Blond is the New Black

I think that you should be notified that I am turning my attention to my other blog, Christianiablondinene. Instead of having two mediocre blogs, I would much prefer to have one magnificent one. Also, on Christianiablondinene I have the luxury of being part of a team, which will improve the quality of the entries, and allow us to post more often. The main team consists of Helene, my best friend and co-editor in chief, Kenneth, our webmaster, tech support and photographer, and me. Many others have helped out, and hopefully will in the future. Go read!

Dublin - The Sequel

Apparently, Ireland is like heroin. You're addicted from the first trip.  This time I traveled alone, and stayed with my friend, Michael Brady,  at his lovely penthouse appartment. I had a wonderful time, and can't wait to go back...

Coming up very soon, is my grandiose journey across the pond. I'm taking Helene with me to visit Andrew Chapin in Los Angeles, and we're also stopping by Las Vegas, Berkeley and San Francisco. We'll be shopping until our stillettos snap, and california dreamin' for ten days!

Èire, Tosca, Westerdals!

I must admit to letting vast amounts of time pass between my posts. This is unfortunate, but regrettably the truth. As always, my excuse once again is lack of time. I was in Dublin last week, where I fell in love with not only the city itself, but also certain inhabitants... literarily. I'll be returning to beautiful Éire next Saturday! 

This week I've been busy with an opera, I'm in the choir of the Oscarsborg Opera. We're doing Tosca, which premiered Saturday 16th. Today is the third of six performance, and it is raining hard, which will be challenging. 

Today was also my first day of school, I'm now officially a student at Westerdals School of Communication, and I will be for the next three years. I've had a nice and smooth start, no big surprises or unpleasantries. I'm childishly excited, and prepared to make the most of it.

Apart from School, travels and opera, I've been working on another grandiose project. As it is still in progress I cannot reveal too mutch about it. I'd rather introduce it properly, when it has reached a presentable state. You'll all love it though, I promise!

I leave you now, with some pictures from delightful Ireland.

The air bear

Introducing my new hero, Joshua Allen Harris.

Isn't it just amazing?

Mr. Postman, do you have a letter for me?

No, but bigger and better, a package!

My dear friend Andrew Chapin in L.A. sent me yet another box of surprises, filled with fun in various forms: A madonna postcard for my collection, delicious white-tip jasmine green tea, All-American Circus animal cookies, A Buddha Board, "Here There and Everywhere: My Life of Recording the Music of The Beatles" by Geoff Emerick, postcards with pictures from Yo Gabba Gabba (which Andrew is audio-engineering), homemade dog biscuits (that Singa went bananas over), an EP from Reeve Carney, and last but not least, the final mix of Jupiter's demo! So if anybody has a jones for a copy or two, I can now provide one of the best quality.

I've been collecting articles for a package for Andrew for a long time now, but I feel I can never accomplish his degree of creativity. Any suggestions?

Where angels fear to tread...

Go listen to the new-wave band Bow Wow Wow's version of "Fools Rush In" remixed by Kevin Shields. It's probably my favourite song these days, I can listen to it all day and just be perfectly content. 

Cyan, magenta and fuschia summer...

It's been quite a while since my last entry, and I have a packed schedule to blame. I won't recite every single event, but a few things have happened that I would like to share.

July 9th I had the pleasure of showing Hollywood director Jordan Alan around Oslo. We had seafood in the sun at Aker brygge, then strolled through Akershus festning, We shared a bottle of Barbera D'Alba at the new opera house, and lastly livened it up with late night revels of the modest wednesday nightlife. Alan's intention for his visit, apart for a general interest in the country, was to consider Norway as a secondary location for his current movie project, which will mainly be filmed in Iceland. He is the most interesting person I've met in quite a while, he has so many views on multitudinous matters, I learned a great deal from him, and will definitely gain from his acquaintance.

The following saturday, July 12th, I was invited by Aleksander Strandli, a professional poker player and close friend of mine (who is also mentionably my ex-boyfriend), to an event at the nightclub Cosmo Bellini, which featured Kate Sumner (daughter of Sting) as DJ, and an impressive Burlesque performance by Carolina Cerisola, Our company included Aleks, who I believe delighted in entertaining four ladies for the evening, Helene, my regular partner-in-crime at such occasions, and two other friends of ours, Kine and Celine. The mojitos kept going down, our spirits kept rising up, and all in all I had a blast, despite the rather slow start at Cosmo.

On the morrow, I packed my bags, and set sail for the most charming little cottage by the sea, together with Kenneth, who is one of my best friends, and Singa, my beautiful Springer Spaniel. Kenneth stayed until tuesday 15th, and by then two new songs for our band, Jupiter, had taken shape, a good volume of alcohol had been imbibed, and countless candles had been burnt down in the temperate summer nights. After Kenneth's depature, I stayed for another four days in my own company, which I spent pampering myself, walking the dog and reading "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James. I am loving the novel so far, It's packed with romance, old english castles and charming, wealthy people.... Just how I like it!

Memoirs of a valetudinarian

Several significant events have taken place during the last few days, but first of all I have acquired a sore throat, a runny nose, a fever and an aching head. It's official, I have the flu. So potential visitors, beware, I'm probably very contagious. 

On thursday I attended the opening of an art exhibition in Oslo, together with my sweet friend Helene. The gallery "Galleri A" featured a selection of artists, both established artists and debutants. We were invited by one of the artist, Henrik Kleppe, who had two paintings on display (one of them you can see below), and later accompanied him to two afterparties. I had a wonderful evening, and had a bit of a rough day at work on friday. You can see the exhibition until August 17th, or see some of the works here.

On saturday I celebrated my birthday with my friends. I had arranged for a rather large picnic, and did my best to keep the guests smiling and the champagne flowing. I am pretty confident that everyone enjoyed themselves, and perhaps I will arrange something similar in the course of the summer.  

I am very grateful for all the lovely presents bestowed on me, I wasn't expecting much at all. The Patty Boyd autobiography I mentioned earlier now lies alluringly on my bedside table, and I will not be in want of another bottle of wine until Christmas at least! 

So now I lie wrapped in a blanket, despite the temperate summer weather outside, and pour down  cup after cup of Earl Grey with lemon, miserably rotting while marinating in my own germs. At least I am perfectly content spiritually due to the diverting recent events, and it makes the physical discomfort easier to endure.

A wall animation...

Below you'll find a link to the weirdest piece of art you've ever seen. 

(Weird but awesome piece of art)

Something in the way she moves...

On the top of my wish list these days, you'll find Pattie Boyd's autobiography, "Wonderful Today". Although her name alone might not immediately ring a bell for most, you have most definitely heard the many serenades written to her. The Beatles' massive hit "Something", was written by George Harrison to her, and Eric Clapton declared his love in both "Layla" and "Wonderful tonight", the latter being the obvious source of inspiration for the autobiography's title.

I suppose her story to be very interesting, she was married to both Harrison and Clapton, and furthermore, John Lennon and Mick Jagger were also allegedly enamored of her. She was a model originally, but has also gained recognition as a photographer. The queen of the sixties, a muse of the legends, and the reason for which some of the greatest lovesongs of our time were created, this woman demands my attention and esteem, and I am positive her book is captivating!

You can see some of her photographs and order "Wonderful Today" at her website.

20 Years of Snow

I heard through the grapevine that the amazingly talented and wonderfully brilliant Regina Spektor, one of my favorite people in the whole world, has made the soundtrack for the new film in The Chronicles of Narnia series, Prince Caspian. The delighting miss Spektor is one of my favourite singer/songwriters, and is often compared to Tori Amos. It will be very interesting to see how this collaboration turns out, but I have a good feeling. The soundtrack, "The Call", is allread released, and you can hear it here. I find it very typical for Regina, but maybe not so very Narnian. Nonetheless, a beautiful song that you cannot dislike.

Over to something completely different, It just happens to be my 20th birthday today. I must admit it perturbs me slightly to be moving out of my teens and into my twenties, but having received congratulations, presents and cake to make the transition a piece of cake, my mind is much more at ease now than it was this morning. My parents have outclassed themselves, treating me to Moët & Chandon, a stunning diamond ring, and that white trenchcoat I've been on about since April. Apart from the rain and my boss giving me a hard time for no reason at work, today has been perfect. So right now I feel old, but content. 

Cool ways to wear food

Nothing to wear? Try the fridge.

1.

Josephine Baker's neat skirt constructed from bananas is perhaps the ultimate edible garment. The singer / entertainer / dancer has on her list of merits the honor of being the first woman of African decent to star in a major motion picture, and became a muse for Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Christian Dior and Pablo Picasso to name some. Although she was born in America, she became a French citizen and even adopted a french accent to go with her fruity wardrobe. Apparently, an African-American house-maid once said to her:"Honey, you is full of shit. Speak the way yo' mouth was born." She had the woman fired.

2.

Remember those candy bead necklaces we all wore and ate when we were kids? Well, the are available here.

3.

Actress Alyssa Milano wore a gown designed by Mia Gyzander made entirely from lettuce for a photo shoot for a new People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaign promoting vegetarianism. Somehow I doubt the trend of vegetable eveningwear ever catching on.

4. 

In October 2004 Jean Paul Gautier created with the help of british bakers a collection of clothes made completely out of bread. Apparently the bakers and the designer himself worked for months on sculpting dresses, shoes, and even undergarments out of loaves of bread, croissants, and baguettes. I bet they were all green and fluffy a week later...

5.

Pretty self-explanatory is the edible lingerie. The more you think about it, the more you want to try some. According to the package decleration, the more you lick the knickers, the better they taste. Interesting. Get yours here.

Sacrilege of a tainted heart

Eternal Father of the imaginary skies above, wherefore has Thou inflicted these clouds of ambivalence upon me? My mind is already burdened, and is not equipped to suffer such feelings in opposition.  I am falling into sin, and I pray now for Thy divine guidance along this meandering path of temptation I so wretchedly have wandered by. Please do not leave me blind to the righteous choice of action, nor be overcome with adversity. Spare my soul from damnation, and grant me deliverance. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. 

Amen.

A storm is brewing

Completely against my better judgement, I find myself moonstruck and smitten. This fairly recent infatuation of mine is of the unforgivably forbidden kind, but I just cannot forbear myself from indulging. I have no clue of what do do, and of possible outcomes the one looking most likely is the loss of a dear friend. I am completely blinded and torn, what a conundrum! 

SOUNDTRACK: Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush

E lucevan le stelle

Yesterday I had my italian exams, and as it turned out, so did the ragazza I shared the apartment with in Italy. Meeting her was very pleasurable, however random and absurd. She probably saved my hindquarters for the oral bit, as we had a loooong conversation in italian before we went in. Furthermore, I believe all our talk about meeting up and going out might actually materialize into something.

When I arrived back home last night, I was fatigued to the point where I just wanted to lie down and weep, so I Pulled my mattress out on the veranda, and lit some candles to keep the mosquitoes out of my face. I spent the night under the stars, and I slept unbelievably well. I haven't had a single night of more than six hours sleep in almost a fortnight, so when I woke up this beautiful morning, I cancelled all my appointments for today and called in sick for work. I've spent today tanning and pampering, and watching all those episodes of Ugly Betty I've been taping. Right now I feel so content, watching a western and eating cookies with my temporarily crippled brother, while ignoring a slight headache from too many hours in the sun. Life is beautiful, and right now I have a date with the stars. Good Night!

Girl's not Grey

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! 

It seems I too have succumbed to this trend of exhibiting one's personal life to whoever might surf by. Blogging is completely new to me, so I must plead for your patience and mercy in advance. Also, as english is my second language, feel free to correct me when I err.

A word or two about yours truly:

My name is Siri, I am the only daughter of a banker who has all his hair left, and his wife who had every intention of becoming an architect, before her father put a end to it. I currently reside with the two of them, now past their prime, and my harmfully athletic younger brother, in the calm kingdom of norwegian suburbia. I finished school last year, and now I spend my days slaving away in a photo laboratory, where my main task is retouching and choosing portraits of toddlers. If you find me outside the laboratory (and the public transport system required to get me there and back home), chances are it will be at a concert (performing or congregating) , a mall (scraping my account), a bar (plotting a way to receive fee drinks) or in bed (sinning or sound asleep). That will do, I think, as a brief outline. The details will be filled in as we go along...