Stallions and Stimuli Packages

After a weekend watching stallions from early dawn to late at night at what is best described as a complete breeding bonanza, it was kind of contrast filled to return to Oslo on Sunday night and have to sit down and finish an assignment on the possible effects of the US stimuli package.

Herning was absolutely fantastic. It was my first time and I was utterly impressed. And slightly lost at times I have to admit, due to the sheer size of it all. But it was utterly inspiring to see so many nice horses and good riders showing off. It made me want to get back in the game so to speak.

But after four hours sleep and a couple of cups of coffee I was getting stuck back into macroeconomic models and how to tackle the financial crisis. And although I clearly was desperate for some sleep I was rather enjoying it.

Almost as much as I enjoyed watching the Grand Prix kür in Herning on Saturday. And that is my problem. One is not enough. In the last three weeks since I have been back to school so to speak I have been walking around with a great big smile on my face. Yes I am desperately behind schedule because I had to work my notice before joining and it is kind of stressful to have literally thousands of pages to go through in just a few weeks, but I love it. I love learning how the world works. And I really enjoyed trying to figure out whether the US stimuli package was a good idea or not.

So although I have been feeling worryingly stressed in the last few weeks I have decided to try and focus on the good stuff. The fact that I am allowed to do the two things I really enjoy: Learn and write. And try to make the most of it.

There will be plenty of time to worry about the fact that I don’t have a job and don’t exactly seem to be attracting anything with even remotely boyfriend potential.

Sitting outside in the sun today with a cup of coffee and a paper on foreign aid and growth it really didn’t matter.

Life is kind of good.

Lost

So I had of course forgotten to bring my calendar with me and was desperately trying to remember what room I was in last time - or floor for that matter. I though it had to be the third floor for some reason and in the end I just went for a door that felt right.

The minute I had opened it it stopped feeling right. Because right there was a whole class of students looking straight at me. And what I assumed was the lecturer was in fact pointing straight at me. I just looked at him rather paralyzed before I realised the door was right next to the blackboard due to a slightly unorthodox set up of the room. So I immediately started apologizing as I was pretty sure it wasn't where I was supposed to be. Looking at me was a group of blokes who looked incredibly bored.

"I'm ever so sorry for interupting. Sorry," I said looking at the lecturer.
"I must be in the wrong place."
"Maybe you're not," replied the strange looking man as if he could do with another student or something. This threw me a bit as it was so obviously wrong, but I politely said:

"What class is this then?"
"Aquaculture," he said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

So I was right then - it was wrong. Totally wrong. After quickly reversing out the door apologising perfusively I quietly closed the door. Looking down the hallway I swore under my breath. I suppose there was only one thing to do -go down to the library and borrow one of the computers to access my electronial diary.Like I did last week.

Maybe week three will be easier...

University

So this is where I'll be spending the next two years. Beautiful place!

There is Probably No God...

In the UK there has been an advertisement campaign for ateism lately that has been getting rather a lot of attention. Buses have been driving around London with big advertisements saying:

"There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life"

When I first read about it I thought it was almst a bit inappropriate. But then when I read an interview with the woman who was behind it all I totally understood where she came from. Because the reason she started the campaign was another bus campaign trying to guilt people into being religious. She was so provoced by this that she started a campaign of her own trying to send a more positive message, hence the stop worrying and start enjoying your life bit.

When it comes religion and faith I don't really know where to define myself, although I am definitely on the wrong path by many people's definitions I'm sure. And they may fine well be right, but all I know is that I am very relaxed about it and I like to think that I live my life in keeping with a lot of Christian values.

And I register that I have actually been to church more times in the last year than for a very long time. Mainly for weddings and concerts though. Sunday mornings are to me either for catching up on much needed sleep or for riding Richie. But I have found that I have really enjoyed it. Sitting in the big cathedral has balanced me in a funny way. It has helped filter out the crap that I normally spend time worrying about.

Before Christmas I went for a special evening service in connection with the introduction of the ban on cluster munitions and sat there in the cathedral I couldn't help but think that maybe we were all part of something bigger after all. And that maybe religion could actually be something to unite people instead of causing conflict. If it was only used right.

So when I read about the bus adds it made me think of something I heard a religious pop artist say once -not the religious super star kind - but a local singer who is also a priest.

"A church that is about making people feel guilty is a church I don't want anything to do with."

I still don't know what I believe in, but I know this much: There is so much destruction and suffering in this world that if people need something to worry about they should worry about that instead. So here's my take on it:

"There is probably no God, but there is no harm in believing so - if it makes you a better person."

And that is why I am not in advertising.