Lately I've been wondering, maybe it is the Norwegian media coverage, maybe it's not, but I find the coverage of the USanian election confusing. First of all, they are more or less only talking about Clinton and Obama, and which of them are going to win. But they are both from the same party, and is it definite that the Democrats are going to win the election at all? Furthermore, this popularity contest between Clinton and Obama, is it a good thing or a bad thing for the Democrats? The USanian election system is confusing to me.

Else, nothing much happens, at least not today since I am rather hung over. One of my flatmates celebrated her 30th birthday yesterday. There were about 40 guest, lots of food and several litres of alcohol. Some time during the evening there even came hardingfele-player, who played for us. That was really great. I threw out the last guests at about 630 this morning. The flatmate whose party it was had withdrawn a couple of hours earlier (for some bed-related activities). Also I think our land-couple aren't very happy with us...

Tomorrow I have an appointment at (with? in?) the bank to talk about loans. Yay?
Also I am now a member of the NHH curling team. Yay!

Yes, I called the doctor's office yesterday and got an appointment 20 minutes later.

Good news: Funny lung infection is responding well to antibiotics (which means that my lungs are getting better fast). I'm feeling slightly better, I only have to lie down half an hour or so after doing something taxing, like eating breakfast or getting the newspaper.

Bad news: Lung infection was only a part of the problem it seems. My liver is ill, my tonsils are ill, lymph glands are the size of footballs. Fatigue, fever... All that are symptoms of mononucleosis. So, I took yet another battery of tests that I'll get results of tomorrow. Yay.

Also, according to the doctor I had a bad, sickly, drawn and pale tone of skin. Hello! I know I'm sick, no reason to remind me! And who goes through their whole skin care regimen when they're ill? Grumble.

Also, The Usanians have voted for their president, who are all these people who vote for Bush anyway? I mean they seem to be in majority, but I don't think I know any - do I?

Well, as you know Saddam was found in a hole in the ground outside Tikrit Saturday evening. As I watched him being subjected to delousing and whatever medical examinations they put him through a thought occurred in my head; I'd never let myself be degraded like that. It seemed like the anchor on BBC had exactly the same thing, and she asked the question I was pondering; Why didn't he commit suicide? The man she was talking to, some Muslim expert, was shocked by the question, answering that even though he wasn't of the most fundamentalistic, Saddam counted himself as Muslim, and Muslims don't commit suicide.

I discussed this with Henrik, and we totally agreed. If you are a despot, about to be thoroughly defeated by the enemy I'd go down in a blaze of glory: I'd never be found in a lousy, dark, damp hole in the ground.

My first choice would be to be bring my Kalashnikov to the barricades. That'd inspire loyalty, and if and when I died I'd be a martyr - an example for my followers. If not that I'd commit suicide wearing my best uniform, and be found in my favourite retreat. If I was too scared to commit suicide I'd get out of the country and get to Brazil as soon as possible, living of the money I'd stoved away and the jewels I'd sewn into my underwear. That failing I'd give up gracefully (still with the jewels in my corset), and whisked away to where old dictators go.

But to be found hiding? Never. To be captured by my enemies who get to gloat, showing me on international television, dirty, old, defeated? Never!

It was kind of odd that the first thing that came to me was the thought of suicide, as suicide is something I rarely contemplate, and then only as a mental exercise - like now. But that's probably what eight years of classical studies does to you.

I have doubts (funny consonant-cluster) about this day.

The Leader of the Free World is more stupid than in many days. Honestly the regime in Iraq is not any of his business, No. I do not like oppressive regimes either, but violence is not an option. It will only lead the repercussions, and the death lots of innocent lives. He should mind his own country. It's not exactly an example of friendly cohabitation is it??

Reminds me of the graffiti in the subway near my school:
Oswald Lee Harvey - your country needs you - NOW!!

Our local charismatic sect is also sending bad "You can be saved" -programs on tv everyday now. I think they's saved more souls if it wasn't dubbed into Arabic, or occasionally Icelandic (although that is faintly understandable).

The local newspaper is complaining that it been raining 60.6 mm in 7 days.
There's nothing wrong with rain
I like rain. Luckily so did the metrologist they interviewed.