My Opera20 June 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 2:13:24 PM
Busy day today. Started out by waking up at 0500 promptly (very light at that time of the morning here--even with curtains drawn). Checked e-mail on my laptop (internet works, but about at the speed of dial-up--argh!). Went for a run along the harbor area--they're getting part of the downtown harbor "quay" set up for some kind of volleyball championship, complete with trucked in sand, etc. Day was basically gray with intermittent rain, but temps in the 60's. Stopped by the main hotel building to grab my free breakfast--very good breakfast buffet. Then on to work. Got my D-number application stamped at the Stavanger Kommune, and turned in to the lady who sends them on to Oslo (I guess). It will likely take a month or more (best case)--which is a real problem as I can't get a bank account in a Norwegian bank without the number (like a U.S. social security number). Without a bank account, I can't get an auto-toll pass, pay bills easily, etc.
Got the information on how to register the car--inspection next Thursday--will cost at least 1200 NOK ($200) to get the car inspected and plates, which (like everything here) is excessive. Inprocessed with the network folks to establish my U.S. work e-mail accounts. Am basically waiting on my predecessor to depart before I get a workspace--should be this Friday.
On a side-note. Met with my boss, yesterday--very personable, should be easy to work for, but he's leaving in August. Met the Director at lunch briefly--also very personable. More formal meeting with him on Friday.
Stopped by the hotel--as I thought they were charging my apartment for 5 folks (when I got here there were 2 rollaways in the apartment along with 2 beds). Started thinking they would charge me way more than my allowance. So, hopefully they'll fix the bill and get it straight by tomorrow. When I came back later in the afternoon, the rollaways were gone.
Here are some shots of the Thon Hotel apartment I'm staying in.
Stopped by the realtor, who ended up e-mailing and phoning with the landlord of the Sandnes house (he was traveling in Houston I think). Bottom-line, they'll take 19000 NOK vice 20000, but they want 2 months security deposit (apparently that is relatively common in Norway?). So I'll be converting a lot of U.S. checks into NOK over the next week--should have enough in the checking account--will need at least $7500 I think. They may be out as early as 10 July, but by 15 July in any case. I will likely try to meet the landlord once he's back. I'm set to sign a contract tomorrow I think.
Picked up the van today. Only damage was greasy footprints on front carpet and seat. Apparently they roll down windows and move from car to car as they are so tightly packed they can't open doors. We noted it on damage inspection form. Might not even need to put in a claim, as I bought some fabric cleaner that seems to have cleaned most of it. Stopped by a gas station to fill-up. 50 liters later (and 600 NOK or $100), I still hadn't filled it, but got most of the way there--yikes!!!
Tomorrow I sign the contract for the house, meet with my predecessor throughout the day, turn in my medical records and talk to the medic (are there any specific prescriptions I should ask him to order?), and that's all I remember for now.
Got the information on how to register the car--inspection next Thursday--will cost at least 1200 NOK ($200) to get the car inspected and plates, which (like everything here) is excessive. Inprocessed with the network folks to establish my U.S. work e-mail accounts. Am basically waiting on my predecessor to depart before I get a workspace--should be this Friday.
On a side-note. Met with my boss, yesterday--very personable, should be easy to work for, but he's leaving in August. Met the Director at lunch briefly--also very personable. More formal meeting with him on Friday.
Stopped by the hotel--as I thought they were charging my apartment for 5 folks (when I got here there were 2 rollaways in the apartment along with 2 beds). Started thinking they would charge me way more than my allowance. So, hopefully they'll fix the bill and get it straight by tomorrow. When I came back later in the afternoon, the rollaways were gone.
Here are some shots of the Thon Hotel apartment I'm staying in.
Stopped by the realtor, who ended up e-mailing and phoning with the landlord of the Sandnes house (he was traveling in Houston I think). Bottom-line, they'll take 19000 NOK vice 20000, but they want 2 months security deposit (apparently that is relatively common in Norway?). So I'll be converting a lot of U.S. checks into NOK over the next week--should have enough in the checking account--will need at least $7500 I think. They may be out as early as 10 July, but by 15 July in any case. I will likely try to meet the landlord once he's back. I'm set to sign a contract tomorrow I think.
Picked up the van today. Only damage was greasy footprints on front carpet and seat. Apparently they roll down windows and move from car to car as they are so tightly packed they can't open doors. We noted it on damage inspection form. Might not even need to put in a claim, as I bought some fabric cleaner that seems to have cleaned most of it. Stopped by a gas station to fill-up. 50 liters later (and 600 NOK or $100), I still hadn't filled it, but got most of the way there--yikes!!!
Tomorrow I sign the contract for the house, meet with my predecessor throughout the day, turn in my medical records and talk to the medic (are there any specific prescriptions I should ask him to order?), and that's all I remember for now.
