Playing a Hobby
Petanque, Boule or Boccia – different names to the same play or game. Very popular in France and in the Mediterranean.
I learned it many years ago – in France. Looks so easy. Yeah, it’s easy in the way that everybody can play it and have it as a very social hobby. But when you play against those who really know how to play the game and handle the “Boules”, you’ll soon find out it takes more than luck to win. It’s about training, experience, tactics, precession, and to understand the surface you are playing on. In many ways, you can compare it with Curling. Except for: There is no fixed “Home” or playing distance and the surface is never the same. Home in Curling and related plays do have a “Home Center”. To start with, you have that in Petanque as well. But the distance and direction varies from play to play.

How come?

The winner from last round throws away “The Pig” – Couchon. That’s the small ball, made of Wood. And the winner team can throw it in what direction or how far (within agreed upon limits) their representative want. Then the same rules as in Curling applies. But “The Pig” can of course be hit, and moved to another place; same of course with the competitors steel-balls.

The point is to come closest to “The Pig”. After all “Boules” are thrown, it’s measured up which team have come closest, second etc. If the team with the closest also have the second closest, then it two points… etc. You, my dear reader, do understand the rules of this play even kids can do with pleasure. That’s why I like it. It’s a play for all generations. Eliminates the generation gap. And played well from your part, your kids and grand kids can be winners. It's one of the best social hobbies there is, that can involve several generations seemless.

Petanque: (fr) Balls made of steel (normally) – In some Families it’s a Birth-gift to boys.
Each player have two “boules” or “Balls”. You buy sets of pairs – often 2-3-4 plus a Pig and a measure band. Each pair do have different patterns – and even weights (if preferred).
Boule: (fr) Balls made of Wood
Boccacio: (it) Balls made of everything from cheap plastic to …

Play you too

In old Nice with borrowed Feather – due to square headed bodies

I have been to Nice a couple of times before. First time in 1966. What has changed the most in downtown Nice, is the traffic. They are now building a new tramway (Street Car) system to help up the situation – but no park and ride system (sic). And all the small villages in the neighbourhood, have grown into a more or less part of urban Nice. Expect traffic jam. Even out of season. If you go there by car.

Hakon I went up the Promenade des Anglais, and found a parking house. Then walked into Old Nice. The narrow streets with all the shops and small market places with outdoor cafes and restaurants, churches and galleries are really charming. All streets have a French name and a Provencial Name (the old local language in Provence).

We had lunch at the Flower Market, close to the sea. Fish of course. And some white wine.

Just East of the old town is the hill with the old Citadels (Fortified Castle) and old cemeteries (Graveyards – The Catholic, The Protestant and The Israeli an). It is very steep to climb – even with stairs. But it’s worth climbing (If you do not want to walk up, it’s a lift on the south (sea) side.). On the top, it’s a wonderful view over Nice, the city, Baie des Anges, the mountains (Alpes Maritime) and the Ocean.

I could do this wonderful excursion thanks to borrowed feather – from Hakon. Since my luggage was left at Oslo Airport – due to the new security regulations. Yes, I was 10 minutes late for regular luggage check-in. I admit that. That’s my fault. But before, it was no problem to send checked luggage with the next plane. Now, you and your luggage have to be on the same plane. BUT, if the air-port does a mistake, and your luggage do not “reach” your connecting flight, then your luggage travel “alone”. This is politics and have nothing to do with reality.

Just check the luggage as usual, and put on the next flight. It’s still allowed to be reasonable and service minded and at the same time maintain security. Only square headed bodies sticks to this kind of misunderstood “solutions”.

You can read about our “French” Cyber Cruise Ball(ade) here.

Please join Lifecruisers Cyber Cruise here

Nice - France - April - 2007

Wordless Wednesday. See more entries here

Anna

Your Celebrity Boob Twin:

Carmen Electra

Who's Your Celebrity Boob Twin?

Well.. These are a bit smaller, the hair longer and more artificiel. Compared to Anna.

Wordless Wednesday

Fog IS wordless

Skrik - Shriek - I was stolen

Ok, here I am. Millions upon millions have asked my this question:Where did you do that famous, seductive, sensual, sexual, ancious , mad crazy SHRIEK (skrik).From here:Learn even more

Believe it or not. It was just here Edvard Munch got the "sight", which several years after, when living abroad from Norway, for decades, gave him the inspiratation to paint his most world famous painting: Skrik.

He was not then sole famous intellectual at that time, who went abroud to sit down and "skrik". One that you may have heard about is Henrik Ibsen. Who's plays still are on every theater-groups playlist.

Friday Fun's occupied on the A-team cruise . take some secondos:

You'll find out how far you can come:)(,)(í)

Can you beat these ones:

Some wordless comments.

But I'll propose some more family, and challenging fun:

http://www.visitoslo.com/en/holmenkollen-game.75526.en.html

Wordless Wednesday

Do as the Birds: Cruise The World.

The A-Team members invites the Blogger world to an exciting Cyber Cruise, starting Friday March 16, 2007. Visiting places you never have been to.

You Are 92% Healthy

Your diet is extremely healthy, and you are very well educated on nutrition. And you eat so well, you're definitely able to have the occasional splurge. So enjoy it!

How Healthy Is Your Diet?

This test is the less serious ever

You've Experienced 68% of Life

You have all of the life experience that most adults will ever get. And unless you're already in your 40s, you're probably wise beyond your years.

How Much Life Experience Do You Have?

I Think I need to learn an instrument! In the 40's. LOL;))

Your Personality is Very Rare (INTP)

Your personality type is goofy, imaginative, relaxed, and brilliant. Only about 4% of all people have your personality, including 2% of all women and 6% of all men You are Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Who am I?

How evil are you?
Just one of these tests. If you do not agree to the result of mine, please leave at once and never, ever come back again. Unless you take the test yourself.

Back to: TorAa

SPF - Leftovers

My leftover is my "Almanakk" from 2006.

What to say? This is my debut in this SPM. Inspired by Lisa. (You can see that).
Can't promise to enter every occasion, but I'll do my best. What was it again todays theme?
Of TG, my senility blew away for some seconds: Leftovers. It's even a double one. Hehe:)).

I needed a reminder. Guess who?

My leftover is my "Almanakk" form 2006.

Did you pay attention to the link?

A voyage to India - 1998

Agra - Taj Mahal and Red Fort

Amritsar - Punjab Golden Temple and backstreetsFrom Punjab

More to come - stay tuned

Color Test

TorAamusic took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Strives for a life rich in activity and experience..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

Winter Wonder Land

This is what a Winter in the Hills in Oslo should look like. Just behind the Communication Towers, it's an alpine ski centre with several lifts and pistes. And you'll also find 100 miles of cross country tracks, some of them lightend during afternoon and night. And it's all inside the Capital of Norway, Oslo. Just take the Metro from downtown and you are there in minutes. 550 (ca 1800 feet) meters above Sea Level.



The picture is a digital scancopy from and old slide (1982)

Colour and Music

Wednesday last week was ”premiere” or ”First Night” for a new TV series about Colours at our National TV (non-commercial). Theme: Colours.

What I learned last week is as follows:

In the past you could simply go and buy your exact melange (blending) of different powder to create your choice of colour. But you had to have money for the right colour powder and mix it with some kind of oil7687 (these numbers was created by my cat Felicia – I’ll let them be). So What? Why do you think only the very rich ones could paint their estates (houses) White? Why White. (Magnesiumkarbonat is very expencive)

Today you do not think about it:

You just buy it in a box ready for painting or you bring the colourcode from last time.

Comments from Felicia:

\++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Back to the point:

This evenings theme was: BLUE. (also Indigo and Cyan)

What ever clue of a colour can inspire more than: Blue?

Some examples:

Blue Jeans: Levis and Strauss (the German started in 1851)

Dongri

Nimes -> Denimes

Alexander the Great: Lapis Lazula The Silk ”road”

Blue is the Royal Blood. (from where - just listen)

Bangladesh, a part of the Indian Sub-Continent.-øøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøøø (my cat) have blue as a special symbol.

In the country where I happend to be born (right) we have a certain place plentyful of Cobolt. Cobolt – Blue. (Exibitions year around – 70 minutes from Oslo, Norway).

(you see)

Felicia ( my Cat) want me to bed. And she is so curious:tyr5yu777h –

In between you are free to take part of my ”Blue Musical World”

Have a wonderful week.

Øåpppppp+æååååååååååååååå

(message from Felica)

1)

J.S. Bach : Branderburg ( that was real pop at that time)

2) Count Basie: Blues

3) S& G : Bridge over Troubled Water

4) Beach Boys: Barbra Ann

5) Brazil, Gaetano e Gil: Baiao atemporal

6) Animals: Blue Feeling

7) Buena sera (good night)

Conclusion: I love and respect people available and willing to see ->->

The Best of everything.

Life is wonderful. What do you mean?

If you do not agree, send me a message.

If you agree you can have the privilege to send me your secret e-mail address to mine.

(I’ll give you mine if I trust you – ask if in doubt what I mean about that)

Week 42 - 2006

1.
This week I'll start with an e-mail I got from my cousin Rande:

" Tor og Anna,
My favorite acoustic guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel, is playing in Oslo on November 16th. I have attached the website of the venue in Oslo. Call Haakon and Ingelin to go with you, maybe Nikolas and Reuben, too! I guarantee you will have a good time. He always stays after the concert to sign (autograph) CD's and pictures. His personality and guitar playing will put a smile on your face:-) !
Hugs - Rande"

I heard Tommy Emmanuel first time when Rande played him in the car when driving in the Bay Area. I couldn't believe it was only one person playing.

2

There's so much struggle and stupid wars going on around the world, I simply come to think about this one

Buffalo Soldier – Yes, it's Bob Marley

3

Last night I to my surprise discovered our old scrapbook from Chile and Argentina laying under our kitchen sofa/bed. Who had put it there?

However, I sat down reading it and then came music into my ears and heart.

El Corazon Del Pueblo (The Heart Of The People)

Cielo Andino

4

Weekend is approaching. TGT? Huu? Thanks God it's Thursday (derived from my name: Tor; i.e. Torsday. So I have my day every week. Then what:

Let’s dance from David Bowie

5

Waking up this morning, what did I do but listen to the

Rythm of the Rain by the Cascades

6

Could I be a warmer place? Yes, at least it feels like it when listning to:

Antonio Carlos Jobim

7

I'll finnish where I startet: In the SF Bay Area with a very fine jazzmusician and composer, born in Concord, CA, Dave Brubeck and his

Take Five

Have a good week

Music 4 week 42

1.

This week I’ll start with a CD I was recommended at The Rio de Janeiro International Airport some years ago as typical Brazilian Contemporary Music: Danca das Cabecas, by Egberto Gismonti.

Well, I did know samba and bossa nova, but brazilian contemporary music, what would that be like?

Well back home in Oslo, when opening the cover, I was very surprised: The Album was recorded November 1976, in Oslo, Norway. Brazilian Contemporary Music!

Of course, it was in tense expectancy I pulled the ”Play” button on my CD-player. First came some strange bird-like sounds, then came our Cats. Yes, our Cats. They behaved in a very strange way. Like in a Mating Play.

I come to think about this when we once again enteret our Winterhome with the Cats. I played this album again and the cats played again as well.

Did you know it’s a web-shop selling music for pets?

2.

Second song this week do also have an unusual story. I didn’t think twice…

Back in 1964 I was in France for my very first time. That year might be special for Beer-lovers: Introduction of the Kronenbourg 1664 brand.

We could have 33 glasses of wine for 10 Francs in the local bar.

And in the bar I listened to Hugues Aufray, and this one became my favourite song ”N’y pense plus”. I bought the 45rpm EP and brought it home to Norway as Genuine French music.

How wrong could one take: It was Bob Dylan’s ”Don’t think twice”.

3.

Early in the morning, when you are in a real hurry, listen to this one by Frederic Chopin:

The Minute Waltz

4.

And when you’re out of house travelling by public transport or in your car with your spouse, best friend or childeren, tryt his one Side by Side.

5.

Then you’re at work, or school or study, and you don’t feel like dancin’ , the Scissor Sisters may help a bit

6.

In the afternoon or later, you feel SexyBack home, or?

http://www.completealbumlyrics.com/lyric/130587/Justin+Timberlake+-+Sexyback.html

7.

First time ever abroad without parents, was in 1963. Took the ship from Oslo to Copenhagen. No cabin we had, the three lads, we slept in the saloon. Which was among teenagers, very common those days. We brought a tent and stayed at a camping just 12 minutes by streetcar from downtown Copenhagen.

My favourite place to og during the evening was Montmartre Jazzhouse. Who played there at that time: Dexter Gordon. Who song: Sarah Vaughan.

I in fact took the opportunity to interview them both – for my School Magazine.

When you go to bed ”Round Midnight”, think about Dexter ”TLD” Gorden, the only jazz musician nominated to an Oscar. And listen to the Sound Track from the Movie of the same name.

Have a wonderful time