God was there...

I remember watching Ida Maria in concert two summers ago at the Hove Festival. They used to make so much fun of her for going crazy on stage, and I remember I used to laugh and think she was nothing special, not even bothering to look her songs up.

. They used to make so much fun of her for going crazy on stage, and I remember I used to laugh and think she was nothing special, not even bothering to look her songs up.. They used to make so much fun of her for going crazy on stage, and I remember I used to laugh and think she was nothing special, not even bothering to look her songs up.

It was in Milan one night I was thinking about Norway, just youtube-ing random Norwegian artists that her name popped into my head again. And so I looked her up. Honestly, you don't find that much on the web by her, but for those of you that know her, you've probably heard Oh My God and I like you so much better when you're naked.

The song that, however, really struck me was Stella. Basically God comes down to earth for some companionship (oooh, blasphemy) and ends up choosing this 43-year old hooker that he comes to like so much he promises her the whole wide World if she only stays with him for one night.

"And it made me realize how much you wanna give away just to feel loved. And the Lord blinked to me and asked 'What is real love to you? What is fake and what is true?'"

We like to think of God as this omnipotent power, a someone or something that doesn't have the same craving for love and acceptance, unlike us. Well, what if he isn't? After all we keep on reading he created us in his image...

Ingrid's New Year Tale

Time goes by so slowly, as mentioned before. But then you find yourself in a house with a piano and you're all dressed up. The temperature is not only low, but below a certain zero, and by quite a bit. And all you have to keep you warm is whiskey... darling, it's time to celebrate the end of a decade and...

... that's pretty...

Take a jump with the Norwegian crowd into 2010... right after the JUMP!!!

Christmas Horror Story - Norway

In Norway we use machines to get rid of the snow, also in residential areas. In Norway it's cold.

And -44ºC feels like death. But somehow you still manage to get out and take a walk. And when you do you realize that cold is sometimes beautiful.

It's the kind of beauty we all worship, yet chose to stay away from. We just can't bear the cold. Well, for one day I could. More pics after the...

JUMP JUMP JUMP!

Christmas Porridge - Ricy Traditions.

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is the devouring of the Christmas Porridge, known as Julegrøt. Basically we stick a peeled almond in the ricy goo and whoever finds it gets a huge piece of marzipan shaped like a fat pig.

And if you don't get it, don't worry. Because you'll all be so full you will want to kill yourself, or maybe you will actually die. Lot's of carbs and fat and sugar and cinnamon. Can it get anymore Christmasy?

I didn't get the almond. My sister did. I am not jealous. Not at all.

Moods of Norway - Winter.

After a quick visit to Norway, I just thought I'd share some random pictures with you. Because we all need a little zen now and then.

Merry Christmas, or whatever.

Cat?!

Having finally watched Breakfast at Tiffany's... and falling in love with Cat. Here's one of mine drinking from the sink. One day I hope to get one of him drinking from the toilet. Oh my God, I need to find something interesting soon...

Rakafisk - Gross Christmas Deliciousness.

Eating, eating, eating. In Norway we eat anything.

Rakafisk is a typical Norwegian dish that is eaten around or before Christmas. Basically, you bury the fish for a while (we're talking months), then you dig it up and serve it.

It's like eating a buried corpse. But it sure is good. Advice those tough enough to chew it up with some potato and salted butter, because it doesn't really work alone. Still, I had three servings, so I can't really say I hate it.

Skansen - Cradle of 90's clubbing turned Gourmet

In the 90's Skansen was the place to be. Not just for Norwegians, but for all the clubbers of Europe.

Once a place for designer drugs and hardcore clubbing, the new Owners have turned Skansen into a classy restaurant in the afternoon (with chefs from Ekebergrestauranten, the classiest restaurant in town). In the night Skansen assumes its clubbing image and attracts a lot of guests from the Financial District.

Find Skansen near Rådhusplassen, Oslo.

Snowballs

Snowballs!

Now, not the ones made out of real snow, but delicious creamy cream covered in chocolate sprinkled with coconut. And the best thing is that they contain about as many calories as an apple. Yeah, you heard me. So run down to Kokosbollefabrikken A/S in Oslo and leave the apple to rot!

Tasty, light and totally worth it.

Shophopping Oslo edition

Yes!

Factory Outlet is an almost secret shop next to the beautiful river Akerselven, close to Ringens Breweries. They sell only Scandinavian brands, and not only from past collections. Every now and then they hold amazing sales where prices jump as much as 90% from retail price. We were there that day!

We think mores stores should be located around waterfalls.

With all those bags, the way to get home looked steeper than usual.

Vigelandsparken exposed!

Oslo - the Capital of Norway!

We started off dining and then we went sightseeing. Vigelandsparken is one of Oslo's main attractions. With Casanova's new camera we explored the benefits of long exposure. Yeah, we're amateurs, but it turned out quite nice. The park was completely empty, and you could see the stars. Behold our first pieces of, literally, Norwegian art:

That's what I feel sometimes.

Smoking kills.

Who needs Champs Elysees?

The marvel of long exposure...

Good morning pussy.

Oslo Street Style

Norwegians are unique - !

Moods of Norway blazer.

Pastels are always in!

Flannel and white pants. Not tacky. Anything else and white pants - tacky!

Carpenter in uniform with pink shirt. Why not look fabulous at work?