HF's blog

Back in HK...

2011-08-18T10:31:00.001+08:00

..and back to normal day life. Good to be back and back to work again after a few weeks off. Does this mean I am a workoholic?

Hope this finds everybody well.

Long time no blog...

2011-08-10T07:50:00.001+08:00

Well, again it seems like an eternity since I last took the time to post something on this blog. I think I have slowly but steadily come to the conclusion that I am not much of a blogger, but rather a "blog-by-opportunity" type guy... My sister mentioned my blog today, just by coincidence, and thus I came to think about the fact that I only post anything on here whenever something is about to happen (at which point I for some reason feel a need to share that news), or when I am bored...

I have been in Norway for the last two and a half weeks. It's been a stay of mixed feelings. Much more than what it normally is. I have realized that a lot of the things in life that we take for granted and that we consider maybe not so important, might be just the opposite.

The reason for this is of course the unbelievable events that took place in Oslo and at Utøya island on July 22nd. The horrible acts of cowardice shown by this supposedly lone maniac has left deep scars in the Norwegian people, and I fear that the country will never be the same. At the same time, the people of this little and proud nation has shown to the world that we are united in this time of despair, and we will fight this injustice with more humanity, more democracy and more openness (as the Prime Minister himself put it). This fills me with a great pride of being Norwegian in the midst of all this, and it serves as a beacon of light in all this emotional darkness.

I strongly believe that no matter what happens, the objectives of this idiot will never be fulfilled, rather the opposite. I hope he gets a fair trial, the sentence he deserves, and that we continue to demonstrate that we are a nation of laws, openness, democracy and humanity - across gender, culture or ethnicity.

I'm set to return to Hong Kong on Thursday. Sort of looking forward to getting back, and getting back to work again after the holidays. What I don't look forward to, is to say "so long for now" to the loved ones back here at home.

I hope this finds everybody well.

Week is almost over...

2011-07-14T22:48:00.000+08:00

..and the weekend is over. It's been a hell of a week, but things have worked themselves out. I am looking forward to the weekend setting in, and getting some rest.

I've got tickets for Norway lined up and will be there from July 24th to August 11th. Looking forward to it!

Hope this finds everybody doing well.

Back again...

2011-06-21T15:47:00.000+08:00

Well, it's been a good while since my last post. I guess some things just never changes.

I've been busier than in a long time lately, and since last, I've made a couple of trips to the old country. Always good to be back there, even though it gets ridiculously busy most of the time. Oh well, that's life, I suppose. At least I got to see the home team play the neighboring town in the soccer-match this last trip. My first visit to the fairly new stadium and the crowd measure 12500 people. The atmosphere was unbelievable for my hometown to be, and it was a great feeling to be part of that. Too bad the game itself wasn't quite as good...

Anyway, hope this finds everybody alive and well.

Life in an Asian big city...

2011-03-09T19:58:00.000+08:00

The days go by and everything stays the same here in Hong Kong. Mostly the days are filled with work, often into the late hours, then maybe a wee trip to the gym. Spring is coming and it is slowly heating up as well. Can't wait for the heat to come back. It's been cold for too long down here.

As always, I am trying to figure out what new stuff one can do in this town. It is such a big city, with such diversity, yet it seems so much the same all the time. Is it me who should be better at finding new things to try out? Well, in any case, I am in need of some R&R at some point too. Wouldn't be opposed to a long weekend or something, preferably somewhere else than here... Until then, it is work work work, and that's that.

Hope all is well with everybody out there.

Back in HK...

2011-02-13T22:50:00.001+08:00

After a few weeks in Norway I am now back in HK and everything is the same as usual. We are hitting a bit of a cold patch these days, and it's been creeping as low as 12C again, but it is only supposed to last for a few days, so we'll see...

Otherwise it is a lot to do with the office where I have new employees to take care of these days. Hope all is well with everybody.

Norway once again...

2011-02-02T19:02:00.001+08:00

So I am here in Norway again, and have been here for almost two weeks already, for work. It has been a very busy time so I haven't had the chance to blog much.

Leaving to go back to HK on Sunday.

Also, I would like to wish all my friends in China (and elsewhere, for that matter) a really Happy Chinese New Year! / Gong Xi Fa Cai! / Kung Hei Fat Choi! Hope the celebrations go well and that everybody get some well-deserved time off.

Merry Christmas one and all...

2010-12-24T22:44:00.001+08:00

I am back in Norway for the holidays after a bit of a hassle to get here, with all the snow around Europe, but it worked itself out eventually.

Hope everybody out there has a wonderful Christmas.

The usual...

2010-12-10T00:38:00.001+08:00

So another week has passed.

Last weekend was great. Had the annual Christmas party, as mentioned, at the honorable Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. What a place. I must say, it is really impressive, and we also had a open balcony view towards HK Island. Amazing. Also a very well organized and well executed party. My hat goes off to the party committee, who did a great job!

The trip home to Norway is now set. I leave on the 21st and go back to HK on the 28th. I am stoked about it. Will be great to get back. I hear it is almost -20C back there, so I am in for quite a change in temperature, alright...

The week is coming to an end, and I am looking forward to re-charging the batteries again after a pretty busy week.

Hope all is well with everybody.

Another week...

2010-11-29T21:43:00.000+08:00

And so another week starts here in HK. Got some well needed rest this weekend, so batteries were charged for the always so blue Monday morning.

Got some good progress for the new office today. Got utilities ordered and the interior designers are to show up on Wednesday (finally). It's about time so we can finally get stuff in there and start using the facilities.

Christmas is coming too, and I am looking forward to going back to Norway for the holidays. It is usually a quite stressful thing each year, but I would not be without it. Seems like we tend to forget what Christmas is all about, and less and less of that holiday spirit is with us with every year that pass. I hope we can find back to what for me is the essence of it all - to be together as a family.

This Friday will be the annual Christmas party for the Norwegians in Hong Kong. My first. Should be a great event and I am really looking forward to it.

Hope all is well with all.

Bandwidth...

2010-11-22T14:57:00.000+08:00

I am starting to think that I am getting to old to follow the pace anymore. I seem to remember where I was on top of most every challenge that hit me, and I could still multitask good enough to keep it at bay, but these past few weeks have really made me doubt.

I am still keeping head above water though, but this has been some of the heaviest weeks in a long time. Really good to see progression again and that things are falling into place.

The new office is established, and now it is being set up for functionality. Can't wait to get situated and really start a new era here in HK!

Winter is also coming and the temperatures are down to more decent levels. One can even wear a suit these days and stay reasonably dry.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well.

Back in HK...

2010-11-03T18:28:00.001+08:00

Just got back to the good ole HK, and guess what, the apartment still
stands! Not that I was expecting anything else, for that matter. Just
nice to see that nothing has happened even after two weeks empty.

Got the luggage sorted and got some rest, now better get some food at
some point.

I miss the old country a bit already. It was a great trip. Now work
continues here and the everyday hassles sets in. I am stoked.

Hope everybody are doing well out there.

Happy Halloween everybody!

2010-11-01T05:29:00.000+08:00

Hope everybody had as much fun as we did...

That was that...

2010-11-01T05:09:00.001+08:00

The Norway trip is coming to an end. It has been a truly great stay, and I have been busier than in a long time, but it feels great.

I have also changed jobs during this trip (that is, still with the same company). That also feels great.

We celebrated Halloween this weekend, and are now all out of candy, which is exactly the way it should be. We even did a pumpkin carving this year, which I hadn't done in ages, and it brought me back to the time spent in the US. It is a nice tradition that I think we will keep alive for the future as well.

Hope all is well with everybody and I wish you all a Happy Halloween!

Busy times...

2010-10-27T17:59:00.001+08:00

So I am here in Norway and besides trying to cope with the cold and the harsh weather, for which I realize I am no longer used to, I have to deal with a very busy schedule. It is nevertheless great to be back and I am enjoying every minute of it.

Had the chance to drop by an old buddy of mine in Oslo yesterday as well. That was great.

Hope all is well with everybody out there.

Bags are packed...

2010-10-18T01:17:00.000+08:00

..and I'm ready to go.

Tomorrow will be a long day. Start early with work, then finish that off, then flying out to Europe in the evening. Packed mostly warm clothes this time. He he he...

Looking forward to getting back, as always, although it will be a busy two weeks alright.

Hope all is well with all...

Norway bound...

2010-10-16T21:04:00.001+08:00

So it looks like I will be headed for Norway on Monday, for a two week trip again. Should be great. Nevertheless it should be very cold, but I can manage.

Since my last blog I have made a poll survey on the side of this blog page, so that visitors can tell me what they think of the blog (those who cares). Just a cool poll tool I found on Polldaddy.com...

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Keeping busy...

2010-09-29T02:03:00.000+08:00

Well, so it has been ages since my last posting. I have just been keeping busy, and being back here in HK, things are starting to heat up. I am going at it one thing at a time, and so far so good, but it takes some effort, to say the least.

The temperatures are finally starting to drop a little bit, but it is still quite hot down here. We average around 30C, which is still a bit on the warm side. Not exactly looking forward to the colder season, but compared to what I am used with from back home I don't usually have much problems with it.

Well, sorry for not having anything more exciting to post, but stay tuned for some better news in the time to come.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well.

Back in HK again...

2010-08-22T04:49:00.001+08:00

Well, I am back in HK and ready for business as usual again.

Hope all is well with everybody...

The last day in Norway for a while...

2010-08-18T17:41:00.001+08:00

So, today is the last day here. Tomorrow is return date, heading back to the normal order of things in HK.

Yesterday my brother and I laid a concrete floor down in the basement. The place has been standing vacant for like twenty years, and my old man and I finally decided to do something about it. We think it might be a decent bathroom and a sauna down there at some point. Also planning on putting in a refrigerated walk-in room for cold storage. We'll see. At least now the floor is done, with heater cables embedded, so that should take care of things during the winter.

My first time doing stuff like this in a while, and I think we did a pretty good job. The old man was happy, at least. Couldn't have done it without my brother, though. He knows that stuff pretty well, alright.

Hope this finds everybody well.

Running out of time...

2010-08-16T17:50:00.001+08:00

Well, I suppose the vacation time is coming to an end. Just a few days left here before I will turn my head south again. Been fairly lucky with the weather at least. Been good to see everybody, and off course spending time with my loved ones.

Wish I had more time.

Mixed feeling about these past two weeks. Some stuff has been really good, some stuff has flat out sucked.

Hope you're all doing OK, wherever you are...

Some days you win, some days you lose...

2010-08-11T08:07:00.001+08:00

Today has been a day filled with a little bit of both.

Have you ever done something, and regretted it afterwards? Something that will fill your head with all kinds of thoughts. You might try to take it back, but the damage is already done. It's a tough spot to be in...

I don't want to sound like a sentimental old fool, but sometimes it can get a little much. Today I had something happen to me that I haven't experienced in a long time, and in a way, even though it made me sad, it also reminded me of why it made some of the choices I did some time ago. I am not going to elaborate on it here, but I just wanted to reflect on it for a sec.

Well. Sometimes I guess life is like that.

Even though it might be looking pretty grim from your point of view, it is a small comfort that after rain comes shine - and above the clouds the skies are always blue. The more you think about it, it can't rain all the time, now can it?

Norway again...

2010-08-08T21:47:00.000+08:00

Here in Norway, life is the same. It's always good to be back here. I am trying to disconnect from work and really recharge the batteries for the months ahead. I know there will be busy times and lots of work coming, but that's all good.

We've had some chilly weather the first few days, but now the temperatures are rising again and there's no rain. Great stuff.

Hope everybody are enjoying themselves in what's left of this summer. Better enjoy it while it lasts.

Bags are packed...

2010-08-04T19:43:00.001+08:00

..I'm ready to go...

So everything is set for the Norway trip again, and I am looking forward to it. Will be good to spend a few weeks in the old country again.

It seems like I will be working a bit while there, but that's ok.

Hope all is well.

Whew...

2010-08-02T22:41:00.001+08:00

Well, so the first week of vacation is over, and a week of tourguiding a couple of good friends around HK is over. It's been a hectic week, and it almost doesn't feel like I've been on vacation at all, to be honest, but it was good to have friends visiting.

Now there are a few days of hard work again, before I turn my nose north to the old country again for some weeks there. Looking forward to that. Hope the weather will be on my side, though. So far, the summer back home have been less than great from what I have heard. Oh well, there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing, I suppose (old Norwegian saying).

Hope everybody are enjoying their summer.

What's next...

2010-07-23T00:47:00.002+08:00

Well, so yesterday was the close call on the road in China. Today a surprise "black rain" hit HK with all it's force. "Black Rain" is what they call it here when the rain is so heavy the sky is nearly totally blackened and the "Black Signal" is in hoisted. In other words torrential rain, often sideways due to the heavy winds that often comes with it. I guess it was a last "See ya later" from typhoon Chanthu that just graced us in the past few days.

So we had a lot of flooded roads and clogged drains. Pretty interesting scenes when you venture around in times like this.

On Saturday I have a couple of good friends from Norway visiting. They'll be here for a week and it should be good fun. Looking forward to that.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well.

Close call...

2010-07-21T23:27:00.000+08:00

Today I experienced one of the weirdest things in a very long time. I have spent a few days on the Chinese mainland for work, and was on my way to a factory in the back of a taxi outside Shenzhen this morning. The taxi drove into a tunnel where there was some sort of hold-up up ahead. Pretty soon, the taxi came to a stop in the middle of the tunnel.

So here we are, sitting ducks in this tunnel, in the rightmost lane of a triple lane highway. A second or so later, I hear some sounds from the back of the tunnel and sort of sense a commotion of some sort. I don't know how to explain it, really.

I look to my left and in the lane next to the taxi comes a truck on two wheels and flips over on its side next to the taxi. About one meter outside the window! One more meter to the right and it would have hit us dead on. Thank God we were spared.

Unreal.

And a busy week it was...

2010-07-13T00:45:00.001+08:00

Yep. I was right. It DID become a hectic and busy week. Although I was completely nackered by the end of the week, I think the week had some really positive effects, and I think there will be some interesting times ahead as a result of that.

Now another Monday is over, and I should technically be asleep already. Tomorrow is another day, with its own challenges.

I am happy to know that the dreaded World Cup is over. Congrats to Spain with the gold - well deserved. Will also be more than a little pleased to hear, or NOT hear I should say, them damned vuvuzela's that have been bothering everybody during these games. I hope it was this championship, and this championship only, that allowed these idiotic things. Whoever allowed them should be jailed. Seriously annoying and good riddance, you will not be missed.

Hope this finds everybody alive and kickin'...

Another Monday....

2010-07-05T09:51:00.000+08:00

Well, it's another Monday here in Hong Kong, and it is 35C in the shade. I have a bunch of colleagues coming in from Norway and they are in for temperatures a bit higher than what they are used to, to put it that way.

Looking to be a quite busy week for me, and that's good - looking forward to it!

Wish you all a productive and interesting week.

Happy Independence Day!

2010-07-04T22:25:00.001+08:00

Just want to wish all my American friends a very happy 4th of July. Hope you all have a blast!

Back in HK again...

2010-07-03T19:30:00.001+08:00

I am back in HK and still going strong. Good to be back...

The beauty of the old country...

2010-06-21T14:06:00.001+08:00

As the days go by here in Norway, I cannot help but to think about the
natural beauty that exists here. Right now, on a train on the way to
the nation's capitol, I am watching the landscape pass by outside and
I am as usual set back in awe from the sight I see.

The freshness, the nature, the colors, just about everything - it has
a sort of undescribable serenity to it.

I wish all Norwegians knew what a great place this really is.

On a plane again...

2010-06-19T16:09:00.000+08:00

So here I am, on the way back to Norway yet again. This time for a three day meeting session with work.

I have 12 hours on one plane behind me, a couple of hours of transit time as well, and now I am on the final plane ride to Oslo. Then there'll be another two hours or so by bus before I reach home.

I am looking out the window watching Europe pass by below me. Right now I think we are above Holland, moving in above Denmark and soon we will be entering Norwegian airspace. Good stuff.

It is Saturday morning, and the sun is shining brightly in the sky - for me that is. Below me is a massive cloud cover, stretching as far as the eye can see and seems to cover most of western Europe today. This reminds me of the fact that I am probably right here and now experiencing a better Saturday morning than most Europeans! I feel almost honoured.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Sundays are good days...

2010-05-30T17:57:00.001+08:00

It's Sunday again. Always loved those. Laidback days where you can kick back and just let time pass by in peace and quiet. Good stuff.

I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow and I am trying to charge my batteries to the fullest today. Heading to Guangzhou for a customer factory visit. Always interesting to make it a bit further inland than just Shenzhen. Hope the weather won't be too wet - that always puts a damper on things and makes everything much more of a hassle.

Hope everybody are enjoying their weekend and look forward to another week of possibilities and new experiences...

Hello weekend!

2010-05-28T02:39:00.000+08:00

The week has come and gone, and the weekend is here. It is warmly welcomed on my end. Been a rough week with all sorts of firefighting, but we have survived. I hope things will start to normalize going forward so that we can get some continuity and stability to everything. It drains you when you have to deal with issues left and right that seemingly never ends.

Friday is here. Great. Lets make the best of it. Have a nice weekend, everybody!

Thoughts on differences...

2010-05-24T01:11:00.000+08:00

I've been back to HK for a day and a half now, and I have already started to make observations that reminds me of the fact that I'm back, and that this is another world. For example, it is incredibly much warm here. Not that I didn't know this from before, to put it that way, but today, I actually noticed it when I did something as mundane as washing my hands under the tap. The water is warm, even when the tap is set to cold. The water is actually cooler to begin with. This is because the pipes go through the building where there is cooling in the form of air conditioning, but as soon as the water from the outside pipes gets through it immediately turns warm. Odd. In Norway, it is usually freezing cold all the way out into the summer because it takes a while before the ground warms up. Talk about differences...

A fairly uninteresting point, I know. But I just thought I'd share this experience with those of you that probably would never have thought of it otherwise.

On another note, I had a long conversation with a friend of mine last week while I was in Norway. We started talking about missing the fatherland, and how this affects us. I'll be the first to admit that I'm caught by this every time I'm home. This time I got it in over me while I was driving a car (it happens often). I was driving on a road that ran through the forest after the Swedish border and into Norway. The sun was about to go down, and there was a lot of rays of light coming in through the treetops. In some places you could see far into the forest, in a kind of twilight that you only get at this time of day and this time of year. Since it was in May, the Norwegian forest was dressed in its best clothes. It was a sight I rarely see, and which I am no longer used to in the same way as before. I felt a tremendous sense of pride and of course joy of cruising around there in that wonderful nature, and almost became hypnotized by what I saw.

It made me think of the book by the now famous resistance fighter Max Manus, that I had read some years ago (long before the movie came out and he became a national celebrity for that matter). In the book he talks about his feelings after having lived in Argentina for several years with his uncle and how he was seized with an intense national feeling and desire to come home, especially when strife and struggle begins at home. I thought then, that it was in excess of what could be called normal, but I really understand now how he must have felt. An interesting thought for me indeed. Having said that I just want to point out that I'm in no way looking to compare myself with Max Manus, but I'm just saying that I can certainly identify with what he felt there and then. Maybe more than people at home can.

Quite often when I'm home I get the feeling that life there goes on in its own little way. Safe, little Norway always seems to stay the same. Many people complaints about ordinary things, but what many of them do not realize is that they actually complain about HOW GOOD THEIR LIVES REALLY ARE. It is quite a paradox to think about. I could have written pages up and down about this, but I choose not to. As long as the average Norwegian doesn't have better things to complain about than the price of a pack of cigarettes, it is ok for me - for me it is a sign that they live in a world where everything is fundamentally well, and nobody really is poor. For a person who has stayed abroad for a long time, and seen a little of everything, the concept of life tends to become quite different.

Back in HK...

2010-05-23T05:18:00.001+08:00

So I made it safe back to Hong Kong, and the flight was much smoother than I had anticipated. Although there was a slight delay in transit, I managed to sleep through most of the long haul, and woke up about one hour before landing. Excellent! Wish every long haul was like that...

I managed to watch a movie as well, thanks to KLM's new standard where they have individual TV screens at the back of each seat. This is truly much better and one can even play video games like chess, solitaire, good old tetris, and even "Who wants to be a Millionaire". Not bad and thanks for that, KLM.

On Monday work kicks off with a customer visit to one of the factories, so that should be a full day.

Anyway, good to be back although I have to admit it turned out to become a really nice visit in Norway this time around, and I wish it lasted a little bit longer than it did. Norway in May is hard to beat.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well.

Time flies...

2010-05-18T05:18:00.001+08:00

Well, so I have already been here in Norway for a week, and boy, how time flies. Feels like I just landed...

Today was our Constitution Day, with all that goes with it. Parades, flags everywhere, lots of cheering and bands marching around all day. We had the weather on our side this year and it was around 12C most of the day, although there was a slight drizzle in the afternoon, but by that time the festivities were mostly over. The temperature made it nice for parading in the national costumes and suits everybody wears for this occasion, so it really was quite pleasant in my opinion. Off course some sun would be even better, but it sure could have been a lot worse. Some years we have even had snow on the 17th!

The kids had a great time. This is their big day and all the parents were mostly running around like a bunch of stressed out nerve wrecks, but that is tradition too I suppose.

All in all a very successful day in every sense. I will try to post some pictures at a later point.

So a continued happy Constitution Day my fellow Norwegians! HIPP HIPP HEISANN HURRA!

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Made it to Norway...

2010-05-13T18:25:00.001+08:00

Well, so I made it to Norway. The usual trip took around 24 hours, but at least there were no issues with volcanic ashes and stuff like that, so the trip went pretty smooth.

Norway is at around 5C these days, and when the winds hit, it can be a bit chilly, but it's fresh. Great to be back to breathe the fresh air again. I have missed it a lot.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Typical...

2010-05-06T02:47:00.001+08:00

Well, ain't that just my regular luck... Just when I had the tickets booked and everything was set for the trip home next week, the volcano in Iceland decides to go ahead and spread some ashes again. OK, so it wasn't as bad as the original eruption, but bad enough that both Ireland and Scotland have now closed its airspace again. It would be just so typical if the situation got worse again and it would spread to Norwegian airspace as well...

Let's hope for the best but prepare for the worst...

Coming home...

2010-05-02T14:20:00.001+08:00

Looks like I will be heading home on the 11th for a good two weeks in Norway. The trip will be mixed business and time off, as some of the days are holidays. Should be a good trip. Hope the volcano stuff doesn't screw things up for me...

Today is a particularly nice day here in HK, and it is Sunday. That means time to get out and go around. Good times.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Google searches...

2010-04-17T17:20:00.000+08:00

Just saw this summary of neat searching tricks when using Google. I use it quite frequently, myself, yet I had to admit there were a few handy tricks here that I hadn't heard about...

http://tinyurl.com/yk4c8bf

Weekend is here yet again...

2010-04-17T00:26:00.000+08:00

So it's already been a week since my last posting and now the weekend is here again. It has been an intense week with lots of work and a lot of things going on, but finally, it is Friday and time to kick back for a little bit at least.

Yesterday we got a decent shower here in HK, making the place clean again for the first time in a while. Good to feel that the pollution got reduced, if nothing else then for a little while. Better than Norway right now, where air traffic is suspended until further notice due to the massive volcano eruption in Iceland a few days ago. Guess it's better to be safe than sorry as volcanic ashes and airplane engines apparently does not mix well...

Anyhoo, hope all is well with everybody and stay tuned for more happy days...

Back on track...

2010-04-11T22:04:00.001+08:00

Well, so I am now well settled in the new apartment, and it feels pretty good. It's been a hectic period through Easter and all that, with all the hauling and fixing to be sorted out, but at last I have internet, TV signal, all the furniture, and just about everything else also fixed.

It did take me a while to get the internet and TV stuff fixed, as the provider turned out to be a bit slow, but that's OK I suppose. Now the home-office is up and running, the living room is all decorated and set up, the clothes are in the wardrobes, and the dishes and kitchen utensils are all in place. Good stuff! Last but not least, the view to the HK skyline is there every single day and it brings good vibes indeed. I have spent some time trying to acquaint myself with the surrounding area and even though I knew it fairly well from before, there has been a lot of surprises and I have to say the place has a lot to offer. A lot more than I initially thought, let's put it that way.

Anyway, hope everybody had a good Easter break, and that all is well...

Getting closer...

2010-03-26T04:59:00.001+08:00

Well, so the big day for swapping apartments is almost here. I get the keys for the new apartment tomorrow. The old apartment is now a huge mess of cardboard boxes, luggage, bags and God knows what else. Most rooms are stripped and it feels totally weird walking into them. Although the place hasn't been what I hoped it would be, it has been home for a year, and there is a part of me that will miss it.

I caught myself staring out into the room for almost a minute all of a sudden, for some weird reason. I guess I got to that point where I realized that I will miss it in a way. Weird. Total cliché, I know, but still weird.

I think what I will miss the most is the location. I have been right there on the famous escalators of Central now for a year, and the area is just amazing. You just have to live there to fully understand what I am talking about, but just drop by will give you a pretty good idea also.

Now it is the Kowloon side for me. I am pretty stoked about it as the new apartment is much newer, brighter, great view to the HK skyline, as well as the convenience it will bring me in my work-travels.

Anyway, hope this finds everybody alive and well and stay tuned for some more posts (this time from the Kowloon side) soon...

PS: Don't forget to turn off the lights this Saturday for Earth Hour - let's show Mother Earth that we care!

New week, new possibilities...

2010-03-01T10:44:00.001+08:00

So Monday is here again. It's a new week with new things to do and new options to choose from.

Had a great weekend with relaxing in Stanley Bay here in Hong Kong, ans coping some apartments on Sunday. This time in Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side. Found a nice building with an amazing view to the HK island side and the HK skyline straight across. Will seriously consider that...

I cannot help but to think about the apartment I have lived in for the last year, and how much better it could have been. Looking forward to moving, that's for sure. Mostly because of the less than amazing management company that owns the apartment. I think this must be the worst management team I have ever had to deal with, but that's a different story...

Other than that I am pleased to see the Norwegians doing so well in the Olympics. The games are now over, but what great games these were for Norway. A bunch of medals and in general great achievements of my fellow countrymen. My hat goes off to all of you!

That's it for now. Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Another chapter...

2010-02-25T09:48:00.000+08:00

So it appears I will be finding myself a new place to live in the next month. The rent for the apartment is up and I am currently looking around. Should be a change for the better. The existing place has served me well but there have been a good few things that I have not been very happy about too. So long, old gaff, here I come new gaff...

The weather in HK seems to be warming up. Can't wait for the heat to hit for real. The buildings are now sweating profusely as a result of the high humidity here and that is a good sign I suppose.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Finally back on track...

2010-02-13T17:15:00.001+08:00

So I finally managed to get a new Blackberry, after elegantly managing to loose my last one in January. It's just so much better to have access to everything again, and communication is back on track.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Text messages...

2010-02-08T01:13:00.000+08:00

Just want to remind everybody that SMS'es doesn't seem to work very well when sending from Norway to HK. The other way around seems to work fine, and most other countries also seems OK, but not Norway. I smell a rat with the Norwegian service providers...

So, if you need to get hold of me, send me an email or do a quick call...

Smog, toilet restaurants and other things...

2010-02-02T10:49:00.001+08:00

Well, last week was the week from hell, work-wise. I think I worked around 15 hours every day, including making two trips to the mainland, for which I found myself in smog so thick I felt I could taste it and could also probably dig my way through with a shovel. It was a long time since I had seen pollution THIS bad. I thought for a while there it was improving, but last week was really bad. Even in HK one could feel it. I guess the driver taking all sorts of shortcuts through bumpy and dusty roads with windows open didn't help either.

Later in the week I had the pleasure of visiting the "Modern Toilet" restaurant in Kowloon. Everything served there is served in small version of anything that can be found in a toilet. The ice cream was some good shit!

A good list to start from...

2010-01-13T04:14:00.001+08:00

If you are ever bored and by the computer, maybe like right now (since you are reading this I mean), then check out some of these links. I guarantee it you won't be able to keep a straight face for long...

http://www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com
http://www.dontevenreply.com
http://failblog.org
http://oddlyspecific.com
http://www.wired.com
http://www.engrish.com

Back to reality...

2010-01-06T08:46:00.000+08:00

So the normal daily life is back, and the holidays and cheers is all faded into oblivion for another twelve months. All in all it is all good, I suppose.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T12:08:00.001+08:00

Well folks, welcome to 2010. The new year is upon us.

I can't really say that it feels largely different from last year, but
let's hope for progress and fortune in the year ahead.

We had a pretty good party here in Hong Kong on New Years Eve.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Just another day...

2009-11-23T03:37:00.001+08:00

So here we are again, back on the ole blog. Been a while now. Seems to be the trend alright and I sort of feel that all I do every time I post is to explain myself away from being away for so long.

Just another day here in HK. The adventure here continues and recently have been more than a little busy with work. Things are starting to come together now and I hope we can move forward again shortly. Not that I feel like I've been standing still, just been bogged down with too much stuff lately. That sometimes leads to a feeling of not exactly moving forward although I guess underneath it all that's exactly what you are doing. Just got to stay focused and keep your head above water. Or try at least.

Temps here in HK has really dropped over the last week and now we're down to just above 10 °C. That might not sound too cold but trust me it is more than cold enough in a place where there is no isolation in the walls and also little or no heating around. The humidity doesn't help either. Oh well...

Christmas is coming up and it is soon time to head North once again for the holidays. Going to be good to see the family again even though it is not too long since I was back home.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

I'm back...

2009-10-18T06:38:00.000+08:00

Well, so it's been over a month since my last entry again. I have a tendency to do that it seems, oh well...

Since last I have been in Norway again for a short but rather productive trip with work, including a day trip to Denmark visiting a supplier there, and otherwise just been busy with work to a great extent. It feels good to be busy, although it can be tiring at times.

I have started getting back in shape again as well. It has certainly been a while and it feels great to get back into a healthier routine. Most of the reason for this change in lifestyle is the quality of the gyms here in HK, as well as their availability. Makes it easier to do and I am really pleased about that. Don't have any major plans with it other than getting back in shape on a general level, I've been putting that aside for far too long.

I hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Happy Birthday Dad!

2009-09-16T18:52:00.001+08:00

My dad is 70 years old today. I wish I could be there and celebrate the day with him and the family. Either way wish him all the best on his big day. Half-way to 140!...

Back in HK...

2009-08-14T04:47:00.000+08:00

Well, so three weeks in Norway came and went. And it went fast!

In total I think I can look back at about five or maybe six days without rain, and maybe four or five out of those were in turn really sunny days, so I guess that makes almost a whole week. Not too bad. 33% good weather. Almost.

Everything went well during the trip. The transfers were no hassle, and I slept through most of the flight. Pretty good, for once. OK, so I didn't get bumped to business class like I did when I went home, but at least I could sleep this time. Maybe it's the crappiness of the coach seats that sort of forces me to sleep in order to not go crazy or something, I don't know. I had about two and a half hours layover in Amsterdam, which isn't too bad either. Apart from HKIA, Schipol is a pretty smooth airport, actually.

I got back to HK on Monday afternoon. Got through immigration and got my luggage pretty fast. Gotta love the efficiency here. Then onto the train and to downtown. When I got in the cab and out into traffic the sky had opened up and it was really pouring. It's been doing that more or less ever since then.

But at the end of the day, it's good to be back and getting back to work again. Business as usual. Tomorrow, or should I say today (yes, I am jetlagged still, and can't sleep at all), is the first factory visit after the holidays. Should be good. Then the weekend is here. Good stuff.

Thanks to all back in the old country who made the trip home memorable and as good as always. See you all again soon.

The boxer...

2009-08-02T06:58:00.000+08:00

I am just a poor boy and my story's seldom told.
I've squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles, such are promises.
All lies and jest, still the man hears what he wants to hear.
And disregards the rest, hmm...

When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy.
In the company of strangers.
In the quiet of the railway station, runnin scared.
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters, where the ragged people go.
Looking for the places only they would know.

Li la li...

Asking only workmans wages, I come lookin for a job, but I get no offers.
Just a comeon from the whores on 7th avenue.
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome.
I took some comfort there.

Now the years are rolling by me, they are rockin even me.
I am older than I once was, and younger than I'll be, thats not unusual.
No it isnt strange, after changes upon changes, we are more or less the same.
After changes we are more or less the same.

Li la li...

And I'm laying out my winter clothes, wishing I was gone, goin' home...
Where the New York City winters aren't bleedin' me, leadin' me to go home

In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade.
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him.
til he cried out in his anger and his shame.
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains.
Yes he still remains...

Li la li..

Time goes by...

2009-08-01T23:11:00.000+08:00

Well, two weeks of Norway is coming to an end, and soon I'll be in the third and last week here. It's been quick. It always is. Despite rain most of the time and even a small twister coming through town, a storm, a flood in downtown and general poor weather, it's been a busy time thus far.

I am trying to settle as much as possible while home, and that makes time pass I guess.

Today has been the fourth day where we have actually had sun. The sun is warm but the air is pretty cold today. I don't think it is more than 18C and it gets a bit on the cold side when the sun passes behind a cloud. Typical, since there were a couple of weeks in the early July that were really hot. Just my luck that the crappy weather sets in when I am here. Oh well, not much one can do about that, I suppose.

Heading to Oslo next week for one day there. Might look up some old friends, but also have an agenda to stick to, so we'll see what time allows.

Today is Saturday, and time to chill out. Wouldn't mind a trip out on town to see old buddies but circumstances does not allow for it this time. Raincheck.

If anybody are in for a laugh, I just came across a pretty funny website the other day. Check it out. http://dontevenreply.com

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Norway rocks...

2009-07-28T23:56:00.000+08:00

So I have been home in Norway for a little over a week now, and so far so good, it's great. Despite only two or three days of sun, and the rest rain, it's great to be here and to see all the people and the place again.

Hope everybody is enjoying the Norwegian summer. Hard to beat...

Just my luck...

2009-07-19T02:26:00.001+08:00

Well, so I am supposed to fly out to the old country tomorrow, but low and behold, there's a friggin' typhoon coming through town. Hopefully, it will clear, unless I will have to postpone the departure....

Headed for the old country...

2009-07-11T15:33:00.001+08:00

Hey there people...

So the dates are set. I am leaving for the old country on the 19th. Will be there for three weeks. Hope to see as many people as possible while there.

Hope this finds everyone alive and well...

The choices we make...

2009-07-04T09:12:00.001+08:00

I am sitting here contemplating over the choices I have made in my life. I often do that when I am low or have a lot on my mind. For some reason I keep reflecting over the things I have done, choices I have made, turns I have taken in the course of my life that have led me to the place I am at today. Did I do the right thing?

I keep thinking of the people that has crossed my path along the way, the people that have been part of my life, and those who are still part of it. Did I do them right?

The rain is pouring outside, and the cloud cover is dark. I take comfort in the fact that after rain comes sunshine. For above those dark clouds, the skies are always blue.

Change is gonna come...

2009-07-03T10:13:00.000+08:00

It reached me yesterday that my old workplace, InFocus Corporation, is down-sizing yet again to cope with the ever so challenging economy and its sales numbers. It brings my thoughts back to that place. I worked there for ten years, in all corners of the world - Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, China. Hell, I even swung by India in service to InFocus. It was a great place to work and i owe a lot to that company and to the people that I worked with over the years there. The people I worked with taught me a lot and they were great peers to have around.

It is with sadness that I now understand that the Singapore office is closing down, and that headquarters in Wilsonville, Oregon will be severely reduced.

I do, however, understand the need for this. But at the same time, I cannot but to think about the guys who will now have great change thrown upon them and have to deal with it. I wish them all the best of luck.

Don't give up...

2009-06-29T03:11:00.000+08:00

In this proud land we grew up strong
we were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail

no fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
but no one wants you when you lose

don't give up
'cos you have friends
don't give up
you're not beaten yet
don't give up
I know you can make it good

though I saw it all around
never thought I could be affected
thought that we'd be the last to go
it is so strange the way things turn

drove the night toward my home
the place that I was born, on the lakeside
as daylight broke, I saw the earth
the trees had burned down to the ground

don't give up
you still have us
don't give up
we don't need much of anything
don't give up
'cause somewhere there's a place
where we belong

rest your head
you worry too much
it's going to be alright
when times get rough
you can fall back on us
don't give up
please don't give up

'got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
going to stand on that bridge
keep my eyes down below
whatever may come
and whatever may go
that river's flowing
that river's flowing

moved on to another town
tried hard to settle down
for every job, so many men
so many men no-one needs

don't give up
'cause you have friends
don't give up
you're not the only one
don't give up
no reason to be ashamed
don't give up
you still have us
don't give up now
we're proud of who you are
don't give up
you know it's never been easy
don't give up
'cause I believe there's the a place
there's a place where we belong

I'm back...

2009-06-15T20:43:00.000+08:00

Woah, it's been a while since the last post, but hey, that just means I am either too lazy or too busy lately and both are probably true... I realize that the last post was when I had just landed in Norway in early May. Now that's a while ago, and a lot of water under the bridge since that time...

I am now back in HK, the coolest city, and getting into business as usual. It's a few hectic days both behind me and also in front of me, as I await the Norwegian guys dropping down again later in the month. Should be pretty busy indeed.

My good buddy Jon was so kind as to visit me a few weeks back. That was a really great weekend, where we spent one day in Shenzhen and one in Hong Kong before he had to fly out and go back to Norway. We had a killer time.

Since then I have been more than busy enough with the company here in HK as business starts to settle on me and the day-to-day routine of working full time in HK starts to set in. It is really a great place to be and it is growing on me more and more every day.

Anyways, just wanted to share a little bit of my life here and hope this finds everybody alive and well.

On Norwegian soil yet again...

2009-05-02T16:02:00.001+08:00

Just landed. Good stuff. See ya!

First house party in HK attended...

2009-04-27T14:05:00.001+08:00

There you have it folks. I have hereby attended at my first house party in HK. Turned out the neighbor was throwing a party for his friend, who had a birthday. He swung by my door and said hi and wanted to know if I'd like to join. I joined over and next thing I knew was that we were using my grill to do the BBQ. It turned out to be a very nice party. I met a lot of nice people, and had a good time in general. Cheers for that, neighbor!

I still haven't thrown a party in my place yet, mainly because I never have time, but I am sure it will happen in the not too distant future. Just have to do a quick trip back to Norway first for work.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Improving computer speed...

2009-04-20T14:37:00.001+08:00

Hey there.

I have always been a fan of keeping the computer as clean as possible, not loaded with all sorts of unnecessary programs that end up never being used, not to mention keeping the temporary file size as low as possible. I use programs like CCleaner and Defraggler from Pirisoft frequently to keep the performance as good as possible. One of the laptops I am using haven't been reconfigured (and by that I mean hasn't had a clean installation of Windows) for more than five years. Still it is fast and reliable, no error messages or anything like that, and no unexpected misbehavior. That alone speaks for itself when you think about the years of service this machine has shown.

What I normally do is do a frequent clean using CCleaner. I then do a registry clean-up using the same program (make sure to always choose to do a backup of the registry when asked, just in case). I also do a defragmentation of the C:\ drive from time to time (you don't have to do this too often, though).

I don't do this as often, but still I can also recommend doing a defragmentation of the registry itself. "Registry Derfrag" from Auslogics does this in a good way, in my experience. In addition to all of this, you have to make sure you keep your virus protection updated at all times and also Windows Updates should be enabled as automatic. If you are bothered by lowered bandwidth when these download, then configure them as promting by automatic, then you can choose to install them when you're away from the machine or something like that. Just make sure you don't neglect it.

There was one thing that I noticed though. The hiberfil.sys was growing extremely big and I also noticed that booting was taking a lot of time. Also, every time I defragmented the computer, I noticed that there was still a lot of allocated space that could not be defragmented. Defraggler identifies the files themselves, so it soon became obvious that the hiberfil.sys was the major contributor to said space. As this file is a special system file, it can not be defragmented. At the same time, as it is the file that contains your saved Windows session when hibernating, obviously it locks down a lot of files that normally you would want to defragment. The good thing is that the files is not needed - only when resuming Windows after hibernating. So I deleted the file, did a new clean to be sure using CCleaner, then defragmented, and rebooted.

This significantly improved the speed again and now the computer is back to virtually "as new" state, both speed and everything else. Just some tips for those of you who are complaining about slow and shabby performance of your systems. This just shows it can easily be dealt with...

Trip home around the first of May...

2009-04-19T02:54:00.001+08:00

Hello everybody.

It is now verified, I am going home for a week and a half around the first of May. Hope to see as many as possible or at least take the time to have a chat while I am home.

Hope all is well.

HK Science Park and HK Electronics Fair

2009-04-15T02:34:00.001+08:00

Well, today the trip goes to Sha Tin in New Territories, where Hong Kong Science Park has it's campus. It is a high-tech Mekka in the region and should be very interesting. The people there study new technologies in all sort, forms and variants - from electronics to mechanics, even wireless.

At the same time, the Hong Kong Electronics Fair is going on in town for the 6th year in a row. Hoping to be able to pay that a visit as well to see if there's any interesting things going on in the industry. Should be time for building new contacts and, hopefully, some new business relationships for going forward.

Anyways, just a quick update since it's been so long (my bad). Hope this finds everybody alive and well.

The HK chronicles...

2009-03-01T18:00:00.001+08:00

Hey there people!

It's sure been a while now since I've blogged, and most of the reason for that is that I have been busy moving to Hong Kong. It has been a slow and tedious process, but it has worked out and I am now formally residing in HK, just waiting for some formalities to come through.

I hope to be increasing the blogging too as time goes by, as it's far easier to blog from HK than it is from mainland China due to the web-censorship there.

Here I am, at least, in my new crib in HK and so far I am loving the place.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

A new dawn...

2009-02-06T06:02:00.000+08:00

Well, so it seems like I have been able to get a place to live in HK. Finally. Spendy, but that was expected... Got my covergae set up with the bank too, so all should be set for a future in HK and exciting times ahead.

Apart from that I can inform everybody that fireworks have finally dies down after three consecutive weeks. Happy Chinese New Year... Wonder how many fingers and eyes were lost in the last few weeks. Seeing the Chinese light up fireworks is a thing of its own... Lord have mercy

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Apartments...

2009-01-21T18:18:00.001+08:00

Finding apartments is obviously not as easy as one would think in HK. I have been on the lookout now for several weeks, only set back by a flu for a week or so, and so far I have failed to secure a place to stay in HK. I saw a nice place yesterday, in the SoHo area. It was an older but quite comfortable place. I am hoping for some good response to that one.

Prices are steep in HK. One guy wanted 12000 HKD for a place that couldn't have been more than 40 square meters. Pretty small place. I liked it, but it was just too small for me I think.

Another guy wanted 17000 HKD for a bigger place, but there was no furniture there. Absolutely nothing. That, off course, won't work for me.

Either way, the hunt continues, but it will be interesting to see what I end up with in HK. I am pretty excited to be moving there and I feel I need to get a move on.

Back once again...

2009-01-06T11:55:00.001+08:00

Well, so I am back once again in China after some well spent days in the old country. Needless to say, it was good being home. I could have been without the cold that I contracted so glamorously, but I managed to pull through it so I guess it could have been worse. Always nice to go through the yearly flu round, he he he...

So, here I go again, back in Shenzhen, China. Place is the same, no doubt about it. And that's what we all like about it too I guess. Still adapting to the time-difference but it has been *knock on wood* smoother than ever this time around it seems like. Just got to keep it up.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

From all of us, to all of you...

2008-12-25T21:29:00.000+08:00

Well, there we have it folks! Christmas is here and for most of Scandinavia, Christmas i over already. In some parts of Europe there's still boxing day, but that's gonna be over with soon too. This year has been a short Christmas for me. I didn't have hardly any Christmas spirit at all, and I got home about 3 days before Christmas. Not exactly lots of time to get into the mood.

Anyways, I hope all of you had a great celebration, and if it is still going on or still to come, I hope you have a good one.

Here in my hometown in Norway there was no snow this year (big surprise). We're close to the coast, so we usually don't get that much anyways, but some years have been extraordinary.

Now, there will be a few days of family gatherings and dinners, then some days to just relax, then New Years Eve is coming up. Will be interesting to see what will happen with that... I have no plans at the moment, so we'll see, I guess.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Merry Christmas everyone...

2008-12-24T04:28:00.000+08:00

Just finished decorating the Christmas tree here in Norway and then some supper. Tomorrow is the big day here, with food, presents and all that goes with it.

Wishing everybody a wonderful holidays...

Almost home...

2008-12-22T00:42:00.000+08:00

Sitting here in Amsterdam airport waiting for the connecting flight. Not exactly lightspeed stuff, have to wait another four hours, but anyways, it's for the better I suppose.

Looking forward to get home...

Time for vacation...

2008-12-21T03:27:00.001+08:00

The days of Kris Kringle is here again and it is time for me to head back to Norway for the holidays. It's going to be good to get some time off, but at the same time I suspect that I'll be doing some work over the holidays nevertheless. It's just the way it goes I guess.

You may notice my new widget here on the blog. It's my newly established Twitter-feed. I wasn't really planning on getting one set up, but I figured what the hell, I'll try it out. If I fail in utilizing it, I may just end up deleting it again anyways.

It's weird, we seem to become more and more visible, and not to mention available, on the web these days. Status updates and networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Friendster, Hi5, Tagged, and what have you. Then, there's the blogs, just like this one, I can't even imagine how many there are out there by now. Then there's the instant messaging stuff like Skype, Yahoo Messenger and ICQ. Lord have mercy, there's so much stuff out there...

Anyways, I'll be in Norway for the next two weeks. Drop me an email or try one or more of the options above, he he he...

Oh, and by the way...

2008-12-18T15:53:00.001+08:00

..if you are wondering why I haven't been blogging much lately, there are some very well reasons for that. One is, as mentioned in the last post, that it's been busier than ever down here. The second is that China seems to have stopped or barred blogging once again. With me no longer being on a proxy server to the US or elsewhere (as was the case with my old job), I have to rely on mail-based blog posting, which seems to be working out just fine after all...

Cheers!

Merry Christmas...

2008-12-18T15:49:00.001+08:00

Seasons greetings! Here I am, still in China, have changed my job, started working in Hong Kong and now I am getting ready to pack up my bags and head back to Norway for Christmas holidays. It is going to be a well sought-after vacation for me at this point. The last weeks have been more hectic than in a while. Anyways, just wanted to drop everybody a line to say that I am alive and well.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well too...

Family cabin...

2008-11-17T00:43:00.000+08:00

Went to my parents new cabin in Sweden today. What a nice place. It's one of those places where you feel right at home right away and you can just sit down and relax. It's a place of reflection and tranquility, indeed.

So congrats folks! Hope you get many more memorable moments there.

So I am back in the old country...

2008-11-16T03:31:00.001+08:00

Well, I got back to Norway on Tuesday afternoon, local time. Long haul, but I'm used to it I suppose. The next day I linked up with the new company and it has been a very intensive rest of the week. Mostly administrative stuff to nail down, but still, there's A LOT of stuff that needs to happen to get going.

It's good to be back again. It has gotten a lot colder since last time I was back (this summer), but it's fresh. I just can't believe how fresh the air is here in Norway. Maybe it's because I spend most my time around the world, and usually in industrialized areas where sunshine is no longer a given, but there's just something about this place. The first night here I had to go for a walk just to take it all in and rinse my lungs. He he he...

Anyways, I am well off in my new job now, and it is exciting indeed. Next week is when I will really get "the Matrix experience" and have my head stuffed with all the inputs from the rest of the engineering team here. Then I am off again and it's time to deliver. Good stuff.

I can see busy times ahead but I am pretty stoked about it, and I'm looking forward to hitting the field again. I will try to keep the blog updated through all of this but can't make any promises.

Hope this finds everybody safe and well.

Back in Hong Kong...

2008-11-10T02:56:00.000+08:00

So, here I am, back in HK again. Jobless for 4 days, basically... I didn't plan sufficiently and overlooked the fact that it would be the weekend by the time I got back here. That means that applying for a China visa is out of the question, and consequently, I am "stuck" in HK for another 3 days.

Fly out for Europe again on Tuesday morning.

I'm sorry...

2008-11-01T17:29:00.000+08:00

Well, so I've gone and fallen victim to sleep again. Still being jetlagged from Asia timezone, I have been waking up at no later than 03:30 (if I could sleep at all) for most of this week. Today, I was supposed to meet my friends at around 18:00 at the hotel lobby, and we were supposed to head out to a Halloween party downtown.

By the time I got back from work, I was feeling drowsy. Next thing I know, after sitting down on the bed for just a 5 minute break before I get ready to head back out, I pass out... I wake up at 23:30 with my clothes on, and with 6 text messages on my phone, same amount of missed calls and some voicemails.

I don't know what to say but this: I'm sorry.

A new chapter...

2008-10-31T20:03:00.000+08:00

So here goes. I have been waiting to break this news for a while now. It's been a pretty crazy period for me, as I have been thinking about changing jobs. This might not sound as much of a big deal to you, but it is for me. I've been with my existing company for a decade, and obviously there is a certain sense of belonging, call it pride, personal ownership, or what not.

Anyways, after a long and hard thought-process I have come to the conclusion that the time is right for me to move on. I therefore tendered my resignation last Monday. It was with a heavy heart, but I think it's the right thing to do.

I now move on to a new and interesting chapter in my life - the post-InFocus era, I guess you can call it :-)

It is certainly a strange feeling, as my company and my job has been such a big part of my life for so long, and taken so much time and effort out of my life. In return, it has brought me all over the world, and let me meet some remarkable people. It has allowed me to see things that most people will never get to see, and to experience and see things that I consider myself lucky to have been part of.

So, here's to you, InFocus. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

I am now moving to Hong Kong where a new chapter is already waiting for me. More on that to follow, so stay tuned.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well.

Back in the US once again...

2008-10-27T15:20:00.000+08:00

So, after about seven months, I am finally back in Portland, Oregon, USA.

It's weird, but good, to be back. The air is fresh, the place looks the same, the dishes are huuuuge as always, the local beer is tasty and the grocery store looks exactly the same. I have to admit, I have missed some of this. I had somewhat of a rough start to the visit as I decided to go out on town the same day I walked off the plane, and the jetlag was still there, but I pulled through. It was a long haul, but of my own making, so I guess I have nothing to complain about :-)

Had some Thai-food with friends and later some drinks. All in all a very successful evening and it was good seeing the familiar faces again.

Tomorrow is office-time. Time to get down to business and get stuff taken care of. Stay tuned for some exciting news soon.

Hope this finds everybody alive and well...

Funny how life can change in an instant...

2008-08-04T09:12:00.000+08:00

Here I am, on a plane, going around the world once again. I don't know how many miles I have put behind me over the last years, and how long I have been travelling, but it feels like an eternity. Always on a quest for the new and exiting. Work has brought me many places. I have met so many people. Seen so many things that I know some people will never get the chance to see or experience.

I am grateful for that.

I have had my ups and downs. There's no doubt about it. The funny thing is how it all seems to happen at once. Like if some big changes happen at work, there seems to be a lot happening in my personal life as well. I wonder why that is. In the heat of it all, I never have time to reflect upon those things, but sometimes, after things have settled down a bit I begin to realize that this is always true. I wonder if it is some sort of test to see how much I can handle before I loose my senses, or if it's just a coincidence. God only knows...

Sometimes it is as if the answer to everything is right there in front of me. So close I can almost taste it. Then, before I have time to think, it is ripped away from me in nothing less than a blink of an eye.

Also, sometimes, when everything seems to be going well, when there is nothing but happiness and good things around you, that's when the troubles seems to come. Just when you think you have found what you were looking for, it is taken from you. I often wonder if this is just because we get too comfortable with things and it's just life itself trying to tell us to wake up and make a change. After all, change is inevitable. Sometimes you see it coming a mile away, sometimes it's lurking around the next corner like a lightning strike from clear blue skies.

Sometimes, even the things you trust the most can deceive you. I often trust my instinct. I believe that people are fundamentally good. Most of the time that works well for me. Then again, sometimes I make mistakes that are so big, so big that I can't even comprehend how I could be so stupid in the first place, when I look back at it. That's just being human, I guess. People make mistakes. It's as simple as that.

Lately I have come to a crossroad in my life. I have been at many of these before, but I have always had a sense of direction, or at least an idea of what awaits me down at least on of the roads. This time feels different. So what do I do? Where do I go? Is this when people say they are lost? I don't know, but it sure feels like it.

What I really know is that I have to choose. Choose a road to walk, a path to take. What I can not do is to stop, if only for a minute. Just to catch my breath, clear my thoughts, focus, then walk on...

I choose to keep moving. It is the only thing that keeps me from falling apart. As I get along, that great suitcase full of memories is with me, and sometimes, I have to stop for a while to get an even bigger suitcase, cos the old one grew too small. There are just too many memories to carry. Some friends come along, some fall behind and vanish into the night. To those who choose to walk with me, I say thanks. Some stick by me, and walk with me through fire if need be. To you guys (and you know who you are) I am eternally grateful. I will not hesitate to walk beside you as well, through the gates of hell, if that's where the road leads us in the end. I know we're going to a much better place than that, though.

But for now, I try to focus on the path in front of me, the road just up ahead. I know that what awaits me will only make me stronger. More memories to collect, more friends to make, more accomplishments to achieve. We are all destined to do so. We all have our ambitions. It's how we rise to the occation and seize those moments, grab those chances that are given to us, that can really make a difference. Not just if we make it or not. I really believe that.

So when we get to the next one of lifes many crossroads, we have more understanding and lots of other stuff in that suitcase of ours to know which path to take. It is our destiny also. For at the end of the day, when the lights go out and the curtain finally closes, we are all just travellers in this great journey called life.

Happy Constitution Day, Norway...

2008-05-18T19:58:00.001+08:00

So May 17th was Norways big day, and the parades were on and people were out once again. This year apparantly was the worst weather in 50 years or something, but that's pretty typical stuff in my opinion. For some reason, it's always some rain or something like that on that day. This year even had snow in many places and people were freezing off course.

As for me, I celebrated the day in my own way here in China. We are about five Norwegians that all live in the same building (just by coincidence, actually) as well as few others that live elsewhere in the area. We arranged a Norwegian party at the rooftop of the building (30th floor) and had a small barbecue and listened to Norwegian music.

It turned out to be a very nice evening with friends. Some of our friends here in China also showed up.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Where to begin...

2008-05-09T05:20:00.001+08:00

Well, so my last blog entry was March 1st. Not exactly prioritizing the blogging these days, but I still believe that if I only could get back to writing a bit more frequently, maybe I'd get going again. After all, there was a time when I was updating the blogs almost every day.

Things are, as always, busy for me. Lots of work to do. At pretty much all hours of the day, and with all that comes with that. It's OK I guess, better to be busy than not to be busy, as I always say.

Last week was a great experience for me when I visited my buddy and his family in Philippines. I'm not going to mention his name here, since he might not like to have his name thrown around on the internet, but he knows who he is and I just want to say that I am incredible grateful and happy for being given the chance to see where he grew up, meet his family, his buddies and in general just spend time together on his turf. It was am incredible experience for me that I will never forget. So, maraming salamat pare!

Let's see. What else has been going on... Well, the Olympic torch is in town. I didn't go to see it, as I have seen one before (Norway, 1994 Winter Olympics), but it has been quite the ordeal. That's all I'm going to say about that.

On a personal note, there a lots of things going on in my life right now as well. In other ways than I am prepared to write about on this blog. However, I can say that there are changes coming in my life. I am ready for it and it is something I have wanted for a long time. I think this might be it.

I've been traveling just as much lately and have also been to Taiwan a few times, getting ready to potentially go to India for a few days, and a few other places more. It's busy times for me.

Got a friend visiting from Norway these days too, which I am happy about. He's a guy that used to live here so he is well know around the area and it is just like the old days when we used to go around and have fun on our spare time.

Anyways, that's todays little sneak-peek into HF's life at the moment, can't really think of much more to write either, so I think I'll just stop there.

Hope this finds everyone alive and well...

Hmm, better late than never...

2008-03-01T20:52:00.001+08:00

OK, so here I am once again, back on the blog for once. I have been real busy lately hence I haven't been keeping my blogging skills up to speed, but I intend to pick up from here on (or try at least).

Since last time, I have been in Taiwan, been to Shanghai, moved to a different apartment, worked my ass off in addition to the regular stuff. It's surely been a hectic period for me.

Just got back to the US, where I will be for at least one week, before I head back to South-East Asia once again. Busy times, but fun.

Hope this finds everyone safe and well.

The time has come...

2008-01-03T09:44:00.001+08:00

HF is leaving Norway and heading south once again. Thanks for all the good times here at home, see you soon again. Take good care of yourselves.

China, here I come...

2008 is upon us, Happy New Year everyone...

2008-01-01T21:33:00.001+08:00

It's been some crazy days back here in Norway, and yesterday was the biggest happening of them all. It's been a while since I've seen that much fireworks on New Years Eve here in my native town of Fredrikstad. I think maybe it's because from next year onwards rockets will be illegal and only ground based batteries will be allowed. Maybe most people thought they had to do something extra for this year, or something...

Anyways, it was pretty cool stuff.

I hope everyone had a nice celebration and that 2008 brings prosperity, happiness and good health to all of us. Thanks for all the fun in 2007 as well.

Christmas, the best time of the year...

2007-12-26T18:28:00.001+08:00

So I am pretty packed after 3 days with eating frenzy and gifts here in Norway. Its sure feels like I have eaten for a whole year and more... But it's all good I suppose.

It's gotten milder here now, weather wise. Keeps on changing from freezing to slightly above zero celsius so it all melts away again. No worries. It's been a while since we've had a real white Christmas here in my hometown.

Now it's just a period of waiting and relaxing until the New Years celebrations kicks in. Also going to do a send-off for one of my friends who's leaving after new years for Australia to study. I am envious.

Anyways, just wanted to ping in and do a short update on what's going on...

Hope this finds everyone alive and well...

Back in the homeland again...

2007-12-23T11:46:00.000+08:00

So I am finally back here in Norway after a 27 hour long ride to get back. It was very tiresome, but what could I do? Had to get home for Christmas. It's cold here, but not as cold as I thought it would be. Usually it is much colder than this. Now it's around -10 C, which is OK I guess.

It's good to see family and friends again after so long. The place hasn't changed much, but I didn't think it would have either.

Now I need to get the rest of the Christmas presents for the family done, so I'll be all set for Christmas eve. The usual thing for Christmas thing in Norway is that the family gathers for presents and then eat a lot of Norwegian Christmas food. I am pretty stoked, to say the least.

I want to wish all of those who reads this a wonderful Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to come. Thanks for all the good times we have shared in the year that have almost come to an end.

In Taiwan Thursday & Friday...

2007-12-05T17:48:00.001+08:00

On business. See ya when I get back...

Shekou status report (by request)...

2007-11-06T15:51:00.001+08:00

So, as a good friend of mine has requested a status report from the greater Shekou area I am obliged to deliver as such...

The place is the same, whereas "same" in this case means that it is in constant evolvement and never stops changing - little by little. Terrace continues to be the main place to go and is doing good. Weekend theme parties and premier music and food venue continues as always.

XTASEA has finally relocated to the Ming Hua ship, in better location than before. The ambiance and general feel of the new place is very similar to before, but the new location offers a better and larger area. Still ways to go as they are working on getting effects up on the walls and so forth, as well as flatscreens / projectors for frequent sport coverage and so on.

Elsewise, there's a few more bars opened. Some of the restaurants / bars from the great flood has resurfaced, one being Mama's (what used to be Mama Gelato's down in the gorge). It is now open in much larger facilities over closer to A-Best. Next to that is a few new bars as well, called Ghost Bar and Home bar. These are smaller but offers good western food and normal Chinese prices.

What used to be Thai Amarin down in the gorge is now located below the Terrace and called Thai Orchid. Good food I hear, but have not yet tried it.

There is a new bar downstairs from the new Fuzon hotel, closer to Shue Wan To. This bar also offers good food, reasonable prices and live music.

Other than that, they are working everywhere on the new metro which will have several stops around Shekou. One will be over by Peninsula, another dead center Shekou (by Sea World) and the last one by Nanhai hotel. Big walls have been put up around what will become major holes in the ground for the tunneling machines to go down and into.

That's all for now folks.

Hope this finds everyone alive and well.

Blogging in China...

2007-11-03T15:22:00.001+08:00

THIS SUCKS! Since most of my blogs are actually located on servers in the US, they sometimes won't display if viewed by a computer in China. This is a Chinese internet policy. Same as Wikipedia being banned and Google being limited when used in China. Unless you are using a foreign VPN you probably won't be able to read my blogs if you're in China. Sorry about that...

So next time you see me an give me shit about not being able to read my posts, thank Chinese Big Brother instead. Nothing I can do I'm afraid.

Anyways, hope this finds everyone safe and well...

In Taiwan for the week...

2007-10-16T02:42:00.001+08:00

I am in Taiwan on business this week. See you all when I get back.

Hope this finds everybody safe and well.

That's my goal naman...

2007-10-14T09:49:00.001+08:00

You know where I come from
You know my story
You know why I'm standing here
Tonight
Please don't go
Don't be in a hurry
I'm here to make it clear
Make it right

Well I know I've acted foolish
But I promise you no more
I've finally found that something
Worth reaching for

I'm not here to say I'm sorry
I'm not here to lie to you
I'm here to say I'm ready
That I've finally thought it through
I'm not here to let your love go
I'm not giving up oh no
I'm here to win your heart and soul
That's my goal

Please don't go
You know that I need you
I can't breathe without you
Live without you
Be without you
Well I know I've acted foolish
But I promise you no more
No more

I'm not here to say I'm sorry
I'm not here to lie to you
I'm here to say I'm ready
That I've finally thought it through
I'm not here to let your love go
I'm not giving up oh no
I'm here to win your heart and soul
That's my goal

Well I won't stop believing
That we will be leaving together
So when I say I love you
I'll mean it forever and ever
Ever and ever

I'm not here to say I'm sorry
I'm not here to say I'm sorry
I'm not here to lie to you
I'm here to say I'm ready
That I've finally thought it through
(Oh I'm ready)
I'm not here to let your love go
I'm not giving up oh no
I'm here to win your heart and soul
(That's why I'm here babe)
Yes I'm here to win your heart and soul
That's my goal
That's my goal