Back to work, back to normal life, back to the everything that was so meaningless.
January 2011 was, for lack of a better word, shit.
I slaved through it, carrying the weight of my own stupidity didn't do me any favours.
But suddenly a blooming little girl from Bergen was to be my saviour. I decided to park myself at the local gay bar and wallow, once again, in my loneliness. I allowed it to wash over me as easily as i washed beer down my gullet.
"You wanna play with us?", a bubbly little voice tried. "We need one more player, it's just me and my friend".
This option seemed better than my busy night of slurping down my beer to the point that i would go home with anything that would take me.
We began to play some board games and got to talking. Now the phrase "it's a small world" never had much meaning for me before i moved, but it happened indeed to be a small world.
She turned out to be finishing her bachelor in photography in Glasgow, this was funny since i am from Scotland, she was a huge fan of world of warcraft (me being a huge fan myself) and the fact that i had gone to the same Folkehøgskule as a close friend of hers.
Serendipity aside, this was a great night and a great awakening from my current nightmare.
I don't care to mention much else about the on-again, off-again mess but it will crop up from time to time.
I spent the next few months working away, nights out with my new best friend and generally having a good time. We started the big count down to the 17th of May, the national day for Norway and a day off work. I was looking forward to the day so much, i could never have seen what devastation was laying just around the corner.
Monday 12 August 2013
Saturday 3 August 2013
Summer Loving 2010
It was a whirlwind of a summer. Everything from the pain-staking slow process of registering myself with the local authorities to the lack of communication between the different agencies who held the possibilities of me earning even a penny to actually getting out there and finding a job put a huge downer on everything.
The immigration office spoke to/knew of the tax office about as well as a right wing extremist know of an open mind, as vica versa. After a marathon of trips between them, relaying information back and forth i eventually managed to sort out everything, including a job!
A summer romance happened to spring up in my way during all this rubbish. It was a welcome distraction from it all. I was a working woman, i had it all; a man, a job, a bank account. You'd be surprised how the smallest things make you happy, especially after you're forced to wait for them.
It came after the nondescript "6-8 weeks". Beautiful and burgundy. My very own bank card, complete with my picture, a hideous deformed picture, capturing all my flaws, but i didn't care! I was yet another step closer to being ingratiated. We went out to celebrate, me burning my card as much as i could, a rather welcome spending spree in the eyes of my friends who were of course more than willing to enable my peculiar card use.
I secured myself permanent employ in a kindergarten. Monday to Friday i would be the idol, leader, teacher and boo boo kisser of these impressionable minds. I got to stretch my musical muscles here too, which was a huge bonus and made the position all the more interesting. Twice a week i was to hold a "music time" with the kids. I settled into my new employment quite happily after a few initial humps and bumps.
The year seemed to rush on, October, November, December. This would be my first Christmas away from home. Nothing too daunting for me since i had worked Christmas Day for the past two years. I did have my ex-boyfriend to be with so i wasn't all too bothered. A rather calm ending to the year ensued and then i became ill on the 30th and my new years celebrations consisted of lying very still on the sofa, humming Auld Lang Syne into my cola bottle.
The new year came with a smash. Being dumped tends to put a downer on things. This was only the start in a long, on-going drama that luckily ended - if only two years later...
The immigration office spoke to/knew of the tax office about as well as a right wing extremist know of an open mind, as vica versa. After a marathon of trips between them, relaying information back and forth i eventually managed to sort out everything, including a job!
A summer romance happened to spring up in my way during all this rubbish. It was a welcome distraction from it all. I was a working woman, i had it all; a man, a job, a bank account. You'd be surprised how the smallest things make you happy, especially after you're forced to wait for them.
It came after the nondescript "6-8 weeks". Beautiful and burgundy. My very own bank card, complete with my picture, a hideous deformed picture, capturing all my flaws, but i didn't care! I was yet another step closer to being ingratiated. We went out to celebrate, me burning my card as much as i could, a rather welcome spending spree in the eyes of my friends who were of course more than willing to enable my peculiar card use.
I secured myself permanent employ in a kindergarten. Monday to Friday i would be the idol, leader, teacher and boo boo kisser of these impressionable minds. I got to stretch my musical muscles here too, which was a huge bonus and made the position all the more interesting. Twice a week i was to hold a "music time" with the kids. I settled into my new employment quite happily after a few initial humps and bumps.
The year seemed to rush on, October, November, December. This would be my first Christmas away from home. Nothing too daunting for me since i had worked Christmas Day for the past two years. I did have my ex-boyfriend to be with so i wasn't all too bothered. A rather calm ending to the year ensued and then i became ill on the 30th and my new years celebrations consisted of lying very still on the sofa, humming Auld Lang Syne into my cola bottle.
The new year came with a smash. Being dumped tends to put a downer on things. This was only the start in a long, on-going drama that luckily ended - if only two years later...
Recap.3
I boarded the boat. First leg of the mission done. The boat had an eerie feel to it, being empty. It usually held around 300 people, but on this voyage it was only to hold me. I was shown to my room by one of the skeleton crew and told that if i needed anything i was just to ask. He disappeared into the woodwork and i didn't see another living soul for the next 15 hours.
I settled down in my cabin; out with my laptop, found a power point, organised my bedding and made myself comfortable. Food stores, check. Drinks, check. Time to sleep, yeah right!
I'm not sea worn sailor one might think, coming from an island in the north sea and all. I hate boat in fact, detest them. If i can avoid them i will. The fact that i was about to spend 22 hours on a boat, crossing the north sea, a task i wasn't to sure this little vessel was capable of since it usually only fares over an hour and a half crossing to the mainland. However, if i was going to Norway, this was the way to do it.
After all of an hours sleep during the night i eventually decided 8am would be a reasonable time to "wake up". I ventured out on deck to watch the great sea heaving and swaying. We were like a ting ant of the big bulging belly of a giant, rolling down as each swell left us. Rising for a good few solid minutes, it added a little extra weight, like being on an elevator. I took my bagpipes with me, I'm not too sure why, just for something to do and perhaps a bit of nostalgic patriotism and a dash of longing for home left lingering in me. Well, i blew that all out into the North Sea and went back inside.
The hours and minutes and second drew longer and longer and longer. Eventually, my phone beeped.
Signal? That could mean only one thing, we were close to land! Right enough, after a mad dash to the front of the boat, in the distance, Norway was erupting before my eyes! The beautiful mountain peaks were peering at me from behind the swells.
The next few hours went by in a flash and suddenly i was sitting with my baggage waiting to leave the ship. Passport Control and sorted out everything and i was left to my mountain of luggage. In a take some, run back and get some more fashion i managed to inch my way to the exit of the building.
Outside there was a group of happy faces waiting my arrival. They embraced me in much a way reminiscent of 22 hours previous. I was here, i had done it! Let the adventure begin!
Tuesday 16 August 2011
Recap.2
Saying goodbye to my mother was more difficult than i could have ever imagined.
We drove by her work to spend one last hour with her before i set off on the high seas.
We sat and the excitement flooded over me. My nerves were somewhat calmed by my mother doting on me, surely trying to fill me with enough cake and biscuits to last me till the next time i venture home.
The time flew by and before i knew it i was saying my goodbyes. Mum welled up, as did i. After long heart-felt hug we looked at each other and for the first time i saw not my mum, but rather a mother. She was looking upon her creation, a final check that she had done her best; given me an education, a good upbringing, taught me about the ways of the world and making sure that i was really going to be alright.
I bottled down all of my emotions at that point and gave a reassuring look as if to say that i would be back and oh boy would i have stories to tell!
We headed for the boat. I had been up and down that road so many times that i could of gone to the moon and back.
We arrived at the boat and as i organised my tickets there was a ruckus at the door.
Two of my friends burst through the door in a mad state, eyes glaring widely around and resting upon me before sprinting towards me and we embraced with tears nearly overflowing and excitement shooting through every fibre of my existence. Jason my ex, my past and on of my closest friends Claire who's built me up time and time again and getting me ready for life. My past and present came to say goodbye to me whilst i said hello to my future.
I posted a fleeting note on Facebook a few hours previously, the best of which i thought would be a few "likes" and perhaps a comment or two wishing me luck but the fact these two came to see me off was truly heart warming. I took my final goodbyes and boarded the boat. That would be the last time i would see my friends and family for over a year.
We drove by her work to spend one last hour with her before i set off on the high seas.
We sat and the excitement flooded over me. My nerves were somewhat calmed by my mother doting on me, surely trying to fill me with enough cake and biscuits to last me till the next time i venture home.
The time flew by and before i knew it i was saying my goodbyes. Mum welled up, as did i. After long heart-felt hug we looked at each other and for the first time i saw not my mum, but rather a mother. She was looking upon her creation, a final check that she had done her best; given me an education, a good upbringing, taught me about the ways of the world and making sure that i was really going to be alright.
I bottled down all of my emotions at that point and gave a reassuring look as if to say that i would be back and oh boy would i have stories to tell!
We headed for the boat. I had been up and down that road so many times that i could of gone to the moon and back.
We arrived at the boat and as i organised my tickets there was a ruckus at the door.
Two of my friends burst through the door in a mad state, eyes glaring widely around and resting upon me before sprinting towards me and we embraced with tears nearly overflowing and excitement shooting through every fibre of my existence. Jason my ex, my past and on of my closest friends Claire who's built me up time and time again and getting me ready for life. My past and present came to say goodbye to me whilst i said hello to my future.
I posted a fleeting note on Facebook a few hours previously, the best of which i thought would be a few "likes" and perhaps a comment or two wishing me luck but the fact these two came to see me off was truly heart warming. I took my final goodbyes and boarded the boat. That would be the last time i would see my friends and family for over a year.
Monday 15 August 2011
Recap
Well, this past year (and a bit) has been quite the ride.
Let's start from the beginning...
The date was April 21st 2010, the outlook was bleak. A volcano in Iceland decided to erupt into full blown action. This would have normally been a rather interesting event for me however it played havoc with my planes to fly that day. My tickets had already been cancelled, my dreams of moving dashed and i woke up on that Tuesday morning with an aching inside, a feeling that I'm reminiscing just now.
I used most of the time that day to visit relatives before returning home to find a distraction from current events. This, of course, was difficult since the news was being broadcast over almost every type of media. However, there was to come a silver lining on the ash covered clouds.
Her name was - and I'm trying not to be the stereotypical homosexual - my mother.
She called me up at 4 in the afternoon, a hint of excitement in her voice, telling me that because of the ash cloud currently consuming northern Europe no planes were going. It was at this point i abruptly reminded her that this information was not new and (more to the point) not making me feel better. She proceeded to tell me that there were stranded Brits in Bergen, unable to fly back and thus the British government ask a ferry company to send a boat from Orkney to Bergen. Since i was living in Orkney at the time, this seemed like an opportunity that not only had to be jumped upon but darted, tied down and beaten into submission.
I called the ferry company at once, enthusiasm nearly overflowing. After much tooing and froing i managed to secure myself passage to Bergen. This was not going to be an easy journey, my fear of boats coupled with the 20 hour voyage was nearly enough for me to back out but i gathered myself, and my belongings, and prepared myself for the bumpy ride ahead.
Let's start from the beginning...
The date was April 21st 2010, the outlook was bleak. A volcano in Iceland decided to erupt into full blown action. This would have normally been a rather interesting event for me however it played havoc with my planes to fly that day. My tickets had already been cancelled, my dreams of moving dashed and i woke up on that Tuesday morning with an aching inside, a feeling that I'm reminiscing just now.
I used most of the time that day to visit relatives before returning home to find a distraction from current events. This, of course, was difficult since the news was being broadcast over almost every type of media. However, there was to come a silver lining on the ash covered clouds.
Her name was - and I'm trying not to be the stereotypical homosexual - my mother.
She called me up at 4 in the afternoon, a hint of excitement in her voice, telling me that because of the ash cloud currently consuming northern Europe no planes were going. It was at this point i abruptly reminded her that this information was not new and (more to the point) not making me feel better. She proceeded to tell me that there were stranded Brits in Bergen, unable to fly back and thus the British government ask a ferry company to send a boat from Orkney to Bergen. Since i was living in Orkney at the time, this seemed like an opportunity that not only had to be jumped upon but darted, tied down and beaten into submission.
I called the ferry company at once, enthusiasm nearly overflowing. After much tooing and froing i managed to secure myself passage to Bergen. This was not going to be an easy journey, my fear of boats coupled with the 20 hour voyage was nearly enough for me to back out but i gathered myself, and my belongings, and prepared myself for the bumpy ride ahead.
Saturday 7 August 2010
A Poem
Sweat glittering like faires dancing,
Sweet breath escaping in waves of wonder
We were so close, so connected.
People call it love, and it's opposing.
I felt it.
Thud, thud, thud: Thud. The heart beat of this symbiotic event.
There were two of us, not just him nor me,
Although the latter was soon not to be.
He withdrew
What a mess!
Anger, sadness, love, hate,
Pale, and loving the moment of course.
He left me there; lying, shaking
In disbelief of this magestic creature.
So strong and beautiful, perfect curves and a
Perfected Temper.
Slam!
He shut the door and fled.
This wonderous creation that had
Left a hole in my chest.
All copyrights owned by Steven Michael Flett
Sweet breath escaping in waves of wonder
We were so close, so connected.
People call it love, and it's opposing.
I felt it.
Thud, thud, thud: Thud. The heart beat of this symbiotic event.
There were two of us, not just him nor me,
Although the latter was soon not to be.
He withdrew
What a mess!
Anger, sadness, love, hate,
Pale, and loving the moment of course.
He left me there; lying, shaking
In disbelief of this magestic creature.
So strong and beautiful, perfect curves and a
Perfected Temper.
Slam!
He shut the door and fled.
This wonderous creation that had
Left a hole in my chest.
All copyrights owned by Steven Michael Flett
Saturday 4 July 2009
Back From My Travels
Well. I'm back. Pure and simply.
And what an amazing trip!!!!!
I will be writting in way more detail but im at a friend's house at the moment and i've been drinking so you wont get the same kind of snappy witticisms that you've become acustome to.
Seriously though, it was an incredible event in my life.
This will be a quick overview for those of you who will follow this with a touch more subscription.
Bascially we saw the highlights and delights of Olympia, a county about 60 miles south of Seattle, Seattle the city itself, San Francisco - which by the way was truly outstanding - saw a Big Tree, a Drive Thru tree, a Town called Eureka and Cou's Bay (which is you come from Scotland is a little funny : explanation en route) and finaly a place by the name of Norway Park.
The people, the sights, the sounds, smells, places and things we saw and did all orchestrated to making this trip wonderfully magnificant.
And what an amazing trip!!!!!
I will be writting in way more detail but im at a friend's house at the moment and i've been drinking so you wont get the same kind of snappy witticisms that you've become acustome to.
Seriously though, it was an incredible event in my life.
This will be a quick overview for those of you who will follow this with a touch more subscription.
Bascially we saw the highlights and delights of Olympia, a county about 60 miles south of Seattle, Seattle the city itself, San Francisco - which by the way was truly outstanding - saw a Big Tree, a Drive Thru tree, a Town called Eureka and Cou's Bay (which is you come from Scotland is a little funny : explanation en route) and finaly a place by the name of Norway Park.
The people, the sights, the sounds, smells, places and things we saw and did all orchestrated to making this trip wonderfully magnificant.
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