Norway is freezing during wintertime. And even though Oslo, thanks to the gulf stream, is relatively warm, temperatures then still drop to an average -3°C. Even now, only halfway into autumn, the scale falls below zero every second day or so. The thing is – I really like it.

It's that kind of dry, crackling cold that you can feel in your lungs with every breath. When the streets get this white frosty film even though there's not a hint of humidity left in the air. When there's a clear sky and even direct sunlight doesn't let you feel any warmth on your skin. When the fallen leaves get so brittle that they crack like glass. When you can only leave a small slit for your eyes to see in between five layers of clothing, gloves, scarf and thick beanie – and even then you can't help but shed a tear from time to time. When you lose the sensation in your toes after half an hour of walking outside. When it's so calm and silent everywhere, just because no one dares to leave the house. When it snows and the white glory actually lasts longer than a day and a half.

That's when winter is, how it should be, how it used to be. It's the way I remember it from my childhood. And not that rainy, gray, wet mess that we usually get these days.

Rådhusbrygge. Den Norske Opera. St. Hanshaugen.

First snow here. Gone after a day.

Friday Night vs. Saturday Night.

Last night I went to see M83 – probably one of my all time favorites – live at John Dee. I had to go alone, as Astrid bailed out on me on short notice, sort of. To avoid two hours of waiting like last time I went out to see a band by myself, I took it easy and didn't leave the house 'til 10 (doors opening was at 9). Unfortunately, that made me miss most of the opening act, Blokk5. Nevertheless, the three songs I did hear were quite good.

And M83, well, they were simply amazing. Always thought it's just one guy but they were in fact four, with the drummer for some reason sitting behind a plexiglas glass wall. All the same, a sympathetic bunch obviously enjoying themselves and the crowd's enthusiasm. Luckily they didn't just play their new album "Saturdays = Youth" but also a lot of better 'classics' from their first two. Then again, their new songs actually do sound great as well live. Anyways, this made me remember why their sound was once the greatest of all to me. And how much I've missed a good concert.

Plus, I never wanted to go to concerts by myself, was also kinda down that Astrid didn't join me. But yesterday it actually really didn't matter. My timing was better for one and it's also music that you should enjoy without a lot of talking anyways. In addition to that, I noticed that quite a lot of people seem to go see bands on their own. So I didn't feel 'alone' after all :)

On a side note: despite being a non-smoker (99% of the time...), I heavily oppose the smoking ban in bars and clubs. Why? Because of three little words, baby: beer, sweat and farts.







The best song of the night – and we got the 10 minute version :D

...it's a beautiful morning. And on days like this I especially enjoy my way to work, which just so happens to lead me through a huge old graveyard called Vår Frelsers Gravlund – the final resting place of such famous Norwegians like Edvard Munch or Henrik Ibsen.

I think, this place is actually helping me a little to overcome my huge fear of death. The thought of once being no more seems slightly less dramatic, if it's with the prospect of spending 'the time after' in a beautiful place like this. Even though I'm probably not gonna care anymore at that point...

Spent a couple of hours at Fred's place today to do some work for an upcoming project. And man, that guy owns a massive record collection and an impressive array of music producing equipment. Word.

Salad buffet and fresh bread. Plus, Friday is waffle day at Bleed!
Shrimp garlic cream pasta with Markus and Theresa in the park.
Tasty antipasti and finger food at Astrid's 28th b-day.

Hangin' with the flatshare people.

...two minutes away from where I live. The view from Holmenkollen yesterday was even nicer. The downside of 1,5 hours straight uphill running though: I could barely get up this morning.