Blogging Break

I've been thinking of taking a break from blogging for a while now and I think the time has come. Here is why:

1) I don't write really well. If you are going to do something as public as this, shouldn't you be able to do it really well? Honestly, when I look back over posts I have written, I feel sort of embarrassed. Like, how did I not catch THAT glaring grammatical error? The fact that my spellcheck on blogger has never worked doesn't help the situation either.

2) It has come to my attention that people usually only want to see their name mentioned in a blog followed by the words "is a wonderful person". (Well unless your name is Lindsay Lohan, then it could happily be followed by all sorts of exciting descriptives). I feel I'm running out of things to talk about. I can't write about the funny thing that happened two weeks ago with (or even better, to) someone I know, because someone I know might see my blog and not appreciate having been mentioned. Note - that was an entirely made up scenario - if you are reading this and are "someone I know" I promise I'm not talking about you.

3) I'm not brave. I feel strongly about several controversial issues that I've been tempted to discuss however I'm not brave enough to write about them. I don't really want to start debates in comments and I don't want someone to dislike me (especially if you are someone who already knows and likes me) because of my liberal beliefs. Usually when I write posts I censor myself. If I were a real writer I wouldn't care so much but alas, I'm not a real writer.

4) I started this blog as a way for our friends and family to keep track of what we were doing in Norway. I never really thought anyone else would read it. So now that we have been here almost a year and the hard part is over, my life is pretty boring. Seriously. I'm not saying that in a "woe is me" kind of way. For example, today I woke up, mopped the floors, did laundry, cleaned the kitchen and brushed the dogs. Scintillating isn't it? If I'm not careful I'll be treading in the dangerous territory of discussing what I ate on a particular day, my hair and the dog's bathroom patterns.
I've had to really examine why I'm writing these days. For the most part I keep up with friends and family via e-mail anyway. I sometimes wonder if I'm doing this for ego. I mean its fun to see how many people visit my blog and I love, love, love getting comments. (Well as long as they are nice and say what I wonderful person I am - either directly or indirectly).
Seriously though - I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm lacking the motivation for keeping this going mainly because I don't have a clear purpose. Oh and see comment number 1 for a better understanding of why this wouldn't be a good way to boost the ego.

5) I don't enjoy taking pictures very much and I abhor trying to put them on the blog. Really, it is such a pain in the ass. So I don't do it very often. That completely rules out the possibility of me turning this into a photography blog.

In conclusion I think I'm going to take a bit of a break. A summer holiday if you will. Maybe I can determine a focus for my blog and will resume it in a few months. Or maybe I'm actually going to start an anonymous blog somewhere on the internets where I use filthy language, horrible grammar and talk self-righteously about politics, religion, and sex. Maybe!!!

(or maybe not).

No actually definitely not - I could never have an anonymous blog, who would read it? And then who would leave me nice comments?

Weekend recap

Unlike last weekends excitement, this weekend was pretty quiet and boring. We spent A LOT of time saying, "What do you want to do now? I don't know, what do you want to do?"

We watched the documentary Sicko which was oh so depressing and disturbing. It makes America look so miserly and greedy. sigh. The actual documentary discusses the excellent health benefits that residents of France, Canada, Cuba, and Britain receive. The whole time I was wondering why they didn't profile Norway. Well actually, as one of the "extras" on the DVD, Micheal Moore did profile Norway. Very interesting and it definitely gave me and Mike (Mike, my husband, not Michael Moore - in case you were confused) some food for thought. Actually we were discussing how much some of our views have changed since moving abroad. I think if you are open minded, you definitely begin to see things from a different perspective. The USA is great and there are so many things I miss, but I can also more clearly see where things should be improved for the betterment of society as a whole. Like the idea that health care is basically determined by publicly traded companies - that just doesn't make sense. Obviously, an insurance company's main objectives is to increase the bottom line in order to keep stockholders happy. That works and makes sense for many industries but how does that make sense when it comes to our health care?

We spent the day on Saturday loading up our car with stuff to donate to Fretex (Norway's Goodwill). We made a pretty big dent in the boxes we had up in the attic. Why is hard to get rid of stuff that you didn't even remember you had, until you see it? Anyway we did a good job and the car was pretty much stuffed full by the time we were done. We still have a lot of furniture that needs a new home, but we are hoping to sell it rather than donate it.

The amazing weather is still hanging around! Really, we can't remember what it was like when it only rained. I think we are going to be in for a shock come November.

More Rod news.......

http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/05/29/rod-stewart-s-tour-rider-includes-oxygen-89520-20432980/

Funny to think we were there. I didn't see any oxygen BUT he did kick the balls from the stage.

Busy Times

I was just reflecting yesterday on some of our upcoming plans for the summer, and wow! Its going to be busy.

I leave for Lofoten June 10th and return June 14th. Mike and I are supposed to leave for Houston around June 15th for two weeks (or possibly (hopefully) a bit longer). Mike's parents will be visting from July 18th to August 3rd. During their visit we hope to make a trip somewhere in Europe but we haven't made any definite plans yet.

We found out on Tuesday that all the details of the house we made an offer on were worked out between the relocation company and the owners. We are VERY excited about moving and the move in date is set for August 11th. We were originally hoping to move sooner but this actually works out pretty well because of some of our other plans for the summer.

Mike and I plan to try to travel somewhere in Europe in September. We are considering Greece or Spain or Prague or a bicycling vacation is still in the back of my mind. So many options.

I'm excited about all of our plans and I have a feeling the summer is going to fly by.

The weather has been gorgeous lately, not only are the days much longer but the sun has been shining. It has actually been warm enough on a couple of days to wear shorts (not that I feel like wearing shorts in public because I feel like Fatty McFatty but that is a post for another day - or now that I think about it, not at all). The sun has been rising around 4:30am and setting around 10:30pm. It is nice to have such long and sunny days. Supposedly this summer is predicted to be the best summer Norway has seen in 150 years. If the last few weeks has been any indication I would say they must be right.

Putting the classic in Classic Rock

Friday we saw Rod Stewart. Live. Playing in Sandnes.

I'm not sure why we went. Well that isn't true, I know why we went. Because we are the kind of people that always fear we might be missing out something (and sometimes we are correct, but Friday night wasn't one of those times).

Last week Sandnes hosted a Classic Rock festival. So for about three nights straight Mike and I laid in bed listening to thrumming bass lines and wondering what kind of fun we could be having if we were not laying in said bed and were instead shaking our groove thang in a classic rock sort of way.

When Mike got home from work on Friday we decided what the hell. We put on our best walking shoes (note I said walking, not dancing) and headed to downtown Sandnes. Once there we spent an exorbitant amount of money on two tickets. This was an outdoor concert with no designated seating or standing areas. After securing a drink we headed to the very front. Seeing as though we paid way more money than I would EVER consider paying to see Rod Stewart in the States (wait, would I ever consider seeing Rod in the States?), we were going to be in the front row, dammit. And front row we were. We were able to see him up close and personal. In fact I was sort of concerned he might look at me and wonder if I was having a good time. I made sure to glue an excited smile on my face and clap everytime he was in front of me. (I didn't want to hurt his feelings).

SO I have learned that he is the ultimate white guy as evidenced by his dance moves. Although I don't think he is trying to be anything other than that, so no problem there. I have to admit I felt pretty young, which was nice. I also liked his backup singers. They were cute and he also had the required-for-a-band sexy blonde girl saxophone player.

All kidding and snarkiness aside I suppose he did a pretty good job. The problem wasn't Rod, the problem is that I'm not a Rod fan. Actually I had never given Rod much thought before Friday night, so I guess I can chalk this up to something else I have learned about myself since living in Norway. I'm much more of a Prince kind of girl (before the Jehovah's Witness conversion). Or Eminem (which truly goes against all of my feminist leanings. truly).

And.

I'm.

Forever Young.