I want to tell you about the car crash

In July 2008 I was in a car accident. Today it feels like something that happened a long time ago, and in many ways it is. In July it will be 14 years ago. The accident happened on Sunday 6 July 2008. I think it’s one of those things that one think about from time to time.

A friend and I had been to a wedding, and were on our way home. It had been raining heavily, and on our way home we had to drive through several tunnels. Right outside of Drammen, we drove through a tunnel, and suddenly the car windows fogged up. We quickly rolled down the side windows, but all of a sudden we could feel the car spinning. Another car had somehow gotten into our lane, probably due to the same problem, and crashed into my friend’s car. I remember someone asking me if I was OK, and I answered “No!” Next thing I remember is waking up, laying on the ground inside the tunnel, with people standing around me. Right then in that moment, I thought I had a nightmare, and tried to wake up…

I was so scared, but there were people by my side comforting me. Strangers, how showed nothing but kindness. My friend was also there. It didn’t take to long, though, before the ambulance arrived and we were brought to the hospital.

At the hospital I was surrounded by staff who did a lot of tests, and I was brought to do a CT scan. I had to wait outside the CT scan room, as someone else needed it more urgently. With me was a medicine student who was very sweet and really helped me feel safe. When it was my turn, I got an IV inserted contrast agent. It was really unpleasant!

Fortunately, I had no serve physical injuries, but I was in a lot of pain. It was a big relief when I got to go home in the evening, and could sleep in my own bed.

Something I’ve thought about later, is the fact there was never an offer of psychological help after the accident. Never a question if I needed to talk to someone. Even though I’m fine today, that might not have been the case.

If there’s something I’ve learnt from this, it’s that life is precious. You never know what tomorrow brings, and you should never let an opportunity pass just because you’re scared of what you don’t know. The future is uncertain, take chances! Follow your dreams, don’t let your fear stop you.


A golden coloured car, with a big chunk of the front ripped off.
The car after the accident.
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2008

Spring Is In the Air!

After almost three weeks inside with Covid-19, I went outside for the first time today. Last time I was outside it was still winter and February. Now we’re well into March, and spring has happened while I was couped up inside. I was only outside for a couple of small errands, so it wasn’t exactly an expedition.

The sun was shining, and I decided on getting a take-away coffee. It was so nice to feel the warm weather, enjoying the warm oat latte, and walk slowly home.

A hand holding a papercup of takeaway coffee outside. Brown grass in the background, after the snow has melted.
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2022

Slow mornings

“Morning person” is not something I want to call myself. But most day I have to get up early, like most other people. If possible, I don’t like to rush it. And the days I have time, I make myself a cup of coffee, and sit down with a book.

It is those mornings I like the most. The slow ones, where I can enjoy the black gold and a good story.

An open book on a lap of crossed legs, a cup of coffee balancing on the righ knee. Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2021
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2021

My beautiful orchid!

Five years ago I got this orchid as a gift, and I’m amazed by how beautiful it has turned out! I can’t say I know all that much about orchids (or plants for that matter). That’s one of the reasons why I find it a bit surprising that not only is this orchid still alive, but it’s even prettier and has more flowers than when I got it! Isn’t it lovely?


Orchid. Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

Oslo Pride 2018

I must admit that I absolutely LOVE Oslo Pride! Though Pride started 14 June this year, and ended 1 July, I celebrated it only Friday and Saturday.

On Friday I went to look at Pride Park for the first time, and then headed to Pride Art. The art exhibition was really good this year! On Friday there also was a cultural item, with readings by a few authors, the big one being Gudmund Vindland. I’ve previously read a couple of his novels (he’s published four so far), and really liked them. He read from his current work in progress, and I must say I’m really looking forward to reading his new book when it comes out.

Gudmund Vindland. Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
Gudmund Vindland.
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

Another author who read a work in progress that I really enjoyed was Martine Johansen. I’ve never read any of her works before, but I certainly will, and I am excited about her new book as well.

Martine Johansen. Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
Martine Johansen.
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

It was also fun to listen to my friend Kiné perform a few of her songs. She had one I hadn’t heard before, but she also performed one that I really love, where she climbs up on a roof…

Saturday was, of course, the day of the Pride Parade. I have walked in the Pride Parade before, both in Norway and other places, in this year I walked with the choir I sing in. It was so much fun, and it was fun to see so many people watching us too!

My frienfd and I in the parade. Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
My friend and I in the parade.
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

I had a short, but awesome Pride celebration, and am already looking forward to next year.

Shutting the world out

Like so many others, I am the sort of person who get my energy drained by being social, and I can find crowds of people especially tiring. But I am also a city person, so it’s hard to avoid people when you’re out and about.

A few years ago I bought a pair of noise cancelling headphones. The main reason for getting them was to close out noise when I travel by plane (I have done a lot of flying the last few years), but it didn’t take long to discover that they do wonders other times as well. I don’t even need to put the actual noise cancelling on most of the time!

Using my headphones to shut the world out. Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
Using my headphones to shut the world out.
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

Putting my headphones on, and putting on some fitting music (yoga music is especially calming), and in that way just close out the world, reduces my stress level so much! I love it!

What is your life hack to stress down when you’re out and about and around people?

Where did all my spoons go?

When I was younger, I used to have a lot of spoons (if you have no idea what the number of spoons symbolise, you can read the Wikipedia article about the theory). I seemed to be able to be active and do whatever I wanted to do. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to have much energy left over when I am done at work.

Before you wonder, I will have to say that I love my job. I am a librarian, and I feel like I am on the right shelf in life. Helping others feela right, and I get to things I feel passionate about. I am so lucky.

Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018
Photo: Mittens and Sunglasses © 2018

I don’t know when my energy level fell drastically. Most probably it was a combination of things, but I know that I can’t use all my spoons on things that doesn’t make it feel worth it. I have to prioritise. I am in my mid fourties, and the “king in my own life”, as a former colleague used to say. I should decide what’s important to me. Therefore I have decided that the main activities for me outside of work will be writing and working out. A combination of things that I know I will enjoy.

Which activities outside of work or school is important to you? Are you good at finding time for them?