From Linnea, Emil Rannveig and myself, a safe and joyous Christmas to you all. Don't overdo it during the New Year either!Friday, December 15, 2006
Merry Christmas everyone!
From Linnea, Emil Rannveig and myself, a safe and joyous Christmas to you all. Don't overdo it during the New Year either!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
This is it folks! Last entry before the crossing. Hectic is the word, but it all seems to be coming together. The bags are almost packed, tickets confirmed, visas approved, teddy bear laundered and parents in a state of hopeful dread. It's going to be fine. Just say that again with me. Fine.
Linnea offers Emil some tips on how to drive parents insane
See you on the other side!
Try todays podcast entry... should give you some idea on how we are going to be coping for the next 72 hours
Monday, September 25, 2006
We have pictures, people!
See the all new online photo galleries. Hopefully, something that we will be updating a little more often now that publishing has become relatively painless.
Contact details for us in OZ
Emil Oscar gets christened...Granny is very proud.
Cheeez! Alright already, I'll put up the details here!
Cheeez! Alright already, I'll put up the details here!
- 17 Hillcrest Rd Austinmer 2515
- (02) 4267 4979
Douglas & Joan Riddell
Friday, September 22, 2006
Happy OneWebDay!
Be afraid. I know I am...
Click on todays podcast for a sample of what we were listening to at the dawn of the net
What the crap is OneWebDay I hear you ask? Ok you're not asking, but I'll tell you anyway. The idea is that on 22 September every year web users around the world tell how the web changed the world and or their life and to celebrate this annoyingly indespensible network.
For my part, here's a random list of things that it changed for me.
1. I was on it early, back in 1995 not too long after it started to really take off. I was using Netscape version 1 back then with a high powered 7.5kpp modem... oh, heady times. Just being able to get connected was so fraught (remember Trumpet Winsock, or Shiva?) that it was an end in itself. It meant I became a defacto "internet expert" at my place of work. This was equivalent to being deemed a "space technolgy" expert if one had seen Star Wars more than once. Still, it did alter my career trajectory...
"The Internet is the CB radio of the '90's.' It's going to be dead in less than five years. There's no question about it."
Robert Berthiaume, president of film-processor vendor (and now, hilariously, out of existence) Camelot Graphics
2. Email. Remember when Email meant (for Australians at least) quality white goods from Westinghouse? How did we keep in touch before it? Goofing off and talking, that's right. Now we do it at our desks as well. It was great fun while it lasted! We used to actually subscribe to have mail sent to us! Now we'd give anything to stop it from coming in.
3. Banking and bill paying. Two steps forward, one step back. Being able to do anything short of having cash appear from the floppy disk slot at any hour of the day or night. It made life suddenly easier, saved the banks and companies a fortune processing and we were all happy campers. Until of course they decided that they wanted us to pay them for the privelige of saving them on admin costs. Bastards.
4. News. I first came to Norway for Christmas in 1990. The first Gulf War was still on the horizon, CNN was still a struggling news channel and the only source of English language news I could get was from UK newspapers, normally a day or two out of date or from the American Armed Forces Radio. The shortwave radio I had was never quite up to the job of picking up Radio Australia on a regular basis, but I could get by with BBC World Service. Now look at it! I could just as easily be sitting in Nuetral Bay as Tønsberg to stay just as up to date as anyone else. Still feels very, very strange to be able to do that.
5. Television. A more recent development is TV on demand. It 'aint exactly legal yet, but I have seen the future, brothers and sisters! I noticed this a while ago when I realised how infrequently we were watching regular cable TV (and that used to be the ants pants). Hard to go back to programming of other people when we are used to saying "How about a couple of episodes of House tonight?" Praise be and pass the bittorrent client!
Click on todays podcast for a sample of what we were listening to at the dawn of the netFor my part, here's a random list of things that it changed for me.
1. I was on it early, back in 1995 not too long after it started to really take off. I was using Netscape version 1 back then with a high powered 7.5kpp modem... oh, heady times. Just being able to get connected was so fraught (remember Trumpet Winsock, or Shiva?) that it was an end in itself. It meant I became a defacto "internet expert" at my place of work. This was equivalent to being deemed a "space technolgy" expert if one had seen Star Wars more than once. Still, it did alter my career trajectory...
"The Internet is the CB radio of the '90's.' It's going to be dead in less than five years. There's no question about it."
Robert Berthiaume, president of film-processor vendor (and now, hilariously, out of existence) Camelot Graphics
2. Email. Remember when Email meant (for Australians at least) quality white goods from Westinghouse? How did we keep in touch before it? Goofing off and talking, that's right. Now we do it at our desks as well. It was great fun while it lasted! We used to actually subscribe to have mail sent to us! Now we'd give anything to stop it from coming in.
3. Banking and bill paying. Two steps forward, one step back. Being able to do anything short of having cash appear from the floppy disk slot at any hour of the day or night. It made life suddenly easier, saved the banks and companies a fortune processing and we were all happy campers. Until of course they decided that they wanted us to pay them for the privelige of saving them on admin costs. Bastards.
4. News. I first came to Norway for Christmas in 1990. The first Gulf War was still on the horizon, CNN was still a struggling news channel and the only source of English language news I could get was from UK newspapers, normally a day or two out of date or from the American Armed Forces Radio. The shortwave radio I had was never quite up to the job of picking up Radio Australia on a regular basis, but I could get by with BBC World Service. Now look at it! I could just as easily be sitting in Nuetral Bay as Tønsberg to stay just as up to date as anyone else. Still feels very, very strange to be able to do that.
5. Television. A more recent development is TV on demand. It 'aint exactly legal yet, but I have seen the future, brothers and sisters! I noticed this a while ago when I realised how infrequently we were watching regular cable TV (and that used to be the ants pants). Hard to go back to programming of other people when we are used to saying "How about a couple of episodes of House tonight?" Praise be and pass the bittorrent client!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Podcast? Whatsa dat..?
The last of summer fades into the west
Itsa sound-a and a music-a doofus! Click on the shiny new podcasting fandangle to your right and hear all about the coming trip to the bronzed shores of Oz.
In other news, Emil Oscar is officially christened and is safe from Satans clutches for a few more years. The gathering back at our place was great. Which is just as well considering the amount of work and nervous tension that went into getting it up off the ground. I'll have some pics in a day or two.
By the way, if anyone has tips on travelling with a two year old and a four month old on a very, very long plane journey, we would love to hear from you soon. I've considered using something that would render the imbiber unconscious for the duration, but Rannveig refuses to let me take it and leave her stuck with the work. You ask for just one little thing... ;)
Itsa sound-a and a music-a doofus! Click on the shiny new podcasting fandangle to your right and hear all about the coming trip to the bronzed shores of Oz.
In other news, Emil Oscar is officially christened and is safe from Satans clutches for a few more years. The gathering back at our place was great. Which is just as well considering the amount of work and nervous tension that went into getting it up off the ground. I'll have some pics in a day or two.
By the way, if anyone has tips on travelling with a two year old and a four month old on a very, very long plane journey, we would love to hear from you soon. I've considered using something that would render the imbiber unconscious for the duration, but Rannveig refuses to let me take it and leave her stuck with the work. You ask for just one little thing... ;)
Saturday, September 09, 2006
We are coming soon...
Linnea is not even slightly jealous...
Yes, on a big silver bird, Rannveig, Linnea, Emil, Aslaug and I are on our way to Austinmer for the month of October. This is of course in order to see the rest of you lovely folk too!
I'll have some concrete details for you all in the next day or two, but we are going straight from the airport to Austinmer, so no panic about picking us up or putting up with us. As we will be based in Gods own district, visitors will be welcomed!
Yes, on a big silver bird, Rannveig, Linnea, Emil, Aslaug and I are on our way to Austinmer for the month of October. This is of course in order to see the rest of you lovely folk too!
I'll have some concrete details for you all in the next day or two, but we are going straight from the airport to Austinmer, so no panic about picking us up or putting up with us. As we will be based in Gods own district, visitors will be welcomed!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Presenting Emil Oscar Riddell
Weighing in at 3825 grams and measuring 52 (or 53 cms depending on who you listen to), Emil Oscar joined us in a hurry following a fast labour on June 6 (yes, that day) at 3:45 PM. Mother doing well all things considered, father doing well too as is big sister. I guess. Ask me again in six months.Rannveig and Emil came home the very next evening and have been resting up as best as one can when being chased around the house by Linnea and her cry of "Baby?!"
Thanks for all the messages. The tribe gets yet another multinational member!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Back with some snow
Too much digging is bad for you health
Has it really been that long since I've blogged?
Yeah, well things happen at this end. At the moment I'm stuck at home dealing the remains of pneumonia and bronchitis, so I finally have some time to give you some updates. The big thing at the moment is the weather. We have been dealing with truck loads of snow which resulted in my aforementioned case of pneumonia because I was outside shovelling the white crap all day for days on end. It turned a perfectly harmless cold into a three week long sick leave, torn rib muscles from coughing like I have TB and drugged off my face with cough suppressants.
Why light sabres should be stored in a lockable cupboard
Linnea has gone from a tiny helpless bub into a walking, babbling tornado who has just discovered how to ratchet up the volume of her voice. She's thriving in day care. Still waiting on that kindergarten place though.
Rannveig is in her last two months before number two makes his appearance. Yes, it's a he, name to be announced pending final agreement. We have one in mind but we have to get approval from a certain furry person before we can lock it in.
So, what's the gossip for the last few months? Work has been going very well, but exceptionally busy, hence the lack of updates since October. I was swamped going into the end of last semester up to Christmas, so the blog got put on ice. When I came back to work all ready to restart with the updates I got attacked by about 20 students and 5 teachers at the same time demanding a variety of things and services and it simply hasn't let up since. A large scale facelift for the online newpaper ( journalen.hio.no ) new software installs, a full system update, the radio teacher falling ill and me having to hold the hand of the replacement for 7 weeks, then the TV teacher having a heart attack and me having to cover all the technical instruction and support... it's been busy. Then I fall to the curse and get sick myself.
This however did not stop people from complaining of course. Took quite a few days to convince certain people that they would have to survive without me and to stop ringing me at home and flooding my email with cries for help. One even mentioned that it was terrible I was sick (sounds thoughtful) but in the very same sentence said it was awful because it put her into a difficult position at work ( ie. she would have to actually have to figure out how to use the program she was supposed to have become an expert in using during the last 18 months by herself instead of dumping it off onto me ). It's warming to know that people care ;)
Long driveway... baaaad.
Anyhoo, so here I am at home, trying to get bedrest but probably spending too much time doing housework simply because it and I are there and praying that the snow doesn't decide to put in a final encore performance before Spring really takes hold. On the positive side I have dropped a few kilos. Yeah. You know what they say, "cancer, it's just so nasty dear, but the pounds just fall away!"
Rannveig, brave stick she is, puts up with my moaning and general wussy-ness with admirable stoicism. She just had her birthday a couple of days ago and it must have been the most disappointing birthday ever. Drugged up husband at home, no nice dinner, no present (stuck at home for two weeks by this time) no nothing. About the only thing I could offer was to bathe. Guess I'll have to do something about some diamonds some day soon.
We are about to go through a serious round of budgeting here in order to finance the latest addition to the family... no not the new baby, the new car, silly! We are about to put down the money on a shiny new Skoda Octavia station wagon (50 grand in Oz pesos) as we simply don't have enough wiggle room in the Peugeot 206 for two bubs, two adults, strollers and sundry crap required to make a quick dash to the supermarket with the family. Pictures to follow when we take delivery of this rather flash bit of automotive kit.
Home remodelling plans are on hold at the moment. Quotes from builders have been particularly disappointing, as in they are at least double what they should have been. I know this is Norway, but puh-leez! There has to be a limit to how much they can charge and honestly believe that it still falls within the realm of the vaguely realistic! Not just think of a number and then add 6 zeros to it!
So, we are back on track with our first blog entry. Your feedback is as always welcome and desired. I'll send you all links when updates are ready.
Has it really been that long since I've blogged?Yeah, well things happen at this end. At the moment I'm stuck at home dealing the remains of pneumonia and bronchitis, so I finally have some time to give you some updates. The big thing at the moment is the weather. We have been dealing with truck loads of snow which resulted in my aforementioned case of pneumonia because I was outside shovelling the white crap all day for days on end. It turned a perfectly harmless cold into a three week long sick leave, torn rib muscles from coughing like I have TB and drugged off my face with cough suppressants.
Why light sabres should be stored in a lockable cupboard
Linnea has gone from a tiny helpless bub into a walking, babbling tornado who has just discovered how to ratchet up the volume of her voice. She's thriving in day care. Still waiting on that kindergarten place though.Rannveig is in her last two months before number two makes his appearance. Yes, it's a he, name to be announced pending final agreement. We have one in mind but we have to get approval from a certain furry person before we can lock it in.
So, what's the gossip for the last few months? Work has been going very well, but exceptionally busy, hence the lack of updates since October. I was swamped going into the end of last semester up to Christmas, so the blog got put on ice. When I came back to work all ready to restart with the updates I got attacked by about 20 students and 5 teachers at the same time demanding a variety of things and services and it simply hasn't let up since. A large scale facelift for the online newpaper ( journalen.hio.no ) new software installs, a full system update, the radio teacher falling ill and me having to hold the hand of the replacement for 7 weeks, then the TV teacher having a heart attack and me having to cover all the technical instruction and support... it's been busy. Then I fall to the curse and get sick myself.
This however did not stop people from complaining of course. Took quite a few days to convince certain people that they would have to survive without me and to stop ringing me at home and flooding my email with cries for help. One even mentioned that it was terrible I was sick (sounds thoughtful) but in the very same sentence said it was awful because it put her into a difficult position at work ( ie. she would have to actually have to figure out how to use the program she was supposed to have become an expert in using during the last 18 months by herself instead of dumping it off onto me ). It's warming to know that people care ;)
Long driveway... baaaad.
Anyhoo, so here I am at home, trying to get bedrest but probably spending too much time doing housework simply because it and I are there and praying that the snow doesn't decide to put in a final encore performance before Spring really takes hold. On the positive side I have dropped a few kilos. Yeah. You know what they say, "cancer, it's just so nasty dear, but the pounds just fall away!"Rannveig, brave stick she is, puts up with my moaning and general wussy-ness with admirable stoicism. She just had her birthday a couple of days ago and it must have been the most disappointing birthday ever. Drugged up husband at home, no nice dinner, no present (stuck at home for two weeks by this time) no nothing. About the only thing I could offer was to bathe. Guess I'll have to do something about some diamonds some day soon.
We are about to go through a serious round of budgeting here in order to finance the latest addition to the family... no not the new baby, the new car, silly! We are about to put down the money on a shiny new Skoda Octavia station wagon (50 grand in Oz pesos) as we simply don't have enough wiggle room in the Peugeot 206 for two bubs, two adults, strollers and sundry crap required to make a quick dash to the supermarket with the family. Pictures to follow when we take delivery of this rather flash bit of automotive kit.
Home remodelling plans are on hold at the moment. Quotes from builders have been particularly disappointing, as in they are at least double what they should have been. I know this is Norway, but puh-leez! There has to be a limit to how much they can charge and honestly believe that it still falls within the realm of the vaguely realistic! Not just think of a number and then add 6 zeros to it!
So, we are back on track with our first blog entry. Your feedback is as always welcome and desired. I'll send you all links when updates are ready.
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