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My Life in Oslo

The Belgian's view of life in Norway

Digital Camera and Akerselva walk

Monday, 28. July 2008, 13:50:27

Last Saturday I went into town and finally bought myself a digital camera.:yes:

Always having had a reflex, I decided I wanted a digital reflex too, now that they become affordable. So, I decided to go for an Olympus E-420 digital SLR - Classy! :cool:

On Saturday afternoon/eveing I went through the instruction manual and loaded the battery.

So on Sunday afternoon I was ready for a first try-out!:up:

The week-end was hot and sunny, so I decided to go for a walk along the Akerselva (=Aker river), a small stream that runs from Mariedalenvann (Maridalen Lake), the main Oslo drinking water supply in the hills, all the way down to the city centre, and into Oslofjord. You can walk the whole length, about 7 km.

The upper stretch passes very close to where I live - Grefsen/Kjelsås just outside Ring 3, in the hils around Oslo. Here's what the area around the house looks like:





More photographs of my Olso living environment

To be continued...

2 comments

A Lab Story

Wednesday, 25. June 2008, 08:32:24

The Eppendorf Tube Retrieved with Grace

That afternoon the young scientist was sitting at the lab bench, her tall straight posture on the lab swivel chair projecting confidence, maybe a deeper source of motivation, and maybe just a certain pride too. The harsh white overhead illumination was softened by the low January sun entering the lab, giving her Nordic blond hair a golden aura, and adding warmth to the ivory cashmere pull-over which gently hugs her well-toned body.

It also brings a sparkle to her soft green-grey eyes which are very focused on the workspace in front of her. There, on the white formica bench top, her long-fingered hands are busy capping and labeling miniature plastic Eppendorf conical tubes, then placing them in a rack according to a well-planned pattern, readying them for collection of samples from her first real experiment.

Dangling her jeans-covered long legs, she has discarded the white clogs normally worn in the clean lab, revealing feet in grey semi-opaque nylons, relaxing against the chair's footrest, heels and toes accentuated by a darker shade of grey.

Was it the play of light, or some excitement about the experiment that made her rarely faltering coordinated moves hesitate just a fraction, thus sending one of the tubes on a parabolic trajectory, that brought it past the edge of the bench, where it slowly toppled down towards the floor, with just enough momentum to rebounce into the dark legroom under the bench?

Only the mildest frown of annoyance crosses her forehead, whilst she shifts her body forward on the chair, arcs it by tensing the left foot against the footrest and stretching the right leg out, to find the fallen tube almost by toe tip touch alone. Once located, she pinches it between toes and ball, and with one graceful ballerina-like swoop of her leg, brings it back into the open area beside her chair. Supplely bending over to her right, her arm simply reaches down to pick it up and put it into its predestined place, then she carries on with her preparations, unaware of the gentle smile she brought to the face of the sole witness of this elegant episode.

To M. - For the fun we had in the lab and during this project

SV - Oslo, June 2008

3 comments

On the Road to Mandalay

Sunday, 10. February 2008, 15:21:28

Although I now work in Oslo, I'm spending this and the next three weeks back in Dublin, setting up a collaboration with my old colleagues here. Arrived here late on Monday, and I'm staying at a guesthouse, not so far from the uni.

Yesterday, Saturday, was like a early springday - bird chorus in the morning, the sky high above almost Carribean blue. To nice to stay in, so I walked in to the city centre - lots of people about without coats. Then took the bus out to Dun Laoghaire, for a walk along the pier, always a favourite of mine. At the end of the pier, there's a nice view of the Howth peninsula at the North side of the Bay. Had equiped myself with a mini-box of watercolours, watercolour paper, and a brush; so I duly made a little painting :D To be scanned and posted here at a later stage...

Today, Sunday, was greyer and overcast, but still dry, so I took the bus again to Dun Laoghaire, and then the DART South to Dalkey. Had a quick look along the main street - my favourite places tend to disappear there. The Laurel Tree, a Middle-East-type restaurant, is gone, around the corner, the P.J. Woodhouse, a pub/restaurant with grilled dishes, has been replaced by some bland winebar. The Queen's Pub is still around.

Then Tubbermore Road (I always call it Tupperware Road to myself) out of the main street, and onto Sorrento Gardens, to start the slow climb up the Vico Road. The view over Killiney Bay was rather hazy. The walk, however, was pleasant as always, but quieter than usual - I had set out around 11.30, so there were far less people out than usual in the afternoons.

Walked all the way up, passed what used to be called Ayesha Castle, which looked it usual self. Too early in the year for magnolia tree by the wall. Then at the top of the road under the quaint gateway over the road.

Nearly missed 'The Druid's Chair', where I had planned to have tea and sandwiches...walked back and realized why I hadn't noticed. All the windows were white-washed. I thought 'Oh, no!, this is gone too' awww But then I saw the notice stating that they were refurbishing, but the upstairs lounge was open. So, I had my tea and some toasted ham and cheese sandwiches after all. Not as cozy as usual, but I've been promissed the downstairs refit should be finished within a week or so. :happy:

Then I walked back down the hill and via Military Road back to Killiney DART satation. I always like waiting for the DART there, with the noise of the sea crashing on the shingle beach, in the backgrosund.
Three paragliders where hovering like giant seaguls over the obilisk at the top of Killiney Hill :cool:

Got off at Sidney Parade, and walked via the posh embassies in Aylesburry Road back to Donnybrook.


3 comments

The Swami - Enlightenment

Thursday, 10. January 2008, 10:12:23

Swami Beyondananda video | The Upwising Begins :D



In this entertaining one-minute animation, you'll learn from an enlightening Master how to regrow the garden of our planet from the grassroots up. :wink:

5 comments

Cookery Class III

Thursday, 19. April 2007, 13:21:45

:sing: Song of the day:"Rio 40 Grauss" - Fernanda Abreu :yes:

My take on a typical Brazilian dish - feel free to adapt spicyness to taste, and choice of fish type to mood and availability. :happy:

Moqueca de Peixe - Spicy Fish Stew with Coconut Milk and Dende Oil

Ingredients:

fish steaks (if possible with skin attached to prevent flaking)
Remark: Any type of firm white flesh fish can be used. It's interesting to mix various types. I've also used swordfish to good effect.

prawns or shrimps, peeled and deveined

For the fish marinade:
1 teaspoon of mild paprika
juice of 2 or 3 limes (save the meat)
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
2 garlic cloves, crushed with spoon
some sea salt

For the stew:
2 table spoons of olive oil
1 peeled and chopped large onion
2 large tomatos, peeled, seeded' and chopped
3 large bell peppers (1 each of red, green, yellow), seeded and chopped
2 fresh hot chile peppers (1 red, 1 green), seeded and chopped
1 small tin of tomato paste
1 tin of coconut milk
1/4 cup of dende oil (palm oil)

Preparation:

Place the fish in a large mixing bowl. Dust the fish steaks with the paprika powder.
Mix the lime juice, cilantro leaves, garlic, and sea salt, and pour over the fish.
Cover, refrigerate, and marinade for at least 1 hour.
In the meanwhile continue with the base for the stew.
Add 2 table spoons of olive oil to the bottom of a large stewing pan.
Heat on medium fire, add onion, and cook until the onion is tender.
Add the tomatoes,the bell peppers, and the meat of the limes.
Simmer on low fire for about 20 min, mixing from time to time.
Add in the chopped chile peppers and the tomato paste.
Return to the boil, and add the fish along with the juices of the marinade.
Stew on medium fire for 20 min or until fish is done.
Half way through add the prawns (if small shrimps add 5 min before end).
Return to low fire, fold in the coconut milk and the dende oil.
Simmer for another 5 min.
Serve with white rice.

:beer: Very nice with a cold Brazilian choppe :cheers:

2 comments

Cookery Class II

Tuesday, 17. April 2007, 12:20:45

Trout with lemon balm and almond sauce

Ingredients:

One cleaned whole trout per person
Some twigs of lemon balm (or equivalent lemony herbs)
Flour
Oil/butter
Pepper/salt
Shaved almonds
Dry white wine
Fresh cream

Preparation:

Stuff each trout with some lemon balm, and flick each side of the fish through some flour.
In an adequate large pan, heat some oil and melt some butter.
On high fire, grill each side of the fish. Return to a medium fire. Add peper and salt to taste.
Add shaved almonds to the oil/butter. Turn the fish carefully once or twice, so both sides get equally golden. Fry until almost done (the meat will start to peal away from the fishbone easily). Return to high fire and then quench with a glass of dry white wine, let evaporate, and return to low fire.
Carefully remove the fish to a preheated platter.
Fold the fresh cream in the sauce and let thicken a bit on low fire.
Pour over the fish and serve.
Nice and festive with potato croquettes or pommes dauphine potato puffs.



1 comment

Cookery Class

Sunday, 15. April 2007, 13:53:54

A collection of recipies collected and tried over the years, some are gathered from friends or family, some are personal favourites, some are experiments with what was available, etc.

Frango com Alecrim - Chicken with Rosemary

Ingredients:

Chicken, deboned and diced
Twigs of fresh rosemary
Olive oil
Butter
Garlic
Dry white wine
Fresh cream
Pepper/Salt

Preparation:

Cover the bottom of a big stewing pan with olive oil and add a chunk of butter.
Heat on high fire, and brown the chicken dices. Add pepper and salt to taste.
Chop the fresh rosemary fine, squash some garlic cloves.
Add to the chicken, and quench with a glass of the dry white wine.
Reduce heat, cover and let simmer until chicken is tender and done.
Remove the chicken and keep warm.
Gently fold the fresh cream into the sauce in the pan.
Nice with creamed potato mash, or rice (long grain and wild rice mix).


Veal Cordon Blue

Ingredients:
Butter
Almond powder
Fresh cream

Per person:
2 thin scallops of veal
1 slice of smoked ham (Parma)
1 slice of Swiss cheese (Emmental or Gruyere)
2 little wooden skewers

Preparation:
Take on veal scallop, stack with layer of ham, layer of cheese, the other scallop. Keep together with the 2 skewers.
Melt butter in pan.
Sauté the stack until cheese is runny.
Turn over and sauté other side.
Take out of pan and keep warm
Add almond powder to thicken sauce.
Fold in cream.
Excellent with creamed potato mash or rice.


Quadrelli di Stephano - A Fusion Kitchen Experiment

Ingredients:
Italian olive oil
Danish slightly smoked diced striped bacon pieces
Red wine
Carrots
Tin (400 g) of chopped tomato
Tex-Mex jar of Picante (Medium)
Italian organic quadrelli pasta


Preparation:

Sauce:
Cover bottom of sauce pan with some olive oil.
Heat on high fire and saute the bacon dices.
Quench with some red wine, and let it cook a while.
Add sliced carrots.
Add the chopped tomatos, and put on low fire.
Fold in picante

Pasta:
Heat water to boiling point.
Add the quadrelli pasta.
Cook 8-10 min.
Drain and return to pan.
Add sauce to pasta and serve.



6 comments

French Chamber Music Festival

Monday, 15. January 2007, 12:39:15

Oh, this looks good, must see if I can get tickets for that!


MUSIC FOR GALWAY
French Chamber Music Festival

Pascal Rogé (France) piano,
Ami Hakuno (Japan) piano,
Ysayë Quartet (France),
Gilles Cachemailles (Switz.) baritone

Friday
Debussy String quartet
Franck Violin sonata
Fauré Piano quintet No 1 for piano and string quartet

Saturday
RavelString quartet
Songs by St Saëns, Gounod and Duparc
Franck Piano Quintet

Sunday
Poulenc Sonata for piano duet, songs, three pieces for solo piano
Ravel Ma Mère l’Oye for piano duet, Sonatine for solo piano, histoires naturelles

And, yep, ran over to the theatre and have a three-day ticket for the event!

7 comments

Seán Keane

Monday, 11. December 2006, 17:32:02

:sing: Song of the day: "La Vie en Rose" - Edith Piaf :yes:


Well, a long overdue summary of the Seán Keane concert Last Friday week ago...

Went straight to the theatre from here. It's quite a small theatre (it used to be a cinema), which made for an intimate setting. Had a seat on the fifth row, at the very right hand side. Good leg space, good view. At one stage I was thinking I would have no neighbour, but that was not to be - the place filled up quite fast.

So, the show started with Seán Keane briefly introducing himself, and saying how glad he was visiting Galway again (he's from this neck of the woods, and tours Europe a lot). So, the opening song was the appropriate 'Home Away from Home'. The band consisted of him, accompanied by a fiddler, a guitarist, and a guy playing accordeon/mouth organ/mouth harp. The band played very enthusiastic from the very beginning, even so that the guitarist had a string failing. Thus, he disappeared a few minutes to get it fixed. Sean Keane had to fill up some time with his wit, and threatened to play fifteen songs unaccompanied :D

They then played a set of reels, followed by a number of other songs, including 'Killing the Blues', 'Go Down with me to Bantry' (title?).

He also played two number from his new CD You have Gold, titled 'Even Heaven Does Cry'
 and 'The Sweeter the Kiss' (Galway having many important links with seafaring, he was joking that when he was on his latest tour people in the deepest of Eastern Germany didn't seem to have the faintest clue what he was talking about).

Also two songs from his 'Citizens Keane' album: 'The Pleasure Will be Mine' and a title I don't remember...

Somewhere along the line there was also 'Taglione' (no, it has nothing to do with Italian pasta!), 'Man from Connemara' and 'Isle of Tears, Isle of Hope'.

One of the songs, he did sing unaccompanied. His singing voice is somewhat different from his speaking voice. He speaks with a very heavy accent (I suppose Galway), and has rather a deep voice (a bit suprising for his rather small build), and when singing it goes rather nasal as well. I think his voice comes over better live , than on CD. Having seen him live first, and having bought some of his CDs later, I always found it hard to 'connect' the voice on the CD with his live act.

He also did a funny duo act with the fiddler, himself doing a diddlying-type song, the fiddler making the funniest noises with his tongue.

He's very informal, and witty and funny on stage. He also takes a step back from time to time, and lets the band members enjoy the limelight for a change. He also dedicated a number of his songs to people he knew in the audience.

A very good evening in all!

BTW, I only realised a few days later that Seán Keane is actually the brother of Dolores Keane, also a great Irish singer.

7 comments

Galway Town Hall Theatre

Friday, 1. December 2006, 09:16:34

:sing: Song of the day: "Caribbean Blue" - Enya's "Shepherd Moons" album :yes:

This evening I'm going to hear Seán Keane, the Irish folk singer, at the Town Hall Theatre here in Galway!

http://www.seankeane.com/



I've heard Seán Keane live before - and for free as well. He performed at an open-air concert in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, as part of a music festival during the Fiesta de San Isidro in 2001. Cool stuff in a cool setting too :D


image source: http://www.multimadrid.com/sites/sanisidro/concerts/concerts.htm

A few days earlier (on Enya's 40th birtday by chance) I heard him being interviewed on a Spanish radio-station. It's a pity I couldn't record the interview, as it was an extremely interesting discussion about Irish traditional music.

I've since bought a few of his CDs: No Stranger, and the double CD Seánsongs

So, I'm looking forward to this concert

http://www.townhalltheatregalway.com/

2 comments

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