Saturday night fever

Saturday night was dedicated to the immortals.
First Robert and I went to see the old silent movie "Nosferatu" - accompanied live by Kitchen Orchestra (free jazz impro. Quite loud, but good anyway). They had announced half price for vampires, and I could not resist that. Had to dress up!

Afterwards, we went to a place called Sting. It's an art cafe/pub. There Tor was celebrating his 50th birthday, and so what would be better than get two vampires dropping by?
There was music, food, cakes and great people.
It all went way past bedtime...

Step 1

Washing off old paint with high pressure. A mans job!

Hundvåg ink

Robi has got some bruises after the Chinese treatment yesterday, so I took the advantage of it to make a "tattoo". Longevity!

Kjerag

Solastranda

Kvetas last day here, and we took a trip to Solastranda. It was quite windy, so despite the sun we had to wear a lot of clothes. First we took the bus towards Sola (I always laugh when I think of this name. The Sun!), but Robert forgot to push the button - we got a bit longer walk. Then I figured Kveta would like to see Sola Ruin Church, I saw the sign and we walked. Quite far. It was warm (suddenly) and we passed lots of farms. Not what I remembered of my previous trip to this church. We decided to turn back, and guess what we saw next to the road, app. 100 m from the sign? Yup.
When we finally found our way to the beach I got a strong sence of deja-vu. I am positive I was there once before. Can it possibly be from the famous car vacation down the south-west coast of Norway? (The only thing I remember apart from looong hours in the car) was a face I drew on Eivinds foot!

Sunday in Stavanger

We took a stroll in the city in this fantastic weather. At first we wanted to take a boat out into the fjord, but we were too late. I had done a morning performance in the Stavanger Dom, and came home too late for catching the 12 boat. But, what was more perfect then, than to go to Sjokoladepiken and buy some homemade icecream in their own chocolate cups?
Now, back home, we're soon going to enjoy "fish a'la Robert" on the terrace!

Celebration dinner!

I got to the 3rd round in Stavanger! We're 4 who will get 2 weeks each in the orchestra. Robi and I are now REALLY hungry, so we're at an Indian restaurant. Yey! I have a huge grin on my face!!

Good byes and cello airport trouble

I've left Stavanger for Oslo - again. Next time I'll return - it'll be for the audition (anxiety!)

The day started being filled with grief and sad colleagues in the funeral. An incredibly touchy ceremony where his colleagues, friends and students (all trombone players) played hymns and interludium, and the string players from SSO played Barbers "Adagio".
I couldn't just go home again after this, so I joined a few others for a cup of coffee.

Back home it was time for packing my loads (cello, handbag and a few things in my backpack - all as hand luggage). Robi came home quite early (17.00) and offered to drive me to the airport around 8. We had time for a talk over a cup of tea before sending me off to Sola.

I should have understood this was a day who had several things up its sleeve for me when Robi dropped me off at the Helicopter terminal...
We got some second and third and... good byes through his car window while I walked over to the ordinary terminal. There I used the automates to check in, printed out my two boarding cards (I had been a "nawti, nawti little girl" -booking ticket for my cello without asking Norwegian for permission. And then checking it in by the automates. "Nawti, nawti!!" (hear this with the tiniest, sharpest voice you can imagine..)) and went upstairs. I met Solveig there too (a violinist) so I had company.
I put my creams and lip gloss and other girly artifacts in the plastic bags, my handbag and backpack on the belt and then preparing my cello to go through the machine. But - NO!
"It's too big, it'll ruin the machine!" said the female guard.
"It always goes through, and it has never been a problem anywhere", I told them.
"No, the machine is so expensive and we can't send it through" said the female guard. "I'll ask the guard in charge to take a look at it"
The guard came, and asked "What instrument is that?" -got his answer, called a phone, left, came back and said: "No, I don't think it'll fit". (Even though I have sent my cello through these machines several other places - Stavanger included - before, without ruin one single machine.)
"You have to check it in and send it" he said.
Great! An idiot!! I had my ticket and everything, and luckily he wasn't such a big idiot that he insisted on this. "ok, I'll beep it then" he said.
I went through to the other side, and he took my cello on the side.
Then I had to open the case, take out my cello and wait until he came back with the beeper.
He checked the case in 3 places, and my cello on the shoulder and upper back. He was going to check it directly on the furnish - something I didn't let him to do without checking the material of the beeper. Apparently, he had to do it all over again because I touched it. Arrgh.
Solveig was waiting, but found company in a conductor we both know.

You can't imagine how happy I was to see that the stewardesses knew how to deal with cellists! They gave me the extension belt straight away, and left me alone after that. Yay! My flight was delightfully peaceful - and I finished my book "Tett intil dagene" by Mustafa Can. (Read it!)

Groth, Games and Gardening

This easter was filled with the three G's.
Robi and I went to an art exhibition at Rogaland Kunstmuseum with Jan Groths work, under the title of "Traces and spaces" a day when the sky were bursting out its wrath over Stavanger.
We played backgammon in pubs and cafes, and when the weather allowed us to: gardening!

Mum, it's actually very pleasing to do gardening if your patch of land is not too big... And the wild thyme you gave us has now got its own little space in the tiny garden of ours.

Šišky, tea and movie

Mum and my brother left today, leaving us lost and bewildered. Now we're comforting our selves with these slovak doughnuts, tea and a movie. Eivind, this fantastic picture is a tribute to you! Isn't it just artisticly amazing? ;)

*FANFARE*

I've found my cables, so now some of the older blogposts has got pictures in them!!
And here is Trupik:



Isn't he just a cutie? Incredibly soft and cuddly, too. I think he'll be good company for Robi when I'm not at home.

Location: Sitting on my bed
Mood: Tired, and annoyed at my phone for hiding the new picture of my shoes.
Eating: not yet
Drinking: Green tea with rice in it. You know, this tea you get in Sushi places

IKEA...

It's hardly a secret that I really hate IKEA. At least on saturdays. I think it has something to do with all the people. Stressed parents, wild aunts crazy to get the cheap offers, men pretending the shopping wagon is a ferrari, screaming kids... an inferno of noises and limbs. And then it's impossible to get around without bumping into anyone or get run over. Wherever there's a huge crowd of people, you can be sure I'm not. SO - in short: it's not the place for me.
But, yesterday it was ok! We even managed to buy something!! Well, we didn't buy it - we went back today to pick it up. A mistake. I hated it again today.


Robi and I having a rest after struggling through the masses

But as a treat we bought a stuffed rabbit, now called Trupik. (Norwegians, read it as Tropik.) He sits on our sofa, on top of a luxurious, wine red filt. He looks like a king!

After our adventures through IKEA and the city (had to buy a microwave for Rob and other things too) we came home for some puzzle. IKEA puzzle, of course. Amazingly enough it went pretty well. At least better that hanging up the blinds... We need to borrow some electric drill with a long arm (or whatever it's called).

But it all ended well, and we enjoy our Munkholm, crisps and last weeks Top Gear. It really feels like a home now, sitting in our sofa, surrounded by plants, table with 4 chairs around, filts, curtains, (not a carpet yet) microwave, coffee maschine (my old one, but it's superb), water kettle, musicstand with all gadgets I need, TV on and Robi by my side. *sigh*


The dining table from Åse and Arne, with IKEA chairs


:)

Location: In my livingroom
Mood: Happy!
Eating: Cheese Doodles (haha, Robi hates the smell! Can't blame him)
Drinking: Munkholm
Listening to: the TV

First time in our house!

This is our house, the one with open door! I'm so happy :) Some more pictures comes up when I get the cable for my phone and don't have to send them via the phone...
I came yesterday, after a loooong day on the train. Funny enough - a fellow cellist, Silje, was sitting two - 2 - seats in front of me. Equally bored. And we didn't find each other until Sandnes..
Anyway, it was so good to see Robi again! And he has really done a good job with the interior, even though he has spared a lot of the work until I came so we could do some together. (I.e placing things in the cupboards, decorating the walls, curtains in the bedroom, shelves and so on.)
Ingvild, the Super Woman plates I got from you are fantastic!! (btw, can't log in on your site anymore... *snufs*)

Location: My own house!
Drinking: Caffe Latte, made at home
Eating: Bread with cheese and apple (Mammas speciality), another with smoked salmon
Feeling: Great, and at home
Listening to: the silence

Stavanger, sweet Stavanger

I have been in Stavanger for almost a week now, and it feels SO good!
It was incredible to see my boyfriend again, and then also get a warm welcome back from the orchestra made it all even better.
I had the most fascinating travel over here on Monday. Early morning train, quite a lot of people - even in the "comfort" wagon, luggage (one bag with wheels), normal bag and two - 2 - cellos. One modern and one baroque. I felt like a very demanding traveler.
The instant I boarded the train, I was blocking the way for someone who had to walk past me. After that I didn't know how to organize myself and all my luggage. A very helpful man came to my rescue. He turned out to be the head of "Hove festival" (a huge rock-festival in the south of Norway). Apparently he had seen forlorn musicians travel before...
When the train was at its final station - in this case Stavanger - I had equal problems getting off the train. I didn't want to leave any luggage in the train, but on the other hand I didn't want to put any of the cellos, or my luggage, on the platform unattended either. Yet again I got help from a kind soul. This time a sweet girl who was getting home for a week of rest in her studies.
And then Robi came, and it was all ok.

Ah, I was thinking the weather in Stavanger was almost only wet during fall, but this morning we had to scrape the car-windows free from ice. Winter is coming! Feels great, but - oh so cold!

Location: Robis place in Hillevag
Mood: Exhausted after todays practice
Drinking: Nada, should have some water...
Listening to: The silence of the clock on the wall

Sunday!

This sunday was a little different from other ones. I became "gressenke" (grass-widow. I'll bow to whoever who gets the origin of that Norwegian saying!) - seeing my Robi off to Stavanger again. Quite melancholic!
The house was still full of people though, because Eivind was home for the weekend after a schooltrip to Paris. And then, of course, we ended up going for a walk. We decided to walk around Semsvannet.



It turned out to be very exiting, just look at these ones:
(the first one is mainly for Robi, but also for Helene in case she gets too homesick)

New favorite bakery! ...and seeing friends from Stavanger

I've found my favorite bakery in Oslo! (I think)
United Bakeries, located at Karl Johan. I just love their bread, and the muffins are yummi :)



The same day we met up with a very tired couple from Stavanger. (Well, they are not exactly from Stavanger, more American I'd say, but for me, I connect them with SSO!) They had taken the night train, but since they tried the chairs instead of getting a bed, they were exhausted from the journey. We met them at Aker Brygge (Audun was very immobile, and it was short way to their ferry) for a nice cup of tea. I recognised that I miss them a lot!


Naho and James, fresh from the train... Vivian and Audun

Autumn...

Came home from a rehearsal and found Robi, under a cover in the sofa feeling quite shaky. He's probably getting ill. I'm not surprised - the weather has changed a lot recently and I too felt I was on the verge of caching a cold. Guess we're not the only ones.
It just made me long for the summer - and this summer we spent a lot of time in Slovakia. In the video here you see some of it, accompanied by the now deceased Hollywood actor (whose voice I think everyone who has ever seen a movie, will recognize..). After spending warm days by the foot of the High Tatras, you get spoiled by the view. And the heat.
Fairyland
Now I have to (and actually also look forward to) get used to crispy, fresh air, woolen sweaters, cold feet and hot chocolate in front of a crackling fire.

A completely ordinary saturday

...in Norway means that you go for a walk. Preferably a long walk. We had a shorter one because mum had to go to work around 17, and also visited Grandpa at the hospital (he's just living there for the moment while we're waiting for my Grandma to get her eye operations done) first.
I managed to get Rob with us, even though he didn't actually want to go out. The weather was not really good (it was cloudy with some showers now and then) so I don't blame him. I think he was happy afterwords when he saw that we were going to walk on asphalt (not very Norwegian, but..) and that we intended to go to a place with incredibly nice cakes! Gupu. They're known for having a delicious chocolate cake - and it is very yummi! Still, I prefer the carrot cake, I think.
On our way back down to the car, we found lots, and lots of mushrooms. We didn't have any basket to put them in, so mum's hood had to do. And look at all we found!


Two very happy mushroom-lovers!

Rob made us a fantastic dinner of beef with mushroom sauce and baked potatoes. We had picked up Alexia just after mum left for work, so she had a plate too. ("I'm not especially hungry" she said, but ate a huge portion nevertheless.)
And since we had the house to our selves, we got a film (bought a film for 45,- instead of renting it for 55,- Good deal, don't you think?) and snack, put some wood in the oven and made the living room really cozy. Even Banki joined us! He misses Helene so much that we thought Sweeney Todd would be a good choice. Two of her favorite actors, and Tim Burton - it had to be a success. And it was! Just see how happy he was to get chocolate bananas and see a Helene-movie:



...but I think it'll take a while before I eat meat pies again.

Location: The Kitchen
Drinking: Jasmine Tea
Listening to: Robs computer who tells him "no, I won't do that"
Mood: content, glad I'm indoors! (The weather is very autumny)

Banki's new hobby

Yesterday I introduced Banki to Rob, and they really hit it off! It was so nice to see them together, like two old friends meeting each other again after a long time of separation.
Banki thought it was so nice to meet Rob that he has spent some time reading the English-Slovak dicitonary :)


Best of friends!


Banki with the dictionary


Here he's looking for a familiar word. Can you guess what?

The little house in the forest

Mum was going to have string quartet rehearsal. This meant the house would be occupied, and since Rob and I didn't have any program for the weekend Mum came with the brilliant idea: Why not take the car to the cabin?
(Robs car didn't leak any oil, by the way. We had an adventurous trip around Bærum to find a garage that could look at it. After a looooong time they told us they had a big problem with the car; they couldn't find any leakage anywhere. Hooray!)



We ran through the grocery store to buy some food, ran home to pack some clothes and then headed off for the cabin. We got directions from Mum and key from Grandma, so it couldn't go wrong.
I have not been at the cabin since I was maybe 15, and I know my aunt have made some changes - i.e made a road all the way up to the cabin. We found the new road (this is, mind you, in the middle of the forest, far away from anywhere...) and took all our stuff out of the car and walked up towards the cabin. The road was pretty wide, flat and free from grass. I was quite disappointed, because I remember the path as a narrow, little path full of ants. I was even more surprised when we found a barrack next to the road too, and then Rob saw the cabin. Or more precisely, he saw the three houses there. We had taken the wrong road!
We turned back to the car, drove some 50 meters back and found another road. I was so relieved when I saw the "road" (it was more or less a path which you can drive on), found the cabin and unlocked the door. (Didn't have any problems with it, even though Grandma told me it was ok to bang it a bit..) It was still the cabin I remembered! They'll expand the cabin with one more room, but that's on the back so I'm ok with it.
Anyway, we put our stuff in the cabin, got the fireplace started and then headed off to get some water. There is a well between the main road and the cabin, but in the darkness it was a little problematic to see the little track. To make a long story short - we had a great adventure! And we found lots and lots of mushrooms :)
Back home, with several litres of water, we thought a slice of bread would be nice. Well, we had both kaviar and liverpate in tubes, but no bread. We had forgot bread!! I found some flour, salt, sugar, cumin and baking soda (no yeast) in the cupboard so we made some bread for breakfast. A little hard, but still tasty.
In the morning (after making bread) we got out to pick up mushrooms. We found a lot of them, mostly too old and moshy ones, but also a lot of good ones. We also found tyttebær! (lingonberries, if you think in Swenglish) After that, a gourmet dinner of duck (made completely without any oil or butter, we'd forgot that too) with potatoes and fresh tyttebær-jam, outdoor, tasted incredibly yummie!



Our two days at the cabin were so refreshing! We had great walks in the forest, I practised and we had more than enough food (we even brought back the ingredients for tomatoe sauce. We thought of having it to the pasta that we forgot to buy...). I can recommend bacon and potatoes in the fire! (Put the potatoes, with skin, in the glowing coals and leave them there until they're done.)


Rob's making bread


A random Tonje-peeking-into-the-cabin-picture


The well, or "olle" as Mum say.


The view from the toilet!


My practice-room


Our drying-mushroom-carpet!