My Opera16 July, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006 11:43:24 AM
Not much to say today. Have been sick yesterday and today--nasty cold with all of the usual hacking, etc. Think I might've gotten it from one of the new arrivals I was helping to sponsor, at least one of them was pretty sick.
Went to church, then to office to access e-mail, etc. Beautiful day out today--same yesterday. One difference I notice here is that everything is pretty much shut down on Sundays--no grocery stores, etc. open. Not that the Norwegians are beating down the doors to the churches mind you.
Only two weeks to go until family arrives--hurray. I feel like I'm almost into normal life here in Norway. In the house, work routines quasi-established, car, etc., but it has been a long almost 16 weeks of separation (counting 10 weeks in Norfolk and these 6 weeks apart), which is a long time--granted a 1-week reunion in between the two chunks of time.
First time I've wrestled with hooking up satellite TV. Had to buy a compass to ensure I was pointing the dish in the right direction for Hotbird 6 (European satellite), and right elevation--turns out I was off by about 90 degrees--which is a slight problem in getting a signal. Now I have a signal, and can see the Pentagon Channel clearly--but all other channels aren't authorized, so sent in an e-mail to get my decoder authorized to view the other AFRTS channels.
Hopefully this will work . . . not that I particularly want to see the channels, it's just the principle of the thing.
I think in most areas it will be easier in the long-run just to purchase the appropriate 220V electronics vice trying to lug around a 15-pound transformer and hoping it doesn't blow the fuse. So, we'll have a few things sit in our basement here (i.e., Elizabeth's long-suffering coffee-maker, my DVD recorder, etc.) and either we'll make do without it, or get something locally.
Am trying to find local cycle maps, but unsuccessfully so far. Tons of cycle routes with signs all over the place, but I like to see where they're headed prior to setting out. Wish there were more German-style walds with walking/riding paths in the woods around here, but extensive woods are not in vogue here. I asked a Norwegian colleague and he said it was due to weather and rocky soils along the coast. Apparently head eastward and it's a different story.
Tomorrow starts camp for my family in the Duckabush. And, though, I miss them very much, it does make my heart glad to know they're having a grand time with every expectation of more of the same over the next week of camp, and in Virginia prior to flying to Norway.
All for now . . . sorry no cool pictures.
Went to church, then to office to access e-mail, etc. Beautiful day out today--same yesterday. One difference I notice here is that everything is pretty much shut down on Sundays--no grocery stores, etc. open. Not that the Norwegians are beating down the doors to the churches mind you.
Only two weeks to go until family arrives--hurray. I feel like I'm almost into normal life here in Norway. In the house, work routines quasi-established, car, etc., but it has been a long almost 16 weeks of separation (counting 10 weeks in Norfolk and these 6 weeks apart), which is a long time--granted a 1-week reunion in between the two chunks of time.
First time I've wrestled with hooking up satellite TV. Had to buy a compass to ensure I was pointing the dish in the right direction for Hotbird 6 (European satellite), and right elevation--turns out I was off by about 90 degrees--which is a slight problem in getting a signal. Now I have a signal, and can see the Pentagon Channel clearly--but all other channels aren't authorized, so sent in an e-mail to get my decoder authorized to view the other AFRTS channels.
Hopefully this will work . . . not that I particularly want to see the channels, it's just the principle of the thing.
I think in most areas it will be easier in the long-run just to purchase the appropriate 220V electronics vice trying to lug around a 15-pound transformer and hoping it doesn't blow the fuse. So, we'll have a few things sit in our basement here (i.e., Elizabeth's long-suffering coffee-maker, my DVD recorder, etc.) and either we'll make do without it, or get something locally.
Am trying to find local cycle maps, but unsuccessfully so far. Tons of cycle routes with signs all over the place, but I like to see where they're headed prior to setting out. Wish there were more German-style walds with walking/riding paths in the woods around here, but extensive woods are not in vogue here. I asked a Norwegian colleague and he said it was due to weather and rocky soils along the coast. Apparently head eastward and it's a different story.
Tomorrow starts camp for my family in the Duckabush. And, though, I miss them very much, it does make my heart glad to know they're having a grand time with every expectation of more of the same over the next week of camp, and in Virginia prior to flying to Norway.
All for now . . . sorry no cool pictures.
