Digital drumset

I bought myself a digital drumset a few weeks ago, and have finally set it up with a webcam and a connection to the computer. This makes it possible to practice without making too much noise, and to record the sound while filming too. Check out a sample video of me playing the song Everlong by Foo Fighters! (For a full screen version you can go here).

Simon

17. mai 2008

17th of May 1814 Norway got its own Constitution, and this date is passionately celebrated throughout Norway. People put on their fines garments (national costume, if you have one) and walk in parades through the streets, with bands playing and people waving their flags shouting "hurray hurray, hipp hipp hurray!".

There are different parades different times of the day. In Bergen the first is at 0700AM, and at this time cannon shots are heard all over Bergen. More cannon shots for the 11AM "procession parade". This year I walked in the procession representing the University of Bergen. All kinds of organizations are represented, including the local sports club (the pro soccer players of Brann are always popular to watch), the Bergen belly dancing club and the like, and even Bergen Scottish society who were playing bagpipes, and an Northern Irish flute corps p(l)aying tribute to Norway. There are also the war veterans, police, veteran firefighters/trucks, and I especially like the people who ride bikes and wear clothes from the twenties shouting Hurray! (some of them shouted convincingly enough to make it seem Norway had just won its independence!). There were bands playing on the back of trucks which were very energetic and lively. Next year maybe I can capture more on film. Here's what I filmed while in the parade that I enjoyed in company with our neighbors Øystein, Eline and their son Magnus. Bergen's 17th of May is famous for its "bow corps" - corps with drummers and carriers of bows - which you will see.

Josefine

Josefine returned this morning at 07:07AM, 14th of May 2008, after being gone for more than 3 weeks. I heard a soft miao from bed, and wondered what that was. It sounded unmistakably like Josefine (though she always had a characteristic louder, determined voice). I looked out but couldn't see her. I had given up on her a week ago. But I went outside anyway just in case, and I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened the door and she was sitting right there. She was ecstatic to see me! I was very "chuffed" as they say in Britain, and hugged her for several minutes. She is so skinny you can feel her entire skeleton. Unlike when she disappeared she now wants food. We were certain she had perished because she was so sick and weak when she disappeared. It's a miracle that she's returned!

Now she needs plenty of care and I think she'll be perfectly healthy very soon! What a joy for our home :) Dolly will be very very happy... We have all been sad. Even our neighbor cried when she heard Josefine was gone.

Simon