primitive man

I realized today while looking at www.pollingreport.com that Dick Cheney actually has a higher approval rating than gWb. That is astounding. Look for yourself.

Bush is polling between 29 and 33 % approval for August.
Cheney is at 36.

That is truly incredible. Kinda like this photo.

You Tubing

First, two tributes to Max Roach:
A Hi-Hat Solo
Improv over Dr. King

I also found a blog done by Ethan Iverson, the pianist for the Bad Plus.
He had these youtube videos linked on a recent post as "a dozen lovely women in famous videos perfect for your political analysis class." I've brought a few over here for you:
Cindy Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" It took me a long time, but eventually I realized the fantastic nature of cindy lauper and this song. If you look at any of these videos, look at this one.
Dolly Parton, "9 to 5"
Madonna, "Vogue" At least once at Youth Farm I vogued for the kids and they had NO idea what I was talking about or doing.

This weekend I spent a fair amount of time listening to Tom Waits, especially Nighthawks at the Diner.
Here are a few vids of him:
On Letterman with "Chocolate Jesus"
"I don't Wanna Grow Up"
An ode to home: "Ninth and Hennepin"
I put this on a mix a few years ago. "Clap Hands"
a hilarious interview from the 1970's
He was young once. in his 70's style: backed by a jazz band. "Small Change"

Almost an Olympic Champion: the 10th fastest runner in 1956

NY Times has released a fantastic feature on the environmental costs of economic growth in China. It sums up many of my fears as they relate to the destructiveness of our civilization. I highly recommend reading the article, or at least checking out some of the interactive features. Click here!

I've had a fairly social weekend. I went to ye olde floor four on Friday night to say goodbye to Marius, who is leaving to do his Masters in Sweden. We were never really close and it was a bit awkward. Ingvild was there too, which was fun. She's moving to Grunnerlokka soon, and I don't know if I'll see her again.
In the world of strange coincidences, someone I met on Thursday night had just moved into floor four, into Kari's old room no less. I spent most of the night talking with her. We really hit it off and met yesterday to walk around the lokka and get some coffee. Her name is Sierra, she's from Wisconsin but goes to school in Ottawa, and studies Geography.

Yesterday I also met up with Tim (the german) and Pete (the briton) for a walk in nordmarka. It was nice to get up into the forest and hills again. We went to Holmenkollen first, then walked over near the TV Tower, then walked down to Sognsvann. It was a good hike and we had quite a bit of fun, I dare say. This is us at the Holmenhollen gift shop.



We also met an Olympic Athlete! No shit!
We asked this person for directions, and at first he completely ignored our request and asked us where we were from. It was a bit funny actually. Eventually he got around to saying he would walk part of the way there with us to show us where to go. During our walk he mentioned that he'd run 40 marathons (!!!) and had placed 11th in the marathon in the 1952 Olympics and 10th in the 1956 Olympics. (!!!) The dude walked brisk too, like he was at most 30, but he said he was 87. He said he'd run his last marathon in Berlin at the age of 75 (!!!).
He then mentioned that he was an engineer and that he had built over 16,000 flats, most of them in Oslo. Dude was driving at Jaguar too.
The whole thing was just RIDICULOUS!



Anyway, right after the hike I had to catch the T-Bane straight into town to meet Knut Erik (a friend of Martin's). We chatted about a bit about the States, racism, and the welfare system. We talked about maybe playing some chess or hanging out to watch some Leone films. Hopefully something will happen.

That was my busy and social day. Today I need to do some reading. Tonight I may go to a football match. Tomorrow is class focused on Scandinavian Arts and Literature.

jeg snakker norsk

More photos now on Flickr!
I posted more shots from Vigelandsparken, a few photos from the Vikingskiphuset, one from the norsk folkemuseum, and a couple from going swimming at sognsvann.

I have most of the day off, which is great! I gotta do a bit of reading, but I'm going to head down to parkteateret for some coffee while I do it.

Last night I had the first day of Norsk! Jeg snakker Norsk! (I speak Norwegian) Okay, maybe not really at all. But it is a strange thing to be in a language class again. This is a far cry from re-learning French and will be plenty more challenging than that ever was.

One of my students threw a potluck party last night and I dropped by for a few hours. It was fun, but is more evidence of how blurred the line is between them and me. I have students in my buddy group, in my norwegian language class, and now I just had a student move into my flat. It has become next to impossible for me to have any life outside of SUST. yikes!

I got back in touch with Marius and Ingvild, two of my roomates from two years ago! They're throwing a going away party for Marius tonight, so I'm excited to party it up w/o students.

a round

Yesterday was a good day. Class went to the Folk museum and then to the Vikings Ship Museum. Took a few photos, hopefully will be posted soon.
After classes I had a beer at Blue Note with a student, Paul. It was chill. Then just as I was getting home I ran into two more students, Conner and Alicia. They were on their way to swim in Songsvann. I was considering doing the same, so I joined them. It was fucking cold! Somethings don't change...
Got home and watched a bit of the Norway-Argentina footbal match. If you can believe it, Norway won 2-1. It was a big deal, because five years ago they were supposed to have a match and the Argentinians refused to come because it was half-way across the world and just a friendly. Argentina was heavily favored to win. A big boost for Norwegian soccer, thats for sure.
Also last night, I went out with the roomates! Isabelle, Weibtka, Hannah and I went to the beer tent for a few. It was fun to go out with them. When we got back Jan was around and we joined us for a bit of wine. It feels like we've come together as a flat.

I also went out to the beer tent on Monday night! There was a big pub crawl on campus and I went out with the students. It was fun and reminded me of good times in 05. Ran into Tim the german and we talked about going hiking on saturday. I really hope that happens!

Tonight the norwegian class begins! Yikes! I'm getting tired right now too, which sucks.

Okay, off for dinner before class.

Quick Update

The weather is nice here! Perfect timing too, we're going to the folk museum and the Viking's ship museum today. Should be fun, and hopefully not touristy.

The nice weather persuaded me to walk to Vigelands park yesterday. Photos on Flickr soon, for now be satisfied with these few:




They are a pictoral representation of my time at Youth Farm.
J/K, I loved it there.

Yesterday I gave a presentation of the development of folk high schools and its connection with Danish history and the Danish national identity. I didn't think it went very well, partly because I don't know Danish history very well. Also, I think I could have been better organized. :(
Anyway, I hate lecturing. ugh.
But, after the lecture I gave the students a fun fun fun project. I had them work collaboratively on a finger painting, in the folk high school spirit. I think they got it, but who knows. It seemed like they enjoyed it, anyways.

Oslo Photos and iMix

Today I walked around Grunnerlokka, Akerselva, and Karl Johans Gate. And I posted photos to Flickr! Just go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/philsk8s/

Also, I made a mix on my ipod! If you want a copy, bug Cate. She has all the songs...
I suspect include all the same artists in most of my mixes (clash, mats, beatles, zep, bowie, wilco, neil, dylan, vu...).
But I suppose that's why they're my fav bands, eh? Most are classic and well established. Perhaps it shows unoriginality?
Still there are also some newer things I've gotten into this summer/spring.

I've titled the mix "Stuck Between Stations," after the included Hold Steady song but also to indicate the transition that is represented in the mix.

1. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
2. David Bowie - Young Americans
3. The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations
4. The National - Fake Empire
5. Uncle Tupelo - I Wanna Be Your Dog
6. The Clash - I'm So Bored with the U.S.A.
7. The Replacements - Hold My Life
8. Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song
9. Whiskeytown - Here's To The Rest Of The World
10. Bob Dylan - Mr. Tambourine Man
11. The Beatles - I'm So Tired
12. The Walkmen - Wake Up
13. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Devils Waitin'
14. Chris Smithers - Train Home
15. Neil Young - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
16. Wilco - How To Fight Loneliness
17. Velvet Underground - Rock and Roll
18. Peter Bjorn and John - Objects of my Affection
19. TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me
20. Low - Just Like Christmas

early photos

I haven't taken many photos yet, but here are a few of my room. Tonight, I went down to this really cool multicultural festival tonight on the water front and there was a gorgeous sunset. I took my camera with me, but didn't have my memory card in. :(

b-day recap

Oooh, I had a good birthday! Happiness!

First I got a lovely e-mail from Cate, which put me into such a good mood. It included these lyrics, sung to the tune of happy birthday, of course:
Happy birthday to you
You are my babu,
If our love was a plant,
It would be bamboo

(too which she added, "by that I mean durable, renewable, flexible, and favored by pandas.")

Dang thats a good way to start a day.

Then for the morning's field seminar students went in small groups around grønland, the main non-ethnic norwegian neighborhood. Tim and I went and had a latte in a nice cafe then took our own walk around.
We came back to Blindern (our UiO campus) for a lunch between ISS staff and SUSTers. Everyone sang me happy birthday! It was sweet, but I was so embarassed with 20 people singing for me. I wanted to crawl under the table so bad, my face was super red...
Then I led my first integration seminar, which went well. I wasn't too bad, and the students were engaged, talking and asking each other questions too.
After the seminar and a few student meetings Tim and I went out for drinks to celebrate. We went to a beer garden in the city center, then we went to a tiki bar in Grunnerlokka. We got a kebab (so good!) then went to his place to eat and pick up a few items he is loaning me. Another beer closer to downtown and I went home. Just about as soon as I was in the door my german roomates, Isa and Wiebka, came over with a cake and a birthday candle for me. It was sooo sweet and nice of them! We stayed up for a couple more hours talking over a bottle of wine.
Then, I went to my room and found out my internet was hooked up! I'm online at home, finally!

Good birthday...

elaboration

I apologize, gentle readers, for not elaborating further on the sites I mention. I will keep it in mind.

I will begin by explaining, Habibi, Mono, and Blå.

Habibi makes kebabs. Damn good kebabs and falafel. Andrew originally found this spot, he was introduced to it by his volunteer placement supervisor. It became a favorite of ours, not only is it excellent food, but it is relatively cheap at 40 kroner. also, it is very centrally located on Storgata two-three blocks from Jernbanetorget, Karl Johans Gate, and Domkirkke AND one block away from MONO.

To explain the above further, Storgata is a central road from the Sentrum and Domkirkke to the river and Grunnerlokka. Jernbanetorget, is a small square infront of Oslo Sentral Stasjon at the end of Karl Johan's Gate. Adjacent to the square is major T-Bane stop named after the square. Karl Joahns Gate is the main strip in Oslo, a pedestrain mall connecting Oslo S (rail station) with Domkirkke (city cathedral), Stortinget (parliament) and Slottet (King's palace).

MONO was/is my favorite bar in Oslo. It is in the city center, which causes the price to be a bit more (52 kroner beer). They play wicked good music after my own taste, and have posters of Neil Young, Patti Smith, and Television in their small, covered patio.

Blå bills itself as a bit of a jazz club, but that's not entirely accurate. They have a FANTASTIC patio on the river away from all cars. There is well done graffiti art everywhere. There is a giant chandelier that hangs outside the entrance. They have a lot of DJs, but it is a chill spot during the day and a hopping club at night. Blå rocks.

I must gets backs to works.

tibits and friendships

A rough and tumble few days seems to have the possibility of settling down finally.

Classes have begun, and we seem to have a smart and talkative group. I have high hopes for the semester. I am still not quite confident in my role, but I'm slowly warming up to it, I hope...

I may have made a few friends, which is good. My roomate Pål seems interesting, but we haven't had the chance to talk much yet. Hopefully beers will be forthcoming and the chatting can begin.
I have met a couple other roomates, Isa and Wiptka, who are very nice. they come from Germany and are studying law together. We've chatted here and there, but a prolonged sit down or go out hasn't happened yet. I believe it will...
Also, today we had international student buddy groups, which provide an opportunity to meet other students at the UiO. I chatted with a German named Tim and we hope to go hiking or have a beer together soon.
I've also hung out a little with students here and there. There are a few who seem like they'd be natural friends for me, but I am conscious that I'm in a different role than them. Hopefully it will not become too hard to find a balance between friendship and our hecua roles. Last night I ran into Paul and Nate in downtown. We ended up going to Mono, Habibi, and Blå together. It was a good time and reminded me of other fun nights in the city. I do have fun memories of this place, but there is a weird schizophrenia sometimes when thinking about that time and creating a new experience with new people. There are few times when I'm as aware of the changes in my life.

Not much else to report.
Have begun reading Ghandi's autobiography, The Story of My Experiences with the Truth.
I'm also working on a couple mixes, to be dropped soon.

BTW,I have a few phone numbers for you all:
number for my room: +47 22 18 75 28
cell number: +47 94 47 75 74

bad weekend

Just a quick update, cause I got a ton of errands to do...


I got pickpocketed!

AT FUCKING IKEA!


shitty

about 300 USD, credit card, some id's, metro pass, apartment access cards, etc.

pain in the ass...

bad bad weekend. hopefully better update soon.

btw, first day of class was today.

I can sleep!

I am very happy to report that I slept last night, pretty much straight through!
I slept for twelve hours (!) from 10:30 to 10:30.

This makes me very happy, this week has been incredibly rough with some terrible insomnia going on.

Yesterday most of the students arrived, and all but one are now in city. I had the pleasure of meeting them at the bus stop and the unpleasurable task of walking them and their luggage up the gigantic hill at Sogn to our housing. I saw our because I am in the same row of buildings the students.

Once they were oriented and given a short tour of the area around Sogn we took the T-Bane into the city to meet Tim and get pizza. I think we have a really good group of students this year!

Not much more to report, still just walking around the city a bit reaquainting myself. A trip to IKEA is forthcoming this weekend, but first I want to go to Fretex, akin to a goodwill in the states.

address

Phil Rooney
Rolf E. Stenersensalle 21
H0602
0858 Oslo
Norway

Two days

August 8th. Midnight.

I arrived in Oslo two days ago now, and my defining experience has been of jet lag. I have not slept more than four continuous hours since Saturday. Two things have made this transition difficult: not having drapes the first night and not having a functioning alarm clock. I've been sleeping 2-3 hours a night, but sleeping ~4 hours during the day. I am living by a series of naps. I must break this cycle. I will do it tomorrow, through my new alarm and a healthy helping of coffee to get me through the day.

Yesterday morning I went on a two hour walk up to and around Sognsvann, a nearby lake. I left at 5 am, not suprisingly I saw few people. It was lovely to get out in the morning air and see the lake. I also made a breakfast of wild raspberries growing along the shore. By the end of the walk I was a wreck, but it was worth it. I've had few chances to get out: I am either up in the middle of the night or working, it seems.

My first night in Oslo, after connecting with Tim and getting my room, I took the T-Bane into the city. Off at Jernbanetorget, got a kebab at Habibi, and a took a stroll down Karl Johans Gate. I detoured to the Rådhuset and the waterfront to enjoy a bar of Freia, chocolate of the (Norse) gods. It was a nice and simple way to reestablish myself. I am reminded of what Kara sai of her return trip: that she felt "Like a ghost." I am not quite that way. Looking back, my previous stay here is as a dream. When I returned to Minneapolis Ifound myself idealizing the TC more than Oslo. Indeed, compared to my SUST companions I told few stories of Norge. As I prepared to return I held few expectations, although I was aware that this time would be tremendously different in terms of my role and developing friendships. I can't relive SUST '05, not do I expect or want to.

I have only met one student thus far, and it was quite brief. I took the time today to read their application esays. Many of the students cited "Norwegian heritage" has their main reason to study here. This program will challenge these students to the core of their ethnic identity. We shall see how it shakes out.

I met with Tim for some length today to discuss the course and my position. I am incredibly excited, though I fear I will fail. My position will be responsible for critical questions, managing the volunteer placements, integration seminars, coordinating the homestays, finding applicable news articles, and leading a few other seminars (including a long stretch while Tim in out of town). I wish I had more prep time before the semester begins an that Ihad met with the other TAs and PDs to find out specifics to their positions. Tim had requested this to HECUA's Director of Operations, who has continoually shown incompetence, or at the very least a disregard of the needs of international staff. His communication leaves much to be desired.

Last night I had dinner at Tim's. It was a good time,I am happy to report. I finally met Tim's partner, Vega (sp??), and their nefarious pup, Selma. A few beers and a fine meal ensured conversation ran smoothly. It is good to connect further with him, he is good company. Vega is a fun person as well, with a contagious laugh. An artist, acryllics but also designs furniture from the sound of it. We talked of meeting next thursday for drinks, I suppose to celebrate the start of the semester, but hey, it will also be my 24th birthday, as an added excuse to celebrate.

I don't think of home as much as I expected.Perhaps because I'm still jet-lag crazy. My mind is on the upcoming semester or attempting sleep. I've only been able to trade a couple of e-mails with Cate. Soon we should be able to talk on the phone. Hopefully I will hav internet next week and be able to skype and write this journal directly onto my PC. I'm a sucker for digital, though there is a certain joy in the "written word." I wonder what old Grundtvig would say.

From the Plane

Although I have been here for a few days now, I did write down a few thoughts here and there. I wrote these notes on the plane.

I am reminded of differences in "service." Flight attendants for SAS [Scandinavian Airlines] carry around a basket of bread and disinterstedly ask, "Want some?" And yet, we get a free alchoholic drink with dinner and are passed out hot wet towells in the morning.

The first song I listened to off the ground and into the air: The Replacements, "Hold My Life." For that matter I listened to Tim all the way through to Chicago. "Waitress in the Sky" was fun to listen to with a sneer.
Since, I have had the ipod on shuffle. I am reminded of my enjoyment of Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane" last time I was here. Right now digging on Cat Power's "Willie" from The Greatest. I'm looking forward to getting into her. Thanks Tory!

Am reading Jonothan Kozol's Savage Inequalities, 1990, about inequities in funding American public schools, particularily looking at the influence of race and class.

I'm still not sure what I'm doing. I need to remind myself that while I loved my life in MN, my work at Youth Farm and Jane Adams School was coming to a close. Nothing could have done (I assume) this year would have been as good as this opportunity.Perhaps I couldn't have dealt with not doing this. Who passes up ten months expenses paid in Oslo with travel to Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Poland while learning Norwegian for free and being a HECUA Teaching Assistant? It helps that Tim, the program director, is also one of the best teachers I've had.

The above quasi-justification reminds me of an exercise from SUST '05 we undertook in one of our first days of classes. We did a short free write on why we did the program. At the time I didn't have much of a notebook so I wrote in a smaller note pad that I've continued to use over the last several years. That free write I've come across occassionally in MN and has always reminded me of the hope and excitement I felt and the beginning of the program. It is almost reminiscent of a founding charter.

A quote from Knut Hamsun's Hunger , 1890. Oslo is "the strange city no one escapes from until it has left is mark on him."

Blog Title

First things first, a few comments on the blog title.

So, I am in Oslo now.

But, before I left I had many conversations with many friends about preparing for my time here. One concern of mine was finding friends, particularily because of not being able to rely on my students for several reasons.
I was having a conversation, nearly two weeks ago now, with Martin about this topic. (Martin my Norwegian friend, who I met in my flat two years ago and is not married to another SUSTer and living in the States). He asked me, in his particular way of finding the most glorious phrases, "So Phil, are you ready to be the lonely wolf? Because that's what you are going to be, the lonely wolf. That's what you are, you are social, you are a wolf. So, are you ready to be the lonely wolf in Norway?"

So, blog title must, must, be The Lonely Wolf.