Sunday, April 24, 2005

Being visible!

Yesterday I started my day by having hours of conversations with my wonderful house-mate. Through the conversation I found that being invisible has a lot to do with making myself invisible. Relationships are not about withdrawing, but it's about daring to show who you are. Daring to confront, discuss, forgive and to be real. We don't like being criticized, but I actually think it's important to be able to have people around that are able to confront me, challenge me and help me to be a better man. I've had some people confronting and criticizing me lately, and my answer to that has been withdrawing - I guess my answer should be the opposite - to seek towards those relationships, because that's where I grow. It does not mean to say that they are right, but knowledge about who I am and where I should go in my life comes through struggling with these questions and inviting others to participate. I guess that's where life is really worth living, and that's where I want to be: Visible, real and transparent.

Saturday, April 23, 2005

Who are we really?

As I wrote in Paris I have felt lately that I have become more invisible. In some ways I feel it's because of my own choices - I have chosen to be more isolated. It has made me think - who am I really - and who are we as part of the human race? What is a man and a woman in itself - more than flesh and bones? Why are we able to give each other heaven and hell through the words we're saying or from a touch from our hands? I've had some conversations lately that have made me think (yes, Im not totally isolated :) ). We are trying to make sense of our lives, we're searching for acceptance and to be embraced, we are so fragile. The distance between sanity and being "out there" is so short. What is a life then, and why are we here? I don't know - I only know that the sun rises and the sun sets every day, the wind blows and our lives are like being on a journey where you don't know the destination. Right now I feel a little lost, but there are a few lighthouses here and there that leads the way. I'm looking intensely for those lighthouses.


Spring in Oslo. (Photo: Norwegianblogger) Posted by Hello

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Dentist Paradise

It's quiet amazing isn't it? I've been to the dentist today and she worked on two holes without me feeling anything. I was almost asleep during the procedure. I get in a meditative mood when I'm in a dentist's chair. I don't exactly know why, but there is something about the light, the comfortable chair and someone quietly working around (and in) me. My thoughts starts to wander and I drift away. It's not that I LIKE it, but it's actually not too bad. It's wonderful to be without pain throughout the whole procedure though. I hope that she's done a great job as well.

Saturday, April 02, 2005

Death of a Pope

Pope John Paul II died this evening. It strange isn't it? He's been there for almost 27 years as Pope and now he's gone. I was always amazed about how people reacted around him, but I finally understood when I was in Rome in 2001. I walked around St. Peter's Square one evening when a priest approached me and asked me if I wanted an invitation into the Vatican to see the movie Que Vadis with the Pope present. It was a surreal experience since the movie was really violent. A few rows in front of me I could see the Pope sitting in his chair. After the movie he was coming up through the middle of the big hall. The atmosphere was electric, and the closer he got people the more people was totally extatic. He had an aura that was really strong, and even through the photos I shot this evening you can sense a bit of his charisma. Here's the Pope through my lense in 2001.

Pope John Paul II in Rome 2001. Photo: Norwegianblogger Posted by Hello

Friday, April 01, 2005

A new star in Jazz?

I went to the library here in Oslo a couple of days ago. I brought home a CD from the jazz department called "Glittercard". The artist is Torun Eriksen. I'd never heard her name and thought it could be interesting to listen to some new music. I was really surprised. Her voice is rich and warm and the music is both innovative and interesting. There are some voices that have a quality that makes you want to listen to them for hours: Eva Cassidy, Randy Crawford, Norah Jones, Sidsel Endresen, Silje Nergaard, Al Jarreau, Sarah Vaughn and others have that kind of quality in their voices. Now there's a new person to add to that list: Torun Eriksen. Visit her homepage for a little taste of what she has to offer: http://www.toruneriksen.no/ - or best of all: Buy her album!