Today I was asked several times if we could do something else than sit around the apartment. As we do not have that much money we need to more or less look for things that are free and try to avoid things that cost money. Sometimes I choose things that cost a little bit money so we can do something, as she tends to be a bit more restless than I am.
I am an introvert, so looking out the window watching how it changes from day to night can actually amuse me.
Being the man I took charge and chose to do a very Nordic thing today.
We went ice-skating at one of the local Olympic ice-skating rinks. Just that it was cold inside was amazing. It felt so amazingly good to feel that cold sensation. I have not really felt that in a long time now; far too long if you ask me. If my memory serves me right I have not been skating the last 10 years, so I was really hoping that I would remember it; or at least be able to keep my balance.
We first did the typical couple thing, going slowly around holding hands. Lizzie, being from Australia, has not been skating that much, so she felt a bit nervous. From my point of view she did well, because she did not fall on her arse.
After a few laps she needed a rest and let me go on my own. All I needed was a few laps and I remembered how to cross-over when turning and riding backwards. It was great fun and exciting. Hopefully we can go back and do it again.
There were a lot more people than I expected, and as a Norwegian it was kind of honouring seeing so many Aussies giving ice-skating a go. Some of them did a very good job, but I noticed a majority did two simple mistakes.
First of all they were too daring. They kind of ignored balance and hoped for the best.
The second mistake was that they did not really pay much attention to their surroundings. I avoided a lot of near accidents by paying attention.
Of course, beyond those two minor mistakes they did impress me as a Norwegian. Still, I have never seen so many people fall over before when skating.
Some of my friends constantly tell me they are envious of me being in Australia now, especially as it is so cold in Europe at the moment (no it is not you bloody pansies!). I try to tell them that this heat and humidity is absolutely horrible. Lizzie and I have just been at home tonight watching telly; and all I have done is to move from the living room to my cave and I am almost dripping with sweat (it is 11:38 pm).
Trust me, this is not pleasant at all. Constantly sweating is horrible. I feel more or less disgusting all day. I would rather have to put on several layers of clothes to keep me warm and still be freezing, than almost being naked and still be sweating, not knowing what to do next to keep cool.
I envy you Europeans so much I almost hate you all for freezing so much.
Earlier today I came across an article in a Norwegian newspaper about yet another bimbo blogger that earns money from being completely shallow. It really makes me angry that the media prefer to promote these shallow “bloggers”. By promoting them they not only say it is okay to be shallow, they also give serious bloggers a bad name and make it difficult for the rest of us to be taken serious.
Yes I am envious. You would have been too if you started blogging for over five years ago and still are doing it for free, while some blond bimbo being 14 starts earning a lot of money after just “blogging” for one year about what she likes to dress-up with thanks to mummy and daddy just tossing money at the little brat! In other words, she is getting bloody paid for writing about being 14. Meanwhile I am, a Norwegian, writing about some of my experiences moving and living in Australia. Apparently it is more interesting to read about what a bloody 14-year-old blond bimbo wears than how a Norwegian experience life in Australia.
Long live Jante!
Helge Johnsen
09/01/2010
To earn moeny you have to know your audience. Beeing 14 years old and writing about what hundres of other 14 year old kids love is a smart move.
Just like you I would like to earn some money on my blog. But I have to admit at most of my audience is just like me. They spend hours to find a way on how to get stuff and information without paying anything. So why should they use money on ads or give me gifts that I can write about?
The big group of people often likes “Lettbeint underholdning” easy or even brainless entertainment than reading a book. So when a 14 year old kid writes and post pictures that is categorised as easy entertainment, they get more readers.
Still, I belive that quality content will give more visitors over a long time. They will only write about teenages for a few years. While we can continue give quality content the rest of our lives :)
xen
09/01/2010
I can agree to a certain point you have to know your audience, but in the end the audience chooses you.
William Gibson is a perfect example and the first to come to mind. He is coined to be the father of the cyberpunk genre. In other words, he wrote something and apparently a lot of people loved it and still do.
You are correct about the easy entertainment, and from what I can see it seems that blogging is still an infant in the Nordic countries. It is kind of ironic that in USA, conservative as it may be, has accepted blogging as a media you can trust. It might also be because some of the bloggers from USA do sometimes have a huge impact on the society.
Of course, as you say, we will still be the ones providing quality content for everyone. ;)