It's been so long since I've posted! And since I've read my other favorite blogs! Terrible. Just been a bit busy is all... Lots of work filling in for vacationing co-workers and dealing with the snow and freezing weather we've had over the last couple of weeks and trying to get ready for Christmas, too. And yea! Here we are! Merry Christmas everyone! There's a blizzard going on outside but we're warm and cozy inside with a fire blazing, a turkey in the oven, pinot noir breathing, BBC Radio 2 on the speakers, and a few gifts to open before watching "Elf" (again). A darn fine Christmas for us and I hope you all are enjoying a darn fine Christmas for yourselves. My best wishes to you all. God jul!

Last night was the big Nobel Peace Prize concert at the Spectrum in Oslo. I caught almost all of it on TV and enjoyed it tremendously. There was some grumbling on Norwegian radio that the list of entertainers scheduled to perform didn’t have much star power but to that I say, “Shut up!” Will and Jada Pinkett Smith were the hosts and the lineup included Donna Summer, Wyclef Jean, Natasha Bedingfield, Westlife, Luis Fonsi, Esperanza Spalding, Toby Keith, and Norway’s own Alexander Rybak. If some of those names aren’t familiar, that doesn’t mean they’re not great---it just means you haven’t heard of them yet. Last night was my introduction to Esperanza Spalding---apparently she’s one of Barack Obama’s favorite singer/musicians---and, wow, was I impressed. She’s amazing! I admit to having a bit of laugh over how tiny she looks next to her cello, and even her guitar seemed like a giant puppet instrument on her small frame, but, seriously, she’s awesome.

And what about Luis Fonsi??? I had no idea who he was but I’ll never forget him now---he makes me want to move to Puerto Rico tomorrow. What a voice! And his comments were my favorite of the night; he acknowledged that, while everyone was gathered to celebrate President Obama’s award, it was important that we remember all of the people all over the world who work hard everyday to make the planet a better and more peaceful place. Hurrah to you, Luis. Here he is in a clip from the 2009 Grammy Latinos:



I guess the biggest disappointment of the night was Obama’s absence. Because he chose to be in Norway for only one day, Thursday, he missed all of the festivities planned for Friday that are normally attended by Nobel winners, especially the Nobel concert. I think most people outside of Norway have no idea how major and important this concert is for Norwegians, and what a huge disappointment is was for Obama to skip it. That, plus his declination of the invitation to lunch with King Harald, caused one newspaper to write a headline stating that Obama is “rude.”

For my American friends, I can say that the Nobel Peace concert is part of an annual event of national importance akin to the Super Bowl. Yes, it’s that big. So, imagine you threw a Super Bowl party at your house and invited your boss. You fussed and primped, cleaned and cooked, possibly even purchased a new big-screen television just for the event, hoping to impress the guest of honor. And said guest showed up 10 minutes into the first quarter, said hello to everyone, ate some dip and veggies, then scooted out at half-time, saying he had work to do. That’s sort of what Obama’s abbreviated stopover in Oslo felt like for many people here. Mind you, the city was crazy excited about his visit and everyone was happy he was here, but his early exit left a bit of a bad taste. A painful realization that, in the worldwide scheme of things, Norway isn’t that important. Ouch.

Oh well, the Nobel Peace concert rocked and everyone had a great, great time watching it. Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their son, Marius, were on hand and helped Wyclef Jean provide the most special moment of the night when he climbed up to their box singing, “Where the Princess at? Where the Prince at?” He had everyone in the Spektrum up and dancing as he shook hands with the Royal Couple, bowed, turned around, and said, “Are y’all ready to dance?”

Oh yeah, there was dancing. It was magic. And, really, it was President Obama who missed out. Maybe he can come back sometime and party with us when he doesn’t have a country to run.

It’s a little over two weeks now since I had my surgery and I’m feeling good. The first week was rough, and even just four days ago I was wondering if the soreness would ever subside enough to allow me to cough or laugh without gasping in pain. Suddenly, though, it seems like my body kicked into “heal” mode and I’m starting to feel more like my old self. I’ve been doing more and more around the house, taking things slow, and I think that’s been a good strategy. My belly area still smarts but I went back to work today and am feeling okay after my five-hour shift.

A few people have told me that, considering my age, I’ve made a speedy recovery. If that’s true, I’ll split the credit evenly between my excellent surgeons* and my manual labor job. Say what I occasionally might about my job, I’ve got to give it props for keeping me in good shape. Not thin, mind you, but fit. In fact, I’ve been waiting for what I thought was swelling around my middle to go away but I guess it’s time to admit that that’s just my normal fat. Dang it.

Anyway, things are good. I’ve surprised myself with how quickly I’ve recovered and am happy to be back at work. Okay, happy enough. My behind will miss my couch but I don’t want to be one of those people I read about in the newspapers who abuse the generous Norwegian sick leave system.

Speaking of surprises, Friday night TV provided some for Husband and me. We were watching a Swedish talk show, “Skavlan,” on Norwegian telly and the guests included Dolph Lundgren and Shakira, both of whom were not at all what I expected. Who knew Dolph Lundgren has a master’s degree in chemical engineering AND earned a Fulbright scholarship to MIT? Dolph Lundgren, the star of such Hollywood gems as “Detention” and “Bridge of Dragons?” And, surprise, not only is he smart but also incredibly charming, interesting, and easygoing. Also, he’s still ridiculously good-looking. I’m now a huge fan! And I think Skavlan said that Dolph will be hosting next year’s Eurovision selection contest in Sweden. I wonder if we get Swedish television stations with our satellite? Gotta check that out.

The big shocker from “Skavlan,” though, was Shakira. I don’t know much about this woman except that she’s a singer from Colombia who is often nearly naked, sometimes covered in syrup or paint, and usually simulating sex in her music videos. I don’t appreciate her style of music, so hear her only by accident on the radio. But….wow! She’s amazing! She’s intelligent, incredibly articulate and thoughtful, speaks excellent English, and is devoted to the charity she founded in Colombia that builds special schools for poor children. We were so impressed with her.

Frederik Skavlan was impressed, too. He pointed out that her public image (sexy pop star) is so different from the seriously sharp, eloquent person sitting next to him. Shakira said she didn’t care what people thought about her, that she’s more interested in breaking free of any kind of limitations society imposes on people, especially women. The soul of a woman has many sides, she said. “We can wear a short skirt but we know what we’re talking about.” He then asked her if she had ever thought of getting involved in politics. She said, “Well, we should all be political. Which means participating in the decisions of your nation and even the world. I think it’s an obligation, even a duty, and it’s also a right we should all exercise. Now, being a politician, thank you but no thank you.”

All of that sounded better when she said it. If you want to see her, go here; Shakira appears 41 minutes into the show.



* I’ve pretty much forgiven them for taking my ovary and no longer refer to them as “the butchers.”