Myth Sphinx - Kate Moss in Oslo

British artist Marc Quinn has designed and created his naked, yoga-contorted sculpture of Kate Moss, which presently is to be seen in "Folketeaterpassasjen" outside the old Opera in Oslo, and called it Myth Sphinx - Kate Moss-
The model´s beauty and her miraculous body control is far outside my ability, but with my camera I can present it to you here.
A lifesize gold statue of Kate Moss as a "modern-day Aphrodite" with her legs tucked behind her head has also been unveiled at the British Museum. Siren is made entirely of 18 carat gold and was displayed in the museum's Nereid Gallery among statues of Greek goddesses including Aphrodite.It is the largest gold statue made by man since ancient Egyptian times, weighing 50kg, around the same as its subject.

Inspiration from a Winner

Today´s first winner in David´s Post of the Day Janet with Evanescence inspired me to publish two rain or raindrops photos.The first photo taken at my summer residence when the heavy drops was pouring down, and the second from the fountain in the center of Oslo. More controlled this time, but Janet´s post covering this too.
Visit David´s Authorblog for more blogs of high quality.

Rikke 28 years and waiting for a girl

Happy Birthday Rikke Arnedatter.My daughter Rikke is 28 years today, and pregnant in her 33rd week and 2 days.

Looking forward to be grandparents once more in May.

Aker brygge in April

Yesterday I told you about my favorite dish when visiting Brussels. However, Moules Frites is absolutely obtainable at restaurants much closer than Belgium, and my Saturday lunch at Cafe Sorgenfri was delicious. The buffet salad for my wife was also good according to her own judgement.
Yesterday they assembled the outdoor restaurant in full snowstorm. The wet snow was still covering the tables when I arrived today, and no guests (except smokers) was seen outside. End March may be a little too early for an outdoor beer, but Easter is just around the corner and then the season begins.
The waterman in the old Drydock of Aker Yard is on his way out to the Oslofjord, ready for his first party this year. Yes, spring is coming closer. And in the evening the homemade Saturday Pizza is according to requirements. Just another reminder of holidays in Italy.
Have a nice Sunday Photo Safari

Indoor decorations - East and West

Due to the bad weather and heavy snowfall yesterday no post was ready for all of you visiting my blog early in the morning. We celebrated my sister´s birthday before she started her 16 days journey to Peru and Machu Picchu, and after a great dinner and good wine at Cafe Christiania, my posting had to be published late this Saturday morning. Hopefully Brit will send us some photos from South America for later postings.

Yesterday I published the decorations found outside on walls. The +20 cm wet snow yesterday made me go indoor, but there is always great motives for a camera at these walls too.
This one is from the Shanghai Municipal History Museum downstairs at Oriental Pearl Tower. The painting is remarkable, making different view dependent of which angle you choose when looking at it.But you do not need to go to the far east to find intriguing wall decorations. In a very good restaurant- La Roue d’Or in Brussels, Belgium, a great imitation or variation of Magritte´s Bowler paintings covers one of the walls. No better place for Moules Frites
In Berlin, Germany at Hackescher Markt (a cultural centre and famous for its nightlife) close to the Museumsinsel and Berliner Dom you may find a cafe with this painting at the wall.
But do not forget to look further up. The ceilings can also hide beautiful artworks like this in the music pavilion in Montecatini Terme, Italy. If you climb up to Montecatini Alto be not surprised to be served on plates like this.Have a nice weekend and bring your camera wherever you go on the weekend photo safari.

Decoration of walls in southern Europe

A lot of bloggers have been looking up to find motives in the sky for publishing posts this Friday. Between the clouds in variations of colors and the empty blue or black sky behind, many beautiful objects are worth more focus, and at least I am very interested in what I can find at walls. My first photo covers a section of the oval walls in the music pavilion inside the Grand Bath at Montecatini Terme, a spa town in Tuscany, Italy. The first baths were built here in 1540, but was destroyed fifteen years later. Recovering started from the 18th century, when the first bath resorts were built. In the 20th century it became one of the most renowned health resorts in Italy,and one who took rest in Montecatini was Giuseppe Verdi,
Not far from Montecatini Terme to the west, we find the small town Lucca. Lucca was founded by the Etruscans (there are traces of a pre-existing Ligurian settlement) and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. Lucca is the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini (La bohème and Madama Butterfly), and the composer´s statue is located below this church wall.

Going further west, over the Mediterranean Sea and to the center of the Iberian peninsula, you reach the capital of Spain. This houses, at the entrance to the La Latina (a neighbourhood in the very city centre of Madrid.) are covered with interesting paintings. La Latina occupies the place of the oldest area in Madrid, the Islamic citadel inside the city walls, with narrow streets and large squares. From Madrid, to the south-west and Andalusia, you come to the city Seville where wall paintings can give you great experiences. Seville is more than 2,000 years old and have a mix of cultural expressions. The tiles on this photo are at the wall of the entrance of the restaurant Meson de la Infanta In Portugal and Lisbon, the tiles are usualy more blue and white, often showing heroic scenes. This one is made to pay tribute to Saint Valentine, a martyr in the Roman province of Africa.

Thursday Doors

Under the Doors logo I present today some entrances to historical important areas and buildings.

A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or an opening in a fence. Other terms for gate include yett and port.

A door is a moveable barrier used to cover an opening.
(Definitions and sonme text according to Wikipedia)

Some of these barriers are not covered anymore due to time running and the need for hindering somebody to pass has been removed due to other reasons.
My first entrance is from the ancient city Matera, a town and a province in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Matera. The city was allegedly founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, with the name of Metheola. Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago. The entrance above is to the very old chapel at the top of the ancient city located close to a small canyon, which has been eroded in the course of years by a small stream, the Gravina.
My next entrance is to the first Irish Public House or ‘pub” ever recorded in 1198, located in Dublin, Ireland: The Brazen Head.
The United Irishmen planned the 1798 Rebellion, James Joyce penned Ulysses and Van Morrison wrote Brown Eyed Girl all within the historical walls of The Brazen Head.
Another writer has a special relation to the entrance of Cafe Franz Kafka in Prague.
Franz Kafka was one of the major fiction writers of the 20th century. He was born to a middle-class German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, Austria-Hungary, presently the Czech Republic.
The final contribution under the Doors logo this Thursday, is the famous Brandenburger Tor in Berlin, Germany. The former city gate and one of the main symbols of the capital of Germany. The Gate is located west of the city center at the intersection of Unter den Linden and Ebertstrasse, immediately west of the Pariser Platz
Brandenburg Gate consists of twelve Doric columns, six to each side, forming five passageways. Citizens originally were allowed to use only the outermost two. Atop the gate is the Quadriga, a chariot drawn by four horses driven by Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory.

From Algarve to Vesterålen

Yesterday I published some of my flower photos from southern Portugal. One couple (Inger and Rolf) friends and colleagues from many years during my career in DNV, was in Portugal together with us. Last month they made a voyage with Hurtigruten (The Norwegian Coastal Express) on a return trip Bergen / Kirkenes.
After our meeting yesterday they sent me some photos from their voyage through Vesterålen and Sortland. I found these photos so beautiful that I wanted to share them with you. The Costal Express travels in good and bad weather every months of the year, but in the last week of February this year the winter storms was not present. Only clear sky and silent water.
For many years the Coastal Express has been the most important communication link between the north and south. Translating as ‘fast route’, it was the quickest and most reliable passage into the remote lands of northern Norway, regardless of weather conditions. Indeed it was not until 1983 that the mail delivery was finally entrusted to road and air routes. It is this heritage and experience that marks out Hurtigruten as one of the most professional and proficient expedition voyage operations on the planet.
There is no better way to experience the Northern Lights than by sailing through the sheltered coastal waters on board a ship from the Hurtigruten fleet. With the Aurora Borealis set against a dark sky, free from artificial light, you will have several once in the lifetime experience.
Vesterålen with the beautiful Sortland Bridge ends this photo voyage. Maybe we will copy Inger and Rolf and take the tour or part of it within short. If you too want to visit the Norwegian coast with "Hurtigruten", you may find offers here

Flowers in Portugal

This morning we have participated in a meeting with other pensioners from DNV. First we heard one of Norway´s most well-known reporters Bjørn Hansen (URIX NRK) talking about "Obama - where goes USA", and then we had a nice lunch with people we joined on a tour to Portugal last year.
This tour have been covered before, but since spring and its flowers are a repeatedly published theme in other blog this time of the year, I will here show some of the flowers we saw at the southern cost of Portugal and on our journey to Lisbon.First I show the beautiful blue Jacaranda from Faro. This flower can be seen all over the world and in many parts of the world, such as Mexico and Zimbabwe, the blooming of this TREE is welcomed as a sign of spring.At Ponte da Piedad close to Lagos at the Algarve coast, the original Aloe Vera is blooming.and the white and pink succulent flowers above the caves is there for you to see and enjoy. Behind the horizon you find America. Going north by bus or car you need to have some body regulated stops, and at a petrol station on our way to Evora, these pink carpets was unable to let go without photo shooting.In the south the oranges can be harvested at least twice a year,and the Nesperas, also known as Loquat or Japanese Plums, are a very common fruit in Portugal at this time of year.

Thanks to Belkin_G_Plus_MIMO_8C...

I have my communication with the world secured. I use router and Airport Extreme, Passwords and WPA2 to build walls between my computers, the internet suppliers and the chaos out there.
However, this security system is dependent of electric power. Although my MacBooks are working on Battery, the routers are still connected through our internal house distribution of electrical power. This morning the el-power is cut because reconstruction of the fuse-box in the apartment upstairs. Between 9 and 13 my network is expected dead and my computerized life in trouble.

What do I do. How can I read my mails and look at the newspapers, visit all the blogs in my daily round and produce and publish my own blog post this morning.
Yes! I am searching for an OPEN (not secured) network and connect to the one giving highest speed access (3300K down and 480K up = not bad). Therefore "Belkin-G-Plus etc." is worth a post for not being so concerned as myself about security.It is only a short period that I am "stealing" communication power from someone out there, and I see all the problems that can happen. Therefore I give you the link to Cert Coordination Center and their advice to Home Network Security.

The document gives home users an overview of the security risks and countermeasures associated with Internet connectivity, especially in the context of “always-on” or broadband access services (such as cable modems and DSL). However, much of the content is also relevant to traditional dial-up users (users who connect to the Internet using a modem).

The document is absolutely worth some minutes of reading.

The Sunday Roast

As the 60th in a weekly series of interviews with bloggers from around the world, David McMahon a Melbourne-based journalist and internationally-published photographer present an interview with me.
I am honored being on the list of interesting bloggers, and use the opportunity to recommend a daily visit to David´s Blog: Authorblog
Have a nice weekend

Sculptures on Saturday or any day

Strolling the streets of Oslo or any city in the world, my eyes always search for sculptural objects. Yesterday the spring-cut Poplar trees in Skovveien (which is one of the Capital´s fashion streets), with the silhouette against the blue sky, was a natural sculpture,
and the street (Forrest street) is full of themOther more "normal" sculptures you may find in Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai where the Lion King really rules.
In Singapore the Abacus seems to be used (and it does some places) although top modern card payment systems are in preferred operation everywhere.
Being in Asia or more specific in Oceania and Australia, the sculpture in the center of Manly outside Sydney had to be documented, and I don´t think my wife is of any deterioration to the sculpture even if it is almost a fifteen years old photo.In Copenhagen. Denmark this sculpture outside Peder Oxe became an interesting toy for children, and maybe it is good they finish their playing with cigarettes at that age.
In Portugal and the city of Evora this sculpture draw my attention, and I do (not?) think it represent an ancient bath-tub.
Back to Oslo and the melting dirty snow. With fantasy I have no problem defining these forms as animals (Sea-Lions?), but there is why nature is perfect. The human mind are able to see what it want.
And the same can be said about culture called Embracement by the artist Per Ung. Use your imagination and fantasy. Bring your camera and open your mind to the forms around you. There are many of them out there.

Oslo Skyline is changing

Click in the photos to see them larger and in best quality.

On a Thursday evening lots of bloggers world wide is posting their skies with different way of looking at clouds. That is ok. I do something different. I bring my camera on a safari as part of my daily exercise strolling around my hometown areas.
In Oslo new areas of institutions, apartments, shops, restaurants and recreation areas are developing in close communication with sky and water. We call it The Fjordcity.

We have for a long time had our Aker Brygge, but now Tjuvholmen is rapidly developing.This construction is closest to the water, and will give a fantastic view out the Oslo Fjord if not the next development at Filipstad kills it all.Some of the houses are finished and inhabitants have moved in. The architecture is intriguing.From this square you can see all the way up to the so called Bryggetorget which is the main square at Aker Brygge.This photo is another example of the spectacular designs and architectural challenges you can find in the area.
I will later (after another trip to the Opera and Bjørvika) return with the plans for future development of this area.

ABC Wednesday, Isle of Man and ancient Imperialism

This Wednesday, March 18 2008, the meme ABC Wednesday, developed by Mrs. Nesbitt, reached the number of 84 continuous weeks, operating in the second year and called round 4. More than hundred blogs from all over the world linked up to Mr. Linky this Wednesday for sharing their posts with the interpretation of the letter I.
Denise had chosen I is for Intelligence this week referring to her mother, but her own intelligence by starting this meme success, is also worth an honor. That´s why I join the meme once more.
At the same day I discovered that the "newest" visitor to my blog came from Isle of Man which was registered with its flag on Flagconter.com on Monday. Later, visitors from Uganda and Honduras have been here, now counting up to 119 different countries that have visited my blog last 8 months.

Being aware of the visitor from Isle of Man I could not avoid feeling very intrigued by this island in the Irish Sea. Viking settlement of the Isle of Man began at the end of the 8th century. The Vikings established Tynwald (Tynwald, the island's parliament, was nominally founded in AD 979. It is arguably the oldest continuous parliament in the world).
During Viking times, the Norse kingdom that existed in the British Isles between 1079 and 1266 had two parts called the Súðreyjar or Sudreys ("southern isles") in contrast to the Norðreyjar ("northern isles") of Orkney, Shetland and the Hebrides. Later this kingdom became Anglicised as Sodor.The Nordic Imperialism developed through the Viking expansion to the west, east and south for may centuries.The Vikings sailed most of the North Atlantic, reaching south to North Africa and east to Russia, Constantinople and the middle east, as looters, traders, colonists, and mercenaries. Vikings under Leif Eriksson, heir to Erik the Red, reached North America, and set up a short-lived settlement in present-day L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, long before Columbus "discovered" America.

Since I am born at Møre and Ålesund, I have to add my birth town to this post. Ålesund is a municipality and port, western Norway, north of the mouth of Stor Fjord. The municipality is set on several islands —including Nørvøya, Aspøya, Hessa, and Oksnøya —which are connected by bridges. According to legend, the settlement dates from the 9th century when Rollo (Rolf) the Ganger established a chieftain seat nearby.
Norwegian and Icelandic historians identified this Rollo(n) with a son of Rognvald Eysteinsson, Earl of Møre, based on medieval Norwegian and Icelandic sagas that mention a Ganger Hrolf (Hrolf, the Walker). The oldest source of this version is the Latin Historia Norvegiae, written in Norway at the end of the 12th century. This Hrolf fell foul of the Norwegian king Harald Fairhair, and became a Jarl in Normandy. The nickname of that character came from being so big that no horse could carry him.In 885, Rollo(n) was one of the lesser leaders of the Viking fleet which besieged Paris under Sigfred. Legend has it that an emissary was sent by the king to find the chieftain and negotiate terms. When he asked for this information, the Vikings replied that they were all chieftains in their own right. In 886, when Sigfred retreated in return for tribute, Rollo stayed behind and was eventually bought off and sent to harry Burgundy.

Later, he returned to the Seine with his followers (known as Danes or Norsemen). He invaded the area of northern France now known as Normandy. Rollo is a direct ancestor of William the Conqueror. Through William, he is a direct ancestor and predecessor of the present-day British royal family.

For more information of this interesting period go to the links mentioned in this post and follow other links from there.

City strolling - taste of springtime

On Sunday I posted some photos of the higher areas of Oslo. The beautiful forest at Kobberhaugen, Nordmarka is full of snow, and it is only the very soft ski-wax that tells us that spring is coming closer.
At the harbor 500 m lower the situation is different.The roofs of the Opera building is still closed for visitors because a thin surface of ice and snow makes it dangerous to climb.
The new "Center" Bjørvika, is developing althoug final plans are still under discussions.
Outside Hotel Opera the sculpture of the owner Olaf Thon, listed by Forbes List of Billionaires as the 368th richest person in the world in 2008, is smiling like himself.
Oscarsgate is ready for the window washing and this year´s new branches and green leaves on the poppler trees. The temperature reached almost +10 c in the afternoon.
Within a fortnight we can write April and Spring is absolutely around the corner.

Distinctions and Medals

When emptying a closet with old "leftovers" during the weekend, I came over some old units symbolizing distinctions and medals that made me think of activities far back in my life. I played in a school band, my father was singing in a choir, as many other children I was active in sport including rowing and joined the army receiving skill-symbols as most other soldiers.
No achievements mentioned in newspapers, but resulting in marks that show participating and/or victories in competition with others.
Put together these units look like this:This assembly is not comparable with the volume in one of the exceptional decorations at my favorite Cafe Christiania where pins, medals and different buttons are presented.
These symbols are far away from the University award achieved by my daughter when graduated as Master of Arts, First-Class Honours with Distinction, but that is another story. Giving birth to and grooming her two children are giving no medals, but lot of great moments for parents and grandparents. Henrik and Helene playing in the garden in Wales carrying the Norwegian sweater caller "Marius".

Hans Rosling: No more boring data: TEDTalks

With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling uses an amazing new presentation tool, Gapminder, to debunk several myths about world development. Rosling is professor of international health at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, and founder of Gapminder, a nonprofit that brings vital global data to life.This is a MUST SEE VIDEO
or go direct to this YouTube site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVimVzgtD6w

Don´t miss the opportunity to see and learn. Not only what is generally happening in the world with Africa and "the third world" in particular, but also how a lecture can be delivered. Facing an audience will never be the same after this.

Holmenkollen or Spain

This year`s Holmenkoll competition and the final in the Nordic Tournament is taken place at Vikersund due to reconstruction of the old hill. The Upgrading is developing according to plans, and the photo shows the new knoll shell this Sunday.The photo is taken this morning after dropping Tullen off ready for her tour between Skistua and Sognsvann. The route will be decided upon snow conditions and fitness, but Kikutstua is not far away.

She turned at Kobberhaugen according to mms received during writing this postIn the neighborhood of the Holmenkoll ski jump area you find Holmenkollen Park Hotel dated back to 1894 and the "National romantics" period.
The view from the hotel shows the western side of the Oslo Fjord towards south.
This view is a bit different from the view John and Felicity sent us when when having outdoor lunch on Friday with temps up to 18c, 3 courses and wine for €10.00 in Spain.
After 18 km and 2,5 hours later Tullen was due for pick up at Sognsvann.
Have a nice Sunday.

Saturday Safari with Camera

This week Saturday Urban Life has taken me through three Art Galleries, glasses of white sparkling wine at two vernissages and many interesting paintings to a variety of quality and prices. But most of all passing some interesting landmarks in Oslo.

You may think these places are typical tourist photo objects, but why not share them with you who have, or have not been in the capital of Norway.
First photo is from the Queens Park, a closed area of the Royal garden. The park is only open during summertime giving access to the small pavilion and the fountain-lake presently empty and full of snow and ice.
Another pavilion is located at the corner of Karl Johan and the University street. I played in this music pavilion in 1960 when joining the music festival of Norwegian school bands. We were almost 20.000 school kids from all over the country, and for me this was my first Oslo visit. Eight years later I settled down and am still living here.
At the upper end of the University street Gallery Kaare Berntsen opened the Winter exhibition today, and many very good paintings can be seen. Especially pieces made by Sigurd Winge, Haakon Bleken and Thore Heramb can be recommended.
On the way to the next Gallery we had to pass by the National Theatre with Bjørnson and Ibsen statued in front of the main entrance.
Even further down to Gallery Kunstnerforbundet with among others Hilde Svanheim´s paintings, we walked close to the City Hall, one of Oslo´s most spectacular buildings.

The third Gallery visited this Saturday was Blomqvist where they prepared for the Winter Modern Auction. Many spectacular paintings so why not look twice on the catalog and register your bid.

Have a nice weekend.

B is for Benjamin Reich but Aksel is Best

First of all I want to congratulate Aksel Lund Svindal with his overall victory in the Alpine Skiing World Cup this season. (He was the winner in 2007 too).
However my deepest sympathies goes to Benni Reich who had the greatest chance in his life to take home the large globe today, but failed.
B is for Benni this Saturday.However before this sport news came through the TV screen, I had prepared for a single photo taken from the window at the TX Unit at Rikshospitalet. My annual heart assessment took place on Friday the thirteen. Everything according to normals after 11 years with organs given from an unknown person and family.
My "new" heart and kidney has proven to the Best for me. Thanks once more.

Doors and Entrances

Wednesday we had + 7 C, blue sky, women in trench coats and high heals strolling Bogstadveien here in Oslo. Today king winter returned and added more than 10 cm new snow in the streets. In today "the Doors" contribution we take you to Tuscany and Italy.

There is fortunately no restrictions within this meme that photos only should be of closed Doors. My first door this Friday is thus an open door at Hotel Duomo, Florence Italy.
We could really say that we during our stay had a "room with a view" from our balcony facing the majestic Santa Maria del Fiore, Il Doumo.

Close to the Cathedral you find the Baptistery, which is one of the oldest constructions of Florence and goes back to the IV century. The gilded bronze door facing east and Il Duomo are by made by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Michelangelo referred to the baptistery doors as fit to be the "Gates of Paradise", and they are still invariably referred to by this name. Giorgio Vasari described them a century later as "undeniably perfect in every way and must rank as the finest masterpiece ever created". Ghiberti himself said they were "the most singular work that I have ever made".
When in Italy looking for doors, I will recommend a visit to Verona (Via delle arche Scaligere, 2-4) and the entrance to the House of Romeo (and Juliet)
The motorway E 45 (European designation; in Italy A 22, in Austria also called A 13) leading from Innsbruck via Bolzano to Verona and Modena goes through one of the most important north-south connections in Europe.
This entrance is called the Brenner Pass.
The mountain pass through the Alps along the border between Italy and Austria, is the lowest (1370 m). Previously problematic border controls made long queues in the narrow roads, but now the motorway and EU regulations like the Schengen Agreement have made traffic unproblematic although heavy in certain periods.
Have a nice stay in Italy.

And Christmas lasts until Easter ....

At December 28th 2008 Petunia had a post with the same title. I have tried to find out by googling if this phrase has anything to do with reality. According to a debate in Wales last year, about sending mixed signals to children when putting Easter eggs in the shops early January, they stated: "Christmas officially ends on Candlemas – a day of feasting held on February 2 to commemorate Christ being presented to the temple in Jerusalem."
The photo above shows that we are not so concerned with that time factor here in Norway. The christmas decoration-lights are still up in the trees (and perhaps Petunia´s "JuleNisse" also remains at the top of the flagpole).

As an a-religious person I am not so concerned as many others about what is right or wrong about candies and christian periodical activities. Our society has lately been very concerned about different dress codes for muslims, jews, christians etc. The next drawing made me laugh, but someone may also interpreted it as blasphemy. If so, sorry, but I thought Adam and Eve was only part of the Old Testament, and not historical persons like the rebel Jesus as described in Erich Fromms book The Dogma of Christ. You can read the book by clicking on the link.On the other hand, Skjennungstua, is a beautiful place to visit when skiing in the Oslo-forrest (Nordmarka), and for me this snow and yesterday weather may well stay until Easter as long as we get rid of the dirty snow hills in the streets down town long before that. Easter Sunday is only a month away, with or without ongoing christmas .PS:
The wanted painting "Let the children come to me" which I wrote about on Monday, has been found after information from an arrested 50 years old man from Larvik, Norway. The return of the painting may create a second christmas eve for the church, and hopefully will they improve the security before Easter.

Why women stay single?

With reference to the cancelled beer happening on Monday night:

Maybe that´s why women stay single and some men never find their dreaming partner.

Cheers!

Instead of meeting RuneE - shooting Tulips

Last night I had an appointment with RuneE. He was performing his annual heart assessment over two days at RH. Instead of him being bored at the Hospital Hotel, we should meet at Den Gamle Major (the old Major Pub) and possibly continue to Valka (Valkyrien Restaurant) for a pint or two.
However, due to efficiency at the hospital and no emergency treatment coming in, they could offer him an angiography today instead of tomorrow morning.
Consequence 1: No socializing through beer-drinking this time, but we have still more years in front of us due to donors saying YES, and there is always a possibility for a drink.
Consequence 2: My Tuesday blog could not be about two middle-aged gentlemen on a Pub-tour at Majorstuen, but only my tulips at home.
Sometimes medical personnel take over the control of your life, but it is only for a short time. Welcome back to Oslo another time Rune.

Wanted - Let the Children come to me

This painting, «Let the Children come to me" made by the German painter Lucas Cranach the elder, was stolen from Larvik Church Saturday night. The precise date of the stolen painting, which shows Christ in a blue robe holding two infants in his lap and surrounded by several women with small children and a few men, was not known. The market value is estimated to ab. 15 - 20 mill nok.
Cranach the Elder ranks among the most significant German Renaissance painters, along with masters such as Albrecht Durer. Friendship united the painter with the Protestant Reformers at a very early period; yet it is difficult to fix the time of his first acquaintance with Luther. The oldest reference to Cranach in the Reformer's correspondence dates from 1520.

I have never heard about Cranach before the news of the stolen painting, and I am not very interested in religious motives. I have though through Wikipedia found that he also made other motives and this one may be in contrast to the one stolen (or maybe the same in a different context)Werwolf from 1512.

Aalesund or Ålesund

Many of my blogfriends are joining the new meme ABC in photos and words or what it is called. There seems to be at least two versions of the logo, and it is meant to be a weekend activity. Still eight hours to Monday so I join by adding my blog to the Mr Linky list.

Age and beauty

The waiters at Cafe Christiania, Kasper and Madeleine, are paying tribute to Tullen by singing "Happy Birthday"

No additional comments needed

Between 1949 and 2009 a lot has happened.
Happy birthday.

Upcoming birthday and irresistible proposal

Of course am I carrying an iPhone.
Of course is it impossible to be an active Mac and MobileMe user without having your emails, text dialogues (sms), contacts, calendars, camera / photos and music synchronized and available 24/7.
Of course I will have access to Google Earth, GPS, weather forecasts, calculators, alarms, WiFinder, Facebook, Twitterrific, games, translators, recipes for food and drinks, etc in addition to have a high quality mobile telephone in my pocket.

The question is if and how much I am willing to pay for another iPhone in the family as a gift to my wife on her upcoming birthday.

The Austrian designer-jeweller who many credit as being the ultimate pioneer when it comes to blurring the lines between gadget, art and jewellery,Peter Aloisson has come up with an almost irresistible proposal, a special luxury Apple iPhone 3G.

Made of solid 18 carat yellow gold, white gold and rose gold. A fabulous combination. The white gold line is encrusted with a total of 138 brilliant cut diamonds of the best quality. But the main feature of this one-of-a-kind phone is it’s “home button”. It carries a rare 6.6 carat diamond. Integrated in the design as if this diamond has been made for “taking you home” .
Number of diamonds: approx. 139
Frame / Diamond weight: approx. 5.50
Diamond quality: small diamonds - best quality with color F
“Home button” / Diamond weight: single diamond with 6.6 carats, rare beauty with history. Specifications on request
Price: EUR 1.790.000,00

Prices are net prices, exclusive of VAT (20%) or any other applicable customs or duty. Cost for transportation and insurance is included.
Because she is worth it?

Beauty OR the Beast

I have never been a beauty nor can anybody call me handsome. During the last three weeks people have not been looking at me when passing in the streets or at restaurants, because my classic look or celebrity style. The black spot covering the left eye has indeed made some staring and questions, but I do not think that will stop after my yesterday visit at the hospital.
Before I left home yesterday morning I looked like the photo above with the eyelid still fastened after removing a tumor and the transplant operation.
This morning after the second operation and removing the bandages my eye had turned into a colorful variety of black and blue shades, creating many possible thoughts and question about matrimonial violence.
Hopefully the normal skin color will appear when the Blue Anemone show its colors within short

Celebration with snowdrops

Eleven years ago. Tuesday at 12.15 pm my phone was ringing. "Now we think we have an organ for you", the doctor said. "Think?", I answered. "No, we are quite sure - and we have both a heart and a kidney donated".
I felt my body hairs at the neck rose. Some drops of sweat left my skin and my voice was shivering, "When do I have to arrive at the hospital?" "Well, We don´t believe you are able to do anything sensible at home now, so come to us within two hours. Take your medicine required at once. You are due around six pm."

Eleven years later. Tuesday at 14.00 pm another doctor was cutting up the closed left eyelid and confirmed that another transplantation (caused by medical side effect) was successful.

At the same time I received the photo of this year first spring flowers from Asbjørn.

To night we celebrate with a good bottle of red wine for dinner, and send thousands of thanks to the donor saving my life. I have taken good care of your gift for life.
Be an organ donor you too by involving your family in your desire to give life to another if there is no hope any more for yourself. Take your standpoint today and tell your family about your decision.

14th Bridges posts and links back to them all

Today I will cover all my posts under the meme: "Broer som Binder". During the months since we started this fellowship, we have all had a great possibility to visit global blogs and seen bridges from all over the world. RuneE has been wondering if the enthusiasm has left the participants and that it is time to end the journey. It is perhaps time now.

My bridges (if any newcomers come on a visit) have been 14 at all, and can be seen her by clicking on the links below.
December 30th 2007 The bridge, a symbol and architecture.
February 1st 2008 Sky Watch Friday and “Broer som binder”
March 3rd Broer som binder
April 7th 2008 Broer som binder & Monday odd shots
May 5th 2008 Odd shot and Bridging Gaps
June 2nd 2008 Odd shot Monday - 6 months till Christmas
July 6th 2008 Bridges on a Odd Shot Monday
August 4th 2008 Building bridges
September 1st 2008 Olle Bolle Bridge.
October 6th 2008 Bridges in Berlin.
November 3rd Bridges between me and Art.
December 1st 2008 Monday odd shots and Bridges
January 5th 2009 Bridges continues in 2009
February 2nd 2009 Bridges in February
The photo at the beginning of this post shows the same bridge as the last one. I present the photo to visualize the volume of snow in the Royal Garden and say:

Thank you for the meme - for giving it to me.