Deep Oceans: October 2009

I am sitting watching television on my home theatre (literally - 6 foot screen), when out my windows I glimpse a faint pattern of green glow. I turn off the television, and peer out into the desolate cold. What awaits me is truly an undeniable wonder. The lights in green gaseous state whip here and there and begin to form bands. Moving slowly and with a direction, they proceed from the south and glide upward into the north. I race around my house, finding every switch in its powerless position. Inside has now just become that of without... black, dark, nothingness. But, the stars are out and twinkle so, you can even see them behind the glow.

My fortune would have it, that I would not only participate in one show, but two. Tis the end of the Orionid, leaving Halley's dust in our wake. A huge fire of orange balled in my northern sight and ended faintly on the horizon. I make my way around my windows, trying to determine which best to peer out of. Any will do, as the intense spot that left the sun, would encompass the entire view.

Peaking in such form, the piercing white begins to break through. I hold my breath, as shimmers of vapor pour downward. Could this lash out into a real show, the best show on Earth? Another white star burst within cloud like form is highlighted by yet another shooting star. I recognize the patterns of chaos in fractal order, and race to bundle up to brace the weather.

Without I can see and even feel the beauty. I stand looking up and another meteor collides with the atmosphere, making its way to join our magnet in forceful glory. Concurrent, the bands are swimming in strength, as the solar winds push them onward with great unseen force. They begin there journey in the eerie green, with bursts of bright unreal white.

I gaze far and wide, as the entire scope is full of nature and science in its height. One last meteorite falls beneath the veil, 4 in total. Above the final energies of fusion making the sky a whisper of radiant mist. Creating a downward motion of green, with white arrays, and last - but most adored, the crimson of pinks. Fairy dust... star dust... gaseous interactions in a massive cloak all raining down on me from every direction.

This show was free, and it was truly created for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyQv5yPIUL4
(Crimson Dawn - Seth Lakeman)

Yes, they have said Copenhagen, Paris, New York, Tokyo...

Those are the cities to endeavor.
Perhaps.

The flight over was typical travel, no mood setting differences. Typical dime a dozen airline, nothing for free. Next was trying to find my way out of the airport and to the magical plane train. I am glad that this is not Amsterdam or Atlanta for that matter... as I have little time to get to my room for a recap barside. I would have to say the system in Norway is easy for its users in regards to transportation. For me, it is so different to use trains - just in France and Italy I have traveled by these means before. Most of Europe uses these for people movers. I have been told that these railways are thanks to the Germans, as they built them during World War II specially for moving their troops and equipment. I seat myself window side, and leave the crowded station behind. My journey to what they call sentrum has thus begun.

I thought maybe since I had heard so many things about Oslo, I should venture there on my journeys around this giant blue ball. After all, in the teen years I was most assuredly a city girl. The highlights of visiting as many places as I can, are the true city experiences. To take in each culture in its thriving heyday, to develop an understanding of the underlying core to what makes each society function and tick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV5PwN2e88Y
(Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Cake)

About 45 minutes later, I arrive at my destination. I am a little perturbed, as most of the visual rail journey this way had been blocked by walled fences which only donned street art in the lowest forms of graffiti. I realize these mammoth walls probably keep the noise and bustle of the train without the living areas of the people. But then again, the people riding the train have nothing to see... I suppose it doesn't matter too much - the places where one could see, one wouldn't be marveling over much.

Sentrum! Shopping malls, and shopping malls.... and row upon row of buildings. Nothing superior to the Empire or Eiffel. The tallest hotel in north Europe stands here, I guess that is something to write about. Everything is so grey, dark asphalt and concrete jungle.

I make my way up to the bar I shall meet my comrad in... I think this will be neat, as it is the Sky Bar. Finally, I will be able to get the true feel of the city and its essence.

Martini on the rocks with olives please. Make that a double... The city is literally thrown together. There is nothing enticing here as I overlook. Yes, apparently all those years of building they ran out of space, and then they tried - "tried" to build up. It wasn't pretty. I sipped my drink and thought to narrow my vision beyond the blarg chaos that seemed a misshaped mesh of unpleasant sight. After an overpriced lobster dinner at a place that was recommended as 5 star eating, I ventured back to the bar to see the city once more. Maybe, I would find something intriguing, something to make note of, something of interest... perhaps. I was then showed the Norwegian King's castle/home (if you will). I was shocked, I did not expect it to sit so small and distant in the confusion of concrete with sparse fauna. It's monumental legacy to all these people, in Greek and Roman architecture - a blurp within all the rest.

Onward, the real reason I came to this location was to envelope myself in a show of theatre. A show I have seen several times before in other locations with different play rites.

The show was fantastic, just as expected. But the facility hosting the show... eeek gods! I paid an arm and leg for up front tickets, because the show is best up close... but the front seats all rowed up upon each other and you had to look around the 3 rows sitting in front of you! My back didn't like that a bit. Plus the seats were on the ground level and the stage was higher, so you missed all the special lighting and active happenings while the performance was going on... so it really took away from the feel I remember in viewing these performances from before. I will never pay good money to see something there again. It was the most horrible stadium I had ever been in. I had heard it was the biggest and best in these parts, but they can save it. I guess when you come from a bigger city, you have tastes and expectations that this particular place didn't provide.

Over my stay, I managed to find a Subway for hometown eats. This in itself was a nice taste of home far far away. I indulged in a sub before perusing the goods in the overpriced shopping malls. I actually managed a mini concert unexpected at an artist signing that was taking place. So this was a perk to a rather bland tour.

Nothing really said big city, just thrown together asphalt and piled on buildings. All the restaurants opened at 1700 and closed at 2300! So getting food was a pain. All the bars closed at 0030, which is dumb for a city. The money I spent on two days alone could of paid for a one week charter to Spain, Greece... Something!

I boarded the "plane train" on my final day. I sat with my back to the forward movement, facing towards what I was leaving behind. As if I was leaving this "city" the same way I had came in. My thoughts were distracted, but not on any fond memory in particular in regards to my stay. I guess I felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment.
Oh well, do everything at least once right?
Perhaps.