Many of my regular visitors will already know that I work for Opera Software, though I don’t often post about anything that goes on at work. But last week Opera launched something so cool that I just had to blog about it. Opera Unite is a new web technology that lets you use your computer as a server via the Opera web browser.

On the day we launched Unite was one of the most talked-about topics on Twitter, right behind the situation in Iran.
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You know how sometimes you constantly hear about something on the Internet and you just keep forgetting to check it out for yourself? That was Google Maps Street View for me. I’d heard so many people talk about how they loved it, hated it, drove around for hours trying to get caught on camera… but I just kept forgetting to take a look for myself.

I actually think it’s pretty cool, despite people’s various privacy-related issues with it. I mean really, it’s no different than walking by a place yourself, except that you don’t have to leave your chair (no wonder we’re all getting so chubby, eh?) .

So yesterday I finally remembered to take a look when someone at work mentioned that the Google Maps crew had been spotted taking pictures in Oslo. Side note: I was quite surprised to find out that Mount Gambier, South Australia had already been done, but Oslo hadn’t. What’s that about? Read the rest of this entry »

On Friday night Chris took me out for my birthday and, to his glee, he took me completely by surprise. I had no idea where we were going, and even when we joined the end of a ridiculously long queue, which started in what looked like an indoor sports dome and snaked its way around a frozen park and down the road, I still hadn’t clued in.

In the car on the way there, I thought maybe we were going to a classical music performance, but when we arrived and I had a peek into the building and saw lights and a big screen, I dismissed that idea. I also noticed immediately that the average age of the others waiting in line was probably around 22 years, which usually doesn’t spell classical music.
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What is it about one’s 30s that makes one forget their exact age? These days whenever anyone asks me how old I am, I really have to think about it. At least I don’t look like I’m old enough for it to be impolite to ask yet! In any case, I’ve narrowed it down to three possibilities:

1. My memory is becoming more sieve-like with each passing year
2. I care less about birthdays and presents these days than I used to (probably due to being able to buy myself stuff these days, unlike when I was jobless/house-building/a newly arrived immigrant etc)
3. Getting older is too horrific and I’m repressing the grim truth

Surprisingly, if I’m honest with myself, it’s most likely to be number two, even though the other options do come into play somewhat. Despite the fact that I can notice certain negative things about getting older, not least of which is not being able to sit down on or get up from the floor without saying “oof!”, I’m actually enjoying my 30s.

For the first time ever I feel financially secure, and in the midst of this global crisis that’s a pretty sweet thing. I have a job I’m happy in, despite the challenges having me questioning my competence now and then, I’m in a loving relationship, I have two cute-as-a-bug’s-ear nephews, no enemies (that I know of) and more fantastic friends than I can mention here (I hope you all know who you are). And I can’t forget to mention my two lovely kitties in Australia and my two super-cute kittens here in Norway.
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I have a love-hate relationship with exercise. Or if I’m going to be honest, most of the time it’s just a hate relationship. I always hated PE (gym) classes in school and I’m way too uncoordinated to play a sport in order to make exercise more fun. Nevertheless, I am once again hoping that a fresh start at a new gym will get me back on the path to fitness and rid me of my winter chub.

I’m lucky enough to be one of those people who don’t stack on a lot of weight if I don’t exercise, but this is also a curse. It means that I can go to the gym for six months, tone up, feel great and then slack off for a further six months before I really start noticing that my clothes don’t fit too well.  But the older I get, the more I notice that my body doesn’t like being unfit, regardless of what size or weight I am. Lately I’ve noticed my joints feeling stiff and my muscles seem to pull much more easily. This shouldn’t be happening at my age (31) and wouldn’t be a problem if I spent less time sitting on my butt.

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This blog has received a lot of attention since I posted about my pine nut misadventure back in August last year. Since then I’ve been keeping an eye on my stats just to see what else people are looking at on the site, and what kinds of posts are the most popular.

But the part of the statistic that really fascinates me is the kinds of search terms people use to reach this site. Of course there is a lot of “pine nut bitter taste” and “I love Wii Fit” involved, but some of them are truly bizarre. Here are some of my favourites: Read the rest of this entry »