I hear those sleighbells

Ok, maybe not literally. Anyway, wishlist time again.

Dear Santa,

I think I’ve been pretty good this year, at least compared to a lot of other people. On the other hand, quite a lot of people have been quite as good as me and need Christmas presents more, hence see point 1 and 2.

1. Peace on earth.

2. Anything from Gaver med mening (Flyktningehjelpen) or Verdensgaver (Unicef) (look, you can buy “me” schoolbooks!) and similar sites.

3. Flash/lighting stand, something like this. Needs to be able to hold the Aurora Firefly (I haven’t done my research, and I think it’s a standard bracket, but it might be a good idea to check with the shop).

4. Non-stop. A little, at least.

5. The Sandman books, vol. 6 onwards.

6. Books in general. Not that we need any more, but on the other hand: One will always need another book.

Yay! Birthday! Soon!

Well, you know. I like birthdays. Especially my own. I mean, what’s not to like? People give you attention, and gifts, and cake. Cake!

Oh, and gifts. So, obviously, wishlist:

1. A vacuum cleaner (ours died). Like this one. I hear good things about Miele in the vacuum department. Or a Roomba. A Roomba would in many ways be even better, especially in that I wouldn’t have to push it around, or indeed get off the sofa at all.

2. Crumpler camera bags. More specifically, one Crumpler Banana Hammock in brown  and a shoulder bag with room for DSL and at least two extra lenses, preferably more. The New Dehli 770 (or larger) looks nice and so does the messenger style in XXL or XXXL. (On a related note, I’ve got a lightly used Think Tank Urban Disguise 40 for sale…)

3. An overlock.

And. Uhm. Is that it? I think it might be.

From which we can conclude that life is pretty good.

Beginning to consider Christmas

I know it’s only October, but since I like to plan Christmas presents some time ahead, I like giving others the opportunity to do the same. So in the proud tradition, here we go:

Dear Santa,

I realise you may be a bit miffed that we’re teaching the lass that you don’t really exist, explaining that all the Santas she sees around are just people in costume and that her presents actually come from family and friends, but I hope you’ll forgive me and se your way to fix us up with some of the following anyway:

1. Peace on earth.

2. A Kindle. Preferably, I think, a Kindle DX, as one of the reasons for wanting one is to be able to read pdfs, and according to this review, the larger screen is a pretty good idea for that sort of use. However, the Kindle 3 with just wi-fi would also rock my socks. Other major benefits that I see immediately are A. downloading books from the Gutenberg project, in Kindle format, no less, for example Iphigenia which I really need to read after seeing the show at Trøndelag Teater on Saturday and B. reading in the rain by simple expedient of a cover (you could put a cover on a “real” book, too, but turning the page becomes complicated).

3. Health and longevity for my nearest and dearest and for the following authors/artists (and any others I may have forgotten): Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry, Jo Nesbø, Ole Paus, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Alanis Morisette, Michael Wiehe, Michael Parkinson, Håkon Gullvåg, Lillebjørn Nilsen, Neil Gaiman, Bill Bryson, India Knight, Kate Atkinson, Bob Dylan, Jasper Fforde and the Top Gear guys.

4. A ten-litre pot that works on induction stove-tops.

5. An Overlock. Like this one. Or one of the Husqvarna Huskylocks they have here.

6. Anything from Gaver med mening, Gaver som forandrer verden, Oxfam unwrapped (look, you can buy “me” schoolbooks!) and similar sites.

7. Non-stop.

8. The Sandman books.

9. A Fuji Instax mini – and film – available from Photojojo amongst others. Other thingamabobs from Photojojo that make me drool a little: SLR pinhole body cap and The white balance lens cap. And pretty much everything else they sell, to be honest.

10. Dishes with the Moomins on them. We have a collection of cups (mostly from “giving blood-rewards”), but I’d love to have the deep dishes, too, then we could really use the set for coffee and dessert.

11. A Roomba!

12. Moomin casserole and saucepan and Moomin spoons – all from Hackman.

And for the lass, who really has been good, her own list:

1. “Solveig og Kosinus-sangen” – that is, the song from the tv-show. Seems to only exist as a single so far, a whole CD would be better.

2. A Queen CD all of her own containing “We Will Rock You”.

3. Toy Story figures, especially Jesse “livesize”. Also Toy Story lego.

4. Pretend food of all kinds.

My additions:

1. Pyjamas in size 116 or 122. Fleece pants and/or tops in size 116.

2. Good books (but check with us first, we have quite a few – understatement of the year).

3. DVDs: Disney, old children’s tv shows and newer ones (check what we already have).

4. Listen and read combination things – those books with the story on CD – if they still exist?

5. Doll’s clothes (pretty much any size doll) – hand made if you do that sort of thing.

6. Jigsaw puzzles of 30 pieces and upwards (the sky’s the limit, she’ll grow into them eventually).

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Well, it’s getting closer, anyway. So here we go:

Dear Santa,

2009 has been pretty good. The shrub is no longer the leader of the (western?) world and I’m pretty happy with the way the elections turned out over here as well. Still, we’re hardly living in an ideal world yet, so there are a few things you may consider putting some effort into in the run-up to Christmas (and if you have to make it next Christmas, don’t worry, I realise there aren’t that many shopping days left before this one). As for me, well, I think I’ve been pretty good. But I’ll work on doing better, too, don’t worry. Anyway, here are a few things that would make my eyes sparkle (and who doesn’t like sparkly eyes?) this Christmas:

1. Peace on earth.

2. Any or all of the gadgets I’m drooling over at the moment: A new laptop, a mini laptop (Eee or similar), a Kindle.

3. An Overlock. Like this one. Or one of the Husqvarna Huskylocks they have here.

4. Health and longevity for my nearest and dearest and for the following authors/artists (and any others I may have forgotten): Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry, Jo Nesbø, Ole Paus, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Alanis Morisette, Michael Wiehe, Michael Parkinson, Håkon Gullvåg, Lillebjørn Nilsen, Neil Gaiman, Bill Bryson, India Knight, Kate Atkinson, Bob Dylan, Jasper Fforde and the Top Gear guys. 

5. Accessories for the MUM6.

6. Anything from Gaver med mening, Gaver som forandrer verden, Oxfam unwrapped (look, you can buy “me” schoolbooks!) and similar sites. 

7. Non-stop (though perhaps not quite as many as last year…).

8. Some energy and wherewithall to start the house-selling-buying-moving process.

9. The Sandman books

 And for the lass, who really has been good, not just pretty:

1. Jigsaw puzzles of 8 pieces and upwards (the sky’s the limit, she’ll grow into them eventually).

2. Good books (but check with us first, we have quite a few – understatement of the year).

3. DVDs: Disney, old children’s tv shows and newer ones like Tony Ross’ Little Princess, Postman Pat, Thomas the Tank Engine, Kipper and others of the same ilk (check what we already have).

4. Listen and read combination things – those books with the story on CD – if they still exist?

5. Doll’s clothes (pretty much any size doll) – hand made if you do that sort of thing.

 (For reference, previous years: 2002 2003 2005 2006  2007 2008)

Birthday wishlist

What? What do you mean I’m too old for a birthday wishlist? I’m only 13! No, wait, ok, I’m uhm, 2009 minus 1974 that’s, uhm, 35. Ok, so I’m half-way to seventy. What do you care? It’s a good age. And I like presents.

To get on with it:

1. An Overlock. Like this one. Or one of the Husqvarna Huskylocks they have here.

2. Pop-up books, of the fancy kind, like The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland by Robert Sabuda, Olive the other Reindeer or ABC3D. And so on. And other things off my Amazon wish-list, naturally.

3. Lego (for preference: “historic” sets and pirates)

4. Stuff for the Bosch (MUM6N22): MUZ6MM3 foodprocessorMUZ7WS2 Pølsehorn i rustfritt stål, MUZ7NV1 Pasta/Lasagne-munnstykke and MUZ6DS3 snittesett, for a start.

Speaking of Christmas

(Because Christmas is all about traditions. 2002 2003 2005 2006  2007 Hm. Did I really miss 2004?)

Dear Santa

I think I’ve been reasonably good this year. I only yelled at someone for being an anti-social idiot once, which is very restrained of me, I think. Considering you came through on that permanent job thing from last year, I don’t really want to ask for much, but there are always things a girl can wish for, right?

1. Peace on Earth. Thanks for sorting out the presidential situation in the States, but we’re still a bit of a way off the target, really. Any progress is appreciated.

2. An Overlock. Like this one. Or one of the Husqvarna Huskylocks they have here.

3. Non Stop. As per usual.

4. Health and longevity for my nearest and dearest and for the following authors/artists (and any others I may have forgotten): Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry, Jo Nesbø, Ole Paus, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Alanis Morisette, Michael Wiehe, Michael Parkinson, Håkon Gullvåg, Rosamunde Pilcher, Bill Bryson, Kate Atkinson, Bob Dylan, Jasper Fforde and the Top Gear guys. You know why.

5. Pondus 8. divisjon, Nemi Skumle damen, Naiv og brutal, Lavmål mot nye høyder, Rex Rudi Go, Cat, Go! og Mperiet slår tilbake.

6. Silicone baking trays, especially for large muffins.

7. A Bosch kitchen machine (MUM6 or MUM8).

8. A couple of 8 gb compact flash cards.

9. Anything from Gaver med mening, Gaver som forandrer verden, Oxfam unwrapped (look, you can buy “me” schoolbooks!) and similar sites would give me warm, fuzzy feelings.

And since she’s too young to write her own list (partly because she can’t spell and partly because she hasn’t quite understood this Christmas-thing yet) and I need somewhere to keep this, here’s the list for the lass:

1. Audiobooks on CD, especially Thorbjørn Egner (all we have so far is De beste Egner-viser/Karius og Baktus).

2. Other CDs for children – good ones, please, that won’t drive her parents bonkers.

3. Listen and read combination things – those books with the story on CD – if they still exist?

4. Jammies. We’re in dire need of more. Size 98/104 centilong.

5. Woolens: Tops and longs/trousers.

6. Good books (but check with us first, we have quite a few – understatement of the year – though not too many for the age she’s at now and a couple of years ahead).

7. DVDs: Disney (check what we already have) and old children’s tv shows.

8. In the Night Garden (Drømmehagen) books and figurines/softies would make her happy, I think.

9. Doll’s clothes (pretty much any size doll) – hand made if you do that sort of thing. Judging from what we’ve seen so far she’s going to be “into” dolls in a major way.

10. Sleigh with steering wheel. What are they called in English? “Rattkjelke”, anyway.

You could see it coming

Well, if you’ve been around for a while, that is.

Dear Santa,

We are once more coming up to Christmas, and though I have pretty much everything I could wish for there are always one or two little odds and ends. Material girl, that’s me.

Again, I think I’ve been reasonably good. I’ve probably annoyed a few people, but, really, people get annoyed so easily and one can’t be universally popular – even you struggle with that so what chance do the rest of us have?

Thanks for clearing Rowling’s calendar so that she was able to finish Book 7 at last, btw, it was much appreciated (and not only by myself, as far as I can gather).

  1. World peace. Yes, I know, I never give up. Consider it as an expression of faith.
  2. A permanent job would be kinda nice. One I would actually enjoy even better.
  3. An external flash – with adjustable lamp direction (for example: this or this).
  4. The book “Ur-Pippi” by Astrid Lindgren in Swedish.
  5. Photoshop CS3 (I wish).
  6. Health and longevity for my nearest and dearest and for the following authors/artists (and any others I may have forgotten): Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry, Jo Nesbø, Ole Paus, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Alanis Morisette, Michael Wiehe, Michael Parkinson, Håkon Gullvåg, Rosamunde Pilcher, Bill Bryson, Kate Atkinson, Bob Dylan and Jasper Fforde. You know why.
  7. Non Stop. As usual.
  8. One of those horribly expensive sewing machines. Preferably Husqvarna, but I’d be willing to consider Pfaff. One that does embroidery – where I can design the patterns myself – would be cool, but failing that, one with a gazillion fancy seams would make me very happy. Or an overlock. That would certainly make me happy, too.

It’s that time of year (take 4, or something)

Continuing the tradition of, well, it’s been a few years now:

Dear Santa,

once again I think I’ve been reasonably good. I’ve only been nasty to people who were nasty to me first, and sometimes I haven’t even bothered being nasty back (I mean, why bother with people who are nasty at all?). I gave to charity. Regularly, even, and though I’m not even close to the prescribed tenth I think I’m doing ok. I read No Logo again and have therefore developed a fear of ordinary shops as I keep seeing kids chained to sewing machines in my head when I look at the goods they sell, and it’s harder to ignore this time around – must be the hormones. Fairtrade shops are now my friends. Anyway, if you can find your way to providing one or more of the following (wrapped up underneath the tree where appropriate), I’d be grateful, and the season would be jolly:

1. Peace on earth (I know I keep harping on about it, but see what you can do, ok?)
2. A smooth entry to this world for the alien currently residing in my big belly.
3. While we wait for world peace and joy to all mankind: More fairtrade shops and more fairtrade goods in ordinary shops.
4. A tumble dryer
5. Some time for J.K. Rowling to sit down and finish writing The Last Book (and for the publishers to get it out there!).
6. The following books: Pondus: 0-6 – Frode

Dear Santa

(copied from the old blog to enable revising…)

another year has gone, at least very nearly, and still no peace on earth. And what’s with all these natural cathastrophies? I know I never got around to sending you a list last year, so the peace-issue might have slipped your mind, I guess. Anyway, I think I’ve been reasonably good this year, too – I certainly try my best. This year’s list is as follows.

1. Peace on earth.
2. A portable C-Pen.
3. A measure of will-power.
4. Units for the kitchen.
5. A bag of Non Stop (you can never have enough).
6. Some time for J.K. Rowling to sit down and finish writing The Last Book.
7. Health and longevity for my nearest and dearest and for the following authors/artists (and any others I may have forgotten): Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry, Jo Nesb

Continuing the tradition

Dear Santa,

I have been reasonably good this year, I think. I have not gone on a killing spree with a sawn off shotgun and I have not, despite what a lot of people would agree was adequate provocation, strangled, slapped or even yelled at anyone. I have visited my grandparents as often as I could and I have tried to remember to phone them. I have remembered all of my friends’ birthdays within at most a week and I have made an effort to tell people that I appreciate their friendship even though it might not always be obvious when I am in one of my unsociable moods.

I would therefore appreciate it if you could take a look at the following list and do with it as you see fit. It’s pretty similar to last year’s list, really, but then, I don’t seem to change much (and neither does the world). I know Christmas is still some time away, but I just started my own Christmas list (who gets what – it takes some thought, and I like getting it right) today, and I figured some of the items – item 1 especially – might take you some time.

1. Peace on earth. (I’m sure you did your best last year, unfortunately the human race seem to have messed it up again. A renewed attempt would be much appreciated.)
2. A breadmaker.
3. A measure of will-power.
4. The new novel by Jo Nesb? (Marekors).
5. A bag of Non Stop (didn’t get one last year, and even if I had it would have been gone by now)
6. Some time for J.K. Rowling to sit down and finish writing The Last Two Books.
7. Health and longevity for my nearest and dearest and for the following authors/artists (and any others I may have forgotten): Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, Stephen Fry, Jo Nesb?, Ole Paus, Bj?rn Eidsv?g, Alanis Morisette, Michael Wiehe, Parkinson, H?kon Gullv?g, Rosamunde Pilcher, Bill Bryson, Kate Atkinson, Bob Dylan and Jasper Fforde. You know why.
8. A Canon EOS 300D
9. Roman Holiday on DVD, and some other stuff.
10. More room in my flat (ok, I know it’s tricky, but surely you can come up with something, considering your ability to fit down chimneys and all?)