I almost died stifling a laugh when reading this story about Marduk the Flayer (The Sims 2 story). A must-see!

Current track: Madonna - Justify My Love

Labels: gaming, humour

After a whole day of basically doing mundane stuff at work and having row upon row (or was it the same row? I couldn't tell one from the other there in the end) with my obviously insane boss, I almost fell asleep at the hairdressers and then headed back home in order to write that paper I was talking about. Luckily this involved doing an interview with one of my friends, meaning I sat chatting with them for about 90 minutes before starting the actual interview. That woke me up and brightened my day considerably!

Still...had to finish the paper.

It was done about ten minutes ago. Now all I have to fear is tomorrow's day at work with a possibly even more insane boss and no co-workers to back me up! (Bastids went off on holiday! Revenge will be sweet...)

Current track: Nothing, unless you count the humming from my telly. Yes, it's humming. It's not quite a tune, though. It's more...mysterious...

Labels: personal, studies

It's driving me mad; I've been lipsynching to that tune since May and I actually have no idea what I'm miming. Try to do a search for the meaning of the title on Google and you get five different answers on the first page only. *sighs* It's not the end of the world, though.

I watched the Swedish film Evil (Ondskan originally) earlier tonight (I only had to reset the digital decoder twice during the film, not a bad feat, considering how it's been playing up lately, ARGH!!!) and it was really good. Except for...well, I'm not going to tell you, because that would be a slight spoiler. I still gave it a nine out of ten on IMDb. In other words, I would recommend it. It's about a public school which is basically run by the students. It was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year (Best Foreign Film, naturally). If you're going to see it, don't mind the complete lack of charisma in the protagonist, but rather focus on watching Henrik Lundström and Gustaf Skarsgård (yes, he is the son of Stellan Skarsgård). They know how to act. Andreas Wilson wasn't half bad, it's just that naming him one of the up-and-coming European stars just goes to show how much focus we put on good looks instead of talent. *sighs again*

Current track: Don't know, some Indian pop song.

Labels: film, music, personal

My bastard neighbour (actually, I don't know if she's a bastard or not) has once again decided to do some DIY in her sitting room. She could have done it during the weekend, but no, she had to wait until today because I'm certain she's got a sixth sense about when I need my peace and quiet the most. I could, of course, have written my paper during the weekend when she wasn't doing anything remotely useful, but I didn't.

And why do the air traffic controllers go on strike today, just as the mid-term starts? Their childish behaviour today should be punished. Yes, I do think they're being childish when they all decide on calling in sick because they're going to get laid off - claiming they're only following protocol (a word I despise after having watched all three series of 24, by the way) - and then, the next second, stating that they probably won't help out the aviation association that's sacked them; obviously not too sick after all? Jeez... I fully understand how they can be cross with their boss because they're being laid off, but there are different ways of handling a problem. This probably wasn't the most clever solution. And I thought these people were supposed to be intelligent. Being good at maths and being intelligent obviously don't need to go hand in hand.

Current track: Nothing, as the hammering from my neighbour's flat would outdo any music I put on. Methinks she need a good spankin'. Aye!

Labels: current affairs, personal, studies

Here's Ivan at two years old (approximately). As you can see, he's not too fond of sleeping alone in the dark. He has changed, though, and this is what he looks like now, when he's off to his part-time job as a manager at the local fast food restaurant (notice that he's grown a beard, something he's very proud of finally being able to do):


I'm talking about The Sims 2, of course, which I finally got hold of...uhmm...well, "finally" as in "it was finally released", because I did buy it the day it was released, after all. In London, so I didn't get to play it until about one and a half days later. Have been playing it quite a lot since then and is often found cursing at my computer because the graphics are so rubbish due to my "old" graphics card being two years old (and strangely enough still considered to be among "the pricy cards" - don't ask me why). But hey, it's still a great game (buying a better computer would help, though, but that's not going to happen anytime soon) and I've gone very late to bed all week. Too bad I've got a couple of papers to do this weekend, because I'd like for Ivan to grow up and get married and have kids so I get to fully test that DNA thing they've implemented this time around.

By the way, I'm 95% sure I spotted David Bradley (plays Filch in the Harry Potter films, and the very nasty concierge in one of my favourite films - Left Luggage/Twee koffers vol) in the lobby at the NT on Saturday. It's probably not that interesting to you, until I remind you of my ongoing study of "my probability of spotting a celebrity whenever I go downtown" - and I'd definitely categorise the South Bank as "downtown", even though it isn't Oslo.

Current track: No Doubt - Just a Girl

Labels: gaming, holiday, name-dropping

I don't know if you realise this, but London is sort of...crowded. Especially Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus - mad tourists on a shopping spree. I usually avoid Oxford Street, but on Friday I had too much time on my hands and went window shopping...or rather, looking for a cheap copy of The Sims 2; I'll get back to that later. Anyway, I'm the kind of person who just cannot stroll. It's physically impossible for me, it seems, to walk any slower than 5 mph. *winks* So trying to go down Oxford Street is a bit of a test and I frequently nearly bump into people. This allows for the usage of the number one favourite word of any Englishman, namely "sorry". Constantly. This is perfectly acceptable to me; I'd do it at home if it were as crowded and we actually did bump into each other on the streets of Oslo, it's just what I'd call good behaviour. However, I am usually surprised at the situations in which an Englishman would apologise for his behaviour. This time it was a lady sitting next to me on the Heathrow Express on the way to Paddington: She sneezed, something I would call a perfectly natural occurence that can't be helped, and immediately said "I'm sorry" - to no one in particular, really. I was so baffled I forgot to say "bless you". It's not like that's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me or anything remotely close to that, it's just that I didn't think it necessary to apologise for something like that.

Other than that, I'm sure I've got English genes in me. :-)

Current track: Queen - Seven Seas of Rhye

Labels: holiday, linguistics

When I arrived at the hotel, four hours before check-in, the concierge asked me if I would rather have one of their apartments instead of the tiny room I was supposed to have. Same price, breakfast still included. Let's see...uhmm...I was frantically trying to see what the catch could possibly be, but couldn't find any and so accepted.

The apartment had a sitting room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. It was not the same standard as the rest of the hotel (I've stayed there a few times before), though. The loo was...interesting. I'm usually good at understanding how foreign toilets work, but this one was in a league of its own. The handle didn't quite work as it should. The shower didn't work, either, but luckily there was a bath. The kitchen counters may have been wiped a few times, but they probably hadn't been clean since they were installed. Nice.

Coming from Norway, I'm used to double and triple glazing, but the double glazing at this place was a bit of a disappointment, to say the least. The windows were all facing a very busy high street and it sounded like they were constantly open. Thus the earplugs. Not that I'm not used to wearing those back home. :-(

Make no mistake, I was happy to stay there and the state of the room didn't affect me much at all; I would definitely go back to stay there the next time I visit. I especially liked the kitchen and the fact that I didn't have to hand in my key all the bloody time.

Current track: Anne Grete Preus - Fryd

Labels: holiday

I couldn't go any longer without telling you about the shows I saw while over there. Now, for me the point of going to London is more often than not to see a show or preferably several. The strategy is to cramp as many shows into as short a stay as possible. It's not that I don't like being in London itself, but after a short while I'm getting tired of having my nostrils blackened. *grins* I only managed three performances of two shows in the three days I was there, but they were incredibly good.

First off, Thursday's evening performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - this Sondheim musical has been a favourite of mine since I heard Nathan Lane was in the latest Broadway rendition of it; I didn't hear the music until last year, however, when I happened upon an imported recording in some shop in London. Comedy Tonight is a great intro to a great musical. This new London version, played at the National, was fabulous and when it finished (I can't really say "as the curtain went down", as there was no curtain) I was really sad because I wanted to see it again. A few seconds later I remembered I had a ticket for the Saturday matinée as well. Duh.

I was afraid I was going to be very biased when it came to Forum, as the only reason why I left for London this time (just like last time, ahem) was that I knew Philip Quast was appearing in it, as Miles Gloriosus. And appear he did indeed - being about 6'2 he certainly makes quite a visual impact on stage, especially when considering he was wearing a Roman soldier uniform (that means bare legs, people). That's why Saturday's performance was a let-down when his role was played by...uhmm...someone else (I'm terribly sorry, but I have no idea who he was; I was mainly angry with him for not singing one of the songs as good as I wanted him to - but I guess it's near impossible to top or even match Quast). Nevertheless, the play has got some very talented and experienced actors aboard. Vince Leigh is really convincing as the more or less ditsy Hero who has fallen in love with the stereotypical dumb blonde Philia (Caroline Sheen, with a hilarious, Welsh accent). His father is played by Sam Kelly (known to most TV viewers all over Europe for playing Hans Geering in the (brilliant) comedy show 'Allo 'allo for four series during the eighties) and his parents' slave Hysterium is played by Hamish McColl - if I could, I would have rolled around on the floor laughing, but taking the stiff upper lip stance all I could allow myself was a few heartily laughs and a lot of applauding to express my feelings. The Proteans are all (six of them) great to watch; they really did a lot of work and must be awfully fit by the end of the run. David Schneider (should be known to hardcore britcom fans) is a very witty Lycus (who, basically, is a pimp), and last but definitely not least, Desmond Barrit is a very entertaining Pseudolus, "slave to the son"; he has a lot of very funny lines that manage to bring the story forwards. Mind you, some of the "slip-ups" were rehearsed; I'm not very fond of that. If the actors fuck up it'd damn well be real. *winks and pardons her French* All in all, seeing the show a second time was worth it even though Quast wasn't in it, although he is in a league of his own compared to most people the rest of the ensemble when it comes to singing. I don't think I'm too biased on that point. But hey, it's more of a farce than a bona fide musical, so it works very well.

The other show I saw was Les Misérables - this is the musical that got me hooked on theatre (strangely enough), but I've never seen the stage version until now. I was very pleased to spot Michael McCarthy's name on the cast list for that evening, because I was fortunate enough to see him perform as Inspector Javert here a few years ago and that was a crucial show for my fascination with theatre (which is silly, coming to think of it, since it was the concert version). I bought his (two) albums and have listened to them a lot since then. I had no idea how good he was, though. I wanted to say "wow!" on several occasions during the performance, because if I'm not very mistaken he has definitely grown (if not physically, at least vocally) since I last heard him. Philip Quast has always been the ultimate Javert to me, but I must say McCarthy did his best to match that! I was very impressed - perhaps he's got to where his voice has finally matured, because some of his earlier work was a bit too "weak", his voice just wasn't powerful enough for some of the songs he sang. Just remember I'm a mere admirer and don't know anything but what I hear with my own ears (bit hard to hear through someone else's, really) (does anyone of you think of Robin Hood: Men in Tights right now?); I have said this before: I'm a rubbish critic because I generally like the shows I see. Or perhaps I've just got a good hunch when it comes to picking the right shows?

If anyone of you happens to find yourself in London between now and November 2, I'd definitely recommend visiting the Olivier in order to see Forum. I'd throw in Les Mis there, too, as you never know when they'll just stop the show (look at what happened to Cats).

Why "Free" as the post's title, you say? Because I had that song on my mind for six hours yesterday, all the way from the theatre to my flat. It was driving me mad. I didn't feel free at all!

Current track: David Bowie & Pet Shop Boys - Hallo Spaceboy

Labels: comedy, holiday, Javert, Michael McCarthy, musicals, name-dropping, philip quast, theatre

As a tourist in London, you are probably bound to use the tube quite a lot. As I'm kind of past the "tourist" stage (a few visits back, I'd say), I've developed into one of those who should start to know their way around the LU (London Underground). However, there is this small problem in the way - I'm sort of rubbish at orienting myself. (Whether it be towards the east or not *winks*) Mix that with the usual stubborn determination I have to seem like a veteran Londoner (falls through every time, believe me - I have no clue as to where or even who I am at the end of the day) (ooh, reminds me of Les Mis) and I often get lost when trying to find my bearings. I choose the wrong exit most of the time (Piccadilly Circus is fun) but it has brought me to some interesting places I would have missed otherwise. Also, I've got the time of the world when I'm visiting London - I usually just pass time until the next show.

There are other things about the tube as well. They're called passengers. Some of them are weird. Quite a lot, if not most, in the Central London area are tourists. They look as bewildered as a newborn baby, although not crying as much. Yesterday, as I was heading for Paddington in order to catch the Heathrow Express, this ordinary looking man in his mid-twenties sat down next to me and started reading a magazine. Soon after his index finger found its way to one of his nostrils. It dug. Then it dug some more. I was watching all of this in the mirror image in the opposite window. I was getting nervous as to where the finger was heading next. The whole trip became ridiculous, as this repeated itself several times. He also picked his ears and by the time he started digging into the corner of his left eye I decided it was time for me to leave.

Travelling itself is just a whole lot of waiting around. Waiting for trains, buses, planes, lifts, check-in time etc. I bet about two fifths of my trip was spent waiting for something (that includes sleep; sometimes it's just passing time, waiting to wake up). But it was ok; lots of time to think and relax. Unfortunately the only channel I could receive well enough in my hotel room was Channel Five, which is kind of boring to watch. I don't know how I did it, but I managed to watch the same episode of Home and Away twice. I have to admit I was very bored at that point. I don't even know where in the series they are; last time I watched that show I was staying in Belgium for the summer and was only watching it because the others in the house were watching it religiously and there was nothing else to do. There was one show I just had to watch on BBC1, though, even though the reception was bad, and that was Friday Night with Jonathan Ross - I listen to his radio show every Saturday but I obviously don't get to see his TV show over here, so whenever I can (which is about once a year) I watch that show. Anyway, I didn't go there to watch a lot of telly but it's nice to have something to do when "lounging" after a long day of walking.

Because, yes - I couldn't avoid my usual long walks this time either. I don't know what it is, but every time I go somewhere I always end up walking a lot. That way I get to see a lot of whatever town I'm in, but my feet and back are killing me by the end of the day and I usually get sleepy at around nine, which is a drag if you're going to actually do something during the evening.

Current track: Fatboy Slim - Song for Chesh

Labels: holiday, tube

Getting ready to go to London in the morning; I've got my shopping list ready: Polo (spearmint flavour), The Sims 2 and cigarettes (the last one's not for me but I've got bad enough morals to buy them for a friend). I've also configured one of the shortcuts on the mobile to point directly to the currency converter, updated earlier today. I've got my passport, VISA and some change ready, I just have to do the packing and set the timer on the DVD recorder.

Meanwhile, Kommersant, a leading financial newspaper in Russia, published these photos of the terrorists of Beslan; I'm not a squeamish person at all, but this made me really queasy. It reminded me of those photos the Nazis took of their prisoners/slaves.

Current track: The rain on my window.

Labels: current affairs, holiday

You know, I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Not sure if it's because I'm really, really afraid of getting a cold or if it's because I know I'm going to spend a lot of money I shouldn't really be spending this week. Any which way I'm getting a bit nervous about travelling. Looking forward to going to the airports and all that, eating at Garfunkel's, seeing the plays etc., but I'm still a bit nervous.

I've got to check the TV schedule. ;-)

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: holiday, personal

While planning my trip to London starting next week - I usually do this; suddenly realise I'm going away and frantically try to put the itinerary together - I came across this bit from Heathrow's duty-free shopping website:

The following destinations are often assumed to be EU members, but they are not:

Channel Islands
Canary Islands
Norway
Switzerland

Gee, I wonder why. Could it be because every other nation in Europe is a member? That said, I'm not too happy about the EU, so thus far I think we're better off on our own. You have no idea how many of their rules and regulations they put on us even though we're not a member; I dread to ponder upon what they'd do to us if we actually were. *shivers*

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: current affairs, Norway

B-R-I-L-L-I-A-N-T is what I'd call that DVD. The film itself is like having died and gone to comedy heaven (don't mind the fact that zombies actually do die and are resurrected); in one scene there were so many great comedy actors that I nearly started weeping. Well, nearly. I'm not daft.

The DVD is packed with lots upon lots of extra material, and for a geek like myself it's great to see plenty of behind the scenes footage as well as a whole eight minutes of outtakes. Once again, if you're into Spaced, Black Books, The Office, Big Train, Look Around You, Hippies and/or old George A. Romero films, you're going to love this!

On another note, my cable's gone. Argh. Luckily, it's "just" the digital part, so that I will still be able to watch AbFab and SNL tonight. Did I tell you they're doing repeats of SNL? I mean real repeats, too - they're from the very start of the series, when they hadn't put the "Live" at the end of the show's title yet. It's such fun to watch old sketches featuring Bill Murray, Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd from when they hadn't been really established as actors yet.

Last, but by no means least, I'm well of aware of what date it is. I just thought a little cheering up would be better than yet another blog filled with melancholy.

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: comedy, current affairs, film, TV

For fans of The Elder Scrolls (Arena, Daggerfall and Morrowind) - Bethesda Softworks have just updated their website showing us a bit of what The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is going to look like. Three and a half thumbs up!

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: gaming

Preferably only the good ones. The ones you were amazed at when you developed them or first saw them on your computer screen. Save them on your server and post the link in a comment or send them to "blog at whichfilmtonight dot com" (switch the "at" with a "@").

Here's my Friday Afternoon Photo for this week:



Current track: Berline Zetlitz - If I Had a Girl Like You

Labels: personal

Someone has broken into a warehouse in northern Oslo and stolen food worth millions (of any currency, really). What's worse, is that this food was going to be distributed among the hard drug addicts in this town, those that already live on the streets or in shelters.

Current track: Espen Lind - When Susannah Cries

Labels: current affairs, Norway

...in about two and a half hours, that is. But I would like to go home now; I'm pretty sure Shaun of the Dead is waiting for me, as well as a few other goodies, in my box. Good thing I'm going to stay in tonight.

Been taking quite a lot of photos lately; will post ASAP.

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: film, personal

Giant store chain Lidl has forced its female workers in Poland to wear headbands when they've got their period. Just another reason for me not to shop there.

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: current affairs

I watched the documentary Trekkies earlier tonight and I must say it made me quite ashamed of being a fan. I'm not a Star Trek fan myself; I don't care if they say it's a show you either love or hate - I like to see all the nuances in between and when it comes to that show I merely like it. I learned about the show through playing a Star Trek quiz on the Amiga back in...1990? 1991? Not quite sure. I knew absolutely nothing about the show until then (since it wasn't shown on any of the three channels we were receiving), but after having played the quiz for some time I learned very much about it. Took me another eight years till I saw one of the films, though. I've never seen a whole episode of any of the series, but I think the films are great. Anyway, this didn't make much sense.

I guess my point is after watching all those very weird people Trekkies I started thinking "being a fan is kind of sad". Of course, I'm not like them; not that extreme, anyway, although I'm probably on the medium plus plus side of the scale when it comes to some of the people of whom I'm a fan, meaning I've bought a few rare films/albums but never any film costumes/strands of hair/bits of nail varnish etc. (Bits of nail varnish? Phwoar, who are these people?) Some of the people in the documentary were quite clearly a marble or fourteen short, but others were just a bit more enthusiastic than the average person and were probably harmless.

I'm going to end this post by showing you a photo I took yesterday. Autumn didn't arrive after all, so we got a little bit more summer and I simply had to take advantage of that. Take care!



Current track: Nothing.

Labels: film, personal, TV

I wanted to post this the minute I heard about it, which was on Friday, but then I didn't want to spoil it for those who were looking forward to the televised show on Sunday. The Norwegian Comedy Awards were given out on Friday and Dennis Storhøi won for best actor on stage or TV for his portrayal of Albin in the (all too) often mentioned La Cage aux Folles earlier this year. Yay! Congratulations! About bleedin' time, too! Also congrats to Ingrid Bjørnov for her two awards; she is brilliant on stage and I have no idea why I haven't seen her sold-out show yet. Oh, perhaps that was a clue...sold-out. *winks*

For some reason Star TV (previously E!) showed the Tony Awards from earlier this year tonight, so I'm looking forward to watching the recording later this week - especially looking forward to seeing the excerpt from The Fiddler on the Roof. Can't remember who won what, so I will keep the suspense all through the show.

Current track: Jane Wiedlin - Rush Hour

Labels: award shows, dennis storhøi, musicals, theatre, TV

After months of giggling and frowning at what leads people to this blog, I have decided to compile a list of frequently accessed search queries (FASQ) with answers to all of them. That way people may go straight there and get tips on where to look for whatever they're looking for, and other people may giggle and frown at it all. The link is where it should be. (Hint: Look at the right-hand menu.)

As for the old toothbrush, I've discovered that I keep my old toothbrush next to the computer screen, just in case of...what??? Any ideas?

Current track: Inspiral Carpets - Come Back Tomorrow

Labels: computers, personal

Been watching (too much) telly again. This time my favourite episode of Brides of Christ - where Mother Ambrose says her father proved to her that there is a little bit of God in all of us, by showing her the half moons on her fingernails and pointing at the moon up in the sky. Well, I haven't got any half moons on my fingernails - does that mean I am made by the Devil?

Speaking of evil, a man jumped off a bridge in Quezon City carrying his year-old son. The son died, the father survived.

Current track: Something by Peter Gabriel

Labels: current affairs, TV

I'm going to refrain from making any comments until we know a lot more about what really happened (i.e. when someone who doesn't work for any government starts investigating this tragedy).

Oh, by the way, how can a political party have a leader who probably won't be elected for Parliament next year? It's no secret there's one particular party in this country I do not like, to say the least, and once again they've done a blunder. Once again they appear a big joke.

Got to go to bed; early up in the morning.

PS! Stingers is back. Not a bad substitute for Waking the Dead. *winks*

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: current affairs, TV

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. What's the point in earning any money when all of it disappears during its first week in your possession anyway? Hmph. At least I've paid the TV license fee and that means I can watch telly with a clear conscience for another six months. Now, I quite like NRK, our state channel, but at the same time I'm well aware of the fact that the BBC, which I not only like but rather love dearly, demands a license fee of about half of what NRK wants. Hmph. And how about the hostage situation in Russia? I know no words to describe what I think of them. Hmph.

Began watching Dead Like Me today and loved it. Thought I'd hate it, so that was a very pleasant surprise indeed. Speaking of following a series; I'd been watching no less than 19 episodes of American Dreams when I spotted the name Joseph Lawrence at the beginning of the episode. I thought "hey, that'll be interesting, to see what he looks like now!" (I sometimes watched Blossom after school) - but by the end of the episode I still hadn't seen him...until suddenly I realised that he's been part of the show since the very beginning. How stupid am I? I've seen him in almost every single episode and yet I just haven't recognised him until now. I repeat: 19 episodes...

Oh, and WHY did I need all of this summer to realise that Waking the Dead was more than "just another crime series"? *rolls her eyes* The next time anyone interesting comes along, I'd like for someone to slap me so I'll wake up and smell the coffee. Hmm...I'm sure I've got that 1999 version of David Copperfield somewhere...

Need to watch the rest of Normal before going to bed. It's a brilliant film, Tom Wilkinson is his usual, amazingly talented self. Three and a half thumbs up!

I should probably be going to the cinema a lot these next few months; lots of new, Norwegian films that actually look good - and then there are five plays or shows that I'd like to see this autumn AND I'm going to London to see a couple of shows in a few weeks - I don't see how I'll find the time to go to work! *winks*

Current track: Nothing. Listening to the news.

Labels: current affairs, film, Norway, personal, tom wilkinson, trevor eve, TV

I just realised that, despite the fact that I detest our import tax laws (see previous post) I have managed to buy 30 games for my PS2 since I got it exactly one month ago. That's approximately one game a day. My new mantra shall be stay away from eBay!

Current track: Nothing.

Labels: gaming, online shopping