Still here after all these years

Hamlet - Prince of Denmark

I'm back from the theatre after almost three hours in the wonderful, scary, beautiful world of William Shakespeare. What is it about this author - he lived more than five hundred years ago, but he still captures me with wisdom, wit, truth, passion, challenging questions and a lot of humor. To look into hate, to look into love, betrayal and passion, like in tonight's play Hamlet, helps us and reminds us that there is a world both out there and within us that challenges us to live more passionately. That's not necessarily about DOING a lot, but more about an attitude. Maybe we are to acknowledge the passion within, to look for it in humans around us, to listen for it in our faith, in love and even to acknowledge our anger and desperation? Mr. Shakespeare reminds me once again that we are to live our lives to the fullest, to draw out every drop of life as long as we've got it!


Aksel Henie as Hamlet (Photo: John Hughes, Oslo Nye Teater)

Death, new life and autumn

Autumn in Oslo (Photo: Norwegianblogger September 2006)

After a long, warm and sunny summer autumn is finally here. It's getting darker every day. Today it's foggy, humid and grey, and it's nice to be inside, listening to some good music and looking at the trees changing colors. A couple of weeks ago I went on a bike ride in parts of Oslo and I brought my camera (of course J ). In the middle of one of the residential areas of the town I found this motive. I went down on my knees, unpacked my camera and shot the photo. Seeing it made me once more think of the amazing cycle we call the seasons, the ever changing cycle of death and new life. I've seldom seen it more apparent than here, the new branches literally coming out of the death of the old tree. Wow – that's what we see every year isn't it – especially when you have four seasons like here. Usually life is connected to spring, but here it is, in the middle of the autumn; new life finding its way through death and misery. Nature speaks to us I believe. Are we able to read the signs?

London slidshow

This summer I went to London. I've posted some of my photos here before, but thought it could be fun to share more. I constantly have to go back to London. If you have any stories from being there, or if there are any suggestions for things to do, feel free to post it here. Here's London through my lense in July 2006:


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I wish I was an eagle

I've always enjoyed flying, no - more than that - I've always LOVED flying. I've done it a lot, but I still sit glued to the window enjoying the view from above. If I could have been an animal I would definitely have been an eagle spreading my wings across the sky :)

Yesterday I went to Bodø in Northern Norway for my work. Here are a few glimpses from my flights.


Northern Norway (Photo Norwegianblogger September 2006)

Take-off from Bodø (Photo: Norwegianblogger September 2006)

Above the clouds (Photo: Norwegianblogger September 2006)

The Harvest Moon (Photo: Norwegianblogger September 2006)

Royals and humanitarians

The Crown Prince, The Crown Princess and Minister of Internatioal Development Erik Solheim from the Socialist Left Party (Photo: Norwegianblogger 2006)

I went downtown yesterday - and in the middle of the city centre of Oslo HRH Crown Prince Haakon and HRH Crown Princess Mette Marit celebrated their five year anniversary of their marriage with a concert / presentation of 20 organizations that helps people in different parts of the world. Five years ago they decided that instead of presents they wanted their guests to contribute to a fund. Since then the royal couple have helped thousands yearly. In addition to that, they put a focus on a lot of important causes. The Crown Prince is deeply involved in the fight against poverty, while the Crown Princess is putting a focus on HIV-aids (they both participated in the big HIV-aids conference in Toronto earlier this year). I went to a UNDP (United Nations Development Fund) meeting earlier this year that was about the responsibility for the worlds governments to fight poverty and saw the Crown Prince taking notes and listening intensely to the different lectures. It's not only that they are working on these causes, but they are incredibly well-read and very well informed.

HRH Crown Princess Mette Marit and HRH Crown Prince Haakon in Oslo August 26, 2006. (Photo: Norwegianblogger)

Mette-Marit and Haakon are doing a great job, and they're able to represent Norway and their (our) generation in a wonderful way. I think it's hard to be enthusiastic about the monarchy as a constitutional form, but I've no problem in supporting this couple. I listened to the radical, socialist representative of the Cabinet today, Minister of International Development Erik Solheim (Socialist Left Party), and it was somewhat strange to listen to him praise the Royal family for their work (His party calls for an overthrow of the Monarchy every year in the Parliament). He was incredibly enthusiastic and was embraced by the Crown Princess :).

I wish them many happy years - and I hope they'll continue with this great combination of being Royals and Humanitarians!

Even though this picture is a little blurred I like it. The Crown Princess among the people - Photo: Norwegianblogger, August 26, 2006.

Any limits for technology?

A couple of days ago I invited some friends over to see Wim Wenders' movie "Until the end of the World - the Directors cut". I bought it when I was in Italy last year. The movie is four and a half hours, so its really an experience.

The film raises some difficult, but interesting questions. Are there any limits to what we as humans are supposed to know? Are there any lines we shouldn't cross? Is there something that is holy and not for us to mess with?

Every person in the movie seems to be confused and unsure of their place in the world. Through technology they think they find a lot of answers when they're able to make movies of their dreams, but it makes them self-absorbed and insulated.

I've seen this movie several times, but I always feel the last part challenges me to think about how we live our lives. Wim Wenders paints a dark future where technology isolates us when it's used to explore the mind, but maybe we're better off? Is technology more of a tool for communication these days or is technology itself pushing us further towards isolation and egocentrism? Is technology only a tool for better living and community - or could it be an obstacle for the same? Are we given opportunities through technology we really shouldn't have?

The Aborigines in the film were convinced that there are limits to what we are to know; there are things that are holy, there are lines that shouldn't be crossed. Knowledge should never lead us to isolation, but should be shared in a setting of reverence and respect. Holiness means that things are to be put in context, not to be used for personal gain exclusively - that leads to egocentrism. What consequences are there for technology? Is technology neutral or an instrument for our worst nightmares?

I do wonder if it's the technology that is bad or if it's our use of it? The problem in the movie was probably not that the technology was there, but that they didn't have the ethical grounding to resist the temptation of being obsessed by themselves, and to use the technology to be even more egocentric. The quest for understanding isn't always to be strived for when it leads to self-absorption and isolation. Does it lead us TO community or OUT of it? That's sometimes the question. I guess we have to be aware of that in this blogging community as well? Are we here to worship our egos (and make others do it) or are we here to seek community and SHARE our lives with others.... OOOoooooops! Difficult question...... Have to process that myself.

What then about the monastic tradition you might ask? Well, isolation in religious movements is about community as well. Sometimes we have to shut out the noise of the world to be able to listen for the spiritual dimension - to find spiritual community with God and others. That, I believe, is to be strived for. That might give us the ethical grounding necessary in this confusing world.

What do you think?

Death

It's late; it's in the middle of the night. There's a candle-light in my window; I've got a wonderful CD with Annie Lennox on; I've seen an amazing movie (The Princess and the Warrior) by Tom Tykwer, one of my favorite directors. I feel content and happy - and I'm thinking about death. Does that sound strange? Maybe, but being aware of my mortality makes me feel intensely alive. To sit here and feel that I don't feel any pain, I've got work, I've got friends and family that cares for me, I even have some wonderful friends here in Cyberspace that have given me a virtual community that brakes down all barriers of borders and continents. I'm here and I'm alive, but one day I will not be here anymore. I leave this existence behind and I'm dead. As a teenager I dreamt that I died. It's one of the most intense dreams I've ever had. I was catapulted upwards in spirals of light, energy and speed - and the strange thing was that I felt intensely ALIVE, free of my body, free of my limited thoughts and emotions; on my way HOME. I've written about HOME several times in this blog and I think it's a reality. Sometimes I feel lost, a few times I can feel alone, hurt and wounded but I know I'm on my way HOME. Sometimes there's a glimpse of home here, but through life and death, nothing going to stop us - we're on our way!

Palestine, Israel and Lebanon

People of the Middle East (All photos: Norwegianblogger)

I haven’t really written much about the situation in the Middle East in this blog. It’s incredibly difficult to be objective and there are many load voices wanting us to share their views. In spite of this I don’t think we should be silent. We are all responsible as part of the human race to care, to use our thoughts and hearts to contribute and to say it out load and clear that we are all brethren: Israelis, Palestinians, the Lebanese and the rest of us. There’s so much suffering and pain in the region and the question is: Are we entitled to speak about this conflict when we’re living far away, not being personally involved? Am I entitled?

At times I’ve spoken to people from the region and I’ve heard that as a Norwegian I can’t understand the situation, and I guess there’s truth in this, but that’s when we look at ourselves as Israelis, Palestinians or Norwegians. We shouldn’t forget that we’re all first and foremost human beings, in need of others, craving for understanding, love and someone who cares, and frightened to death by war, pain and loss. Most of us have experienced loss, the emptiness and rage we feel when a loved one has lost his life, in accidents, in sickness or in war. At a personal level we’re living in a situation where death is as evident in our lives as life. It’s a part of being human.

How are we to understand and how are we to be able to lift our voices in a situation as the one in the Middle East? It takes time and I guess we have to listen for what we have in common; our humanness. Are we able to forget the dividing lines and listen to the joys, the pain and the fright in the voices of the people in the region? I’m not saying that we are not to criticize or argue about politics, but I think we have to start with acknowledging our common humanness.

A few years ago I was in Southern France, in a little idyllic town called Menton. From the hostel there’s a view of the Mediterranean and the beautiful coastline of the Cote D’Azur. A very peaceful setting and the porch is a wonderful place for conversations with people from different parts of the world. One evening I met an Israeli couple in their early twenties. This was during a very turbulent time in Israel with a lot of suicide bombings, and they said that it was incredibly difficult to get it off their minds. Even in peaceful Menton they were not able to let it go. At the beach they’d seen some luggage and thought immediately that it was a bomb. They had to convince themselves that they were in France and that nothing would harm them there. Every time they went out to a café, a disco or to meet their friends in a public area in Israel they went out with the knowledge that they could be killed. From a very early age this was a part of their daily lives, and after twenty years with this kind of fear, it was a part of their mindset.

How are we to comprehend this? Do we have these kinds of experiences as Norwegians? Probably not, but it’s very close to what could be called a phobia. Some of us are scared of heights, of open places, of masses of people, of birds or of insects – it’s a part of our mindset. Sometimes it really makes life difficult. Living with fear is not easy, but probably also a part of being human. Being scared could either make us distance us from others or draw us closer to each other. To acknowledge your own fears and to share your thoughts about them could help us understand and recognize our common humanness. By listening to this Israeli couple I was connected to them, because I could relate to my fears and was able to get an impression of how it is to live in conflict. The difference between a phobia and the situation in Israel is that in this situation the fear is justified. This couple had lost friends and family, and knew that next time it could be them. As a fellow human being we should be outraged of the fact that someone has to live with fears like this!
Later I’ve listened to Palestinians who are forced to stand in lines for hours just to be able to visit relatives or get to work, being abused, yelled at and treated like second-rate citizens, treated differently because of their ethnicity and background. A sad, sad situation! Are we able to relate? Have we been abused, yelled at or treated differently because of ethnicity, gender, orientation or age? Yeah, unfortunately it’s a part of being human, but who are we to make walls, to separate people because of their ethnicity, to abuse, to look down at, to treat differently? We should be outraged!

Lebanon – a country caught between the actions of their neighbors, a more or less innocent bystander to groups and countries making this beautiful country into a battleground. Losing inhabitants in massacres and attacks that should make the world outraged!

Well, the peoples of the Middle East are outraged, and they have every right to be filled with rage, but where does it leave us as human beings? Our rage could separate us or draw us closer. Do we see each other as human beings or as representatives of nations or groups or as the enemy? Politics is not about actions between politicians, it’s about fighting for the right of the Israeli couple to live without fear of being killed when they dance to celebrate life, it’s about the Palestinians right to lift their heads and walk freely to their neighbors, to be met by a smile instead of a gun, it’s about the Lebanese people’s right to live peacefully, but when it all comes down it’s about our rights as human beings to live in peace, to love, to talk freely, to share life with all, and to see our neighbors as brothers and sisters, here to make this earth our common HOME. Please politicians, please Palestinians, please Israelis, please Norwegians and Africans, Americans, Asians, Europeans, Australians; make this world a home for all of us!
People of the Middle East & me (All photos: Norwegianblogger)

From Cyber band to real band (for me)

Something Sally in Concert, Oslo, July 2006 (Photo: Norwegianblogger)


It's been an interesting day indeed. A couple of months ago I was introduced to a band called Something Sally through the web. I listened to some of the songs on their page and was immediately attracted to the music. They've got a sound and a style that is right up my alley. I was surprised to read that they actually are Norwegians, even though they now have their base in the UK. For a long time they've announced that they would have a concert here in Oslo at the 29th of July, and since I liked their music I wanted to be there. It was fun to listen to this band that has been a cyber band for me for some months now. Afterwards I was even able to have a nice, little chat with Sally and Thomas from the band and I had fun shooting a couple of photos of the two of them.

Something Sally in Concert (Photo: Norwegianblogger)

Sally and Thomas from Something Sally (Photo: Norwegianblogger)

Five different artists / bands within the soul - genre contributed to this day's concert and it was great fun listening to them. I even had some interesting conversations with a guy that happened to sit beside me in the audience. After talking for some hours I was again made aware of the fact that every single person in this world has their own story - and it was great listening into one more of these stories. After this I met four of my friends for dinner, conversations and a movie.

Paris Photoblog

Paris - I'm out of words. Here are a few of my photos from my days in Paris (All photos: Norwegianblogger, July 2006).

Notre Dame de Paris

Parisian street

Petit Palais

Fashion photography in La Défense, Paris

Something to eat anyone?

The Eiffel Tower - the symbol of Paris

London photoblog

I've spent great days in London, Paris and Ålgård. Instead of writing a lot of words I've chosen a few photos from my travelling in the last couple of weeks. Photos sometimes says more than a thousand words. Here's London through my lense in July 2006 (All photos: Norwegianblogger). I'll be back with more photos later.

Tate Modern Cafe, London

At the South Bank.

St. Paul's Cathedral seen from the South Bank.

A great day with Barbara from Tolouse

Temple Church, London

Happy after a great Al Jarreau consert at the Tower of London.

Photoblog from a summer day in Oslo

One of the many joys of having visitors from out of town is the possibility of some sightseeing in Oslo. Here are a few of our experiences from yesterday (All photos: Norwegianblogger July 2006)

A visit in the Botanical Garden in Oslo





Changing of the guards outside the Royal Palace in Oslo

Never walk alone?

Gustav Vigelands art in Frognerparken, Oslo (Photo: Norwegianblogger, July 2006)

I've been to Frognerparken here in Oslo today with a good friend's family. To see this park with kids puts another perspective on the whole experience. The park is filled with statues by artist Gustav Vigeland showing human beings from birth until death and everything between. The artist portrays grief, jealousy, joy, innocence, love, hate and loneliness through groups of statues. All the statues are naked and I'm reminded of Sting's song "FRAGILE". How fragile we are as humans: We love, we hate, and we are lonely and happy. We're lost, we're found, but the question is: Do we walk this road alone or are we here to walk it together? I've had some great conversations through e-mail today, and it makes me believe in sharing more of this life. Do I dare to let other influence me; do I dare to let others lead the way or do I dare to walk my path in spite of what others say? I don't know, but at least I'm glad to feel that there's a road ahead - waiting for me to walk it. I think I will join the Liverpool supporters in this great truth and hope for our fellow man (and myself): You never walk alone!


Frognerparken, Oslo (Photo: Norwegianblogger, July 2006)

Joy of Summer

Summer in Oslo (All photos: Norwegianblogger, July 2006)

I'm having the best possible summer vacation. Lazy days in the sun and in the water, having a great time with friends and family. Time to reflect, converse, be lazy, do nothing, have photo expeditions, time on my computer and to "waste" time. I'm loving it!

Drøbak at the fjord

Enjoying vacation at the Oslo fjord near Drøbak (Photo: Norwegianblogger July 2006)

Yesterday I joined my sister to the little village of Drøbak, located where the Oslo fjord is at its smallest. It's a village with wood houses and a great location next to the fjord. First we spent some hours in the sun outside of the village before we had dinner and a walk in the village (or is it a city?). Three ferries and the enormous cruise-ship Jewel of the Seas passed by while we were there. I let the photos speak for themselves (All photos: Norwegianblogger July 2006). Today it's the fourth of July: I guess there will be fireworks and a lot of fun in the US today! All the best to all my American friends!





Jewel of the Seas passing Oscarsborg Fortress and Drøbak (Photo: Norwegianblogger July 2006)

The best start

I've had the best start possible for my vacation. Thursday was my last day at work and I went out for dinner with three colleagues. Had a great time at Aker Brygge with a view of the harbor and the islands in the Oslo fjord, when you add sun and a warm breeze from the fjord it's great. Yesterday morning I went on my bike along the Aker River ("Akerselva") to Kjelsås. I spent 2 - 3 hours in the sun and was even able to get a little sunburned. Some of the time I spent listening to Jan Kjærstads book "Forføreren" (audio book), a funny and great book from one of Norway's best authors. In the evening I went to a friend’s house in the countryside right outside of Oslo for a barbeque. It was exciting because of a lot of the people where new to me, in other words; I've never met them before.

Marion's House (Photo: Norwegianblogger June 2006)

Flowers in Marion's garden (Photo: Norwegianblogger June 2006)

Some people are just born to be the perfect hosts: Marion is one of them. Her house could have been featured in a design / style magazine and is a cozy, warm setting for gatherings of friends. Coming to a place with a lot of unknown people could be awkward, especially for Norwegians - we are not like the Americans :), but not at Marion's; great conversations, delicious food, and friendly people. I've had the best start possible for my vacation.

Summer vacation

It's the first day of my vacation, the sun shines, it's warm and my bike is waiting for me. In the evening I'm going to a barbeque. I've got more than FIVE weeks vacation ahead and I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest. I'll visit London, Paris and Ålgård, have friends visiting here and visit friends, but most of the time I'll just enjoy my wonderful hometown OSLO. Summer vacation: I'm ready for you!

I'm 27 :)

I enjoyed this test. It tells what age we are at heart. In this test I'm 27 - I actually think it's accurate :)

You Are 27 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Sweden - I love it!

The harbour in Gothenburg, Sweden (Photo: Norwegianblogger, June 2006)

One day after Sweden won their second match in the World Cup I went to Gothenburg with six friends to spend the weekend there. Great city, friendly people and a lot of atmosphere; great food, nice walks, a great adrenaline-kick with the roller coasters in Liseberg amusement park, a lot of sun, interesting talks and discussions, a nice garden walk, a museum and even a little dancing. Göteborg is a great city to visit - and Sweden - I really, really enjoy it - the country, the language, the friendly people - and I'm not saying this 'cause I have 1/8 of my genes from this country - but you know; it's interesting to wonder if coming to the country of 1/8 of my ancestors makes it feel a little "home" as well :).

In the footsteps of History

Lindisfarne Priory - Holy Island, UK (Photo: Norwegianblogger June, 2006)

For the last couple of days I've been walking in the history of England and Scotland. I'm here with family and we're enjoying the sites of these countries. From the windblown island of Lindisfarne / Holy Island to the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh. From the serenity of Lake Leven to the bustle of cities. It's like walking in History. In every direction there are castles and palaces, abbeys and priories. Some in ruins, others are lively places of community, even today. It's only a long weekend, so there's only a couple of more days to go, but it's incredible how much it's possible to experience in 4 / 5 days.

Michael Bublé in town

Michael Bublé in Oslo Concert Hall, Norway (Photo: Norwegianblogger June 4, 2006)

Yesterday, Michael Bublé's tour reached Oslo - Norway and Oslo Concert Hall. This man has got a big variation in his fan-base. When I entered the concert hall I was amazed to see a mix of teenagers, elderly and everything between, with a smile on their faces and a camera in their pockets :) That might explain why the concert was a mixed experience as well. It's not easy to please such a diverse crowd, at least not when it comes to what's going on between the songs. At times the show was like a stand-up show where he made jokes and partly some cheesy comments. I think it's the first time I've been to a concert where I felt an urge to tell the artist: "Please, please, can't you just sing?", but others might have enjoyed it, so who am I - only one of a crowd of hundreds. But, when that man starts to sing: WOW, that voice is "one in a million", and when he invited the people in the back to come dancing in front of the stage for the last couple of songs there was a party going on. His band is remarkable; young musicians with a groove and feeling out of this world.

Maybe Mr. Bublé is a bit tired of his tour? It's been interesting to attend three concerts in a week, because the difference between these artists was obvious. Josh Ritter loved what he did. You could sense that he loved sharing the music with us and that he was proud of every song he did. He shared little stories about the music and his life and seemed like a friend who wanted to share his songs with his buddies. Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler were very professional. They did a show they've done several times before, but their professionalism made it sound new and interesting. Michael Bublé has the voice and the charisma, but in my opinion, he seemed a bit uninspired and tired of his songs (which he more or less told us as well). But, by all means, when he sang it was great - he IS a great singer, no doubt about it, but maybe its better not to have a commercial success selling millions of records? Perhaps it's better to visit a little club in Oslo with 60 people present and just share what you love - the joy of music? I don't know - only asking.

Finding HOME

Finding HOME might be why we are at Planet Earth. The sense of loneliness, the sense of being lost, the sense of not being seen, which every one of us feels from time to time is maybe signs of our longing for HOME. Home is not first and foremost a place, but a state of mind; a sense of belonging, a sense of having been found, a sense of purpose to this life, and maybe most of all; a place of love, trust and safety. Now and then I’ve seen a glimpse of home, in conversations filled with hope, questions and equality, in a hug from mother, in a smile from a loved one, and I’ve found glimpses in art, music and plays that bring recognition and opens up our understanding of life. I’m still on my way to find HOME, and I know that I might find it in people, relationships, and friends, as a state of mind that tells me that I’m there, but maybe our search for home is a part of being human? Maybe it’s not found in its full form before we are in the loving arms of the Eternal who’ll embrace us at the end of this road called life?

Searching for HOME: Oslo, Norway (Photo: Norwegianblogger 2006)