Old iron posts of various types have imprints. They are either mirrored or the right way around, but something in the style tells me this is old. How old, I have not the faintest idea. I imagine old posters used ink that somehow etched itself into the paintwork. Apart from the gorgeous textures and a whiff of history, I would like to know what was announced, when and how. In the two pics above, I can spot a street name “dalsbergstien”, a map and a skate. It should – in theory – be possible to find out when these posts were last painted.

The posts are seriously worn, and I suspect might be removed soon.

“våpen” (weapons)

Paulus plass (paulus’ square, a square on the other side of town, across the river)

This smiley – and font – seems rather old-fashioned.

Then, the second mystery; I did not realise it was one until I got home:

A sticker, announcing a company called “AS Hjalmar Bjørge”… first: what thought was that, to announce offshore charter, sales & purchases on lampposts around town?! Subliminal advertising?! Thing is: the phone number and postal code tells me this sticker is from before 1992, when Oslo changed the phone numbers from six to eight digits. The telex is a nice touch.

A fascinating thing about this, is that I cannot find any real nor historical information on this company. And the logo is just epic.

Any suggestions as to the origins of these little strangeness’es would be welcome, and any similar things from other places would be fun. I hope the posts stays. I love Oslo for this quirkiness.

more pictures here

melbourne, australia

I hear myself do it at times, I hear fellow countrymen do it at times, and it bores me. Often, the person on the other end of this probably does not understand the relationship norwegians have with nature (why would they!?), and it seems excessive. In a way it is.

Then, four intrepid friends from USA came over, to play and explore with L and me, and I got to see parts of my country with their eyes, as well as with my own. It is, as R said; stupidly beautiful.

She asked if I felt proud being connected to all that.

Not proud, exactly. But a wordless sense of being connected.

Pictures from the mountainous lollygag that brought this on here

after 7000 pics of utter darkness, I got this… it is at night… picture below shows the same pic without lightening. Note the lampposts and lighted windows.

hey – she’s leaving, taking nuts away..

fraternising with the IT-crowd

anyone but me seeing the beauty of the book, the running fridge geeky t-shirt and the craniums peeping out of the cupboards behind?

ashes to ashes, dust to dust (this is what we are)

pretzel nonsense. cheap thrills.

I haz nut too

(by Lars)

But – we have saving angels. Jake & Mr. Wensleydale came to the rescue. We are eternally grateful, and L promises to give his first born as thanks. A refreshing and inspiring ferrytrip into the city; downing a beer and enjoying the view.

So we arrived, safe, sound and happy. Looking forward to get some work done, and play in a new city.

just. you know. tall houses.

the back of it all.

“weaving spiders come not here” – the Shakespearian motto for the Bohemian Club

look up. I love the escapes.

Felix finally got the much trumpeted and sought-after hat. All is harmony in SF.

Especially after a stiff scotch.

colour

glass

born in the USA

..it was there

jewels

that too.

pretty, pretty.

..and the plain weird.

Staying clear of all the classic clichés about contrasts/diversity etc, I prefer to wander around the streets and peoplewatch. From the totally ordinary to the weird. Making very few judgements, I observe and classify little. A very livable place, this.

Overheard (american accent):

– What is that?!

– I think it is a prison?

– Look at the map…..

– ALCATRAZ?? Is Alcatraz in San Francisco?!

– Dunno … think it looks like a prison .. no?

SO! New years! Wandering around on the embarcadero watching people and the fireworks. It ended with a bang – good bye, San Francisco!