Soccer, Music Festival, and Billy Goats

Hello All,

Walter had his first day of Gimletroll Soccer, a soccer club that his new friend Kjetil introduced him to. When we sent Walter off trotting after Kietil, who was riding his bicycle, it was misting; a short time later it was raining and blowing fiercely. Figuring the practice was sure to be cancelled, Bill and I rushed to Kietil's apartment to talk to his mother, hoping she might be able to ensure that someone would pick Walter up. She seemed a bit surprised and assured me the game would not be cancelled, and her husband would bring Walter home. Bill and I looked at each other bemused. Foul weather does not stop football.

It turns out that this week is the Kristiansand International Church Music Fesitival. I took the boys to the dress rehearsal of Verdi's Requiem in Kristiansand's Cathedral, which was strikingly Scandinavian in its unvarnished blond wood support beams, and model ship hanging at the entrance to the main aisle. After a few minutes of the Requiem, the boys got wiggly and we made the trek back home on the bus.

The boys have also started their free piano lessons at the Kulturskole in Kristiansand. They're only 20 minutes, but it's good to be connected to a community.

Earlier in the day I had lunch with a linguist colleague, who surprised me with her midwestern American accent. Warm and friendly, she seems likely to be a friend I can turn to for teaching advice. I also learned from another colleague that I am expected to be in my office from 9-3 every day. So much for my visions of sleeping in during my sabbatical, gazing out our picture window, and working late into the night...ah well...

I continue to say hello to most folks I pass on the street, and most look at me taken aback. Apparently American outgoing friendliness can seem disingenuous to Norwegians, but it's hard for me to break the habit.

Bill is beginning to work on his U of WI WWI civil liberties reader...the press seems quite pleased with the reception of Unsafe for Democracy.

We hear tales of a large grocery stores in Kristiansand, and we are determined to take the trek to find them. Bill boasts that he can climb up the steep zig zag trail our apartment in ten minutes...hmm...perhaps I am jealous of his billy goat agility:)

god natt!