Arne´s Blog

An ordinary Tuesday dinner

2012-02-14T19:11:00.000+01:00

Making every day dinner is a regular process for us. We love to go out having dinner at one of our favorite establishments, but normally we have dinner at home. According to the book "Gubbe-Alarm" you know that you are in danger when you think you eat a lot better at home than in restaurants.

In spite of that "Grumpy man alarm" my ordinary Tuesday dinner was put together of
A fresh salad (lettuce, onion, bell pepper, pineapple)

A main course of roasted pork tenderloin with only salt end pepper

The potato pellets are called apple hazelnuts or "pommes noisette" and fried in the oven. In addition a three pepper sauce made the dish as spicy as required.

Desert with chocolate pudding and custard makes the ending of an ordinary Tuesday dinner.

Cymraeg Skiing

2012-02-12T15:34:00.001+01:00

A normal Sunday Cross Country Skiing tour for Norwegians today, but new experience for our Welsh family. Helene has learned the Fishbone technique and enjoy her Norwegian winter activity.

Henrik in his first really ski experience is perhaps more interested in the ski poles, but during the day he was really good and liked the challenges. The "new" sport fashion presented by their mother is about 100 years old, but when Trine used skis the last time, she was 15 years old.

Mormor is leading the race as supporting manager.

Day 15 - Catheter removal and Solvang 4

2012-02-09T13:57:00.000+01:00

This morning I got rid of the urine Catheter that has been my 24/7 companion in the two weeks since my Radical prostatectomy. Now the challenge to be housebroken again starts.
Will manage.

After the visit at Radiumhospitalet I felt for visiting our cottage at Solvang 4. The white snow and blue sky was an encouragement for the weeks and months ahead. The image is from Plassveien.
Hopefully the snow has disappeared from this area when we once more move in that direction at Easter.

Aker Brygge, Lunch and Walkabout

2012-02-09T08:05:00.000+01:00

Café Sorgenfri at Aker Brygge is a place where also children are welcome and can enjoy a lunch together with adults. The Bjørkmann Berry family gathered around the large table having large Danish Breakfast Platter and Children menu including ice-cream for dessert.

The hosting (read paying) couple had a nice time with daughter / son in law and grandchildren. An event to be copied.

After lunch Hedda decided to go Walkabout between the shops and restaurants at Aker Brygge.

Playing with Path

2012-02-06T22:59:00.000+01:00

I have to find out more tomorrow, but the Path update gave new possibilities in photo editing.
Do not know Path? Path is the smart journal that helps you share life with the ones you love — your thoughts, the music you’re listening to, where you are, who you’re with, when you wake and when you sleep, and beautiful high quality photos and videos. And for those of you who like to share on public networks like Twitter, Foursquare, Tumblr, and Facebook, you can easily check-in, upload photos and videos, blog, and tweet directly from Path.

Oslo Wine Festival - Wine Testing

2012-02-04T20:44:00.000+01:00

Benjamin Trainer from Gaia Wine and Spirit is a professional marketing fellow regarding his wines, their origins and services. Thanks for the hours at D/S Louise and the great and various tastes you and your people gave us.

Lots of people gathered around the tables for this annual event. Some more serious than other and the upcoming sommelier at Trattoria Popolare made his notes for his education and recommendations for coming guests and others feeling the pleasure of great wines.

D/S Louise served some delicious food in addition to the wine, and with a glass of Faustino Primera Gran Reserva I look forward to the weeks in southern Spain coming soon.

The host at D/S Louise, Atle Minoti, made a short visit behind the tables, and from us to you: Thanks a lot for the Oslo Wine Festival venue. You performed it well this year too.

Day 10 - Cold morning but Wine Festival

2012-02-04T09:57:00.000+01:00

This morning we registered 29 degrees C isolation of our kitchen walls. The temp outside was minus 14.6 C and inside before we ignited our fireplace the temp was + 14.3 C. We know that the apartment is from 1887 so there is not much more to expect. Rather chilly morning, but increasing.

The look of my son-in-law David with a woolen hat can symbolize the winter we have in Oslo now. It is the first time ever that he has to put on protection of his head and ears. He is adapting to our customs.

Later today we will join some of the activities at Aker Brygge and the Oslo Wine Festival. Report from these events may come in a later blogpost. Hopefully the tasting of excellent brands at D/S Louise at 2pm and learning how to mix Aquavit as Cafe Sorgenfri before 5pm, will warm us up.

Day 7. A week has gone

2012-02-01T09:43:00.000+01:00

It is Wednesday. I have emptied my night bag, had a shower, had breakfast and read incoming mails and comments on FaceBook, Twitter and Path.
It is a week ago when I on this hour I was deeply sleeping and undergoing the Cancer surgery.
Life is great.

It is also February 1st, and my El-meter has been controlled and reported to the El-net supplier.
My EL-consumption for January this year was 3215 KWH, compared to 3602 in Jan 2011 and 3407 in Jan 2010. Outside my window the temp is minus 8 C, and the forecast for the coming days are down to minus 12 C.

This is average temps, but in som part of the days (Saturday morning) the temp can go down to minus 19 C.

The incoming photo from Rikke, Tor Marius, Maja and Mari shows that the gap between here and the south-western Spanish islands are almost 45 degrees. I am in no doubt that Mari feels much more comfortable in her "mafioso" sunglasses ( see photo to the right ) covered with high UVE factor protections than the Cymraeg children freezing in the Norwegian winter.

Andalusia, I am preparing for my visit within short..

Day 5. Weekend Recovery

2012-01-30T11:09:00.000+01:00

It is Monday morning. 5 days after removal of the prostate cancer , and after a relaxing weekend at home. Although the services at the hospital are great and the personnel highly qualified, it is better to sleep in my own bed and make priorities according to my own decisions.
Helene and Tullen had their first common skiing exercises in Frognerparken yesterday, and to be a first Norwegian cross country runner from Swansea, Wales, Helene learned and managed the technique wery fast and LIKED the typical Norwegian winter activity.

Another weekend activity is Waffle Baking. Here too Helene showed a professional attitude and with hot chocolate we had a nice after ski time. Waffle with Norwegian Brown cheese is our favorite.

Before and during hospitalization and recovery I have received a lot of greetings. This bucket of Tulips from Gunnar and Ragnhild, our Munich Christmas Markets friends, have all the spring colors making the dream of a higher temperature outside my windows come closer.

To all of you following my fight against the cancer process, and sending thoughts and comments on Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Email, direct contact or by telephone, my warmest thanks for your concern.

Day 3. Home and self-caring

2012-01-28T10:47:00.000+01:00

Well home ready to communicate with the world through my MacBok Air and iPhone. Thanks to all greetings and good lucks from family, friends and acquaintances.
The recovery is evolving and self-caring about pains, wounds, managing the renal and urinary system are working according to information from the hospital.

If you are interested in how my surgery was performed, and the professional control of the laparoscopic procedures were done by my doctors, go to laparoscopy.no and watch the videos. Maybe you should not.

This model shows the gates in the body from where the tools are operated, and the next image shows the tools inside the body performing activities during the prostate removal process.

World's first prostate cancer robotic laparoscopic surgery

2012-01-27T10:03:00.004+01:00

14 years ago I became the first pasient in Norway to go through a simultaneous heart and kidney transplantation. Later three more persons have gone through the same operation due to gifts from donors.
Wednesday the doctors at Radiumhospitalet (OUH) performed a radical prostatectomy on me as the first ever in the world with my diagnosis and condition. Congratulation.
The surgery was done by Dr Brennhovd (righ) and Dr Axcrona (back) using the socalled da Vinci method. On the photo you also find Dr Molven (performing biopsy and finding the tumor last fall) and Cancer nurse Rozita taking good care of me after operation.

I feel fine, the doctors are satisfied and proud of their job and I will go home from hospital today.
Thanks to you all.

January Sunday

2012-01-22T13:45:00.001+01:00

This Sunday we are staying inside our apartment. The temperature in our living room this morning required activity in the fireplace and later some Dumle candy to keep up the spirit. Tullen has for more than a week felt pain in her back and after babysitting for many days , her chest sounds like a real flu is evolving. If not better tomorrow she has to see the doctor.

Winter at last

2012-01-21T13:27:00.001+01:00

This morning we once more were surprised of heavy snow fall. That should not be a stange situation when the calendar shows middle of January, but every time the white flakes fall down, the emergency clearing services from the community are not ready. The first snow ploughs I saw this morning on my way to the hospital, moved up the main road three in a row at noon.
However, the beauty of almost untouched streets are lovely.

Update Saturday afternoon:
Continuous snowing and more problems for Citizens of Oslo

Happy birthday, Hedda

2012-01-20T09:14:00.000+01:00

Today Hedda is 2 years young.
Although last week has been challenging for her and her siblings due to severe chest infection for all of them, they are all improving after testing the Norwegian Health System. Establishing permanent local doctor (fastlege) and received important help there, visiting emergency rooms and admitted to hospital have been part of their mothers activities. Hopefully the recommended treatment will have effect.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

"Minstemor" Mari celebrates her 6 months day on this same day. Mari´s photo can be seen on a previous blogpost further down. She had some red dots on her body yesterday, but hopefully these dots are not indication of another medical challenge. She is going for a holiday with her family very soon.

Wrong diagnosis but same message from a doctor

2012-01-19T22:01:00.001+01:00

This morning I was admitted to OUH Radiumhospitalet for preparation linked to a planned Cancer operation taking place on coming Monday.
After lunch I was told that the operation was postponed till next Wednesday.
OK, my special body and previous medical history are a bit complicated so I accept that the hospital want to peak their professional medical team, and the illustration above is only a way to make fun of the delayed situation.
Instead of sleeping at a corridor bed tonight, we went to DS Louise, Aker Brygge and had Skrei for dinner. Try it you too.

Mari´s Naming day

2012-01-15T22:10:00.000+01:00

Today we celebrated the Naming Day of Mari (6 months). The guest of honor herself did not pay much attention to the family party. She had a temp of 39 and stayed in bed most of the day. Hopefully she will recover quickly and give us her smiling attitude again and again.

Helene´s school and Math homework

2012-01-12T17:50:00.001+01:00

Picking up Helene at school today. The first week has developed very well and she is happy with class mates and teachers. After school we went to a shop buying skiing equipment and she is really excited for trying the new cross-country skis during the coming days.

Then she did her homework. Logical math. A coming Mensa member?

Sunday visit and waffles

2012-01-08T16:38:00.000+01:00

It´s cold outside, but a Sunday tour from their short term hired apartment to our home is just an appetizer before the waffles are served.

The chef is showing Maja some of the first examples. Maja loves to take part in the kitchen work.

And the load of waffles served in the living room with brown cheese, strawberry jam and sour cream was to the satisfaction for everyone. A nice Sunday visit that will be copied in many weeks I thrust.

Memories from "earlier times"

2012-01-08T10:42:00.000+01:00

My son-in-law David is online.
Always.
And he can be followed on Twitter @berrydm if you want to get some interesting links to the world. Yesterday he gave me this link to The Restart Page.

You will probably remember some of these rebooting messages. Do you still use one of these antique operating systems it may be time for upgrading of your devices and/or systems.

Path, next generation FaceBook ?

2012-01-07T09:29:00.000+01:00

Path is the smart journal that helps you share life with the ones you love — your thoughts, the music you’re listening to, where you are, who you’re with, when you wake and when you sleep, and beautiful high quality photos and videos. And for those of you who like to share on public networks like Twitter, Foursquare, Tumblr, and Facebook, you can easily check-in, upload photos and videos, blog, and tweet directly from Path.

Try it, I am on already.

Christmas lasts till leftovers are gone

2012-01-04T18:08:00.000+01:00

It´s a few days till the end of Christmas (Jan.13th), but in our home we still have Christmas food.
The Christmas Tree was transported to the junkyard on Monday, but the fridge is still full of leftovers from the Christmas week. Christmas cakes ended yesterday and today we had traditional Christmas Pork Ribs for dinner.

Now it´s time for preparing other important traditions. Life is Great!!

Happy New Year - Welcome 2012

2012-01-01T19:19:00.000+01:00

With some photos from the family brunch table today, I wish you all a Happy 2012.

From yesterday night the firework at midnight over the Oslo night seen from Akershus Fortress was very nice, and here you can see some spectacular shots from my iPhone 4:

This was Oslo City Official Firework from a barge in the bay

Here you can see the barge at sea outside Aker Brygge

Welcome to Norway

2011-12-30T20:30:00.000+01:00

The Berry family has arrived Gardermoen and Norway for their seven months stay in Oslo. Welcome to you all: Hedda, Helene and Henrik plus Trine and David. Helene will join a Norwegian school-class to improve her language skills. Looking forward to having you closer for half a year.

In the aftermath of Dagmar

2011-12-26T14:17:00.000+01:00

At Frognerkilen, Oslo four of Christiania Roklubb´s Ladies performed their training activities today. Nothing reminded us of the strong wind last night. A feeling of Spring and walking along the beaches in Costa del Sol was closer than winter and white snow in Norway.

Feeling the Hurricane Dagmar

2011-12-26T09:35:00.002+01:00

The extreme weather on the western coast of Norway last night could also be felt here in Oslo.

At Holmenkollen, this tree fell over a car and stopped the local train. (The police has received information of at least 25 broken trees.) Outside our windows at Frogner traffic signs rollover in the streets, and our old house was squeaking and braking. That is only a fart compared with the consequences at Møre and Trøndelag with over 30.000 without electricity.

This morning the streets in Oslo are dry and it is plus 5C. Ready for a walk along the beaches and quays.

Christmas 2011 in Stavangergata and Tycoch Road

2011-12-25T13:30:00.001+01:00

This year we celebrated Christmas Eve together with Rikke and Tor-Marius and their family in their new home in Stavangergata.

The dinner table was covered with Christmas plates and red tulips. The food (Svineribbe) prepared by Tor-Marius was excellent.

Under the Christmas tree Julenissen had already delivered the Christmas gifts and Rikke was showing Mari the lights and glitter and the star at the top.

The two sisters were playing nicely together during the opening of some parcels prior to dinner. Don´t let the children wait too long in their excitement on a day like this.

Mari was also happy on granddad´s knee. An extremely kind and relaxed child. Hope I can say the same in some years time.

Maja got skis from Mormor and Bestefar, and on Christmas Day morning she tried them on the living room floor. Now it is only to wait for the snow to fall on the ground outside their apartment

The largest parcel in the evening and for Maja was an electronic kitchen to play with. The assembling process took some time, but that´s what daddies like most.

The most loved gift for Tullen was the 2012 calendar with photos of the Bjørkmann Solsrud family and their activities in 2011.

An email with photo from Swansea with the Berry family having traditional Norwegian Christmas dinner (Pinnekjøtt) makes the day complete. Looking forward to see you within a week here in Norway.

Merry Christmas to Trine and her old friends

2011-12-24T09:34:00.000+01:00

A star was born. A YouTube video from late 1980s with my daughter Trine and her friends at Uranienborg Skolekor and a lot of "famous" Norwegian politicians
including the present Minister of Justice, Grete Faremo, Minister of Environment, Erik Solheim and Head of the liberal think tank Civita, Kristin Clemet.
Two previous prime ministers are also part of the video: We need secure children
Merry Christmas to you all.

Brunch the day before the day

2011-12-23T19:11:00.000+01:00

Traditional brunch at our home the day before the day. Herrings and eggs, shrimps, salmon, "rakfisk", various meats, swedish christmas ham, "pinnekjøtt" and cheeses plus,plus accompanied with beer and aquavit. Next brunch seating will be Jan 1st 2012 with additional 5 family members, presently in Wales.

The preparation is on schedule

2011-12-22T21:24:00.001+01:00

It is hundred years since Hartvig Kiran was born (Nov 3rd 1911), the story about Ola and Mariann is shown on TV.
Here in my home the Christmas preparation is on schedule, and the Pinnekjøtt (mutton) is steaming in the pan.
This morning the sun turned and in 6 months we once more can sing the song about Nykleholmen,

Merry Christmas to all friends from Åesund

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T13:52:00.001+01:00

Hannibals Hybel sends a Merry Christmas to all its guests and I join in with the season greetings

From me to you: Merry Christmas

2011-12-18T09:55:00.000+01:00

To all my blogging friends in more than 175 countries

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Statoil Art Award 2011

2011-12-16T21:47:00.001+01:00

Visiting Statoil Art Award 2011 was just the same intellectual challenges as previous years.
The artists are not within the group of artists that immediately will find their way to our apartment, but that is as we understand not the intention behind Statoil´s Heroes of Tomorrow programme. However, the creativity and modern touch make us wonder what has happened to the other artists, nominated by the jury since 2006. Have they all or some succeeded or have they only been a blitz on the sky around Christmas.
The work above is made by Tori Wrånes (my favorite)

You may like it or not, but an iPad is also a part of the exhibition. The times they are a´changing.

The winner this year is Ane Mette Hol, is an interesting artist which will be important to follow in the years to come.
Thanks to Jens R Jensen for the invitation. See you next year.

The Christmas tree lights are lit

2011-12-15T19:42:00.000+01:00

Still some days till Christmas Eve, but the tree is in place and the lights are lit. Some of this year gifts are placed under and behind the tree and the House-nisse are there to watch them till the children from Wales arrives.

Old photos from Oslo West

2011-12-14T21:17:00.000+01:00

Based upon inspiration from a neighbor at Solvang and FaceBook friend, Ellen Røsjø, and her Advent Calendars this year, I have found two images that cover Uranienborg cathedral built in 1886 in my own neighborhood.

This water color copy is probably from early 1890s.
The houses to the left were built in 1887-88 by architect Niels Stockfleth Darre Eckhoff. We can see that building of the opposite corner house have not yet started.

This photo from 1903 shows that the corner house to the right is finished, and you may see that the entrance to the house is at the corner.
Another difference between the images is that the sculpture at the niche and lower end of the cathedral´s foundation is removed. Maybe the Briskeby Line that opened in 1894 required the area of the sculpture and it´s water basin.

A more modern photo (from 2005) shows that trees have grown and the old entrance to the right is replaced by a window. The beauty of the cathedral is still the landmark of the neighborhood in Oslo West.

Sunday visit by Maja Nissegirl

2011-12-11T20:13:00.000+01:00

Dinner 3rd Sunday in Advent with visit from a Nissegirl called Maja. She loves Biola and a glass before dinner is accepted. Using a straw is only fun

When parents and grandparents are having Baccalao, Maja prefers a hotdog or Pølse med lompe

To the after dinner coffee Maja required Waffles with brown cheese or strawberry, and she controlled granddad´s production with temporary tasting of waffle hearts.

Next time we see each other it is Christmas.

Munchener CristkindlMarkt

2011-12-06T22:22:00.000+01:00

Munich City Hall (the new) at Marienplatz is a fantastic building and the centre of the the shopping activities at the Christmas market in Bayern´s Capital. At 11 am the figures in the tower are dancing and the audience are taking a break in shopping or Gluhwine drinking.

The different things you may buy vary in prizes and quality, but it is nice to walk around and use my iPhone camera. Especial Tullen´s new iPhone 4S has a quality that is impressive.

The Marieplatz was covered with people and on Saturday night it was almost impossible to move from the old City Hall the the Coffee bar where you can get the most delicious Apfelstrudel with ice-cream

In the crowd local people like this walked around ready for a free drink or kiss as payment for being digitalized

This guy was very proud of his hat from an Alpine goat. He was also the owner of a Harley Davidsson.

The German Pretzel is always present where beer are served. Salty and crispy, but often more delicious in the morning than the evenings

The crew at the beer taps are the most impressing professionals you can imagine. They works with three to five glasses at the time and the mermaids are running to and from the tables carrying loads of these foaming glasses.

When the darkness covers the Bavarian sky new experiences may be caught by the cameras, and the colorful decorations are there for you. Open your eyes and feel the christmas coming closer.

Christmas Market, An intriguing experience

2011-12-05T22:53:00.000+01:00

After a great weekend it is time to say thanks to Gunnar S. and his wife Ragnhild for asking us to join them in Munich for some days with German beer and Bavarien cuisine.

With my new Bavarian wool and silk hat and some stops for outdoor Gluehwein, we went around this interesting city tasting Schweinshaxe, Knoedeln, Pretzels, Leberkaese, Sauerkraut, Wusts and a lot of other dishes with brown sauces.
Great to be back in Oslo and tomorrow I will serve Norwegian fish at home. Norwegian food is great, trust me.

München

2011-12-04T15:25:00.001+01:00

Christmas Markt 2011

Happy birthday Susie

2011-11-30T00:12:00.016+01:00

15 years have passed since this photo was taken in Singapore, but the memories of my fantastic well qualified secretary Susie Valsalan pop up when I find that she has birthday today.
The photo above is the view I had in front of me through my office door at Science Park. Susie working, smiling and always ready to help a Norwegian in his challenges of being HR Director for DNV in Asia Pacific. Well done Susie, and a pity that your career in DNV became limited.
Thank you also for the personal help given to me and my family through my severe illness during our stay in Singapore. You helped us beyond what could be expected, but kindness and service was always in front of your attitudes.
Happy birthday from me and the rest of my family.

Planning for winter season?

2011-11-27T22:02:00.000+01:00

If you so far have not decided what to do in the coming months, the above map from Nyhetsgrafikk.no may give you some ideas. The Alpine Tour around European Ski Resorts can give you a spectacular frame for checking out your Bucket List.

For me I will have a short visit to Munich and German beer before Christmas, and hopefully spend part of the winter months in southern Spain enjoying the pleasure of Dionysus or Bacchus. During that time I have probably got more used to the side effect of my injections of Degarelix / Firmagon. Up to now it has been a challenge, but everything is an adaptation, said the fox when skinned.

Fighting Cancer - Treatment has begun

2011-11-18T12:44:00.002+01:00

Yesterday my waiting period for getting treatment for cancer started.

It has gone 20 weeks since my doctor at Rikshospitalet based upon a PSA value of 39 asked another department / hospital at OUS, Radiumhospitalet, to perform thorough evaluations of me and my body.
Eight weeks later I received a short letter stating: …. your biopsy samples show unfortunately Prostate Cancer."
Since that letter arrived 67 days of tests, discussions and waiting time have passed. The PSA value has increased to 46, and the "Warranty for treatment within 20 working days" from our PM J.Stoltenberg has been documented as empty electoral words only. I can absolutely copy another government member´s statement: Jens, "du veit ikkje ka du snakkar om" (you don´t know what you talking about).
Well, I must admit that I am probably among those 20% with cancer that are not included in his warranty, but is 20 weeks waiting time an acceptable process time for starting the treatment?.

However, yesterday the Treatment started.
I am happy, my family is happy and although the treatment is "only" palliative for the coming three to six months, I expect to go on with my life as before.
I have had over 17 years since Dr Arthur T H Tan and his teams in Singapore saved my life after severe anterior myocardial infarctions, and nearly 14 years since the highly qualified and professional staff at Rikshospitalet made it possible to replace my destroyed heart and kidney through a simultaneous TX-Cor and TX-Renis operation.
If a new surgery within some months will remove the cancer tumor through prostatectomy, or the present treatment for me will be the final conclusion, remain to be seen.
I know that doctors and nurses are doing their best every day. Hopefully the politicians will give them the resources needed to fill their words, and help more people getting started with cancer fighting treatment.

In the meantime join the Movember movement.

Autumn at the best for 60+

2011-11-16T09:24:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, those of you following me on Facebook could see that the 60+ group Majorstuen made a walk from Frognerseteren to Sognsvann with break at Ullevålseter.
The weather was perfect for this stroll and the coffee break outdoor for the twelve participants lasted longer than planned due to the sun beams.
Tomorrow it is strolling Frognerparken with start from the car parking at NHO/NVE at 10.30. Welcome.

Birthday dinner 2011

2011-11-14T21:34:00.000+01:00

Birthday dinner. Wild Cod with normal accessories and red wine. The life is great although new side effect challenges are faced.

The wild Cod fish of 500 gr. slices.

Potatoes and carrots, melted butter and red wine from Tuscany. The desert was posted yesterday.

Happy birthday to me

2011-11-14T03:20:00.001+01:00

Friday dinner, Klippfisk a la Lutefisk

2011-11-12T12:29:00.000+01:00

Yesterday dinner. Klippfisk (Dried and salted Cod) prepared as Lutefisk the Norwegian way with Mushy Peas, Potatoes and Bacon Cubes. Gammel Opland Aquavit accompanied with Beer from Munic Hofbrau Original for me and Franziskaner Weissbier for my wife.
However,

as my birthday on Monday is coming closer, a new gadget has arrived and connected to the network in the apartment. The Black Box, or Apple-TV is purchased with contribution from my sisters and may be some others. Increased download capacity to 50Mbps by Get, streaming of music, movies and photos through iTunes and iCloud will be a new experience.

Later today Maja will arrive for an overnight stay. The weekend activities are planned and set.

11.11.11.11.11

2011-11-11T11:11:00.001+01:00

I made it. Exactly on November 11, 2011 at 11:11 cet i posted this Blogpost.

Baby Swimming, First Maja now Mari

2011-11-10T14:26:00.002+01:00

Mari is three and a half months old and have started her Baby Swimming career.
Her sister Maja also started her swimming education when she was very young and on the photo below she is 10 months old with Rikke as a secure harbor on deep water.

Movember 2011

2011-11-07T12:54:00.000+01:00

I overcame my fear, changed my look, from full beard to a single mustache.
It´s MOVEMBER

Movember (a neologism that is a portmanteau of the slang word "mo" for moustache and "November") is an annual, month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November.
Since 2004, the Movember Foundation charity has run Movember events to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and depression. In 2010, Movember merged with the testicular cancer event Tacheback.

Being a baldish grey-bearded man since the late 60s (well, color has changed in line with age) makes removing of the hair in my face a much bigger challenge than growing a mustache above the upper lip. However, if supporting the Movember movement I have to sacrifices some good looking style and swap into a new one. At least for a shorter period.
If you have not started yet, for the rest of the month razors should be forsaken as mo’s of varying lengths, shapes and colours are grown.

Sunday stroll before Cup final football 2011, and Saturday memories

2011-11-06T19:29:00.000+01:00

Before gathering in front of the TV this afternoon to see AaFK, Aalesund beat Brann, Bergen 2 - 1 in the Norwegian Football Cup, the body had to recover from the weekend activities. Our traditional Sunday stroll along the ward areas in Oslo made it´s turn at Akershus Castle today. This photo is from the eastern side of the fortress.

Yesterday we had lunch with Maja at Sorgenfri´s Lille and the 2 and a half year old girl made almost her own lunch based on the cafe´s breakfast deliveries.

She is very concentrated when cutting the slices of breads. Not so concentrated when eating the bread with brown cheese, but food is food and she eats when hungry. Her yoghurt tasted very good.

On the way home we could see some of the consequences of 22/7 in Oslo. The entrance to our Foreign Ministry (UD) is now closed with security controlled automatic obstacles. On the day of terror they had places an old car and security guards at the same spot an hour after the blast. Similar obstacles are now or will be built at other high protected areas.

Norwegian Champions 2011 - AaFK

2011-11-06T15:47:00.000+01:00

Where to post your information

2011-11-03T16:17:00.000+01:00

From KForum, Copenhagen the flowchart below can give you some advice where to inform family, friends and the world about different status about yourself.
If for example you have been informed by the doctor at your hospital that the diagnosis from the last tests have showed that you have Cancer. That you within some weeks will be under treatment of professional medical personnel and that your preferred life-style may be further limited due to possible side effects of this treatment.
Is it time to close down your sites, be silent about your situation or continue to communicate openly through the social media about your daily activities, thoughts and experiences. Individual choices of course, but the flowchart may be at some help. How and when is also a part of this.

The chart is only an advice. It is up to you to make the decisions. As choosing the appropriate treatment among various possibilities described in the article from Anne-Karine Strøm, hjemmet, uncovering your situation is also a decision among multiple choices made by yourself.

1-11-11 It´s November

2011-11-01T05:18:00.049+01:00

Yesterday I received a photo from four of my friends participating in a "vacuum course" at the Canary Islands under the label "all inclusive".
Showing the image to the blogging world of how they manage to follow the training and exercises, could be in violation of the code of conduct, so instead I give you an image of my day at Solvang. The leaves from the apple trees and hedges are removed from the lawn and used as cover on perennials in the flowerbeds.
Although there is no night frost arriving according to the long term weather forecast, and neither any snow falling, it feels rather good to be prepared an knowing that the cottage season is over for 2011.
See you in spring 2012.

I am one of them

2011-10-31T08:59:00.000+01:00

Well, not one of those posing on the photo, but one of the 7.000.000.000 individuals on the planet Earth / Tellus.
This image is part of a group of more than five thousand who pose for the world-famous Art Photographer Spencer Tunick in New York. ( Photo: Greg Wood / AFP / Scanpix)
Since we reached 1.000.000.000 persons in 1804, we passed 5.000.000.000 in 1987 and 6.000.000.000 in 1998 according to UNFPA. Within 14 years another billion will consume part of the resources available on earth and in 2083 the prognoses say that you (not me) will count up to 10.000.000.000 persons with or without cloths.

The day after

2011-10-30T10:56:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Gunnar og Ragnhild for a nice dinner party last night.
The Royal Blue Orchid they brought to our house is so beauty that a special blogpost this Sunday morning to honor the gift is natural and appropriate.

Update:
Sunday stroll to Aker Brygge, Akershus, The Opera House, etc. Finding a huge butterfly on the wall on a storehouse at Fillipstad Brygge.

Friday dinner and Christmas beer opening

2011-10-29T11:31:00.000+02:00

Yesterday we opened the Christmas Beer season with dinner at Amundsen Bryggeri og Spiseri. Beerbrazed Lamb Shank with Root Vegetables accompanied with the brewery´s own Amundsen Jol.

The different beer brands can be delivered in bottles or as preferred as drafts. The price list shows the most popular proposals and according to an official newspaper scoreboard, Haandbryggeriets Nissefar is the winner of this year´s rating.

After some beers it may be a challenge to look at this image and feeling that the man of the photo is turning to you or away from you dependent of where you look. A really nice photoart from Kalazone

Why I gave my kidney to a stranger

2011-10-27T08:36:00.001+02:00

I am receiver of a donated kidney (and a heart) and I know that the family of a dead person has given me a "Gift for Life". I have so far been able to extend my life-time with more than 13 years by these gifts.

It is also possible for persons to donate one of their kidneys (you know we have two) when they still are alive.
This story from the Guardian tells you some of
why the donator Luc Delauzun gave his kidney to a stranger

Luc Delauzun …'When I told my parents they were shocked. Now they are very proud'.
I am proud of you too, and we are many others that can thank persons like you for their lives.
Life is Great

Hunting for Rubber Boots in Esteli Nicaragua

2011-10-26T09:12:00.000+02:00

Due to heavy rain and flooding in Nicaragua some Norwegians pre-school teachers have through their FaceBook Group Site started a campaign for helping the children by invite us to donate a small amount of money. It all started with this information on FaceBook:

Hello to all loved ones!

Here in Esteli it rains a lot for the moment and the consequences are that most children do not come up in day care, or can play outdoor. Therefore we want, with your help, to raise money to buy as many rubber boots as possible to help these children. 3000 people in Esteli have lost their homes because of the rain, and it is expected more rain .. It costs 35 NOK for a pair of rubber boots.

We have an Norwegian account you can donate a free amount if you want to help us and the children:

1607 41 55565

Note the transfer with rubber boots and your name

In advance thank you!

Greetings Andre Brynilsen, Ylva B-H and Miriam Pozderka Brynilsen

A week ago the amount donated was up in 3000 NOK and on Monday this week the amount has climbed to 10.000 NOK and still growing. Ylva and the others could go hunting for boots suitable for the children.

We all can share their happiness and feel proud of their initiative.

A new week and new challenges as time goes by

2011-10-24T11:17:00.000+02:00

At least four important events will take place this week.
I will have to prepare for an interesting control at the National Hospital (Rikshospitalet) on Wednesday,
The Christmas Beer will be launched at Amundsen S and B on Friday,
The iPhone 4S will be out for sale on Friday and
we will make arrangements for friends coming home for Baccalao party on Saturday,
As time goes by

Regarding the hospitalization I will return to that challenge later and after the best medical competencies have made their conclusions.

The opening of the Christmas Beer season will for us take place at Amundsen Bryggeri and Spiseri on Friday afternoon.

Their "Amundsen Jòl" will be ready for tasting together with 20 other types of domestic and global Christmas Beers.

As time goes by, was of course the famous melody from the movie Casablanca, but in my time-line also the images of my first grandchild Helene documents the process. From an almost impossible start by a very premature birth she has grown and developed, Today we really can see that time has gone, or as her mother says: "Where did my little girl go"

Helene´s mother Trine is also facing the running times through her vocal communication with SIRI on her new iPhone 4S. This phone will also be launched in Norway this week, Friday, October 28

Have a nice and challenging week all of you.

12924 km from Dakar

2011-10-23T19:11:00.000+02:00

At Ullevålseter on our Sunday Marka-tour today we noticed that Dakar is far away in Africa.

We started at Frognerseteren, passed Tryvannstua and Skjennungen where this snap-shot documented that the snow still is waiting to cover the earth. A really foggy Oslo autumn weather today.

From Skjennungen a steep walk down to Ullevålseter for a hot chocolate and waffle with brown cheese before we continued down to Sognsvann to catch the metro back to Majorstuen.
Bach home my legs hurt and one of my shoes was damaged. Tomorrow I have to visit a shop for buying shoes for next Sunday stroll.

Ørnulf Opdahl at Gallery Haaken October / November 2011

2011-10-19T20:22:00.001+02:00

Living at Frogner in Oslo the walking distance to popular galleries is very short. This evening one of the returning artists at Gallery Haaken opened an exhibition of paintings from 2009 to 2011.

Ørnulf Opdahl born in Ålesund 1944 is among Norway´s most famous painters. His works at Haaken today follow mostly the traditional Opdahl style, but for me some "new" expressions caused strong feelings.

One of the paintings is called "Winter Light Alnes". Made in 2009, 175 x 175 prize 200k nok. The exhibition´s most intriguing painting. On his website a smaller version called "Alnes Autumn"(40 x 40) can be found.

The second best work through my eyes is "Fjord Landscape" 2009, 70 x 240 prize 165k nok. One of the exhibition´s most beautiful paintings, and could have decorated at least one of the walls in my apartment.

Congratulation Ørnulf, you have made it once more.

Oslo Beer Festival once more

2011-10-18T02:17:00.003+02:00

Testing Jacobsen Rose Wit which was Tullen´s favorite (she normally does not like beer), but my own favorite was Jacobsen Brown Ale.
However, Brooklyn Brown Ale is absolutely an alternative.

At peace and a beer from Schous Mikrobryggeri in hand. Life is great.

Now we are waiting for the Oslo Wine Festival 2nd to 4th February 2012.

Autumn gathering in Norwegian Highlands

2011-10-17T18:52:00.000+02:00

Last weekend the Old Bunch (Gamlegjengen) had their annual autumn meeting at the old mountain farm "Søre Knipa" Lesjaverk, Oppland.
On Saturday we went for a picknick at Lorkvenne close to the river Lora.

"Lorkvenne" is an old mill, located in the estuary of the Lordal river in Lesja municipality. The mill was used from before 1326 to 1943. At the turn of the millennium, Lesja Historical Society decided to restore the mill. Today the mill looks as it did several hundred years ago. Ditches and dams have been dug and dammed up again like they once was. The mill is partially notched up again with a new water wheel, but the same old stones still do the job of making grain into flour. Both the stable and several houses have been restored. There is also built a new water-driven pestle.

At the mill we met a local guide who took us around and talked about the different activities that now have been restored and in operation for demonstration.

The water flow and wheels showed us that high quality engineering has been part of our culture for hundreds of years. Improvements in science educations for pupils in the Norwegian school system must therefore be done to catch up with our ancestors up to 500 years ago.

Rumors of Bear observation and visual contact with Eagles in the sky accompanied us during the lunch although the temperature was around zero C.

This painting of a Reindeer Buck can be seen in the millers cottage. If possible, make a visit and learn more about Lesja

Hunting Moose

2011-10-15T11:00:00.000+02:00

Anne, one of my blogfriends, called for a hunter last week. Not for the person I understood, but for the antlers. I can only offer this photo of the moose head. Have a nice weekend.

The Cathedral in Oslo

2011-10-12T15:08:00.000+02:00

Another beautiful day in Oslo.
The clouds and autumn rain showers have taken another break presenting the blue sky and a sun giving warm rays make the day perfect for city strolling.
The tower of Oslo Cathedral (formerly Our Savior's Church) is catching rays when sunbathing among the trees at The Cathedral's lower end, surrounded by the Bazaar (Basarene ved Oslo domkirke), a curved long building with a tower covered in green copper like the Cathedral.

The cathedral became extra famous both domestically and internationally through the flower ocean after the 22/7 terror attack in Oslo and at Utøya.

A Chatelet in the City

2011-10-08T12:15:00.001+02:00

Compare to the Castle in my previous blogpost, my own cottage (or Chatelet) in the city of Oslo must be called rather small. However the lawn cutter has been on her last promenade this season. Now Tullarbo is ready for the white cover.

See you next spring.

A Castle in the Mountain

2011-10-08T10:19:00.000+02:00

While we are touring the city facilities and participate in Oslo Beer Festival, some of our good friends spend their weekend at their farmhouse up in the Norwegian mountains Lesjaverk.
Looking forward to visit them at their Castle next weekend for a happy party including mountain walking, dining, singing and laughing as always with the old bunch. Hopefully the snow will stay away for another week although the weather forecast shows temperatures just above zero C.

In the meantime a Hybrid City Bicycle can be used for another beautiful day at Aker Brygge.

Have a nice weekend wherever you are, and speedy recovery to Maja with chickenpox.

Sunset over Akershus Castle during Oslo Beer Festival

2011-10-06T21:36:00.000+02:00

The ongoing Oslo Beer Festival had a gathering at Lekter´n Aker Brygge this afternoon and evening. The sunset from the restaurant towards Akershus Fortress was a snap-shot between different beer tastings.
Thanks Helene and Atle for your hospitality.
Tomorrow it is 25 years anniversary at Hannibals Hybel with a prize level at 25 non per pint. See you.

Thanks Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T08:50:00.002+02:00

Steve Jobs has passed away. this article at MacRumors will give you all you need to know.
Thanks for my Mac and Apple experiences. You have made my IT-world better more fun and more secure and easy.

Interested and inspiring links about Steve Jobs:
Wired.com/epicenter
How you live before you die

Read this. Translated from Norwegian by Google

2011-10-04T09:45:00.001+02:00

Et valg for livet

Da Anne Liland bare hadde minutter igjen å leve, fant hennes 23 år gamle datter trøst i tanken om at morens død kunne berge livet til syv andre mennesker.

(A Choice for Life. When her mother had only a few minutes to live, the 23 years old daughter Astrid Marie Liland made a choice that could save the life of seven other persons)

This article in the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten has I translated to English through Google. Read it and pay homage to her decision. The reference gives you the original text in Norwegian.

Dunk.Dunk.Knock on the door?
Dunk, dunk, DUNK, DUNK! But it's five o'clock at night ...?
The 23-year-old woman who sleeps with her girlfriend a few miles outside Bodø, wake up. On the stairs is the woman's aunt. She has a serious expression on her face.- Anne is in hospital! Your mother has a brain hemorrhage, said his aunt.
"Mom," thinks Astrid Marie Liland.She is roaming around the apartment to find clothes. It's dark, they hung a black sheet in front of the window to block the strong Nordland light out, and she gets palpitations, she struggles to breathe while she finds a shoe here, a sweater there, and the bag with her things in.Her uncle is waiting outside. The 23-year-old woman sits in the back seat.In a blue Volvo driving through the deserted streets of Bodø, Nordland Hospital, where they do not know what awaits them. But Astrid Marie Liland feel that her 58 years old mother will die.What if I need an organ ever? What if I need it to live? - Astrid Marie Liland What if it's me?The night is Anne Liland been affected by a brain haemorrhage. She has complained of headaches and bought tablets from a pharmacy. The pain goes away. But only for a few hours. When they return, they are so strong in the right side of the head that a friend who is with her call for an ambulance. It runs Anne Liland straight to the hospital.When her daughter Astrid Marie arrive a few hours later and take the elevator to the intensive care unit on the 8th floor, she finds her mother surrounded by sophisticated machines that monitor blood pressure and blood circulation. She receives oxygen through a plastic tube in his mouth.The doctors say it looks bad. Blood circulation to the brain is gone.Astrid Marie never get more contact with her mother.Surrounded by doctors, nurses and relatives realize and accept that her mother will die, and she heard her own voice say:"What about organ donation?". The first thing she talks with is a female nurse. "Am I insensitive ...», she begins. "No. It is absolutely right thought ", replies the nurse. Norwegian law is such that the doctor who treats Anne Liland's duty to take up the theme. But Astrid Marie Liland is the hospital ahead.23-year-old knows a lot about organ donation. When she lived in Australia, she became friends with a woman who donated her late husband's away the bodies. Astrid Marie filled out donor cards, and she has written about the topic on his blog. "Why should I let my bodies rot in a grave, while some people need them to save lives?" She wrote. Not long ago, she has discussed the issue with her religious mother. First, Anne Liland quite the contrary. 23-year-old asks, "What if I need an organ ever? What if I need it to live? "- Eventually she had to admit that there were good arguments. I was never completely out of her if she was for or against, she says.Would save livesWe all have potentially seven organs to donate: Heart. Lungs. Liver.Pancreas. And the two kidneys, where waiting lists in Norway are long.One donor can at best save seven lives, but it happens rarely. The average is four organs from each donor.Nevertheless, it is thought Astrid Marie thinks - one donor, seven life! - While weighing for and against. She spends all day to decide. Trying to block out the emotions."Mom is gone. I can not call her and ask her what she wanted done, "she says to herself. She is focused, but still think "what if mom is sitting up on a pink cloud and see his body being operated on?". To themselves and others argue that the mother she had lived her life as a generous person.Her mother would have wanted to save lives. Daughter talking with a priest. He gives her more support. Finally she says to herself, "if anyone should ask me to facilitate this, I can defend it."Duty section chief that night, Sven Haakon Urving, said he was impressed and touched by Astrid Marie's behavior.
Some months after Marie Astrid Liland mother died, meets 23-year-old section superior in charge that night, Sven Haakon Urving. In Nordland Hospital, she know what she had hoped for: All of the mother's organs could be used.- She was so mature. It was very special to see how she took control in such a tough and difficult situation. I have since used Astrid Marie's behavior as an example in my teaching, he says.Over 12 hours after she was awakened and was told about her mother's acute illness, collect Astrid Marie doctors and relatives in a hospital room.The decision filled her with a fierce energy, "as if I were to have drunk five cups of coffee and made lots of happy pills", and when she tells the others about it, she is convinced that she is doing the right thing.When she goes to her mother again, it is to say goodbye. The room is cleaned to the memorial. Only relatives and a priest present. It is completely silent on the ward. The daughter stroked his mother. She puts her nose several times until her skin. Astrid Marie will remember the smell of mom.It has rained all morning, noon and afternoon. When 23-year-old is out of the hospital at 19.30, it has stopped. Outside she saw the brightest rainbow she has ever seen.Long-awaited phone About the same time turns a maxi taxi into the main gate to the airport and drive directly to the fly-street. It brings a heart / lung surgeon, two bukkirurger, two nurses, one anesthesiologist and one transplant coordinator. The team from the National Hospital has chartered a jet to take them to Barcelona.They know everything they need to know about Anne Liland body. It works three men and two women who transplant coordinators at the hospital.One of them is always on duty. When the phone from one of the 28 donor hospitals in Norway comes, they begin to collect information about the potential donor. This experienced party knows Anne Liland height and weight. They have had a blood sample from Nordland Hospital and knows the blood group and tissue type her, they have analyzed the kidney and liver functions, they have seen x-rays and obtained descriptions of the lungs, and they know her heart.They use more than one and a half hours to Barcelona. Some sleep. Other eating. They know that there may be long until the next time they get the chance. One quarter after landing in Bodø, they promote the hospital. The time is approximately 22Where is Anne Liland pronounced dead after X-rays of the head (cerebral angiography) have shown that blood flow to the brain is non-existent.Doctors in Bodo provide supportive care, with a breathing machine, monitoring of cardiac and pulmonary function and drug treatment to preserve her organs as possible.There are some who have an intense need for them.For while Astrid Marie Liland go home in sorrow, and Rikshospitalet experts traveling on assignment, begin ill men and women to move to Oslo and Rikshospitalet University Hospital, the only hospital in Norway that perform transplants. Long have they lived on hold, with a mobile phone near them, day and night. Finally the bell rings. We have a heart for you. A kidney. Lungs. Liver. Pancreas. Transportation plan their've been ready a long time: Those who live close, is executed. Those who can catch a plane, book a ticket. Last resort is the ambulance. In Bodø start the team from the hospital to work. The two bukkirurgene opens Anne Liland stomach. They spend a few hours to free the kidney, the liver, so that the organs in the end just stuck in their veins. Heart surgeon takes over. He opens the chest and do the same with the heart and lungs that his colleagues have done further down in the body. The three surgeons counts, one, two, three, and so they put on a pair of pliers to throttle the flow of blood to the organs.While organs flushed of blood and cooled by ice-cold fluid that is transported in blue frysebag-like boxes from, start the countdown.Every minute is important.And next time you think you have a stressful job, think about the heart surgeon who is now bent over the operating table.He knows that a heart at any time should not be outside the human body for more than four hours. It takes five minutes to cut out the heart and all the other organs, and pack them in ice and cold water. A new district used to travel to Barcelona Airport, the plane is waiting. Over 90 minutes spent on the flight south. There awaits an ambulance on the runway to bring the heart and cardiac surgeon at the hospital. The rest of the team, with the kidneys and liver and pancreas, travel by taxi. With blue lights use the ambulance 25 minutes at 52 kilometers. It gives a rate of almost 125 kmh.Per Arne Bakkan leader Hospital Department of transplant coordinators.From here, he keeps close contact with the 28 donor hospitals in the elongated Norway. Short deadlines, stress and long hours are important keywords for the job.When the surgeon enters the operating room at the hospital in excess of three hours after the blood supply to the Anne Liland heart was stopped, and said "here is the heart," only then will the weary heart to the receiver stopped. The patient is connected to a heart and lung machine, is opened up, everything is ready, but no surgeon in the world will take out an old heart before he has checked that the new is intact. What if it had ended up in an accident on the road from the airport?The wreckage of the receiver's heart, the patient could no longer live with, is cut out. Then the new sewn into.Over one day after Anne Liland head pain was unbearable and less than 12 hours after her daughter coat and smelled of her mother and said goodbye, begins the heart that had belonged to Anne Liland in 58 years to turn by itself again.In the body of another human being.Time for answers Anne Liland funeral will be held in Bodø Cathedral a week later. She collected angels while she was alive. Now Astrid Marie decorated the church with them, it is full of angels and flowers. Her daughter keeps speech. She dreaded to speak in front of many people, but it's important for her to do it. She talks about organ donation. She wants the funeral should not only be a blessing, but also a symbol of new life."When I picked out the flowers to the funeral, I fell immediately for those on the coffin now. For me it symbolizes the new life, like my mother was convinced existed. Another reason I chose them was that the mother's organs were donated, so up to seven others could get new life. The thought of my kind, generous mother has given more people an amazing gift - life - give me a great comfort, "she said.Positive reactions In retrospect, she tells Aftenposten:- I have received many positive reactions to my decision. It has "triggered" more people decide to donate, and even more to talk about it. I believe that people must make a choice about what they will do with his body, making it easier for them to come in the situation I was in, she says.23-year-old has long waited to find out how it went with the mother's organs. Did they ever? What was used? Who were they, these people who traveled to Oslo, while his mother was dying in Bodo? Yes, she might well have thought to meet them.List of upcoming believe that it rarely comes something good out of the giver and the receiver is connected. On his website asking the Foundation urged the media not to print the exact timing of a donation or a transplant.But now Marie Astrid Liland finally get some answers. She is summoned to a call.
Astrid Marie Liland and his mother Anne."What if ...?»A rain-soaked and gray Wednesday a few months after her mother's death 23-year-old returns to England Hospital. It is strange to take the elevator to the eighth floor again: It was here that his mother died and her daughter took her life's most important decision. She is nervous. "What if nothing could be used?," She thinks anxious. Section Chief Sven Haakon Urving look seriously at her. "Yes ...», he says, and browse the papers.So he starts to tell.He tells of one who got lungs. If he who received kidney. If he had both kidney and pancreas. In the liver, which was sent to one of our neighbors to be there. And if the heart valves that are now open and close with another person. As he speaks, cries Astrid Marie Liland. She wept for joy, because all the organs could be used, and because she is so fond of the five people who got a second chance. She cries because she knows she made the right decision. And she cries because it is still so painful that the mother is dead, and because she feels so alone in the world.We go together from the hospital to a cafeteria in the center. After his mother died, had Astrid Marie Liland so many practical challenges that she was unable to feel sorrow. The explosion came after a few months. She had to take sick leave from the hotel she works at to get into.-It was so good to know I learned today. All the organs could be used! It is strong and strange to think of how many she has helped. My uncle said something nice about it. He said: "Imagine, Anne now live on in others.

4 happy long living Norwegian transplanted All first within their organ receiver areas in Norway (Troels heart, lungs and liver, Nina heart and lungs, Bente heart and myself heart and kidney) In the middle our special beloved doctor Svein Simonsen."2011 record year for Norwegian organ donation- 2011 will be the best year ever for organ donation in Norway, says Per Arne Bakkan, head of the Hospital's Department of transplant coordinators.- In the mid-1990s, organ donation was a taboo area. Now it's something we can talk about. People are proud to have taken a stand, says Hege Lundin Kuhle, general manager of the Foundation Organdonation (). She refers to the 220,000 "friends" foundation is on Facebook.2010 was the peak year, with 102 Realized donations. Rikshospitalet has Aftenposten updated figures this week showing that it has already been carried realized 100 donations this year.- In relation to our population, we are far ahead of them, we can compare ourselves with. After the first half we had 30 donations each. every million who live here. In Sweden and Denmark were the same number 14, and in Finland 19, says Bakkan.The reason? More publicity for organ donation. TV2 series Life on hold, which was sent early in the year, has played a major role. Norway was also the first in Europe with a donor card application for smart phones.

HOPEFULLY THIS TEXT IS READABLE FOR MOST OF YOU AND A MOTIVATION FOR STARTING TO DISCUSS ORGAN DONATION IN YOUR OWN FAMILY.

Thanks to Astrid Marie Liland for sharing her story with us.

Sunday strolling: Frognerstranda - Operahouse - Royal Castle - Home

2011-10-02T14:32:00.000+02:00

My wife asked for advices regarding how to motivate me for a Sunday stroll at her FaceBook Wall. Nobody answered.
From home to Skillebekk, along the beach at Frogner, over Aker Brygge, City Hall and the quays under Akershus Castle to the OperaHouse.

Return up Karl Johan to a well deserved break at Paleet, crossing the Royal Garden and back home at Briskeby.
Total time spent: 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Sunday stroll motivation was the excellent croissant and Cafe Americano at United Bakeries. Just for your information if she asks for advice another day.

Hot, Warm and Cozy

2011-10-01T09:36:00.000+02:00

Everybody is talking about the Indian summer we are supposed to have here in Oslo these days. The answer to that is "Yes" but only if you get out of bed after lunch and don´t stay out too long in the evening.
Today the morning fog is really chilly with a temperature of +13C and yesterday it was even lower.

A Hot and spicy Goulash soup for lunch together with Bayern beer and freshly baked Rye bread, makes the midday meal perfect.

Due to the chilly morning a table close to the Warm fireplace at Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri (close to the City Hall), makes the lunch even better.

Yes, the summer heat came around 3pm and reached a level of around +20C for a couple of hours, but coming home to a cozy fireplace in my kitchen, preparing for dinner and an Italian wine was necessary for making the whole day "Hot, Warm and Cozy"

One of my bookshelves

2011-09-29T06:05:00.003+02:00

Yesterday morning I became aware of an ongoing competition in the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) Do you have the nicest Bookshelf in Norway?.
A jury will select the finest bookshelf, and the winner gets his own bodyheight in relevant publications.
After some considerations and knowing that my apartment has bookshelves at three different locations, in addition to my wife´s bedside, I decided not to participate and making a blogpost instead. If I had participated this photo from my dining room would have been sent in to the jury and you are free to compare this with the other over hundred bookshelves presented at Flickr

Meeting a Painter outside my door

2011-09-28T01:09:00.025+02:00

Yesterday afternoon when returning to our apartment after a visit to the hospital (Norwegian Radium Hospital) we met an artist carrying his painting together with the new owner of his work through the street.
We liked the painting (seen above) and when asking what the signature at the upper right corner -YB2011 meant (not on this copy), he told us he was the artist and gave us his name.
Googling his name we could see more of his works on Internet, and recommend you to take a look at the 27 years old painter named Yngve Benum and his large modern paintings. This painting was finished August 24 this year, and has the dimension of 190 x 120 cm. Well done Yngve.

Interior details: Seize the Day

2011-09-27T11:49:00.000+02:00

Sometimes when I sit in my living room watching TV or having no focus at all, my eyes move around the interior without any desired intention. I may be daydreaming or experience digression based upon other impressions. Controlling the mind is not my favorite sport.

This morning my eyes stopped at the stucco in the middle of my ceiling. The rosette must have had a short term illumination due to the low sun through the windows, and the combination og light and shadow made me immediately grab my iPhone and shot this photo.

Looking down to see the quality of the image at my iPhone Photo Library, my eyes fastened at the Persian Tabriz carpet on the floor and once more a photo catch gave an image.
Sometime we unnecessary "cross the river" for hunting motives for making a blogpost. Details in the daily environment around us can fully satisfy the purpose. Make the most of any moment. Seize the Day.

Night / Light Walk along Akerselva from 8 pm to midnight

2011-09-23T09:58:00.000+02:00

River walk by torchlight has been an autumn tradition here i Oslo. Last night at 8 pm the Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang, opened the spectacular stroll and thousands of people moved from Frysja and down to Vaterland.

At Frysja Stockholm Drumline made the rhythm and Teatr Groteska from Poland controlled the flying dragons

Spectacular colors and movements.

Along the path light in different colors showed us the way together with thousands of torches.

T and I had company with Gunnar S. and (as on photo:) Ragnhild

Gunnar is a hobby Jazz musician (drums) and a lot of bands and choirs entertained him and us during the walk.

Trees were decorated and illuminated to show us the artistic frame of the river bank.

Fire Spinners (Håvve Fjeld & Pain Solution) had a show at Myraløkka by Bentsebrua

Møllefossen riverfall is one of the most spectacular parts of the river. This night the water stream was extremely great, illuminated and a place for shooting photos.

Tullen by the fence and the "boiling" water only meters behind

Colors and forces. Nature is fantastic a lll the hours of the day.

I cannot guarantee the consequences of jumping into the stream here. Better to be on Social Media.

Well dressed for the chilly night.

Thank you for the Light Walk this year. A success story well worth to be copied next year.

On the way from north to south

2011-09-22T05:45:00.001+02:00

Less than a week ago the Costal Liner "M/S Nordlys" experienced fire, loss of engine power and nearly capsizing when anchored at the harbor in Ålesund. This morning the ship was in tow to the shipyard and citizens of Ålesund could follow the transport from their southern balconies and windows.

Over our cottage in Oslo we also could experience a transport leg when hundreds of greylag geese started their flying to warmer fields away from the Nordic winter.

It is almost exactly 5 months since I made a spring blogpost telling about the geese going north.
At April 18 we as today had a working session at the cottage. Then summer preparation, now autumn activities and winter preparation.
The bird plow has turned 180 degrees heading south. We will follow within some months.

Social Medium Twitter is 5 years

2011-09-21T09:26:00.000+02:00

Some of my friends (in and not so in the Internet world) have negative perceptions of Social Media like FaceBook and Twitter. That is ok, but maybe we see the same skepticism here as elsewhere when we feel afraid of aliens and have not enough information available. These 11 fact figures may help you to see that it is just to jump into the Stream:

To learn more about Twitter go to jefbullas.com. Jefbullas facts about FaceBook can be found here

Quality = Customers Satisfaction

2011-09-21T09:00:00.000+02:00

When Quality = Customer Satisfaction (Perception / Expectation = 1) and Apple (Mac) is on top for 8 consecutive years. Maybe it is true that Apple/Mac has the best quality personal computers. Many of us feel that P / E > 1 and thus gives us Customer Delight.

See more of Apple products here and look into MacRumors for being prepared for the new models coming this fall.

A TED presentation well worth to watch

2011-09-20T01:22:00.004+02:00

The 6 killer apps of prosperity: Niall Ferguson on TED.com

I have from time to time recommended some of the intriguing presentations from TED.com. Today watch the 6 killer apps.

Over the past few centuries, Western cultures have been very good at creating general prosperity for themselves. Historian Niall Ferguson asks: Why the West, and less so the rest?

He suggests half a dozen big ideas from Western culture — call them the 6 killer apps — that promote wealth, stability and innovation. And in this new century, he says, these apps are all shareable. (Recorded at TEDGlobal 2011, July 2011, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Duration: 20:20.)

Some examples of key-notes from the presentation:

Has the work ethic changed and what does that mean in the years to come. Where are Norwegian 15 years old children in the PISA Math score?

Are we westerners and in us Norway more concerned about leisure, welfare and common social rights than preparing for future to come. The Oil Curse ?

Klick on the 6 killer Apps link and see the presentation

OR if you want Magic at TED see

Marco Tempest: The magic of truth and lies (and iPods)

Personal Profiling or Branding

2011-09-19T10:02:00.001+02:00

This morning I found through a FB-Friend a reference that made my process out of the last night sleeping dreams speeding up.
The chart describing 9 steps to create a personal branding strategy made me remember some of the management and personal developing activities we had during my professional career as a HR Manager.
However going through these nine steps could be a tool, not only for building personal branding, but also a tool for knowing who you are and want to be outside business life, and a tool to be better aware of your own strengths and challenges.

The steps are:
1. Who are You
2. How are you Perceived
3. What do you want to Achieve
4. Create your Brand
5. Create your Ecosystem
6. Create your Network
7. Create original Content
8. Get Involved and Share
9. Listen and Monitor

If you go through this nine activities (and 27 sub points) I am sure that you will learn more about yourself how you can be presented and maybe feel better in the social media Stream. Good luck!

Henrik 4 years

2011-09-18T09:51:00.002+02:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRIK

From mamma Trine´s tweets I have copied this links:
Henrik Isak birth
taken 17 days after his too early arrival to this life:

Challenges in Ålesund once more

2011-09-16T12:19:00.000+02:00

In the morning at 0337 am March 26th 2008 about 2000 - 3000 cubic meter of Ålesund city mountain break loose in a landslide. A house with 20 residents at sleep were hit and the modern house from 2003/04 partly collapsed. A Gas tank is on fire and can explode.
Between 500 and 1000 persons were evacuated around the catastrophic area. 5 persons died in the accident. The house is now rebuilt.

Yesterday morning we wake up to another catastrophic message from Ålesund. The Costal Liner (hurtigruten)´s ship "Nordlys" was on fire just outside the harbor. They managed to get the ship to quay and firefighters started to get control over the dramatic situation. The ship had about 10 degree heel. Two persons are reported dead so far.

This morning the incline had increased to 21.7 degrees and the possibility for ship capsizing was imminent.

Later this heeling is stabilized and water is pumped out of the ship.
Maybe the three years old full scale testing of Ålesund city´s emergency and contingency plans now show off and that this situation also will end as successfully as possible. Everybody seems happy that the accident did not happen further out at sea.

Crab season and Beer Festivals

2011-09-15T18:21:00.000+02:00

It is high season for Norwegian Crabs. The quality is improving day by day. My dinner today can be seen above. One Crab on two slices of brown bread accompanied with cold beer. Delicious.

In the beginning of next month; 6th to 8th October, Oslo Beer Festival will take place.
13 years ago "The Norwegian Beer Festival" took place at Spectrum Arena in Oslo. At the entrance we got a "tasting glass" and walked around testing different brands, strength, color, aroma and taste.
Normally it is not obvious that a glass will survive during 13 years of beer drinking. This glass is however an exception, and latest used today.
Cheers or Skål.

For your information - Oslo Beer Festival

2011-09-14T16:51:00.000+02:00

Oslo Ølfestival will take place at Aker Brygge from October 6th to October 8th.

Oslo Beer Festival is an event for everyone. Whether you are curious or know a lot already, somewhat interested or passionate about beer, there are guaranteed an event that fits.
Program over three days is rich in good tastes of food and drink, exciting presentation, Beer Market at Bryggetorget, competitions etc. Over 60 events spread over 25 restaurants gives you the diversity of the beer world.

Expect to see you.

A Blue and Magenta wind over Norway

2011-09-13T09:19:00.001+02:00

No further comments. We are pleased. Next election night for parliament will be in 2013.

Polling day in Norway

2011-09-12T06:00:00.000+02:00

Today thousands of Norwegians will visit their local polling places and give votes for the political party they prefer to lead their communities the next four years. The different parties have at least one color linked to their logo; the Labour´s red, the Liberal´s green and the Conservative´s blue.

My color this Monday is Magenta here represented with the Orchid to the right of my TV-screen.

In the Munsell color system, magenta is called red-purple. In the CMYK color model used in printing, it is one of the primary colors of ink. In the RGB color model, the secondary color created by mixing the red and blue primaries is called magenta or fuchsia, though this color differs in hue from printer’s magenta. (Wikipedia)

Fuchsia

In my paintings I (like van Gogh) often use Magenta. The basic color in this painting of my cottage is Magenta and Turquoice.

Same in this cropped version of a self portrait. The Magenta has only coloristic purposes.

Andy Warhol has also used Magenta in many collections like this version (of 25) of Sam the Cat.

So why this focus on Magenta on the polling day.
The fundamental blue political philosophy linked to the conservative party "Høyre" added up with some social radical or anarchistic red variations give my choice.
Whatever your choice will be, don´t forget to vote. Your decision will be your way to take active part in the Norwegian democracy.

Public transport between east and west in Oslo

2011-09-11T11:57:00.000+02:00

One of the paintings we have at home, hanging close to the fireplace in the kitchen, is this motive "From Vognmannsgaten Oslo". The painter is unknown to us, but a very nice image and has been together with us close to 40 years. We believe it has been painted between the two world wars in previous century.

Yesterday at City Hall Square we found an old tram with the sign to "Vognmannsgata" (which prior to 1874 was named Lille Vognmannsgate). The street was located at Vaterland behind Oslo Central Station, where we today have Oslo Plaza Hotel and Spectrum scene.

Another tram with number 96 travelled between Stortorvet (Central Oslo) and Rodeløkken (Oslo Inner East), which in today´s terminology would be called Trondhjemsveien (Sinsen-trikken),

When the tram turned to the west again, the sign "Bygdø" was on the front and we would today call it "Kolsåsbanen" or "Jar-trikken".

Using public transport?

2011-09-10T16:05:00.000+02:00

I am not fond of the tram system at all, but sometimes it it nice to be a model for public tram / bus activity.

MAINTENANCE FINISHED AT THE COTTAGE

2011-09-08T16:35:00.000+02:00

Today we visited our cottage after some heavy rainy days. 99.5% of the maintenance work was carried out and we cut the lawn for the first time in three weeks. A hard days night or whatever you may call it is come to an end, but if the blue sky of today will continue the remaining days of September, we will still have some lovely days in close contact to nature.

Too close to nature is probably not recommended after we saw the Salamander on the neighbor´s garden table. A beautiful replica that may frighten some of the other creatures that pay visit to our estates.

I am not talking about this lady as a creature, and it is neither a replica, but visiting the cottage in beautiful weather is one of her favorite activities. Resting after a great working session is fair and fully deserved.

Local Election at Møre and Romsdal - Hospital localization

2011-09-08T09:11:00.000+02:00

The discussions regarding where in Møre & Romsdal central hospitals shall be built, was meant to have great impact on the voters choice during the Local Elections 2011. The poll so far shows some reactions of this.

On top image you find the business oriented area Sunnmøre with the main city Ålesund. A clear blue majority. Here there is no discussion about the Main hospital.

At Nordmøre and Kristiansund the Labour party has gained over 54% and hospital localization debate is as I see it the only reason for that. Will the citizens be disappointed when the new hospital is located to Molde?

In Romsdal and Molde I had expected a lower poll for the Labour party. Does the poll so far mean that hospital localization is not enough for rejecting their old lojalty to the governing party, or has the 22.7 terror given more sympathy than expected.

On Monday 12th we will see the result.

Først day at school

2011-09-07T09:04:00.003+02:00

The new school year starts today in Wales.
Big sister Helene (8) is bringing Henrik (4) to the school for his first term. Congratulation to you all.

No to stopping and standing but what about sleeping

2011-09-06T16:42:00.000+02:00

According to my driving competence some of these traffic signs are more important than others when it comes to fines of breaking the rules.

Outside my office window I often see parking guards give fine to those not accepting the "No stopping or standing" sign. The red cross on blue background may be difficult to see due to it´s location, but thousands of fine amounts must have been collected here during the years.

This driver did not get a fine, but that may be because he took a nap while standing. Some young girls knocked on his window, and the body language really told everybody that he had been sleeping.Lucky you, driver, the parking guards were busy somewhere else this afternoon.

Math Club for Maja, "Goboken 123"

2011-09-04T21:25:00.000+02:00

M&M (Math and Mode) has enrolled Maja into the Math Club: GOBOKEN 123 and this afternoon they opened the first box.
From the introduction at the club´s website you may read:

Through the "My First 1-2-3" the child gets basic experience with numbers and counting, and the natural curiosity of the figures are stimulated. "My first 1-2-3" is a good tool for you that will inspire your child to love numbers and counting. Throughout the books of numbers and activity packs, we want to give you ideas on how to make your child aware of the numbers and the role that mathematics plays in our daily lives.

This is probably not according to SV-Kristin´s ambition for equalizing the Norwegian school system, but we all had fun together and Maja was very focused.

iPhone 4 and Hipstamatic

2011-09-04T12:12:00.000+02:00

Experience Apple's 2010 App of the Year! It's so hip to shoot square…

Digital photography never looked so analog. The Hipstamatic brings back the look, feel, unpredictable beauty, and fun of plastic toy cameras of the past! The Hipstamatic keeps the the quirks of shooting old school but gives you the ability to swap lenses, film, and flash settings all with the swipe of a finger.

Download here

Saturday city stroll

2011-09-03T15:01:00.001+02:00

Norway one - Iceland zero

2011-09-02T21:50:00.000+02:00

Fighting for participation in UEFA-Championship 2012 in Poland - Ukraine, the football match between Norway and Iceland tonight ended

1 - 0

Gunnar S. carried his vintage tie from the World Championship in USA 1994 before and during the match, but that made no difference regarding the result. Hopefully the red sausages, beer and some aquavit tasted great for the old boys at Tore´s flat, as a garnish to the victory for Norway.

From Thimphu, Buthan to Høgevarde, Norway (or Oslo)

2011-09-01T05:55:00.004+02:00

From the spectacular country Buthan and more specific the capital Thimphu my 172nd visiting country arrived on Yesterday. Through Google my blogposts from June 2011 were found, and maybe the keyword was Troll, Mountains in Norvay or Høgevarde.
The photo above is from the spectacular location of the Taksang Monastery or the Tiger´s Nest.
The monastery is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the north of Paro West of Thimphu) and hangs on a precipitous cliff at 3,120 metres (10,240 ft), about 900 metres (3,000 ft) above the Paro valley, on the right side of the Paro Chu (river).

Høgevarde (1459 meters) is just half the altitude of Taksang, but the mountains here there and everywhere can easily be found on the net like my visitor from the eastern Himalayas did. The white color on the map has an altitude above 6000m.

The Buthan flag is based upon the tradition of the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and features Druk, the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology.The flag is divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner, with the upper triangle yellow and the lower triangle orange. Centred along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side. The dragon is holding a norbu, or jewel, in each of its claws.

According to The Legal Provisions of the National Flag of the Kingdom of Palden Drukpa
the yellow signifies civil tradition and temporal authority as embodied in the Druk Gyalpo, the Dragon King of Bhutan, whose royal garb traditionally includes a yellow kabney (scarf).
The orange half signifies Buddhist spiritual tradition, particularly the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma schools.
Druk, the Thunder Dragon, spreads equally over the line between the colors.
The placement of Druk in the center of the flag over the dividing line between the flag's two colors signifies the equal importance of both civic and monastic traditions in the Kingdom of Druk (Bhutan) and evokes the strength of the sacred bond between sovereign and people.
The white color of Druk signifies the purity of inner thoughts and deeds that unite all the ethnically and linguistically diverse peoples of Bhutan.
The jewels held in Druk's claws represent Bhutan's wealth and the security and protection of its people, while the dragon's snarling mouth symbolizes Bhutanese deities' commitment to the defense of Bhutan.

Cottage Maintenance almost finished

2011-08-31T15:10:00.000+02:00

As mentioned last week, we have performed some maintenance works at the cottage now when the staying season is over. Rotten panels have been removed and the balcony is now rebuilt.

The colors are still white-white with tar-brown edges and the painting job will end tomorrow if the rain stays away for some more hours.

The tool-shed / toilet appendix had a bad soil and is now rebuilt with a new foundation and stair fall.

The results seems very satisfying so far, and within end of this week the craftsmen have done their job.

Thanks to Krzysztof and his men for once more helping us professionally.

Norsk Derby Horse Racing and Headwear Parade

2011-08-28T21:26:00.000+02:00

At invitation of "fru Burums" we and friends gathered this morning around tables at Øvrevoll Racecourse for free eating and drinking while "some" gambling for fun was done. Tullen ended up with a small positive cash, and her first win at 14,38 in odds was highly commented at the tables. The friendly company with others made the day,

The Headwear Parade is one of the top entertainments during the day, but there is a way to go until we can compete with the Ascot creations.

At the start and half part of the Derby race Tullen´s favorite was in the lead, but ended up fifth. Gunnar S. had a triple but as long as he went for the official race favorites, the premium became rather low.

Tullen is the winner

2011-08-28T15:15:00.000+02:00

With 14.38 in odds Tullen picked the winner