I'm Loving It

[I don't mean to flood the blog with posts so you can never catch up, but this one was more than worth a comment. Contains another spoiler, in case you didn't watch Episode 5.1 of Smallville. Remember to also read the previous post while you're at it.]

Smallville, season 5, was a good one last night. Sure, I had an infinite amount of homework taunting me from the corners of my mind, but then I explained to myself that there's such a thing as TV-shows that are immune to reasonable time management. These shows include, of course, Smallville and Lost, and will always trump whatever else anyone, including me, had planed for the specific time slot.

It all started with Clark and his newly created Fortress of Solitude, getting instructions from his biological father Jor-El. He tells him he needs to learn all the important stuff in the world, and superimposes his special way of teaching on Clark, leaving him frozen while receiving the stream of knowledge from his dad. Chloe came with him to the North Pole, and was by now entering the fortress and confirming the suspicion of superpoweredness derived through many years of observation of Clark. He breaks off the fascinating study session to save her from freezing to death, and takes her to a hospital in Alaska. Before he leaves, Jor-El warns him to come back to the fortress before the sun sets, "or the consequences will be grave".

Chloe soon come to and confronts Clark with her newfound confirmation, leaving him no choice but to admit having superpowers. He then adds exactly how he got them, a feature Chloe hadn't seemed to consider before. He then takes off to the devastated Smallville, where 20-some people have died, his mom is in the hospital with a concussion and two fierce-looking Kryptonians are searching for him, to either join them in their quest to make earth "their utopia", or to stop him from stopping them. Lana has seen the aliens now harassing the city in search of Kal-El, and tries to lead them to the kryptonite chamber in Luthor Mansion. The plan fails, and Lana gets flung across the room (rendering her, of course, unconscious, right before Clark comes to the rescue).

The visitors from former Krypton tells him of their plans, he refuses to submit, and is flung into a big horizontal vortex, designed to keep him trapped and implicitly forever. He holds on, though, to a steel bar in the floor, thus escaping, and returning the favor by flinging the Kryptonians into their own vortex. They turn into a frozen picture, which disappears out through the window. As Clark props Lana up to wake her up, then sun sets on Smallville. Clark looks down at his finger, on the hand that held on to the steel bar, and discovers that it's bleeding. Clark's father had warned him, and now the apparent superhuman shield had been retracted.

Martha Kent comes home from the hospital, with Jonathan, and finds Clark is in the process of cleaning up by their destroyed farmhouse. Clark then unveils his recent loss of superpowers, to Martha's negative response. She now has to worry about him as a vulnerable human being, not just about his turning out a good person. The episode concludes with Clark and Lana kissing, before Lana tells Clark about what she's witnessed the past days. This included both aliens and spaceships, a something Clark had hoped to leave behind him. "Claaark, you got some 'splaining to do!"

posted by CK @ 16:03

Just Chillaxin'

To chillax is, by my standards, a verb. But it doesn't appear in any dictionary, which probably makes it the most descriptive fictional word in my vocabulary. Fictional because it isn't officially recognized as a word, but then again, who cares about the official linguistic standards? I'm my own English standard.

Chillax, verb; To relieve from tension or strain, to kick back and relax while also chilling out, at a friend's place, at home, or in any situation that calls for the level of 'kicked-back'edness this word commands. Ex.: "He chillaxed with his friends this Saturday". "Peter chillaxes with music once in a while".

Anyways. That was technically just a sidenote, not really significant in the way that you probably think I thunk it was (yeah, I know "thunk" isn't an actual conjugation of the verb "to think", but bare with me as I try to adjust to college life here. People don't really know what grammatically correct means).

The food here is starting to turn me off. It's okay, I guess, but it really isn't very tasty, I mean, the pasta's overcooked, they have some kind of pasta dish every day, the salad bar isn't exactly so much a bar as just salad, and their soups tend to always involve some kind of celery (which, BTW, is evil and should be avoided at all costs). The daily menu for both breakfast, lunch and dinner generally consists of 3 lines of food (three actual lines which we can choose to stand in for the different selection), whereas one is always hamburgers and/or hotdogs and chickenburgers, one is generally pasta or something with mashed potatoes, and the third has until now tended to be Mexican. I don't mind the Mexican, it reminds me of dear, old Arizona, but they don't really prepare it correctly. The beef's all icky and not well enough cooked, and their salsa has no flavor but the onion the put in it. Interesting. For dessert there's a wide (American wide) selection of cookies and cakes (all of the kind "Oh, sugar glued together by melted sugar, rolled in some kind of unidentifiable fat and sprinkled with sugar!") and, of course, three kinds of ice cream. I don't think this is helping my diet very much. I need El Cupido's (see this page to understand por que)!

I have had a hectic week. After my little rant of self criticism last week, I have tried to see if I am actually able to take school as seriously as it should be taken. It worked to some extent, I got my first chem exam results back (a depressing 89%, 1 single percent away from an A. The class average was 62%), and I had one major biology exam (which went a little mhmmm, but anyways), and I turned in my Philosophy take-home exam today (which I sat up 'til 2:15am writing, even after getting a two day extension). Now I hate St. Augustine (see SparkNotes, my good studying friend), and I also think I hate reading. Not many books have that power, but this guy St. Augustine possessed it, obviously. I also put one of my newer skills to work while studying for my bio exam on Tuesday, the "zoning out and focusing" my friend Julie taught my a few years ago. It came to good use in the middle of my roommate's Seinfeld episode and the open door out into the hallway where 4-5 guys were doing karaoke...

I went to a movie this weekend. "40-year Old Virgin" was a bit crude, but hey; I can handle it. It was pretty funny, I laughed a lot, and I think I'd give it like a 7 on the scale from 1 to 10.

[For those who haven't seen any of Lost season 2 yet, this would be a spoiler. So if you don't want me to uncover or infer things you haven't seen yet, stop reading here.] I also watched the second Lost episode of the season yesterday, and all I can say is that TV over here has waaaaaay too many commercial breaks (all lasting like 5 minutes each), which annoys the heck out of me. The episode itself was basically identical to last week's one, only that the storyline is perceived by other main characters this time. It was, as far as I can see, the "calm before the storm", nothing really happened that didn't happen in last week's episode, it just expounded on the already established incidents, and probably gearing up for next weeks episode, which I project to be PHENOMENAL! We'll finally get to see the other bunch of people on the island, whoever (whatever?) they are, and also how things are taking a turn down in the hatch, where mysterious Desmond and Jack are locked in a gun pointing situation, with Locke as a hostage. Anyways, the next one can't be missed for anything in the world, and is called Orientation.

I'm wondering if I am going to take pictures of anything in particular nowadays, like my school day and dining hall or the new room decoration? I just don't know if this is interesting, so I ask whoever's reading this frequently enough to care to comment on the suggestion.

posted by CK @ 07:25

LOST Season 2 has Begun

Oh, what a good one! An intensive week of "Lost" watching has now come to its thrilling conclusion. Beacuse there was more happening in this episode than I could cover, I'm leaving it up to the professionals to tell you what happened. Also, I've included some internet treats for those who can't get enough of "Lost".

Season 2, Episode 1, Contents
The Numbers (a listing of all the times Hurley's numbers are incorporated into the series, very extensive).
The Seating Chart of Flight 815 (includes very cool Flash features, all hidden of course. Click on different seats to unveil different characters, proposed starting point is seat 42F. For the big easter egg, click on the seat numbers in this sequence: 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42. These are the numbers. They will also take you "places you've never imagined"!).

Enjoy!

posted by CK @ 23:32

A Fork in the Eye

I should be beaten violently with a stick for posting here now. It's become a pattern, a weird obsession. I must stop.

My name is Christian, and I'm a blogoholic.

I need help. Study help. This constant need to write about every petty thing has taken over my study habits and silently choked them to death. Now they're dead, and all that's left is the quiet, subtle sound of typing. I hate the sound now, yet I can't help to crave more. I have made a decision; I must limit myself. The priorities must shift from fun to homework.

Summer break is over now.

I picture a pie chart. 75% has been stolen away by the dark side, the fun side. The rest, hardly enough, has been left for the not so apparent pleasures of homework. I will try, from now on, to only write out of significance, not boredom. It's time. Time to cut back. Time to do homework.

posted by CK @ 03:01

Because I'm Worth It

Oh, come on! I don't have to write ingenious titles every time.
Anyways, today has probably been my least productive day since starting college, which probably doesn't tell you a lot. I'm usually a hard worker ("You over-zealous son-of-a-bitch", quote: "Hitch"), but today has been a huge exception to the rule. I woke up from Victor's knocking on my door at 9:15 am, which BTW indicated that I had overslept and had missed my breakfast appointment... I got dressed, while Victor waited in the dorm computer lab, and then I grabbed the Doritos, coke, seedless grapes, and the two newly rented (soon to be bought) DVDs, and headed over to East Hall, where we wouldn't disturb anybody. We put the DVDs in the player, made ourselves comfortable, and had thus kicked off our "Lost"-marathon. We sat mindlessly gaping at the screen for 3 hours, just to walk out of the building afterwards, intending to study, then changing our minds and walking back to the TV room and watching another episode. After concluding episodes 1-3 (that is, 1-4 counting the pilot as the two parts it's divided into), we went to lunch, and went to study.

I sat down on the computer in my own dorm, intending (truly intending, make no mistake) to study, but I guess the mind is weaker than itself sometimes. In five consecutive hours, I managed to write in this blog, read some of Julie's (see sidebar), print 4 articles relating to something from chem class (an assignment), and listening to music while doing it all. I AM surely productive. After this exhausting journey into homework land (or slacker land, depending on what your definition of work is), I went to dinner around 6:30pm, with Victor. We then went back to study (study? STUDY?! I am a disgrace to myself.), or as I'd call it, slowly move myself toward finishing my chem paper (which I, BTW, never did, because I'm a lazy procrastinator). I love Sundays, they're the best. Or worst, with respect to all the things I should have done. Anyways, let me tell you about my eventful Saturday.

I woke up at about 1pm, and outside the rain was coming down heavily. Nice. More sleep. After dozing off for a while, I dragged myself to the dining hall, where I ran into Victor. He proposed that we got moving on that "Lost"-marathon pretty soon, since season 2 starts on Friday, and I agreed. We went down to Hollywood Movies (who charge an arm and a leg, by the way) and rented episodes 1-8 on DVD, as well as to Hy-Vee to get the coke and snacks and all that. Then Kari called (American with Norwegian name. Hmm.), and we ended up driving to Canton (30 mi. south of here), to the Newton State Park to go hiking with her friend Peter from... Tanzania? Anyways, my shoes are holy nowadays (not bend-down-and-kiss-them holy, they have holes in them), so I got like two pounds of mud in my shoes from walking that day (note to self: wash shoes). We then drove out to a lake nearby, where Kari decided to go swimming. Great idea in and of itself, but combined with wanting dry clothes afterwards, it wasn't that clever.

She somehow managed to lock her carkeys in the trunk with her clothes, and thus we were stuck for two hours. Trying to rip out the back seats to get to the keys. Out in the middle of nowhere. Victor and I walked all the way back to the park ranger station, to ask for someone who could break open the car and to have Domino's pizza delivered out the heck in honky-tonk land. After having a long, but not very productive, conversation with the ranger on call, Kari and Peter came driving. Finally. We drove off to Sioux Falls, where we hung out with Kari's two other African friends, who made some (ugh) African dish, and who told us that in Africa you can burn a burglar for stealing from you, since the police are corrupt, and the family of the burglar will most likely participate in the burning because they don't want a burglar in their family. Oh, yeah, and they hit their wives often as a sign of love and affection. I'm moving there next.

Well, that was basically all I had, and pictures from the hike will come shortly. Have a splendid day.

posted by CK @ 22:45

Pardon my french

..or my lousy English skills. I have not the slightest idea about what to write about. The only thing I know is that it's middle of the night and I can't get no sleep.
It's always sunday nights when I panic and feel lousy.
I think mondays are really yucky. Just think about it..

One day I will write something meaningful here.
Till then, see you.

posted by Anonymous @ 21:31

Music and TV - Therapy

I recovered in a couple of hours from my little ranting depression, due to a phenomena I actually already knew of, but hadn't really tested the extent of until then. Walking over to the commons building on campus, head pathetically drooping, I suddenly caught the sound of music playing. Loud, too. I looked up, and there was actually a band, "Chasing Elvis" performing right in front of the commons. And if that wasn't enough, they started out playing one of my favorite songs (or at least by one of my favorite artists), the song "I Don't Wanna Be". Within a few minutes of listening (and silently singing along to the catchy song that I've heard so many times I know it by heart, I immediately felt upbeat again. I grabbed a homework book, and immediately started spending my newfound energy and happiness on something worthwhile. Just like a commerical for Swiffer or whatever - just apply your remedy, wait a few minutes, and your mood will be as brand new! (Cue cheesy background music.)

I signed up for a trip to Chicago today. And we (the Norwegian conspiracy) are planning a trip to NY on October 21, this time for 5 days. Those are all good things to look forward to. I have a few pictures I'd like to upload, but I'm beginning to think nobody really cares if I do or not anymore, there's never as much as a comment here, so I'm thinking it might not be worth the hassle. After all, I could just keep them on my computer if I was the only one who wanted to see them...

Well, I'm off to some international student dinner thing, but I'll be back here later. I've been to a couple of movies recently that I want to write about, and as I said I'm considering if the pictures should maybe stay where they are, or not. Anyways, that's all later. I'm off (to space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its 5-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before). Anyways, bye.

posted by CK @ 23:27

Melancholy

I suddenly entered a melancholic mood. Inexplicably, it seems. Walking around, busier than ever, more potential activities surround me than ever before, yet the blue period returns. Blue period, huh? Yeah, I think that's a fair description. Feelings of homesickness (or is that really a part of it?), feelings of lonelyness even when surrounded by dozens of people and aspiring friends, a life suddenly empty yet so incredibly full. I wonder what might have sparked this inexplicability, yet I shrug to know the answer. My day hasn't been as full as the others. Somehow I've been social without deriving any joy from it, people I've talked to weren't really there, they were merely mirages of the outside world. Inside I seem a mess. What would make me happy? What's true happiness? I stand outside myself, I stand by all the mirages' side, looking at myself with critical eyes. Snap out of it! Get a grip! Yet I can't. I've slipped into this melancholy state unnoticeably, and the self I'm looking at is reluctant to turn towards enlightenment.
Hopefully this will pass.

posted by CK @ 01:34

Norwegian Election

It's over. And done with. Finally. And with a good result, if you ask me. The Norwegian election ended tonight, and I must say that it was interesting to watch it all from thye other side of the world, through websites instead of TV. I did vote myself, before I left the country in August (for the 1st time, as a matter of fact), and thankfully the party I voted for, and the prime minister I was hoping for, won the election.

It needs to be said that Norway's had a terrible prime minister the past two electoral terms, and that change was overdue. That feeling was probably what made the election for the sitting PM's counter candidate, and hopefully Norway will turn in a better direction in the four years to come. And hopefully it will stay out of EU. Identity is an important trait to keep, and to mainstream a country doesn't always work towards its purpose.

(Photo borrowed from www.vg.no.)

posted by CK @ 01:00

The Sights of South Dakota

I don't know whether or not you pay any attention to the "To Do"-list I've set up to the right in the menu bar, but if you did you've noticed that I went on a road trip this weekend, to the other side of South Dakota. Donn Grinager, the International Programs Director at Augie, his family, I and 15 other international students went on this annual trip to see the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse monument.

We departed in the school's white "Biology dept." van, and amazingly we all fit into it. A tight squeeze, but it worked. The road trip itself took 5 hours, approximately, and when we got there we drove straight to Mt. Rushmore, even though it was a little after 10:00 pm. The monument was amazing, impressive, and somehow mysterious in the dark, only lit up by 3-4 really strong spotlights. We took our pictures in front of it, got in the car, and drove out to the Outlaw Ranch, where we were going to sleep the two following nights. The four guys got one cabin, the girls another, while Donn and his family shared a third. It was late, after a long ride getting there, and we all fell asleep pretty much right away.

The next day, Saturday, was the big sightseeing day. We started out driving over to the Crazy Horse monument, which isn't actually a monument yet. They've sculpted out the face and arm of what is eventually going to be a native American chief (political correctness) called Crazy Horse riding on his horse, kind of springing out of the mountain itself. Mt. Rushmore could actually fit in Crazy Horse's head, that's how big the monument is. Impressive, that too. After a tour of the museum, group pictures, an informational video presentation, and a tour by open bus around the monument itself, we drove on to Mt. Rushmore. This time bathed in sunlight.

Mt. Rushmore was even better by day, and we spent a couple of hours walking around getting good pictures, some even right under the four presidents' noses, and also having lunch in the on-site cafeteria. They served buffalo burgers, which sounded nasty, so I went for their spaghetti special meal. Not a gourmet meal, but it was okay. After finishing lunch we all got back in the van. This time the destination was Harney Peak. But not by any motorized vehicle, of course not, we were venturing out on a three hour hike...

The mountain trail was not very level, I have to say. But then again, I wasn't expecting a paved road, so I walked with a steady pace all the way to the very top of the mountain. The sense of achievement was great when finally reaching it, and the sights were astonishing. You could actually see 5 different states from that mountain top, it was incredible. After multiple scenery and group pictures, we started our descent. When reaching the bottom of the mountain, after walking around in the shallow part of the lake there for a bit, we got back into the van. The next sight was waiting.

Buffalos. Buffalos are frightening animals. Our next sight was exactly these enormous bulges of fast running muscle, and when we once all got out of the van for that perfect picture, the experience was nerve racking. One loud word uttered, and the bulge would have come charging to kill us all. We got back in the van pretty fast. To relative safety..

We then went back to the Crazy Horse monument, this time it had gotten dark. There we witnessed a cool laser and light show, depicting the history and future of the monument and the native Americans, and then we got back into the van and went out for pizza. A successful, eventful day indeed..

The next day we got packed and headed back to Sioux Falls. Of course, not without experiencing the Badlands. The Badlands is a pretty moon-like area, flat with huge, mountain shaped ridges sticking up all over the place, one of which we, once again of course, climbed. This time the view was different, but still spectacular. We climbed back down, had an Indian Taco (which was great, BTW) at the nearby visitors center, and headed home. On the way we visited Wall Drug, a big cluster of stores in a famous old town called Wall, where I bought a cowboy hat, and we also stopped to feed the prairie dogs (which aren't dogs, by the way) peanuts
It was a successful trip, we got a lot of nice pictures and memories, and got to know the other international students a little better. More and better pictures will come in a few days.

Labels: Pictures

posted by CK @ 21:30

Another All-Pics Special

You know how this works now. These are pictures of the campus in general.

Our hall mural

Our laundry room

Our rec room

Part of the campus, some paths to differnt buildings

Solberg Hall, my dorm building

The Humanities building, where I have my philosophy and communication classes

The Morrison Commons, which houses the post office, restaurant etc.

The post office and our mail boxes

The Huddle, the campus cafeteria concept

A pic from last night, when we all watched "Kicking and Screaming" outside on the lawn, on a 15 ft tall screen.

That's all for now, folks!

Labels: Pictures

posted by CK @ 23:03

Finally on BKNF: Videos!

Yep. I finally found a free hosting site for my beautiful videos, that I've taken with my even more beautiful Kodak DX 4530. Now, for the first time ever, I present unto you two new videos of my campus and dorm room!

Campus: With Description | Just the Movie
Dorm room: With Description | Just the Movie

Check them out (they're Quicktime movies)!

posted by CK @ 22:42