I'll stop moaning about this. I guess it'll get better after a while. So the rest of this blog post will be dedicated to my favourite deadly sin: Sloth.

Sloth... Just taste the word... Slooooooooth. Sloth! Not only is it a very pleasant and relaxing sin, it's also an amazing word! But anyway.. I've been practising sloth today.. How, you say. Easy! Just sit back and follow these five simple steps:

1. Sleep until well past noon..

2. Take a cab where you have to go instead of driving yourself, walking or taking the bus.

3. Take a cab home.

4. Look around your appartment and think about all the things you should be doing.

5. Don't do them. Lie back in your couch and relax. Take a nap even.

And, ta-daa! You've successfully practised sloth! Don't you feel sooo much better now?

It's a first time for everything

2008-04-10T03:33:00.000+02:00

No pain, no gain.. That's what my mum used to say when she was combing my hair when I was a kid, and now my physical therapist is saying the same thing when she's "fixing" me by inflicting more pain. Oh well, hopefully it'll get better after a while. Only my first session today, or yesterday really considering the time. So that's two new things I've done today then: Physio and my first ever blog post! Woohoo! Go me!

What else to write really? It's not like anyone's gonna read this anyway.. Bah! I'm gonna write a bit more anyway..

I started drawing again today which is weird really since I haven't created anything in about a year. But today, out of nowhere, I took up my pencil and sketchpad and started drawing the Goddess... I actually think it's gonna turn out pretty good as well.. Might even gonna post it once it's done.

I'm signing out now, but I'll probably write more tomorrow, or later today maybe, after my second physio appointment.

Light and Love