Metal-chick!!!!

METAL!

...and even going backstage. Great fun!!!

Short Oslo visit

My dear Dad drove me to the trainstation at Kjelsås today. I was going to go back to Kristiansand with the 11.11 train from Oslo S, so he thought it convenient to take the train down to the city. It turned out to be a bit nerve wrecking...
Yesterday I had a morning date with Wendy, a percussionist (former student of the dad!), at 08.30.
We took the bus to Kristiansand Airport together. We were both going to Oslo with the 10.30 flight. I was going there for a funeral and to visit the cello doctor, Wendy for the written exam for her lisence.
I had my fridge with me, so I had included some negotiation time on the airport. Luckily I didn't need any, except for checking in. My booking number wasn't valid. Hooray.
Wendy and I split up at Gardermoen, and when I came to Oslo S, I realized that I had some spare time before I had the short rehearsal with the organ-player at 13. I rang my sister, and she had 30 min. break, so I jumped on a bus and visited her at school. My first time to Elvebakken VGS. It was great to see where she's spending so much time!
Then I headed off to Helsfyr.
No problem.
Looked for the krematorium (it's just a chapelle now, but it used to be a krematorium until august).
No problem.
Asked for a place to warm up.
N problem.
Where were the organ player? And when to play? Where?
some problems.
When he finally came, we had 3 min. of tempo setting, and then he was off.
Problem!
The place was a maze, we had very little time left, and we had not even been through the Swan. Well, it all went well. Luckily. Despite that the Swan was more like an old one, struggling to breathe and absolutely not ready for takeoff. But it pleased the family, so I should not complain.
Afterwords, I met Mum for a coffee at the central station. We met Guro on our way too, so she joined us.
It was a very pleasant coffee date, I could have one every day!
At 16 I was on my way to Urs, the magic sound doctor for my cello. I spent around 1.5 hours in his workshop, and now it's almost as nice as it was in May. The dryness of autumn makes strange things with my wooden soundbox, but we're experimenting with millimetres and it works.
Then I could catch my bus to Dads house and see Pauline and Helene. My sister is having Desucon this weekend so we were bleaching her hair, sewing a belt and being very creative. And then watching True Blood. Finally.
And this morning I got to see my Dad too, before he drove me to the trainstation. He got very nervous on my behalf because the train didn't show up. It turned out to be 15 min. late, and then I would miss my second train. Next train would be too late for me; I wouldn't be there for the premiere of La Boheme. ooops.
But 11.11 I was well seated in my train, and now I'm on my way out the door to play some beautiful music in a way too small pit.

Cactus

This guy took a short rest to smoke under the cactus. What a lovely sight in Havnabakken!

Family dinner

Since Helene came home from Japan, her schedule has been packed with reunions. This time it was Lille Sau. She had invited Ann with family and us for dinner. I don't see any of them very often either, so it was a great opportunity for me to meet them all too! Thank you, Lille Sau!

Sunday jam

My old school buddy was playing at Hr.Nilsen last sunday. He's based in USA so I don't see him often. Since Synne was here, I brought her too. It was great! Then I remembered why I went to a lot of jazz concerts during my days at uni..

Wild and Crazy

A lioness on a housewife holiday to the City of Tigers...

Lilies

Pauline grows them in the garden, and now around sunset they smell intense and delicious!

Shopping

With my incredibly pink sister. Did I say pink?

Hmmm....

Am I getting girly? Pink glasses, purple toe-nails and now I'm considering to buy a pink (or white) MSI U100.

Today was Nata's day. She had to cut her summer vacation in Poland short to get back here and find a new place to stay. Gosh, I don't envy her the job to find something now (with the competition from all the students...). Hopefully she'll get something really fast!!! And good.
After a walk in the city with her, I invited her home for dinner. We bought some "uer"


which we prepared in the oven. It was really good! (despite it's look...)
Ooo, I felt childish to play with it a bit when it was still uncooked. But it was so much fun! You know, having a muppetshow of my own.

And now, in search of a ultra light but good pc to carry around when I'm subbing (or going somewhere)

Location: Mums livingroom
Mood: tired!
Listening to: Mendelssohn octet

btw, the black version is out of stock...

Saturday walk

It's been a while since Mum, Eivind and I went for a saturday walk. Today we went from Skytterkollen to Brunkollen. It was great - not too warm, but not cold. And we were almost alone in the forest. The weather was changing a lot, so I guess the other ones didn't want to get wet...
Up at Brunkollen they had closed for the day, but the summer subs were enjoying their afterwork with a glass of wine. And the dogs were dozing in the sun. The cat, a fat, old black one, were SO cozy. It came for cuddles, and its paws were walking in the air all the time. And purring.

Otherwise, my days are filled with food, rest and friends. Wednesday, after coming to Oslo again after weeks of Stavanger summer, I spent the evening at Amandas (at last!) - we had a great talk!!
Grandma has finally got to some adventure; up to the cabin with Astrid, and friday I was looking at a car for Robi and me.
A blue Citroen Xsara Picasso. Quite a catch, at least in my eyes. Now we're just waiting for the contract to be sent to Robi, and then we'll be car-owners again. Iiiii!

Location: Mums livingroom
Mood: ok, but not too happy with all the change in the weather. And I could do with my boyfriend around too
Listening to: Mums knitting

Birthdayparty

And I asked them all to gather around Grandpa like an oldfashioned photographer. Anders and Anne came later.. Grandma had booked a room with equipment like cutlery, plates and coffee machine. Mum and Astrid had made snitter and Grandma had baked kringle. And then it was Astrids cream cake with cloud berries (picked up around Grandpas cabin). I know I shouldn't eat any dairy products, but it was so yummie! And I know Grandpa enjoyed his 90th birthday tremendously.

Last night

Of the Opera. Now I'm on summer holiday! Mum (murri) was sitting at 1st desk. The audience was enjoying it tremendously, I think the two russian guests were making a great show. And then, when I picked up a load of vinyl at Dad's place, I heard it was the last performance for Igor. May he have a great retirement (at the age of 42)!

Bacchus 2

But this time with Amanda. Incredibly nice chat, sweet cake, good coffee and weird waitress.

Dessert on the roof

After the first Swanlake rehearsal, Natalia and I went up to the roof. And what did we find but an ice cream stand?

At work

When something unexpected happens, we have to wait. And this is what we do! Play with our mobiles!!

Bus vs Airplane

This last week has been crazy. I've learnt how it is to be working double - in two different cities.
My schedule:

Sunday - bus to Kristiansand
Monday- 10-14 rehearsal, KSO
15.45 flight
19 Don Quixote at the Opera
Tuesday- 0558 bus to city (then airport train)
07.50 flight to Kristiansand
10-14 rehearsal KSO
Wednesday- 10-14 rehearsal KSO
15.45 flight
19 Don Quixote
Thursday - 0558 bus (then airport train)
07.50 flight
10-13 Dress rehearsal
19.30 Concert
Friday - 16 bus to Arendal
19 concert
Saturday 0910 train to Oslo
18 don Quixote
Sunday -Walk with mum by the ocean and saw a great exhibition (www.ellens.no)
18 don Quixote

I am really tired today!
Thanks to Vojta, I didn't have to bring the cello on the planes. I was only bringing my hand luggage and bow case. And my cello had vacation from the pit.

After the performance on Sunday, Mum was really funny during the drive home. We were giving one colleague a ride home, and in the darkness you find the strangest of creatures. One homeless person collecting cans and bottles in the lights from passing cars. And up-your-bum-drivers.
We had to go down a really narrow, quite steep and winding road to get home. Out of the blue (well, black is probably a more describing word) there came a red up-your-bum driver. Of course. He tried to get a good view of the road - to know when to pass us. This is more or less impossible on this road, unless you are highly suicidal. Halfway down we had to leave this roller coaster of a road. And guess what - the up-your-bum driver had the same route. Mum hates these ones. Why do they have to drive so close they can almost smell your ass?? I wonder.
Our road has a speed limit of 50, so she drove almost too slow just to piss him off. Then she put her foot on the gas and almost hit 60 just to let her car roll home, continuously loose speed. Some few metres from our gate, the red car were ready to pass us. Just then, Mum had to give signal to turn left. Of course.
I guess the guy got really pissed off. Suits him right!



Location: Mums kitchen
Eating: Breakfast, soon anyway. Oat porridge.
Drinking: Coffee
Listening to: The fan over our oven.
Mood: My mum is cool! And I'm still smiling of the flirtatious conductor yesterday. Too many cute girls and guys to wink at. He was quite busy, I can tell.

Catching up with old friends

...has been this weeks theme, I guess.

Tuesday I met up with a girl from junior high school - Cathrine. We also went to high school together, and actually - it was there we got to know each other. Cathrine and I were always walking together in a trio with Brit Hege. For a while it seemed like it would be a trio reunion, because Brit H. is in town quite often now because of some course - but no. She was still in Stavanger, so we had a reunion minus one. It was incredibly nice!! Both kind of tired after work, but eating great indian food and having company with each other made it a great evening.

Then on Thursday Guro and I went out to grab a coffee - which ended up being her having dinner, Amanda and I share a bean cake (interesting aquaintance) and Tove (a swedish cellist) just joining company in a tiny Thai place. Later that day, Amanda and I headed towards "Parkteateret"  to see a concert from Fever Ray which is a family friend of Amandas. 

The whole day was kind of stressing because I had been at mums place to pick up my concert clothes, and of course I forgot something. Only this something was my phone. I had an appointment with Amanda that said "see you at the opera, the concert starts at 8" Yeah. Very spesific....

I ran around the opera to find her, borrowed Johannas (harp player) phone - no answer, sent a message - no answer, called mum - and heard Amanda had tried to call me. Of course - the number which is in the book from the opera has one wrong number. When I finally got hold of Amanda, it turns out she´s been running around the oprera after me too. Only pure luck we didn´t bump into each other....

There was more to come - We took the tram to Grünerløkka, lined up for the concert and standing there almost 15 min. before the doorman came out, shouting "NO possibility to get ANY tickets now" and ruining our dreams of a night out with great music. Needless to say, we took a glass of cheering-up grown-ups-soda ;)

Friday I had lined up for a coffee with Anna, who has been to India, France, around Norway and Sweden since I saw her last time. It was great to see her! We went to Stockfleths with great efforts because of a very inconvenient sort of bag/suit case. It flipped over as soon as we even thought there would be a bump on the pedestrial. Hooray!!!

After consuming our coffee and cakes, Atle came strolling in with a friend. Atle studied with me in Trondheim, and we have met accidently twice a year since then. It bacame a fun group of people!

Now I´m facing one of my most hasty weeks ever, so it´s time to pack my bag and head for the bus. 

Kristiansand, here I come again!

Location: Dad´s computer room

Mood: ok

Eating: breakfast soon!

Drinking: ditto kaffe

Listening to: Ski jump competition on TV