Seeing this recent article making the rounds reminds me of the only piece of useful advice I've ever gleaned at a wedding reception. An old college friend whose grad school roomate was from Burundi said that his Burundian roommate claimed if you are ever being pursued in the water by a hippo, swim in right angles to the hippo -- they're very fast under water when heading straight, but the length of their body makes turning difficult.
Noted.
He also told me how to evade big cats, but I can't recall the technique.
May 9, 2013
May 5, 2013
Norway Day 2013
Tis the season! The first week of May marks Norway Day, a cultural event that bigsis and I really enjoy. This year was especially fine.
We missed the opening ceremonies, in which a Norwegian choir dressed just like our dad (grey hair, grey slacks, navy jacket and a sweater vest) sings the national anthem. It's like Mr. Smith from The Matrix -- Norwegian Dad clones.
The first musical act was Ann Marit, whose music was lovely and un-embellished. Her voice reminds me a bit of Louise Hoffsten's on her record, Kära Du. I will definitely be checking her out.
The food demonstration made us want to make lefse. Bigsis wondered if our grandmother had made lefse at home. I reminded her that she was supposed to have been a terrible cook. But maybe that was just her biscuits. I saw a lefse grill in Skymall this month - maybe I'll buy one.
We bought our raffle tickets, had some lefse-wrapped hot dogs with crispy onions and mustard, and visited the Heidrun Meadery booth ("from flower to flute," says their motto). For dessert, a little orange-flavored cod liver oil at the Nordic Naturals booth, and some amazing local marzipan.
And finally, what Norway Day would be complete without a snap of something that says "Uff Da!"? Thankfully, in this part of the country Norway Day is a slightly less cheesy, but a little bit is kinda fun:
Crossing my fingers for those raffle tickets...
We missed the opening ceremonies, in which a Norwegian choir dressed just like our dad (grey hair, grey slacks, navy jacket and a sweater vest) sings the national anthem. It's like Mr. Smith from The Matrix -- Norwegian Dad clones.
The first musical act was Ann Marit, whose music was lovely and un-embellished. Her voice reminds me a bit of Louise Hoffsten's on her record, Kära Du. I will definitely be checking her out.
The food demonstration made us want to make lefse. Bigsis wondered if our grandmother had made lefse at home. I reminded her that she was supposed to have been a terrible cook. But maybe that was just her biscuits. I saw a lefse grill in Skymall this month - maybe I'll buy one.
We bought our raffle tickets, had some lefse-wrapped hot dogs with crispy onions and mustard, and visited the Heidrun Meadery booth ("from flower to flute," says their motto). For dessert, a little orange-flavored cod liver oil at the Nordic Naturals booth, and some amazing local marzipan.
And finally, what Norway Day would be complete without a snap of something that says "Uff Da!"? Thankfully, in this part of the country Norway Day is a slightly less cheesy, but a little bit is kinda fun:
Crossing my fingers for those raffle tickets...
Bucket List Addition
I should have put this on my bucket list: I've always wanted to play music at a retirement home.
Soon I will get my wish. Our Hawaiian band is rehearsing for a ho'ike in June, and someone had the brilliant idea of rehearsing at a retirement home.
I'll get my retirement home gig, and the residents will get to see the dancers do their thing. Their payment? Repeat performances and having to witness Kumu No'filter dress us down "Use your PO'O!!" "I can see your underwear!!" "Did I tell you to start playing?"
She's not as intimidating as James Brown, but I have to admit that the first couple of times she corrected me I didn't recognize that her comments were directed at me because it's been a verrrry long time since anyone has spoken to me in that tone of voice. Ouch, Lady.
Anyhoo, we're going to play at the ho'ike, which will be fun, and we love the ladies of the halau, and Kumu No'filter has good taste in music, so we're learning some new Tahitian songs.
Soon I will get my wish. Our Hawaiian band is rehearsing for a ho'ike in June, and someone had the brilliant idea of rehearsing at a retirement home.
I'll get my retirement home gig, and the residents will get to see the dancers do their thing. Their payment? Repeat performances and having to witness Kumu No'filter dress us down "Use your PO'O!!" "I can see your underwear!!" "Did I tell you to start playing?"
She's not as intimidating as James Brown, but I have to admit that the first couple of times she corrected me I didn't recognize that her comments were directed at me because it's been a verrrry long time since anyone has spoken to me in that tone of voice. Ouch, Lady.
Anyhoo, we're going to play at the ho'ike, which will be fun, and we love the ladies of the halau, and Kumu No'filter has good taste in music, so we're learning some new Tahitian songs.
April 24, 2013
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