Another four weeks has whipped by in a flash. I sometimes feel like I'm in the time warp that you see in some movies, where they quickly flip calendar pages in order to signify the passing of time.
I wish I had something really fantastic and positive to say today, but it is the end of another month, and I am still without a job. In fact, a couple days ago was 1 year since I defended my thesis. Who in the hell would have known then that it would be so unbelievably impossible to get a job?
A ray of sunshine came across me a few weeks ago, as I saw an ad in the paper for free Danish courses - for those adults who would like to brush up on office/business Danish, and learn how to get through a good book faster (note: also for native Danish speakers!). But navigating the bureaucracy between the a-kasse union, the Job Center, and the Ramsdoll Group (to whom the Job Center outsourced my case) has been a complete and total nightmare. No one seems to know anything, and kicks me over to the next guy to answer the questions. I think I finally got some resolution today, which does allow me to take the class (and not lose unemployment benefits), but who the hell knows. The most hilarious part of this is that the a-kasse needs me to fill out a form about the course, and of course I do not understand about 20% of it...which is exactly the reason I want to take the course!
So much red tape involved, just for those of us who take the initiative to improve ourselves and have a better chance of landing a job.
The good news is that the next two months' social calendars are filling up pretty fast. Being busy with birthday parties, babies arriving, and Christmas cookie baking will help pass the time. I just need to kindly request of my friends to never bring up the topic of my unemployment, or I might just lose it (and no one wants to see that).
This week did have two very high notes: the Santana concert at Stadium Arena Fyn on Monday, and a wine tasting at Magasin on Wednesday. The concert was simply incredible: it was lovely to witness people who excel at what they do, having such a good time showing off their amazing skills to others. I danced so much, my knees have been complaining since. And the wine tasting (of 2 whites and 6 reds for a very inexpensive price) was the first I've been to in Denmark. It reminded me of the great ones that Andrew put on at the Ohio University Inn years ago.
Tomorrow brings a Halloween party, which should be fun, if nothing like the Halloween block parties in Athens. Hoping everyone has a safe and spooktaclar weekend. Now I need to go buy some candy.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Fantastic headlines today!
The fourth miner has just made it above ground!!!! Thank goodness the New York Times has a live feed of the rescue operation. The story merited all of about 60 seconds at 7:30 on the national TV news this morning. I waited, wondering HOW in the world they would inevitably insert something Danish into the story. It happened when they said, "The first miner was rescued at 5:30 Danish time."
All of the news sites this morning had massive headlines about the miners' rescue.
Far below these jubilant headlines, however, was a curious one: "Danish People's Party wants to allow smoking in restaurants!"
Say whaaaaa??
It's true. Smoking was finally banned here a few years ago, except in places like very small bars, where one can smoke anywhere in the bar. Some larger bars have converted a small area into a smoking room, which really is almost as disgusting because the amount of smoke is too much even for the smokers, and they leave the door open. At the local mall here, a restaurant even has a glass smoking box, which of course does nothing to eliminate the odor, but may serve to give extra attention to the smoker. Whether it is praise for being special, or ridicule for having such an unwanted habit is unclear.
Back to the story. Here is a quote from the politician Liselott Blixt (my own translation):
Wow. That's the only thing I can think to say without launching into a diatribe about everything that is wrong with what she said! Well except for the part about the health care worker helping the patient hold his/her cig. Why can't they just do that when they are both outside in the smoking area?
I also wonder if smokers and non-smokers can live together in peace and harmony, as she states, then why can't Danes and non-Danes?
I would really love to write more on this, but I need to make it to the gym.
At least now we all know how to get the crinkly facial skin of Pia.
All of the news sites this morning had massive headlines about the miners' rescue.
Far below these jubilant headlines, however, was a curious one: "Danish People's Party wants to allow smoking in restaurants!"
Say whaaaaa??
It's true. Smoking was finally banned here a few years ago, except in places like very small bars, where one can smoke anywhere in the bar. Some larger bars have converted a small area into a smoking room, which really is almost as disgusting because the amount of smoke is too much even for the smokers, and they leave the door open. At the local mall here, a restaurant even has a glass smoking box, which of course does nothing to eliminate the odor, but may serve to give extra attention to the smoker. Whether it is praise for being special, or ridicule for having such an unwanted habit is unclear.
Back to the story. Here is a quote from the politician Liselott Blixt (my own translation):
"I myself smoke only at parties. So I really understand the irritation when one must stand outside in all types of weather. There must be better ways we can solve this. We all certainly can be here all together, both smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers. ... Why should all the smoking patients be thrown out of the hospitals? Why must the smoking personnel at nursing homes not help the elderly and the sick, if they want to smoke? Why can't they help patients with sclerosis and hold their cigarette for them? I am entirely behind the effort that we need to protect those who do not want to be exposed to smoke, but this is inhuman. We need to try to do better."
Wow. That's the only thing I can think to say without launching into a diatribe about everything that is wrong with what she said! Well except for the part about the health care worker helping the patient hold his/her cig. Why can't they just do that when they are both outside in the smoking area?
I also wonder if smokers and non-smokers can live together in peace and harmony, as she states, then why can't Danes and non-Danes?
I would really love to write more on this, but I need to make it to the gym.
At least now we all know how to get the crinkly facial skin of Pia.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Autumn
Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. Probably because I was a nerd and loved starting new topics at the beginning of the school year.
Although September was the coldest one Denmark has had in the last 12 or so years, the temps are not falling too dramatically yet. With averages in the 50s (that's 10˚-15˚C) and not too much rain or overcast skies, this month has been brilliant so far.
The waning sun casts a golden glow at this time of year. The leaves on the trees are dying a long, graceful death. Those that have fallen make a crunch underfoot.
Halloween decorations, more than last year, are on store shelves. I have intense cravings for hot chocolate or warm apple cider (spiked with some spiced rum, of course!). I kick myself for not having brought back some mini marshmallows from the States.
I also miss tailgating at the Ohio University football games. Cold light beers washing down the warm brats. Delicious. But football (American style) does not exist here, nor does proper sauerkraut for the brats. Same goes for a good light beer.
Sure, the length of daylight hours is quickly slipping away. Already the sunrise is at 7:34 and sunset at 6:18 p.m. I have made a 3-month calendar with the sunrise and sunset times. Forewarned is forearmed, so I hope to not suddenly be surprised by the time of the Winter Solstice, which has a sunrise at 8:38 and sunset at 3:39 p.m. And sunrise should be put into quotes, because at that time of year, the gray skies are typically overcast with thick clouds, impenetrable to the sun's rays of light.
Knowing what lies ahead makes me appreciate this golden sun now even more. Last year, for three weeks beginning at the end of October, the skies were overcast and rainy every single day. I shudder in the fear something like that would happen again.
Having spent my entire life in southeastern Ohio, at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, hills were everywhere. On a return drive from North Carolina, we were stuck in traffic in the mountains of West Virginia. I felt suffocated. Everywhere I looked, there were towering hills, extending as far up as one could see. But we inched forward, and were soon enjoying a new, more open, landscape.
Denmark, on the other hand, is quite flat. The highest point of elevation is 560 feet high. As a cyclist, this is great. But on the days of overcast skies, I feel the same suffocating feeling. At least in Ohio, one can drive further up the hill to not feel so surrounded. Here, one can feel doomed to suffer the domed sky's mood.
Is it really any wonder our ancestors worshiped the sun?
Although September was the coldest one Denmark has had in the last 12 or so years, the temps are not falling too dramatically yet. With averages in the 50s (that's 10˚-15˚C) and not too much rain or overcast skies, this month has been brilliant so far.
The waning sun casts a golden glow at this time of year. The leaves on the trees are dying a long, graceful death. Those that have fallen make a crunch underfoot.
Halloween decorations, more than last year, are on store shelves. I have intense cravings for hot chocolate or warm apple cider (spiked with some spiced rum, of course!). I kick myself for not having brought back some mini marshmallows from the States.
I also miss tailgating at the Ohio University football games. Cold light beers washing down the warm brats. Delicious. But football (American style) does not exist here, nor does proper sauerkraut for the brats. Same goes for a good light beer.
Sure, the length of daylight hours is quickly slipping away. Already the sunrise is at 7:34 and sunset at 6:18 p.m. I have made a 3-month calendar with the sunrise and sunset times. Forewarned is forearmed, so I hope to not suddenly be surprised by the time of the Winter Solstice, which has a sunrise at 8:38 and sunset at 3:39 p.m. And sunrise should be put into quotes, because at that time of year, the gray skies are typically overcast with thick clouds, impenetrable to the sun's rays of light.
Knowing what lies ahead makes me appreciate this golden sun now even more. Last year, for three weeks beginning at the end of October, the skies were overcast and rainy every single day. I shudder in the fear something like that would happen again.
Having spent my entire life in southeastern Ohio, at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, hills were everywhere. On a return drive from North Carolina, we were stuck in traffic in the mountains of West Virginia. I felt suffocated. Everywhere I looked, there were towering hills, extending as far up as one could see. But we inched forward, and were soon enjoying a new, more open, landscape.
Denmark, on the other hand, is quite flat. The highest point of elevation is 560 feet high. As a cyclist, this is great. But on the days of overcast skies, I feel the same suffocating feeling. At least in Ohio, one can drive further up the hill to not feel so surrounded. Here, one can feel doomed to suffer the domed sky's mood.
Is it really any wonder our ancestors worshiped the sun?
Friday, October 1, 2010
October 1, 2010: Busy News Day
I will spare any excuses for not writing lately.
Today's news brought a few interesting topics that I would like to share.
Conservatives to People's Party: We don't want your kind in these here parts!
The biggest is that the Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen, who is also the Conservative party leader, said that her party would quit the government if the nationalist Danish People's Party would get any ministerial posts. Now Lene is not a stranger to the news. She was raked over the coals a few months ago for failing to appear at certain events where foreign ministers of other countries were gathered. After that, her husband received a lot of press for his taxes. I did not really pay much attention to either of those story's details.
The current change of heart is due to vast differences of either party's stance on four main issues: EU politics, tax politics, the size of the public sector, and reforms in areas such as pensions. Of course, I would have hoped that another reason would include the People's Party stance on immigration, but that may be wishing too much as after all, it's the Conservative party we're talking about here.
The other day I walked to the train station. On the side walls under the overpass are two huge plastic frames that protect the advertisements underneath. Every so often a People's Party ad is installed there. Without fail, someone always rips off the plastic cover, removes the ad underneath, and vandalizes the ad. The other day, someone had ripped off the facial area of the People Party's leader, Pia Kjærsgaard. Hm.
Well maybe now the People's Party knows how it feels to be unwanted and blocked out of places they want to be.
Danes are getting FAT fatty fat fat!!!
I take twisted pleasure in this, because we all know that Americans are known for their largess and repudiated for it. Colin Farrel's character in In Bruges provides a great example of what Europeans think of the vastly obese American. Here's a link to the clip, which cannot be embedded here.
And we all know that everybody loves to hate America. Well guess what, you haters? You're following America's lead to becoming overweight and even obese. ha, ha! In Denmark, 41 percent of men and 26 percent of women are overweight; 11 percent of men are obese, and 12 percent of women are obese. The stats thrown around for the U.S. are two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and now the number of obese is overtaking the number of "simply" overweight. Looks like Danish women are aspiring to American numbers.
All kidding aside, this is no joke. Being overweight is not easy, and leads to a whole host of various problems. Good thing one of the world's leading diabetes medicine companies, Novo Nordisk, is HQ'd here in DK. Also I should add something else from the article: while Danes are getting fatter, the rate is not as fast as other industrialized countries. An Oxford Uni researcher theorizes that the social safety net is also what has slowed the rate. My two cents is that all of the biking helps too.
From NYC: Riding a Bicycle is Now Chic and Hip
Gone are the days of poor spandex-encased bicycle messengers being the only image that pops into New Yorker's minds when they think of cycling in the city. Eco-conscious young women are making environmental and style statements as they pedal around town, writes the New York Times. Here's my favorite quote, from the owner of a bicycle shop:
I admit, when I first came to Copenhagen nearly four years ago, the number of cyclists was quite shocking to my car-driving eyes. I'll never forget seeing out the corner of my eye a HUGE belly seemingly floating in the air. I turned and looked and saw a VERY pregnant woman cycling on the bike path. WOW! The city of Odense has been named the friendliest city for bicyclists, as it has more than 500 km (310 mi) of bike paths.
This NYT article, I found, was quite humorous. After all, every day all over Denmark cyclists of all ages, shapes and sizes (and modes of fashion) use their bikes to drop off the kids at day care or co-bike with their little one to school, go to work, go shopping, and return home. Not the latest chic and hip novelty, like in the Big Apple.
"Come Again?"
The last eye-catching article of today reveals the results of a Uni of Copenhagen study that focused on mapping out the gazillion dialects of Denmark. Us foreigners learning Danish hear it all the time when we complain about Danes switching over to English as soon as they hear our foreign accents, "Even Danes sometimes can't understand each other!" To which I always wanted to reply, "Uh, but do they start speaking English to each other? NO! They open their ears and try to understand!" But I kept my mouth shut, because arguing is useless.
The little country of Denmark, where Hamlet found something rotten, is geographically a little smaller than my home state of Ohio. I grew up in the central eastern part, where a typical Midwest accent is found and usually had, although some pick up "hillbilly", "hill jack", "redneck", or Ohio River accents. When I moved to southern Ohio, I was struck by the difference in accent. We were not that far from Kentucky, that was for sure. And good luck flying into Columbus, stopping at the nearby McDonald's drive-through and understanding the typical accent that greets you there. But it all works out, and you are soon munching on fries.
Denmark has a population of 5.5 million; Ohio has 11.5 million. The capital of Copenhagen is home to 1-2 million residents, depending on how you draw the borders and such. So that leaves a lotta land for the remaining residents. That, coupled with the number of islands that make up the country, it seems not surprising that a lot of regional accents have developed.
For further information, visit the study's website, which contains this fabulous section where you can "train your ears" to understand the different accents. An even better part is this section, which discusses how you, too can understand Danish with a foreign accent!
"Prost!"
I would be remiss to not mention that October = Octoberfest! Yes, as much as the Danes love to trash talk the Germans (and with good historical reason, of course), they love their beer-laden tradition! I am going to an Octoberfest celebration this evening, my very first one. This does not mean that we have not had special Octoberfest beer, as many beer companies produce them, which can be found at the grocery store. But it does mean I will experience yet another cultural experience, and that is somewhat interesting, even if the overwhelming tobacco-free smell of pilsners and lagers reminds me of stupid drunk college kids.
Today's news brought a few interesting topics that I would like to share.
Conservatives to People's Party: We don't want your kind in these here parts!
The biggest is that the Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen, who is also the Conservative party leader, said that her party would quit the government if the nationalist Danish People's Party would get any ministerial posts. Now Lene is not a stranger to the news. She was raked over the coals a few months ago for failing to appear at certain events where foreign ministers of other countries were gathered. After that, her husband received a lot of press for his taxes. I did not really pay much attention to either of those story's details.
The current change of heart is due to vast differences of either party's stance on four main issues: EU politics, tax politics, the size of the public sector, and reforms in areas such as pensions. Of course, I would have hoped that another reason would include the People's Party stance on immigration, but that may be wishing too much as after all, it's the Conservative party we're talking about here.
The other day I walked to the train station. On the side walls under the overpass are two huge plastic frames that protect the advertisements underneath. Every so often a People's Party ad is installed there. Without fail, someone always rips off the plastic cover, removes the ad underneath, and vandalizes the ad. The other day, someone had ripped off the facial area of the People Party's leader, Pia Kjærsgaard. Hm.
Well maybe now the People's Party knows how it feels to be unwanted and blocked out of places they want to be.
Danes are getting FAT fatty fat fat!!!
I take twisted pleasure in this, because we all know that Americans are known for their largess and repudiated for it. Colin Farrel's character in In Bruges provides a great example of what Europeans think of the vastly obese American. Here's a link to the clip, which cannot be embedded here.
And we all know that everybody loves to hate America. Well guess what, you haters? You're following America's lead to becoming overweight and even obese. ha, ha! In Denmark, 41 percent of men and 26 percent of women are overweight; 11 percent of men are obese, and 12 percent of women are obese. The stats thrown around for the U.S. are two-thirds of Americans are overweight, and now the number of obese is overtaking the number of "simply" overweight. Looks like Danish women are aspiring to American numbers.
All kidding aside, this is no joke. Being overweight is not easy, and leads to a whole host of various problems. Good thing one of the world's leading diabetes medicine companies, Novo Nordisk, is HQ'd here in DK. Also I should add something else from the article: while Danes are getting fatter, the rate is not as fast as other industrialized countries. An Oxford Uni researcher theorizes that the social safety net is also what has slowed the rate. My two cents is that all of the biking helps too.
From NYC: Riding a Bicycle is Now Chic and Hip
Gone are the days of poor spandex-encased bicycle messengers being the only image that pops into New Yorker's minds when they think of cycling in the city. Eco-conscious young women are making environmental and style statements as they pedal around town, writes the New York Times. Here's my favorite quote, from the owner of a bicycle shop:
“The idea now is to look like a pedestrian on wheels.”
I admit, when I first came to Copenhagen nearly four years ago, the number of cyclists was quite shocking to my car-driving eyes. I'll never forget seeing out the corner of my eye a HUGE belly seemingly floating in the air. I turned and looked and saw a VERY pregnant woman cycling on the bike path. WOW! The city of Odense has been named the friendliest city for bicyclists, as it has more than 500 km (310 mi) of bike paths.
This NYT article, I found, was quite humorous. After all, every day all over Denmark cyclists of all ages, shapes and sizes (and modes of fashion) use their bikes to drop off the kids at day care or co-bike with their little one to school, go to work, go shopping, and return home. Not the latest chic and hip novelty, like in the Big Apple.
"Come Again?"
The last eye-catching article of today reveals the results of a Uni of Copenhagen study that focused on mapping out the gazillion dialects of Denmark. Us foreigners learning Danish hear it all the time when we complain about Danes switching over to English as soon as they hear our foreign accents, "Even Danes sometimes can't understand each other!" To which I always wanted to reply, "Uh, but do they start speaking English to each other? NO! They open their ears and try to understand!" But I kept my mouth shut, because arguing is useless.
The little country of Denmark, where Hamlet found something rotten, is geographically a little smaller than my home state of Ohio. I grew up in the central eastern part, where a typical Midwest accent is found and usually had, although some pick up "hillbilly", "hill jack", "redneck", or Ohio River accents. When I moved to southern Ohio, I was struck by the difference in accent. We were not that far from Kentucky, that was for sure. And good luck flying into Columbus, stopping at the nearby McDonald's drive-through and understanding the typical accent that greets you there. But it all works out, and you are soon munching on fries.
Denmark has a population of 5.5 million; Ohio has 11.5 million. The capital of Copenhagen is home to 1-2 million residents, depending on how you draw the borders and such. So that leaves a lotta land for the remaining residents. That, coupled with the number of islands that make up the country, it seems not surprising that a lot of regional accents have developed.
For further information, visit the study's website, which contains this fabulous section where you can "train your ears" to understand the different accents. An even better part is this section, which discusses how you, too can understand Danish with a foreign accent!
"Prost!"
I would be remiss to not mention that October = Octoberfest! Yes, as much as the Danes love to trash talk the Germans (and with good historical reason, of course), they love their beer-laden tradition! I am going to an Octoberfest celebration this evening, my very first one. This does not mean that we have not had special Octoberfest beer, as many beer companies produce them, which can be found at the grocery store. But it does mean I will experience yet another cultural experience, and that is somewhat interesting, even if the overwhelming tobacco-free smell of pilsners and lagers reminds me of stupid drunk college kids.
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