Life, faith and Arsenal...

2008-05-18T09:55:00.000+02:00

From the celebration of our national day, yesterday. Yes, i am a proud father!!!

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2008-04-20T00:27:00.000+02:00

These roe-deer visited us this morning. Vigdis had a good time with the camera. Lucky her!
Where was i when this happened? Huh!

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Trip to Lauvåsen

2008-04-06T22:45:00.000+02:00

We had a wonderful trip to Lauvåsen, Ivesdal, today.

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Funeral at Ivesdal

2008-03-28T21:09:00.000+01:00

My wifes uncle`s funeral at Ivesdal today, 28 march 2008.

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View from my office in Stavanger

2008-03-25T22:05:00.001+01:00

It is winter in town! I had a little bit fun today, photographing from my office in second floor... So this is daily life
in Stavanger, march 2008!

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Christmas and a new year!

2008-01-03T17:23:00.000+01:00

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Up in the mountain...

2007-10-18T16:50:00.000+02:00

Autumn for me, is...

2007-09-27T16:04:00.000+02:00

Autumn is maybe the most beautiful period of a year. The life goes from life to dead, and i think autumn vizualise this in a perfect way!

Even if life has been (too!) busy for me in september, with family life, work and education, i have had the opportunity to seize some moments of life. Also with my camera...

Arne Garborg, a well-known Norwegian author, used to stay in this house in summertime

Reading for my exam, when visiting Fredrikstad, south-east in Norway

Høst

2007-09-27T16:03:00.000+02:00

What life is all about, right now!

2007-08-30T22:57:00.000+02:00

Arsenal 2-1 PSG Goals - Emirates Cup

2007-07-30T12:19:00.001+02:00

Arsenal won the matches against PSG and Inter Milan this weekend. And here are a video-clip from the match against PSG. The 18 years old danish youngster, Bendtner, did very well in his debut. But man of the match has to be Clichy.

Arsenal is ready for a new season!!!

2007-07-30T11:24:00.000+02:00

This is wonderful football! Everyone think Arsenal have lost their way of playing football in the loss of Thierry Henry. That we will never enjoy the amazing football they used to play. But in the weekend we saw that there is a life after Henry. Definetely:

Arsenal v. Inter Milan SSN Report And Interviews
Uploaded by ArsenalFootballClub

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Arsenal 3-0 Genclerbirligi Friendly Highlights 19.07.07

2007-07-22T21:21:00.001+02:00

Arsenal won their second match in pre-season against a turkish team.
Van Persie seem to be our new main goalscorer, and Walcott put pressure on Hleb for a place in the team.

Our new right back seem to have strength, techique and pace. That is something!

Our defense is not as good as the two result tells us, we were lucky to not concede goals in this match.

Next match is on wednesday...

Wonderful days - part 1 - Månafossen

2007-07-22T14:11:00.000+02:00

Have had some wonderful days. A good friend stayed with us and we have been doing some exploration of the nature at the west coast of Norway.

At such trips we just enjoy the creation, we talk, wonder and just use our time. It is close to all that i need, being together with family and a good friend in God`s wonderful creation.

The first photos is from our trip to Månafossen, the ninth largest waterfall in Norway. That is something!

A little rest before we go...

Had a bath before travelling to this place

Met these one on our way to the Månafossen, he-he...

SSN Report Arsenal vs Barnet Highlights and interview

2007-07-15T08:42:00.001+02:00

Pre-season has started up, and Arsenal had their first match saturday. They won 2-0 against Barnet, and the Norwegian youngster Håvard Nordtveit got his debut.

All in all, a firmly ok start. A lot of youngster and too few goals. I am wondering how it our strikers will do it this season...

Theo Walcott's 1st Goal for Arsenal

2007-07-08T09:14:00.001+02:00

Walcott - My injury problems are behind me

2007-07-08T09:06:00.001+02:00

Arsenal have realesed their new away kit. It`s not their normal colours in yellow and blue, but nice though. The colours of white and that x is a tribute to our former and succesful manager Herbert Chapman.
Theo Walcott if fit after a surgery in his shoulder, which gave him a lot of trouble last year. So hopefully he can break through this year.
This is together with Justin Hoyte the only english player at Arsenal, which is good enough for our first team. So i really hope Walcott can do it.

Markus Kaasa, norways wonderchild!

2007-07-07T17:57:00.001+02:00

The second signing of a norwegian youngster?

He definately has the skills?!!!

Eduardo Da Silva - First Interview with Arsenal

2007-07-05T21:31:00.001+02:00

Arsenal complete Signing Eduardo Da Silva

2007-07-04T15:28:00.001+02:00

Eduardo Da Silva - Part II

2007-07-03T11:05:00.001+02:00

Thierry Henry has gone, and all of the Arsenalsupporters have been wondering and speculating about who will be the replacement. A lot of well-known superstars have been named: Owen, Martins, Anelka...

But then, out of nothing, Wenger pick up his name of the hat: Eduardo Da Silva!!!
Nobody has never heard of him, but if you notice his achievement, it is something!

He scored about 50 goals last season. Were the top goalscorer in Croatia and also for the national team. He is a fox-in-the box! Exactly what Arsenal need, if you ask me!

New players at Arsenal

2007-06-27T20:31:00.001+02:00

Håvard Nordtveit a 16 years old defender and Fabyinski, a young Polish keeper. That is all Wenger has done in the transfer market until now. Hopefully we will see at least one more player. A etablished attacking player who can push Van Persie and Adebayor for a place up front.

Here is a video-clip of my Norwegian fellow, who have joined my team Arsenal. He comes from Haugesund, not so many miles away from were i live, actually!

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Photos from Estonia

2007-04-20T19:50:00.000+02:00

To Tallin, Estonia with work...

After one week in Estonia, i just have to post some of my photos. We had wonderful weather and a lot of experiences. Interesting to visit one of the countries which was part of the Soviet Union not so many years ago - until they became independent in 1991.

Photos from easter

2007-04-08T15:46:00.000+02:00

The free will and easter...

2007-04-02T09:22:00.000+02:00

I am inspired of one of my friends at myspace who wrote a blog about slavery and apologizing.

I often wonder about the free will. What is it, and what does it mean? What kind of consequnces does it have for us as human being? And in my work - what does it mean for people who are vulnerable and who suffer in prostitution and maybe also as victim of trafficking?

In the christian church we hear that we have this free will to do the will of God, - or not! In a way we are told that we are in control over our own`s destiny. If we choose right, our life will be good. If we choose wrong, our life will not be as good as it could!

I wonder if this is just right? Did Jesus has a free will? What would the consequences be if He didn`t choose the road we all know? Had this man really a choice?

How can a girl from Bulgaria, now 35 year old, be responsible for the life she has, when being put into prostitution of her parents when she was 14 year old? She has been in prostitution the last 20 years, and someone talk about free will?

Is she responsible for the life she has? Is she a slave if she keep the money she earn in prostitution? And what changes if she doesn`t? In Norway it seems that the different parties are tired of the discussion about making it a crime to buy sexual services. They want action, to decide, and the argumentation for making it a crime is "buying sex is sexual violence", prostitution is a order - problem (people feel rude about it) and "we need to dam up against the traffickers"... I fear that the prostitutes will be the forgotten ones when (!) we get this new law. There will still be women of free will going into this kind of buisness. Or is it a free will?

I think the society needs to define the human rights, how to understand this. We can`t put the responsibility one the shoulder of a suffering woman and her free will.

And ss long as she doesn`t do anything illegal, i think we should help and give them more rights as women. Education, work... health care services - so they can be free and have benefit of having a free will!

Spring - it doesn`t have a free will. But it is beautiful!

Nine hours with sewer!

2007-03-31T08:38:00.000+02:00

Yes, we have had a lot of work with the damage we have in our sewer. We are not sure about the reason for and the extent of it. But that something was wrong we surely know, because of the sewer we found flowing out in our cellar.

We needed a tanker to help us, together with the people from the local goverment. They worked in six hours, and my wife and i continued to wash and clean for three more hours into the night...

We bought our house in 1999. It is about 50 years old, and the people told me that the system needs a renewal. We were lucky to stop the flood of sewer before it damaged to much inside our house.

So in a short time we will have people here, searching for the fault, by sending a camera into the system. After that we will be able to understand what to do.

A costly and unfortunate accident. To own a house gives you some goods and bads.

After this, we needed a break from sewer... A walk and experience of spring helps:

My norwegian web-site:

2007-03-18T08:00:00.000+01:00

is my second website.

If you read norwegian, this is maybe something for you!

Photos from Bulgaria, Varna

2007-03-14T10:24:00.000+01:00

At fieldwork in Varna

At the Black Sea

Black sea

Farewell...

What is this, Per Arne?

Some reading when travelling...

Photos from my trip to Bulgaria, part 1

2007-03-10T17:49:00.000+01:00

I`ll start with some photos from my days in Sofia. But the really great photo-experiences i got when travelling with train through Bulgaria from Sofia in west to Varna and the Black Sea in east. I will be able to post some of those photos in few days.

This is Sofia. And yes, her name is Sofia!

The photographer!

... not so expensive. Just 40 norwegian krone (5 euro)! I am not used to see the hairdresser drinking wine when using their instruments!

St. Petka Samardzjijska church from around 1300

The jewish people in Bulgaria were not the most pursuited under the second world war. But after 1947 people told me that most of the jewish left for Israel and USA. The jewish were rich and had some wonderful houses. When they left noone took the responsibility to take care of them. The jewish part of the town is being marked of this... The houses are falling to pieces.

Not interested in me as a customer (he-he)

St. Nedelya church from around 1100

The Banya Bashi mosque in Sofia. Around 12% of the people in Bulgaria are muslims.
85% are Bulgarian orthodox. And then you have the rest...?

This fountain serves hot spring water. And it is natural spring water! People come with bottles...

This man talked to me in english when i photographed the Russian church. I had to listen to him. It was interesting. He told me that the country didn`t take care of his generation. In his case the pension, after working at the university, was nothing to live for. I got this information confirmed. The old people are totally dependent of their children. If they have no support, they will end up in the streets.

The famous Alexander Nevsky, the Bulgarian orthodox cathedral in Sofia! The staff at the hotell said that this is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Ok? Build between 1904 and 1912...

This man just asked me if i wanted to have a photo of him. And i did (of course!)

Outside the oldest orthodox church, St. Sofia church, the fire burn for the unknown soldier... A monumentum for the hundreds of thousands of Bulgarian soliders that have died in the wars for their homeland.

... it burns every day and night.

Is prostitution and the sexual activities which find place in the bars and clubs just something that the society have to accept? One of the bars is called Taboo!

View from my room in Sofia. Outlook over the old jewish part of the town

At work. An intensive day with a lot of information to store in the harddisk. Not easy. Have to be up for it! Eh?!

Day 1 and 2 in Sofia and Bulgaria is finished! The trip to Varna will follow...

A trip in the Kodlidalen

2007-03-03T19:57:00.000+01:00

A good day with my children in the mountain!

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An evening with ice!

2007-02-25T22:43:00.000+01:00

The cold and windy weather gave me some nice motifs today:

It helped a little bit after loosing the final against Chelskis!

iTunes, Creative or....?

2007-02-25T08:37:00.000+01:00

My mp3-player...

I have an old cd-player from 1992, and it still help my family enjoying music in our home at Aalgaard. My daughter and my son know how it works, and i think it is a good idea to let them really use it. And they do!

I have found it more easy to bring my music out of the house, - when i want to listen to it. I really need my mp3-player. My children dominate at home, and my dear wife doesn`t always think that music helps in a busy day. For me music is therapy. I use different kind of music as "treatment" for my varying state of mind. It could be Fernando Ortega to find peace and worship God, Amy Grant to celebrate life and U2 for having some good rhythms... And George Michael when i just need to be melancholic.

So in the morning i wake up at a quarter past six. I rush out of the house. Need to catch the first bus. I bring with me my mp3-player, a book, the newspaper and sit down at the left side in the green bus... Always the same procedure.

Then i have one hour for reading and music. It gives me a good start for a new day.

But i have one problem. My mp3-player handle just 256mb. That doesn`t give me many different songs!

So before i go abroad in two weeks, i want to buy a new mp3-player. I will use a whole day on my trip from Stavanger to Sofia (Bulgaria), and then i just need a little bit more out of a mp3-player.

So, should it be iTunes or Creative? Or do you have another suggest?

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Sunday at Aalgaard - church to be removed

2007-02-18T18:51:00.000+01:00

This sunday we decided to be at home. Normally we go for a visit or something, but today we needed to be a family. If you understand... Church first, then dinner, talking and then a trip out. Today we chosed to go to Limavatnet, Edlandsvatnet and Stasjonen, close to the church which is supposed to be removed for a new one. I am against this. Not for having a new church, but it is a shame that we loose buildings like this. They are a kind of monumental for the citizens. To ruin the main church at Aalgaard is crazy!

Tur til Stemmen

2007-02-17T16:43:00.000+01:00

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Look - alike?

2007-02-17T11:29:00.000+01:00

My two grandfathers, farmers and friends! The one, everyone think is my look-alike, is Halvar. The man to the right...

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Winter on the road to Ivesdal

2007-02-12T19:05:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we experienced the winter at our way to Ivesdal, my wifes homeplace. Cold temperature, a strong wind and a little bit snow in the air, gave us this good feeling of being inside. Inside the car, and in the end - inside the house of my parents-in-law.
Have been married to Vigdis for over 11 years now, and i have never used two hours on these 30 km. We have been driven this road in different weather through the years. And yesterday gave us something to remember.

The strong wind made the trip fun. We had to go slowly, just to stay on the road... Just two-hundred metres away from Ivesdal, i drove the car into that snowdrift! And i couldn`t get it out of it. No trafficlights. Just those snowflakes blowing. After a while my boy said: "this is exciting!". Well, it turned the situation to be more cosy. We had each other, and were singing while waiting for a tractor to come.

In the end we met up with this special home, where my wife grew up. With her wonderful parents!

Here some photos of our way to Ivesdal, yesterday:

Not easy to go peeing at Runaskaret!

Here we are, celebrating winter in the snow!

Finally - my parents-in-law!

I am allergic to resin!

2007-02-10T10:00:00.000+01:00

What about you, then?

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We`re going for Bolton...

2007-01-27T11:59:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow we are going to follow up two weeks of a miracle for Arsenal:
Liverpool - Arsenal 3-6
Arsenal - Man U 2-1
Tottenham - Arsenal 2-2

Henry sealed our triumph against Man U with a header in the 90`th minute:

... and this against Tottenham:

Arsenal in 2004 and today...

2007-01-20T19:16:00.000+01:00

One friend told me to talk a little bit more about my passion for Arsenal. This wonderful football club which i have been supported in over twenty years

Well, these days the clubs in England strengthen their squads by buying players. Some players will leave, and some will come in. For Arsenal i think this will be a silent period. We will not see any new players at Arsenal until the summer. Maybe some players will leave.

During the historic season of 2003/04 Arsenal broke a long-standing league record, completing a 49-game unbeaten run!!! It was also a season which saw Arsenal achieve their highest Premier League win - a 7-0 over Everton. Finishing runners-up to Chelsea in the Premier League as well as winning the FA Cup, in an exciting penalty shoot out against Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium.

What maybe not so many supporters think about, is what happened after this triumph. A lot of players were going to quit the club. It still continues. A lot of supporters asked why this was happening. The captain and the one who sealed our triumph at the Millennium Stadium with his penalty shot, Patrick Vieira, left the club in a shocking move for Italy. After this the supporters have seen a whole team leaving: Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Ray Parlour and the youngsters Jermaine Pennant and David Bentley. Yesterday we saw one of our best players in 2004, Lauren, leaving for Pompey.

Arsenal have not won any trophies since then. The manager Arsene Wenger has used his time to develop a new team, and in just three years i have to admit that this man is marvellous! This year the renewal of my Arsenal really has a chance of winning trophies again. Three years of waiting will come to an end!

Why i believe so?

The players that are coming up in Arsenal are really showing their quality these days. The most central young players in Arsenal these days and for the future are such as: Hoyte, Djorou, Fabregas, Walcott, Van Persie and Adebayor.

I think these players will lead me into celebration in May, by winning the Fa-cup or another triumph...:

Jens Lehmann

Justin Hoyte - Kolo Toure - William Gallas - Gael Clichy

Theo Walcott - Cesc Fabregas - Gilberto - Rosicky

Adebayor - Henry

Sub: Almunia, Djorou, Denilson, Hleb, Van Persie

Tomorrow we will smash Manchester United at Emirates Stadium!!!

At Hellesto

2007-01-20T10:48:00.000+01:00

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The days are busy...

2007-01-17T23:02:00.000+01:00

(Photo: Arsenalblogger january 2007)

The days are busy with everything, - family, work, church and so on. I think i need to rest. At a quiet place. Just for my self.

So how are you, what are your needs for today?

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I am still here...

2006-12-30T11:24:00.000+01:00

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

2006-10-31T21:42:00.000+01:00

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

2006-10-19T10:38:00.000+02:00

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

2006-10-18T20:29:00.000+02:00

(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...

2006-10-17T11:33:00.000+02:00

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...

2006-10-13T12:09:00.000+02:00

Create Your Own!

2006-10-05T08:59:00.000+02:00

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

2006-10-01T10:25:00.000+02:00

Create Your Own!

Remembrances of Oslo!

2006-10-01T10:08:00.000+02:00

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

2006-09-26T18:22:00.000+02:00

Just some photos from Suldal:

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At Sola!

2006-09-22T21:45:00.000+02:00

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:

2006-09-16T23:40:00.000+02:00

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

Finally we won again!!!

2006-09-14T10:07:00.000+02:00

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...

2006-09-09T10:42:00.000+02:00

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

To be loved!

2006-09-09T09:42:00.000+02:00

"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!

2006-09-01T20:46:00.000+02:00

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

2006-08-28T20:23:00.000+02:00

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

2006-08-21T20:02:00.000+02:00

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!

2006-08-16T12:03:00.000+02:00

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

2006-08-12T09:52:00.000+02:00

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.

2006-08-09T18:20:00.000+02:00

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

2006-07-30T12:58:00.000+02:00

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

2006-07-26T20:20:00.000+02:00

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!

2006-07-21T09:04:00.000+02:00

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

2006-07-21T09:00:00.000+02:00

The royal castle in Norway. My boy thought there were few soldiers. How could the king be safe?

2006-07-21T08:55:00.000+02:00

More sculptures

2006-07-21T08:54:00.000+02:00

Sculptures in the Vigeland-park, Oslo.

2006-07-21T08:53:00.000+02:00

Fresh colours in the Vigeland-park.

Summer - and how to be loved!

2006-07-20T18:54:00.000+02:00

Elias, Åshild, Vigdis and i have had one week of our holiday. We had a really good time with Per in Oslo (nice apartment you`ve got there, Per!!). We used our time at the castle and in the Vigeland-park (it is a big park with a lot of sculptures). Really nice! Sitting on a bench in the bothanic garden, close to the zoologic and geologic museum, wasn`t a bad experience either. As you can imagine - a lot of opportunities to take photos.

After the weekend we spend some days at a family-camp, arranged by Youth with a mission. A lot of children, mothers and fathers. Meetings, discussions and time to just be together as a family.

Use time together! I say yes to that. I feel being loved when my wife use time with me. I don`t need a lot of things (services, sex, presents or whatever) to happen. To use time and just be together is maybe the most important thing for me. Conversations while sitting on a bench with nice scenery - that`s it! And - i am lucky! My wife need the same thing... Wondering if we do anything else than sitting on our bottoms? Well, yes. Of course. Training and working... I just think that we use too much time of those things which feels meaningless (in the end). Agree?

Back at Ålgård. It`s still summer. I have been painting and working on my house. Have been at work some days, - and will work one more week before i`ll have three more weeks with holiday.

Yesterday, after the children had fall asleep, i went to the water for having a bath. And what a bath! The temperature was perfect! I had a good laugh while swimming around there. Joy and delight!

I will come back with some pictures!

Drinking coffee?

2006-07-01T16:10:00.000+02:00

My sister get a hug of her mother in law. I took the picture in my sisters wedding. She married her man who comes from Colombia.
Late in the wedding we heard a man playing a melancholic song on the piano. I was thinking that this song was special, and at the same time started to think about what kind of life this woman lived when she was young.
After the man finished, i asked him about the song. He told me that it was about working with coffee (on the plantation). I was thinking of what kind of hard work it maybe was (is?), producing coffee?
These old hands did that kind of work... many years ago, Gerardo told me.

What about the coffee we drink. For what kind of price is it made?

Silly season!

2006-06-30T23:24:00.000+02:00

Premier league has holiday and the world cup is going on. It is close to an exiting and intense completion! While Brazil, Germany, England, Italy, Argentina and the other great nations fights for gold in this tournament, another - and for supporters of english teams - an even more important event is going on.

Silly season is the time for rumours in english football. Likely and unlikely transfers of football-players are discussed amongst the supporters and in the media. You can make money of this!

The rumours are flourishing... One day Thierry Henry has signed for Barca, - the other day Michael Owen has signed as a replacement. Most of us (supporters) have been
decieved. It is not a good feeling when you think you loose your best player! I have been a fool for over 20 years, now. Sometimes i enjoy it, and sometimes i am fed up!
I love my team, and i can`t risk loosing a little part of a possible true story. It is dangerous to underestimate a rumour. I have to be ready for the catastrophe or for the dream coming true. It is about love, - you just have to join the race!

I am an Arsenal-supporter, and for my club it is just about who is coming. We are rich, have a new stadium, the best manager and some of the best and surely most talented players in the world. But everyone agree that we need to strengten our team. But in which part of the team (defence, middle or in the attack)? And what kind of player? Should he be young or a player with more experiences? What about physical strength or technique? A header or runner?

When i was in Torino, i read about the crisis in their team, Juventus. The club
risks playing in a lower division next season. Bribe is not the clever thing to do.
And before the case has been in the court, every single player in the team of Juventus has gone! Vieira is back in my team together with Buffon (the best keeper in the world). I am excited, but don`t believe it (yes, it`s possible to be so divided). I took this picture outside "the shop" in Tourin.

Rumours of following players supposed to sign for Arsenal, have send me:

* to heaven with joy:
Torres, Trabelsi, Baptista, Toure, Carrick, Davis, Ferdinand (Anton), Ribery

* to "Ikea" with the feeling of blah:
Beckham, Kuyt, Saviola, Diop, Klose, Sahin, Jimenez, Buffon, Vieira

* to the cellar with fear:
Ronaldo, Ellington, Kuffour, Carew (!)

... and in the end i suppose none of these players will sign for us. Arsene Wenger always hide his thoughts, and the transfers will first be known for the public through Arsenal.com. As it happened when we signed our first, and maybe the only player this summer! Tomas Rosicky!

http://www.freewebs.com/helgeaarsvoll/index.htm

Darkness in Torino...

2006-06-19T19:35:00.000+02:00

Just some thougts which came through my mind, late one night in Torino. I was there a week ago, with the job.

This night i was togehter with Tampep. They are working for prostitutes and victim of trafficking in Torino.
Two friend of mine and i (from Kirkens Bymisjon, an accosiation in Norway) joined the outreach work this night. We were driving for half an hour, out of the city. We met 17 women there. What a sadness. What an unworthy situation for this young women, naked as they were, standing on the dark roads outside the city. They were standing one and one with hundred of metres or kilometres between them. No traffic lights, - just darkness. None (of us!) would notice if they dissapeared one night. And absolutely none would notice if they were exposed of violence. They had a fire in a little rusty barrel (the picture). Just to keep warm. But it could`t help. It was so dark.

Not just an unworthy situation, - it is just totally useless as a concept. We are talking of victim and slaves! Who loose their humanity.

Are men responsible? In what way? It does something with my identity to be part of this! I am attacked.

She is! As an image of God. What says God of himself? "I AM". God is not just something. He is a person. He has a personality and a history. A women is made like Him. With feelings, thoughts, personality and a history.
She is a hopeful girl, a bride, a mother and a wise, independent and beautiful wife.

Not meat!

I am frustrated about the situation, and do not really have the answer of what is needed. There is so much work to be done! And while we are waiting, new girls are coming into prostitution. Today i met a new girl from Nigeria in Stavanger...

Well, a break ..... Torino is also a city well known for the the piece of linen long-believed to have been wrapped around Jesus body after the crucifixion. We had a visit in this church. Interesting.

Successful toilet training!

2006-05-28T09:16:00.000+02:00

We are optimistic, but realistic! It will take some time to learn our boy how to urinate in the toilet and not around it. It seems as he is satisfied if he reach the toilet in time, and get his trousers down. From this it is just luck if he make success or not. Sometimes we are thinking that he don`t want it to happen in the right way. He wants to learn, but he also wants other methods than we suggest. He tries to learn about the toilet, how it looks like and how it works (see picture).

We try to:
- let him watch and learn of me
- let him practise
- motivate him with cool underwear
- celebrate triumphs
- have fun
- dump the diaper!

I will definitely not be more in this situation:

Highbury - home of football

2006-05-26T22:06:00.000+02:00

Arsenal.com told me today that it is 17 years since Arsenal won the league after that dramatic game against Liverpool in 1989. I remember i was sitting together with some friends, watching the game on television. I didn`t expect anything of the game. Arsenal was out of form, and Liverpool was totally different. All odds against us. We had to score two goals at Anfield that night, in the last game of the season. And we had to deny Liverpool scoring. It was too much to dream of, i thought. And everything looked to go the way i expected. We had the lead until 90 minutes was played. That was not enough. Liverpools Ian Rush and John Barnes shake-hands and was celebrating, even before the referee had whistled off the game. And then, a long ball from the defense ended up in Michael Thomas feet. He scored! Celebrated wildley. And we won the league, that night on Anfield. It was remarkable!

I visited Highbury for my first time (picture above, me in the middle with that smile) that year, - and watching players like Adams and Rocastle was a big moment for me. After just three minutes into the game against Everton, Lee Dixon scored and the roof was lifted of celebration. It was special to be there. An incredible atmosphere. Each tackle was followed of shouting, and i really fall in love with english football. This happened 9 years after i decided to follow Arsenal as my team (1980/81).

This season (2005/06) was the last season at Highbury. The capasity was too small. We are moving some hundreds meters down the road to a new stadium, which is called Emirates stadium. The supporters do not like the name. Of course. There is nothing special with that name. But it gives money to the club for som years... I just hope that some part of the soul at Highbury has moved together with the club to this new stadium. You see - Highbury was the home of football...

Prostitution or buying sex - should it be a crime?

2006-05-25T11:15:00.000+02:00

Prostitution is sale of sexual services for money or for a kind of compensation. Last year the national competence center, Prosenteret, claimed that 2500 persons were so-called sex-workers in Norway. In Norway prostitution is not a legal work as it is in Germany and Netherland for instance. Not a crime either. I am a social worker and have been working for women in prostitution the last four years.

In Norway it has been a quite interesting development the last three years. In the cities where prostitution is visible for everyone, the norwegian women have been out-competed of foreigners. The Norwegian women are well known as drug-users. They finance their drugs with money earned in prostitution. In just two-three years the situation is totally different in the streets. In my town, Stavanger, the number of women in prostitution has doubled and the police think that criminal networks is organizing it. Trafficking is the topic in the media, and making it a crime to buy sexual services of someone has now been suggested of a parliamentary party.

And it is true that these women are suffering. It is not easy to be in prostitution. You have to take care of your own security, and most of the women, norwegian and foreigners, experience violence of the customer from time to time. Most of the women have to cope with this post-traumatic stress disorder. To survive they develop a cynicism.
Most of the women get problems with their identity. It is not an easy task to seperate the body from the soul. This is what they try to do, but what is impossible. For most of the women i have met in prostitution, this is their main-problem. They are getting depressed of it. Feeling that they are nothing worth. But because of the money they earn, it is not easy to quit.

The foreigners are poor people. Earlier this year i was in Nigeria. I was talking to women who had been in prostitution in Europe. They talked about the routes and their journey from Nigeria to Europe, how hunger, rape and manslaughter destroyed their positive dream of getting a job and a new life. Not all of the women are travelling through the same routes. But ending up in prostitution when their dream are legal work… it is awful! More about Nigerian women in prostitution in this.

Not more talk about the women. What about the man?

He buy the newspaper and call a number connected to sale of sexual services. He phone her and make an appointment meeting her at a hotel or in an apartment. Maybe he take the car, down to the streets...

There is that man who has never had sex, and really bad experiences connected to relationship. Some don`t know how to express their own feelings and needs. "When you buy sex, you don`t need to think. Just pay!", one man told me. Some men choose to buy sex because they are not interesting in working for having sex in a equivalent relationship. And they are totally not interested in going without having sex. To do it with their own hands, is not so...? He prefer to buy.

One man told me that he wouldn`t buy sex of foreigners. He was afraid of getting envolved in trafficking. He wanted the women to be a prostitute of "free will". If she was not there of her own will, he would get a problem with his erection! So when do you have a free will?

Should it be a crime, buying sexual services?
I am really (really!) not sure, because…

What do you think?

The camera is back!

2006-05-22T20:52:00.000+02:00

Finally i got my camera back from the repair shop! And everything on the guarantee. Puh, i was nervous i had to pay...

To be without my Canon 300D has been such a disappointment. May is definitively the most beautiful month in Norway. The nature becomes green and the flowers is there! The farmers let their animals go grazing! For me this is the period i go wild in the water. Around 10 degrees and so easy. No more ice-cutting for having a bath.
So amazing!

Met this horse on my way to Ivesdal and Bjerkreim this weekend. I always bring with me the camera. Have to be there when the motif arrive. Nice one?

Thierry Henry !

2006-05-19T23:23:00.000+02:00

Jeg er målløs. I 26 år har jeg fulgt Arsenal. Jeg har fått oppleve cup- og seriegull flere ganger. Jeg har sett store fotballspillere som Tony Woodcock, David O`leary, David Rocastle, Paul Merson, Ian Wright, Tony Adams, Dennis Bergkamp og Patrick Vieira i favorittklubben min.

Før mesterligafinalen mot Barcelona 17 mai (to dager siden), tenkte jeg at jeg kanskje ville være mest fornøyd med tap. Arsenals beste spiller gjennom alle tider, Thierry Henry, har brukt god tid på å komme frem til et valg på om han ønsker å tegne ny kontrakt med Arsenal eller ei. Dersom vi hadde vunnet mesterligaen, hadde han vunnet alt han kunne vinne med Arsenal. Så jeg tenkte at da var det kanskje best at vi tapte. Og så gjorde vi det...

Så går det to dager og jeg får mitt ønske oppfylt. Thierry Henry sier at han ikke klarer å forlate Arsenal. Han skriver under på en 4-års kontrakt. Jeg har nevnt mange store Arsenal-spillere ovenfor. Men ingen, absolutt ingen er i nærheten av Thierry Henry. Jeg mener at han er en av verdens absolutt beste spillere. Kanskje en av historiens aller beste.

Han har teknikk, et rykk og en fart som skiller ham fra alle andre fotballspillere. De som har sett ham spille fotball, vil måtte erkjenne at dette er en mann utenom det vanlige. Han har en fantastisk evne til både spille frem og avgjøre selv. Han er mye, mye mer enn en målskorer. Han er overalt når Arsenal angriper. Rykket hans er det ingen i verden som kan stå i mot. Mot Real Madrid i årets mesterliga løp han fra hele forsvarsrekka før han skoret. Et av de målene jeg nok aldri glemmer...
Han overtok som kaptein etter Patrick Vieira, som forlot Arsenal for å oppleve mer suksess på annet gress. Som kaptein har han nå fått i ansvar å lede kanskje verdens mest talentfulle fotballag mot nye høyder. Spillere som Fabregas, Diaby, Reyes, Senderos, Eboue og tenåringen Theo Walcott (nylig tatt med i Englands VM-tropp uten å ha spilt et eneste sekund premierleague-fotball!) vil tjene stort på å ha Thierry Henry som forbilde.
Han er en atlet og en tvers gjennom proff. Han er familiefar og kjent for å holde seg mye hjemme. Han er kjent for å la andre ta seg av festingen.

Han begrunnet valget om å fortsette i Arsenal med at han ikke klarte å reise fra fansen. Han forklarte at engelsk fotball og engelske tilhengere er det beste som finnes. Det er en lidenskap og trofasthet blant disse tilhengerne som er helt unik. Taper et storlag i Italia, Spania eller Tyskland snur tilhengerne ryggen til spillerne. Det skjer ikke i Arsenal og i England. Fulle tribuner og tilhengernes engasjement var avgjørende for valget om å fortsette.
Gode spillere blir møtt med respekt, sier han i intervjuet med BBC i dag. Jeg husker hvordan Portsmouth - fansen reiste seg og trampeklappet for Arsenal og Henry etter at de var blitt slått av Aresnal på eget gress. De hånet ikke sitt eget lag. De takket bare Arsenal for deres bidrag til god fotball og en god kamp. Henry tok etter kampen på seg en Portsmouth-drakt og løp bort til motstanderens tilhengere for å takke dem. Slike scener er umulige å oppleve utenfor fotballøya.

I dag er BBC bombardert med e-post og sms`er fra andre klubbers tilhengere. De er glade for at Thierry Henry fortsetter i Arsenal. De er glade for å kunne nyte denne spillerens utrolige kvaliteter også i fortsettelsen.

Og, ja, om jeg måtte velge mellom mesterligagull og ny kontrakt med Thierry Henry, ville jeg fått et enkelt valg. Arsenal ville aldri klart å spille så utrolig flott fotball uten Henry. Og jeg velger gjerne bort en sølvbøtte mot 4 nye år med verdens beste fotballspiller - i favorittklubben!

Thierry Henry er en legende.

Kameraet er til reparasjon!

2006-05-13T08:44:00.000+02:00

Mitt Canon D300 er til reparasjon. Heldigvis går det på garantien. I to år har jeg tatt bilder med mitt digitale speilreflekskamera. Det har vært en ren nytelse å jakte etter motivet, fange det, fokusere, trykke av, høre klikket og så se resultatet. Ingenting er som å gå på jakt etter vakre og spennende motiver.

Om noen uker reiser jeg til Italia og Torino. Kameraet skal da være tilbake, og jeg vil selvsagt legge bilder ut på nettet:

I mellomtiden er det gebursdager for begge barna, 17 mai og mesterligafinale mellom Barcelona og Arsenal.

Mye å glede seg til, med andre ord. Men ingenting blir det samme uten mitt Canon 300D!

Arsenal til finalen i mesterligaen!!!

2006-04-25T23:38:00.000+02:00

Mitt Arsenal gikk i kveld til finalen i mesterligaen på bekostning av spanske Villareal. Lehmann (bilde fra nettet) reddet straffe 2 minutt før slutt og var dagens mann sammen med Gilberto! Jeg er LYKKELIG!!!!

Duften av Grønland... og Bjølsen

2006-04-22T09:39:00.000+02:00

Sturla Stålsett, nylig påtroppende leder i Kirkens Bymisjon i Oslo, snakker om globalisering og dens utfordringer. Bra at Bymisjonen har fått en leder som har vært utenlands og luftet seg litt. Sønnen til Oslo`s tidligere biskop har også jobbet med menneskerettigheter... det er bra.

Etter å ha vært på møte med gode kollegaer i Bymisjonen i Oslo og virkelig hatt globaliseringens konsekvenser "på maten" (menneskehandel), gikk jeg gjennom Grønland for å møte Per utenfor Oslo S, ved tigeren...

I 1997 var jeg under sosionomstudiene et halvt år i praksis ved Oslo Kretfengsel. På den tiden ble jeg fryktelig glad i Grønland. Grønland må vel være det stedet i Norge hvor verden er best representert. Nå fikk jeg igjen oppleve det muldrende livet og den spesielle frukt - og krydderlukten som finnes i gatene ved Grønlands torg. Jeg ble igjen minnet om Isabelle Allende og Lykkens Datter. Den sterke luktesansen hjelper oss å holde fast på (!) de gode minnene. Herlig!
Jeg stakk innom et museum på Grønlands gamle politistasjon. Der fikk jeg vite at litt over 4 600 000 mennesker bor i Norge. 3 - 4 hundre tusen av dem er mennesker med innvandrerbakgrunn.

Deretter bar det videre til Oslo S, Rådhusplassen, Karl Johan og Paleet (fast spisested for oss, Per!) og så til Bjølsen for påskesnop, te og gode samtaler... Takk, Per! Jeg har fått noen spennende og herlige dager i Oslo!

"Spoijen" og brannskade

2006-04-16T08:51:00.000+02:00

Her flyr Spoven, eller "Spoijen" som vi sier på Årsvoll. Fuglen er en av fire fugler vi forbinder med våren hjemme på Årsvoll. Vipa, Tjelden og Linerla er de to andre. Dette bildet tok jeg ved å kjøre en tur opp i marka. Kjekt med stor linse på kameraet. Når fuglen flakser opp og jeg treffer den med mitt knips, ja da er jeg høyt oppe. Et skikkelig kick! Eller var gårsdagen preget av en litt mer kjedelig sak. Elias brant seg på en vedovn, da vi var på hyttetur på Ogna. Vi møtte på legevakten, og han hadde fått 2 grads forbrenning. En lettelse at Vigdis var så kjapp med å få guttens hånd i vannet. En halvtime i vann forhindret skaden i å bli værre. Takk, kjære kone!

Langfredag - har Gud en egen vilje?

2006-04-15T08:58:00.000+02:00

Snøklokkene er kommet og våren er endelig skikkelig i gang! I går var vi en tur på Årsvoll. Hele familien var samlet i ruinene til den gamle smia, rett ved siden av Årsvolltunet (hvor mor og far bor). Far hadde tent opp et ildsted, og vi kokte både pølser og egg. Ungene plukket blomster og "diamanter" (hvite steiner), mens vi voksne koste oss i sola med både prat og lek (fotball, minigolf og hesteskokasting). En perfekt dag! ....på langfredag.

Ja, for det som min datter kaller for "den tristeste dagen i mitt liv" tar oss inn i en virkelighet hvor Jesus utfordres av Guds vilje og opplevelsen av å bli forlatt av Gud.

Jeg har selv hatt store problemer med å akseptere "Guds vilje" som misjon og to utganger av livet. Om ikke disse spørsmålene gjorde til at jeg følte meg forlatt, kunne de fått meg til å forlate...

Jeg velger å tolke Bibelen slik at den passer til en virkelighetsforståelse som jeg klarer å forholde meg til, og akseptere. Er det ikke det vi alle gjør? Tolker og beskriver Gud, slik at vi klarer å forholde oss til troen. Dersom vi får problemer med å forene livet, slik vi opplever det, med troen, tar vi enten pause eller kutter den ut?

På langfredag lar jeg meg utfordre på om Gud har en egen vilje, og om denne kan stride mot min egen. Om jeg ender opp med at Gud har en egen vilje, og at den er ubehagelig for meg, er spørsmålet hvordan jeg forholder meg til det og hvilke konsekvenser dette får for min tro og mitt liv?

Jeg tror at jeg finner Guds vilje i Bibelen. Bibelen er slik jeg oppfatter det Guds ord til meg og mitt liv... og selvsagt mer enn det! Ordene er mottatt av enkle mennesker og i en kulturell kontekst som ikke ligner Ålgård i 2006, og det er en utfordring å finne ut av hvordan en ønsker å forholde seg til dette.

Men mine bønner, min bibellesning og mitt liv i møte med andre preges av hvordan jeg forholder meg til dette.

Selvom jeg har stor tro på at mennesker tar gode valg for seg selv og sine omgivelser, har jeg likevel en mistillit til at vi ser alle konsekvensene av våre valg. Mange av våre valg er såkalte "her-og-nå" - valg. De tjener oss og våre nærmeste i en tidsbegrenset periode. En tar ikke hensyn til hvilke konsekvenser de kan ha for fremtiden, samfunnsutvikling m.m.

En ting er at fildeling og nedlasting av de siste populære lovsangene kan tjene lovsangstjenesten i menigheten. Men på sikt kan den skade bransjen.
Nja, er det ikke bare slik at musikkbransjen er i endring? Vi finner nok en måte å forholde oss til dette på som tjener hvem? I Bibelen sies det lite om fildeling. Det står bare at en ikke skal stjele...

Jeg tror at vår tid preges av menneskers overdrevne tro på egen evne til å gjøre rett og godt. Vi lever i en tid med liten evne til å ta innover oss at vi har ansvar for andres nød. Vi er fremdeles flinke til å tre posen nedover ansiktet til den vi ønsker å skyte. Så lenge vi slipper å måtte forholde oss til dem som må ta konsekvensene av våre valg, er det greit det vi gjør. I Bibelen sies det lite om rusbehandling, regulering av prostitusjonsvirksomhet eller om hvordan vi skal fordele eller må ta ansvar for hvordan godene fordeles i denne verden.

Jeg ønsker å ha tillit til Bibelen og det den forteller meg om troen og livet. Om dette gjør meg mer hellig, tviler jeg på. Min frelse kan jeg uansett ikke gjøre noe med. I efes 2.8 står det at frelsen er en gave, og at mine egne gjerninger ikke har noen betydning. Frelsen fikk vi fordi Jesus valgte riktig! Men nå lever vi i en annen tid.

Selvbestemmelse eller autonomi? Paternalisme? Ingen tvil om hva vi verdsetter høyest i vår tid. Men jeg tror det finnes en bakside også om vi rendyrker denne tilsynelatende riktige og også mest behagelige verdien.

Hadde Jesus levd idag, hadde han kanskje valgt å reise hjem?

Et tema for bloggen vil måtte komme til å bli "forsakelse". Men i redsel for å bli en skikkelig mørke-mann, tror jeg at jeg drøyer den....... litt.

Nå er det vår...

2006-04-12T23:35:00.000+02:00

Adebayor misbrukte to 120 % sjanser, og vi ligger 4 poeng bak Tottenham og den viktige 4 plassen. 5 kamper igjen. Jeg er hektet og har det vondt. Dette er fryktelig spennende!

Kvitling og maling

2006-04-12T18:03:00.000+02:00

Må bare begynne med i går! Var med Arnfinn og Paul (arbeid) til en fiskebåt i Stavanger. Kjøpte tre kvitlinger og gikk tilbake til Bymisjonssenteret. Arnfinn tok Paul og meg i skole. Ingen tvil om at den nye lederen i Kirkens Bymsjon i Rogaland kan fisk! På et øyeblikk hadde han sløyet og filtrert både Paul, min og hans egen fisk. I tillegg klarte han å få meg til å tro at jeg skal kunne klare å filtrere fisken selv, neste gang. For det er ikke siste gang jeg går ned til fisker Oddvar Sangedal og båten hans.
Jeg gikk hjem og kokte poteter og gulrøtter. Først da alt var ferdig og tallerknene stod på bordet, stekte jeg kvitlingen på panna. Bare litt på hver side. Jeg har nok aldri smakt så god fisk noen gang!! Kvitling kan anbefales.

Øyvind ringte og var panisk etter å få bade. Han skulle to uker på plattform, og var svært bekymret for at han ikke skulle få bade i april. Vi ordnet det. 5 grader i vannet, men likevel vårfølelse da det ikke var noe mer is igjen på Edlandsvannet. Det er faktisk flere måneder siden sist vi badet langs E39. Det var herlig.

Vel hjemme var det frem med malerkosten. Stua skal fornyes. I går og i dag har jeg malt, malt og malt! Begynner å kjenne det i armene, og nå tar jeg pause inntil videre. To strøk på veggene og halve taket (panel-delen) er tatt.

Nå er de barnetv og om bare få timer skal jeg på Bokken og se Portsmouth-Arsenal. En fryktelig viktig kamp, som Arsenal bare må vinne. Vi er nå 5 poeng bak Tottenham og den avgjørende 4 plassen som gir mesterligaspill neste år.

I kveld blir det gjensyn med Sol Campell som ikke har spilt kamp på flere måneder! Håper ikke han ødelegger det gode forsvarsspillet vi har sett i det siste.

Men jeg er optimist, som vanlig, og tror vi ordner seiren i kveld.

http://www.freewebs.com/helgeaarsvoll/index.htm

Utenriksdepartementet i Oslo

2006-04-06T11:17:00.000+02:00

Utenriksdepartementet holder inntil videre til i et eldre bygg.

Her opererer man med terrorberedskap og kontroll. Ikke rart, da bygningen er nærmeste nabo til den amerikanske ambassade.

Oslo

2006-04-05T20:55:00.000+02:00

Er kommet tilbake fra Oslo etter en dag med møte i Utenriksdepartementet. Jeg hadde fått i oppgave å referere fra Nigeria-reisen med fokus på samtaler med ofre for menneskehandel og vurdering av hjelpetilbudene som finnes der nede. En ting er sikkert. Hjelpetilbudene for ofrene er ikke gode nok. Det er en lang vei å gå, og det blir ikke enklere når vi har med et så "umulig" land å gjøre som Nigeria!

Ellers var det som alltid en utrolig god opplevelse å være i Oslo igjen. Jeg mimrer over de første årene som nygift og den tiden vi hadde med gode venner (Laila, Svanhild, Per ...). Å vandre rundt med fotoapparatet og se Oslo-fjorden, Aker Brygge og Karl Johan er bare godt!

http://www.freewebs.com/helgeaarsvoll/index.htm

2006-04-02T23:50:00.000+02:00

En flott helg! Arsenal vant og er i god posisjon til å klare den viktige 4. plassen i serien. 5-0 over Villa er ikke dårlig!
Ellers hadde vi endelig en tur til Ivesdal igjen. Det er balsam for sjelen å komme opp i fjellet og besøke svigers! Snøen er i ferd med å smelte bort, og snart er det lamming. VÅR!

Vet ikke hvor mange bilder jeg har av Ivesdal kapell. Må liksom ha bilder av denne fantastiske kirken fra alle vinkler både vinter, vår, sommer og høst. Det er 11 år siden den store dagen i kirken. Gode minner!

Rangvald og Arsenal gleder...

2006-03-25T10:56:00.000+01:00

Ja, så var Ragnvald Soma tilbake. Ja, selv om han ikke blir å finne i rød drakt, så klarer jeg likevel å glede meg over overgangen fra Brann til Viking. Han er en lokal spiller som publikum selvsagt vil sette stor pris på. Forhåpentligvis vil vi etter en stund kunne se ham på landslaget også. Kanskje sammen med Ødegård. Når det gjelder sistnevnte er jeg noe mer skeptisk. Viking har hittil i treningskampene ikke klart å prestere angrepsspill. Ødegård er ennå uten nettkjenning, og det blir ikke mange mål og landslagsspill på ham om Viking ikke klarer å forbedre angrepsspillet. Jeg er noe avventende til Prahls evner og fokus på angrepsspill. Han er vel mer kjent for sine defensive kvaliteter som trener.
Nå stiller Bryne og Viking i ulike klasser. Men dersom Bryne klarer å følge opp seieren mot Viking med like godt spill i 1 divisjon, skal en ikke se bort i fra at vi igjen kan få oppleve lokaloppgjør i eliten neste år.

I dag skal Arsenal ut i en fryktelig viktig bortekamp mot Portsmouth. Vi er avhengig av å vinne kampene fremover for å klare den viktige 4. plassen. Ellers mister vi mesterligaspill til neste år. Det ville vært en strek i regningen med tanke på åpningen av den nye stadionen, Emirates Stadium. Men i det siste har vi prestert bra. Jeg håper vi fortsetter i samme sporet.
I dag regner jeg med at vi stiller med følende lag:
Lehmann
Eboue - Toure - Senderos - Flamini
Hleb - Fabregas - Gilberto - Pires
Henry og Adebayor

Vi stiller med et ungt lag med en gjennomsnittsalder på noen og 20 år! Det samme laget kan komme til å spille mot Juventus på tirsdag i kvartfinalen i mesterligaen.
Da blir det gjensynstreff med Patrick Vieira, spilleren alle ønsket å erstatte med en stjerne i forkant av denne sesongen. Jeg er nå godt fornøyd med at det satses på ungguttene. Og duellen mellom Fabregas og Vieira ser jeg virkelig frem til!

Nå om dagen ser vi også resultatene av tilliten Wenger har vist ungguttene. Jeg tror vi vinner både mot Portsmouth og Juventus denne uken.

http://www.freewebs.com/helgeaarsvoll/index.htm

2006-03-23T08:45:00.000+01:00

Det er fremdeles kaldt ute, og gleden var stor da farfar kom med traktoren og en tilhenger full av ved. Vedfyring gir så god varme.

NB Nå trenger du ikke registrere deg for å kunne gi kommentarer på bloggen. Velkommen!

2006-03-22T17:09:00.000+01:00

Godt med iallefall en tur i fjellet i vinter. Stavtj�rn ligger ikke mer enn tre kvarter fra hjemmet. Det var en fin tur med barna!

Hvilestund på bussen

2006-03-22T17:04:00.000+01:00

Etter en vanlig dag på arbeid, kjente jeg at det skulle bli godt å hvile litt på bussen hjem. Jeg bruker nesten en time på å reise fra Stavanger og hjem til Ålgård. Og i dag sovnet jeg. Hodet inn til vinduet og så.... hmmmmmm. Herlig. Vanligvis våkner jeg noe nervøst, men i tide til å gå av bussen der jeg bør. Men i dag sov jeg alt for godt. Jeg havnet oppe på Fiskebekk og måtte gå turen hjem. Fint vær på turen, - og jeg våknet da også etterhvert!

I kveld er det fotballtrening i gymsalen på ungdomsskolen. Det er så ufattelig godt å få ut litt energi. Litt snakk om Arsenal blir det vel også. Muhammed lurer alltid på om ikke Arsenal har et litt for ungt mannskap?! Jo, det er mange unge spillere i klubben. Men nå slo vi nettopp både Real Madrid og Liverpool med dette laget. Vi kan vel ikke være så veldig dårlige?

2006-03-20T18:12:00.000+01:00

�yvind hugger hull i isen, og s� kan vi bade.

Bading

2006-03-20T17:20:00.000+01:00

Ja, badesesongen er godt i gang, og Øyvind, Henrik og jeg har badet flere ganger i år.

Her en dag gikk Øyvind og jeg opp til Kodlitjørnet (Ålgård). Øyvind hadde med seg øks og tau (i tilfelle krampe), og etter litt arbeid var bassenget klart. Vi hadde nydelig utsikt til sjøen og temperaturen var noen få grader minus i det vakre vinterværet. Isklumpene i bassenget var prikken over i`en!

Men badet gikk fint, og oppfriskningen var som vanlig til glede flere timer utover kvelden!

Jeg har lært at å bade på denne tiden ikke er noen prestasjon. Når det er blitt en vane, er ikke barrieren noen trussel lenger. Da er det enklere å nyte selve opplevelsen.

Nå håper jeg snart at Øyvind ringer...

2006-03-19T19:28:00.000+01:00

Salg av varer p� gaten i Lagos

Tilbake fra Nigeria

2006-03-19T10:17:00.000+01:00

Jeg er tilbake fra en liten ukes temareise fra Nigeria. Reisen var i forbindelse med arbeid og jeg møtte mange sterke mennesker. Mennesker som på en utrolig måte har overlevd det å ha vært ofre for menneskehandel i Marokko, Spania og andre land.

Det gjorde også sterkt inntrykk å se hvordan liv ble levd i fattigdom og hvordan troen på Gud var med på å holde menneskers håp oppe.

Det er beundringsverdig at nigerianerne kan være så optimistiske i forhold til sin tro og sine liv!

Ellers møtte jeg på en overraskelse ved mottakelsen på den norske ambassaden i hovedstaden Abuja. Ambassadør Tore Nedrebø viste seg å komme fra samme kommune som min kone. Ikke nok med det. Hans mor kom fra samme bygd som min kone. På toppen av det hele viste det seg at hans mor og min svigermor var barndomsvenner!

Verden er liten! Eller som min svoger fra Nigeria sier: Norge er lite!

Link til hva som stod i Aftenbladet: http://web3.aftenbladet.no/utenriks/article265404.ece