tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42828442586961900682024-03-14T06:43:15.889-07:00ALF FOR NORGEAlf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-40376853141474992612013-08-27T18:58:00.001-07:002013-08-27T19:08:35.359-07:00Home sweet home...Man-cave...or??Recently I had occasion to notice something about myself, and wonder about it. It doesn't happen very often because I know myself pretty well. So, here is what happened.<br />
<br />
Lulie, my good woman left for a three week visit to L.A. Leaving me to my own devices. Life went on...then about two and a half weeks into this I noticed that my house didn't really look the same as it did when she left. Upon further speculation I realized that I had only used one fork during that whole time; it made me wonder what else I had done that was odd.<br />
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I had used a total of two bath towels, because if the one I used had dried sufficiently by the next time I used it, there didn't seem any need to get a fresh one. I remember getting a new one one day because, even though it had dried...it didn't smell good and I noticed that.<br />
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At the risk of embarrassing myself further; on days when I wore my kilt I never took my shoes off, I just slept in them. One less step getting dressed in the morning when I put my kilt back on. <br />
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The kitchen, well...that was a sight! I had done one load of dishes that was still in the dishwasher but the sink was piled high with stuff, and the two refrigerators were full of spoiling food.<br />
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OK, I have never been what I consider to be a slob...really!! So what happened? and, more importantly...why hadn't I noticed? The truth is that I didn't notice until I had some people over that needed to come in the house. I warned them about the state of things, explaining Lulies absence. One of them said that it had turned into a man-cave.<br />
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I thought about that, and had to disagree. It was not a man-cave, no...Man-caves are fun. It had turned into a "lair". What is a lair? you ask. Well, if you watched the old Batman shows the evil villains hung out in their lair, but the dictionary says: <br />
<h2 class="def-header" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(http://www.merriam-webster.com/styles/default/images/reference/hardrule-background.jpg); background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; color: #c3857a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="padding-right: 15px;">Definition of LAIR</span></h2>
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1</div>
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<span class="ssens"><em>dialect British</em> <strong>:</strong> a resting or sleeping place <strong>:</strong> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bed" style="color: #1122cc; font-size: 14px; font-variant: small-caps; text-decoration: none;">bed</a></span></div>
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2</div>
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<span class="ssens"><span class="sn" style="font-weight: bold;">a</span> <strong>:</strong> the resting or living place of a wild animal <strong>:</strong> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/den" style="color: #1122cc; font-size: 14px; font-variant: small-caps; text-decoration: none;">den</a></span><span class="ssens"></span><br />
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<span class="sn" style="font-weight: bold;">b</span> <strong>:</strong> a refuge or place for hiding</span></div>
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<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
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It's true, my home had become a lair and I hadn't even noticed. So focused was I on the bare essentials of life; eating, sleeping bathing, going to the bathroom, feeding the animals, etc. I forgot to actually <u>live</u> in the absence of Lulie. </div>
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I went and picked her up today at the airport. I apologized in advance for the state of things, and told her about my "Lair" theory. She is so great...wow. She didn't really blink an eye, she understands me more than I do sometimes. This is what she said:</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><i>As an "alpha male"; (on the higher end of the testosterone scale) run of the mill domestic necessities are simply not on my radar. I am too pre-occupied with "killing the deer". I asked, and what she means by that is; my vision becomes narrowed and focused on the individual task at hand, tasks that are high on my priority such as eating, feeding the animals, going to work, sleeping, general man stuff, etc. In that mode my brain does not register little things out of place, or a half cup of coffee on the counter with a film of mold over it because those things are not relevant to my priority list. And, since I have a woman, my mind is not occupied with the acquisition of a woman...only on existing until she returns.</i> </span></div>
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So, that is what my love said, and after thinking about it...I think she nailed it. When she came home she turned on the radio and I realized I hadn't listened to music in three weeks either.</div>
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Look, I know there will be some people reading this that say "C'mon...you are just a pig, stop making excuses." Or, they might say that I am a chauvinist bastard just waiting for the woman to do all the work. Ok, I get it...you are entitled to your opinions, but I respectfully disagree, and this is why.</div>
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I have had occasion to live on my own before, without a woman, and I actually keep a spartan but orderly house. What Lulie made me understand is; it is <u>BECAUSE</u> I have a woman that I resort to lair mode when she isn't here...because in my caveman brain I have been made gloriously free to just hunt, to just be myself without worrying about whats going on in the cave, because we as a couple have determined that is her domain. The fact that she is gone for a little while doesn't change that.</div>
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Ok, ok, ok....yes. Now that I have made this realization, the next time she leaves I will be more prepared, more aware. I will not let mold grow in coffee cups, I will take my shoes off to sleep, I may even use more than one fork. Being honest though, I know there are still many things I won't notice, I won't notice them because they just won't seem important to me. As long as she understands that...I guess it's ok.</div>
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It should also be noted that during this three week period I was on a special "hunt", and was more singularly focused than I might be otherwise because I was putting my eBook together; first time, lots to learn etc. That is NOT an excuse, merely a fact. For those interested you can read about the book at www.alfsbook.com </div>
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I would be interested to hear your comments about this, as long as they aren't too mean, lol. Have any of you experienced a similar revelation?</div>
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Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-10612369521920397472013-08-15T14:19:00.001-07:002013-08-20T18:02:42.616-07:00Life Observation #2<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be strong?<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good friend of mine told me in a comment
that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I don’t have to be strong all the
time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>I have had other people tell
me that in the past as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It got me
to thinking…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have
thought about it all day actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tried to analyze this statement from an objective view point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked myself questions like; what would
happen if I wasn’t strong all the time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What does it mean exactly; to be strong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is the opposite of strong weakness, or merely a lack of strength?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To get to
the bottom of it, I have to define what it means “to be strong”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the physical aspect obviously; possessing
pure physical strength and the willingness to use it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always been physically strong, more a
result of great genetics than anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, what if I didn’t have those genetics?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What then?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hmmm…well,
then I suppose I would still consider myself strong if I was being as physically
strong as I was able to, even if I wasn’t strong in comparison to someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other
aspect of being strong is strength of character, it is much more vague and
harder to quantify than physical strength. I see this as being like a pillar
for others, always being stable, not losing control emotionally, treating
others well, not being easily swayed, being confident, being true to your own
conscience, and also having the strength to admit when you are wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The list could go on and on, but you get the
idea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is conceivable
that a person could be strong in one of these aspects but not in the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it is also true that a human could be
strong one day, or most of the time, but then have a day when they are not
strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is it better
to be strong, than to not be strong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would say yes, it is better to be strong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What would
happen if I was not strong all time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being a human, I have had moments when I was not strong; it is rather
difficult to admit though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
times when I was sick and weak, or grief stricken, or like when I was in that
bad accident when I was 16, or the one time I lied to my father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing
happened; I got over whatever it was and went back to being strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if I stopped <u>trying</u> to be
strong that would be a different story…then, I really wouldn’t be me anymore; I
would be someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That brings
us back to my friend’s original statement that I don’t have to be strong all
the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After careful deliberation I
agree partly, and disagree partly with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I agree that
if a moment comes when I am not strong, that it will be OK, for a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I also feel as a man, that I have an
obligation to “try” to be strong all the time, in all ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel it is a duty that comes with
manhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must at least try, and be as
strong as I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may not always
succeed, that’s OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The obligation of a
man is in the honest trying, and when he fails…to try harder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m speaking
about being a man, not to leave women out of the conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a woman though; I can only answer
this question from my experience as a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps women have the same obligation, perhaps not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps women are strong in ways that men
cannot conceive of?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is what
I suspect though; the obligation of a man to be strong is perfectly matched
with the obligation of a woman to be all the magical, wonderful things that
make her a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My final
answer then:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I do have to be strong
all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have an obligation to be
as strong as I can in both body and character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My obligation is to all the other humans around me, because my strength
might help them. It is to my ancestors, to honor their legacy, and to those who
will come after me, because if I am being as strong as I can in all ways…surely
their life will be improved somehow because of it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be strong,
and to have the opportunity…the privilege to share that strength, is one of the
best parts of being a man in this life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-88023722746001759992013-08-14T12:57:00.000-07:002013-08-14T12:57:02.420-07:00Life Observations, #1
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life
Observation #1<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to post these life observations occasionally,
as they happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expect my life observations to be a portion
of the content here, but not all of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, I remind you that I encourage you to comment with any insights of
your own that the blog may generate in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The balance between working hard, and
working smart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was raised
in a purely blue collar family with blue collar ethics and ideals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My example of manhood; my father, is one of
the hardest working guys I have known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For most of my life I too have enjoyed blue collar professions, not surprisingly,
since that is how I was raised.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was a
younger man, in fact up to fairly recently, it was very important to me to be
the hardest working guy on any job, and I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t do that to be noticed or to inspire comments from others
(although that did happen), nor did I do it to impress my boss. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked that way as a matter of my own
personal pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was my way of challenging
myself and continuously improving, it made me feel good at the end of the day
knowing that I accomplished more physically than anyone else on the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question is; was it smart of me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my case,
it turned out OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was never seriously
injured trying to lift something too heavy or straining my connective tissues
past the breaking point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never had to
take time off work because I was injured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was very lucky…I have known others who were not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps this
topic is more on my mind now because I just turned 51.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My current job is still very physical, and I
like that because it keeps me from getting fat, but I am making the shift into
working smarter, not necessarily harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a tricky balance though, at least for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started
working smarter in my 30’s by analyzing every situation and determining if
tasks were being executed in the most efficient manner, but that is only part
of the “work smart” equation… I would still push my body to incredible limits,
completely oblivious to the possible consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back I shudder to think what the
effects would have been on my children and life if I had seriously injured
something by being too careless, by not being smart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I still am
doing the job of a much younger man, but its OK, because I’m in pretty good
shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently though, I have refused
to do certain task that I simply deemed “unwise”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The risk of injury was not worth the wage I
would receive to perform it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really
need all of my limbs and my back, and I want them to carry me happily into old
age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is my health and long term happiness
worth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot more than I am earning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is priceless, really.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The problem
with this, the hard part for a guy like me, is that because of my blue collar
mentality I start to feel like I am a big sissy if I refuse to do
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my brain it equates
directly to my worth as a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not
a good feeling…I am still working on dealing with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday it got to me, and I carried some
extremely heavy objects up stairs by myself rather than have someone help
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I did it alone on purpose. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Was that
smart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was dumb actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…It did make me feel good just to remind
myself that I was capable of it, even though it was stupid. I don’t regret it,
because I didn’t get hurt…but, I could have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is what I am trying to remind myself of.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The same
thing applies to people who are in a white collar position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have known white collar people who work so
hard that they lose their quality of life, and their family, it becomes all
about “the job” rather than being about the things that really matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That isn’t smart either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What it
comes down to are priorities; and the constant evaluation and identification of
those priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you are a
fence builder, a truck driver, a secretary, nurse, executive or circus clown…you
have to always be aware and focused on those things in life that are most
important, and make decisions based on that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s easy to
get caught up in the vocational whirlwind, especially in this economy, when it
might not be that easy to get another job if you lost the one you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what is
more important; your kids having a dad with a job…or, your kids having a dad
that is alive who can take them to the park, or fishing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is more
important; your kids having a mom with a job…or, your kids having a mom who is
emotionally healthy with enough energy to take walks and spend time to teach
them about the things that matter in life, like my mom did for me?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those are
just a couple examples, but you get the idea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not suggesting everyone quit their job or
tell their boss to go to hell, just that you start having the conversation in
your own head about what’s most important in life, and how to work smarter…not
harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-21995718370827736592013-08-11T21:23:00.000-07:002013-08-11T21:28:59.217-07:00I'm back! Hello everyone!<br />
<br />
Well, It has been awhile since I blogged here. After the completion of my journal blog I took a little break. Truth is, I had to think about what else I wanted to say<br />
<br />
Turns out, I have quite a bit to say about life in general. That will probably be the focus of my blogging for awhile; General insights on the human condition, with practical solutions of course. I am all about constant improvement in my own life, and the lives of those around me. It is a very Odinic philosophy as well.<br />
<br />
I will also provide updates on my whereabouts and doings. Lately I have been feverishly trying to get the EBook done. It is done now, all that remains are putting the systems in place that will make it available to people. I suspect it will be within the next two weeks, maybe sooner.<br />
<br />
It has been quite a journey for me. Recording my journal in a blog was one thing; it brought me right back to Alt for Norge and I was re-living those experiences as I wrote it. Surprisingly though, getting it all in an EBook was another emotional challenge.<br />
<br />
You would think at some point it would stop affecting me like that...but it doesn't. Remember though, the emotion is not one of sadness, not at all. I am just so profoundly touched and moved by the whole experience, and little parts too, and now there is the love shown to me by many of the Alt for Norge fans that also touches me deeply. It is all really quite wonderful, it makes me feel blessed on an almost continuous basis.<br />
<br />
I have decided to charge $15 for the book when it is ready. That is the price of one Norwegian beer in a bar. I am hopeful that people think of it that way; as though they ran into me in a bar and offer to buy me a beer. In exchange, I tell them my whole story. There will be video links in the book that connect to corresponding Youtube episodes as well.<br />
<br />
I plan on using any proceeds I get from the book toward my eventual return trip to Norway, with Lulie. I have an idea that while I am back in Norway I could post where we will be in different cities at different times, and I will invite all our Friends to come and meet us. I think that would be just great...getting to meet all of the people that have so impacted my life and my view of the world in these past months.<br />
<br />
So that's it for now. I will be blogging about a variety of subjects but they will all have a common theme; life, and making it better. Your comments are welcome and appreciated.<br />
<br />
Until next time.Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-16060456925460205412013-07-08T20:20:00.000-07:002013-07-08T20:21:52.222-07:00THE LAST DAYDAY 50 - The last day<br />
(June 12)<br />
Going home<br />
<br />
I woke up in the airport hotel. In the moments as consciousness was returning to me I forgot. I forgot I had been eliminated. I forgot that this was the last day I would spend in my beloved Norway...I just forgot all that. Instead I awoke exhilarated, ready to meet the day, to experience and tackle whatever was before me, just like I had for the previous 49 days. But, then I remembered.<br />
<br />
I just lay there then, as though the air above me had become so heavy that I could no longer move. Perhaps, if I didn't start moving, I would not have to leave? Now I was full of the realization that in a few moments, I would be leaving the landet av min forfedre. It was in short...a horrible feeling.<br />
<br />
I am looking forward to seeing home. I want to hug my family, I want to see my dog and visit all the animals, I am looking forward to all that, yes. But at the same time it is so terribly bittersweet. I simply do not want to leave this place...this new home, this land where the bones of my ancestors rest, where they sweat and bled and laughed and cried in just such a way that many, many years later...I was born. If they had done anything different, perhaps I would have never existed? But I DO exist, because they existed! And, I love them. I love my ancestors and I love this country, and the people who live in it and keep it going. I love my Norwegian relatives even though I didn't get to meet them. I love Vebjørn Skogg and his lovely family who I stayed with in Stranda. I love those people at Bevø campgrounds who were so kind to us. I love my fellow cast members, and the people on the crew who put up with us everyday, The people at TV Norge, and O'Connor casting. Hmm...sounds like I love everybody. I guess right now, I do.<br />
<br />
Getting over my wake up sadness now. Now the prevailing feeling is one of sheer gratitude. What a lucky, lucky man I am! I have had the experience of a lifetime, I have done and seen things I have yearned to since I was a small boy. I am so thankful to the Gods for bestowing this responsibility upon me. <br />
<br />
I think maybe best of all...I have secured a spot in time that will become part of the legacy I leave for my descendants. It gives me great comfort and peace to know that my great, great, great, great grandchildren will have an opportunity to see me...to see me living, living as my full being in the land of my fore fathers! They will have a sense of who I am, because during this whole journey I made sure I was always myself. Hopefully, it will make them proud that they came from me...that is what I like to think.<br />
<br />
At the airport now. I had some good talks with mama Christine, she has been very kind and understanding. My plane boards in a few moments. oh...this really sucks! <br />
<br />
Did I do enough? Did I do the best I could? I have to ask myself these things, it's only natural. I can't think of any big misstep I made, I can't think of anything I would have done different...but, I feel like I am being punished, forced to leave this place I love...punished, for what? Intellectually I know the truth; I know I am not being punished, I just didn't win, and I have to leave now. Those are the rules and this is a game after all. I didn't win because it was time for me to go home...I cannot argue with that. My new destiny awaits me and I have an obligation to go see what it is, and embrace it the best I can.<br />
<br />
The plane is starting to board now. I guess this is it. I will miss writing in this journal everyday...it has been quite a comfort, a good way to unravel my mind. I will write up to the last minute though...I'm not going to write on the plane, because I won't be in Norway then. This journal, this story is about a strange looking man who the Gods favored enough, to send him to the land of his fathers fathers father. As soon as I get on that plane, the story ends. <br />
<br />
Oh...Norway!! Thank you, thank you so much! I will miss you, but I promise...I will return. I have so many memories right now. Like right before you die they say your life flashes before your eyes, well, right now all my memories of Norway are flashing before mine. I remember the faces of children that noticed me and smiled, I remember the kindnesses of store clerks, and hotel people, I remember the spectacular scenery's, the jokes, the tears and fears of my fellow Americans. In this moment it seems like I can remember everything. <br />
<br />
This will be my last entry, I will be on the plane in less than a minute. I will close with this; I am so profoundly proud, and honored to be a descendant of this great country called Norway. I felt at home in a way I never have before, as though my DNA remembers, and was happy. You will always be a part of me Norge, always, until there is no breath left in my body. I will return, and when I do...it will be a happy day.<br />
<br />
Good bye, and thank you<br />
Tusen takk, Jeg elske degAlf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-12817514437425291562013-07-03T13:45:00.000-07:002013-07-03T13:45:16.122-07:00DAY 49DAY 49<br />
(June 11)<br />
No more episodes<br />
<br />
We arrived in Copenhagen. I said my final good byes to the remaining cast members, this time with a definite aire of finality. It was another emotional experience. They went off to explore Denmark, while I was taken to the airport to fly back to Oslo. I drew Othala this morning. Ancestral property...interesting.<br />
<br />
1350 - 1:50 pm. Now I am sitting on the plane that will fly me back to Oslo with the crew, I'm glad I get to hang out with them a little more. Tonight I will stay at an airport hotel under the supervision of Mama Christine. She will give me all the information I need and early tomorrow morning I will fly back to America.<br />
<br />
Brita told me that this evening Christine will let me call home so I can let everyone know I am coming. It's going to be very weird, calling home, not sure why, it just seems like it will be very weird. I don't want to go home...not yet. Of course I miss my family and my animals and my home...but, I'm just not quite ready to leave. Now I will miss my new friends; the wonderful crew people, the other cast members. <br />
<br />
It's a strange thing I'm feeling now; both happy and sad at the same time. In complete awe and thrilled by the opportunity I had to take part in this experience...but at the same time, my heart is breaking, and I feel like crying. <br />
<br />
Actually, the notion of going home seems almost more surreal than coming to Norway did. My home, my family is in America...but I have family here too, and I did not get the opportunity to meet and know them. At least they will know I exists now, that is something. Yes...my home is in America...but my spirit, my soul wants to stay in Norway. I feel differently here than anywhere else on earth; it's as though the cells of my body recognize that I am back where I belong and they all relax. Or maybe, it is an ancestral memory activated deep in my subconscious? I don't know...but I know I want to stay.<br />
<br />
It will be difficult conveying to everyone at home what I have been through, and the magnitude of this experience. I know they will have a lot of questions, and my answers will not seem adequate, at least not to me, because this experience is impossible to put into words. It defies language. I don't yet know how I will be, how I will act. <br />
<br />
I'm going home...but that notion just isn't computing right in my brain...because, I am home already. How can I be going home, if I am home? Even as I write this, I wonder if anyone except others who have been on the show can understand the feelings I am trying to speak of.<br />
<br />
It is all very strange, and wonderful, and sad, and happy, and thrilling, and spiritual, and profoundly moving. I'm sure I will be ok. I will get used to being home again. I'll stop writing now, and relish this time, breathing Norwegian air, on my last night in Norway.<br />
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(view out the hotel window, my last night in Norway)</div>
<br />
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-36264391128502963592013-06-26T14:38:00.002-07:002013-06-26T14:38:57.378-07:00ELIMINATION DAYDAY 48<br />
(June 10)<br />
Episode 8<br />
<br />
0730<br />
Today is a big day; I face elimination. When I drew runes this morning, two came out together; Eihwaz and Ansuz. Both deeply powerful runes, I won't rush to any interpretation of them. Besides, any thing I interpret now would be influenced by my anxious state of mind as I get closer to finding out what the elimination challenge is.<br />
<br />
Last night was our last night at Bevø camp grounds, and it was a great night, one of my most enjoyable in Norway actually. I stood around having beers and talking with good Norwegian men, my new friends. They were mostly around my age and they were truck drivers, carpenters, roofers and the like...real men, my kind of guys. When I get back to Norway I will surely have to visit these men again at Bevø.<br />
<br />
Today we will leave Bevø at 0930 and go back to Oslo. There, we will get on a ship bound for Denmark. We have been told the elimination will happen on that ship, and it will happen today. Then afterwards we will sleep on the ship, I think it is a 16 hour voyage or something like that. When the ship arrives in Copenhagen the eliminated person will leave and those who remain will be able to explore Denmark for a bit before heading back to Norway.<br />
<br />
The ship itself is a smaller sized cruise ship, it has a casino and nightclub and everything. So, I feel confident that the elimination challenge will have something to do with the hospitality aspect; like being the entertainment in the night club, or being a bartender...something like that.<br />
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(The ship to Denmark!)</div>
<br />
I will not draw runes to see who is going home. I am just too close to it, it would be too difficult to be objective.<br />
<br />
I went and said goodbye to the beautiful coastline at Bevø today, and thanked the wights of that land for their hospitality. I walked on beaches of huge solid granite monoliths amid the sandy spots, I gazed out at the shoreline dotted with granite islands that supported a population of struggling pine trees. I sat for a bit and watched the swans swimming by with their goslings in calm waters...it was beautiful. <br />
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(Swans)</div>
<br />
However, sitting there in the beautiful quiet, I was trying to get rid of a "feeling" that had come over me. It was very strange; on one hand I remained confident and sure of myself and deliriously happy with my whole experience so far...but on the other hand, there was this sense of foreboding. It made me uneasy in light of what today was all about. I kept trying to shake the feeling, to think it out of my head...but it remained, curious. I normally have little trouble eliminating unwelcome thoughts.<br />
<br />
Now it is 1408 in the afternoon, I am on the ship in my little cabin. In about 30 minutes we will find out what the challenge is. First we drew straws to get our order; Jonathan is going first, Jessica second, and me last. Now I am almost certain we will be performing...and if we are, I think it is a good thing to go last.<br />
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(My little cabin on the boat)</div>
<br />
We were brought out to Henriette, we stood there while we got all the camera shots we needed. Then out walked the person that would be officiating over our elimination; he looked like an old Norwegian cowboy carrying a guitar. Turns out his name was Sputnik, and he had a real famous song back in 1986 that was wildly popular. He sand the song for us then, it sort of sounded like an American country tune, except it was in Norwegian.<br />
<br />
Then we found out that each of us would have to learn a verse of the song, and the chorus, and perform it live with Sputnick on the stage of the ship nightclub. The audience would then vote for their favorite. The one with the least votes would have to leave Alt for Norge.<br />
<br />
Initially I was thrilled! I sing a lot of karaoke, my family is very musical, I have no problem performing in front of people and I have a good memory!! It was as if this competition was tailor made for me. I almost felt it would be unfair to the other two.<br />
<br />
I learned my verse quickly, in about 20 minutes, the chorus too. Feeling very confident, but that strange sense of foreboding was still lingering around from earlier. Weird.<br />
<br />
Sputnik then did a little practice with each of us separately. That went really well, Sputnik seemed impressed with me, though I wasn't sure because he didn't speak a lick of English. There was something about him that reminded me of my dad, maybe it was the cowboy hat, and the age? Whatever it was, during one of my interviews on camera I was asked a question about him and the tears just came from nowhere. Seeing Sputnik just made me miss my dad a lot.<br />
<br />
Next, we all did a rehearsal on stage live with Sputnik and the music. I wasn't concerned at all...I knew my verse well. When it was my turn for this practice something weird happened; the words that I knew so well just evaporated from my brain, they were just...gone. So, my rehearsal went terrible and now, for the first time I think since coming to Norway, I was nervous. Even weirder; as soon as I stepped down from the stage the words came back.<br />
<br />
I immediately went into super practice mode, drilling these words into my brain over and over again. I am really good at memorizing things and I just could not figure out why the words left me on stage...nothing like this had ever happened to me before. It didn't make any sense, it even made me feel a little angry, and helpless, and scared that it would happen again when it really mattered.<br />
<br />
Jonathan was quite nervous as well, Jessica was very focused, and I was still in super practice mode right up until the time of the competition. The other two were not bringing notes with them on stage. I was torn; What if I couldn't remember the words again?? Then I would look like an idiot, and lose! In the end I decided to just bring the words on a tiny piece of paper just so I could refer to them if I needed to.<br />
<br />
Jonathan went first, it seemed like he slaughtered some of the words, but he danced and hopped around on stage a lot and seemed like he was having fun. Jessica did pretty good on the words and also employed a lot of physical antics; she even took off her boot and hit Sputnik on the head with it, the crowd (it was a packed house) really seemed to like her. Then I went, and, I sucked to make it real simple. By the time it was my turn I had become so paranoid and focused on the words...I got though the words, but that's all I did. I forgot to perform, I forgot to have fun. There was no dancing or showmanship from me. As soon as it was over I realized my shortcomings, and I was certain that I had lost. Like I told them in an interview; if I had been in the audience, I would not have voted for myself.<br />
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(The infamous performance that sent me home. See me reading my notes? Sputnik looks cool though.)</div>
<br />
When the results were announced I really wanted to take it like a man, and I think I did a good job of that. I get emotional pretty easy, but usually only when I am touched or moved. When Henriette said I was going home I was sad, but I knew it before she said it, and I wanted to be strong for my friends that were left...because I knew they were going to be sad.<br />
<br />
I was surprised though, at how emotional the others got. Even Todd, who I had not seen cry once during the whole show, was crying. I was told later that after I left it got very emotional. Apparently, these people really liked me. Todd and Jessica both gave me great compliments when they said goodbye. They told me their life was better because they knew me. Todd told me that knowing me made him a better man. They both said that they want to come and visit me and they want their families to know me, that they wanted me in their lives forever. Wow! I was blown away by that...and profoundly touched. I didn't see it until I watched the show, but sweet Amy said on camera through tears that I was the closest thing to a father she had known. Jonathan and CJ got a little blubbery as well.<br />
<br />
The whole thing left me feeling so honored, and so humble. So happy, to realize that I had some impact on these other people that were strangers just a couple months ago, but who now were my dear friends. I can't really express it any more than that...I don't have the right words.<br />
<br />
Since we were on a boat, I couldn't leave. So I was able to have one last night with the cast and crew, and I was really glad about that. Thor and Steinar, the producers, and several others on the crew told me some very nice things, some of them cried as well. Everyone on the crew was sad, and gushing with thanks and condolences. Mama Brita told me I was a great man, and cried. Camera men and sound guys were hugging me as though I was their relative. I am so honored, and surprised, that I was able to touch so many. Many of them predict I will be loved my Norway as well, we'll see about that I guess. I am so very, very, extremely touched and moved by it all.<br />
<br />
As for me? I'm actually ok. My final conclusion is that I could not remember the words because I was not "allowed" to. My purpose here, and the deal I made with Freya had been fulfilled. It was simply time for me to go, so the universe is sending me on to my next adventure. It all happened exactly how and when it was supposed to. Of course I would have loved to stay...but that was obviously not the grand plan of things. I have no regrets. I was true to myself and my Gods, I did the best I could, and the best I was "allowed" to do. When my great, great grandchildren watch this someday, I hope it makes them proud.<br />
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(An emotional good bye with Henriette, before I came back to america.)</div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-48613832122060099822013-06-20T20:04:00.000-07:002013-06-20T20:04:01.141-07:00DAY 47DAY 47<br />
(June 9)<br />
Episode 8<br />
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This morning I got up and said Sigdrifa's prayer, then I drew a rune. I was hoping the rune would give me some insight into how we would fare in today's competition. I drew Fehu. Cattle, mobile wealth, money, but also a fire rune and a rune associated with Freya...so I'm not sure what it means. I am feeling a little out-of-sorts, there is a strange feel to the air. I think it might be because we are getting so close, there is so much at stake. I don't know...<br />
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This morning they are supposed to film us having breakfast and maybe swimming. Turned out Jonathan and Todd went swimming, I chose not to because I actually feel like I am coming down with a little cold or something.<br />
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The competition was announced, and at first I was not happy about it. Henrietta told us it was shopping...and I hate shopping. Then we got some more details and learned that we were going to go into Sweden, we would spend all the money they gave us and bring our purchases back to Norway. Then they would figure out how much it would have cost to buy the same things in Norway, and the team that "saved" the most money would win. Kind of a crazy competition.<br />
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Because blue team won the first miserable competition they would start out with 3,000 nok, and we would start with 2,900, not a huge advantage it doesn't seem.<br />
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We had four big stores to shop in. We were strategizing about what to buy that would be the most different back in Norway; meat, tobacco, alcohol, something else? We were talking to other shoppers and asking them what they thought. Finally, in one store we found there was a sale on Capri sun juice packets...the little bags of juice with a straw you poke into it. It was a ridiculous price, and a better value than anything else we could find. Immediately I knew our only chance was to spend all 2,900 nok on nothing but that, Jessica agreed, Jonathan took some convincing but the math finally sunk in with him and he went along with that idea. <br />
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We were driving an SUV, and it was completely full of juice. I felt confident that if the other team didn't stumble onto the same sale that we would win this. If we don't win it...then either me, Jessica, or Jonathan will be going home tomorrow. I understand why I drew Fehu this morning; this competition is all about money, and that is one of Fehu's strongest representations.<br />
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Well...the other team did stumble onto the same sale, I have never seen so much juice in one place before. With their advantage they wound up winning by a measly 35 nok...about 5 bucks. Remarkably, we bought all that juice for about 22,000 nok cheaper than it could be purchased in Norway! We gave most of it away to the local kids.<br />
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Had a great time tonight hanging out with the locals, I will write more about that tomorrow.<br />
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Now it is late, I am sitting here by the sea thinking about the day, and my whole time here in Norway. There is a definite sense of foreboding...one of us will go home tomorrow and I so don't want it to be me. I will make an offering, meditate for a bit and then go to bed. Tomorrow will be a very interesting day.<br />
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(One of the many pretty spots at Bevø where I liked to sit.)</div>
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Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-2260555010180386062013-06-18T20:01:00.000-07:002013-06-18T20:01:52.222-07:00DAY 46<br />
(June 8)<br />
Episode 8<br />
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I'm up early today, before the alarm. I drew Uruz, a good rune I think because I suspect today's challenge will be a bit more physical, and the vitality and strength of Uruz will come in handy.<br />
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I am looking forward to this episode. After this episode it is just the semi-finals, and then the finals. I feel episode 8 is a critical milestone and I am looking forward to the challenge of it.<br />
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After lots of secrecy and some driving, we finally found out that we will be staying at a Norwegian RV Park. I guess the idea of it is to see first hand how Norwegians spend their leisure time, apparently camping is a big deal here, nice to know. I am on the red team, with me are Jessica and Jonathan. Team blue is Todd, Amy, and CJ.<br />
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We had our first team challenge...absolutely everything went wrong that could ever go wrong, it was a disaster, and we were slaughtered. The challenge was that we had to drive a small SUV pulling a camper trailer, we had to park it exactly in the red lines that were on the ground. Then we had to unhitch the camper, pull out table, chairs, a grill, meat, and a couple other things. We had to start the grill, put the meat on it, and all of us be sitting at our place settings...OH, we also had to erect a little fence around our "yard". The team that did all that in the shortest time would win.<br />
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I am a very good backer...I am a truck driver after all. I can back up anything so it only made sense that I would drive and back the RV into the space. I was doing that, intending to correct the angle at the last minute, I think I was on target. But to Jessica and Jonathan it looked like I was coming in crooked, so they were yelling corrections for me, which really screwed me up. I'm not blaming them...we were all trying to do the best we could. Eventually we got it in the space. I was waiting for them to get me unhitched so I could drive away. It seemed to be taking a long time. Then they called for me to help so I jumped out and ran back. I thought they were having problems cranking it...so I grabbed it and cranked the shit out of it. It was raising the RV up, that's when I realized the locking mechanism was still engaged. I undid the lock and pulled and the RV fell several inches and was free.<br />
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Next I was supposed to crank down the back legs while they did something else. I had just got them down when they yelled for help again. I ran to the front and to my horror saw that in my zeal I had cranked the frame right off of the wheel shaft. We had to get it back in. I tried lifting the tongue so they could insert the shaft back in the hole...but it was so heavy! I couldn't understand why it was so heavy, it wasn't a big RV and the legs were in the middle. So then I grabbed it, and with all my might lifted the tongue up so they could put the stupid wheel back in. I strained my back a bit in the process. I didn't realize it at the time...but I had forgot the back legs were down, that's why it seemed so heavy. In the end I was almost lifting the whole thing off the ground! No wonder my back was strained.<br />
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Not only am I a truck driver...I was also a fence contractor. I have built miles of fence. I was never so disappointed when I saw that the "fence" we were supposed to build was a flimsy wire thing. There were no posts, nothing. We were supposed to just stick the little wire ends in the ground and expect it to stay. This was the most frustrated I had been on this show...the stupid thing kept falling over. We only got it up after Jessica and Jonathan both helped.<br />
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(the trailers we were living in this week.)</div>
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(a view at beautiful Bevø camp grounds)</div>
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Jonathan was lighting the grill and scorched off some of his hair...the whole thing was a nightmare. Eventually we got done and sat down...tired, breathing hard, angry and sweating. I knew there was no way we could have won, and I was right. The blue team beat us by a sizable margin.<br />
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After the challenge we had to walk through the campgrounds and invite strangers to our "party". I was in no mood for a party after that fiasco, but I shook it off and got into the spirit. The party was actually a lot of fun. We met lots of really cool people and had a real nice time.<br />
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Later I wound up in a camper with Todd and CJ, talking and having beers with some Norwegian guys. It was a good time, almost like being back home. One of the guys was a truck driver, so we had a lot to talk about. <br />
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Today sucked!! But, I cannot complain, I am still in Norway after all, and still having the time of my life. Tomorrow is a new day.Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-5506497512828869022013-06-13T19:12:00.000-07:002013-06-13T19:12:24.483-07:00DAY 45 - A day offDay 45<br />
(June 7)<br />
Day off<br />
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Today is Thorsday, and we have a welcome day off. This morning I drew Ehwaz, the horse...again. Last time it was quite prophetic, I will make sure and pay attention to things today.<br />
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I woke up about 0800, I am the only one up...it was quite a night last night. I volunteered to make omelets for everyone today, since I make the best omelets in the world and all. There is polse and bacon, and cheese, and onions in the fridge, I should be able to do something with that.<br />
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Last night Esben (from Onkle Amerika) told me he would love it if I came to his house and met his kids and hung out for awhile. I told him he would have to ask mama Brita, we can't do anything without her permission. He went and talked to her and she told him there wasn't enough time, but maybe after the next episode, if I am still here...which I will be.<br />
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The omelette's turned out amazing as I suspected and everybody seemed to love them, except Amy, who isn't feeling well today. I hope she feels better soon, shame to waste a day off not feeling good...we are in Norway after all.<br />
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Today I walked around with Todd and Jessica and Jonathan. We took a boat out onto Oslo Fjord and it took us to the maritime museum. I really wanted to go to the Viking ship museum, but they out voted me. The maritime museum was really very cool though. I think my favorite part was they had a dugout canoe, made from a huge tree ( I think oak) and it was 2,000 years old!!! It is amazing to look at a piece of wood that old, much less a canoe, you could see the tool marks in the wood, made by people who lived 2,000 years ago, in Norway...amazing.<br />
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(A figurehead from an old Norwegian boat, at the maritime Museum.)</div>
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(I fit in quite nicely with famous Norwegian explorers)</div>
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(This is that Awesome 2,000 year old canoe, it's in a glass case.)</div>
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Tomorrow we have an early day; waking up at 0700. That will make it a long day also, at least 12 hours, maybe more. All we know is that we are going 90 minutes away, and we will have to wear some kind of "outfits". Who knows...I gave up trying to guess these things a long time ago, it's impossible, I'll just wait and see what happens. Doesn't really matter anyway, whatever it is I will still be in Norway and I have Freya on my side, and Thor as well.Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-83160910416635631712013-06-09T11:21:00.001-07:002013-06-09T11:21:37.507-07:00DAY 44 - PRESS DAYDAY 44<br />
(June 6)<br />
Press day<br />
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I drew Uruz this morning, The Auroch. !st time I think since being here in Norway. I love this rune, it speaks to me of wild untamable strength and vitality, health and virility. Instinctive power.<br />
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So, Amy and I are the poster children for Alt for Norge, like I have said before; probably because she is black and I am...unusual. I understand they want to use the most visually distinctive people, and I don't mind at all, it should be very interesting.<br />
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We went to the TV Norge main office in Oslo. There were the cast, producers and directors there for all the shows coming out in the fall, Alt for Norge being one of them. It was sort of surreal and rather fairy tale like, walking around knowing we were one of the "special people". Oh, they also had fantastic snacks!! A whole table full, and I wasn't shy about getting to know it.<br />
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(Amy and Me Posing at TV Norge)</div>
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They had made a little movie, a montage of all the different shows. For our show they showed some pieces of the home town clips. It caught me off-guard; when I saw my dad on the screen I kind of lost it...I just started crying. I didn't realize how much I missed him and everyone back home until I saw that clip. Tonight we will come back with our other contestants for kind of a press party, it should be fun.<br />
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Wow...Fun it was!! We sort of did the same thing as this morning only on a much larger scale. There were probably 500 - 600 people there in the big room. Amy and I had to wait back stage and come out when they called us, sit down in front of all those people and speak with the guys on the stage, they were two comedian type guys, very nice people, and funny too.<br />
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When we were done we went and found a place to sit in the audience until that part was over. I sit down, and I get a tap on my shoulder...I turn around and its Tom and Esben from the Dansk og Fingeren show, Onkle America!! I had met them the year before when they came and did a show with the kindred where I live. It was great to see those guys.<br />
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After that it got really bizarre. Everybody in the whole place knew who I was! All these strangers coming up, saying hi, wanting their pictures taken with me, wishing me well...weird. But very cool.<br />
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I met some really interesting people; there was Kriss Kaspersen, the host of a traveling nature show. He and I hit it off really well, super great guy and I really respect the work he does, he promotes conservation in his show. He talked about maybe doing something with me in the future on his show, or coming to America...could have been the open bar talking though.<br />
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(Getting ready for the party on the roof, this is one of our producers, Steinar...great guy.)</div>
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(One of the open bar stations...up on the roof.)</div>
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(View from the top, over Oslo.)</div>
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(It was a great night, I'll never forget it.)</div>
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As per usual, some of my American friends got a little tipsy...some more than others, but I won't go into details here. Everybody was having a fantastic time.<br />
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It was a surreal, magical, fantastic evening. It made us all feel special somehow, it was great fun.Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-90460214078813060852013-06-06T13:22:00.001-07:002013-06-06T13:22:35.100-07:00DAY 43Day 43<br />
(June 5)<br />
Episode 7<br />
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This morning I drew Berkano; the white lady of the forest, growth renewal, vitality and a culmination of that which has gone before. Today is the last day of this episode.<br />
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I asked the Norns to reveal to me, with a one rune draw who will be eliminated today. They showed me Ingwaz, Freyr, Frey. definitely male energy, so it is between CJ and Austin. Of these two the most Vanic, the most like Freyr I would say is Austin. So, that is my interpretation; Austin will be going home today.<br />
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1807 - 6:07 pm - The runes, and my interpretation of them were correct. Austin went home, losing in one of those memory games. I will miss him. I really enjoyed getting to know Austin on this adventure, and he wasn't anything like I expected him to be. He's a down to earth, good guy.<br />
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Tomorrow Amy and I have to do a press conference at 0845, then at 4:00 we all go to a TV Norge party of some kind. I think they chose Amy and I because, well, visually we stand out the most; Amy being black and me, well...being me. Thursday will be a day off, then Friday we leave but we are only driving 90 minutes to our next location. It could be the farming episode!! Oh, I really hope it is, I am ready to get dirty doing some farm work.<br />
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CJ won the spirit award, I believe it is the last one, because after episode 8 there are no more teams. He deserves it, he has grown a lot on this adventure I think. It guarantees him a spot in the semi finals. The way I understand it, episode 9 is the semi finals, and the final episode are the finals.<br />
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Man...I really, really want to make it to the last episode. And then I want to win!!<br />
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The runes are powerful, and they have been very accurate. Thursday I may delve a little deeper and ask who will go home in the next episode, still thinking about it.<br />
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Well that wraps up episode 7, and it has been a blast...really fun. Meeting the Swedes and getting to know Oslo a little better, the pie war, it was all great. It was also nice to have won so decisively both times and not be in the elimination. Hopefully the next episode will be just as good.<br />
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Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-88439397312419895472013-06-03T20:40:00.000-07:002013-06-03T20:40:37.633-07:00DAY 42DAY 42<br />
(June 4)<br />
Episode 7<br />
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I was up very late last night just hanging out and talking with CJ. We had a great conversation about philosophy, religion, random intellectual stuff, inter-family dynamics, etc. I felt like I got to know him quite a bit better. He isn't the easiest guy to get to know, he doesn't show all his cards right from the beginning, he is a great guy when you get to know him though.<br />
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I am the first one up at 0730, I finally drew Ansuz...I have been hoping to draw that. It is Odin's rune, and we are living on Odin street, but aside from that it's just nice to see this rune, it gives me comfort.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtUnAvv1wzbVjQf8zqGeYm2WiRr_dLH1AcPUL_N4JQaDZvgLg6sq-bPelGKM2MuoqofLuLtqJVuUwyRk5sY8-VmSTtTgMyRdiclTRpmkYg1W1MHb0QvAYWgJ1gohl64PVKMMvVCko7xln/s1600/EP7-56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtUnAvv1wzbVjQf8zqGeYm2WiRr_dLH1AcPUL_N4JQaDZvgLg6sq-bPelGKM2MuoqofLuLtqJVuUwyRk5sY8-VmSTtTgMyRdiclTRpmkYg1W1MHb0QvAYWgJ1gohl64PVKMMvVCko7xln/s320/EP7-56.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Odins Street)</div>
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This morning we are filming some "reality", that will include lots of long interviews and plenty of tedium, but I am not complaining. We also found out we will be here until Thursday.<br />
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An unexpected thing happened! After the interviews, as a reward for winning they took us, the red team to Holmenkollen (sure hope I spelled that right). It is the biggest attraction in Oslo and one of the biggest ski jumps in the world. It was very, very cool. From the top the view is absolutely breathtaking, you can see for miles. You can see how close agriculture is to the city, and see different parts of the city. We had a real nice time there<br />
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Todd and Jonathan with the Holmenkollen troll</div>
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View from the top</div>
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That thing down there is a giant rock troll!</div>
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Tonight we are going to an Italian place for dinner, then that's about it for today. Tomorrow will be very interesting, we have the Individual competition. No Idea what it's going to be of course.</div>
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Here are a few more pictures from this episode:</div>
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This is Anna...She is my Swedish friend.</div>
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This is my headless, rock friend.</div>
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Looking over the city of Oslo at night.</div>
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When Norwegian seagulls pee, they don't mess around!</div>
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Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-76824748866484282632013-06-01T22:50:00.000-07:002013-06-01T22:50:42.204-07:00DAY 41<br />
(June 3)<br />
Episode 7<br />
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This morning I drew Tiwaz...Hail Tyr! I can not think of a better rune to start this day with; this day of the second team challenge. It will be a good day.<br />
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I am really glad everyone made it home safely last night.<br />
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Whatever the challenge is today, it is supposed to be messy. They want us to bring an entire change of clothes.<br />
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As I am writing this it is now 7:00 pm or 1900, we finally made it back to our very nice apartment on Odin's Gate (Odin's Street). It was an eventful day to say the least. It all started at 0800 with them filming us waking up. Then they took us to an RV/Campground, where we waited around forever...literally, hours. Eventually we were taken to Henriette and introduced to the second team challenge.<br />
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As we approached we saw a roped off area, at either end was a table, and the tables were loaded with pies, which were loaded with whipped cream. Henriette was standing behind one table and there were six Swedes standing with her in yellow and blue Sweden shirts. In didn't take a genius to figure out that we were going to be throwing pies.<br />
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There were two teams of Swedes; 3 in each. We, the red team went first playing one Swedish team, then the blue team played the other Swedish team. Then we played the Swedish team we did not play the first time, and then finally we played the blue team. So we and the blue team each played three matches total.<br />
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The rules were pretty simple; how many pies can you make hit your opponent? They had several people on the sidelines counting each hit as it happened. We were not allowed to watch the other teams matches.<br />
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The importance of the competition was put on "beating the Swedes". Whichever team beat the Swedes most would win. If we tied, then it would come down to who won between the red and blue match.<br />
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The whole thing was extremely messy, and extremely fun. Since we couldn't watch we had no idea how the other team was doing, but we felt like we did very well, I was also confident because I had drawn Tiwaz this morning.<br />
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In the end it turned out that we won all three matches. Blue team had one draw and two losses...we were the clear victors. So, that means I am on to episode 8, and either Austin, Amy, or CJ will have to go home. We will have half the people we started with, with only three episodes remaining. Hail Freya! Hail Tyr! Hail Thor!<br />
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What a life I have!!Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-57318438108433522812013-05-28T17:39:00.000-07:002013-05-28T17:39:25.268-07:00Day 40Day 40<br />
(June 2)<br />
Episode 7<br />
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This morning I drew Ehwaz; the horse. As I sat looking at the rune an old saying associated with this rune came to me; <em>A well trained horse will keep you on the narrowest of pathways. </em>When things come to me like that I try to pay attention. I need to really pay attention to myself this week, that is what it said to me.<br />
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It seems this time away from home is taking its toll on some of my fellow contestants. There are some decisions being made I don't agree with, a little drama here and there.<br />
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Last night everyone went out to a dance club, Austin and I decided not to go. Apparently there was some more drama at the club, people were going separate ways, some of them didn't get in until 0530. Oh well, maybe that will give me some kind of advantage in today's challenges?<br />
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I intend to win this week and be here for episode 8. I intend to win the whole thing for the glory of my ancestors and meet my Norwegian family. I just need to stay focused on why I am here. We have been here for so long now it would be rather easy to lose sight of the prize. Even though this show life is very different from our regular lives, it has now sort of become our regular life. Traveling, challenges, being told what to wear and when to poop...it almost seems "normal" now. But it isn't, and I am here for a very specific purpose.<br />
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WOW! What a day! Today we broke up in teams and went out in the street to talk with Norwegians about the relationship between Norway and Sweden. It was pretty fun, met some really cool people. Then for the team challenge we had to actually, physically round up as many Swedes as we could and bring them back to the park. The team that rounded up the most Swedes would win....crazy!<br />
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I was on the red team with Todd and Jonathan. We literally destroyed the blue team with 37 Swedes to the blue teams 17.<br />
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Then the production company arranged for us to have pizza and beer with the Swedes in the courtyard of the apartments we were staying in. We did that, it was fun. I had some really nice conversations with several of the Swedes, they were really great people, and the women were of course...gorgeous. To our surprise, after the pizza party then we had to all go to a night club and "Party with the Swedes". Because, apparently the Swedes in Norway have a reputation, or stereotype of being partiers.<br />
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We got to the club and everybody started drinking...because that's what you do at a club. They filmed me dancing with a couple of the Swedish girls, they filmed all of us doing stuff like that. They were all quite a bit younger than me of course, but I made some good connections with Swedes of both genders. They were people I would have like to hang out with even if I wasn't on this show. It was really, really fun.<br />
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What happens when you make Americans and Swedes party together and give them alcohol? People get drunk. Some drunker than others. We were supposed to be back at our apartment by 0100, getting everybody into a cab was like herding cats...or monkeys, drunk monkeys. Then once we all got back, some people left again into the night. Who knows, if I was their age I might have done the same thing, but I was thinking about the competition tomorrow and I didn't want to take any chances with my abilities...I need to be prepared to do anything!!<br />
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Indeed, the well trained horse will keep you on the narrowest of pathways.<br />
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Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-3564368824274888622013-05-27T18:05:00.000-07:002013-05-27T18:52:19.731-07:00Day 39Day 39<br />
06 / 01 / 2012<br />
(Day Off)<br />
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This morning I drew Raidho, the wagon, the journey. Perhaps that means I should walk around and explore the city while I have a chance.? Yes, I will do that as soon as I am done writing in my journal. <br />
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So far today all I have done is eat frokost, and lay in bed doing absolutely nothing. It is nice to have a break from the constant rhythm of the show and just be still. I don't have a room mate and I have very much enjoyed the solitude and being with my own thoughts. <br />
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I watched a Norwegian fishing show for about 30 minutes. There were about 20 guys fishing on a river in drizzling rain. During the entire time I was watching not one fish was caught...riveting television. American fishing shows only show the parts where the fish are caught so it was quite a different thing. I later found out that the cameras were on these guys for a full day, it's something they do every year.<br />
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I have been thinking a lot about being here, on this show. I believe I have so far accomplished my goal of being myself; being true to who I am and what I believe in the big picture. I am proud of that.<br />
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Sometimes I feel like an old man, hanging out with all these kids, but not too often. Sometimes I feel like their older brother, or uncle, and sometimes I feel like their dad. I keep up with them all physically...we just know the words to different songs. I don't feel old most of the time...most of the time, I just feel like Alf.<br />
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Episode 7 starts tomorrow, it is here, in or around Oslo somewhere. We have no idea what the theme is or what we will be doing. What I do know, is that I need to prevail, Gods willing...that is my plan.<br />
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Sitting around here with nothing to do really gets my mind wandering. I am very curious how I will be received by the Norwegian people when the show aires. I honestly have no idea how it will go, and there is no way to speculate, I just have to wait and see.<br />
<br />
I hope of course that I am received well, that people understand and like the person I am. If it goes otherwise I will deal with it, but it would be unfortunate. It would be really awesome if my popularity or celebrity status would do something beneficial for my life later on; like help me sell a book, or be on some talk shows or something, that would be pretty cool. But, it's silly to think too much about that sort of thing. I'll just keep on being myself and hope for the best.Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-91677867075278001422012-10-27T13:51:00.002-07:002012-10-27T14:32:27.536-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 38<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 31)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travel day<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now we are sitting here in the Bodø airport waiting to go back to
Oslo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drew Fehu this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I had a chance to get all caught up
on the runes I am carving in my drinking horn, I’m happy about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly love this area of Norway; The landscape,
the air, the water, and the people, I really like it here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think tomorrow we actually get a day off, it will be nice to relax a
bit before the next episode starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While I was at Kjerringøy I had an opportunity to meet David Berner and
Eric Williams the inventors of the show, they wrote the original show that it
is all based on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had several great
conversations with both of them, I seem to have things in common with both of
them even though they are different people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I look forward to corresponding with them after the show is over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am closer now than ever before to meeting my relatives in Norway…only
four more episodes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Gods and the ancestors are with me always; yesterday I went to the
end of the pier at Kjerringøy, I said a prayer of thanks to the Gods,
ancestors, and landavette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
finished I looked up in the sky and there the clouds had formed a perfect,
great, eye, and it was looking right at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took it to be the eye of Odin letting me know I am being looked after,
I took a picture of it and it turned out great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think I will blow it up to hang on my wall at home as a constant
reminder that I am never alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 39<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(June 1)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day off<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I woke up in Oslo and drew Raidho, perhaps that means I
should get up and walk around, explore the city while I have a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far today all I have done is eat frokost
and lay in the bed doing absolutely nothing, just enjoying the solitude, my own
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched a Norwegian fishing
show for about a half hour; there were about 20 guys fishing in a river, during
the entire time I watched it not one fish was caught…riveting television, lol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been thinking a lot about being here, on this show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe I have so far accomplished my goal
of being myself, being true to who I am and what I believe in the big
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m proud of myself for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes, with the other contestants I feel like an old man with all
these young kids around, sometimes I feel like their older brother, their
uncle, sometimes their dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
really feel old most of the time though, because I’m not old, most of the time
I just feel like Alf.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 7 starts tomorrow, it is here, somewhere in or around Oslo
somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have no idea what the
theme is or what we will be doing…all I know is that I need to prevail, Gods
willing, that is my plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am very curious how I will be received by the Norwegian people when
the show aires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I honestly have no idea
how it will go and there is really no way to speculate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am just me; Alf Herigstad, a big bald guy
with a crazy beard and a religion many have not ever heard of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be very unfortunate if the people of
Norway don’t like me, I think that would hurt my feelings…because, well, it
just would. But I wouldn’t be anyone else even if I knew how to…I will just
have to wait and see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-43446056386728118182012-10-26T12:26:00.002-07:002012-10-26T12:27:41.724-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 29)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 6<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I drew Thurisaz, the thorn, Thor, the force of my will…it
could have many meanings, we’ll see how the day unfolds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today the blue team; Jonathan, Austin, Amy and myself left at 0830, we
traveled by bus and ferry back to Bodø, to the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we met our pilot Bjørn, he was a very
nice guy and seemed like a competent person…which is important because he would
soon have my life in his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took
us to our plane, it was a little 5 seater plane with two engines, I don’t think
I have ever been on a plane this small before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course, prior to getting on a plane like this one always considers
the possibility of it crashing, I am no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result of my thinking about it was that
if that were to happen, if this was to be my last day in Midgard…I couldn’t
really think of a better way to die; in Norway, over a fjørd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was fine with that and any small amount of
fear I had vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, I’m
going to die one day anyway, it’s inevitable…out of all the possible ways to
die there are many less preferable than this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a firm believer that I will die exactly
when I am supposed to, as long as all the people in my life know how I feel
about them, I can always meet death with no regrets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So lets get on the plane!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We wore headsets so we could hear each other talking…or screaming as
the case may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amy and Jonathan seemed
pretty nervous, but Austin and I were just excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took off, flying low along the
coastline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view was truly awe inspiring!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plane was constantly fish-tailing in
the heavy winds like a car driving too fast on an icy road, I looked at Bjørn
and could tell he was used to that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were headed towards Kjerringøy where we had been staying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We traveled up a little fjørd and saw the
ferry we had taken earlier, we rounded a big, jagged, snowy mountain, a bit too
close I think because we seemed to run out of air; the plane dropped straight
down 50 feet in a second like there was nothing holding it up for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then we continued on to the place we had been staying, we circled it a
few times in both directions, it is a much different perspective from the
air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we started heading back out
over the big fjørd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way back I
saw the camera guy Jan Kenneth making some hand signals to the pilot then
suddenly, the nose of the plane was pointed straight down toward the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We plummeted straight down for I would say 30
or 40 meters before starting to climb out of it, then we went straight upward
to the sky for about 100 meteres…then we went straight down and did it all
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the bottom of the dip we were
pulling 3 G’s, which meant I weighed about 750 pounds for a minute…the whole
thing was awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We eventually landed again safe and sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan had turned green…I mean he was
actually green in color and I am not exaggerating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was quite ill, but he never thew up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried he would throw up during the
plane ride…that would have been awful; because then we all would have thrown up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he didn’t, so it was fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the thrilling plane ride we were taken back to where we were staying
for some interviews, that is about all that happened today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow, one of my friends will have to
leave and go back to America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be
an interesting day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 37<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 30)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 6<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I drew Isa; ice, which makes sense because I am in stasis
today, I’m not going anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We don’t have anything to do until 1215 except wait while the others go
through their competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was
waiting I decided to do a rune draw in which I asked the norns who would go
home today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drew Fehu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately I associated that with female
energy, even though there were two women in the elimination somehow I just knew
that it would be Tara who would be eliminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No matter who it is, it will still be sad to see them leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The runes never lie; Tara was eliminated, losing to Todd by one point
in the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed pretty ok
with it, she hadn’t really been herself completely since Dana had gone home…and
now she could go and be with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
miss her very much though, her and I had some great talks, she is a great
person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today Alt for Norge history was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>made when Jessica received the spirit award for the second time. No
doubt because she had been in every elimination challenge and managed to keep
her spirits up in spite of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
game changer though; she has immunity next week, the field of people is getting
smaller and smaller. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 6 comes to a close...Tomorrow we are off to a new adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-27466698818756693442012-10-22T08:04:00.000-07:002012-10-22T08:05:42.066-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 34<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 27)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 6<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s Sunday morning, the sky’s are clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I drew the rune Ehwaz, the horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is such beautiful country up here, it is
how I imagine Iceland to look; barren and rocky in spots, mountains jutting up
everywhere as if the earth beneath them were in pain, stunted trees that live
in spite of the environment…all beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My soul recognizes this place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took a boat out to a rocky island in the artic sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am on the blue team with Austin, Jonathan,
and Amy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met Henriette and found out
what our challenge was; we were to fish little wooden clues out of a pond,
there were words on the clues, we then had to arrange the words correctly and
say it back to Henriette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already knew
the phrase would be what Henriette said to us upon our arrival;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What would we do without the ocean, would we
have to carry our boats?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We totally
kicked ass on that part of the competition, everyone contributed and it worked
out great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second part of the
challenge was to gather 10 seagull eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The weather rolled in then, extreme weather, it was so bad they had to
abort filming for a while to save the equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we will quit for the day and do the
second part of the challenge tomorrow, as well as the second team challenge…whatever
that is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 28)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 6<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I drew Fehu, first time since leaving home; fire, cattle,
mobile wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went back to the
island and did the seagull egg hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was fun, I enjoyed it,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the other team
won this part so they will have a slight advantage in the next competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got back we had the opportunity to
then eat the seagull eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed
them; they are the size between a chicken egg and a duck egg, but very tasty. Their
shell is a dull olive green with black flecks to help them blend in and not be
seen by predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are getting
ready for the second team challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 seconds…….holy crap!!........Hail Freya!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The challenge was making a little meal in the
most horrible conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a
wind machine blowing on us with water and sawdust to resemble snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to peel shrimp, make little sandwiches,
pour and drink a glass of wine without letting anything blow away or dropping
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the last person was done
eating and drinking the time would stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our team worked really well together, at the end I had a hard time
swallowing but I got it done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other
team had an advantage of 5 peeled shrimp and we still won…Awsome!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to episode 7 for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I feel bad for the red team, especially Jessica; she has been in every
individual competition since we began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That has to be tough on her emotionally and mentally, but she is
Norwegian, she can handle it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight the little town of Kjerringøy is throwing us a dock party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be on film so probably won’t be as
cool as the party in Starnda, but still very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun, turned out they even had some
live music playing and people were dancing, it was very nice chatting with the
locals, I met some really nice people there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow my team is going up in a little tiny plane to see the area
from the air as our reward, I am excited…I think Amy and Jonathan are a little
worried, it will be great! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-36604746448769351222012-10-21T10:08:00.000-07:002012-10-21T10:15:05.394-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 32<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 25)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travel Day<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I drew Ehwaz, the horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still thinking about what that means…Maybe because I am on a bus all
day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is supposed to be a 10 hour bus
ride, it is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit today, very unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A ways into the trip the air stopped working
on the bus so it became quite uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In general though, the weather has been very accommodating during this
whole experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crew is always
amazed, but I’m not…after all Thor is accompanying me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight we will stay in a hotel, tomorrow we get together at 10:00 to
get on a plane and fly somewhere, I think we are going North, we’ll see when we
get there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It would be really nice to be on the winning team this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan has the spirit award, a lot of
people are already gone, the competition is getting tough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 33</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travel Day<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I drew Ingwaz; the hearth, the home, the God Freyr, it
should be a good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I skipped frokost
this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I have my own room
for a change I am using the time alone to relax and think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am trying to figure out what I could be doing better, how I might
give myself more of an advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
difficult, because the challenges are of such a nature that no distinct
advantage exists; luck is involved, and fate, rather than sheer skill or
ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is arranged in such a way
that it is extremely fair, which, in a way is somewhat of a disadvantage for me
because I am used to calculating strength and weakness in myself and others in
order to succeed, when the playing field is completely even, there is nothing
to calculate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to see the end, I NEED to meet my Norwegian family!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to see and do as much as I can of this
country and its people before I go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In evaluating myself I have determined that so far I have been true;
true to myself, my family, Brenda, my ancestors, and my Gods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been faithful to Freya and our
agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond being true in all
these ways and doing the best I can, I can not think of what more I can do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do miss home, all the people there, the dogs and the other
animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find myself worrying
occasionally about the state of things back home, wondering how everyone is
managing in my absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…all I can
really do about that is hope, hope that all is well and that everyone is getting
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think when I do eventually go home it will be weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will take some time I’m sure, maybe a
couple weeks, maybe more to decompress and process everything that has
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will seem very strange I think,
very surreal, I hope I am granted the time I need to do it well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enough of all that though…worry and fret will
profit a man nothing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I will just
continue to be hopeful and do the best I can, I will continue to be true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we arrived in the town of Bodø.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I loved this place immediately and am thrilled to know that it is north
of the artic circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is farther
north than I have ever been in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A girl working in a store told me that this time of year it never gets
dark…that is so bizarre!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now it is
2320, 11:20 pm and it is still fully light outside as though it was the middle
of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to take some
pictures to document this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have no idea what the challenge is tomorrow, but they are having us
suit up as though we are getting pretty wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were supposed to take a boat somewhere in the morning but that fell
through so we are taking a bus to an island I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, I guess we’ll know what’s going on
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing I do know, is that I
love this north country; I love the feel of it and the way the air kisses my
skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels like a spiritual place as
well, I feel very connected here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps I have been here before in another life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-27207246272570390382012-10-12T18:40:00.002-07:002012-10-13T04:04:57.444-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May23)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 5<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t have a lot of time to write today; there is a lot to do, and
tonight the townspeople are throwing us a party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I drew Berkano this morning; the birch, renewal, new growth, fertility,
Freya’s rune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be on the lookout
for the relevance of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather
is amazing today, we are down by Storfjord filming interviews and stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While waiting for my turn I took a walk down
the coastline, and I found the jaw of what looks like an anglerfish!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in great shape, I am very excited about
it…I am going to try to bring it back home with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also found an Alder tree, that may not seem
like much but it is the first one I saw in Norway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is significant because it reminded me of
home…where alders grow like weeds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 31<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 24)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 5<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I drew Algiz; the elk or antler, a protection rune, I
definitely feel safer in the elimination today…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is now 2130 pm,what a day it has been!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We who were on the blue team and up for
elimination had to be ready to go at 0900….which wasn’t all that easy because
last night we were up late at the party the wonderful people of Stranda threw for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great party though; there
were local meats and homemade beer, the entire cast and crew were there and
there was no cameras, it was quite wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, my new brother Vebjørn presented all of us cast members with the official
pin of Stranda!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will wear it
religiously for the rest of my time in Norway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So anyway, I consumed just enough beer to give me a pretty good
headache, and I was very sleepy when I got up, but most everyone else was
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drank a lot of water and I felt
good again in no time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<img alt="Photo is loading" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="218" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s320x320/419414_10151059108391603_1172981158_n.jpg" style="top: -0.12%;" width="290" /><br />
(The Party)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we all gathered and met Henriette to find out what our challenge
would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out that is was kind
of a race; the theme being everyday Norwegian life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would all go one at a time and we would be
timed, the person to complete the course in the longest time would have to
leave Alt for Norge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The order was
decided and Todd would go first, followed by me, Jessica, and Barbara.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were 5 check points, at each one we would have to perform a task,
answer a question, or both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the
tasks and questions were supposed to pertain to everyday life in Norway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It took quite a while for all of us to get done, because the cameras
had to follow us around everywhere we went, finally though…we were done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little nervous after the competition
because I had had to guess at two of the checkpoints, both of them involved
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One question was what is the most
common ingredient in a mattpacka, or Norwegian sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other question was what is the most common
ingredient in Norwegian dinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did
not remember ever receiving that information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I chose round sliced meat for the mattpacka and salmon for the dinner…after
I thought about it I then thought I should have chosen white cheese and ground beef…but,
nothing I could do then except wait and see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, after an excruciating long period of waiting the results were
ready.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone made mistakes, no one was perfect, but Jessica did the best,
followed by Todd, that left me and Barbara on the hot seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henriette read the times, and one was over a
minute faster than the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that
point both me and Barbara figured it was her that was going home…and we were
correct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought she handled it really well, it wasn’t as sad as some
eliminations because of the way she was taking it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is until we all said goodbye as she
drove away, she was crying then, and so were others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<img alt="Photo is loading" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="218" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s320x320/155695_10151059108261603_748602922_n.jpg" style="top: -0.12%;" width="290" /><br />
(Bye for now Barbara)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I am safe for another week, thank the Gods!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like a very close call, I don’t want
to repeat that experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow is
Friday, we will leave early to be on the bus all day back to Oslo, then
Saturday we fly out to our new location…wherever that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday we start filming episode 6, no rest
for us this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<img alt="Photo is loading" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="218" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s320x320/580422_10151059108016603_1773546120_n.jpg" style="top: -0.12%;" width="290" /><br />
(Me and the wonderful Skog family)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have really, really enjoyed this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am deeply touched by the genuineness and
hospitality of Vebjørn and his family…the whole town of Stranda for that
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are all beautiful wonderful
people, I will come back to this place one day, I don’t know exactly when, but
I will be back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-20743469996048492152012-10-09T18:23:00.001-07:002012-10-09T18:26:35.873-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 29<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 22)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 5<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I drew Jera this morning; the harvest, the culmination of everything
that has gone before, the reward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though
it seems to bode well, I have learned that these daily rune draws cannot always
be taken to pertain to the challenges, they could refer to any aspect of my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been a long day, it is now 2320 at night and it is still light
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our challenge today was to drive to
four different locations and through a series of different challenges collect
as many tree-shaped air fresheners as possible…Norwegians call them “wunder
baums”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t go into what all four
tasks were here, because it will be on the show, but in the end we lost by two
wunder baums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, my team did very
well and found three more wunder baums than the other team…but, they had an
advantage of 5 wunder baums to start out with from the previous competition…so
we lost, by 2, frustrating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, today is Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
Thursday I will face my second individual challenge, and I’m fine with
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided that I am confident
in my mind and my body, I am also confident I will do my best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if I were to lose an individual
competition then it means I have been bested, and I have no business being here
any longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight we had dinner with the Skog’s, they are such a wonderful
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tore Andre found my episode of
Onkel America that I appeared in on the TV and we all watched it together, I
had never been able to see it before so that was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good to see my people on the TV for a
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, they had a kubb game so we went outside and played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norwegians vs the Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I play at home and even make sets to
sell I was able to give my team some good advice…the Americans won!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vebjørn shared some more beer and aquavit
with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are really great people, I
love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vebjørn and Marete told us
that in the morning we all needed to be together so they could talk to us for a
bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We figured there was certain
information they may be imparting so we all knew we had to pay good attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow in the evening at 1900 Vebjørn has arranged for the village to
throw us an off-camera party at the village center!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will taste homemade beer and local food,
it is a wonderful thing they are doing for us and we are very excited about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, on Thursday, either Todd,
Jessica, Barbara or myself will be eliminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am not planning on going home yet, there is too much I have not yet
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will trust in myself, and use
the gaze of the ancestors and Gods upon me to propel me to victory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many Gods have made their presense known to me on this journey; Freya,
Thor, Tyr, Freyr, Njord, and Odin too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am a blessed man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know my family is
rooting for me hard, Brenda is bending over backwards to keep things together
on the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dogs…..?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what they think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m going to turn in now with a belly full of salmon, salad, rice, and
vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we have interviews and
reality to film but we are supposed to be done by 1500…I may jump in the fjord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-47077463064110764722012-10-07T13:25:00.003-07:002012-10-07T20:19:22.737-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 28<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 21)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 5<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe I have been
away from home for 28 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a way it
seems as if I have been gone for years, in other ways it seems like I was just
home yesterday…it’s really weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
hoping Brenda is ok and nothing on the farm has been too hard for her to
handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning I drew Sowilo
again, I take it as a good sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will leave today at 0915 and will be staying wherever we are going
for the next two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather is
absolutely gorgeous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sowilo at work no
doubt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all gathered and got right to the first challenge without any
delay;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the theme of this week is “everyday
life in Norway”, and part of everyday life, is your job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The village of Stranda is home to the Grandiosa factory where Grandiosa
pizzas are made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suprisingly, the frozen
grandiose pizza is the most consumed food in Norway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teams were chosen, I was on the blue team
with Todd, Jessica, and Barbara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
front of each team was a table full of fresh ingredients…we were to each design
and make four identical pizza’s which would then be eaten and judged by the
towns folk on creativity, appearance, and tatse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like a fun challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<img alt="Photo is loading" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="218" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s320x320/318913_10151059124161603_521174828_n.jpg" style="top: -0.12%;" width="290" /> <img alt="Photo is loading" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="218" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/s320x320/261964_10151059124516603_306512306_n.jpg" style="top: -0.12%;" width="290" /><br />
(Our pizza) (Their Pizza)<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went with a surf and turf pizza, trying to represent the best of sea
food, and beef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it worked well
and tasted great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our pizza was also
beautiful; we used different color peppers arranged just so as to enhance the
presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am certain that we
dominated in all three categories, the red teams pizza was nothing special to
look at, it didn’t have a design of any kind, so I was sure that we have
creativity and appearance sown up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…that
was not the case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The red team won on appearance and taste, we won on creativity, giving
them the overall win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What may have hurt
us was that as our four pizza’s were cooking in this outdoor overn thing, three
of them fell and crashed to their deaths in the bottom of the oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant we only had one pizza, so the red
team could only use one pizza, which cut down drastically the number of
townsfolk that were able to judge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
of 50 people there were only about 14.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh well, it’s just the first competition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the competition we were told that we would be staying the next
two nights with Norwegian families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
that is exciting!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew that one
family had a dog, and I desperately wanted to stay with that family because I
so missed my dog Adrienne at home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luckily for me my team got the family with the dog!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked to their house and finally got to
meet them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dad was my age (49), a
fantastic guy named Vebjørn, the mother was Merete she was 42, the son Tore
Andre was 17, and the daughter Hanna was 13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right away I knew they were wonderful, warm, hospitable people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their last name was Skog, pretty cool name,
it means forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their dogs name was
Cindy and she was 4 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also
had two cats; Nisse and Misse, mother and daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We talked and talked about many, many things. We were pumping them for
information because we were figuring out how this game worked as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were asking them everything having to do
with everyday Norwegian life, because we think this information could show up
on a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tore Andre and I took
Cindy for a nice walk, the cameras followed of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<img alt="Photo is loading" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="218" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s320x320/68027_10151059107961603_1642266160_n.jpg" style="top: -0.12%;" width="290" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t say enough about the Skog family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I write this from my journal I have been
back in America for awhile, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vebjørn and I refer to each other
as brother; our brother from another mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are great friends and I suspect it will be so for the rest of my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just hit it off…I love that
guy, the whole family actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
do return to Norway one day I will definitely go to Stranda and see them,
Vebjørn made me a promise and he can’t make good on it unless I go there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now it is 2330 at night, and still light outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we leave at 0700 for the next
competition, the important one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-42649198266976341322012-10-05T08:06:00.002-07:002012-10-05T08:15:45.929-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 18)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 4<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This morning I drew eihwaz; the yew, yggdrasil, the spine, the vertical
axis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will keep my eyes open to see
how it applies today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we are filming a full day of “reality”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a very common thing in TV production;
sometimes the day is too short to get everything needed, or the lighting isn’t
right or something, or we will just have several interviews to make sure that
the editors have enough material to choose from in post-production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all reality though, because regardless
of the timing our answers and statements to the questions are sincere and
genuine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had a final opportunity to say goodbye to Dana today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes when people are eliminated they are
whisked away and we never see them again, other times, like in Dana’s case it
takes time to make travel arrangements etc. I’m glad because I was able to tell
him a proper goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tara is having a
difficult time with his leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
confides in me a bit and I have tried to bolster her spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight we went to an Italian place for dinner and had an amazing
calzone…the waiter was a very unpleasant fellow, which diminished the
experience for some of my friends…but I was too focused on the calzone to
really notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 26<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 19)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day off<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we were taken to our new home base headquarters; a swanky hotel
in the middle of Oslo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t the
Grand hotel, but it’s pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
drew eihwaz again this morning, I will do some studying to see why that energy
is so prevalent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/528509_10151059105376603_138377464_n.jpg" style="height: 545px; width: 727px;" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(The lobby of our new hotel)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is all about relaxing, the last four days have been pretty
intense; always on the go, always with something to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent much of my time in the room on my
back, perfecting my impersonation of a potato.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tomorrow we are traveling to our next adventure, we have no idea where,
or how we are traveling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 27<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 20)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travel day<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Woke up, had frokost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drew
sowilo; the sun, success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always a good
way to start the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told we
are not flying, instead we have a seven hour bus ride ahead of us, still don’t
know in what direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="720" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/430014_10151059107086603_450368612_n.jpg" style="height: 545px; width: 727px;" width="960" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(The official Alt for Norge bus)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="720" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/74814_10151059122521603_1012941814_n.jpg" style="height: 545px; width: 727px;" width="960" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Norway is beautiful)</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In actuality, the bus ride was about nine hours, nine hours north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the most beautiful drive I have ever
been on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is now 19:50 in the evening
and we have arrived in the charming little village of
Stranda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking out my hotel window I
can see a beautiful teal colored fjord with mountains looming up behind it…what
a surreal life this is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had brought three bottles of mead with me from America, I had shared
two of them with my fellow contestants at the picnic scene…but one bottle had
been missing since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully they
had found it before we got on the bus, so now I took it outside and used it to
pour a libation, an offering to the landevette of this land and introduce
myself to them in the way I had become accustomed to whenever we go to a new
place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dinner is in ten minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
absolutely no idea what they are going to do with us here, I suspect it may be
farm related, or have something to do with the beautiful fjord that dominates
this landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t really matter
to me, either of those options would be ok with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, based on my guesses from past
episodes, I am probably wrong on both counts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tomorrow we begin episode 5…exciting!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4282844258696190068.post-34410454173878618272012-10-04T12:04:00.000-07:002012-10-04T12:15:20.378-07:00<strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(May 17)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Episode 4<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hail Freya!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I woke up at
0600, went outside to the park/square area in the middle of downtown Oslo, said
my morning prayer and drew Tiwaz; Tyr, justice, victory, courage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very happy about that since today I will
face my first individual challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frokost is between 0630 and 0730, then we have to come back to our
rooms where a surprise will await us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
sure it will be the Bunads…I can’t wait to see what mine looks like, and wear
it in the parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned out that the
bunad I got was not the one from my family’s area, and it didn’t fit too well,
but some safety pins got me through the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We spent the first part of the day just enjoying 17 Mai in Oslo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a spot up by the royal palace where
the king came out and waved to everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have never seen a king before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we Americans think of kings we often think of fairy tales and
ancient history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pretty cool that I
am standing there looking at a real live king and his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially love the Barnetoge, it is the
children parading through the city, and a pretty big deal for them to participate
in, a river of children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everywhere I look is red, white, and
blue,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>people in bunads, and kids eating
ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is as if the entire
country is out celebrating this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am so privileged to be here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually our challenge was announced; the four of us would have to
write and perform a speech about 17 Mai in front of a park full of people, we
would be judged by two members of the Parliament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited about this challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We only had about 40 minutes to talk to people, write the speech,
memorize and rehearse it as best we could,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dana went first, then Jonathan, then me, then Amy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought we all kicked ass, especially Amy,
who I picked as the winner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each speech was
very different though, so much so that it will be difficult to compare them, I
have no idea how it will be judged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t know if I am safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My plan for the
speech in the limited time I had was to appeal to the emotions of the audience,
and speak with pride from the perspective of a Norwegian-American seeing and
learning about 17 Mai for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The time between giving the speeches and learning the results was brutal,
finally though, they were ready to let us know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The judges told Amy and I that we were safe first, I hailed Freya as I
got the news and was extremely relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then it was down to Jonathan and Dana…Dana would be the one leaving Alt
for Norge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I re-write this now I have watched this episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of our speeches were edited out for
time, so I thought I would include my entire speech here, for posterity:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I began in my broken Norske that I had picked up:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Jeg heter Alf Herigstad, jeg kommer fra USA, jeg bor I Olympia Washington,
men blodet mitt komme fra Norge…sammen med min ånd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeg elsker dette landet…and that is why I am
here today; because I love this country!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>From when I was a small boy I have always been very proud to be
Norwegian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was playing with other
children being Norwegian was my “super power”; It made me stronger, smarter,
and faster than the other kids…at least that’s what I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, what I want you to know today is that now,
after being in Norway and celebrating 17 Mai with you, I have become more proud
of this country than I ever thought possible.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>One reason I am so proud is because YOU, the Norwegian people are so
proud!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is evident in the fact that
your national anthem has 10 verses…it took ten whole verses to fit in
everything about how wonderful this country is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The American anthem only has 3 or 4 verses.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Just look around you, there is very little garbage in the streets, all
the people here are well taken care of and seem to have what they need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pride and spirit of excellence that won
your independence in 1814 is reflected well in the Norway that exists today,
and in how you live.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>It is amazing to someone like me, to think of you earning your independence
after 400 years of Danish rule, that is almost twice as long as America has
even been a country!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two years you
will celebrate 200 years of that independence…well done Norway, well done.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Thank you all for your time today, it has been my great honor and privilege
to be here, to wave at the king, to see the Barnetoge, and to speak to all of
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have very much to celebrate on
this joyous day, live it well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gratularer med dagen…TUSEN TAKK!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
<img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="720" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/396568_10151048742036603_1160303444_n.jpg" style="height: 545px; width: 727px;" width="960" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, that was my speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
an opportunity to say goodbye to Dana tonight and I am glad; I like him a lot
and consider him a good friend, he will be missed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I heard we were eating Chinese food tonight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Alf Herigstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08867217889158846011noreply@blogger.com1