I am a headline reader. All the science and study of writing a headline is aimed at me.
I am now at the stage of my life where the headline can inspire quite a reaction.
Such as earlier this week when in juxtaposition I thought two headlines that I came across on huffingtonpost.com said quite a lot (and not necessarily related to the content of the articles in question). The one referred to the difficulties the US senate is having to agree on the financing necessary to keep government running. The other referred to the space station programme which China has launched. Kind of ironic, isn't it? If it doesn't challenge the most simplistic notions of what is meant by a "developed"/"developing" country? (disclaimer - I am in no way implying that the so-called "developed" countries are thereby exempt from the responsibility of that label - far from it!)
However, this is not the headline I want to comment on here. It is one currently on CNN.com: "Was it legal to kill al-Awlaki?"
I will not read the article, but since they posed a question I find myself formulating an answer anyway:
Probably not. Since when has that stopped you? Just talking about a legal killing seems quite bizarre to me. However I am willing to accept in this morally complex world we live in that we do need to define in legal terms when it is permissible to kill someone. Nevertheless I prefer that there is a process which monitors this ex post to ensure that this legal power is never abused. Then again I am talking to a so-called developed country which still practices the death penalty. Which leads me to believe that there is a link between the need to assert one's power rather than taking into any account any sense of legitimacy of that power. Which may be why such killings will continue, as will the debate.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Q&A
Because I am the only celebrity in my own life...discovered the Q&A column in the Guardian and so I have decided to apply it to myself (why not?). Now this is unlikely to be of interest to anyone, but it was an interesting exercise in honesty with myself...
When were you happiest?
The years I lived in Geneva, somehow I made sense then...
What is your greatest fear?
Not having anyone to talk to or laugh with
What is your earliest memory?
Standing in my cot, waiting for someone. (Always thought it is ironic!)
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My impressive ability to not do anything
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
When people can barely have a conversation without explaining everything to you as though you are newborn...
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Still remember to this day crawling into the lap of some poor gentleman at church, thinking he was my father! Was probably four or five.
Property aside, what's the most expensive thing you've bought?
Etro bag I saw in a window in Rome - still surprises me but I do not regret it. (Yet to every buy property!)
What is your most treasured possession?
My ipod probably...
What would your super power be?
knowing the future
What is your favourite smell?
Freshly ground coffee
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
my idealism
What is the worst thing anyone's said to you?
"you're not"
What does love feel like?
Rather lovely. (stealing Roger Moore's words on this one)
Have you ever said "I love you" and not meant it?
Don't think so...
Which living person do you most despise, and why?
I may despise someone in a particular circumstance, but usually I try to find compassion for them too.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
At this precise moment in time - just good friends would be a dream :-)
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Absolutely no idea...
Which word do you most overuse?
"bored"
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Waiting for the right guy to come along!
How do you relax?
Listen to music apparently
How often do you have sex?
At present, I don't!
What is the closest you've come to death?
Leaving the house while living in South Africa? (Not very close really :-)
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A social life
What is your greatest achievement?
Not giving up
What keeps you awake at night?
Thinking
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Take my hand Precious Lord
How would you like to be remembered?
I would be happy to be remembered!
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
It could have been worse :-)
When were you happiest?
The years I lived in Geneva, somehow I made sense then...
What is your greatest fear?
Not having anyone to talk to or laugh with
What is your earliest memory?
Standing in my cot, waiting for someone. (Always thought it is ironic!)
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My impressive ability to not do anything
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
When people can barely have a conversation without explaining everything to you as though you are newborn...
What was your most embarrassing moment?
Still remember to this day crawling into the lap of some poor gentleman at church, thinking he was my father! Was probably four or five.
Property aside, what's the most expensive thing you've bought?
Etro bag I saw in a window in Rome - still surprises me but I do not regret it. (Yet to every buy property!)
What is your most treasured possession?
My ipod probably...
What would your super power be?
knowing the future
What is your favourite smell?
Freshly ground coffee
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
my idealism
What is the worst thing anyone's said to you?
"you're not"
What does love feel like?
Rather lovely. (stealing Roger Moore's words on this one)
Have you ever said "I love you" and not meant it?
Don't think so...
Which living person do you most despise, and why?
I may despise someone in a particular circumstance, but usually I try to find compassion for them too.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
At this precise moment in time - just good friends would be a dream :-)
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Absolutely no idea...
Which word do you most overuse?
"bored"
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Waiting for the right guy to come along!
How do you relax?
Listen to music apparently
How often do you have sex?
At present, I don't!
What is the closest you've come to death?
Leaving the house while living in South Africa? (Not very close really :-)
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A social life
What is your greatest achievement?
Not giving up
What keeps you awake at night?
Thinking
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Take my hand Precious Lord
How would you like to be remembered?
I would be happy to be remembered!
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
It could have been worse :-)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
I thought it was thunder
It was raining, and I remember thinking that was the first time I had heard thunder in Oslo. I grew up on the Highveld in South Africa where thunderstorms are commonplace. So I didn’t think much of the earth quivering.
A while later my neighbour upstairs was knocking at my window and she told me that it had been an explosion, in the government quarter. Regjeringskvartalet. That is where I have been at several meetings the last few weeks, both at the Finance department and the Trade and Industry Department. I had been planning to go the library, which is just adjacent to the quarter.
That was however the tip of the iceberg. After ascertaining that the one colleague I know was indeed on holiday, something was mentioned about shooting at Utøya. I didn’t think much about it at the time, one was so focused on the bomb. I wondered why they just didn’t call it a terrorist action. Like so many others I did assume it was the work of Islamic fundamentalists. I thought of how naive I thought Norwegians are, we should have known.
As the full extent of what was happening on Utøya started to come out – a man on the main Norwegian channel reported that at least 30 had died – that was so much more shocking and frightening.
I finally went to bed at about quarter to three this morning. The death toll was reported to be 17, seven from the bombing, and ten from the shooting at Utøya. It was also reported that a man had been reported. Not a ”muslim”, but an ethnic Norwegian. In this country that makes a difference. A big difference. One of ”us”, not ”them”. Still a terrorist act, even if not by Al Qaeda.
I woke up about about quarter to seven this morning by a thunderstorm. That first explosion that I thought was just thunder – will I ever be as unperturbed at the sound of thunder again? I thought I would quickly catch up with the death toll before heading back to bed.
Nothing could prepare me for the news. How conservative that initial 30 suddenly was. Now it had been confirmed that 80 kids had died. 80 teenagers and tweens. Unbelievable. Even now I think it completely unfathomable. How can one person do this? How does a run-of-the-mill Norwegian boy-next-door do this? How does one even put words to the horror you feel. The bomb was just a diversion – one was grateful that it had gone off in the middle of summer holidays and even after the end of the work day. But it seemed to be intended to keep police and emergency services busy, not to inflict maximum loss of life. That was reserved for a youth camp. A political youth camp – how can you hate that political party so much? It does not make sense.
I still cannot. I have been down to town, and laid down flowers in several locations – close to the government quarter where so many of my colleagues could have been injured and killed. At Oslo Cathedral, simply because today I am entirely Norwegian. At the parliament because I do believe in this social democracy which is Norway, and believe that it can be a multicultural society – where tolerance and just opinion sharing is possible.
It is scary, I think of my great ”jump” into public debate when I compared comments by a politician to apartheid South Africa where onclusions were being drawn from statistics which were racist. My lack of surprise that the alleged perpetrator was once a member of that same political party.
The police presence here in Norway perhaps doesn’t shock as much as it would Norwegians as I have seen bank guards with bigger guns! There was something about seeing flags at half-mask which moved me. Suddenly the flags were not just symbols of countries, they were symbols of the people of that country. That the US and EU countries also had their flags at half-mask. All my friends who sent messages on facebook or who sent smses. It meant a lot.
At some point I simply have to turn off the TV, go to bed and remember that life goes on. At least for me. The greatest impact on me may be what comes to mind the next time I hear thunder.
A while later my neighbour upstairs was knocking at my window and she told me that it had been an explosion, in the government quarter. Regjeringskvartalet. That is where I have been at several meetings the last few weeks, both at the Finance department and the Trade and Industry Department. I had been planning to go the library, which is just adjacent to the quarter.
That was however the tip of the iceberg. After ascertaining that the one colleague I know was indeed on holiday, something was mentioned about shooting at Utøya. I didn’t think much about it at the time, one was so focused on the bomb. I wondered why they just didn’t call it a terrorist action. Like so many others I did assume it was the work of Islamic fundamentalists. I thought of how naive I thought Norwegians are, we should have known.
As the full extent of what was happening on Utøya started to come out – a man on the main Norwegian channel reported that at least 30 had died – that was so much more shocking and frightening.
I finally went to bed at about quarter to three this morning. The death toll was reported to be 17, seven from the bombing, and ten from the shooting at Utøya. It was also reported that a man had been reported. Not a ”muslim”, but an ethnic Norwegian. In this country that makes a difference. A big difference. One of ”us”, not ”them”. Still a terrorist act, even if not by Al Qaeda.
I woke up about about quarter to seven this morning by a thunderstorm. That first explosion that I thought was just thunder – will I ever be as unperturbed at the sound of thunder again? I thought I would quickly catch up with the death toll before heading back to bed.
Nothing could prepare me for the news. How conservative that initial 30 suddenly was. Now it had been confirmed that 80 kids had died. 80 teenagers and tweens. Unbelievable. Even now I think it completely unfathomable. How can one person do this? How does a run-of-the-mill Norwegian boy-next-door do this? How does one even put words to the horror you feel. The bomb was just a diversion – one was grateful that it had gone off in the middle of summer holidays and even after the end of the work day. But it seemed to be intended to keep police and emergency services busy, not to inflict maximum loss of life. That was reserved for a youth camp. A political youth camp – how can you hate that political party so much? It does not make sense.
I still cannot. I have been down to town, and laid down flowers in several locations – close to the government quarter where so many of my colleagues could have been injured and killed. At Oslo Cathedral, simply because today I am entirely Norwegian. At the parliament because I do believe in this social democracy which is Norway, and believe that it can be a multicultural society – where tolerance and just opinion sharing is possible.
It is scary, I think of my great ”jump” into public debate when I compared comments by a politician to apartheid South Africa where onclusions were being drawn from statistics which were racist. My lack of surprise that the alleged perpetrator was once a member of that same political party.
The police presence here in Norway perhaps doesn’t shock as much as it would Norwegians as I have seen bank guards with bigger guns! There was something about seeing flags at half-mask which moved me. Suddenly the flags were not just symbols of countries, they were symbols of the people of that country. That the US and EU countries also had their flags at half-mask. All my friends who sent messages on facebook or who sent smses. It meant a lot.
At some point I simply have to turn off the TV, go to bed and remember that life goes on. At least for me. The greatest impact on me may be what comes to mind the next time I hear thunder.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thank You, Fog
I concede that in no way could I be accused of consistency - it has been a while since I lost added a new blog! Nevertheless here it is, I have been planning to put this poem on for a while, I am a HUGE W.H. Auden fan. Since I have sentimental attachment to fog (now that I am living back in Europe), here it is:
Thank You, Fog
by W.H. Auden
Grown used to New York weather,
all too familiar with Smog,
You, Her unsullied Sister,
I'd quite forgotten and what
You bring to British winters:
now native knowledge returns.
Sworn foe to festination,
daunter of drivers and planes,
volants, of course, will cause You,
but how delighted I am
that You've been lured to visit
Wiltshire's witching countryside
for a whole week at Christmas,
that no one can scurry where
my cosmos is contracted
to an ancient manor-house
and four Selves, joined in friendship,
Jimmy, Tania, Sonia, Me.
Outdoors a shapeless silence,
for even then birds whose blood
is brisk enough to bid them
abide here all the year round,
like the merle and the mavis,
at Your cajoling refrain
their jocund interjections,
no cock considers a scream,
vaguely visible, tree-tops
rustle not but stay there, so
efficiently condensing
Your damp to definite drops.
Indoors specific spaces,
cosy, accommodate to
reminiscence and reading,
crosswords, affinities, fun:
refected by a sapid
supper and regaled by wine,
we sit in a glad circle,
each unaware of our own
nose but alert to the others,
making the most of it, for
how soon we must re-enter,
when lenient days are done,
the world of the work and money
and minding our p's and q's.
No summer sun will ever
dismantle the global gloom
cast by the Daily Papers,
vomiting in slip-shod prose
the facts of filth and violence
that we're too dumb to present:
our earth's a sorry spot, but
for this special interim,
so restful yet so festive,
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Fog
by W.H. Auden
Grown used to New York weather,
all too familiar with Smog,
You, Her unsullied Sister,
I'd quite forgotten and what
You bring to British winters:
now native knowledge returns.
Sworn foe to festination,
daunter of drivers and planes,
volants, of course, will cause You,
but how delighted I am
that You've been lured to visit
Wiltshire's witching countryside
for a whole week at Christmas,
that no one can scurry where
my cosmos is contracted
to an ancient manor-house
and four Selves, joined in friendship,
Jimmy, Tania, Sonia, Me.
Outdoors a shapeless silence,
for even then birds whose blood
is brisk enough to bid them
abide here all the year round,
like the merle and the mavis,
at Your cajoling refrain
their jocund interjections,
no cock considers a scream,
vaguely visible, tree-tops
rustle not but stay there, so
efficiently condensing
Your damp to definite drops.
Indoors specific spaces,
cosy, accommodate to
reminiscence and reading,
crosswords, affinities, fun:
refected by a sapid
supper and regaled by wine,
we sit in a glad circle,
each unaware of our own
nose but alert to the others,
making the most of it, for
how soon we must re-enter,
when lenient days are done,
the world of the work and money
and minding our p's and q's.
No summer sun will ever
dismantle the global gloom
cast by the Daily Papers,
vomiting in slip-shod prose
the facts of filth and violence
that we're too dumb to present:
our earth's a sorry spot, but
for this special interim,
so restful yet so festive,
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Fog
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Words for the moment
These are the moments I recall why I love reading, when words jump out of a page at you! Just had that experience and as a blog is really more than a public diary here are the words in question:
"be glad of your growing, into which you can take no one else with you, and be good to those that remain behind, and be self-possessed and quiet with them and do not torment them with your doubts and do not frighten them with your confidence or joy, which they could not comprehend. Seek some unpretending and honest communication with them, which you are under no necessity to alter when you yourself become more and more different; love life in a strange guise in them, and make allowances for those ageing people who fear the solitude in which you trust. Avoid furnishing material for a drama which is always impending between parents and children; it uses up much of the children's strength and wastes away the love of their elders, which is operative and warm even when it does not comprehend. Demand no advice from them and reckon with no understanding; but believe in a love that is preserved for you like a heritage, and trust that in this love there is strength and a blessing which you are not bound to leave behind you though you may travel far!"
Maria Rainer Rilke
Poems
Everyman's Library Pocket Poets
It is hard to explain something which only the heart understands.
Picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paula_Modersohn-Becker_016.jpg (public domain)
Maria Rainer Rilke
Poems
Everyman's Library Pocket Poets
It is hard to explain something which only the heart understands.
Picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Paula_Modersohn-Becker_016.jpg (public domain)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thinking and acting
Am toying with the notion of starting a regular "column" of thoughts where I would take note of experiences I have here in Oslo which epitomise, for me, the difference between living here and living in South Africa. Usually they involve the realisation that someone acts on the basis of their own reasoning and not on the basis of being asked to do something. This was not an experience I can ever remember having in South Africa, so much so that it still amazes me when it happens here.
So this week's Thinker of the Day award goes to the receptionist at the bank, who simply by seeing me standing there with my bank goodie (am not sure how to explain what it is), understood that I needed another and handed it to me. May sound ridiculously simple but I am very thankful for those moments.
The overthinking moment of the week goes to me. There was a bit of a fuss on the underground today, and so for a while there was only one platform being used. The trains that came through were actually going in the 'wrong' direction as it were (i.e. would under normal circumstances been at the opposite platform). I saw a lady with skiis rush on and thought to go after her and tell her that chances are she would head off in the wrong direction, but then found myself thinking that surely others would...but no one did! So she looked as puzzled as I would have expected when the train started moving in the "wrong" direction. So i am wondering whether Norwegians are actually more worried about being their "brother's keeper" as it were than being helpful in that situation. Must be careful not to become too much like that (even though I am a bit too much my brother's keep at times).
So this week's Thinker of the Day award goes to the receptionist at the bank, who simply by seeing me standing there with my bank goodie (am not sure how to explain what it is), understood that I needed another and handed it to me. May sound ridiculously simple but I am very thankful for those moments.
The overthinking moment of the week goes to me. There was a bit of a fuss on the underground today, and so for a while there was only one platform being used. The trains that came through were actually going in the 'wrong' direction as it were (i.e. would under normal circumstances been at the opposite platform). I saw a lady with skiis rush on and thought to go after her and tell her that chances are she would head off in the wrong direction, but then found myself thinking that surely others would...but no one did! So she looked as puzzled as I would have expected when the train started moving in the "wrong" direction. So i am wondering whether Norwegians are actually more worried about being their "brother's keeper" as it were than being helpful in that situation. Must be careful not to become too much like that (even though I am a bit too much my brother's keep at times).
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Another family blog
Just to note that I have finally figured out an angle to my blog...so if you are up for it, watch this space. In the mean time, to introduce another family blog (well two - one in Norwegian, with some writing, and the other in English, mostly pictures - but great ones (yes, again, the contrast to my own overly wordy and pictureless blogs are unavoidable) - but check out oivindsview2.blogspot.com and oivindsview3.blogspot.com (English and Norwegian respectively).
For those who do some Norwegian - he is right about the self-obsessed nature of blogging.
Pity I am too self-obsessed to be bothered.
Blog on family :-)
For those who do some Norwegian - he is right about the self-obsessed nature of blogging.
Pity I am too self-obsessed to be bothered.
Blog on family :-)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Worth noting
Well other than the fact that I seem to be on blogging steroids...
Have been reading a whole lot of articles about the Tucson shootings and am equally moved every time. Particularly liked on in the New York Times today about medical staff who were involved ("From bloody scene to ER").
So I know about Gabrielle Giffords, and I know about Christina-Taylor Green, but who else exactly were the victims of the shooting? So here, mostly for my own benefit is the list of people who died:
Christina-Taylor Green, 9 years old. Born on September 11, 2001.
Doris "Dot" Morris, 76. Survived by her husband, also shot.
John Roll, 63, Arizona judge.
Phyllis Schneck, 79.
Dorwan Stoddard, 76.
Gabriel "Gabe" Zimmerman, 30.
What a tragedy.
Have been reading a whole lot of articles about the Tucson shootings and am equally moved every time. Particularly liked on in the New York Times today about medical staff who were involved ("From bloody scene to ER").
So I know about Gabrielle Giffords, and I know about Christina-Taylor Green, but who else exactly were the victims of the shooting? So here, mostly for my own benefit is the list of people who died:
Christina-Taylor Green, 9 years old. Born on September 11, 2001.
Doris "Dot" Morris, 76. Survived by her husband, also shot.
John Roll, 63, Arizona judge.
Phyllis Schneck, 79.
Dorwan Stoddard, 76.
Gabriel "Gabe" Zimmerman, 30.
What a tragedy.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Family blogs
Well imagine my surprise yesterday to discover I am not the only blogger in my family! (So much for being so close :-)
Well despite not being THAT regular, turns out I am more regular than they are though - other than sunnysidedreams.blogspot.com - my sister is turning a whole new forest :-)
So by all means have a look - it won't take a rock scientist to see how different we are! She is the creative, easy going sister, while I am the deeper, broody one...:-)
Well despite not being THAT regular, turns out I am more regular than they are though - other than sunnysidedreams.blogspot.com - my sister is turning a whole new forest :-)
So by all means have a look - it won't take a rock scientist to see how different we are! She is the creative, easy going sister, while I am the deeper, broody one...:-)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A new year...
I am not sure if I am going to graduate into a real "blogger" now in 2011. However it would seem that I am not quite giving up!
First blogworthy thought of the year - about the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords in the US: to blame or not to blame.
I am no fan of conservative Republicanism and even less so of Tea Party Republicanism. Sarah Palin, well the less said the better. Are they to blame for the shooting? Well of course not to blame, directly. Haven't American commentators learnt yet that life is complicated? One big stew of where you come from, what you've done, what you're doing.
So let's just say that their rhetoric and not to mention constant use of war-imagery did not help. Yes, Glenn Beck, dear - you are not (in my opionion) contributing to make your country a safer, better place through your words. No, really.
You just cannot be surprised if this sort of thing happens when there is nothing in your rhetoric which would signal to any would-be shooter that it is not okay. And there has not been (until now? A bit late, no?).
So no, you may be not be blame per se, but you have a responsibility in what happened, you and all your cronies. Yes, Sarah that would be you too.
If you think that people's right to carry a gun is so important, it would be helpful if you thought it was equally important that they still respect life and even respect that people may have other views, but this does not make them less worthy of living. I assume you agree with that?
There is a tragic irony in the death of an 11-year old girl who was born on September 11th, 2001 and who dies in such circumstances. Al-Qaeda and their cronies are not the only danger to Americans. Such killings seem to becoming quite common in the American way of life as well.
On reflection am wondering why I, non-American that I am, can have such opinions about you guys? Because the entire country of the US is reality-tv for the rest of us. This was not a good episode and we would prefer if it were not repeated.
First blogworthy thought of the year - about the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords in the US: to blame or not to blame.
I am no fan of conservative Republicanism and even less so of Tea Party Republicanism. Sarah Palin, well the less said the better. Are they to blame for the shooting? Well of course not to blame, directly. Haven't American commentators learnt yet that life is complicated? One big stew of where you come from, what you've done, what you're doing.
So let's just say that their rhetoric and not to mention constant use of war-imagery did not help. Yes, Glenn Beck, dear - you are not (in my opionion) contributing to make your country a safer, better place through your words. No, really.
You just cannot be surprised if this sort of thing happens when there is nothing in your rhetoric which would signal to any would-be shooter that it is not okay. And there has not been (until now? A bit late, no?).
So no, you may be not be blame per se, but you have a responsibility in what happened, you and all your cronies. Yes, Sarah that would be you too.
If you think that people's right to carry a gun is so important, it would be helpful if you thought it was equally important that they still respect life and even respect that people may have other views, but this does not make them less worthy of living. I assume you agree with that?
There is a tragic irony in the death of an 11-year old girl who was born on September 11th, 2001 and who dies in such circumstances. Al-Qaeda and their cronies are not the only danger to Americans. Such killings seem to becoming quite common in the American way of life as well.
On reflection am wondering why I, non-American that I am, can have such opinions about you guys? Because the entire country of the US is reality-tv for the rest of us. This was not a good episode and we would prefer if it were not repeated.
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