Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Midnight (10:58) Train to Oslo
Wednesday, September 23, 10:49 pm:
Have just sat in my seat on the train. Am taking an 8 hour overnight train ride from Bergen back to Oslo. This time, the scenery will be absent as it's way too dark outside to even try to glimpse a intimidatingly gorgeous mountain.
I made a stupid mistake. Decided I wanted to leave a day earlier, so I bought a 199 NOK ($33) train ticket for tonight. Went in after to get my refund for my 1,099 NOK ($150) ticket only to find out that it was non-refundable. So, have essentially wasted $150. Lovely. However, I did overhear a guy in the hostel today who was planning to buy a sleeper ticket for tomorrow night. Told him of my dilemma and he bought my ticket off me for 400 NOK ($68). He got a great deal and I got to feel a bit better about being a massive idiot. Oh well, I suppose these things happen when we travel. Can't expect everything to be perfect.
11:30 pm (maybe?):
Have just overheard an American girl (why are they always American?) on the train talking about being a vegetarian. She doesn't believe it's for everyone - at least being a total vegetarian. "I don't believe in absolutes," she says. Well, you're absolutely annoying Princess Granola. She sounds like she just got on the train from Santa Cruz, not Bergen. Good God! Eating meat is bad for the planet and bad for you, she says. At least I can agree with that one (even if I have stuffed some burgers and hot dogs down my throat since landing in Europe - they're so cheap!)
Midnight (whatever, I have no idea, but it sounds accurate):
I wish I could permanently feel the vibrations of the train beneath my socked feet - like a portable device that would just always deliver this sensation under my feet whether walking, sleeping or sitting. So gooooood.
It's late, that's all I know:
There's no way I'm getting any sleep tonight. These girls are so loud near me and I can hear them through my iPod earphones. And now my earlobes are sore from too much wear so that's not really even an option anymore.
2:30 am:
I should have paid another $100 for a sleeper. This sucks.
6:05 am:
Well, I didn't get much sleep, but it did go by surprisingly fast. Will arrive in Oslo in 10-15 minutes. I can't think anymore, bye.
Have just sat in my seat on the train. Am taking an 8 hour overnight train ride from Bergen back to Oslo. This time, the scenery will be absent as it's way too dark outside to even try to glimpse a intimidatingly gorgeous mountain.
I made a stupid mistake. Decided I wanted to leave a day earlier, so I bought a 199 NOK ($33) train ticket for tonight. Went in after to get my refund for my 1,099 NOK ($150) ticket only to find out that it was non-refundable. So, have essentially wasted $150. Lovely. However, I did overhear a guy in the hostel today who was planning to buy a sleeper ticket for tomorrow night. Told him of my dilemma and he bought my ticket off me for 400 NOK ($68). He got a great deal and I got to feel a bit better about being a massive idiot. Oh well, I suppose these things happen when we travel. Can't expect everything to be perfect.
11:30 pm (maybe?):
Have just overheard an American girl (why are they always American?) on the train talking about being a vegetarian. She doesn't believe it's for everyone - at least being a total vegetarian. "I don't believe in absolutes," she says. Well, you're absolutely annoying Princess Granola. She sounds like she just got on the train from Santa Cruz, not Bergen. Good God! Eating meat is bad for the planet and bad for you, she says. At least I can agree with that one (even if I have stuffed some burgers and hot dogs down my throat since landing in Europe - they're so cheap!)
Midnight (whatever, I have no idea, but it sounds accurate):
I wish I could permanently feel the vibrations of the train beneath my socked feet - like a portable device that would just always deliver this sensation under my feet whether walking, sleeping or sitting. So gooooood.
It's late, that's all I know:
There's no way I'm getting any sleep tonight. These girls are so loud near me and I can hear them through my iPod earphones. And now my earlobes are sore from too much wear so that's not really even an option anymore.
2:30 am:
I should have paid another $100 for a sleeper. This sucks.
6:05 am:
Well, I didn't get much sleep, but it did go by surprisingly fast. Will arrive in Oslo in 10-15 minutes. I can't think anymore, bye.
Travel Diary: Bergen, Norway
Thursday, September 22, 8:09pm:
Well, I hate to say it, but Bergen has turned out to be a bit of a bust. I don't blame the city though. It's exciting, yet quaint, and very appealing to the eye. This city definitely has a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the weather has been just awful, which has pretty much shoved its potential in a box. It's also ruined most of my plans - namely, my grandiose fjord adventures.
I suppose I knew all this going into the trip. Before I bought the ticket, I actually expected a lot of rain everywhere I went (it being September and all), but after the beautiful, sunny days in Copenhagen, I guess I just got my hopes up.
9:08 pm:
I have spent the last hour planning the rest of my time in Bergen tomorrow and the beginning of my trip to Stockholm. Something tells me Stockholm might be the highlight of my trip. I hate to put all the rest of my eggs into one basket, but I really do just have a good feeling about it. I do realize, however, that I have neglected to share my experiences in Bergen so far.
So far, my favorite part of this city is Bryggen - the medieval fish market street with rebuilt medieval houses along the water making it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, I also went up the funicular to Mount Floien. Beautiful views overlooking Bergen. You can see how the city sits in a fjord between two towering mountains. Even through all the fog and rain, it was a remarkable sight. It reminded me of standing atop Mt. Timpa in Brasov, Romania.
There are houses that sit just perched on top of hills here - almost like in Laguna Beach, but in an obviously completely different environment. At night, looking out the window of my hostel, I can see all the lights on inside the houses. It reminds me of my mother's Christmas village knick-knacks she would decorate the house with during the holidays. It turns out they really do exist!
Wednesday, September 23, 3:30 pm:
Today, I walked around with Anton, a Russian expat musician living and working in Bergen. Anton was kind enough to show me around the outer parts of Bergen. (You know, the parts that require getting on a bus - something most tourists don't dare to do.)
At the bus stop, we waited for a bus for a while. Anton told me that Bergen has just completely reorganized their bus system, so it's pretty much brand new for him as well. We finally found our bus though, and it took us 15 minutes out to the city's outskirts.
We then hiked a bit along the highway and Anton pointed out some student housing to me. Naturally, I asked if there was a university in the area and he told me that, no, there wasn't. Mostly international students live in these dorms and bus in every day to the university in the center of town, he says. Hmmm, so Bergen makes all non-Norwegian students live at the city limits? Very interesting.
After a bit more hiking alongside the road, we enter the forest and all of a sudden, in the middle of nowhere there's a church. But it's not real, it turns out. It's just a model of an old church that was burnt down years ago. I cannot remember the Norwegian translation, but I believe it's Wooden Church in English.
From here, we hiked more downhill, out of the forest, through quaint suburban neighborhoods to a castle along the fjord's inlet. This castle, Gamlehaugen, was used as a summerhouse for Norwegian royalty. It's very beautiful, but not like the castle I saw in Denmark.
5:05 pm:
It rains for 5 minutes, then stops for 5 minutes, then continues this pattern endlessly. This incessant rain is crazier than Seattle. I'm at the end of my trip and to be honest, I'm just ready to move on. I realize that the way I've described my adventures here in Bergen make it seem like I had a miserable time. I absolutely did not. I loved this city. It's just that my expectations for it were way to high.
Well, it's time for me to head out. The only thing more obnoxious than this rain is the American from Colorado staying in my hostel who keeps making conversation with people who obviously don't care. "We've got more elk per capita in Estes Park than any other town, city, or state. They outnumber humans 10 to 1. I'm not lyin'!" That's... super.
Well, I hate to say it, but Bergen has turned out to be a bit of a bust. I don't blame the city though. It's exciting, yet quaint, and very appealing to the eye. This city definitely has a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the weather has been just awful, which has pretty much shoved its potential in a box. It's also ruined most of my plans - namely, my grandiose fjord adventures.
I suppose I knew all this going into the trip. Before I bought the ticket, I actually expected a lot of rain everywhere I went (it being September and all), but after the beautiful, sunny days in Copenhagen, I guess I just got my hopes up.
9:08 pm:
I have spent the last hour planning the rest of my time in Bergen tomorrow and the beginning of my trip to Stockholm. Something tells me Stockholm might be the highlight of my trip. I hate to put all the rest of my eggs into one basket, but I really do just have a good feeling about it. I do realize, however, that I have neglected to share my experiences in Bergen so far.
So far, my favorite part of this city is Bryggen - the medieval fish market street with rebuilt medieval houses along the water making it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, I also went up the funicular to Mount Floien. Beautiful views overlooking Bergen. You can see how the city sits in a fjord between two towering mountains. Even through all the fog and rain, it was a remarkable sight. It reminded me of standing atop Mt. Timpa in Brasov, Romania.
There are houses that sit just perched on top of hills here - almost like in Laguna Beach, but in an obviously completely different environment. At night, looking out the window of my hostel, I can see all the lights on inside the houses. It reminds me of my mother's Christmas village knick-knacks she would decorate the house with during the holidays. It turns out they really do exist!
Wednesday, September 23, 3:30 pm:
Today, I walked around with Anton, a Russian expat musician living and working in Bergen. Anton was kind enough to show me around the outer parts of Bergen. (You know, the parts that require getting on a bus - something most tourists don't dare to do.)
At the bus stop, we waited for a bus for a while. Anton told me that Bergen has just completely reorganized their bus system, so it's pretty much brand new for him as well. We finally found our bus though, and it took us 15 minutes out to the city's outskirts.
We then hiked a bit along the highway and Anton pointed out some student housing to me. Naturally, I asked if there was a university in the area and he told me that, no, there wasn't. Mostly international students live in these dorms and bus in every day to the university in the center of town, he says. Hmmm, so Bergen makes all non-Norwegian students live at the city limits? Very interesting.
After a bit more hiking alongside the road, we enter the forest and all of a sudden, in the middle of nowhere there's a church. But it's not real, it turns out. It's just a model of an old church that was burnt down years ago. I cannot remember the Norwegian translation, but I believe it's Wooden Church in English.
From here, we hiked more downhill, out of the forest, through quaint suburban neighborhoods to a castle along the fjord's inlet. This castle, Gamlehaugen, was used as a summerhouse for Norwegian royalty. It's very beautiful, but not like the castle I saw in Denmark.
5:05 pm:
It rains for 5 minutes, then stops for 5 minutes, then continues this pattern endlessly. This incessant rain is crazier than Seattle. I'm at the end of my trip and to be honest, I'm just ready to move on. I realize that the way I've described my adventures here in Bergen make it seem like I had a miserable time. I absolutely did not. I loved this city. It's just that my expectations for it were way to high.
Well, it's time for me to head out. The only thing more obnoxious than this rain is the American from Colorado staying in my hostel who keeps making conversation with people who obviously don't care. "We've got more elk per capita in Estes Park than any other town, city, or state. They outnumber humans 10 to 1. I'm not lyin'!" That's... super.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Travel Diary: Train Ride From Oslo to Bergen
Monday, September 21, 11:45 am:
Today marks the official halfway point through my Scandinavian vacation. Oslo was great and I got a really good feeling about it, however I feel like it was totally doable in a day. If I had stayed longer, am not sure what else I would have done, really.
I am currently on the train to Bergen, a city on the western coast of Norway. It's nicknamed "The Gateway to the Fjords" - so basically, I'm expecting a lot of natural beauty. I didn't get a window seat like I would have preferred, but I can still see outside of the windows. We're not too far into the train ride, but I can already see the beauty that is Norway. We just passed by a small town, Drammen, and it looked like a lovely place to live ... houses high on hilltops, people walking around the lake for an afternoon stroll. How nice, to stroll.
Around 1:00 pm:
The freshly naked sheep wander the fields that are colored with multi-shaded greens below the hills carved of granite. Red farmhouses, life-sized yet remarkably similar to a child's toy, dot the scenery like they would in a caricature painting of country life. A one lane street, with visibly old pavement but still fresh like nobody's ever driven on it, cuts through the hills at convenient points, but still looks like an outline for a roller coaster of a drive.
The sun shines down on the trees - I've never known green like this before. Lakes, too many to count, rest as peaceful as puddles. The beauty goes by too fast on this speeding train - so fast, I'd almost rather not look at it at all. Then it vanishes to darkness without warning as the train pushes through a tunnel. It's like clockwork - nature:darkness:nature:darkness:nature:darkness ... tick:tock:tick:tock:tick:tock. It's an overdose of impossible landscapes. It almost makes me want to cry.
There are no water banks - the lake and the land just blend together seamlessly. The water's so close and inviting, I just want to jump in from here. The trees are as long and skinny as pencils, but grouped together they're a formidable herd. As the train speeds by, seeing the villages behind these trees is like observing them through prison bars. We slow down. We've reached a town called Nesbeyen. A brief pause, immobility. Then the conductor blows his whistle and the ride starts again.
Around 2:30 pm:
Finse - where you can "bike the famous glacial road" according to signs. Looking out the window at the chill that has overcome this town, I have a feeling the season for this is over. I've overheard a train employee saying that this is the highest we'll get on our trip - 1,222 meters. I don't have to know what that is in feet to realize that it's high. But the waters here still rush like we're at the ocean - it's weird.
2:45 pm:
I feel like I'm on the train to Hogwarts.
3:30 pm:
Still on the train. The sun has abandoned his shine as we've made our ascent above 1,000 meters. The wind and the mist reign in these parts, but it only adds to the beauty. A consistent, mysterious gloom hovers over everything. I have a peek into the world very few have the privilige to live in - rather, the very few who have the courage to live in. Glaciers are visible on jagged mountain tops in the not so far distance. Thousands of tiny running streams flow with gentle fervor at their bases. Waterfalls spurt out of mountain facades like leaking pipes. Have arrived to Hallingskeid.
10:05 pm:
Have arrived in Bergen. Just spent about 2 hours online reserving plans for the rest of my trip. Walked around Bergen just for a bit, but it got dark pretty quickly. This town is adorable.
Today marks the official halfway point through my Scandinavian vacation. Oslo was great and I got a really good feeling about it, however I feel like it was totally doable in a day. If I had stayed longer, am not sure what else I would have done, really.
I am currently on the train to Bergen, a city on the western coast of Norway. It's nicknamed "The Gateway to the Fjords" - so basically, I'm expecting a lot of natural beauty. I didn't get a window seat like I would have preferred, but I can still see outside of the windows. We're not too far into the train ride, but I can already see the beauty that is Norway. We just passed by a small town, Drammen, and it looked like a lovely place to live ... houses high on hilltops, people walking around the lake for an afternoon stroll. How nice, to stroll.
Around 1:00 pm:
The freshly naked sheep wander the fields that are colored with multi-shaded greens below the hills carved of granite. Red farmhouses, life-sized yet remarkably similar to a child's toy, dot the scenery like they would in a caricature painting of country life. A one lane street, with visibly old pavement but still fresh like nobody's ever driven on it, cuts through the hills at convenient points, but still looks like an outline for a roller coaster of a drive.
The sun shines down on the trees - I've never known green like this before. Lakes, too many to count, rest as peaceful as puddles. The beauty goes by too fast on this speeding train - so fast, I'd almost rather not look at it at all. Then it vanishes to darkness without warning as the train pushes through a tunnel. It's like clockwork - nature:darkness:nature:darkness:nature:darkness ... tick:tock:tick:tock:tick:tock. It's an overdose of impossible landscapes. It almost makes me want to cry.
There are no water banks - the lake and the land just blend together seamlessly. The water's so close and inviting, I just want to jump in from here. The trees are as long and skinny as pencils, but grouped together they're a formidable herd. As the train speeds by, seeing the villages behind these trees is like observing them through prison bars. We slow down. We've reached a town called Nesbeyen. A brief pause, immobility. Then the conductor blows his whistle and the ride starts again.
Around 2:30 pm:
Finse - where you can "bike the famous glacial road" according to signs. Looking out the window at the chill that has overcome this town, I have a feeling the season for this is over. I've overheard a train employee saying that this is the highest we'll get on our trip - 1,222 meters. I don't have to know what that is in feet to realize that it's high. But the waters here still rush like we're at the ocean - it's weird.
2:45 pm:
I feel like I'm on the train to Hogwarts.
3:30 pm:
Still on the train. The sun has abandoned his shine as we've made our ascent above 1,000 meters. The wind and the mist reign in these parts, but it only adds to the beauty. A consistent, mysterious gloom hovers over everything. I have a peek into the world very few have the privilige to live in - rather, the very few who have the courage to live in. Glaciers are visible on jagged mountain tops in the not so far distance. Thousands of tiny running streams flow with gentle fervor at their bases. Waterfalls spurt out of mountain facades like leaking pipes. Have arrived to Hallingskeid.
10:05 pm:
Have arrived in Bergen. Just spent about 2 hours online reserving plans for the rest of my trip. Walked around Bergen just for a bit, but it got dark pretty quickly. This town is adorable.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Travel Diary: Oslo, Norway
Sunday, September 20, 2009, 10:15 am
Well, I have two Saturdays in Scandinavia and one of them just went to waste because I felt too ill to do anything. It's really too bad, although my general lack of energy probably would have prevented me from having much fun anyway. Major jet lag plus some sleepless nights out will take its toll on you, I suppose.
I got up early this morning to get to the airport from the Copenhagen train station. Well, did so with flying colors. I half expected it to be quite difficult given my previous experiences with European train travel in Romania and Moldova. I should have known better. Just as I started to get nervous about missing my train stop, a calm voice over the intercom told me when it would be... in English!
When I arrived at the airport, I found that my flight was actually an hour later than I originally thought. So, now I've been here for a couple of hours just waiting to fly to Oslo. Only spending one night in Oslo before heading off to Bergen.
12:35pm
Have just landed in Oslo. Exchanged my money only to spend about $18 on a pizza, breadsticks and 7-Up at the airport restaurant. This will likely be the most expensive leg of my trip; and likely the most unhealthy given food options in my price range.
5:30pm
Well, everyone has said that Oslo has little to offer. My first impression was quite the same to be honest. But I gave this town some more time and upon walking around with no agenda, I am taken aback by it's charm.
It's a quiet Sunday and almost all the shops are closed, but my peaceful stroll along Aker Brygge has changed my opinion of this seaside town. In fact, this section of town specifically reminds me of Seattle. It's cold and it's wet, but the occasional ray of sunshine peeks through the drifting clouds. The light waves lap up against the wooden piers and columns. The islands of green in the distance with the ferries that shuttle back and forth to them; the new condos above shops and restaurants clearly reserved for the city's elite - could Oslo be the Seattle of Europe?
6:00pm
A man puffs on his pipe while taking a picture of himself on his iPhone. A couple kisses at the pier's end in front of the setting sun - he's short and she's, well, Norwegian. A young man navigates his bike across the narrow beams of wood that separate land and sea all while carrying a cup of coffee in one hand. Out in the sea, a Swedish sailboat starts to dock on the pier, a young blond man giving orders in a foreign tongue to seahands who understand and start pulling at sails and grinding winches. Arm in arm with a long-haired beauty, a man whistles while he walks. He whistles while he walks. Sisters are giggling with each other, shopping bags in both hands. And then a church bell rings in the distance. No joke. Doesn't it always?
Well, I have two Saturdays in Scandinavia and one of them just went to waste because I felt too ill to do anything. It's really too bad, although my general lack of energy probably would have prevented me from having much fun anyway. Major jet lag plus some sleepless nights out will take its toll on you, I suppose.
I got up early this morning to get to the airport from the Copenhagen train station. Well, did so with flying colors. I half expected it to be quite difficult given my previous experiences with European train travel in Romania and Moldova. I should have known better. Just as I started to get nervous about missing my train stop, a calm voice over the intercom told me when it would be... in English!
When I arrived at the airport, I found that my flight was actually an hour later than I originally thought. So, now I've been here for a couple of hours just waiting to fly to Oslo. Only spending one night in Oslo before heading off to Bergen.
12:35pm
Have just landed in Oslo. Exchanged my money only to spend about $18 on a pizza, breadsticks and 7-Up at the airport restaurant. This will likely be the most expensive leg of my trip; and likely the most unhealthy given food options in my price range.
5:30pm
Well, everyone has said that Oslo has little to offer. My first impression was quite the same to be honest. But I gave this town some more time and upon walking around with no agenda, I am taken aback by it's charm.
It's a quiet Sunday and almost all the shops are closed, but my peaceful stroll along Aker Brygge has changed my opinion of this seaside town. In fact, this section of town specifically reminds me of Seattle. It's cold and it's wet, but the occasional ray of sunshine peeks through the drifting clouds. The light waves lap up against the wooden piers and columns. The islands of green in the distance with the ferries that shuttle back and forth to them; the new condos above shops and restaurants clearly reserved for the city's elite - could Oslo be the Seattle of Europe?
6:00pm
A man puffs on his pipe while taking a picture of himself on his iPhone. A couple kisses at the pier's end in front of the setting sun - he's short and she's, well, Norwegian. A young man navigates his bike across the narrow beams of wood that separate land and sea all while carrying a cup of coffee in one hand. Out in the sea, a Swedish sailboat starts to dock on the pier, a young blond man giving orders in a foreign tongue to seahands who understand and start pulling at sails and grinding winches. Arm in arm with a long-haired beauty, a man whistles while he walks. He whistles while he walks. Sisters are giggling with each other, shopping bags in both hands. And then a church bell rings in the distance. No joke. Doesn't it always?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Scandi-lous!
After months of sitting in Barnes and Noble, flipping through guide books and drinking way too much iced tea (it's how I celebrate summer), I have finally taken the plunge. Yesterday, with my hands over my eyes, I clicked the "Purchase" button on a trip that will take me from Seattle to Copenhagen for 16 days.
For some reason, I have always had an intense desire to see Scandinavia. People always ask me why? Well, it's totally unfounded. I am not of Scandinavian descent, I don't know anybody there and I'm allergic to seafood. For some reason though, pictures of the fjords, the Northern Lights, and happy, smiling, progressive people have always bounced through my head whenever I think about that (almost) Arctic region of the world.
Now, I'm not big on expectations when I travel. If you expect certain things to happen while you travel, you are basically setting yourself up for disaster. Right now, the only plan is to travel through Denmark, Sweden and Norway and have a good time. I'll stay in hostels, crash at peoples' places, and purchase a 2 week train pass. Everything after that will be a nice surprise.
I will say, however, that it's impossible not to get an image in your head of what things will be like when you visit a new place. I have just 3 small, completely reasonable requests:
1) I have to see the Norwegian fjords - and they have to be giant, other-worldly and fascinating. I pretty much want them to be the most beautiful things I've ever seen. No pressure. Basically, I can't "af-fjord" to compromise on this request. (Man, "fjord" jokes never get old.)
2) I need to see at least one giant mass of (naturally) bright blonde haired and blue eyed people in Sweden and not feel scared. See in my head, I feel like this is normal in Sweden. As opposed to here where I would think I accidentally stepped into a Dr. Laura guest-speaker series or a Christian "service" sorority house.
3) I must ride a bike in Copenhagen and NOT fall off it, annoy people, or get a ticket of some sort. Bike riding is the main mode of transport in the 'Hagen (we're close) and I would like not to make a tourist-y fool of myself doing it. Note to self: must find hunky Danish boy to help teach me how to ride a bike once I suddenly forget.
I feel like that's not a lot. I mean, just grant me these three wishes and I'll be happy.
All in all, I'm very excited for this trip. I love to travel and for me it's a priority. People always tell me they're jealous or they wish they could travel. Well, here's my advice - don't be jealous, just do it. If you really want to travel you should. It can be cheap (give up a few things for a few months and you'll have enough money for your entire trip, I guarantee it). As long as you make it a priority in your life, you have no excuse. Don't be scared - people travel everyday and most of them don't get hurt. Foreigners are our friends, America!
Well, it's back to the guide books for me!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The (Hard P)Art of Writing
Oh, but it's sooooo hard.
This is how it usually happens. I start thinking about something that is absolutely incredible. I form sentences in my head that are brilliant - you know, the kinds of sentences that win Pulitzer Prizes. These words that I string together in my brain are so magnificent that I applaud myself. It MUST get written down somewhere - back of receipt, hand, straw wrapper. I pull up to my apartment building, grab my unbelievable revelation and clutch it with all my might, throw the keys on the sofa (just kidding, I don't have a sofa yet) and open up my laptop. I open a new page, go to my blog and then I stare at the this blank, rectangular box. Then I think about what I need to get at Target if I go there tomorrow. Or about how far I think I'd get if I auditioned for American Idol. Or about moving to Norway. Or I chew a pencil. Then, like clockwork, I always end up cleaning dishes.
Turns out, being disciplined in your writing is difficult. Give me the benefit of the doubt here though. I was on vacation from Friday through Monday, camping with friends for Memorial Day weekend. As for missing entries for Tuesday and Wednesday, totally my fault. No excuses. It's just that, when you start to seriously think about your chances on American Idol, that's a thought that can take hours to complete.
I'll do better next time. Admittedly, this is a post just to post so I don't feel bad about not posting tomorrow. It's also a kick in my butt from myself because by writing this post now, I have eliminated the possibility of writing any such posts in the future. So, it's sort of like a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. And now it's gone.
So, to be better, knowing that organization is a huge part of being disciplined, I will start researching topics to write about for tomorrow... that is, right after I update my Netflix queue. Priorities, people!
This is how it usually happens. I start thinking about something that is absolutely incredible. I form sentences in my head that are brilliant - you know, the kinds of sentences that win Pulitzer Prizes. These words that I string together in my brain are so magnificent that I applaud myself. It MUST get written down somewhere - back of receipt, hand, straw wrapper. I pull up to my apartment building, grab my unbelievable revelation and clutch it with all my might, throw the keys on the sofa (just kidding, I don't have a sofa yet) and open up my laptop. I open a new page, go to my blog and then I stare at the this blank, rectangular box. Then I think about what I need to get at Target if I go there tomorrow. Or about how far I think I'd get if I auditioned for American Idol. Or about moving to Norway. Or I chew a pencil. Then, like clockwork, I always end up cleaning dishes.
Turns out, being disciplined in your writing is difficult. Give me the benefit of the doubt here though. I was on vacation from Friday through Monday, camping with friends for Memorial Day weekend. As for missing entries for Tuesday and Wednesday, totally my fault. No excuses. It's just that, when you start to seriously think about your chances on American Idol, that's a thought that can take hours to complete.
I'll do better next time. Admittedly, this is a post just to post so I don't feel bad about not posting tomorrow. It's also a kick in my butt from myself because by writing this post now, I have eliminated the possibility of writing any such posts in the future. So, it's sort of like a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. And now it's gone.
So, to be better, knowing that organization is a huge part of being disciplined, I will start researching topics to write about for tomorrow... that is, right after I update my Netflix queue. Priorities, people!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)