While I am Away

Got to go and get some very last minute travel insurance. Its almost a ritual with me and travel to make the purchase minutes before takeoff as a final preparatory act before a new adventure.

While I may not be posting much in the coming week due to being in the bush in Africa I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the other fine blogs listed on the right hand side of this page.

Of special note is Sparling who is living his dream in Hawaii and whom will be joining me in Norway this fall to expand his horizons to life in Europe. Lots of bicycle riding, dramatic video, electronica and colourful photography. I am also featured in the title photo which is a great honour. A blog to follow for sure.

Then there are a host of my travel companions also featured in the links, so other perspectives on Africa, although they are in Norwegian for the most part...

I also have a bunch of friends hitting up LA and Chicago to check out gangstas, Hollywood and mad mullets so if you want to look into that a few of them can also be found in the links. Also in Norwegian...

Otherwise, another close couple of friends in Belgium just gave birth to their first born. Congratulations! They also have a blog at 54.
So dont dispare I will be back with more high adventure than you can handle. Its a different kind of year at pdotproductions, but I think its turning out to be a good one.

Tanzania here I come.

Tansvania (Ask Baard)

I have been to a few corners of this fascinating globe we inhabit. I have lived in three countries, visited 4 continents and flown thousands upon thousands of kilometers. But I have never been to Africa. 48 hours from now, after $500 in vaccinations, I will find myself in Arusha, Tanzania...Africa. A place that although vaguely familiar is the most distant place I have ever been to on a multitude of levels. This is going to be a journey of contrast, of discovery, a test of what I can handle when the reality around me for two weeks is so far removed from anything I have ever been exposed to.
I won't be travelling alone and the group from Bildoy is a fantastic blend of individuals who will no doubt make the trip a memorable one. We are traveling via Kenya, which was our original destination. However, due to the unrest in that fine nation we were forced to reroute to neighbouring Tanzania. In the two weeks we will be spending south of the equator we will experience everything from safaris in Serengeti National Park, to a remote missionary hospital, to slums, to soccer tournaments with local youth, to the bustling streets of big time Africa. The tastes, smells, sights and sounds of a continent so vast yet strikingly unfamiliar for so many will tantalize our senses in a way I can't even begin to imagine. It's going to be exciting. Big things have happened at pdotproductions before, but this is huge. Stay tuned. Internet access may be limited, but rest assured that once back in Norway I will have some gems for you.

History in the Making

We all have addresses in the same country for the first time in nearly 13 years.

First Strøm style ski with all three siblings ever... It happened in Drammen in some of the slickest conditions ever experienced. 5.5 hours of ice, speed inspired glee, evergreens and stunning views.
Carbon neutral from the door high adventure. From dirty late winter urban streets up into the hills in search of a white winter wonderland. We found that and more than we could ever have imagined. A Strøm fairytale selfpropelled adventure of typical proportions. It has been a great winter holiday. I`ll get some more stuff for you later. Have to go Settle a cardboard landscape now...

A day, but not the day.

Jernbane

This week is winter vacation week all over Norway. It is a time for students to escape the perils of education from daycare to university. It is a time for family and friends. Time to relax and also a time to travel. I did just that and set out from Bergen on a wet Sunday morning to make my way from the "Westland" to the "Eastland" by rail.
Travelling by train anywhere is an experience I have almost always enjoyed. In these modern times a journey by rail can occur in nearly the same timeframe as a journey by air, with many of the same comforts and luxury. However, travelling the twin steel includes an entire uniquetravel dimension in this era of high speed and blurred reality. Rail travel is about the need to understand how you arrived at your destination in order to truly appreciate where you have arrived. It is about appreciating all that is between leaving and getting there. Developing a true understanding of the small changes along the way that lead to the often stark contrasts between two points.
NSB or "Norwegian State Railways" is an institution that has shaped this small country in many ways. The journey from Bergen towards the capital of Oslo is one of the most prized stretches of railroad history in this part of the world with its incredible sophistication in the form of endless tunnels, exposure over vast mountainous regions and beauty as well.
As I started out from Bergen I observed wet, fogged, mystical fjords and mountains alive in lush green late winter foilage. This gradually gave way to frosted fjords and powdered peaks. Then on to white out conditions at altitude and the Finse station. This last bit resulted in a 4 hour delay, not atypical of this time of the year. Eventually, we broke the the wind blown white to reveal endless expanses of scattered peaks, quaint valleys, brightly coloured snowed in cabins, gleeful holiday makers on xc skiis with rosy cheeks and pack sacks full of whole carbs, oranges and other treats with children in tow on sledges. This scene gradually shifted to ice and slush, urban inspirations and rolling forest covered terrain as we neared Drammen and the trains ultimate destination in Oslo. Westland to Eastland. Understanding the destination via the journey.
The NSB railcars leaded into the many curves along the way with the precision of a world class Super G. Skiis and packs were stacked tall in the baggage racks while Norwegians in skipants and multicoloured knitted wool sweaters enjoyed newspapers, strong coffee and overpriced openface sandwiches in a beachwood and deep red appolstered environment inspired by the wooded landscape and vibrant winter sun gliding by beyond smoke tinted windows.

I witnessed this all in incredible sequence, but most astonishingly of all the most dramatic influences came while enjoying Røyksopp`s "Eple" through my white audio buds. The video for this track was featured this summer on pdotproductions, but now is the perfect time to share this masterpiece yet again. It is pure genious and is inspired by all that is typical in this quirky, quaint and energizingly quiet corner of the globe. A corner I now proudly call home. I love this place.

Royksopp
Eple
Enjoy!

Straight Edge

One day not long ago I took a shower and threw on my Bici band just to see what I could see.
To my great surprise an hour later passers by began to squeal with glee.
I took off the band and what did I see?
My curls had gone straight edge revealing a whole new me.

Fjelltur

Yesterday I started the day off with a 3 hour ride in vibrant sunshine and plus 10 out on the north portion of the Sotra Island. The views on this ride are absolutely stunning with mutliple bridges revealing scenes of bright blue ocean on either side, colourfull boat houses and chugging sailboats on their way out to a day of salty adventure. All of this with the backdrop of the mountains surroung Bergen to the east.

Later in the day I desided to take anther trip outdoors, this time on foot to the top of the very local Bildøytoppen. It is a small mountain with lots of route options along the top including a beautiful lake. I wrangled up a group of newfound friends and hit the trails. We were met with stunning views once we got ourselves up onto the mountain. It is incredible what the contrast and harmony between mountains and ocean can do for you on such a vibrant day.

This place is stunning, this country is stunning, the people here are stunning. I think I can really get to love this part of the world, even more than I already do. Thanks to Herr Gilje for the photos.

Tele Time!

This past week was spent at the KRIK Hoyfjellssenter with a pile of incredible people from all over the country. It was an incredible week on many fronts, but the definitive highlight was the three days I spent engrossing myself in the delicate art of telemark skiing.
I have always been fascinated with telemark and its graceful movements, physical demands and technical challenge. Although I have spent some time on cross country and downhill skis, the chance to try telemark has always eluded me. When I found out that I had the chance to try telemark this past week I jumped on it with great anticipation.
With some instruction I was given the basic skills I needed to refine my technique and by the end of day three I managed to figure out a couple of key points and everything came together to reveal one of the most magnificent sensations I have ever experienced. I have been convinced that if I am ever going to get good on skis it is going to be on telemark skis. The sheer joy of flowing through the motions involved in this art form are enough to change ones life. The physical challenge also attracts me, as sections that normally would be navigated with little effort on standard skis come alive again with burning thighs and elevated pulse. Additionally, telemark is incredibly versatile with the additional possibility of descending self gained summits in a most natural expression of achievement and freedom.
I have started a new chapter in my life, its going to be a good one...

Snow in the Tropics

I was shocked to see the temperatures Calgary has been facing. With -30 degrees on the thermometer the rather gimpy +2 and +3 we see here seems nearly tropical. The weather has been fantastic since I got come to think of it. Considering that it is mid winter, the days are reasonably mild, catastrophic wind is a rarity and although it rains often it hasn't become a bother.
Last night the temperature dropped just enough for that regular rain to fall as snow. Over night and throughout the morning flurries blanketed the islands outside of Bergen in a rare white. I was excited to get out and capture some images of the occasion and did so on a little jog this morning. Enjoy.

Snowed Out
Winter Oak
Check the full deal at Flickr!