rose's random rambly writings

Yesterday, while taking a walk in the neigbourhood, I saw something I've only seen in American movies before... I remember hearing that shoes hung up like this means there is some drug activity nearby, but could that really be true in this case?
I've seen 3-4 places with shoes in a couple of different streets, so I'm thinking it's either:
a) art
b) bullying
c) somebody getting rid of their shoes (but that doesn't add up... I mean who would want to do that ?)
And what's the difference between one and two pairs hanging there?
I'd love to hear your ideas.

I know that there are several people out there who love snow and winter. I too can think snow is nice. On postcards. And in the countryside. In the city, however, it serves absolutely no purpose but to cause injury and force people to buy new boots every now and then...
Here are a few observations I've made in the city (which may very well be referred to as a refigerator this winter). So far, we've had close to one meter of snow. A little less in the city centre, but still... It's the biggest amount of snow for 60 years.

Left: So you've managed to walk for a while without falling over and now you'd really like to rest for a while because walking on snow is a really good workout...
Right: Of course, all this snow makes commuting impossible, since both the tram and subway tracks are covered in snow. (Yes, we do have buses.) Since walking obviously is out of the question, you might want to get your car...

Left: Ok, so you opt for walking anyway. Luckily, the snow on the pavement here has been somewhat shovelled away. Unfortunately, it's been thrown to the sides, making the pavement pretty narrow. On the plus side, they have actually sprinkled some grit here.
Right: You have to cross the street you say? Well, since it's now a couple of degrees above zero, most of the snow on the street has melted away so you can actually see the crossing. Too bad you have to force your way through a wall of slush first... Once you've managed to do that, you are rewarded with stepping into a huge pool of more brown slush.

Left: With degrees above zero come the hazardous beauty called icicles. Situated way above your head, where you can't see them, they just wait for warmer weather so they can come off and harpoon anybody walking under them. These things can get pretty big, and weigh in at around 20-30 kilos. Needless to say, being hit by one would most likely be pretty lethal.
Now, you might think that this can be avoided by walking further away from the house. Have a look at the second picture to the left again.
Right: My hero! This particular man isn't removing icicles, but heavy snow from the roof (note the lump falling down).

Forecast for Oslo the next days: around zero degrees during the day, and some more snow expected later this week.
*sigh*

On Thursday, there was a demonstration against the war in Gaza here in Oslo. It was supposed to be demo against the war, thus not taking sides in the conflict.
Unfortunately things got out of hand, mostly due to (very) young pro-Palestina supporters who set fire to trash bins, crushed shop windows and caused lots of damage, causing riots the Oslo police have not seen since the 80's.

A new demonstration was planned today and I had planned on going downtown to watch it. As chance (or now I'd like to think it was more luck) would have it, I had to go elsewhere instead.
On my way home, I popped into the shop for some supplies and as I got out, it started rasping in my nose and throat. Very uncomfortable.
I hurried home while coughing and drying tears that had started to come, and switched on the news.
Yup - things have got way out of hand again... This time, media reports that demonstrators are shooting fireworks and throwing stones against the barricades the police has set up, causing the police to react with teargas. That's what I felt on my way home.

Apparently, this time professional demonstrators from abroad have joined the crowd, totally destroying any chance of a peaceful demonstration and, of course, making lots of people sympathize with "the other side" instead...
Why can't they understand that crushing windows and throwing rocks at the police while shooting fireworks INTO the crowd of demonstrators does not do anything for the sake? Fucking idiots!

So... as I am trying to remove that horrible rasp in my throat with a martini, I can't help wondering - if I felt it so much where I live, how horrible must it not be for the ones trying to demonstrate peacefully...

(The story is still developing... )

A while ago, I was on a guided tour in Oslo's new opera house...

Read more...