I am still here...

Well, i am still here...

It has been Christmas and a new year is ahead of us. At myspace i have put in some few blogs in the past. First about light a candle for someone you love or just are thinking of. And then about hope, maybe the most important driving force for us in time of trouble.

Maybe we will need this for 2007? I think most of us will.

Wish you the best for 2007!

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Halloween

Yes, Halloween... and some families we know joined us to do something alternative to this stupid invention this night. We went out in the rain and made up a fire with food. Afterwards we had some games with the children. What a cosy time !!!

I heard this Halloween is inspired of something which happened in Ireland. Long time ago some Irish people prevented against evil spirits. They put some masks on and thought they could stand up agains the spirits in that way... I really don`t know about the reality in this, but anway!

Now we help our children with money and costumes, and it is good buisness for those who have a shop with toys for sale... What do you think about this tradition and happening? We and many other families have just started to quit this. When someone come and ask for sweets, we tell them to come back for Christmas!

Now our cat and my wife are relaxing with some candlelights... It is stormy weather outside. SO GOOD to stay inside!



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About love

Yes, 12 years ago i became her boyfriend. We had been knowing each other some years, but didn`t become lovers before this evening, around ten that night.

I was so sure about it, that i didn`t ask her to go out first, dating etc. I just asked her to marry me (!). I knew she was the one i wanted to give my love and life. This love was the love i wanted to fight for.

We were friends and the only thing which we missed was the physichal attraction. Isn`t it like that, if you are close friends - you think that it can`t go further to be anything else? I have heard so many talking about that exciting and attractive woman/man. They think that love has to start with "blood and fire", or do you call it passion? It is not needed, i can tell you. You can become a great lover in all ways - if you are dedicated for the person and the relationship you have there.

That night became special. On my question about marriage she said: "you are crazy, YES!". Marvellous. On year later we married... and still we are there together. Hand in hand!

Lovers are vulnerable, but it is also this which is so special for such a relationships. The love become strong when you take care of this "being special" for each other.

This morning i woke up and followed my children to kindergarten and to school. Afterwards i went home and to congratulate my dear, Vigdis. She has been so nice to me.

I am rich. I have a strong relationship with my wife. Still love and still admiration. I long for spending more time with her. We have this, what is it called in english (?), solidarity or affinity, this sense of having the same feeling about important things and the same interest.

I love to just sit around her, and are so happy that she do the same.

BUT, we have to choose each other each day so this can continue. Everything in life, - work, church, friends, football, this computer and so on want to have it`s part of us. It is not easy. It can destroy the most important things in life. Our relationship with our dearest.

I don`t want it to happen. Cause i love my Vigdis!!!

So i need to prepare moments, journeys and adventures (!) for us. And most of all - we need time together.

So how did you fell in love? How do you take care of your friends and dearest? Let it last and invest - it will give a lot! Good luck


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Time

(photo: me, october 2006)
From Ogna this weekend, i got time to live!

Time to think or time to just live. Well, it is hard to see how it is possible to find the sensible way of using my time.

With small children, one at the age of three, and another one who have started to school - it is not easy to find the balance of work and rest. Rest is one thing, but to just relax and use the valuable time to think and seizing the life as it is...

Well, i have decided to quit most of the things which take time, for the things which i want to give time. I want to give my family what they need. That means my attention, will... and time.

I don`t want so many things to happen in my life. I just want to be. That gives me and my family a lot!

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Arsenal`s new era...

Yes, for my beloved football club, Arsenal, everything is about how we cope with this situation of transformation or rebuilding of a new team.

I think that the most difficult period is over. The new era is here already. I think that the wave of the youngsters at Arsenal: Fabregas, Van Persie, Adebayor, Eboue, Walcott, Hoyte, Djorou, all under 22 year have got what they need to be successful. Last year most of them were central in bringing Arsenal to the final in the champions league. And they also got the important experience of having a fight to get a esult, the fourth place, which the club needed to qualify for this season champions league.

This year they continue their development. It is just wonderful to see a youngster like Fabregas dominating a game like he does week after week. And what about the Dutch star Van Persie? He has scored THAT GOAL of the season. In defense Djorou has made it difficult for last season star Senderos to come back. We have a big squad, which we have asked for the last seasons.

Our upcoming and maybe the final replacement for Ash Cole, Clichy says:
"this season could be unbelievable, with all the players we have".

The way we play today, is the reason why i love football. It is like having back Brazil from `82 with Zico, Sokrates, Falcao, Eder... Pace, technique... and a lot of goals.

.... and the master is Thierry Henry.

How far can Arsenal go this season???

In Oslo again...

Create Your Own!

Charlton 1 - Arsenal 2 - 2nd spectacular goal by Van Persie

Then we finally are back on track as a winner-team. Arsenal has now won their three last matches.

On saturday Robin Van Persie scored the goal which can be the goal of the season. If you have not seen it, - here it is!

Photos - Oslo

Create Your Own!

Remembrances of Oslo!

Well, i lived tree years in Oslo in the nineties. Some days after marriaging Vigdis, we left Rogaland and moved to Oslo. I was going to be a student at Diakonhjemmets hospital and university college. I was going to be a social worker.

In Oslo Vigdis and i joined the church, Salemkirken.This is a pentecostal church, and through this we got friends for life!

For me Oslo gives remembrances of Akerhus fortress, the main street Karl Johan, Aker brygge where all the sailing boats and small boats are.

Maybe the most valuabled was the first period of marriage with my dear Vigdis. And then the friendship with Per. A walk and talk in the center of Oslo. The fresh air and the view of the Oslo fjord. The camera, Per and I...

This autumn i have been several times in Oslo, because of work. What a privelege meeting my best friend and refresh all the memories which i have tried to take care of.

At my trip to Oslo, some days ago, i had a walk to Akershus fortress and down to the harbour. I listened to Kenny Logins "celebrate me home" (!) with my new mp3-player. And yes, i cried because of all the good things i have in my life! The gardener at Akershus fortress had cut the grass and this scent of new-cut grass and the fresh air of autumn were wonderful! It was OSLO!!! Once again i recognized my remebrances with my nose. the best sense for remembering!

I think it is important to give our remembrances new life. Making prhotos can help.

At Suldal in Norway

Just some photos from Suldal:


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At Sola!

In three days i have had the privelige to stay at Sola Strand Hotell because of work. What a place - even better in the autumn than in the summertime! The beach of Sola is just one of many (7 miles with beaches in this area of Norway)!

Here is some more photos:

Just one more picture of us at Ivesdal. Love my wife!!! 

Finally we won again!!!

Ah, it was a nice evening yesterday. Arsenal finally won a football-match again, and some players showed that we still have some stars left in our squad! Rosicky was man of the match with his pace and ability. He created things through the whole game and delivered THAT goal from 25 yards! Breathtaking!

I am looking forward to the weekend. Think that we have something to offer Man U! They will have a busy day, - meeting us!

And back home, my Viking has big problems at the bottom of the league. Just some years ago we knocked Chelsea out of the UEFA-Cup...  

Simple, but what a draw! Just had to post it! 

To be loved!

"The five love languages" of Gary Chapman. He claim that we can be loved in different ways. We need different things to feel that we are being loved. Yes, we think that we are being loved when special things happens. Gary Chapman line up five things which he call "love languages". It could be when my wife spend time with me, give me presents, do me favours, give me recognition (with words) when communicating or physical closeness (not only sex, but that included!). Chapman thinks that some of these love languages are our favourites. 

The challenge for each one of us, is to not love our friend or dearest with the "love language" which is the most meaningful for our self, but to find out which is the most important for her/him!

So what love-language is the most important so that you will think/feel being loved?



Check it out!

Baptista "The Beast" to Arsenal!

Yes, then we finally got The Beast to Arsenal. It took us some years in fact. Arsene Wenger has followed this player for a while, and Reyes departure (on loan to Real) made it possible to bring Baptista to Arsenal.

Julio Baptista is called The Beast because of his strength and the way he attack. He is an attacking midfield player, and that is maybe something we need.

I wanted a defensive midfield player who could stress and be a competitor for Gilberto.

But as it is said: Arsene knows!

Baptista has strength!
He has a attacking style!
He is scoring goals from the midfield!

He is a player that our enemy will fear!

So i am happy!

"Bury the chains" - Adam Hochschild

Yes, the chains was buried - but no. They aren`t. Even if England got this law against slavery in 1833, the slavery still exists. I have been reading this remarkable book about how a prosess amongst few men became a national and international movement for essential human rights, - the fight against slavery.

Through this wonderful book Hochschild describes how these men worked to create an awareness about the reality of slavery. People like Thomas Clarkson, Olaudah Equianos, Granville Sharp and William Wilberforce were some of the main persons in this fight.

The slavery at that time is similar to the slavery we see today. In many ways! It is so interesting to see how the history repeat it self. The mask fall down (at the face of the slave) and we cannot see the true story behind and the life of the slaves. Even the newspapers photo of a trafficked women could be something which hide the true story about how it really is TO BE HER! We just see a mask, and because it is so difficult to understand - some really think that she is ok. Despite of what they read and see.

But the heroes (named above), didn`t stop telling the world, what slavery was. They didn`t stop telling true stories and creating awarenss and attention of the situation. Fundamental human rights was something to fight for.

And it is today.

I met one girl in Nigeria... She told me her story. She was one of the poor girls working in the street of Benin City. One day a woman came to her and gave her this fantastic possibility of having an education and a job. Even maybe also in Europe! She had no idea about the world outside Benin City. She didn`t know that it would take her months to come to the north of Africa. And then months of waiting in Marocco...
She told me, visible traumatized and with tears in her eyes, that she saw women who died of hunger on her way. They were dumped in the desert. And then (i was not prepared), she told about the women who became raped and killed. I didn`t really understood what she said. It was too awful. But i saw her eyes and wrote down what she told me.

And then, in a conversation with one of the nigerian back home in Stavanger and Norway. She asked me about how it was for me to be in Nigeria. I told her about all the the meetings, conversations and impressions i got. I told her about this special girl who told me about her way to Europe.

And the woman said seriously: "oh, the same story. I didn`t know if i ever would come to Europe. But i did. And now i am a slave".

And the debat of criminalize the buyer of sexual services is going on in Norway. As a social worker i see which kind of consequences prostitution have for the women. I also see that the open and not illegal market of sex-workers in Norway suits the traffickers. The money flows, and it surely increase.

I will not stop describing the "slaves of today"! And Adam Hochschild has done a great job, in letting us know how to "bury the chains".

Talk about it!

With canoe to the Gloppedalsura

What a trip! This sunday we (my wife and our children) had a trip with canoe to the Gloppedalsura. The biggest scree in the north of Europe. We paddled into the end of the water, close to the scree, and made a fire there. We grilled and had a good bath. What a overwhelming nature. Big mountains, forrest and waters! THIS IS SOMETHING for the soul! 





And then, in the evening we had to go home...

Thriatlon and a trip to Birkeland!

Found this photo in the local newspaper, Gjesdalbuen.

Yes i have participated in my first thriatlon at Ålgård, my homeplace! I did 300 m swimming in Edlandsvatnet, 15 km cycling around the Limavatnet and then 3 km running in the centrum of Ålgård. It took me 48 minutes and some seconds, and i am satisfied. I have never ever done this, and with not too much of training - it was perfect. I will definetely train more for my thriatlon.

Well, yesterday we went to Henriks mothers cabin at Birkeland. A place up in the mountains from here (Ålgård). We enjoyed the day together with good friends, bathing, meals, berries and peace! Some photo under to describe what it was like.

This was our first trip to this place after Vigdis and i spend our honeymoon there, 11 years ago. So it was so nice to be back!

Blueberry at Ivesdal

Yes, yesderday was a historic moment for me. I have been married to Ivesdal (eh, i mean my wife Vigdis, who comes from this beautiful place), but has never ever picked blueberries there. I don`t know why, because they are there, just twenty minutes up in the mountain.
My sister in law, Margrete, and i had a trip yesterday. We picked these tastefully berries for to hours and got almost 15 liters altogether. I think it was a good result! And yes, i have understood that the berries are healty. I read about it in The Guardian.

Each time i go to Ivesdal, i am overwhelmed of the nature and scenery. The silence and the fresh air gives me the break and recover i need. It gives me new strength for working in the city and live the daily life at Ålgård.



... and for eleven years i have been taking pictures of the chapel at Ivesdal. It is funny, because the church and the environment around doesn`t change. But i just love that chapel. It is so nice, and the memories of our wedding in that chapel are fantastic!!! Vigdis and i married there in 1995.

English players - a loss at Arsenal

Arsenal do have a lot of magnificent players. But they don`t have so many english left. The players at Arsenal are from France, Spain, Germany, Ivory Coast, Togo, Switzerland, Netherland and so on...

These days it seems as we are loosing Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole. They played for England in the world cup, and are the only English players left at Arsenal.

Yes, there are some promising english talents left in the club, - Walcott, Hoyte, Connoly... But i don`t expect them to play regulary.

So, this season will maybe be without english players. Our stadium will be empty of english players, just foreigners.

The boss for England doesn`t need to watch Arsenal. There is no players he can use!

10 - 15 years ago we won the league with a lot of English players. Some of them were really PLAYERS and the supporters loved them. Everybody knows about Tony Adams, Ian Wright and Paul Merson.

But David Rocastle was maybe the player with the best technique and individual skills. Unusal for players those days. He grew up in the Arsenal academy an got the opportunity to play regulary in the team. Also when he was young. It ended up with victory and gold. He became an English international together with David Seaman, Tony Adams, Paul Merson, Ian Wright...

He was the best player, and i had the opportunity to see him at his best - live. Highbury was full of plastic-bananas, and everybody shouted: "Rocky, Rocky..."! They loved their player, and after watching this video, you will know why!

Stavanger - the European Capital of Culture 2008

In 2008, the Stavanger region, together with Liverpool in England, will be the European Capital of Culture. This is a wonderful possibility to be known for tourists and people abroad, but it also means that the city invests for their own inhabitants. Culture and the scenery in the region will get the focus. In 2004 readers of National Geographic ranked the Norwegian Fjords as the world’s best tourist destination. The Lysefjord with Prekestolen is maybe the most known of them. This is a long, narrow arm of the sea bordered by steep cliffs.

I have been walking to the top of Prekestolen, but also been paddling in canoe through the Lysefjord. When i finished that three day long trip with the canoe, i cried. It was an emotional happening. The scenery is awesome.

Well, back to the city of Stavanger.

I am working in the city, and can already see that it improves. Everyone wait for 2008. How will it be? The park close to Breiavannet, a water in centrum, has been renewed with everything. The marketplace has through the years been known for all its fresh vegetables and fruits. Now they have put knew granite on the ground, and it seems to be very nice. They also have made it more temptating for the people to go around the harbour with the new blue promenade. And so i could continue...

Have a look at the official web-site for Stavanger 2008: http://www.stavanger2008.no/Artikkel.asp?AId=1&back=1&MId1=71

Yesterday, my wife and i celebrated our 11 year of marriage with a walk in Stavanger. This week there was this Gladmat-festival. The restaurants move out of their buildings and make their food for a cheap price for their guests. And then people walk through the streets with the possibility of eating a lot of different kind of food. A lot of things happens and it is actually THE SUMMER HAPPENING in Stavanger. Thousands of people just walk around, eating, talking and relax.

The weather was perfect and we shared a lovely time together, Vigdis and I!

11 years and still in love!

From virtual to the real world

A special evening for some bloggers! Well my best friends met in the virtual world, and this evening was their first real meeting. It is funny, but blogging can connect people together. This was a nice evening! 

At the family-camp in Stavern. I am having a tough time here, my friend Henrik is attacking me... good temperature in the sea!