Lèse-majesté
Following the September 11 attacks, holding rational, fact-based discussions with regards to cause and effect, religious freedoms (or lack thereof), national security, what would constitute an appropriate response, or any…
Athens Olympic Stadium
After completing my second talk at Devoxx Greece, I had over two days to explore Athens before flying home: museums, sights, food, and everything else I could squeeze in. On…
NDC Oslo 2025
NDC Oslo is a software development conference in Oslo, Norway, part of the NDC Conferences portfolio. Originally focused on Microsoft technologies - I believe NDC stands (stood?) for Dot Net…
To The Arctic!
Though I've been damn close in Iceland, I had not breached the Arctic Circle until my wife and I took Hurtigruten's northbound Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes, Norway. Because…
Train Safety and Non-Existent Country
This caught my attention when walking to my airport express train at Oslo Central Station: a buffer stop manufactured in West Germany. West Germany ceased to exist upon German reunification…
Missing Baggage
Even for short trips with small bags, I prefer checking my bag because 1) I'm lazy and don't want to drag it around the airport until boarding and 2) I…
Hurtigruten Excursion #3: Tromsø
The third excursion selected for our northbound Hurtigruten Coastal Express was Tromsø, Norway. Tromsø is the third-largest city north of the Arctic Circle (behind Murmansk and Norilsk, Russia) and is…
Cruel Product Placement
This kiosk is located adjacent to Terminal 2, Gate 6 at Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. What sane person would purchase Legos for travel? Insufficient room to assemble on the plane. Box…
I Should Be Dead, Right?!?
How is it that before take-off the exterior temperature is 80°C/176°F? Once airborne and at altitude, the exterior temperature was a much more reasonable -50°C/-58°F, but does it matter since…
Meandering Thoughts #44
I'm in Norway to attend and speak at NDC Oslo and - typical of tech conferences - plenty of random entertainment for the attendees. What did I find? Pinball! Of…