Podcasts about Tin Man

Back in the 70s and 80s, the television broadcast of The Wizard of Oz was a hugely anticipated annual event. The kids had their Wizard of Oz dolls from Mego, and their Wizard of Oz comic book from Marvel and DC, just to get them through the long year between viewings. But that was the classic movie from 1939. Have you ever seen the 1925 version? Kevin and the Mayor just did, so we're here to file our report for you. This is a bizarre little silent slapstick comedy, and it features a Buster Keaton-type Scarecrow, a Dorothy played by a lady actually named Dorothy, Oliver Hardy (pre-Laurel) as the Tin Man, an unhealthy dose of blatant racism, and a vomiting duck. It's not great, but it is a curiosity. And since it's silent, you don't have to worry about the duck breaking into "Over the Rainbow." The Flopcast website! The ESO Network! The Flopcast on Facebook! The Flopcast on Instagram! The Flopcast on Bluesky! The Flopcast on Mastadon! Please rate and review The Flopcast on Apple Podcasts! Email: info@flopcast.net Our music is by The Sponge Awareness Foundation! This week's promo: Have Coffee, Will Travel!  

Some organizations have no heart at all. The best have three! That's the thesis of the new book, The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation, co-authored by our guests, Phil Le Brun and Jana Werner. Both work with leaders operating at global scale—Phil as an Executive in Residence at Amazon Web Services, and Jana as a Global Executive Advisor at AWS—helping organizations navigate complexity, change, and continuous transformation. In their book, Phil and Jana introduce a clear contrast between what they call Tin Man organizations and Octopus organizations. Tin Man organizations are rigid, highly centralized, and overly dependent on a small group of decision-makers at the top. Like the character in The Wizard of Oz, they operate with structure but no heart. Decision-making slows, intelligence gets trapped in the hierarchy, and employees often wait for direction rather than contributing meaningfully. Octopus organizations, by contrast, are alive with three hearts. They are intelligent, adaptive, and responsive. A strong central purpose keeps everyone aligned, but authority and decision-making are distributed to the people closest to the work. Teams are empowered to sense, decide, and act, allowing the organization to learn, adapt, and thrive in real time. A central contribution of the book is the identification of what Phil and Jana call organizational “anti-patterns”—recurring leadership behaviors and systems that feel reasonable in the moment but consistently undermine clarity, trust, cohesion, and performance. These patterns exist even in organizations with talented people and strong intentions. In this episode, we explore several anti-patterns in depth: the lack of clarity that leaves people guessing what truly matters; the overuse of corporate jargon that creates distance and mistrust; purpose statements that are words on a page rather than guides for behavior; and cultures that elevate individual stars at the expense of cohesive, high-performing teams. We also discuss why fast, open information flow is essential for adaptability and well-being. Phil and Jana also reconfirm our own understanding that well-being cannot be created through perks or programs—it emerges from how people are treated, trusted, and empowered, and how work is designed and decisions flow. For leaders who care about performance, well-being, and building more humane organizations, this episode offers practical insight into creating workplaces that truly thrive. The post Phil Le-Brun & Jana Werner: How Organizations Thrive When They Have Three Hearts appeared first on Mark C. Crowley.

Sign up for Audible, using our affiliate link! When you sign up for Audible you will be helping out our podcast, and the “Terry goat fund.” When you sign up, your first month is free. After that it becomes $15 every month. You can unsubscribe at any time. Each month you will get one token for an audible book, and some really great prices and discounts on titles that you want to add to your library. Quick recap The podcast “That Sounds Funny” for February 17th, 2026, featured Keith, Terry, and Jill discussing various topics including personal anecdotes, current events, and pop culture. Terry shared a humorous story about coffee-related mishaps, while Keith and Jill talked about their recent experiences with family and entertainment. The trio engaged in a quiz about the TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies” and Terry presented a list of humorous events that occurred in February. The podcast concluded with a segment on computers and AI, where Keith shared his experiences with Copilot, and the hosts shared jokes and humorous observations. Summary Terry shared a humorous story about spilling coffee and the subsequent chaos it caused. Jill mentioned having her two granddaughters stay overnight, which went smoothly despite the youngest’s attempts to follow everyone around. Terry also shared a fact about “The Andy Griffith Show,” noting that Season 4, Episode 32 marked the first appearance of Gomer Pyle as a USMC recruit. The group discussed the availability and cost of streaming classic TV shows like Andy Griffith and Hogan’s Heroes, with Terry expressing frustration over expensive episode pricing on Amazon Prime. Keith shared a humorous list of songs containing the word “bird” in their titles or lyrics, which led to a discussion about code words and family expressions. News of the Week Terry then shared a news story about the University of Maryland developing “smart underwear” that tracks fart frequency and volume, which led to some lighthearted banter about the device’s practicality. Terry continued sharing the study on gas production in healthy adults, which found an average of 32 farts per day, with some individuals producing up to 59. They also talked about a woman in England who lost her prosthetic leg at the beach and found it 10 months later. Lastly, they mentioned the return of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile race at the Indy 500, with six vehicles competing in the “Winnie 500” event. Unusual News Stories Roundup Terry continued the news with the story about a Texas man who set a world record by folding 250 paper airplanes in one hour. They also covered a story about a cat in New Zealand that had been stealing towels, shoes, and underwear from a school, and finally mentioned Rhode Island’s decision to stop producing Mr. Potato Head license plates following Hasbro’s relocation out of the state. A lawmaker introduced legislation to stop the practice, citing concerns about tax dollars leaving the state, though the plates have been available since 2002 and generate revenue for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The conversation concluded with a story about a California man who lost $6,270 in cash, which was found and returned by a helpful neighbor. Jill's Trivia Quiz Jill hosted a Beverly Hillbillies trivia quiz, where she asked Terry and Keith questions about the show’s characters, plot details, and behind-the-scenes facts. Terry and Keith answered most of the questions correctly, revealing details like Granny’s first name (Daisy), the name of the bank (Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills), and the fact that Buddy Ebsen, who played Jed Clampett, was originally cast as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz but had to drop out due to an allergic reaction to the makeup. Terry's Terry's top 10 list included various humorous events from February, including a groundhog predicting spring, heart-shaped pancakes gone wrong, and a cat stealing Valentine’s bouquets. The list of ten funny occurrences also contained, such as a smoke alarm interrupting a candlelit dinner and a penguin escaping its enclosure. Anchor Topic Keith discussed the use of computers and AI, including Copilot, for tasks like generating bird song lists and creating images. He emphasized that people with disabilities, such as blindness, can effectively use computers with tools like voiceover, JAWS, or Narrator. The group also discussed the importance of carefully prompting AI to ensure accurate and appropriate results. Email and Final Thoughts Following this, they read a listener’s email about a humorous encounter with Satan at a church, which Jill found amusing. Keith and Terry discussed a humorous email about a Texas state trooper who, while pulling over a magician, ended up juggling flares with the magician. They also talked about the location of Houston and the route of Interstate 10. Keith then played a voicemail message from a listener who shared a joke about a husband and wife visiting a therapist. The conversation concluded with Keith mentioning that listeners can send messages to their voicemail number. The final word from our AI companion The meeting was a comedy show featuring jokes and puns from Terry, Keith, and Jill. The hosts encouraged listeners to visit their website www.thatsoundsfunny.com to listen to past episodes, subscribe, and leave ratings and reviews. They also invited listeners to call their voicemail number 217-250-0799. The show concluded with Keith signing off and thanking the audience for listening. Show notes written by AI, edited as needed by Keith. Sponsored by: Retro Radio Podcast. Bringing you family-friendly entertainment through classic, old-time radio. Episodes are posted daily. Keith and his Retrobots share everything in his collection from the days of vintage radio. Adventure, comedy, detective, westerns, and lots in between. If you don't hear your favorite show, just ask Visit the web page today, https://retro-otr.com

The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum原文Chapter Three: The Emerald City It was a long day.The yellow brick road went past fields and through trees,up hills and down hills.In the evening, they began to see small green houses.By sometimes, little people in green clothes came out and looked at the friends,but they did not come near them because they were afraid of the cowardly lion.'Everything here is green. Perhaps we're near the Emerald city,' said Dorothy, 'Toto and I are hungry. Let's stop at the next house.'A little woman opened the door.And Dorothy said, 'please can we stay the night in your house?'The little woman looked at the lion.And Dorothy said quickly, 'The lion is my friend and he never hurts anybody.''All right? ' the little woman said, 'You can all come in.'She put a wonderful dinner on the table.Dorothy and Toto ate a lot of it, and the lion ate some of it.But the Scarecrow and the Tin Man ate nothing.'Where are you all going?' asked the little woman.'To the Emerald city,' said Dorothy, 'We want to see the Wizard of Oz.''That'snot easy,' said the woman, 'The wizard never goes out of his house and nobody sees his face.''Is the wizard a man?' asked the Scarecrow.'Nobody knows,' said the woman, 'He is a wizard, so he can be a man or an animal or anything.''How strange!' said Dorothy, 'But we need his help, so we must see him.'The next day, they thanked the woman, left the house and began walking again.Soon they saw a beautiful city in front of them.It was the Emerald city.At last, the friends went up the yellow brick road to a big green door and stopped slowly.The door opened and a little man in green clothes stood there.'We want to see the wizard, please,' said Dorothy.'Nobody sees the wizard,' he said, 'He is a very good and very famous wizard, but nobody can see him.''We must see him,' said Dorothy, 'Please ask him!''All right,' said the green man, 'I can take you to his house, but first you must all put glasses on.'He opened a big box. In it were lots of glasses.'You must wear your glasses all the time,' he said, 'Everybody in the city must wear glasses. The Wizard says this.'So they all put on glasses.The green man put on some glasses too.And then he took them through the Emerald city.Everything in the city was green—— men, women, children, houses, shops, streets. The green man took them to a very big house, and they went into a long green room.'Wait here,' he said.After a short time, he came back.'You can see the Wizard,' he said, 'But you must go to him one by one. He wants to see the little girl first.'Then he went away and a green girl came in.She took Dorothy to a tall green door.'The Wizard is in there,' said the Green girl, 'He's waiting for you.'Dorothy went in.On a green chair was a very, very big head.There was no body, or arms, or legs—— only a head. Its mouth opened and the head said, 'I am Oz,who are you and what do you want?''I am Dorothy,' said the child bravely.'Where did you get those red shoes from?''The bad Witch of the East,' said Dorothy, 'My house fell on her and killed her.''What is that thing on your face?''A kiss. The good Witch of the North kissed me,' said Dorothy, 'I need help and she told me about you.'And what do you want?''I want to go home to Kansas,' answered Dorothy, 'But I don't know the way. Please help me to get home.The big eyes opened and closed, opened and closed.Then the mouth opened and the head spoke again.'Well,'it said, 'Perhaps I can help you, but first you must do something for me.''What do you want me to do?' asked Dorothy.'Kill the bad Witch of the West.''But I don't want to kill anybody,' said Dorothy.'You killed her sister and you are wearing her shoes. Go now and kill the Witch of the West.'The little girl began to cry.'But how can I kill the witch?' She said.The big eyes opened and looked at her, but the head did not answer.Dorothy went away, and then her friends went into the Wizard's room.First the Scarecrow, then the Tin Man, and last the Lion.Later,they all met in the long green room and talked.Dorothy told her friends about the head.'That's interesting,' said the Scarecrow, 'I didn't see a head. I saw a beautiful woman. I asked her for some brains and she said, “yes, but first you must help Dorothy to kill the Witch of the West.”''I saw a big animal with two heads,' said the Tin Man, 'I asked for a heart. The animal said, “I can give you a heart, but first you must help Dorothy to kill the witch of the west.” What did you see? Lion.''Oh,I saw a ball of fire.' said the cowardly lion. 'I said, “I am a coward, please make me brave.” And the fire said, “When the Witch of the West is dead, I can help you. But not before.”''I was angry then,' said the lion, 'But the ball of fire got bigger and bigger, so I ran away.''Oh,what are we going to do?' said Dorothy.'Well,'said the scarecrow, 'we must find the Witch of the West, and then we must kill her.'翻译第三章：翡翠城这一天过得十分漫长。黄色的砖路穿过田野，穿过树林，爬上山坡，又滑下山坡。傍晚时分，他们开始看到一些小小的绿色房屋。不一会儿，穿着绿色衣服的小个子人们走了出来，打量着朋友们，但他们没有靠近他们，因为他们害怕那只胆小的狮子。“这里的一切都是绿色的。也许我们离翡翠城不远了。”多萝西说，“我和托托饿了。咱们去下一家房子歇歇吧。”一个矮小的女人开了门。多萝西说：“请让我们在您家过夜好吗？”那个矮小的女人看了看狮子。多萝西急忙说道：“狮子是我的朋友，他从不伤害任何人。”“行吗？”那个矮小的女人说，“你们都可以进来。”她把一顿丰盛的晚餐放在了桌上。多萝西和托托吃了很多，狮子也吃了一些。但稻草人和铁皮人什么也没吃。“你们要去哪儿？”那个矮小的女人问道。“去翡翠城。”多萝西说，“我们想去见奥兹巫师。”“那可不容易。”那个女人说，“巫师从不走出他的房子，也没人能看到他的脸。”“巫师是个男人吗？”稻草人问道。“没人知道，”那位女士说道，“他是位巫师，所以他可以变成人、动物或者任何东西。”“这太奇怪了！”多萝西说道，“但我们需要他的帮助，所以我们必须见见他。”第二天，他们向那位女士道谢，离开了房子，再次踏上了前行的路。很快，他们就看到一座美丽的城市出现在眼前。那就是翡翠城。最后，朋友们沿着黄色的砖路走向一座巨大的绿色大门，缓缓停下。门开了，一个穿着绿色衣服的小个子男人站在那里。“我们想见见那位巫师，请问可以吗？”多萝西说道。“没人能见到那位巫师，”他说道，“他是位非常出色且非常有名的巫师，但没人能见到他。”“我们必须见见他，”多萝西说道，“请让他带我们去吧！”“好吧，”那个绿衣人说道，“我可以带你们去他家，但首先你们所有人都必须戴上眼镜。”他打开一个大箱子。里面有许多副眼镜。“你们必须一直戴着眼镜，”他说，“城里所有人都必须戴眼镜。巫师这么说的。”于是他们都戴上了眼镜。那个绿衣人也戴上了眼镜。然后他带着他们穿过了翡翠城。城里的所有事物都是绿色的——男人、女人、孩子、房屋、商店、街道。那个绿人带他们来到一座非常大的房子前，然后他们走进了一个长长的绿色房间。“在这儿等着吧。”他说。过了一会儿，他回来了。“你可以见到巫师了，”他说，“但你们必须一个一个地去见他。他想先见到那个小女孩。”然后他离开了，一个绿衣女孩走了进来。她带着多萝西来到一扇高高的绿色门前。“巫师在里面，”绿衣女孩说，“他在等你。”多萝西走了进去。在一张绿色的椅子上有一个非常非常大的脑袋。没有身体、胳膊或腿——只有一个脑袋。它的嘴巴张开，脑袋说道：“我是奥兹，你是谁？想要什么？”“我是多萝西，”孩子勇敢地说。“你从哪儿得到那些红色鞋子的？”“东方的恶女巫，”多萝西说，“我的房子压倒了她并杀了她。”“你脸上的那个东西是什么？”“一个吻。北方的好女巫亲了我，”多萝西说，“我需要帮助，她告诉了我关于你的消息。”“那你想要什么？”“我想回堪萨斯去，”多萝西回答，“但我不知道路。请帮我回家吧。”那双大眼睛睁了又闭，闭了又开。然后嘴巴张开，脑袋再次说话了。“好吧，”它说道，“或许我能帮到你，但首先你得为我做一件事。”“你想要我做什么？”多萝西问道。“杀死西边的那个邪恶女巫。”“但我不想杀任何人啊。”多萝西说道。“你杀了她姐姐，而且你还穿着她的鞋子。现在赶紧去杀死西边的那个女巫吧。”小女孩开始哭泣起来。“但我怎么才能杀死那个女巫呢？”她说。那双大眼睛睁开了，看向她，但脑袋却没有回应。多萝西离开了，随后她的朋友们走进了巫师的房间。先是稻草人，然后是铁皮人，最后是狮子。后来，他们都来到了那间长长的绿色房间里交谈。多萝西向她的朋友们讲述了那个脑袋的事。“那很有趣，”稻草人说，“我没有看到一个脑袋。我看到的是一位美丽的女子。我向她要了一些头脑，她说：‘可以，但首先你必须帮助多萝西杀死西方女巫。'”“我看到一只有两只脑袋的大型动物，”铁皮人说，“我想要一颗心。那只动物说：‘我可以给你一颗心，但首先你必须帮助多萝西杀死西方女巫。'你看到了什么？狮子。”“哦，我看到一个火球。”胆小的狮子说，“我说：‘我是个胆小鬼，请让我勇敢起来。'然后那火球说：‘等西方女巫死了之后，我可以帮助你。但在此之前不行。'”“我当时很生气，”狮子说，“但那个火球变得越来越大，所以我跑开了。”“哦，我们该怎么办？”多萝西说。“嗯，”稻草人说，“我们必须找到西方女巫，然后我们必须杀死她。”

The Live Long and Podcast crew revisits Season 3, Episode 20 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Tin Man" (1990), as part of their ongoing rewatch series. Telepath Tam Elbrun joins the Enterprise to investigate a living starship near a dying sun. With Romulans closing in and emotions running high, the mission becomes a race against time, and a test of trust between Tam, Data, and the mysterious Gomtuu.Live Long and PodcastStar Trek: The Next Generation S3 E20 - "Tin Man" (1990) | Episode ReviewFirst Aired: April 23, 1990In-universe year: 2366Date of Podcast: February 16, 2026Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch Review SeriesTHIS WEEK'S PODCASTERSDave Mader, Adam Woodward, Heather Narduzzi, Jody SimpsonLIVE LONG AND PODCAST FOUNDED BYDave Mader and Jaemeel RobinsonA PROUD MEMBER OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PODCASTSCheck us out online at https://www.ufpodcasts.com/livelongandpodcastPRODUCERDave MaderINTRO MUSIC BYJérôme ChauvelAbydos MusicSupport us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/LiveLongandPodcastStreaming live on Twitch, Youtube and Facebook:Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/livelongandpodcastYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/livelongandpodcastFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LiveLongAndPodcastAudio version available wherever you get your audio podcasts.Listen to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yIEMJhawSLGAozJAh4EdGListen via Anchor: https://anchor.fm/livelongandpodcast#tng #startrek #thenextgeneration #livelongandpodcast #ufp #unitedfederationofpodcasts 0:00 Intro Credit Sequence1:16 Beginning of Podcast12:50 Screenshots and Plot Breakdown57:41 Fun Facts1:07:59 Ratings1:11:38 Outro

Vicky Thinks that Data is the has a problem in this episode but actually this is a episode where data is the side person

The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum单词提示1.scarecrow 稻草人2.pole 杆子3.straw 稻草4.tin 包白铁5.coward 胆小鬼原文Chapter Two: The Yellow Brick Road Dorothy and Toto walked along the yellow brick road for a long time.When they were tired, they stopped in a field by the road.Not far away, there was a scarecrow, and Dorothy and Toto walked across to look at it.'Good day,' said the Scarecrow.'Oh!'said Dorothy. 'You can speak!''Of course I can speak,' said the Scarecrow, 'But I can't move, up here on this pole. I'd like to get down, can you help me?'Carefully,Dorothy took the Scarecrow off his pole.'Thank you very much,' said the Scarecrow.He moved his arms and legs, and straw went everywhere.'Who are you?', he asked, 'And where are you going? ''I'm Dorothy, and I'm going to the Emerald City. I want to go home to Kansas, but I don't know the way. I'm going to ask the Wizard of Oz for help. ''Where is the Emerald City?', asked the Scarecrow, 'And who is the Wizard of Oz? I don't know anything, you see, because I have no brains in my head— only straw.''Oh dear!', said Dorothy, 'I'm very sorry.''I would very much like to have some brains,' the Scarecrow said, 'Can I go to the Emerald City with you? Perhaps the Wizard of Oz can give me some brains. What do you think?''I don't know,' said Dorothy, 'But yes, please come with me. He's a famous wizard,so perhaps he can help you.'She felt very sorry for the Scarecrow.'Don't be afraid of Toto,' she said, 'He never hurts people.''Nothing can hurt me,' said the Scarecrow, 'I'm not afraid of anything. Well, that's not true. I am afraid of fire, of course.'Dorothy walked along the road with her new friend.Soon she began to feel hungry, so she sat down and she and Toto ate some bread and apples.'Would you like some, Scarecrow?' said Dorothy.'No,thank you,' said the Scarecrow.'I don't need to eat or drink. You can't eat when you're made of straw...Now, tell me about your home. 'So Dorothy told him about Kansas, and Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, and the cyclone.'But why do you want to leave this beautiful country?' asked the Scarecrow, 'Kansas,you say, has no trees, no green hills, no gardens. I don't understand.''That's because you have no brains,' said Dorothy, 'Kansas is my home. We say, “East,west, home's best”, and it's true. I want to go home.'They walked along the road for some hours, and then it got dark.Dorothy was tired, and soon the Scarecrow saw a little house behind some trees.There was nobody there, so they went in.Dorothy and Toto slept, but the Scarecrow just stood all night with his eyes open.'Scarecrows don't sleep,' he said.In the morning, Dorothy looked for water.'Why do you want water?' asked the Scarecrow.'Toto and I are thirsty. And I need to wash.''I'm sorry for you,' said the Scarecrow, 'You need a lot of things! But you have brains, and you can think, and that's wonderful.'They found some water, and Dorothy washed.Then she and Toto ate some bread.Suddenly,they heard a shout from the trees near the house, and they all ran out of the house to look.They saw a man by a big tree, with an axe in his hand.He was made of tin.He stood very still and shouted 'Help!' again and again.'What can I do for you?' asked Dorothy.'I can't move,' said the Tin Man, 'Please oil me. There's an oil-can in my house.'At once, Dorothy ran back to the house and found the oil-can.Then she came back, and with the Scarecrow's help, she carefully oiled the Tin Man.Slowly,he began to move, first his head, and then his arms and legs.'Thank you,' he said. 'I feel better now.'He put down his axe.'I went out in the rain, you see, and water is very bad for a tin body. I was there for a long time, and nobody came to help me.''We stopped at your house for the night,' Dorothy said, 'and we heard your shout this morning.''Where are you going?' asked the Tin Man.So Dorothy told him about the Wizard of Oz.'I want to go back to Kansas, and the Scarecrow wants some brains,' she said.The Tin Man was very interested.'Can the Wizard give me a heart, do you think? I have no heart, so I can't love, or feel... I would very much like to have a heart.''Come with us,' said the Scarecrow.'Yes,' said Dorothy, 'And then you can ask the Wizard for help, too.'So they all walked along the yellow brick road.There were many tall trees next to the road, and sometimes the three friends heard noises from animals behind the trees.Dorothy did not like these noises very much.'How far is it to the Emerald City?' she asked the Tin Man, 'Do you know?''It's a long way, I think,' said the Tin Man, 'And we must be careful because—'But just then, a big lion suddenly ran out from the trees, into the road.It opened its mouth— it had long yellow teeth— and began to run after Toto.Dorothy was afraid for Toto.She ran up to the lion and hit it on the nose with her bag.'Don't hurt my dog!' she cried angrily, 'He's smaller than you!''I didn't hurt him,' said the Lion, 'Don't hit me again— please!''Why—you're afraid!' said Dorothy, 'Be quiet,Toto, he isn't going to hurt you. He's more afraid than you are. He's just a big coward.''It's true,' said the Lion, 'I am a coward.Everyone thinks lions are brave. I make a lot of noise, but I'm not brave. I'm just a coward.'And the Cowardly Lion began to cry.Then Dorothy told him about the Wizard of Oz.'Come with us to the Emerald City,' she said, 'I want to go back to Kansas, the Scarecrow wants some brains, and the Tin Man wants a heart. Perhaps the Wizard of Oz can make you brave.''Oh,thank you!' said the Lion, 'I would very much like to be brave.'And so the Cowardly Lion came with them.At first, Toto was afraid of him, but very soon he and the Lion were good friends.That night, Dorothy and Toto slept under a big tree, next to the Cowardly Lion's big warm body.In the morning, they ate the last of their bread.'Oh dear!' said Dorothy, 'What are we going to eat for dinner?''I can kill an animal for you,' said the Cowardly Lion.'Oh no— please don't kill anything!' the Tin Man said.He began to cry, 'We don't want to hurt any animals. I haven't got a heart, but Ifeel sorry for them.'Dorothy quickly got out the oil-can and oiled his face.'Don't cry,' she said, 'You know water is bad for you.'They walked along the yellow road, and after an hour or two, they came to a big river.'Oh no!' said Dorothy, 'How can we get across?'The Lion looked down at the river.'I'm very afraid of falling,' he said, 'but I think I can jump across.''Good!'said the Scarecrow at once, 'You can carry us on your back, one at a time.'So the Cowardly Lion jumped across the river, first with the Scarecrow on his back, then with Dorothy and Toto, and last with the Tin Man.But soon they came to a second river.This one was very big, and the Lion could not jump across it.The Scarecrow thought for a minute.'Look,'he said, 'There's a tall tree next to the river. The Tin Man can cut it down with his axe. And when the tree falls across the river, we can walk across the tree.''Very good,' said the Lion, 'For somebody with straw in their head, and not brains.'So the Tin Man cut down the tree with his axe, and soon they were all across that river, too.翻译第二章：黄砖路多萝西和托托沿着黄色的砖路走了很长一段距离。当他们感到疲惫时，便在路边的一片田野里停下来休息。不远处有一个稻草人，多萝西和托托走过去去看他。“你好啊，”稻草人说道。“哦！”多萝西说道，“你居然能说话啊！”“当然我能说话，”稻草人说道，“但我在这根杆子上动不了了。我想下来，你能帮我吗？”多萝西小心翼翼地把稻草人从杆子上取了下来。“非常感谢你，”稻草人说道。他动了动自己的胳膊和腿，稻草四处乱飞。“你是谁？”他问道，“你要去哪里？”“我是多萝西，我要去翡翠城。我想回堪萨斯老家，但我不知道路。我要去向奥兹巫师求助。”“翡翠城在哪里？”稻草人问道，“奥兹巫师是谁？你知道的，因为我脑袋里没有脑子——只有稻草。”“哎呀！”多萝西说道，“我很抱歉。”“我非常希望能有一些脑子，”稻草人说道，“我能和你一起去翡翠城吗？也许奥兹巫师能给我一些脑子。你觉得怎么样？”“我不知道，”多萝西说道，“不过，好吧，请跟我来吧。他可是个著名的巫师，或许他能帮到你。”她为稻草人感到非常难过。“别害怕托托，”她说，“他从不伤害人。”“没有什么能伤害到我，”稻草人说道，“我什么都不怕。嗯，这不完全是真的。我当然害怕火。”多萝西和她的新朋友一起沿着道路前行。很快她就开始感到饿了，于是她坐了下来，和托托一起吃了些面包和苹果。“稻草人，你想吃点吗？”多萝西说道。“不用了，谢谢，”稻草人说道。“我不需要吃或者喝。当你是稻草做成的时候，是不能吃东西的……现在，告诉我一些关于你家乡的事”多萝西向他讲述了她的家乡——堪萨斯州，还有亨利叔叔和埃姆婶婶，以及那场龙卷风。“可你为什么要离开这个美丽的国度呢？”稻草人问道，“你说的堪萨斯没有树木、没有绿色的山丘、没有花园。我不明白。”“那是因为你没有头脑，”多萝西说道，“堪萨斯是我的家乡。我们常说‘无论东西，家才是最好的'，这是真的。我想回家。”他们沿着道路走了几个小时，然后天色暗了下来。多萝西累了，很快稻草人看到一些树后面有一座小房子。那里没有人，于是他们走了进去。多萝西和托托睡着了，但稻草人整晚都睁着眼睛站着。“稻草人是不会睡觉的。”他说。早上，多萝西去找水。“你为什么需要水？”稻草人问道。“我和托托都渴了。而且我还需要洗一洗。”“我很为你感到难过。”稻草人说。“你需要很多东西！但你有头脑，能思考，这真是太好了。”他们找到了一些水，多萝西洗了洗。然后她和托托吃了些面包。突然，他们听到房子附近树林里传来一声喊叫，于是他们都跑出房子去看。他们看到一个男人站在一棵大树旁，手里拿着一把斧子。他是用锡做成的。他一动不动地站着，一遍又一遍地喊着“救命！”“我能为你做些什么？”多萝西问道。“我动不了了。”铁皮人说，“请给我抹点油。我家里有个油罐。”立刻，多萝西跑回房子，找到了那个油罐。然后她回来了，在稻草人的帮助下，她小心翼翼地给铁皮人抹上了油。慢慢地，他开始动了，先是他的头，然后是他的胳膊和腿。“谢谢你。”他说。“现在我感觉好多了。”他放下斧子。“我是在雨中出去的，你知道的，而雨水对铁质的身体来说可是非常有害的。我在那里待了很长时间，却没有人来帮我。”“我们昨晚就在你家过夜的，”多萝西说，“今天早上我们听到你发出了呼救声。”“你要去哪里？”“铁皮人问道。于是多萝西便向他讲述了奥兹巫师的事。“我想回堪萨斯州去，而稻草人想要一些头脑，”她说。铁皮人非常感兴趣。“你觉得巫师能给我一颗心吗？我没有心，所以无法爱，也无法感受……我非常渴望拥有一颗心。”“跟我们走吧，”稻草人说。“好啊，”多萝西说，“然后你们也能向巫师寻求帮助。”于是他们一起沿着黄色的砖路前行。路旁有许多高大的树木，有时这三位朋友会听到树后动物发出的声音。多萝西不太喜欢这些声音。“去翡翠城还有多远？”她问铁皮人，“你知道吗？”“我觉得很远，”铁皮人说，“而且我们必须小心，因为——”但就在这时，一只大狮子突然从树丛中冲了出来，跑到了路上。它张开嘴巴——它有着长长的黄色牙齿——然后开始追赶托托。多萝西为托托感到害怕。她跑到狮子面前，用她的包打它的鼻子。“别伤害我的狗！”她生气地喊道，“它比你小多了！”“我没有伤害它，”狮子说，“别再打了——求求你了！”“为什么——你害怕了！”多萝西说道，“安静点，托托，他不会伤害你的。他比你还要害怕。他只不过是个胆小鬼罢了。”“确实如此，”狮子说道，“我就是个胆小鬼。大家都认为狮子很勇敢。我总是大声吼叫，但我其实并不勇敢。我只是个胆小鬼罢了。”于是，胆小的狮子开始哭泣起来。接着，多萝西向他讲述了奥兹巫师的事。“跟我们一起去翡翠城吧，”她说，“我想回堪萨斯州去，稻草人需要一些头脑，铁皮人需要一颗心。也许奥兹巫师能让你变得勇敢。”“哦，谢谢你！”狮子说道，“我非常希望能变得勇敢。”于是，胆小的狮子就跟他们一起去了。起初，托托害怕他，但很快他就和狮子成了好朋友。那天晚上，多萝西和托托睡在一棵大树下，紧挨着胆小的狮子那温暖的大身躯。第二天早上，他们吃完了最后一点面包。“哎呀！”多萝西说道，“晚餐吃什么呀？”“我可以为你杀一只动物。”胆小的狮子说道。“哦，不——请别杀任何动物！”铁皮人说道。他开始哭泣，“我们不想伤害任何动物。我并没有心脏，但我还是为他们感到难过。”多萝西迅速拿出油罐，给他的脸抹上油。“别哭了，”她说，“你知道水对你是有害的。”他们沿着黄色的道路前行，过了一个小时左右，他们来到了一条大河旁。“哦，不！”多萝西说道，“我们怎么才能过河呢？”狮子低头看着这条河。“我非常害怕掉下去，”他说，“但我认为我能跳过去。”“好啊！”稻草人立刻说道，“你可以背着我们，一次一个。”于是，胆小的狮子先跳过了河，背上是稻草人，接着是多萝西和托托，最后是铁皮人。但很快他们又来到了第二条河旁。这条河非常大，狮子无法跳过去。稻草人思考了一会儿。“看，”他说，“河旁边有一棵高大的树。铁皮人可以用他的斧子把它砍倒。当树横在河上时，我们就可以从树上走过去。”“很好，”狮子说道，“对于脑袋里只有稻草而没有头脑的人来说，这真是个好主意。”于是铁皮人用他的斧子砍倒了那棵树，很快他们也都过了那条河。

Sledges, Corkscrews, and other fears.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Once at the starting point, we both sat down on our sledges. I was grateful only a few others were preparing to ride, but gasped again when I saw how youthful their faces were. I doubted anyone here was over thirty years old. I wondered whether Jorunn was punishing me, or perhaps was hoping I would voluntarily quit the tour.“I don’t know if I can do this, Jorunn. I’m afraid.”Jorunn looked me in the eye with a grim look on her face.“Afraid is coming home with my mother, and finding my father sleeping with another woman. Afraid is watching how he broke apart my family and wondering how my mom and I would go on. Afraid is me cutting off my father and not wanting to ever see him again.”“Afraid is quitting a dead-end job and trying to earn a living as a vlogger in one of the most expensive countries on earth. Afraid is checking every morning for clicks, likes, and followers, and finding out the numbers did not change.”“Afraid is starting a private small-group tour company, all by myself, and weaving my way through the many regulations, laws, and insurance requirements. Afraid is knowing I have to book at least one trip a month just to cover those costs.”“Afraid is taking a group of six to Svalbard for a glacier hike in early summer, and spotting a polar bear less than 200 meters away lumbering towards us. Afraid is watching our guide fire off the last of her flares, but seeing the bear still coming. Afraid is the look in our guide’s eyes as she reached for her rifle.”“You don’t need to be afraid of sledging, Gunnar. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try sledging. Meet me at the bottom of the hill. Either make the run or turn in your sledge and take the Metro down the hill.”I watched Jorunn push off and head down the run, then thought about her words. I lived a good life in Minnesota, meeting Solveig in college and then stepping right into a lifetime job with the 3M company. Adventure was going to our lake cabin where the only challenges were fighting off mosquitos, and figuring out how to remove burnt marshmallows off the end of a stick. After our first child, Solveig and I stopped doing anything like sledding, and instead sat and watched our kids having all the fun.What am I doing here in Norway? Why am I here? Jorunn answered that question for me. I pushed off and started my run.I fought my way down the mountain, and as I approached the end of the run, I was happy to see it level off. I saw Jorunn standing next to her sledge, her small camera pointed at me. I raised both hands over my head, waved, then yelled, “I did it!” I coasted to a stop three meters past her.Jorunn ran up to me, and as I stood, she hugged me. “I’m proud of you Gunnar.” As we hugged, under the clear blue skies and chilly temperatures, I closed my eyes and went back 35 years to a small hill in Minneapolis, where I hugged Solvieg after sledding. Jorunn released me and stepped back.I yelped, “It was wonderful! I kept to the side as other people whizzed past me. A few sections were bumpy, and my teeth rattled. The only time I was scared was when there was a steep drop-off on one side. Don’t you use guardrails in Norway?”“You may have seen a few small concrete walls, but we believe in personal responsibility here in Norway. If you cannot manage a sledge, you should not make the run. The authorities do monitor the conditions and sometimes close the run when it is too icy.”“Does that mean you believed in me? Believed I could make it down the hill?”“There is nothing wrong with you, Gunnar. While I was waiting here at the bottom of the hill, I read about your Iron Range in Minnesota. You are rusty. There is a Wizard of Oz Museum there. You are the Tin Man. This tour is the Oil Can. Figure it out. The Oil Can only works if you pick it up and use it. Stand tall and walk proudly for as long as you can. If you fall, get up and keep going.”It was an interesting way to look at life. I was only 56 years old, but for the last few years, I acted like I was 80. I still have many years to go sledging, if only I was not afraid to try.I turned to Jorunn. “Let’s go again!”Pea SoupDecember 16 - Mid-DayAfter three more runs, Jorunn and I turned in our sledges and ate lunch at the beautiful Frognersteren Restaurant on top of the hill. I followed her suggestion of a thick pea soup with meatballs and potatoes. It was delicious. As we sipped hot chocolate, it felt good to be alive again.“A week ago, I was in a nursing home in Minnesota. After my wife died, no one visited me, not even my adult children. I was alone. It was a terrible place, run by a terrible nurse. I had to get out. I made plans with my lawyer, then walked out the front door and got on a plane to come to Norway. What’s the worst place you have ever been?”“Dublin, Ireland. After the divorce, my mother and I were struggling financially. We had gone from living a comfortable life to living paycheck to paycheck. I saw a post on the Internet for a job as a body double for a Vikings television program. I wasn’t sure what a body double did, but it paid well for a short gig. I took all my clothes off while a dozen people stared at me and took photos and videos. I hadn’t been naked in front of any man in over a year, since before the divorce. They must have liked me because I got the part, and they flew me to Dublin. The next morning, I went to the studios. I sat there in a robe while they cut and styled my hair to match the actress I was portraying. Then off to the makeup department, where I removed my robe while they applied fake tattoos and full body makeup so I would look dirty in all the right places.”“After lunch in the studio, the costume department placed me in a white linen tunic. When it was time to film, they told me to stand in front of the lead actor while he lifted the tunic off me and tossed it aside. He was much older than me, and with his beard, he reminded me of my father. He exuded the same swagger as if the world revolved only around him. I would be fully exposed to him, and to the camera crew, who were filming me from behind. They told me to act submissive and let the lead actor hug me. It took several takes and a few tweaks before the director was happy.”“Next, I was ordered to lay down on a stylized Viking bed covered with furs. The sex scene was to be filmed twice. Once for television, then for an unrated video release. The make-up people gave me a once over, then thankfully positioned a flesh-covered patch over my vagina. In the first shot, I was naked, but the lead actor remained fully clothed. He stood and positioned himself between my legs, and they told me to keep my vagina pressed tight against his crotch as he bucked against me. We needed to make the audience believe we were having sex while showing them nothing. I remained in this position while they adjusted the lighting and camera angles, and beneath his trousers, I felt the lead actor’s erect cock pressed against me.”“The director yelled, ‘Action’. Once again, they told me to be submissive, and let the lead actor take charge. He started humping against me. Looking up at him, he was still a handsome man, and I wondered how many women around the world dreamed or fantasized about being in the same place I was. I wasn’t one of them, but I understood this was why they hired me, so I accepted it. Like earlier, it took several takes. The director would review the shot and make small adjustments each time. After the last take, I saw a large wet spot on the front of the lead actor’s trousers.”“Then it was time for the unrated scene. A host of costume and make-up people swarmed around the actor while I lay there naked. This time, he was to be naked as he approached the bed. The camera angle was off to the side to avoid full frontal and he used his left hand to shield his erection, thankfully contained in a flesh-covered sock. The scene began with the lead actor approaching me, and once in position, he began humping against me. His covered cock slid against the covering over my vagina, but the sensations passed right through. My nipples became erect, and I felt my wetness building.”“After several takes, the director was happy, and we moved on to the last scene for which I was needed. In this one, the lead actor would be laying on top of me, his arms extended and propping himself up with his hands placed on either side of my body. This scene was more challenging because it needed to be mixed with prior facial cuts shot separately with the lead male actor and lead female actress. The scene would be filmed from several angles including above and below. As the director reviewed the earlier footage, the makeup people worked on my face and hair.”“The next thing I felt was the lead actor lying on top of me, his body pressing his erect cock against the patch covering my vagina. I wanted to turn away, but he told me to look at him because it would help him release his creative juices. I feared the possible double entendre. Here I was, face-to-face with the avatar of the man I hated more than anyone, the man who destroyed our family. When the director was ready, he said to go at it and try to simulate real sex. He yelled 'Action’. I was sweating under the lights, and the patch covering my vagina began to slip, aided by the movement of the lead actor’s covered cock. As my pussy became more exposed, I was afraid his cock might slide into me, so I yelled 'Cut!’. Everything stopped, and I pushed him off.”“That was enough. I yelled I was through, gathered my things, and headed for the front door. I paid my own way back to Oslo, and thought about filing a protest, but later learned what they did was mostly proper. Most sex scenes are between two body doubles. It is rare, but sometimes a lead actor will film such scenes if they have it in their nudity clause. I had a new appreciation for body doubles, but my own acting career lasted one day, and looking at the final scenes after release, I was on screen for eight seconds, and no one knew it was me!”I said, “Wow. We have something in common. The nursing home did everything properly, but like you, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I headed for the front door. I’m sorry for your terrible experience.”Jorunn shook her head, “Don’t be sorry. The experience ended up changing my life for the better. After I got back to Oslo, I swore to never work for anyone else again. I wanted to direct my own scenes, so I started doing vlogs. That led to the creation of my tour company. As things turned out, I walked out one door and right into something I loved. Plus, I walked out wearing this really cool, braided leather Viking headband I have on now. You are halfway there. You have walked out the front door. Now you must find something, or someone, to love.”A profound statement from someone so young.SpikersuppaDecember 16 - AfternoonI noticed the sun getting low on the horizon. Jorunn caught my glance and said, “The sun sets early here in Oslo, around 3:30 in the afternoon. In some of the northern cities, it set last month and will not rise again until spring.”I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day looking at museums, and flushed with my success on the hill, I took a chance. “Do you ice skate?”Jorunn replied, “I do, but not very well.”I said, “If you know of a skating rink with lights, maybe we can go there and skate.”“There is a nice lighted one in downtown Oslo called Spikersuppa,” said Jorunn. “When the sun goes down in Oslo, the twinkling lights are turned on, bringing with them their magic. The ice-skating rink is close to the Christmas market, which is our agenda for tonight.”“That sounds great to me,” I replied.We took the T-bane back to downtown Oslo and arrived as the sun was setting. There weren’t any clouds, but the multi-layered horizon was still beautiful. Orange along the bottom, and above it, increasingly darker hues of blue and purple, before turning to black in the night sky. After leaving the train station Jorunn and I walked along a pedestrian-only street named 'Karl Johns gate’ passing high-end stores and restaurants. Jorunn either pointed to, or mentioned, notable downtown buildings such as the Royal Palace, Parliament, the National Theatre, the Grand Hotel, and the original University of Oslo buildings. We also passed the brilliantly lit Freia clock, associated with the long-time Norwegian chocolate maker, and the unofficial symbol of Oslo.We rented skates and then stepped tentatively onto the ice. It wasn’t a big rink, and fortunately, not crowded. In the middle was a frozen water fountain. Christmas music was playing and twinkling lights glowed all around us.“I played ice hockey in Minnesota when I was in high school, but haven’t skated since.”“My father used to take me to figure skating lessons when I was young, but I stopped. I kept falling when trying to do spins.”“Maybe we can help each other out. Have you ever tried ice dancing?”Jorunn laughed. “No! Never!”“Neither have I. But a wise woman once told me that I should not be afraid of ice dancing. What I should be afraid of is being too afraid to try ice dancing.”Jorunn smiled, “A very wise woman, indeed! Let’s try it and see what happens.”I remember watching the wonderful British duo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean ice dancing in their last Olympics in 1994. The Olympics were here in Norway, in Lillehammer. I was not about to try any lifts or spins, but I reached my right arm behind Jorunn and placed my hand on her right hip. Taking her left hand in mine, I held her left arm across my body.“Ready?” I asked.Jorunn nodded, and together we pushed off. Right. Left. Right. Left. We moved slowly, side-by-side, in a steady rhythm, and made it around the rink making only a few wobbles. After three more passes, my ancient muscle memory awoke, and I wanted to do more. We separated and I joined my right hand to her left. “We can take longer strides and skate a little faster this way.”After another trip around the rink, we added a slow weaving pattern. Coming out of the last turn, I told Jorunn, “Here is your chance to be a figure skater. I’ll hold your hand. Try a spin.”I skated slightly just ahead of Jorunn, then pulled her forward so she would have enough speed. I raised her hand into the air as she went past, and she started spinning. She yelled, “I’m doing it.” And she was, at least until her speed slowed and she fell into me. “Dam toe pick!” she yelled. With her arms around me, our eyes met. Then she wrinkled her nose, her signature facial expression on the vlogs indicating she didn’t like something. Just as quickly, her face lit up and her big smile glowed. “I’m laughing too hard inside. That was such fun!” She burst out laughing and I joined her. We finally broke the ice, here on the ice.Jorunn separated from me and said, “It is time for Christmas Market.” I helped her up and we turned in our skates. The nearby lights and sounds beckoned.The Christmas MarketDecember 16 - EveningThe sun set long ago and was now just a memory. It was completely dark, but downtown Oslo turned into a Christmas wonderland. There were twinkling lights on almost every tree, with the large and stately buildings surrounding us outlined in white lights to accompany their dramatic uplighting. Oslo was so different than Minneapolis. In downtown Minneapolis, 30-year-old buildings were being torn down to build taller ones in the same location. Here, the buildings were massive, centuries-old, covering an entire block, and they were still in use, letting everyone appreciate the history and architecture. Jorunn and I saw glass-covered buildings in Oslo, with their clean modern architecture, but this was the heart of the city. The life, the pulse, and vitality of Oslo all sprang from here.Towering above everything at the Christmas Market was a brilliantly lit Ferris wheel, each spoke outlined in white lights. I looked at Jorunn and she nodded. She took my hand, and we ran for the Ferris wheel, artfully dodging between the growing number of people.When we boarded, we found each of the seats enclosed in a glass bubble, possibly as a safety measure, or just as likely, protection from the cold. One of the benefits of this was being able to move around a bit, which afforded us a 360-degree aerial view of downtown Oslo. We paused near the top, where Jorunn pulled out her camera.Jorunn said, “It’s rather romantic up here. We should do a selfie.” She sat down right me. “Kiss me. On the lips. Just a quick one. I have the timer set for three seconds. We’ll put our lips together and hold them for a few seconds until the flash goes off.”“Jorunn, I am much older than you. I don’t think it will look very romantic.”“Gunnar, you’re not too old to kiss someone. And if I need to, I can do a little digital touchup, or just flash a quick cut. It will be perfect.”“How do want me to kiss you? Do you want my eyes open or closed? Should I look at the camera or…”Jorunn quickly reached behind my head and pulled me to her. As our lips met, I closed my eyes, and my mouth responded. I felt her softness and a quick tease as Jorunn’s tongue glazed over my lips. A flash went off. But Jorunn did not separate, nor did I. I opened my eyes, and saw that Jorunn’s eyes closed. As our lips pressed together, it felt so warm and comfortable.We separated, and Jorunn said, “Perfect!” Then she looked at the photo just taken. I thought about the sequence of her words and her actions. Jorunn switched over to video and began doing her vlog. She was speaking in English. Immersed in Norwegian for three days, it almost sounded like a foreign language to me. When Jorunn finished, I asked her why she didn’t record her vlogs in Norwegian.She surprised me by continuing in English. “Norwegians already live here. Who would watch my videos if I recorded them in Norwegian? If someone in Norway wants to see the view from the top of this Ferris wheel, they will come here and ride it. People from every continent watch my videos and speak at least some English. It used to bother me when I would get comments on my videos complaining I spoke with a Norwegian accent. Now I just laugh.”I asked her, “Every continent? Including Antarctica?”“Yes. The Norwegian Polar Institute has a year-round research station in Antarctica named 'Troll’. Their mission is to study the polar regions and the effects of global warming and pollution. It’s not a tourist destination, but they have talked to me about possibly going there. They want to do more outreach, to spread the word to younger audiences on social media. I have followers there, but we haven’t been able to work out the permissions and details. The

Sledges, Corkscrews, and other fears.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Once at the starting point, we both sat down on our sledges. I was grateful only a few others were preparing to ride, but gasped again when I saw how youthful their faces were. I doubted anyone here was over thirty years old. I wondered whether Jorunn was punishing me, or perhaps was hoping I would voluntarily quit the tour.“I don’t know if I can do this, Jorunn. I’m afraid.”Jorunn looked me in the eye with a grim look on her face.“Afraid is coming home with my mother, and finding my father sleeping with another woman. Afraid is watching how he broke apart my family and wondering how my mom and I would go on. Afraid is me cutting off my father and not wanting to ever see him again.”“Afraid is quitting a dead-end job and trying to earn a living as a vlogger in one of the most expensive countries on earth. Afraid is checking every morning for clicks, likes, and followers, and finding out the numbers did not change.”“Afraid is starting a private small-group tour company, all by myself, and weaving my way through the many regulations, laws, and insurance requirements. Afraid is knowing I have to book at least one trip a month just to cover those costs.”“Afraid is taking a group of six to Svalbard for a glacier hike in early summer, and spotting a polar bear less than 200 meters away lumbering towards us. Afraid is watching our guide fire off the last of her flares, but seeing the bear still coming. Afraid is the look in our guide’s eyes as she reached for her rifle.”“You don’t need to be afraid of sledging, Gunnar. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try sledging. Meet me at the bottom of the hill. Either make the run or turn in your sledge and take the Metro down the hill.”I watched Jorunn push off and head down the run, then thought about her words. I lived a good life in Minnesota, meeting Solveig in college and then stepping right into a lifetime job with the 3M company. Adventure was going to our lake cabin where the only challenges were fighting off mosquitos, and figuring out how to remove burnt marshmallows off the end of a stick. After our first child, Solveig and I stopped doing anything like sledding, and instead sat and watched our kids having all the fun.What am I doing here in Norway? Why am I here? Jorunn answered that question for me. I pushed off and started my run.I fought my way down the mountain, and as I approached the end of the run, I was happy to see it level off. I saw Jorunn standing next to her sledge, her small camera pointed at me. I raised both hands over my head, waved, then yelled, “I did it!” I coasted to a stop three meters past her.Jorunn ran up to me, and as I stood, she hugged me. “I’m proud of you Gunnar.” As we hugged, under the clear blue skies and chilly temperatures, I closed my eyes and went back 35 years to a small hill in Minneapolis, where I hugged Solvieg after sledding. Jorunn released me and stepped back.I yelped, “It was wonderful! I kept to the side as other people whizzed past me. A few sections were bumpy, and my teeth rattled. The only time I was scared was when there was a steep drop-off on one side. Don’t you use guardrails in Norway?”“You may have seen a few small concrete walls, but we believe in personal responsibility here in Norway. If you cannot manage a sledge, you should not make the run. The authorities do monitor the conditions and sometimes close the run when it is too icy.”“Does that mean you believed in me? Believed I could make it down the hill?”“There is nothing wrong with you, Gunnar. While I was waiting here at the bottom of the hill, I read about your Iron Range in Minnesota. You are rusty. There is a Wizard of Oz Museum there. You are the Tin Man. This tour is the Oil Can. Figure it out. The Oil Can only works if you pick it up and use it. Stand tall and walk proudly for as long as you can. If you fall, get up and keep going.”It was an interesting way to look at life. I was only 56 years old, but for the last few years, I acted like I was 80. I still have many years to go sledging, if only I was not afraid to try.I turned to Jorunn. “Let’s go again!”Pea SoupDecember 16 - Mid-DayAfter three more runs, Jorunn and I turned in our sledges and ate lunch at the beautiful Frognersteren Restaurant on top of the hill. I followed her suggestion of a thick pea soup with meatballs and potatoes. It was delicious. As we sipped hot chocolate, it felt good to be alive again.“A week ago, I was in a nursing home in Minnesota. After my wife died, no one visited me, not even my adult children. I was alone. It was a terrible place, run by a terrible nurse. I had to get out. I made plans with my lawyer, then walked out the front door and got on a plane to come to Norway. What’s the worst place you have ever been?”“Dublin, Ireland. After the divorce, my mother and I were struggling financially. We had gone from living a comfortable life to living paycheck to paycheck. I saw a post on the Internet for a job as a body double for a Vikings television program. I wasn’t sure what a body double did, but it paid well for a short gig. I took all my clothes off while a dozen people stared at me and took photos and videos. I hadn’t been naked in front of any man in over a year, since before the divorce. They must have liked me because I got the part, and they flew me to Dublin. The next morning, I went to the studios. I sat there in a robe while they cut and styled my hair to match the actress I was portraying. Then off to the makeup department, where I removed my robe while they applied fake tattoos and full body makeup so I would look dirty in all the right places.”“After lunch in the studio, the costume department placed me in a white linen tunic. When it was time to film, they told me to stand in front of the lead actor while he lifted the tunic off me and tossed it aside. He was much older than me, and with his beard, he reminded me of my father. He exuded the same swagger as if the world revolved only around him. I would be fully exposed to him, and to the camera crew, who were filming me from behind. They told me to act submissive and let the lead actor hug me. It took several takes and a few tweaks before the director was happy.”“Next, I was ordered to lay down on a stylized Viking bed covered with furs. The sex scene was to be filmed twice. Once for television, then for an unrated video release. The make-up people gave me a once over, then thankfully positioned a flesh-covered patch over my vagina. In the first shot, I was naked, but the lead actor remained fully clothed. He stood and positioned himself between my legs, and they told me to keep my vagina pressed tight against his crotch as he bucked against me. We needed to make the audience believe we were having sex while showing them nothing. I remained in this position while they adjusted the lighting and camera angles, and beneath his trousers, I felt the lead actor’s erect cock pressed against me.”“The director yelled, ‘Action’. Once again, they told me to be submissive, and let the lead actor take charge. He started humping against me. Looking up at him, he was still a handsome man, and I wondered how many women around the world dreamed or fantasized about being in the same place I was. I wasn’t one of them, but I understood this was why they hired me, so I accepted it. Like earlier, it took several takes. The director would review the shot and make small adjustments each time. After the last take, I saw a large wet spot on the front of the lead actor’s trousers.”“Then it was time for the unrated scene. A host of costume and make-up people swarmed around the actor while I lay there naked. This time, he was to be naked as he approached the bed. The camera angle was off to the side to avoid full frontal and he used his left hand to shield his erection, thankfully contained in a flesh-covered sock. The scene began with the lead actor approaching me, and once in position, he began humping against me. His covered cock slid against the covering over my vagina, but the sensations passed right through. My nipples became erect, and I felt my wetness building.”“After several takes, the director was happy, and we moved on to the last scene for which I was needed. In this one, the lead actor would be laying on top of me, his arms extended and propping himself up with his hands placed on either side of my body. This scene was more challenging because it needed to be mixed with prior facial cuts shot separately with the lead male actor and lead female actress. The scene would be filmed from several angles including above and below. As the director reviewed the earlier footage, the makeup people worked on my face and hair.”“The next thing I felt was the lead actor lying on top of me, his body pressing his erect cock against the patch covering my vagina. I wanted to turn away, but he told me to look at him because it would help him release his creative juices. I feared the possible double entendre. Here I was, face-to-face with the avatar of the man I hated more than anyone, the man who destroyed our family. When the director was ready, he said to go at it and try to simulate real sex. He yelled 'Action’. I was sweating under the lights, and the patch covering my vagina began to slip, aided by the movement of the lead actor’s covered cock. As my pussy became more exposed, I was afraid his cock might slide into me, so I yelled 'Cut!’. Everything stopped, and I pushed him off.”“That was enough. I yelled I was through, gathered my things, and headed for the front door. I paid my own way back to Oslo, and thought about filing a protest, but later learned what they did was mostly proper. Most sex scenes are between two body doubles. It is rare, but sometimes a lead actor will film such scenes if they have it in their nudity clause. I had a new appreciation for body doubles, but my own acting career lasted one day, and looking at the final scenes after release, I was on screen for eight seconds, and no one knew it was me!”I said, “Wow. We have something in common. The nursing home did everything properly, but like you, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I headed for the front door. I’m sorry for your terrible experience.”Jorunn shook her head, “Don’t be sorry. The experience ended up changing my life for the better. After I got back to Oslo, I swore to never work for anyone else again. I wanted to direct my own scenes, so I started doing vlogs. That led to the creation of my tour company. As things turned out, I walked out one door and right into something I loved. Plus, I walked out wearing this really cool, braided leather Viking headband I have on now. You are halfway there. You have walked out the front door. Now you must find something, or someone, to love.”A profound statement from someone so young.SpikersuppaDecember 16 - AfternoonI noticed the sun getting low on the horizon. Jorunn caught my glance and said, “The sun sets early here in Oslo, around 3:30 in the afternoon. In some of the northern cities, it set last month and will not rise again until spring.”I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day looking at museums, and flushed with my success on the hill, I took a chance. “Do you ice skate?”Jorunn replied, “I do, but not very well.”I said, “If you know of a skating rink with lights, maybe we can go there and skate.”“There is a nice lighted one in downtown Oslo called Spikersuppa,” said Jorunn. “When the sun goes down in Oslo, the twinkling lights are turned on, bringing with them their magic. The ice-skating rink is close to the Christmas market, which is our agenda for tonight.”“That sounds great to me,” I replied.We took the T-bane back to downtown Oslo and arrived as the sun was setting. There weren’t any clouds, but the multi-layered horizon was still beautiful. Orange along the bottom, and above it, increasingly darker hues of blue and purple, before turning to black in the night sky. After leaving the train station Jorunn and I walked along a pedestrian-only street named 'Karl Johns gate’ passing high-end stores and restaurants. Jorunn either pointed to, or mentioned, notable downtown buildings such as the Royal Palace, Parliament, the National Theatre, the Grand Hotel, and the original University of Oslo buildings. We also passed the brilliantly lit Freia clock, associated with the long-time Norwegian chocolate maker, and the unofficial symbol of Oslo.We rented skates and then stepped tentatively onto the ice. It wasn’t a big rink, and fortunately, not crowded. In the middle was a frozen water fountain. Christmas music was playing and twinkling lights glowed all around us.“I played ice hockey in Minnesota when I was in high school, but haven’t skated since.”“My father used to take me to figure skating lessons when I was young, but I stopped. I kept falling when trying to do spins.”“Maybe we can help each other out. Have you ever tried ice dancing?”Jorunn laughed. “No! Never!”“Neither have I. But a wise woman once told me that I should not be afraid of ice dancing. What I should be afraid of is being too afraid to try ice dancing.”Jorunn smiled, “A very wise woman, indeed! Let’s try it and see what happens.”I remember watching the wonderful British duo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean ice dancing in their last Olympics in 1994. The Olympics were here in Norway, in Lillehammer. I was not about to try any lifts or spins, but I reached my right arm behind Jorunn and placed my hand on her right hip. Taking her left hand in mine, I held her left arm across my body.“Ready?” I asked.Jorunn nodded, and together we pushed off. Right. Left. Right. Left. We moved slowly, side-by-side, in a steady rhythm, and made it around the rink making only a few wobbles. After three more passes, my ancient muscle memory awoke, and I wanted to do more. We separated and I joined my right hand to her left. “We can take longer strides and skate a little faster this way.”After another trip around the rink, we added a slow weaving pattern. Coming out of the last turn, I told Jorunn, “Here is your chance to be a figure skater. I’ll hold your hand. Try a spin.”I skated slightly just ahead of Jorunn, then pulled her forward so she would have enough speed. I raised her hand into the air as she went past, and she started spinning. She yelled, “I’m doing it.” And she was, at least until her speed slowed and she fell into me. “Dam toe pick!” she yelled. With her arms around me, our eyes met. Then she wrinkled her nose, her signature facial expression on the vlogs indicating she didn’t like something. Just as quickly, her face lit up and her big smile glowed. “I’m laughing too hard inside. That was such fun!” She burst out laughing and I joined her. We finally broke the ice, here on the ice.Jorunn separated from me and said, “It is time for Christmas Market.” I helped her up and we turned in our skates. The nearby lights and sounds beckoned.The Christmas MarketDecember 16 - EveningThe sun set long ago and was now just a memory. It was completely dark, but downtown Oslo turned into a Christmas wonderland. There were twinkling lights on almost every tree, with the large and stately buildings surrounding us outlined in white lights to accompany their dramatic uplighting. Oslo was so different than Minneapolis. In downtown Minneapolis, 30-year-old buildings were being torn down to build taller ones in the same location. Here, the buildings were massive, centuries-old, covering an entire block, and they were still in use, letting everyone appreciate the history and architecture. Jorunn and I saw glass-covered buildings in Oslo, with their clean modern architecture, but this was the heart of the city. The life, the pulse, and vitality of Oslo all sprang from here.Towering above everything at the Christmas Market was a brilliantly lit Ferris wheel, each spoke outlined in white lights. I looked at Jorunn and she nodded. She took my hand, and we ran for the Ferris wheel, artfully dodging between the growing number of people.When we boarded, we found each of the seats enclosed in a glass bubble, possibly as a safety measure, or just as likely, protection from the cold. One of the benefits of this was being able to move around a bit, which afforded us a 360-degree aerial view of downtown Oslo. We paused near the top, where Jorunn pulled out her camera.Jorunn said, “It’s rather romantic up here. We should do a selfie.” She sat down right me. “Kiss me. On the lips. Just a quick one. I have the timer set for three seconds. We’ll put our lips together and hold them for a few seconds until the flash goes off.”“Jorunn, I am much older than you. I don’t think it will look very romantic.”“Gunnar, you’re not too old to kiss someone. And if I need to, I can do a little digital touchup, or just flash a quick cut. It will be perfect.”“How do want me to kiss you? Do you want my eyes open or closed? Should I look at the camera or…”Jorunn quickly reached behind my head and pulled me to her. As our lips met, I closed my eyes, and my mouth responded. I felt her softness and a quick tease as Jorunn’s tongue glazed over my lips. A flash went off. But Jorunn did not separate, nor did I. I opened my eyes, and saw that Jorunn’s eyes closed. As our lips pressed together, it felt so warm and comfortable.We separated, and Jorunn said, “Perfect!” Then she looked at the photo just taken. I thought about the sequence of her words and her actions. Jorunn switched over to video and began doing her vlog. She was speaking in English. Immersed in Norwegian for three days, it almost sounded like a foreign language to me. When Jorunn finished, I asked her why she didn’t record her vlogs in Norwegian.She surprised me by continuing in English. “Norwegians already live here. Who would watch my videos if I recorded them in Norwegian? If someone in Norway wants to see the view from the top of this Ferris wheel, they will come here and ride it. People from every continent watch my videos and speak at least some English. It used to bother me when I would get comments on my videos complaining I spoke with a Norwegian accent. Now I just laugh.”I asked her, “Every continent? Including Antarctica?”“Yes. The Norwegian Polar Institute has a year-round research station in Antarctica named 'Troll’. Their mission is to study the polar regions and the effects of global warming and pollution. It’s not a tourist destination, but they have talked to me about possibly going there. They want to do more outreach, to spread the word to younger audiences on social media. I have followers there, but we haven’t been able to work out the permissions and details. The

Sledges, Corkscrews, and other fears.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Once at the starting point, we both sat down on our sledges. I was grateful only a few others were preparing to ride, but gasped again when I saw how youthful their faces were. I doubted anyone here was over thirty years old. I wondered whether Jorunn was punishing me, or perhaps was hoping I would voluntarily quit the tour.“I don’t know if I can do this, Jorunn. I’m afraid.”Jorunn looked me in the eye with a grim look on her face.“Afraid is coming home with my mother, and finding my father sleeping with another woman. Afraid is watching how he broke apart my family and wondering how my mom and I would go on. Afraid is me cutting off my father and not wanting to ever see him again.”“Afraid is quitting a dead-end job and trying to earn a living as a vlogger in one of the most expensive countries on earth. Afraid is checking every morning for clicks, likes, and followers, and finding out the numbers did not change.”“Afraid is starting a private small-group tour company, all by myself, and weaving my way through the many regulations, laws, and insurance requirements. Afraid is knowing I have to book at least one trip a month just to cover those costs.”“Afraid is taking a group of six to Svalbard for a glacier hike in early summer, and spotting a polar bear less than 200 meters away lumbering towards us. Afraid is watching our guide fire off the last of her flares, but seeing the bear still coming. Afraid is the look in our guide’s eyes as she reached for her rifle.”“You don’t need to be afraid of sledging, Gunnar. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try sledging. Meet me at the bottom of the hill. Either make the run or turn in your sledge and take the Metro down the hill.”I watched Jorunn push off and head down the run, then thought about her words. I lived a good life in Minnesota, meeting Solveig in college and then stepping right into a lifetime job with the 3M company. Adventure was going to our lake cabin where the only challenges were fighting off mosquitos, and figuring out how to remove burnt marshmallows off the end of a stick. After our first child, Solveig and I stopped doing anything like sledding, and instead sat and watched our kids having all the fun.What am I doing here in Norway? Why am I here? Jorunn answered that question for me. I pushed off and started my run.I fought my way down the mountain, and as I approached the end of the run, I was happy to see it level off. I saw Jorunn standing next to her sledge, her small camera pointed at me. I raised both hands over my head, waved, then yelled, “I did it!” I coasted to a stop three meters past her.Jorunn ran up to me, and as I stood, she hugged me. “I’m proud of you Gunnar.” As we hugged, under the clear blue skies and chilly temperatures, I closed my eyes and went back 35 years to a small hill in Minneapolis, where I hugged Solvieg after sledding. Jorunn released me and stepped back.I yelped, “It was wonderful! I kept to the side as other people whizzed past me. A few sections were bumpy, and my teeth rattled. The only time I was scared was when there was a steep drop-off on one side. Don’t you use guardrails in Norway?”“You may have seen a few small concrete walls, but we believe in personal responsibility here in Norway. If you cannot manage a sledge, you should not make the run. The authorities do monitor the conditions and sometimes close the run when it is too icy.”“Does that mean you believed in me? Believed I could make it down the hill?”“There is nothing wrong with you, Gunnar. While I was waiting here at the bottom of the hill, I read about your Iron Range in Minnesota. You are rusty. There is a Wizard of Oz Museum there. You are the Tin Man. This tour is the Oil Can. Figure it out. The Oil Can only works if you pick it up and use it. Stand tall and walk proudly for as long as you can. If you fall, get up and keep going.”It was an interesting way to look at life. I was only 56 years old, but for the last few years, I acted like I was 80. I still have many years to go sledging, if only I was not afraid to try.I turned to Jorunn. “Let’s go again!”Pea SoupDecember 16 - Mid-DayAfter three more runs, Jorunn and I turned in our sledges and ate lunch at the beautiful Frognersteren Restaurant on top of the hill. I followed her suggestion of a thick pea soup with meatballs and potatoes. It was delicious. As we sipped hot chocolate, it felt good to be alive again.“A week ago, I was in a nursing home in Minnesota. After my wife died, no one visited me, not even my adult children. I was alone. It was a terrible place, run by a terrible nurse. I had to get out. I made plans with my lawyer, then walked out the front door and got on a plane to come to Norway. What’s the worst place you have ever been?”“Dublin, Ireland. After the divorce, my mother and I were struggling financially. We had gone from living a comfortable life to living paycheck to paycheck. I saw a post on the Internet for a job as a body double for a Vikings television program. I wasn’t sure what a body double did, but it paid well for a short gig. I took all my clothes off while a dozen people stared at me and took photos and videos. I hadn’t been naked in front of any man in over a year, since before the divorce. They must have liked me because I got the part, and they flew me to Dublin. The next morning, I went to the studios. I sat there in a robe while they cut and styled my hair to match the actress I was portraying. Then off to the makeup department, where I removed my robe while they applied fake tattoos and full body makeup so I would look dirty in all the right places.”“After lunch in the studio, the costume department placed me in a white linen tunic. When it was time to film, they told me to stand in front of the lead actor while he lifted the tunic off me and tossed it aside. He was much older than me, and with his beard, he reminded me of my father. He exuded the same swagger as if the world revolved only around him. I would be fully exposed to him, and to the camera crew, who were filming me from behind. They told me to act submissive and let the lead actor hug me. It took several takes and a few tweaks before the director was happy.”“Next, I was ordered to lay down on a stylized Viking bed covered with furs. The sex scene was to be filmed twice. Once for television, then for an unrated video release. The make-up people gave me a once over, then thankfully positioned a flesh-covered patch over my vagina. In the first shot, I was naked, but the lead actor remained fully clothed. He stood and positioned himself between my legs, and they told me to keep my vagina pressed tight against his crotch as he bucked against me. We needed to make the audience believe we were having sex while showing them nothing. I remained in this position while they adjusted the lighting and camera angles, and beneath his trousers, I felt the lead actor’s erect cock pressed against me.”“The director yelled, ‘Action’. Once again, they told me to be submissive, and let the lead actor take charge. He started humping against me. Looking up at him, he was still a handsome man, and I wondered how many women around the world dreamed or fantasized about being in the same place I was. I wasn’t one of them, but I understood this was why they hired me, so I accepted it. Like earlier, it took several takes. The director would review the shot and make small adjustments each time. After the last take, I saw a large wet spot on the front of the lead actor’s trousers.”“Then it was time for the unrated scene. A host of costume and make-up people swarmed around the actor while I lay there naked. This time, he was to be naked as he approached the bed. The camera angle was off to the side to avoid full frontal and he used his left hand to shield his erection, thankfully contained in a flesh-covered sock. The scene began with the lead actor approaching me, and once in position, he began humping against me. His covered cock slid against the covering over my vagina, but the sensations passed right through. My nipples became erect, and I felt my wetness building.”“After several takes, the director was happy, and we moved on to the last scene for which I was needed. In this one, the lead actor would be laying on top of me, his arms extended and propping himself up with his hands placed on either side of my body. This scene was more challenging because it needed to be mixed with prior facial cuts shot separately with the lead male actor and lead female actress. The scene would be filmed from several angles including above and below. As the director reviewed the earlier footage, the makeup people worked on my face and hair.”“The next thing I felt was the lead actor lying on top of me, his body pressing his erect cock against the patch covering my vagina. I wanted to turn away, but he told me to look at him because it would help him release his creative juices. I feared the possible double entendre. Here I was, face-to-face with the avatar of the man I hated more than anyone, the man who destroyed our family. When the director was ready, he said to go at it and try to simulate real sex. He yelled 'Action’. I was sweating under the lights, and the patch covering my vagina began to slip, aided by the movement of the lead actor’s covered cock. As my pussy became more exposed, I was afraid his cock might slide into me, so I yelled 'Cut!’. Everything stopped, and I pushed him off.”“That was enough. I yelled I was through, gathered my things, and headed for the front door. I paid my own way back to Oslo, and thought about filing a protest, but later learned what they did was mostly proper. Most sex scenes are between two body doubles. It is rare, but sometimes a lead actor will film such scenes if they have it in their nudity clause. I had a new appreciation for body doubles, but my own acting career lasted one day, and looking at the final scenes after release, I was on screen for eight seconds, and no one knew it was me!”I said, “Wow. We have something in common. The nursing home did everything properly, but like you, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I headed for the front door. I’m sorry for your terrible experience.”Jorunn shook her head, “Don’t be sorry. The experience ended up changing my life for the better. After I got back to Oslo, I swore to never work for anyone else again. I wanted to direct my own scenes, so I started doing vlogs. That led to the creation of my tour company. As things turned out, I walked out one door and right into something I loved. Plus, I walked out wearing this really cool, braided leather Viking headband I have on now. You are halfway there. You have walked out the front door. Now you must find something, or someone, to love.”A profound statement from someone so young.SpikersuppaDecember 16 - AfternoonI noticed the sun getting low on the horizon. Jorunn caught my glance and said, “The sun sets early here in Oslo, around 3:30 in the afternoon. In some of the northern cities, it set last month and will not rise again until spring.”I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day looking at museums, and flushed with my success on the hill, I took a chance. “Do you ice skate?”Jorunn replied, “I do, but not very well.”I said, “If you know of a skating rink with lights, maybe we can go there and skate.”“There is a nice lighted one in downtown Oslo called Spikersuppa,” said Jorunn. “When the sun goes down in Oslo, the twinkling lights are turned on, bringing with them their magic. The ice-skating rink is close to the Christmas market, which is our agenda for tonight.”“That sounds great to me,” I replied.We took the T-bane back to downtown Oslo and arrived as the sun was setting. There weren’t any clouds, but the multi-layered horizon was still beautiful. Orange along the bottom, and above it, increasingly darker hues of blue and purple, before turning to black in the night sky. After leaving the train station Jorunn and I walked along a pedestrian-only street named 'Karl Johns gate’ passing high-end stores and restaurants. Jorunn either pointed to, or mentioned, notable downtown buildings such as the Royal Palace, Parliament, the National Theatre, the Grand Hotel, and the original University of Oslo buildings. We also passed the brilliantly lit Freia clock, associated with the long-time Norwegian chocolate maker, and the unofficial symbol of Oslo.We rented skates and then stepped tentatively onto the ice. It wasn’t a big rink, and fortunately, not crowded. In the middle was a frozen water fountain. Christmas music was playing and twinkling lights glowed all around us.“I played ice hockey in Minnesota when I was in high school, but haven’t skated since.”“My father used to take me to figure skating lessons when I was young, but I stopped. I kept falling when trying to do spins.”“Maybe we can help each other out. Have you ever tried ice dancing?”Jorunn laughed. “No! Never!”“Neither have I. But a wise woman once told me that I should not be afraid of ice dancing. What I should be afraid of is being too afraid to try ice dancing.”Jorunn smiled, “A very wise woman, indeed! Let’s try it and see what happens.”I remember watching the wonderful British duo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean ice dancing in their last Olympics in 1994. The Olympics were here in Norway, in Lillehammer. I was not about to try any lifts or spins, but I reached my right arm behind Jorunn and placed my hand on her right hip. Taking her left hand in mine, I held her left arm across my body.“Ready?” I asked.Jorunn nodded, and together we pushed off. Right. Left. Right. Left. We moved slowly, side-by-side, in a steady rhythm, and made it around the rink making only a few wobbles. After three more passes, my ancient muscle memory awoke, and I wanted to do more. We separated and I joined my right hand to her left. “We can take longer strides and skate a little faster this way.”After another trip around the rink, we added a slow weaving pattern. Coming out of the last turn, I told Jorunn, “Here is your chance to be a figure skater. I’ll hold your hand. Try a spin.”I skated slightly just ahead of Jorunn, then pulled her forward so she would have enough speed. I raised her hand into the air as she went past, and she started spinning. She yelled, “I’m doing it.” And she was, at least until her speed slowed and she fell into me. “Dam toe pick!” she yelled. With her arms around me, our eyes met. Then she wrinkled her nose, her signature facial expression on the vlogs indicating she didn’t like something. Just as quickly, her face lit up and her big smile glowed. “I’m laughing too hard inside. That was such fun!” She burst out laughing and I joined her. We finally broke the ice, here on the ice.Jorunn separated from me and said, “It is time for Christmas Market.” I helped her up and we turned in our skates. The nearby lights and sounds beckoned.The Christmas MarketDecember 16 - EveningThe sun set long ago and was now just a memory. It was completely dark, but downtown Oslo turned into a Christmas wonderland. There were twinkling lights on almost every tree, with the large and stately buildings surrounding us outlined in white lights to accompany their dramatic uplighting. Oslo was so different than Minneapolis. In downtown Minneapolis, 30-year-old buildings were being torn down to build taller ones in the same location. Here, the buildings were massive, centuries-old, covering an entire block, and they were still in use, letting everyone appreciate the history and architecture. Jorunn and I saw glass-covered buildings in Oslo, with their clean modern architecture, but this was the heart of the city. The life, the pulse, and vitality of Oslo all sprang from here.Towering above everything at the Christmas Market was a brilliantly lit Ferris wheel, each spoke outlined in white lights. I looked at Jorunn and she nodded. She took my hand, and we ran for the Ferris wheel, artfully dodging between the growing number of people.When we boarded, we found each of the seats enclosed in a glass bubble, possibly as a safety measure, or just as likely, protection from the cold. One of the benefits of this was being able to move around a bit, which afforded us a 360-degree aerial view of downtown Oslo. We paused near the top, where Jorunn pulled out her camera.Jorunn said, “It’s rather romantic up here. We should do a selfie.” She sat down right me. “Kiss me. On the lips. Just a quick one. I have the timer set for three seconds. We’ll put our lips together and hold them for a few seconds until the flash goes off.”“Jorunn, I am much older than you. I don’t think it will look very romantic.”“Gunnar, you’re not too old to kiss someone. And if I need to, I can do a little digital touchup, or just flash a quick cut. It will be perfect.”“How do want me to kiss you? Do you want my eyes open or closed? Should I look at the camera or…”Jorunn quickly reached behind my head and pulled me to her. As our lips met, I closed my eyes, and my mouth responded. I felt her softness and a quick tease as Jorunn’s tongue glazed over my lips. A flash went off. But Jorunn did not separate, nor did I. I opened my eyes, and saw that Jorunn’s eyes closed. As our lips pressed together, it felt so warm and comfortable.We separated, and Jorunn said, “Perfect!” Then she looked at the photo just taken. I thought about the sequence of her words and her actions. Jorunn switched over to video and began doing her vlog. She was speaking in English. Immersed in Norwegian for three days, it almost sounded like a foreign language to me. When Jorunn finished, I asked her why she didn’t record her vlogs in Norwegian.She surprised me by continuing in English. “Norwegians already live here. Who would watch my videos if I recorded them in Norwegian? If someone in Norway wants to see the view from the top of this Ferris wheel, they will come here and ride it. People from every continent watch my videos and speak at least some English. It used to bother me when I would get comments on my videos complaining I spoke with a Norwegian accent. Now I just laugh.”I asked her, “Every continent? Including Antarctica?”“Yes. The Norwegian Polar Institute has a year-round research station in Antarctica named 'Troll’. Their mission is to study the polar regions and the effects of global warming and pollution. It’s not a tourist destination, but they have talked to me about possibly going there. They want to do more outreach, to spread the word to younger audiences on social media. I have followers there, but we haven’t been able to work out the permissions and details. The

Sledges, Corkscrews, and other fears.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Once at the starting point, we both sat down on our sledges. I was grateful only a few others were preparing to ride, but gasped again when I saw how youthful their faces were. I doubted anyone here was over thirty years old. I wondered whether Jorunn was punishing me, or perhaps was hoping I would voluntarily quit the tour.“I don’t know if I can do this, Jorunn. I’m afraid.”Jorunn looked me in the eye with a grim look on her face.“Afraid is coming home with my mother, and finding my father sleeping with another woman. Afraid is watching how he broke apart my family and wondering how my mom and I would go on. Afraid is me cutting off my father and not wanting to ever see him again.”“Afraid is quitting a dead-end job and trying to earn a living as a vlogger in one of the most expensive countries on earth. Afraid is checking every morning for clicks, likes, and followers, and finding out the numbers did not change.”“Afraid is starting a private small-group tour company, all by myself, and weaving my way through the many regulations, laws, and insurance requirements. Afraid is knowing I have to book at least one trip a month just to cover those costs.”“Afraid is taking a group of six to Svalbard for a glacier hike in early summer, and spotting a polar bear less than 200 meters away lumbering towards us. Afraid is watching our guide fire off the last of her flares, but seeing the bear still coming. Afraid is the look in our guide’s eyes as she reached for her rifle.”“You don’t need to be afraid of sledging, Gunnar. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try sledging. Meet me at the bottom of the hill. Either make the run or turn in your sledge and take the Metro down the hill.”I watched Jorunn push off and head down the run, then thought about her words. I lived a good life in Minnesota, meeting Solveig in college and then stepping right into a lifetime job with the 3M company. Adventure was going to our lake cabin where the only challenges were fighting off mosquitos, and figuring out how to remove burnt marshmallows off the end of a stick. After our first child, Solveig and I stopped doing anything like sledding, and instead sat and watched our kids having all the fun.What am I doing here in Norway? Why am I here? Jorunn answered that question for me. I pushed off and started my run.I fought my way down the mountain, and as I approached the end of the run, I was happy to see it level off. I saw Jorunn standing next to her sledge, her small camera pointed at me. I raised both hands over my head, waved, then yelled, “I did it!” I coasted to a stop three meters past her.Jorunn ran up to me, and as I stood, she hugged me. “I’m proud of you Gunnar.” As we hugged, under the clear blue skies and chilly temperatures, I closed my eyes and went back 35 years to a small hill in Minneapolis, where I hugged Solvieg after sledding. Jorunn released me and stepped back.I yelped, “It was wonderful! I kept to the side as other people whizzed past me. A few sections were bumpy, and my teeth rattled. The only time I was scared was when there was a steep drop-off on one side. Don’t you use guardrails in Norway?”“You may have seen a few small concrete walls, but we believe in personal responsibility here in Norway. If you cannot manage a sledge, you should not make the run. The authorities do monitor the conditions and sometimes close the run when it is too icy.”“Does that mean you believed in me? Believed I could make it down the hill?”“There is nothing wrong with you, Gunnar. While I was waiting here at the bottom of the hill, I read about your Iron Range in Minnesota. You are rusty. There is a Wizard of Oz Museum there. You are the Tin Man. This tour is the Oil Can. Figure it out. The Oil Can only works if you pick it up and use it. Stand tall and walk proudly for as long as you can. If you fall, get up and keep going.”It was an interesting way to look at life. I was only 56 years old, but for the last few years, I acted like I was 80. I still have many years to go sledging, if only I was not afraid to try.I turned to Jorunn. “Let’s go again!”Pea SoupDecember 16 - Mid-DayAfter three more runs, Jorunn and I turned in our sledges and ate lunch at the beautiful Frognersteren Restaurant on top of the hill. I followed her suggestion of a thick pea soup with meatballs and potatoes. It was delicious. As we sipped hot chocolate, it felt good to be alive again.“A week ago, I was in a nursing home in Minnesota. After my wife died, no one visited me, not even my adult children. I was alone. It was a terrible place, run by a terrible nurse. I had to get out. I made plans with my lawyer, then walked out the front door and got on a plane to come to Norway. What’s the worst place you have ever been?”“Dublin, Ireland. After the divorce, my mother and I were struggling financially. We had gone from living a comfortable life to living paycheck to paycheck. I saw a post on the Internet for a job as a body double for a Vikings television program. I wasn’t sure what a body double did, but it paid well for a short gig. I took all my clothes off while a dozen people stared at me and took photos and videos. I hadn’t been naked in front of any man in over a year, since before the divorce. They must have liked me because I got the part, and they flew me to Dublin. The next morning, I went to the studios. I sat there in a robe while they cut and styled my hair to match the actress I was portraying. Then off to the makeup department, where I removed my robe while they applied fake tattoos and full body makeup so I would look dirty in all the right places.”“After lunch in the studio, the costume department placed me in a white linen tunic. When it was time to film, they told me to stand in front of the lead actor while he lifted the tunic off me and tossed it aside. He was much older than me, and with his beard, he reminded me of my father. He exuded the same swagger as if the world revolved only around him. I would be fully exposed to him, and to the camera crew, who were filming me from behind. They told me to act submissive and let the lead actor hug me. It took several takes and a few tweaks before the director was happy.”“Next, I was ordered to lay down on a stylized Viking bed covered with furs. The sex scene was to be filmed twice. Once for television, then for an unrated video release. The make-up people gave me a once over, then thankfully positioned a flesh-covered patch over my vagina. In the first shot, I was naked, but the lead actor remained fully clothed. He stood and positioned himself between my legs, and they told me to keep my vagina pressed tight against his crotch as he bucked against me. We needed to make the audience believe we were having sex while showing them nothing. I remained in this position while they adjusted the lighting and camera angles, and beneath his trousers, I felt the lead actor’s erect cock pressed against me.”“The director yelled, ‘Action’. Once again, they told me to be submissive, and let the lead actor take charge. He started humping against me. Looking up at him, he was still a handsome man, and I wondered how many women around the world dreamed or fantasized about being in the same place I was. I wasn’t one of them, but I understood this was why they hired me, so I accepted it. Like earlier, it took several takes. The director would review the shot and make small adjustments each time. After the last take, I saw a large wet spot on the front of the lead actor’s trousers.”“Then it was time for the unrated scene. A host of costume and make-up people swarmed around the actor while I lay there naked. This time, he was to be naked as he approached the bed. The camera angle was off to the side to avoid full frontal and he used his left hand to shield his erection, thankfully contained in a flesh-covered sock. The scene began with the lead actor approaching me, and once in position, he began humping against me. His covered cock slid against the covering over my vagina, but the sensations passed right through. My nipples became erect, and I felt my wetness building.”“After several takes, the director was happy, and we moved on to the last scene for which I was needed. In this one, the lead actor would be laying on top of me, his arms extended and propping himself up with his hands placed on either side of my body. This scene was more challenging because it needed to be mixed with prior facial cuts shot separately with the lead male actor and lead female actress. The scene would be filmed from several angles including above and below. As the director reviewed the earlier footage, the makeup people worked on my face and hair.”“The next thing I felt was the lead actor lying on top of me, his body pressing his erect cock against the patch covering my vagina. I wanted to turn away, but he told me to look at him because it would help him release his creative juices. I feared the possible double entendre. Here I was, face-to-face with the avatar of the man I hated more than anyone, the man who destroyed our family. When the director was ready, he said to go at it and try to simulate real sex. He yelled 'Action’. I was sweating under the lights, and the patch covering my vagina began to slip, aided by the movement of the lead actor’s covered cock. As my pussy became more exposed, I was afraid his cock might slide into me, so I yelled 'Cut!’. Everything stopped, and I pushed him off.”“That was enough. I yelled I was through, gathered my things, and headed for the front door. I paid my own way back to Oslo, and thought about filing a protest, but later learned what they did was mostly proper. Most sex scenes are between two body doubles. It is rare, but sometimes a lead actor will film such scenes if they have it in their nudity clause. I had a new appreciation for body doubles, but my own acting career lasted one day, and looking at the final scenes after release, I was on screen for eight seconds, and no one knew it was me!”I said, “Wow. We have something in common. The nursing home did everything properly, but like you, I couldn’t stand it any longer, so I headed for the front door. I’m sorry for your terrible experience.”Jorunn shook her head, “Don’t be sorry. The experience ended up changing my life for the better. After I got back to Oslo, I swore to never work for anyone else again. I wanted to direct my own scenes, so I started doing vlogs. That led to the creation of my tour company. As things turned out, I walked out one door and right into something I loved. Plus, I walked out wearing this really cool, braided leather Viking headband I have on now. You are halfway there. You have walked out the front door. Now you must find something, or someone, to love.”A profound statement from someone so young.SpikersuppaDecember 16 - AfternoonI noticed the sun getting low on the horizon. Jorunn caught my glance and said, “The sun sets early here in Oslo, around 3:30 in the afternoon. In some of the northern cities, it set last month and will not rise again until spring.”I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day looking at museums, and flushed with my success on the hill, I took a chance. “Do you ice skate?”Jorunn replied, “I do, but not very well.”I said, “If you know of a skating rink with lights, maybe we can go there and skate.”“There is a nice lighted one in downtown Oslo called Spikersuppa,” said Jorunn. “When the sun goes down in Oslo, the twinkling lights are turned on, bringing with them their magic. The ice-skating rink is close to the Christmas market, which is our agenda for tonight.”“That sounds great to me,” I replied.We took the T-bane back to downtown Oslo and arrived as the sun was setting. There weren’t any clouds, but the multi-layered horizon was still beautiful. Orange along the bottom, and above it, increasingly darker hues of blue and purple, before turning to black in the night sky. After leaving the train station Jorunn and I walked along a pedestrian-only street named 'Karl Johns gate’ passing high-end stores and restaurants. Jorunn either pointed to, or mentioned, notable downtown buildings such as the Royal Palace, Parliament, the National Theatre, the Grand Hotel, and the original University of Oslo buildings. We also passed the brilliantly lit Freia clock, associated with the long-time Norwegian chocolate maker, and the unofficial symbol of Oslo.We rented skates and then stepped tentatively onto the ice. It wasn’t a big rink, and fortunately, not crowded. In the middle was a frozen water fountain. Christmas music was playing and twinkling lights glowed all around us.“I played ice hockey in Minnesota when I was in high school, but haven’t skated since.”“My father used to take me to figure skating lessons when I was young, but I stopped. I kept falling when trying to do spins.”“Maybe we can help each other out. Have you ever tried ice dancing?”Jorunn laughed. “No! Never!”“Neither have I. But a wise woman once told me that I should not be afraid of ice dancing. What I should be afraid of is being too afraid to try ice dancing.”Jorunn smiled, “A very wise woman, indeed! Let’s try it and see what happens.”I remember watching the wonderful British duo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean ice dancing in their last Olympics in 1994. The Olympics were here in Norway, in Lillehammer. I was not about to try any lifts or spins, but I reached my right arm behind Jorunn and placed my hand on her right hip. Taking her left hand in mine, I held her left arm across my body.“Ready?” I asked.Jorunn nodded, and together we pushed off. Right. Left. Right. Left. We moved slowly, side-by-side, in a steady rhythm, and made it around the rink making only a few wobbles. After three more passes, my ancient muscle memory awoke, and I wanted to do more. We separated and I joined my right hand to her left. “We can take longer strides and skate a little faster this way.”After another trip around the rink, we added a slow weaving pattern. Coming out of the last turn, I told Jorunn, “Here is your chance to be a figure skater. I’ll hold your hand. Try a spin.”I skated slightly just ahead of Jorunn, then pulled her forward so she would have enough speed. I raised her hand into the air as she went past, and she started spinning. She yelled, “I’m doing it.” And she was, at least until her speed slowed and she fell into me. “Dam toe pick!” she yelled. With her arms around me, our eyes met. Then she wrinkled her nose, her signature facial expression on the vlogs indicating she didn’t like something. Just as quickly, her face lit up and her big smile glowed. “I’m laughing too hard inside. That was such fun!” She burst out laughing and I joined her. We finally broke the ice, here on the ice.Jorunn separated from me and said, “It is time for Christmas Market.” I helped her up and we turned in our skates. The nearby lights and sounds beckoned.The Christmas MarketDecember 16 - EveningThe sun set long ago and was now just a memory. It was completely dark, but downtown Oslo turned into a Christmas wonderland. There were twinkling lights on almost every tree, with the large and stately buildings surrounding us outlined in white lights to accompany their dramatic uplighting. Oslo was so different than Minneapolis. In downtown Minneapolis, 30-year-old buildings were being torn down to build taller ones in the same location. Here, the buildings were massive, centuries-old, covering an entire block, and they were still in use, letting everyone appreciate the history and architecture. Jorunn and I saw glass-covered buildings in Oslo, with their clean modern architecture, but this was the heart of the city. The life, the pulse, and vitality of Oslo all sprang from here.Towering above everything at the Christmas Market was a brilliantly lit Ferris wheel, each spoke outlined in white lights. I looked at Jorunn and she nodded. She took my hand, and we ran for the Ferris wheel, artfully dodging between the growing number of people.When we boarded, we found each of the seats enclosed in a glass bubble, possibly as a safety measure, or just as likely, protection from the cold. One of the benefits of this was being able to move around a bit, which afforded us a 360-degree aerial view of downtown Oslo. We paused near the top, where Jorunn pulled out her camera.Jorunn said, “It’s rather romantic up here. We should do a selfie.” She sat down right me. “Kiss me. On the lips. Just a quick one. I have the timer set for three seconds. We’ll put our lips together and hold them for a few seconds until the flash goes off.”“Jorunn, I am much older than you. I don’t think it will look very romantic.”“Gunnar, you’re not too old to kiss someone. And if I need to, I can do a little digital touchup, or just flash a quick cut. It will be perfect.”“How do want me to kiss you? Do you want my eyes open or closed? Should I look at the camera or…”Jorunn quickly reached behind my head and pulled me to her. As our lips met, I closed my eyes, and my mouth responded. I felt her softness and a quick tease as Jorunn’s tongue glazed over my lips. A flash went off. But Jorunn did not separate, nor did I. I opened my eyes, and saw that Jorunn’s eyes closed. As our lips pressed together, it felt so warm and comfortable.We separated, and Jorunn said, “Perfect!” Then she looked at the photo just taken. I thought about the sequence of her words and her actions. Jorunn switched over to video and began doing her vlog. She was speaking in English. Immersed in Norwegian for three days, it almost sounded like a foreign language to me. When Jorunn finished, I asked her why she didn’t record her vlogs in Norwegian.She surprised me by continuing in English. “Norwegians already live here. Who would watch my videos if I recorded them in Norwegian? If someone in Norway wants to see the view from the top of this Ferris wheel, they will come here and ride it. People from every continent watch my videos and speak at least some English. It used to bother me when I would get comments on my videos complaining I spoke with a Norwegian accent. Now I just laugh.”I asked her, “Every continent? Including Antarctica?”“Yes. The Norwegian Polar Institute has a year-round research station in Antarctica named 'Troll’. Their mission is to study the polar regions and the effects of global warming and pollution. It’s not a tourist destination, but they have talked to me about possibly going there. They want to do more outreach, to spread the word to younger audiences on social media. I have followers there, but we haven’t been able to work out the permissions and details. The

This week on Fuel for the Sole, Tim Noakes has entered the chat. We break down a new research study suggesting that just 10 grams of carbs per hour may be sufficient—and that carb loading might be unnecessary after all. Plus, we tackle listener questions on what could be driving high liver enzymes, what might be sabotaging your recovery, and why bloating shows up mid-run.Want to be featured on the show? Email us (written or an audio file!) at⁠ fuelforthesolepodcast@gmail.com⁠. This episode is fueled by ASICS and RNWY!Head over to⁠ ASICS.com⁠ and sign up for a OneASICS account. It's completely free and when you sign up you will receive 10% off your first purchase. You also gain access to exclusive colorways on ASICS.com, free standard shipping, special birthday month discounts and more.Try the new Salty Carbs at https://rnwy.life/ and use code FEATHERS15 for 15% off your purchase. Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

The Homeland calls for Gunnar, And So Does Love.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.‘You are the Tin Man. This tour; is the Oil Can. Figure it out.'A recently widowed Norwegian American plans his escape from a Minnesota nursing home to travel abroad and join a ‘Christmas in Norway Tour’. While battling his fears, he meets a beautiful young tour guide and her divorced mother, who years later, still bears scars from her unfaithful husband’s affair. This story is about overcoming those fears to let healing begin. This story picks up after that, and shows the lingering effects of a husband’s extra-marital affair on his family. This is also a Christmas story, so expect to travel to locations in Norway, encounter Norwegian Christmas traditions, and maybe even get sprinkled with pixie-dust!“A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self - in the mirror of some woman’s eyes” - Clare Booth LucePrequel: The Ruined ChristmasOslo, Norway - Three Years AgoMy name is Jorunn. As a Norwegian landsby girl, Mamma and I spent Christmas week in Bergen, visiting her family and celebrating my 22nd birthday. We decided to leave Bergen two days early so that Pappa would not have to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone. During the week, while we were away, Pappa told us how he missed us.We arrived back home in mid-afternoon, just as the sun was setting, and saw our Christmas Star lit up in the window. After entering the house, we heard Pappa moaning upstairs and went up to see if he was all right. Opening the bedroom door, we saw him humping a strange woman!“What are you doing?” shouted Mamma.Pappa replied, “Leah, you’re home early.”“Who is this woman?”“She’s just a slut. She means nothing to me.”The woman yelped, “I am not a slut! I am a happily married woman.”Mamma yelled, “I can see what keeps you happy.”Pappa yelled back, “I still love you, Leah. Let me get rid of this slut. She’s only here because I was lonely. We can talk.”Mamma replied, “You can talk to my advokater. We’re through! How can I ever trust you again, you bastard? Do you realize what you have done to our family!”Mamma began sobbing and ran down the stairs.Pappa looked at me and said, “Jorunn, none of this would have happened if your mother hadn’t come home early and seen us.”I looked at Pappa and saw his slime-covered beard slick with the woman’s juices. “You’re wrong Pappa. It did happen. Mamma and I just wouldn’t have known. You said you didn’t want to be seen by us. That works both ways! I don’t ever want to talk to you or see you ever again!”I ran downstairs to Mamma, and with our suitcases still in the boot, we drove to a friend’s house.Gunnar and Nurse RatchedDecember 13 - MorningMinneapolis, Minnesota - Present DayI pressed the button on my cell phone and hung up after talking with Roger Mans, my long-time friend and attorney. My two adult children texted a few days ago they wanted to visit me here in the nursing home. I had not seen them since the funeral of my wife, Solveig, and that was two months ago. Their plan was for me to sign their power of attorney forms, giving them full control over me and my affairs. But my plan was different, and now was time to put it into place.Two years ago, at just 54 years old, I had a stroke. A devastating paralysis left me needing a lot of care, and therapy to regain my mobility, speech, and other functions.I realized Solveig was unable to care for me at our home. She tried with all her heart, but she was also fighting her own battle with cancer, and undergoing her own rigorous treatments.So I decided to enter a nursing home, while I continued to get rehab. I wanted a facility with a stroke recovery unit. This limited my nursing home choices. The only thing making life bearable here, was Solveig faithfully visiting me, and sneaking an occasional home-cooked meal past the head nurse and her staff. Sadly, Solveig succumbed to the cancer while I was still a resident at the ‘Bethel Retirement Center'. At Solveig’s funeral, my children promised to visit often, but as usual, I could never count on them for anything.Without my wife here to check on things, my decent clothes never came back from the laundry, and instead, the staff returned excuses. I put on old sweatpants and an old sweatshirt. It would do for now. I prepared myself for this day by walking the halls of the nursing home, attending physical therapy sessions, and taking care of myself without help from the staff. Still not fully recovered, but like my clothing, it would do for now.I said goodbye to Alfred, my shared roommate. He nodded, wished me luck, and said he would love to go with me. I felt sorry for him. He was a great storyteller but needed to use his walker, and physically, he required the kind of care they provided here.I walked down the hall to the nurse’s station and found Molly Turner, the rather brusque chief nurse, and her two assistants sitting behind it. “Good morning, Nurse Ratched,” I said.“Good day to you, Gunnar,” she replied.“I’m checking out,” I said.“Be serious, Gunnar. No one ever checks out of a nursing home, unless they are flat on their back with a toe tag.”I looked at her and smiled, “I only hope that will be your Fate, Molly.”“That’s not a nice thing to say, Gunnar. Now, return to your room or I will have dietary take away your rice pudding for a week.”The rice pudding here was a pale imitation of the riskrem, which Solvieg would make every Christmas. I would miss it this year. I gave Nurse Ratched a one-fingered salute, then walked toward the exit. There was a scramble of squeaky chairs and shouts behind me, and I heard their footsteps closing in on me. As I pushed the two doors open to the main lobby, there was Roger, standing next to the nursing home administrator. I walked up to my lawyer, and shook his hand, “Thank you, old friend.”I turned to see a stunned Nurse Ratched. “Allow me to escort Mr. Larsen back to his room,” she meekly pronounced.The nursing home administrator said, “That won’t be necessary, Molly. Mr. Larsen is leaving us. He isn’t taking anything with him. You may clear out his room and get it ready for the next resident.”I looked Nurse Ratched in the eye and saw the fires of hell blazing within. Then, it was my turn to smile back.All my therapists had agreed that my rehab was successful. My speech skills were quite restored. My left arm and leg took longer to restore. But it was good enough to ditch the wheelchair, then the walker, then the cane. What really set me back was the grief of losing my wife, and the guilt of not being there when she needed me most.Gunnar’s HouseRoger drove me to my house. I hadn't been there in two years. It looked pathetic. No one bothered shoveling the snow on the walkway, and I feared what my children may have done to the inside. I found the hidden key I placed under a rock years ago and used it to enter through the front door. The living room and dining room furniture were mostly gone, or should I say, stolen. They had rifled through the small office nook next to the kitchen, with papers scattered over the kitchen countertops and floor.I turned and said, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Roger.”“This is exactly what you said would happen, Gunnar. Our firm will take care of it for you.”I opened a small drawer in the office nook and thankfully found my passport intact. It was useless to my children. I went to the master bedroom and saw the dresser drawers partially opened, with clothes scattered all about the floor. On top of the dresser was Solvieg’s jewelry box. I opened it, and few things remained. I was glad to see the gold charm bracelet I gave her 35 years ago for Christmas. She wore it a couple of times, then stopped, complaining it turned her wrist green as the fake gold coating wore away. But she kept it all these years. A worn-out trinket to my children, as precious as the Sauron’s Ring of Power to me. I picked it up and put it in the pocket of my sweatpants.I went into the walk-in closet and picked out some clothes, tossed them into an old gym bag, and said, “I’m done. We can go.”Roger said, “The locksmith and security company will meet me here this afternoon. Once they are done, your children will no longer have access.”“I’d rather not have an auction of whatever is left in the house. I don’t think Solveig would have liked that. Once you go through the papers, just throw everything left in a dumpster and haul it away. Whatever the two pirates plundered will be the only inheritance they will ever see from me.”Miller And Mans Law OfficeRoger and I next went to his office. I said hello to Jane, the long-time receptionist. I have always suspected that Jane knows everything that goes on here, and secretly runs the whole place, not unlike the way Nurse Ratched does in her domain. However, Jane does so with more efficiency, happiness, and joy for both clients and staff.Jane asked, “Can I get you anything, Gunnar?”“I’d love a cup of decent coffee, and an Apple Fritter if you have one.”“I’ll bring them to Roger’s office. Two creams and no sugar, if I remember right.”“Perfect, as always, Jane.”We went into Roger’s plush office, and I sat down in a chair more comfortable than any I sat in for the last two years.“Are you actually going to go through with this?” Roger asked.“Every bit of it,” I replied.I signed multiple papers, removing my two children as beneficiaries from my life insurance and investment accounts. I also gave Roger limited power of attorney to sell my house and dispose of its possessions.Jane arrived with the coffee and Apple Fritter. “Norway? Why would anyone want to go to Norway in December?”“Did Roger spill the beans?” I asked.Jane replied, “Every piece of paper that comes into this office passes through my hands. I opened your travel visa when it came in.”“Jane, I can’t spend Christmas here in Minnesota. The bitter wintry weather pales in comparison to the cold hearts of my own two children. The further away from them I am, the better. I’ve never been to Norway and have always wanted to see the 'home country’ of my ancestors.”Like I said, Jane knows all. The coffee tasted great, and the deep-fried Apple Fritter, one of Nursed Ratched’s 'prohibited foods’, was outstanding. Roger slid me a packet labeled 'Gunnar - Norway’. As Jane left, I opened it and looked at the contents. As planned, there was an international cell phone with a different number, a stack of krone, and three new credit cards bearing the name of a fictitious business. I handed Roger my old cell phone.“We’ll dispose of this for you. Your children will have no idea where you are unless they hire a private detective with exceptionally good connections. Legally, they have no rights to any of your assets, so even if somehow they track you to our law office, they will not get past Jane.”I believed Roger on that.“The tour company you asked us to sign you up with seems pretty sketchy. Their contract looks like something generated off a free online legal site. We reviewed it, it is crude, but legal and binding. If you back out, they still get paid. Why did you pick this tour company? There are many larger and more reputable companies we might have booked you with.”“It’s silly, Roger. I know it’s only a one-person company, run by a young vlogger in Norway. It was terribly boring in the nursing home, so I would spend evenings watching her videos as she traveled around Norway visiting various places, and leading small groups of tourists. It looked like the people were having fun and she made me laugh. Watching her videos was one of the few things that brought me any happiness.”“Why did you reserve for four persons?” asked Roger.“I wanted to make sure her Christmas in Norway tour wouldn’t be canceled. She has a four-person minimum.”“You won’t get those other bookings back, even if more people are going.”“I don’t need the money, Roger, but I do need this tour.”“How about clothing? You don’t have many clothes in that gym bag, Gunnar. Do you want to stop somewhere before we get to the airport?”“No. I’ll travel light. It’ll be easier when going through airport security. I’ll buy more clothes when I get to Norway.”“How about after you come back?”“I’m going to someplace warm and sunny. Maybe visit a mouse in Florida. I’ll be in touch if I need anything while I’m in Norway, and call you when I get back in three weeks.”Jorunn, The Tour GuideDecember 15 – Morning, Two Days LaterI spent yesterday shopping for the new clothes I would need. The tour is a mix of city and outdoor activities, so I bought a basic wardrobe, along with good walking shoes, snow pants, a warm jacket, and gloves. I ate lunch and dinner at two smaller restaurants. The food was good, but I felt lonely eating by myself, in a city I didn’t know, in a strange country. I missed Solveig very much and wished she were here with me.The next morning, I walked to the nearby hotel where the tour group would be meeting and followed the “Christmas in Norway Tour” sign to a small room off the lobby. There she was! Jorunn. My vlogger! She was about as tall as I am, at least when I can stand straight, with long blonde hair parted in the middle, clear blue eyes, and her signature radiant smile. She wore a Norwegian Dale sweater and brown pants.Jorunn spoke to me in Norwegian. “Excuse me, sir, this room is reserved for a tour group.”I hobbled closer. “Yes, and I’m one of the people taking the tour.”“We have a pretty active schedule for the next seven days, from December 15th through the 22nd. Do you think you are well enough to take this tour?”I wasn’t sure if I was, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “I won’t slow you down,” I replied.“What is your name?” she asked.“Gunnar Larsen.”She opened a small notebook and flipped through the pages. “It says here you are in a group of four. I see three other names. When are they coming?”“There won’t be any others from my group. One of the names is my recently deceased wife, the other two are my estranged adult children. I’m all there is.”Jorunn looked puzzled. “Only four people in total signed up, including you, all from your group. If the others aren’t coming, then you will be the only one. I don’t… I can’t… I mean, I have reservations I cannot cancel. You’re going to cost me a fortune whether I go through with the tour or not.”I replied, “The contract states that you have a four-person minimum. I am paying you in full for all four people. You won’t lose any money.”Jorunn smirked and looked like she was thinking. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of dirty old man, but if I agree to continue this tour, you should know that we will have separate rooms every night and there will be no sex of any kind. Judging by the way you look; I hope you can at least wipe your own butt!”“Your terms are acceptable. I had a stroke two years ago, but I have mostly recovered. I can walk, talk, and listen. I have trouble with my balance at times and sometimes slur my words. If you think something is too strenuous for me, I am willing to skip that part of the tour.”“Well, Mr. Larsen of Minnesota, you need to sign some release forms. As stated in the contract, I get to film the tour group for my vlogs, so I expect smiles when I am filming you. For now, go help yourself to breakfast. There is coffee, brunost, bread, and milk. Enough to feed four. Don’t expect me to serve you, and if you don’t know how to use a cheese sliver, learn fast.”She looked puzzled earlier but was now the confident Jorunn with whom I spent virtual evenings. I was delighted we worked this out. Smiles would not be a problem.OsloDecember 15 - MorningJorunn left the room and returned shortly with a small basket of food. “We have a lot of brunost left over, so I am going to make us a food packet for lunch called matpakke. I have a place in mind where we can sit and picnic.”“We will use the Vy app and Oslo Pass and travel by train and Metro. But today, we will mainly walk around Oslo. You will need to check into this hotel under the tour name if you have not done so. We will be in Oslo for two nights. The prepaid room is part of your tour package. I will try to cancel or change some reservations. Meet me back here in one hour.”I went back to my hotel to retrieve my belongings, then checked into the one Jorunn requested. It was not as nice as the one I left, but it was clean, and I did not want to make a fuss on the first day. I purchased a surprising amount of clothing yesterday and needed to make two trips to bring everything over. Then I returned to the meeting room and found Jorunn waiting.Jorunn and I walked from the hotel to Oslo Central Station and took a tram to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Jorunn told me it is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, with over two hundred sculptures combining the human form with an element of fantasy. Most figures were naked, with a mix of vagueness and rather notably open precision. The most prominent sculpture was a 17-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 intertwined human figures clambering to the top, carved from a single stone block. We spent over an hour walking the grounds, and while it was interesting, I told Jorunn that I didn’t see much in the way of Christmas here.A combination of walking and a short bus ride brought us to the grounds of the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in the 13th century, it protects the waterfront and Oslo harbor. Also on the site was the restored Akershus Castle, which was formerly a residence of prior kings of Norway. Jorunn said it serves today as an entertainment and event center for the Norwegian government, and this close to Christmas was not open to the public.I found it challenging to walk the grounds of the Fortress, as there were steep inclines mixed with stone steps and cobblestone paths. Remnants of a prior snowstorm still lingered in shady areas and under arches, making the footing treacherous. We did stop at places offering magnificent views of the city of Oslo, the bay, and the fjord, and several ramparts still bore cannons. Jorunn was rather businesslike and did not seem to be enjoyin

The Homeland calls for Gunnar, And So Does Love.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.‘You are the Tin Man. This tour; is the Oil Can. Figure it out.'A recently widowed Norwegian American plans his escape from a Minnesota nursing home to travel abroad and join a ‘Christmas in Norway Tour’. While battling his fears, he meets a beautiful young tour guide and her divorced mother, who years later, still bears scars from her unfaithful husband’s affair. This story is about overcoming those fears to let healing begin. This story picks up after that, and shows the lingering effects of a husband’s extra-marital affair on his family. This is also a Christmas story, so expect to travel to locations in Norway, encounter Norwegian Christmas traditions, and maybe even get sprinkled with pixie-dust!“A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self - in the mirror of some woman’s eyes” - Clare Booth LucePrequel: The Ruined ChristmasOslo, Norway - Three Years AgoMy name is Jorunn. As a Norwegian landsby girl, Mamma and I spent Christmas week in Bergen, visiting her family and celebrating my 22nd birthday. We decided to leave Bergen two days early so that Pappa would not have to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone. During the week, while we were away, Pappa told us how he missed us.We arrived back home in mid-afternoon, just as the sun was setting, and saw our Christmas Star lit up in the window. After entering the house, we heard Pappa moaning upstairs and went up to see if he was all right. Opening the bedroom door, we saw him humping a strange woman!“What are you doing?” shouted Mamma.Pappa replied, “Leah, you’re home early.”“Who is this woman?”“She’s just a slut. She means nothing to me.”The woman yelped, “I am not a slut! I am a happily married woman.”Mamma yelled, “I can see what keeps you happy.”Pappa yelled back, “I still love you, Leah. Let me get rid of this slut. She’s only here because I was lonely. We can talk.”Mamma replied, “You can talk to my advokater. We’re through! How can I ever trust you again, you bastard? Do you realize what you have done to our family!”Mamma began sobbing and ran down the stairs.Pappa looked at me and said, “Jorunn, none of this would have happened if your mother hadn’t come home early and seen us.”I looked at Pappa and saw his slime-covered beard slick with the woman’s juices. “You’re wrong Pappa. It did happen. Mamma and I just wouldn’t have known. You said you didn’t want to be seen by us. That works both ways! I don’t ever want to talk to you or see you ever again!”I ran downstairs to Mamma, and with our suitcases still in the boot, we drove to a friend’s house.Gunnar and Nurse RatchedDecember 13 - MorningMinneapolis, Minnesota - Present DayI pressed the button on my cell phone and hung up after talking with Roger Mans, my long-time friend and attorney. My two adult children texted a few days ago they wanted to visit me here in the nursing home. I had not seen them since the funeral of my wife, Solveig, and that was two months ago. Their plan was for me to sign their power of attorney forms, giving them full control over me and my affairs. But my plan was different, and now was time to put it into place.Two years ago, at just 54 years old, I had a stroke. A devastating paralysis left me needing a lot of care, and therapy to regain my mobility, speech, and other functions.I realized Solveig was unable to care for me at our home. She tried with all her heart, but she was also fighting her own battle with cancer, and undergoing her own rigorous treatments.So I decided to enter a nursing home, while I continued to get rehab. I wanted a facility with a stroke recovery unit. This limited my nursing home choices. The only thing making life bearable here, was Solveig faithfully visiting me, and sneaking an occasional home-cooked meal past the head nurse and her staff. Sadly, Solveig succumbed to the cancer while I was still a resident at the ‘Bethel Retirement Center'. At Solveig’s funeral, my children promised to visit often, but as usual, I could never count on them for anything.Without my wife here to check on things, my decent clothes never came back from the laundry, and instead, the staff returned excuses. I put on old sweatpants and an old sweatshirt. It would do for now. I prepared myself for this day by walking the halls of the nursing home, attending physical therapy sessions, and taking care of myself without help from the staff. Still not fully recovered, but like my clothing, it would do for now.I said goodbye to Alfred, my shared roommate. He nodded, wished me luck, and said he would love to go with me. I felt sorry for him. He was a great storyteller but needed to use his walker, and physically, he required the kind of care they provided here.I walked down the hall to the nurse’s station and found Molly Turner, the rather brusque chief nurse, and her two assistants sitting behind it. “Good morning, Nurse Ratched,” I said.“Good day to you, Gunnar,” she replied.“I’m checking out,” I said.“Be serious, Gunnar. No one ever checks out of a nursing home, unless they are flat on their back with a toe tag.”I looked at her and smiled, “I only hope that will be your Fate, Molly.”“That’s not a nice thing to say, Gunnar. Now, return to your room or I will have dietary take away your rice pudding for a week.”The rice pudding here was a pale imitation of the riskrem, which Solvieg would make every Christmas. I would miss it this year. I gave Nurse Ratched a one-fingered salute, then walked toward the exit. There was a scramble of squeaky chairs and shouts behind me, and I heard their footsteps closing in on me. As I pushed the two doors open to the main lobby, there was Roger, standing next to the nursing home administrator. I walked up to my lawyer, and shook his hand, “Thank you, old friend.”I turned to see a stunned Nurse Ratched. “Allow me to escort Mr. Larsen back to his room,” she meekly pronounced.The nursing home administrator said, “That won’t be necessary, Molly. Mr. Larsen is leaving us. He isn’t taking anything with him. You may clear out his room and get it ready for the next resident.”I looked Nurse Ratched in the eye and saw the fires of hell blazing within. Then, it was my turn to smile back.All my therapists had agreed that my rehab was successful. My speech skills were quite restored. My left arm and leg took longer to restore. But it was good enough to ditch the wheelchair, then the walker, then the cane. What really set me back was the grief of losing my wife, and the guilt of not being there when she needed me most.Gunnar’s HouseRoger drove me to my house. I hadn't been there in two years. It looked pathetic. No one bothered shoveling the snow on the walkway, and I feared what my children may have done to the inside. I found the hidden key I placed under a rock years ago and used it to enter through the front door. The living room and dining room furniture were mostly gone, or should I say, stolen. They had rifled through the small office nook next to the kitchen, with papers scattered over the kitchen countertops and floor.I turned and said, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Roger.”“This is exactly what you said would happen, Gunnar. Our firm will take care of it for you.”I opened a small drawer in the office nook and thankfully found my passport intact. It was useless to my children. I went to the master bedroom and saw the dresser drawers partially opened, with clothes scattered all about the floor. On top of the dresser was Solvieg’s jewelry box. I opened it, and few things remained. I was glad to see the gold charm bracelet I gave her 35 years ago for Christmas. She wore it a couple of times, then stopped, complaining it turned her wrist green as the fake gold coating wore away. But she kept it all these years. A worn-out trinket to my children, as precious as the Sauron’s Ring of Power to me. I picked it up and put it in the pocket of my sweatpants.I went into the walk-in closet and picked out some clothes, tossed them into an old gym bag, and said, “I’m done. We can go.”Roger said, “The locksmith and security company will meet me here this afternoon. Once they are done, your children will no longer have access.”“I’d rather not have an auction of whatever is left in the house. I don’t think Solveig would have liked that. Once you go through the papers, just throw everything left in a dumpster and haul it away. Whatever the two pirates plundered will be the only inheritance they will ever see from me.”Miller And Mans Law OfficeRoger and I next went to his office. I said hello to Jane, the long-time receptionist. I have always suspected that Jane knows everything that goes on here, and secretly runs the whole place, not unlike the way Nurse Ratched does in her domain. However, Jane does so with more efficiency, happiness, and joy for both clients and staff.Jane asked, “Can I get you anything, Gunnar?”“I’d love a cup of decent coffee, and an Apple Fritter if you have one.”“I’ll bring them to Roger’s office. Two creams and no sugar, if I remember right.”“Perfect, as always, Jane.”We went into Roger’s plush office, and I sat down in a chair more comfortable than any I sat in for the last two years.“Are you actually going to go through with this?” Roger asked.“Every bit of it,” I replied.I signed multiple papers, removing my two children as beneficiaries from my life insurance and investment accounts. I also gave Roger limited power of attorney to sell my house and dispose of its possessions.Jane arrived with the coffee and Apple Fritter. “Norway? Why would anyone want to go to Norway in December?”“Did Roger spill the beans?” I asked.Jane replied, “Every piece of paper that comes into this office passes through my hands. I opened your travel visa when it came in.”“Jane, I can’t spend Christmas here in Minnesota. The bitter wintry weather pales in comparison to the cold hearts of my own two children. The further away from them I am, the better. I’ve never been to Norway and have always wanted to see the 'home country’ of my ancestors.”Like I said, Jane knows all. The coffee tasted great, and the deep-fried Apple Fritter, one of Nursed Ratched’s 'prohibited foods’, was outstanding. Roger slid me a packet labeled 'Gunnar - Norway’. As Jane left, I opened it and looked at the contents. As planned, there was an international cell phone with a different number, a stack of krone, and three new credit cards bearing the name of a fictitious business. I handed Roger my old cell phone.“We’ll dispose of this for you. Your children will have no idea where you are unless they hire a private detective with exceptionally good connections. Legally, they have no rights to any of your assets, so even if somehow they track you to our law office, they will not get past Jane.”I believed Roger on that.“The tour company you asked us to sign you up with seems pretty sketchy. Their contract looks like something generated off a free online legal site. We reviewed it, it is crude, but legal and binding. If you back out, they still get paid. Why did you pick this tour company? There are many larger and more reputable companies we might have booked you with.”“It’s silly, Roger. I know it’s only a one-person company, run by a young vlogger in Norway. It was terribly boring in the nursing home, so I would spend evenings watching her videos as she traveled around Norway visiting various places, and leading small groups of tourists. It looked like the people were having fun and she made me laugh. Watching her videos was one of the few things that brought me any happiness.”“Why did you reserve for four persons?” asked Roger.“I wanted to make sure her Christmas in Norway tour wouldn’t be canceled. She has a four-person minimum.”“You won’t get those other bookings back, even if more people are going.”“I don’t need the money, Roger, but I do need this tour.”“How about clothing? You don’t have many clothes in that gym bag, Gunnar. Do you want to stop somewhere before we get to the airport?”“No. I’ll travel light. It’ll be easier when going through airport security. I’ll buy more clothes when I get to Norway.”“How about after you come back?”“I’m going to someplace warm and sunny. Maybe visit a mouse in Florida. I’ll be in touch if I need anything while I’m in Norway, and call you when I get back in three weeks.”Jorunn, The Tour GuideDecember 15 – Morning, Two Days LaterI spent yesterday shopping for the new clothes I would need. The tour is a mix of city and outdoor activities, so I bought a basic wardrobe, along with good walking shoes, snow pants, a warm jacket, and gloves. I ate lunch and dinner at two smaller restaurants. The food was good, but I felt lonely eating by myself, in a city I didn’t know, in a strange country. I missed Solveig very much and wished she were here with me.The next morning, I walked to the nearby hotel where the tour group would be meeting and followed the “Christmas in Norway Tour” sign to a small room off the lobby. There she was! Jorunn. My vlogger! She was about as tall as I am, at least when I can stand straight, with long blonde hair parted in the middle, clear blue eyes, and her signature radiant smile. She wore a Norwegian Dale sweater and brown pants.Jorunn spoke to me in Norwegian. “Excuse me, sir, this room is reserved for a tour group.”I hobbled closer. “Yes, and I’m one of the people taking the tour.”“We have a pretty active schedule for the next seven days, from December 15th through the 22nd. Do you think you are well enough to take this tour?”I wasn’t sure if I was, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “I won’t slow you down,” I replied.“What is your name?” she asked.“Gunnar Larsen.”She opened a small notebook and flipped through the pages. “It says here you are in a group of four. I see three other names. When are they coming?”“There won’t be any others from my group. One of the names is my recently deceased wife, the other two are my estranged adult children. I’m all there is.”Jorunn looked puzzled. “Only four people in total signed up, including you, all from your group. If the others aren’t coming, then you will be the only one. I don’t… I can’t… I mean, I have reservations I cannot cancel. You’re going to cost me a fortune whether I go through with the tour or not.”I replied, “The contract states that you have a four-person minimum. I am paying you in full for all four people. You won’t lose any money.”Jorunn smirked and looked like she was thinking. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of dirty old man, but if I agree to continue this tour, you should know that we will have separate rooms every night and there will be no sex of any kind. Judging by the way you look; I hope you can at least wipe your own butt!”“Your terms are acceptable. I had a stroke two years ago, but I have mostly recovered. I can walk, talk, and listen. I have trouble with my balance at times and sometimes slur my words. If you think something is too strenuous for me, I am willing to skip that part of the tour.”“Well, Mr. Larsen of Minnesota, you need to sign some release forms. As stated in the contract, I get to film the tour group for my vlogs, so I expect smiles when I am filming you. For now, go help yourself to breakfast. There is coffee, brunost, bread, and milk. Enough to feed four. Don’t expect me to serve you, and if you don’t know how to use a cheese sliver, learn fast.”She looked puzzled earlier but was now the confident Jorunn with whom I spent virtual evenings. I was delighted we worked this out. Smiles would not be a problem.OsloDecember 15 - MorningJorunn left the room and returned shortly with a small basket of food. “We have a lot of brunost left over, so I am going to make us a food packet for lunch called matpakke. I have a place in mind where we can sit and picnic.”“We will use the Vy app and Oslo Pass and travel by train and Metro. But today, we will mainly walk around Oslo. You will need to check into this hotel under the tour name if you have not done so. We will be in Oslo for two nights. The prepaid room is part of your tour package. I will try to cancel or change some reservations. Meet me back here in one hour.”I went back to my hotel to retrieve my belongings, then checked into the one Jorunn requested. It was not as nice as the one I left, but it was clean, and I did not want to make a fuss on the first day. I purchased a surprising amount of clothing yesterday and needed to make two trips to bring everything over. Then I returned to the meeting room and found Jorunn waiting.Jorunn and I walked from the hotel to Oslo Central Station and took a tram to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Jorunn told me it is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, with over two hundred sculptures combining the human form with an element of fantasy. Most figures were naked, with a mix of vagueness and rather notably open precision. The most prominent sculpture was a 17-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 intertwined human figures clambering to the top, carved from a single stone block. We spent over an hour walking the grounds, and while it was interesting, I told Jorunn that I didn’t see much in the way of Christmas here.A combination of walking and a short bus ride brought us to the grounds of the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in the 13th century, it protects the waterfront and Oslo harbor. Also on the site was the restored Akershus Castle, which was formerly a residence of prior kings of Norway. Jorunn said it serves today as an entertainment and event center for the Norwegian government, and this close to Christmas was not open to the public.I found it challenging to walk the grounds of the Fortress, as there were steep inclines mixed with stone steps and cobblestone paths. Remnants of a prior snowstorm still lingered in shady areas and under arches, making the footing treacherous. We did stop at places offering magnificent views of the city of Oslo, the bay, and the fjord, and several ramparts still bore cannons. Jorunn was rather businesslike and did not seem to be enjoyin

The Homeland calls for Gunnar, And So Does Love.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.‘You are the Tin Man. This tour; is the Oil Can. Figure it out.'A recently widowed Norwegian American plans his escape from a Minnesota nursing home to travel abroad and join a ‘Christmas in Norway Tour’. While battling his fears, he meets a beautiful young tour guide and her divorced mother, who years later, still bears scars from her unfaithful husband’s affair. This story is about overcoming those fears to let healing begin. This story picks up after that, and shows the lingering effects of a husband’s extra-marital affair on his family. This is also a Christmas story, so expect to travel to locations in Norway, encounter Norwegian Christmas traditions, and maybe even get sprinkled with pixie-dust!“A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self - in the mirror of some woman’s eyes” - Clare Booth LucePrequel: The Ruined ChristmasOslo, Norway - Three Years AgoMy name is Jorunn. As a Norwegian landsby girl, Mamma and I spent Christmas week in Bergen, visiting her family and celebrating my 22nd birthday. We decided to leave Bergen two days early so that Pappa would not have to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone. During the week, while we were away, Pappa told us how he missed us.We arrived back home in mid-afternoon, just as the sun was setting, and saw our Christmas Star lit up in the window. After entering the house, we heard Pappa moaning upstairs and went up to see if he was all right. Opening the bedroom door, we saw him humping a strange woman!“What are you doing?” shouted Mamma.Pappa replied, “Leah, you’re home early.”“Who is this woman?”“She’s just a slut. She means nothing to me.”The woman yelped, “I am not a slut! I am a happily married woman.”Mamma yelled, “I can see what keeps you happy.”Pappa yelled back, “I still love you, Leah. Let me get rid of this slut. She’s only here because I was lonely. We can talk.”Mamma replied, “You can talk to my advokater. We’re through! How can I ever trust you again, you bastard? Do you realize what you have done to our family!”Mamma began sobbing and ran down the stairs.Pappa looked at me and said, “Jorunn, none of this would have happened if your mother hadn’t come home early and seen us.”I looked at Pappa and saw his slime-covered beard slick with the woman’s juices. “You’re wrong Pappa. It did happen. Mamma and I just wouldn’t have known. You said you didn’t want to be seen by us. That works both ways! I don’t ever want to talk to you or see you ever again!”I ran downstairs to Mamma, and with our suitcases still in the boot, we drove to a friend’s house.Gunnar and Nurse RatchedDecember 13 - MorningMinneapolis, Minnesota - Present DayI pressed the button on my cell phone and hung up after talking with Roger Mans, my long-time friend and attorney. My two adult children texted a few days ago they wanted to visit me here in the nursing home. I had not seen them since the funeral of my wife, Solveig, and that was two months ago. Their plan was for me to sign their power of attorney forms, giving them full control over me and my affairs. But my plan was different, and now was time to put it into place.Two years ago, at just 54 years old, I had a stroke. A devastating paralysis left me needing a lot of care, and therapy to regain my mobility, speech, and other functions.I realized Solveig was unable to care for me at our home. She tried with all her heart, but she was also fighting her own battle with cancer, and undergoing her own rigorous treatments.So I decided to enter a nursing home, while I continued to get rehab. I wanted a facility with a stroke recovery unit. This limited my nursing home choices. The only thing making life bearable here, was Solveig faithfully visiting me, and sneaking an occasional home-cooked meal past the head nurse and her staff. Sadly, Solveig succumbed to the cancer while I was still a resident at the ‘Bethel Retirement Center'. At Solveig’s funeral, my children promised to visit often, but as usual, I could never count on them for anything.Without my wife here to check on things, my decent clothes never came back from the laundry, and instead, the staff returned excuses. I put on old sweatpants and an old sweatshirt. It would do for now. I prepared myself for this day by walking the halls of the nursing home, attending physical therapy sessions, and taking care of myself without help from the staff. Still not fully recovered, but like my clothing, it would do for now.I said goodbye to Alfred, my shared roommate. He nodded, wished me luck, and said he would love to go with me. I felt sorry for him. He was a great storyteller but needed to use his walker, and physically, he required the kind of care they provided here.I walked down the hall to the nurse’s station and found Molly Turner, the rather brusque chief nurse, and her two assistants sitting behind it. “Good morning, Nurse Ratched,” I said.“Good day to you, Gunnar,” she replied.“I’m checking out,” I said.“Be serious, Gunnar. No one ever checks out of a nursing home, unless they are flat on their back with a toe tag.”I looked at her and smiled, “I only hope that will be your Fate, Molly.”“That’s not a nice thing to say, Gunnar. Now, return to your room or I will have dietary take away your rice pudding for a week.”The rice pudding here was a pale imitation of the riskrem, which Solvieg would make every Christmas. I would miss it this year. I gave Nurse Ratched a one-fingered salute, then walked toward the exit. There was a scramble of squeaky chairs and shouts behind me, and I heard their footsteps closing in on me. As I pushed the two doors open to the main lobby, there was Roger, standing next to the nursing home administrator. I walked up to my lawyer, and shook his hand, “Thank you, old friend.”I turned to see a stunned Nurse Ratched. “Allow me to escort Mr. Larsen back to his room,” she meekly pronounced.The nursing home administrator said, “That won’t be necessary, Molly. Mr. Larsen is leaving us. He isn’t taking anything with him. You may clear out his room and get it ready for the next resident.”I looked Nurse Ratched in the eye and saw the fires of hell blazing within. Then, it was my turn to smile back.All my therapists had agreed that my rehab was successful. My speech skills were quite restored. My left arm and leg took longer to restore. But it was good enough to ditch the wheelchair, then the walker, then the cane. What really set me back was the grief of losing my wife, and the guilt of not being there when she needed me most.Gunnar’s HouseRoger drove me to my house. I hadn't been there in two years. It looked pathetic. No one bothered shoveling the snow on the walkway, and I feared what my children may have done to the inside. I found the hidden key I placed under a rock years ago and used it to enter through the front door. The living room and dining room furniture were mostly gone, or should I say, stolen. They had rifled through the small office nook next to the kitchen, with papers scattered over the kitchen countertops and floor.I turned and said, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Roger.”“This is exactly what you said would happen, Gunnar. Our firm will take care of it for you.”I opened a small drawer in the office nook and thankfully found my passport intact. It was useless to my children. I went to the master bedroom and saw the dresser drawers partially opened, with clothes scattered all about the floor. On top of the dresser was Solvieg’s jewelry box. I opened it, and few things remained. I was glad to see the gold charm bracelet I gave her 35 years ago for Christmas. She wore it a couple of times, then stopped, complaining it turned her wrist green as the fake gold coating wore away. But she kept it all these years. A worn-out trinket to my children, as precious as the Sauron’s Ring of Power to me. I picked it up and put it in the pocket of my sweatpants.I went into the walk-in closet and picked out some clothes, tossed them into an old gym bag, and said, “I’m done. We can go.”Roger said, “The locksmith and security company will meet me here this afternoon. Once they are done, your children will no longer have access.”“I’d rather not have an auction of whatever is left in the house. I don’t think Solveig would have liked that. Once you go through the papers, just throw everything left in a dumpster and haul it away. Whatever the two pirates plundered will be the only inheritance they will ever see from me.”Miller And Mans Law OfficeRoger and I next went to his office. I said hello to Jane, the long-time receptionist. I have always suspected that Jane knows everything that goes on here, and secretly runs the whole place, not unlike the way Nurse Ratched does in her domain. However, Jane does so with more efficiency, happiness, and joy for both clients and staff.Jane asked, “Can I get you anything, Gunnar?”“I’d love a cup of decent coffee, and an Apple Fritter if you have one.”“I’ll bring them to Roger’s office. Two creams and no sugar, if I remember right.”“Perfect, as always, Jane.”We went into Roger’s plush office, and I sat down in a chair more comfortable than any I sat in for the last two years.“Are you actually going to go through with this?” Roger asked.“Every bit of it,” I replied.I signed multiple papers, removing my two children as beneficiaries from my life insurance and investment accounts. I also gave Roger limited power of attorney to sell my house and dispose of its possessions.Jane arrived with the coffee and Apple Fritter. “Norway? Why would anyone want to go to Norway in December?”“Did Roger spill the beans?” I asked.Jane replied, “Every piece of paper that comes into this office passes through my hands. I opened your travel visa when it came in.”“Jane, I can’t spend Christmas here in Minnesota. The bitter wintry weather pales in comparison to the cold hearts of my own two children. The further away from them I am, the better. I’ve never been to Norway and have always wanted to see the 'home country’ of my ancestors.”Like I said, Jane knows all. The coffee tasted great, and the deep-fried Apple Fritter, one of Nursed Ratched’s 'prohibited foods’, was outstanding. Roger slid me a packet labeled 'Gunnar - Norway’. As Jane left, I opened it and looked at the contents. As planned, there was an international cell phone with a different number, a stack of krone, and three new credit cards bearing the name of a fictitious business. I handed Roger my old cell phone.“We’ll dispose of this for you. Your children will have no idea where you are unless they hire a private detective with exceptionally good connections. Legally, they have no rights to any of your assets, so even if somehow they track you to our law office, they will not get past Jane.”I believed Roger on that.“The tour company you asked us to sign you up with seems pretty sketchy. Their contract looks like something generated off a free online legal site. We reviewed it, it is crude, but legal and binding. If you back out, they still get paid. Why did you pick this tour company? There are many larger and more reputable companies we might have booked you with.”“It’s silly, Roger. I know it’s only a one-person company, run by a young vlogger in Norway. It was terribly boring in the nursing home, so I would spend evenings watching her videos as she traveled around Norway visiting various places, and leading small groups of tourists. It looked like the people were having fun and she made me laugh. Watching her videos was one of the few things that brought me any happiness.”“Why did you reserve for four persons?” asked Roger.“I wanted to make sure her Christmas in Norway tour wouldn’t be canceled. She has a four-person minimum.”“You won’t get those other bookings back, even if more people are going.”“I don’t need the money, Roger, but I do need this tour.”“How about clothing? You don’t have many clothes in that gym bag, Gunnar. Do you want to stop somewhere before we get to the airport?”“No. I’ll travel light. It’ll be easier when going through airport security. I’ll buy more clothes when I get to Norway.”“How about after you come back?”“I’m going to someplace warm and sunny. Maybe visit a mouse in Florida. I’ll be in touch if I need anything while I’m in Norway, and call you when I get back in three weeks.”Jorunn, The Tour GuideDecember 15 – Morning, Two Days LaterI spent yesterday shopping for the new clothes I would need. The tour is a mix of city and outdoor activities, so I bought a basic wardrobe, along with good walking shoes, snow pants, a warm jacket, and gloves. I ate lunch and dinner at two smaller restaurants. The food was good, but I felt lonely eating by myself, in a city I didn’t know, in a strange country. I missed Solveig very much and wished she were here with me.The next morning, I walked to the nearby hotel where the tour group would be meeting and followed the “Christmas in Norway Tour” sign to a small room off the lobby. There she was! Jorunn. My vlogger! She was about as tall as I am, at least when I can stand straight, with long blonde hair parted in the middle, clear blue eyes, and her signature radiant smile. She wore a Norwegian Dale sweater and brown pants.Jorunn spoke to me in Norwegian. “Excuse me, sir, this room is reserved for a tour group.”I hobbled closer. “Yes, and I’m one of the people taking the tour.”“We have a pretty active schedule for the next seven days, from December 15th through the 22nd. Do you think you are well enough to take this tour?”I wasn’t sure if I was, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “I won’t slow you down,” I replied.“What is your name?” she asked.“Gunnar Larsen.”She opened a small notebook and flipped through the pages. “It says here you are in a group of four. I see three other names. When are they coming?”“There won’t be any others from my group. One of the names is my recently deceased wife, the other two are my estranged adult children. I’m all there is.”Jorunn looked puzzled. “Only four people in total signed up, including you, all from your group. If the others aren’t coming, then you will be the only one. I don’t… I can’t… I mean, I have reservations I cannot cancel. You’re going to cost me a fortune whether I go through with the tour or not.”I replied, “The contract states that you have a four-person minimum. I am paying you in full for all four people. You won’t lose any money.”Jorunn smirked and looked like she was thinking. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of dirty old man, but if I agree to continue this tour, you should know that we will have separate rooms every night and there will be no sex of any kind. Judging by the way you look; I hope you can at least wipe your own butt!”“Your terms are acceptable. I had a stroke two years ago, but I have mostly recovered. I can walk, talk, and listen. I have trouble with my balance at times and sometimes slur my words. If you think something is too strenuous for me, I am willing to skip that part of the tour.”“Well, Mr. Larsen of Minnesota, you need to sign some release forms. As stated in the contract, I get to film the tour group for my vlogs, so I expect smiles when I am filming you. For now, go help yourself to breakfast. There is coffee, brunost, bread, and milk. Enough to feed four. Don’t expect me to serve you, and if you don’t know how to use a cheese sliver, learn fast.”She looked puzzled earlier but was now the confident Jorunn with whom I spent virtual evenings. I was delighted we worked this out. Smiles would not be a problem.OsloDecember 15 - MorningJorunn left the room and returned shortly with a small basket of food. “We have a lot of brunost left over, so I am going to make us a food packet for lunch called matpakke. I have a place in mind where we can sit and picnic.”“We will use the Vy app and Oslo Pass and travel by train and Metro. But today, we will mainly walk around Oslo. You will need to check into this hotel under the tour name if you have not done so. We will be in Oslo for two nights. The prepaid room is part of your tour package. I will try to cancel or change some reservations. Meet me back here in one hour.”I went back to my hotel to retrieve my belongings, then checked into the one Jorunn requested. It was not as nice as the one I left, but it was clean, and I did not want to make a fuss on the first day. I purchased a surprising amount of clothing yesterday and needed to make two trips to bring everything over. Then I returned to the meeting room and found Jorunn waiting.Jorunn and I walked from the hotel to Oslo Central Station and took a tram to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Jorunn told me it is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, with over two hundred sculptures combining the human form with an element of fantasy. Most figures were naked, with a mix of vagueness and rather notably open precision. The most prominent sculpture was a 17-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 intertwined human figures clambering to the top, carved from a single stone block. We spent over an hour walking the grounds, and while it was interesting, I told Jorunn that I didn’t see much in the way of Christmas here.A combination of walking and a short bus ride brought us to the grounds of the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in the 13th century, it protects the waterfront and Oslo harbor. Also on the site was the restored Akershus Castle, which was formerly a residence of prior kings of Norway. Jorunn said it serves today as an entertainment and event center for the Norwegian government, and this close to Christmas was not open to the public.I found it challenging to walk the grounds of the Fortress, as there were steep inclines mixed with stone steps and cobblestone paths. Remnants of a prior snowstorm still lingered in shady areas and under arches, making the footing treacherous. We did stop at places offering magnificent views of the city of Oslo, the bay, and the fjord, and several ramparts still bore cannons. Jorunn was rather businesslike and did not seem to be enjoyin

The Homeland calls for Gunnar, And So Does Love.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.‘You are the Tin Man. This tour; is the Oil Can. Figure it out.'A recently widowed Norwegian American plans his escape from a Minnesota nursing home to travel abroad and join a ‘Christmas in Norway Tour’. While battling his fears, he meets a beautiful young tour guide and her divorced mother, who years later, still bears scars from her unfaithful husband’s affair. This story is about overcoming those fears to let healing begin. This story picks up after that, and shows the lingering effects of a husband’s extra-marital affair on his family. This is also a Christmas story, so expect to travel to locations in Norway, encounter Norwegian Christmas traditions, and maybe even get sprinkled with pixie-dust!“A man has only one escape from his old self: to see a different self - in the mirror of some woman’s eyes” - Clare Booth LucePrequel: The Ruined ChristmasOslo, Norway - Three Years AgoMy name is Jorunn. As a Norwegian landsby girl, Mamma and I spent Christmas week in Bergen, visiting her family and celebrating my 22nd birthday. We decided to leave Bergen two days early so that Pappa would not have to celebrate New Year’s Eve alone. During the week, while we were away, Pappa told us how he missed us.We arrived back home in mid-afternoon, just as the sun was setting, and saw our Christmas Star lit up in the window. After entering the house, we heard Pappa moaning upstairs and went up to see if he was all right. Opening the bedroom door, we saw him humping a strange woman!“What are you doing?” shouted Mamma.Pappa replied, “Leah, you’re home early.”“Who is this woman?”“She’s just a slut. She means nothing to me.”The woman yelped, “I am not a slut! I am a happily married woman.”Mamma yelled, “I can see what keeps you happy.”Pappa yelled back, “I still love you, Leah. Let me get rid of this slut. She’s only here because I was lonely. We can talk.”Mamma replied, “You can talk to my advokater. We’re through! How can I ever trust you again, you bastard? Do you realize what you have done to our family!”Mamma began sobbing and ran down the stairs.Pappa looked at me and said, “Jorunn, none of this would have happened if your mother hadn’t come home early and seen us.”I looked at Pappa and saw his slime-covered beard slick with the woman’s juices. “You’re wrong Pappa. It did happen. Mamma and I just wouldn’t have known. You said you didn’t want to be seen by us. That works both ways! I don’t ever want to talk to you or see you ever again!”I ran downstairs to Mamma, and with our suitcases still in the boot, we drove to a friend’s house.Gunnar and Nurse RatchedDecember 13 - MorningMinneapolis, Minnesota - Present DayI pressed the button on my cell phone and hung up after talking with Roger Mans, my long-time friend and attorney. My two adult children texted a few days ago they wanted to visit me here in the nursing home. I had not seen them since the funeral of my wife, Solveig, and that was two months ago. Their plan was for me to sign their power of attorney forms, giving them full control over me and my affairs. But my plan was different, and now was time to put it into place.Two years ago, at just 54 years old, I had a stroke. A devastating paralysis left me needing a lot of care, and therapy to regain my mobility, speech, and other functions.I realized Solveig was unable to care for me at our home. She tried with all her heart, but she was also fighting her own battle with cancer, and undergoing her own rigorous treatments.So I decided to enter a nursing home, while I continued to get rehab. I wanted a facility with a stroke recovery unit. This limited my nursing home choices. The only thing making life bearable here, was Solveig faithfully visiting me, and sneaking an occasional home-cooked meal past the head nurse and her staff. Sadly, Solveig succumbed to the cancer while I was still a resident at the ‘Bethel Retirement Center'. At Solveig’s funeral, my children promised to visit often, but as usual, I could never count on them for anything.Without my wife here to check on things, my decent clothes never came back from the laundry, and instead, the staff returned excuses. I put on old sweatpants and an old sweatshirt. It would do for now. I prepared myself for this day by walking the halls of the nursing home, attending physical therapy sessions, and taking care of myself without help from the staff. Still not fully recovered, but like my clothing, it would do for now.I said goodbye to Alfred, my shared roommate. He nodded, wished me luck, and said he would love to go with me. I felt sorry for him. He was a great storyteller but needed to use his walker, and physically, he required the kind of care they provided here.I walked down the hall to the nurse’s station and found Molly Turner, the rather brusque chief nurse, and her two assistants sitting behind it. “Good morning, Nurse Ratched,” I said.“Good day to you, Gunnar,” she replied.“I’m checking out,” I said.“Be serious, Gunnar. No one ever checks out of a nursing home, unless they are flat on their back with a toe tag.”I looked at her and smiled, “I only hope that will be your Fate, Molly.”“That’s not a nice thing to say, Gunnar. Now, return to your room or I will have dietary take away your rice pudding for a week.”The rice pudding here was a pale imitation of the riskrem, which Solvieg would make every Christmas. I would miss it this year. I gave Nurse Ratched a one-fingered salute, then walked toward the exit. There was a scramble of squeaky chairs and shouts behind me, and I heard their footsteps closing in on me. As I pushed the two doors open to the main lobby, there was Roger, standing next to the nursing home administrator. I walked up to my lawyer, and shook his hand, “Thank you, old friend.”I turned to see a stunned Nurse Ratched. “Allow me to escort Mr. Larsen back to his room,” she meekly pronounced.The nursing home administrator said, “That won’t be necessary, Molly. Mr. Larsen is leaving us. He isn’t taking anything with him. You may clear out his room and get it ready for the next resident.”I looked Nurse Ratched in the eye and saw the fires of hell blazing within. Then, it was my turn to smile back.All my therapists had agreed that my rehab was successful. My speech skills were quite restored. My left arm and leg took longer to restore. But it was good enough to ditch the wheelchair, then the walker, then the cane. What really set me back was the grief of losing my wife, and the guilt of not being there when she needed me most.Gunnar’s HouseRoger drove me to my house. I hadn't been there in two years. It looked pathetic. No one bothered shoveling the snow on the walkway, and I feared what my children may have done to the inside. I found the hidden key I placed under a rock years ago and used it to enter through the front door. The living room and dining room furniture were mostly gone, or should I say, stolen. They had rifled through the small office nook next to the kitchen, with papers scattered over the kitchen countertops and floor.I turned and said, “You’re going to have your work cut out for you, Roger.”“This is exactly what you said would happen, Gunnar. Our firm will take care of it for you.”I opened a small drawer in the office nook and thankfully found my passport intact. It was useless to my children. I went to the master bedroom and saw the dresser drawers partially opened, with clothes scattered all about the floor. On top of the dresser was Solvieg’s jewelry box. I opened it, and few things remained. I was glad to see the gold charm bracelet I gave her 35 years ago for Christmas. She wore it a couple of times, then stopped, complaining it turned her wrist green as the fake gold coating wore away. But she kept it all these years. A worn-out trinket to my children, as precious as the Sauron’s Ring of Power to me. I picked it up and put it in the pocket of my sweatpants.I went into the walk-in closet and picked out some clothes, tossed them into an old gym bag, and said, “I’m done. We can go.”Roger said, “The locksmith and security company will meet me here this afternoon. Once they are done, your children will no longer have access.”“I’d rather not have an auction of whatever is left in the house. I don’t think Solveig would have liked that. Once you go through the papers, just throw everything left in a dumpster and haul it away. Whatever the two pirates plundered will be the only inheritance they will ever see from me.”Miller And Mans Law OfficeRoger and I next went to his office. I said hello to Jane, the long-time receptionist. I have always suspected that Jane knows everything that goes on here, and secretly runs the whole place, not unlike the way Nurse Ratched does in her domain. However, Jane does so with more efficiency, happiness, and joy for both clients and staff.Jane asked, “Can I get you anything, Gunnar?”“I’d love a cup of decent coffee, and an Apple Fritter if you have one.”“I’ll bring them to Roger’s office. Two creams and no sugar, if I remember right.”“Perfect, as always, Jane.”We went into Roger’s plush office, and I sat down in a chair more comfortable than any I sat in for the last two years.“Are you actually going to go through with this?” Roger asked.“Every bit of it,” I replied.I signed multiple papers, removing my two children as beneficiaries from my life insurance and investment accounts. I also gave Roger limited power of attorney to sell my house and dispose of its possessions.Jane arrived with the coffee and Apple Fritter. “Norway? Why would anyone want to go to Norway in December?”“Did Roger spill the beans?” I asked.Jane replied, “Every piece of paper that comes into this office passes through my hands. I opened your travel visa when it came in.”“Jane, I can’t spend Christmas here in Minnesota. The bitter wintry weather pales in comparison to the cold hearts of my own two children. The further away from them I am, the better. I’ve never been to Norway and have always wanted to see the 'home country’ of my ancestors.”Like I said, Jane knows all. The coffee tasted great, and the deep-fried Apple Fritter, one of Nursed Ratched’s 'prohibited foods’, was outstanding. Roger slid me a packet labeled 'Gunnar - Norway’. As Jane left, I opened it and looked at the contents. As planned, there was an international cell phone with a different number, a stack of krone, and three new credit cards bearing the name of a fictitious business. I handed Roger my old cell phone.“We’ll dispose of this for you. Your children will have no idea where you are unless they hire a private detective with exceptionally good connections. Legally, they have no rights to any of your assets, so even if somehow they track you to our law office, they will not get past Jane.”I believed Roger on that.“The tour company you asked us to sign you up with seems pretty sketchy. Their contract looks like something generated off a free online legal site. We reviewed it, it is crude, but legal and binding. If you back out, they still get paid. Why did you pick this tour company? There are many larger and more reputable companies we might have booked you with.”“It’s silly, Roger. I know it’s only a one-person company, run by a young vlogger in Norway. It was terribly boring in the nursing home, so I would spend evenings watching her videos as she traveled around Norway visiting various places, and leading small groups of tourists. It looked like the people were having fun and she made me laugh. Watching her videos was one of the few things that brought me any happiness.”“Why did you reserve for four persons?” asked Roger.“I wanted to make sure her Christmas in Norway tour wouldn’t be canceled. She has a four-person minimum.”“You won’t get those other bookings back, even if more people are going.”“I don’t need the money, Roger, but I do need this tour.”“How about clothing? You don’t have many clothes in that gym bag, Gunnar. Do you want to stop somewhere before we get to the airport?”“No. I’ll travel light. It’ll be easier when going through airport security. I’ll buy more clothes when I get to Norway.”“How about after you come back?”“I’m going to someplace warm and sunny. Maybe visit a mouse in Florida. I’ll be in touch if I need anything while I’m in Norway, and call you when I get back in three weeks.”Jorunn, The Tour GuideDecember 15 – Morning, Two Days LaterI spent yesterday shopping for the new clothes I would need. The tour is a mix of city and outdoor activities, so I bought a basic wardrobe, along with good walking shoes, snow pants, a warm jacket, and gloves. I ate lunch and dinner at two smaller restaurants. The food was good, but I felt lonely eating by myself, in a city I didn’t know, in a strange country. I missed Solveig very much and wished she were here with me.The next morning, I walked to the nearby hotel where the tour group would be meeting and followed the “Christmas in Norway Tour” sign to a small room off the lobby. There she was! Jorunn. My vlogger! She was about as tall as I am, at least when I can stand straight, with long blonde hair parted in the middle, clear blue eyes, and her signature radiant smile. She wore a Norwegian Dale sweater and brown pants.Jorunn spoke to me in Norwegian. “Excuse me, sir, this room is reserved for a tour group.”I hobbled closer. “Yes, and I’m one of the people taking the tour.”“We have a pretty active schedule for the next seven days, from December 15th through the 22nd. Do you think you are well enough to take this tour?”I wasn’t sure if I was, but I didn’t want to tell her that. “I won’t slow you down,” I replied.“What is your name?” she asked.“Gunnar Larsen.”She opened a small notebook and flipped through the pages. “It says here you are in a group of four. I see three other names. When are they coming?”“There won’t be any others from my group. One of the names is my recently deceased wife, the other two are my estranged adult children. I’m all there is.”Jorunn looked puzzled. “Only four people in total signed up, including you, all from your group. If the others aren’t coming, then you will be the only one. I don’t… I can’t… I mean, I have reservations I cannot cancel. You’re going to cost me a fortune whether I go through with the tour or not.”I replied, “The contract states that you have a four-person minimum. I am paying you in full for all four people. You won’t lose any money.”Jorunn smirked and looked like she was thinking. “I don’t know if you’re some kind of dirty old man, but if I agree to continue this tour, you should know that we will have separate rooms every night and there will be no sex of any kind. Judging by the way you look; I hope you can at least wipe your own butt!”“Your terms are acceptable. I had a stroke two years ago, but I have mostly recovered. I can walk, talk, and listen. I have trouble with my balance at times and sometimes slur my words. If you think something is too strenuous for me, I am willing to skip that part of the tour.”“Well, Mr. Larsen of Minnesota, you need to sign some release forms. As stated in the contract, I get to film the tour group for my vlogs, so I expect smiles when I am filming you. For now, go help yourself to breakfast. There is coffee, brunost, bread, and milk. Enough to feed four. Don’t expect me to serve you, and if you don’t know how to use a cheese sliver, learn fast.”She looked puzzled earlier but was now the confident Jorunn with whom I spent virtual evenings. I was delighted we worked this out. Smiles would not be a problem.OsloDecember 15 - MorningJorunn left the room and returned shortly with a small basket of food. “We have a lot of brunost left over, so I am going to make us a food packet for lunch called matpakke. I have a place in mind where we can sit and picnic.”“We will use the Vy app and Oslo Pass and travel by train and Metro. But today, we will mainly walk around Oslo. You will need to check into this hotel under the tour name if you have not done so. We will be in Oslo for two nights. The prepaid room is part of your tour package. I will try to cancel or change some reservations. Meet me back here in one hour.”I went back to my hotel to retrieve my belongings, then checked into the one Jorunn requested. It was not as nice as the one I left, but it was clean, and I did not want to make a fuss on the first day. I purchased a surprising amount of clothing yesterday and needed to make two trips to bring everything over. Then I returned to the meeting room and found Jorunn waiting.Jorunn and I walked from the hotel to Oslo Central Station and took a tram to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. Jorunn told me it is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, with over two hundred sculptures combining the human form with an element of fantasy. Most figures were naked, with a mix of vagueness and rather notably open precision. The most prominent sculpture was a 17-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 intertwined human figures clambering to the top, carved from a single stone block. We spent over an hour walking the grounds, and while it was interesting, I told Jorunn that I didn’t see much in the way of Christmas here.A combination of walking and a short bus ride brought us to the grounds of the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in the 13th century, it protects the waterfront and Oslo harbor. Also on the site was the restored Akershus Castle, which was formerly a residence of prior kings of Norway. Jorunn said it serves today as an entertainment and event center for the Norwegian government, and this close to Christmas was not open to the public.I found it challenging to walk the grounds of the Fortress, as there were steep inclines mixed with stone steps and cobblestone paths. Remnants of a prior snowstorm still lingered in shady areas and under arches, making the footing treacherous. We did stop at places offering magnificent views of the city of Oslo, the bay, and the fjord, and several ramparts still bore cannons. Jorunn was rather businesslike and did not seem to be enjoyin

Donnez-moi votre feedback par SMS (mobile uniquement)! Quand la Harvard Business Review publie "Become an Octopus Organization", elle valide enfin ce que les auditeurs de Leadershift savent déjà : le modèle hiérarchique pyramidal (le "Tin Man" rigide du Magicien d'Oz) est obsolète. Pour survivre dans un monde complexe, l'entreprise doit imiter le poulpe : une intelligence décentralisée où chaque tentacule (équipe terrain) peut décider et agir sans attendre les ordres du cerveau central (Comex). Dans cet épisode, nous décryptons cette métaphore puissante et ses trois piliers : Clarté (pour s'aligner), Responsabilité (pour agir) et Curiosité (pour apprendre). Une ode à la subsidiarité radicale et à la fin de la bureaucratie.  Accès gratuit à toutes nos ressources: www.coapta.ch/campusAccès aux archives du podcast: www.coapta.ch/podcast© COAPTA SàrlTous les épisodes disponibles sur www.coapta.ch/podcast ou sur votre plateforme préférée (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts); cherchez "Leadershift" ou "Vincent Musolino" Faites partie de notre communauté sur le Discord officiel COAPTA!

Heidiho, Welt! Heute gibt's in der Folge einen Ausblick auf zukünftige Konzertbesuche und Diskussionen über die richtige Aussprache der Wörter „Salat“ und „Soße“. Ach ja: Filme und Serien werden natürlich auch besprochen – inklusive jeder Menge anzüglicher Anspielungen verschiedenster Art (wie wir es von den Jungs gewohnt sind) – sowie einem Streitgespräch darüber, ob man für einen guten Twist jegliche Logik über Bord werfen darf. So geschehen in der Netflix-Erfolgsserie His & Hers. Ein fast hundertjähriger Klassiker, der gleichzeitig als meistgesehener Film aller Zeiten gilt, hat es mit seinem knalligen Prisma Color ebenfalls in die Folge geschafft: "Der Zauberer von Oz". Können die Jungs auch fast ein Jahrhundert später noch von der Magie von Dorothee, Tin Man, Toto und Scarecrow verzaubert werden? Neben vielen kleineren Besprechungen könnt ihr euch außerdem auf einen ausgefeilten Rant von Mo zu Greenland 2 freuen. Da tropft kein Insulin von der Decke, sondern der pure Sarkasmus! Wie immer gilt: Bleibt gesund und spoilerfrei!

It's true! I increased my bone density 5% in just two years, without any hormones, medications, or special supplements. All the goodies are in here. Faster Way To Fat Loss Osteoporosis Modifications for Pilates Puff Puff Pilates NEW - Transcript: Hey everybody, it's Lynda Lippin. Welcome back to the Pilates Goddess podcast. I am so thrilled to be here with you in February 2026. Even though you know, things in this world are really hard right now. Things in this country are really hard right now. 0:19 I'm personally having an OK entrance into 2026, so the biggest thing that's happened over the last two years for me is that I did manage to pay off a chunk of debt that I really needed to pay off. 0:44 I worked my little butt off to do that and I also managed to increase my bone density by 5% in the last two years. That's right, 5%, another 3% and I will be back to normal range and not in osteopenia anymore. 1:07 And I also managed to pack on about 20 lbs of muscle but net lose about 20 lbs. So you know, I am just happy with how the body is working right now. And in addition to all of this, because I have so much arthritis in my joints and they are indeed going to need to be replaced, I'm seeing a physiatrist at Mount Sinai and we're kind of working through some stuff. 1:32 But realistically, you know, I can't 'cause my joints any much more harm. And right now it's good for me to be in less pain to kind of reset my nervous system, get my sleep back on point, maybe get off more of the gabapentin because THC seems to be working well for my pain. 1:54 That the injections that I'm getting, steroid injections, in my hip and shoulder and my neck will keep me pain free enough to avoid the joint replacements for another year or two. 2:12 That's all I'm doing. Like I know I need the joints replaced, but I'm not ready to do that now. And the way forward is to basically shoot 3 in 1 oil in there like the Tin Man. But I got to tell you, I had my left hip injected last Thursday and it felt so much better. 2:38 I had kind of a rough Thursday, you know, because the injection site gets sore and I was tired and whatever, But by the time I went out on Saturday, I was feeling like significantly better. I can walk stairs now without having to hold on to the banister, which is really exciting. 2:56 My balance is better. I don't have to limp when I first get up from bed or the couch, which was starting to happen. And I'm getting my shoulder injected next Thursday and I am so excited because my left shoulder is so clunky and so fucked up that if to just have that smoothed out a little is gonna be awesome. 3:21 Now, these things are temporary, right? So an injection might last, you know, three to six months. So I just figure, you know it somewhere between probably two and four times a year, I will need to go get these shots. 3:37 And when I'm tired of that, I'm gonna get my joints replaced and I will then be bionic and even more awesome than I am now. All right, in other news, Puff Puff Pilates is going really well. 3:55 I, as I'm sure you can all imagine, am really enjoying this Stoner Pilates goddess era of my life. I am thrilled to be open about my use of cannabis, about my use of cannabis for pain, for anxiety, regulation, for sleep, for all kinds of things. 4:18 I've been doing it for 47 years, my friends, but it's finally legal, so I talk about it. And if you want to know if I talk about it with my doctors as freely as I do here and with friends and whoever wants to hear about it, yeah, I do. 4:35 My doctors all know what I do. They all know how much plant I use, how I use it, and they're all fans because I'm doing well. So let's kind of deep dive into what I've done for the Osteoporo Osteopenia and why. 4:59 As you may know, if you've been a long time listener of the podcast or you know me or you've read some of my articles, my struggles with endometriosis. For most of my life I had pretty severe endometriosis with bladder and bowel involvement. 5:16 I was in pain, I had to pee all the time, felt like I had a urinary tract infection even though I didn't for like 2 years. That was fun and finally had a total abdominal hysterectomy about 30 years ago after a year of being on Lupron, which is an injection that a monthly injection that essentially stops any kind of sex hormone in your body. 5:47 So it stops estrogen, it stops progesterone, it stops testosterone, all the things, right. I therefore have had low estrogen levels, which are intrinsic, you know, crucial to bone strength for much of my life. 6:09 In addition, I struggled a lot with food when I was like 12/13/14 and and a little bit after that. My mother was bipolar and there was just a lot of dysregulation going on around me and people didn't always notice really what I was doing. 6:34 So I regulated food and I was eating literally 600 calories a day. I remember 600 calories a day. I was writing down my meals, and that's really not enough calories to build bone for an adolescent girl. 6:52 So in addition to the hormonal challenges, you also have kind of the old anorexia challenges. But now I'm good with food, right? And I'm really good with exercise. 7:09 During the two years prior to my last bone density scan, I was in horrible, horrible chronic pain from long COVID. And with that chronic pain, I could not do a lot of strength training or high intensity exercise. 7:31 I had to really stick to very low intensity Pilates, you know, yoga, very low intensity in home, like walking and cardio workouts and such things as that. Pain started to abate. 7:48 I discover that my bone density is like down. I went from normal. I went from like at least 0.3 to -1.8. So I looked at the results of that DEXA scan. 8:06 I saw osteopenia in my lumbar spine and I said hell no, no, no, no, not today. Osteopenia. I am not dealing with this shit. I do not have time. So the first thing that I did is I know of an extraordinarily effective online at based community based resistance training program called Faster Weight of Fat Loss. 8:37 I've talked about it on here before. The founder, Amanda Tress, is a friend of mine. I was a beta coach for her for many moons and knew her before. Faster way. And it's effective and basically half an hour a day, half an hour to 45 minutes. 8:58 So I let my husband know that I was signing back up for the program. I reached out, I signed back up, and because I'm a pretty talented personal trainer who knows you know how to do things, I was easily able to translate all of the resistance workouts where they were using kettle bells or dumbbells into one dumbbell and bands and tubing. 9:36 I live in a studio apartment with my husband. All of my workout equipment fits into a small drawer. I use heavy tubing. I mean, I have metal doors so my my doors can take the weight. I overhead press, you know, 30 lbs of tubing. 9:56 I chest press 60 lbs of tubing off the door right now. It you know, I'm using heavy stuff and I use also looped mini bands for things like preacher curls and concentration curls. I've really broken down the entire program into doable band and tubing and I just started working out. 10:24 Now, when I first started back on faster way, I was certainly not using this level of resistance. I think I was using maybe a 10 LB tubing and maybe a 20 LB tubing and that was like as far as that was going. And then I, you know, as things get easier or sometimes I can tell, you may think this is funny, but I connect my tubing to the bottom of my bathroom door, which faces my galley kitchen and my microwave. 11:01 So if I'm doing chest pressing and I get super close to the microwave, I know it's time for me to up the resistance and get something new. And then I start further back so that I am consistently challenging myself. 11:19 If you've ever used looped mini bands at all the colored ones, I now deadlift with the extra heavy. The heavy and the light. So you know, it's it's a lot it's a lot of poundage, but being consistent and doing the work has led to me having 5% more bone density without having to take medication. 11:54 I didn't start any hormone therapy. I haven't taken any shots. There's nothing else is going on. I'm resistance training and if you don't do classical Pilates, but you're doing some other form of of Pilates that might be a little faster paced, that might use slightly lighter resistance. 12:19 I want you to understand that that work is not necessarily going to give you bone strengthening benefits in the way that working on classical Pilates equipment will. Now why is that? Because the springs are heavier, there's no ball bearings in the wheels on the reformers, so a lot more strength is required and a lot more strain through the larger muscles. 12:46 And every single exercise is modifiable for osteopenia or osteoporosis. I don't give a shit what anybody says. You can go on my website, go to lintalippman.com/everything and you will see teacher workshops that I recorded, very simple ones for Matt and for all of the apparatus just talking about osteoporosis modifications. 13:15 So I started doing more Pilates. I added in the faster weight of fat loss resistance training and I'll put a link to all these things in the show notes. But doing the consistent work led to me increasing my bone mass and my strength and my muscle mass. 13:37 Now it was very interesting and I want to talk to you about this because I think this is important for everyone to hear. OK, this is not just me patting myself on the back. It is important for everyone to hear is that we can all do this. 13:54 It just requires the work. If you're not the kind of person who wants to exercise with an app then and or you are comfortable with working out at home, but you want somebody say on Zoom to be watching your form and help put you through that, then you know, contact me, contact some online trainers and get somebody to do that with you. 14:19 OK, That's a thing people do that if you are not comfortable working out at home, but you want to go to your gym, then go to your gym. There's also a gym track actually in faster way to fat loss. So if you want to go to the gym, they take you through the whole workout using the equipment you would commonly find any any gym. 14:42 But again, if you want to use tubing, if you want to use free dumbbells or free weights, if you want to use kettle bells, that's, you know, easy, easy, easy to do. So when I went to see the physiatrist at Mount Sinai for my intro visit, we kind of talked about my joints and my body. 15:03 And he saw where I could move and where I couldn't move. And, you know, we started talking about injections and joint replacements and things. So when I came back into him after I had had, you know, the X-rays and the MRI of the neck and I came back in to get my hip injected, he said to me, do you want to have a phone call in two weeks about this hip injection? 15:33 Or would you rather come back in and let me do your shoulder? And I of course, was like, let me come back in and do my shoulder. So I'm doing that next week. But he said to me that my range of motion and my strength were remarkable. 15:51 That was the word he used - remarkable. He he informed me that my hypermobility has both hurt me and helped me over the course of my life. And that I know! We discussed the fact that I was right over the past few years in prioritizing strength and protection around my joints as much as I could instead of prioritizing mobility. 16:16 That I was right in prioritizing strength so that now I have the bone mass if I need to get joint replacements. Yeah. Hello. And he was like, you have done remarkably. You have the most mobility and the most strength in these really horrible joints. 16:40 He's like, if I, if I looked at you move and I looked at your X-rays and didn't know they were connected to the same human, I wouldn't necessarily believe that they were connected to the same human. So I was thrilled. I was thrilled with that because frankly, my friends, this is what I do. 17:00 This is what I do for my clients. This is what I do for, you know, my loved ones and this is what I do for myself. What I'm really good at is binding those areas of weakness in the body, getting the nervous system to calm down enough so that the body is able to move in a better way and then really work on strength and mobility. 17:33 I view it almost as trying to put, say, a badly arthritic shoulder in the best place. I envision where the bones could be or should be for the best movement. And then what I do strength-wise is basically try to build enough scaffolding around that joint using some of the muscles that maybe aren't there or overstretched or aren't working so well. 18:06 Build scaffolding around that so that the majority of the time the joint holds in place and functions properly. There are a few positions which some of my Pilates teachers have seen over the past six months where that shoulder is clearly not, not able to work properly. 18:27 And I and I, I can picture Melissa Castro at Real Pilates just going, "don't do that. I don't like that shoulder!" when I was on the chair. So this happens. But you know, we age or if we are prone to arthritis, our joints get arthritic. 18:50 If we were prone to hypermobility, sometimes we moved our joints in inappropriate ways, dislocated things, had things popped back in. We've had car accidents, we've had boat accidents, we've had falls. We've, you know, lived and I view the role of exercise, the role of Pilates, the role of anything that we're doing literally to keep us feeling and functioning at our highest levels for as long as we can. 19:23 Feel and function at your best for as long as you can. OK, That's all I'm asking. That's all I wish for you. So, my friends, you know I love you so much. I know life is really hard right now in these United States and in this world, OK? 19:46 I am feeling for the people in Maine and Minnesota and and California and Chicago, and like everywhere, I am feeling deeply, deeply for all of us. 20:04 And I wish you all the best, but I'm telling you right now, if you can get your body to feel and function as best as it can, and I promise you that is at a much higher level than you may think. 20:22 Because I am feeling and functioning at a much higher level than even my like Mount Sinai physiatrist thinks I should be. That is a great place to start because if you're doing better, then you can help other people do better. 20:41 So I leave you with that. If you'd like to get in touch with me about anything I spoke about today, feel free to reach out lynda[AT]lyndalippin.com. Spelled like my name. DM me on social media, register for a Puff Puff Pilates event if you're in New York City. 21:00 I'll be at Mighty Lucky on a February 22nd for Awaken Bake and I will talk to you guys soon. Bye.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kendra hit 40 years old and it seems like everything in her body is crackling and breaking.. is it the age?

Half of the comedy duo Mack & Jamie, star of the syndicated TV show Comedy Break, video game voice actor and author of the Tin Man Diaries: A Sudden Change of Heart about being the recipient of a double organ transplant. 

Somewhere over the rainbow there's a classic movie has been talked about for nearly 90 years. Everyone knows the story of Dorothy, Toto, and their band of Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. Let's jump in a tornado and watch it again.    This week we revisit 1939's The Wizard of Oz does it hold up? Find out now.   Thanks for listening. Please support us other places by clicking the links below. TikTok and Facebook are where we are currently monetized so supporting us there is extremely helpful.  Follow Emily on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/ladyemily11/ Follow Adam on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/adamant625/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doesitholdu... Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@does_it_hold_up Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doesitholdup13/ Subscribe to our YouTube for new movie revies and a weekly box office show: https://www.youtube.com/@DIHUpodcast

Happy Pot Luck Saturday, Heal Squad. Today's dish comes courtesy of The Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man, and a surprisingly useful lesson about hearts, attitude, and being all in. Why showing up with joy matters more than people realize. How talent helps, timing helps, but attitude might matter most. Stories from The Wizard of Oz, Jerry Maren (the original Lollipop Kid), classic movie sets, and what happens when you choose to be on the “sunshine committee” instead of keeping score. Why some people keep missing opportunities, why negativity weighs everything down, and how being present, positive, and fully in can quietly change the entire trajectory of a life. Wherever this Saturday finds you, may this episode remind you that being all in still counts for something. Talk shawtly!   HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website:https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy's Page: Shop My Macy's Storefront EMR-Tek Red Light: https://emr-tek.com/discount/Maria30 for 30% off Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/host AUDIBLE:  https://audible.com/healsquad AG1: drinkag1.com/healsquad  ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos' passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company's Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.

Some say it's a mythic valinch that stirs your Old Fashioned for you. Others claim it's a leaky novelty sporran. Either way, the Holy Whale is out there, buried amongst a bunch of sections which didn't make it onto earlier episodes. This episode contains: - The Quest for the Holy Whale, where we recount our dramatic (and entirely fictional) journey around Scotland which we performed for a whisky night in 2025; - Mystery Whisky, where we bring Tassie peat to the party with some Furneaux; - Head to Fresh Meat Head, where we bust open not one, but two bottles of Canadian Distillery, Shelter Point; - Whisky Would You Rather, where it's Duckett vs Dans, - A discussion about Iconic Tassie Distilleries; and - A product review of a rather unexpected item with whisky as a main ingredient All this and more (including speculation on what the Tin Man really lacked). Please support us on Patreon and get access to drams and bonus content! www.patreon.com/whiskywaffle

Leah Price, Vice President of Tinman AI Platform at better.com, breaks down why traditional subscription-based pricing no longer works and how outcome-driven AI can unlock real value for enterprises. She also shares how embedded AI, avatars, and automation are transforming the mortgage experience for both lenders and borrowers, and what the future of AI-powered financial infrastructure could look like. Key Takeaways:  How Tinman AI embeds generative AI across an entire mortgage tech stack The limitations of traditional ROI models in enterprise AI adoption, and Tinman's vision for outcome-based pricing How AI avatars and bots reduce borrower friction and improve trust What the future of mortgage lending could look like with AI as infrastructure Guest Bio: Leah Price serves as Vice President leading the Tinman® AI Platform at Better, the AI-powered homeownership company. Under her leadership, the Tinman AI Platform will be offered to lenders and brokers across the country as an API-accessible platform. Previously, Leah led the Office of Fintech and the Office of the Chief AI Officer at Federal Housing Finance Agency, leading initiatives in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. Earlier in her career, Leah held leadership roles at Figure Technologies and at Fannie Mae, where she was on the launch team of Day 1 Certainty® and other product innovations. She served as co-chair of MISMO's Emerging Technology Community of Practice, and was a Senior Advisor to MISMO. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte  

The 1970's musical is back with it's unique take on The Wizard of Oz. Listen to how cast members look back 50 years with so much reverence to the original show. Two cast members talked with Vineeta on The WCCO Morning news

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'The Wiz is a full-circle moment for me,' says Robert Crenshaw, a St Louis native on tour with the classic musical. He tells Debbie Monterrey that he performed in 'The Wiz' with COCA when he was growing up in St Louis. He's a swing, meaning he covers 7 different roles, and is an understudy for the Tin Man on this tour. He explains he had 23 days between the close of his previous tour, 'Ain't too Proud', and the start of his roles in 'The Wiz'.

It's time to embrace our witchy obsession as we review Wicked: For Good, the long-awaited second chapter of Elphaba and Glinda's story! Sarah is joined by Julie Gildersleeve, Courtney Turckel, and Kelly Turckel; we head to Oz together for a spoiler-filled discussion of how this film expands on the stage musical while weaving more tightly into the events of The Wizard of Oz. With Elphaba in exile and Glinda rising as the "Good" face of the Wizard's regime, the story explores friendship, perception, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be seen as "wicked" or "good." We break down the emotional weight of the film — from Glinda's heartbreaking loneliness beneath her bubbly public persona, to Elphaba's fierce determination to protect the animals and expose the truth. We also dive into standout musical moments, including the heart-breaking "For Good," the haunting "No Good Deed," the introspective "The Girl in the Bubble," and the love song "As Long As You're Mine." The vocals, cinematography, and performances (especially Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo) are nothing short of stunning. We also explore the tragic origins of the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow, calling out the storytelling hidden in the costume design and emotional consequences of each character's transformation. But more than anything, this group of girlfriends dives into the heart of the story — Elphaba and Glinda — and how their friendship, and ours, has been changed for good. SPONSORS Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

With the NRHA Futurity right around the corner, we were excited to have longtime friend and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Matt Palmer in town for an episode of The Show. Matt is an established professional with over $1,000,000 in lifetime earnings, and this conversation could not have come at a better time.We kick things off by talking about the unique situation surrounding this year's Futurity — how everything came together and just how lucky we all are to be here this year. From there, the crew dives into the mental side of competing on one of the biggest stages in our sport: staying calm, knowing your horse, understanding what they can (and can't) do, and not letting pressure push you into doing too much.And of course, it wouldn't be an episode without a lot of laughter. Between Matt getting in Tom's way in the warm-up pen, Tom paying way too much for a purple couch, and Joe derailing vacations, there's plenty of old stories. But mixed in with the fun, Cade and Matt bring serious insight into what it really takes to make the Futurity finals, navigate a long career, and stay grateful for the horses — and the people — that make this industry what it is.Overall, this episode was EPIC.Huge thank you to Matt for joining us, and best of luck to everyone at the NRHA Futurity!

It's time to embrace our witchy obsession as we review Wicked: For Good, the long-awaited second chapter of Elphaba and Glinda's story! Sarah is joined by Julie Gildersleeve, Courtney Turckel, and Kelly Turckel; we head to Oz together for a spoiler-filled discussion of how this film expands on the stage musical while weaving more tightly into the events of The Wizard of Oz. With Elphaba in exile and Glinda rising as the "Good" face of the Wizard's regime, the story explores friendship, perception, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be seen as "wicked" or "good." We break down the emotional weight of the film — from Glinda's heartbreaking loneliness beneath her bubbly public persona, to Elphaba's fierce determination to protect the animals and expose the truth. We also dive into standout musical moments, including the heart-breaking "For Good," the haunting "No Good Deed," the introspective "The Girl in the Bubble," and the love song "As Long As You're Mine." The vocals, cinematography, and performances (especially Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo) are nothing short of stunning. We also explore the tragic origins of the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow, calling out the storytelling hidden in the costume design and emotional consequences of each character's transformation. But more than anything, this group of girlfriends dives into the heart of the story — Elphaba and Glinda — and how their friendship, and ours, has been changed for good. SPONSORS Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

This week I turn 30 and ramble about hikes and music. Have a great week!

Tin Man (2007) Sci-Fi Channel Miniseries - one of the best Wizard of OZ interpretations EVER!

Tin Man (2007) Sci-Fi Channel Miniseries - one of the best Wizard of OZ interpretations EVER!

In this episode, #230 - There's No Place Like Home, I dive into one of my favorite stories of all time — The Wizard of Oz — and explore the lessons it holds for missionaries, returned missionaries, and anyone navigating the twists and turns of personal growth. Drawing on the symbolism of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion, and even Elphaba from Wicked, we'll talk about what it really means to come "home." Spoiler alert: home isn't a place — it's you. If you've ever felt caught in a tornado of emotions, uncertain about your path, or searching for peace after change or transition, this episode will help you find your footing again. I'll share practical tools for pulling yourself out of the whirlwind, learning to observe your thoughts without judgment, and remembering that you already have everything you need — the heart, courage, and wisdom — within you. We'll also talk about the yellow brick road as a metaphor for your journey — how detours, delays, and unexpected turns are all part of your divine path. Whether you're serving a mission, coming home, or figuring out what's next, this episode will help you reconnect with your inner power, create emotional safety within yourself, and rediscover the truth that you are your own safe place. Because truly, there's no place like home. As always, if you found this episode helpful, I want to invite you to subscribe if you aren't already, share this episode with your friends and missionaries you know, and write a review. I know this work will help LDS missionaries around the world and it would mean so much to me if you did. Until next week my friends.   Website | Instagram | Facebook   Get the Full Show Notes and Text/PDF Transcripts: HERE   Free PDF Download:  Podcast Roadmap   Free PDF Download:  Preparing Missionary Cheat Sheet   Free Training for Preparing Missionaries:  Change Your Mission with this One Tool   RM Transition Free Video Series:  3 Tools to Help RMs in Their Transition Home   Free Guide:  5 Tips to Help Any Returning Missionary   Schedule a Free Strategy Call:   Click Here

Hi, friends! Happy Wednesday! You've seen The Wizard of Oz... the ruby slippers, the Yellow Brick Road, the flying monkeys… But you've also heard rumblings of some dark rumors, haven't you? Well, behind all that glitter and Technicolor magic was a nightmare of toxic makeup, real fires, starvation diets, terror in Munchkinland and a studio system that nearly killed a teenage Judy Garland. In today's episode of Dark History, let's follow the (bloodsoaked?) yellow brick road backstage to uncover the shocking truth behind one of Hollywood's most iconic movies. From the Tin Man's near-death experience to the Witch catching fire on set (literally), to asbestos snow and all sorts of horrible abuse — this is the wicked story of The Wizard of Oz that MGM never wanted you to hear. ________ FOLLOW ME AROUND Tik Tok: https://bit.ly/3e3jL9v Instagram: http://bit.ly/2nbO4PR Facebook: http://bit.ly/2mdZtK6 Twitter: http://bit.ly/2yT4BLV Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2mVpXnY Youtube: http://bit.ly/1HGw3Og Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3IVnO7N Snapchat: https://bit.ly/3cC0V9d Discord: https://discord.gg/BaileySarian RECOMMEND A STORY HERE: cases4bailey@gmail.com Business Related Emails: bailey@underscoretalent.com Business Related Mail: Bailey Sarian 4400 W. Riverside Dr., Ste 110-300 Burbank, CA 91505 ________ This podcast is Executive Produced by: Bailey Sarian and Joey Scavuzzo Head Writer: Allyson Philobos Senior Writer: Katie Burris Research provided by: Xander Elmore Director: Brian Jaggers Additional Editing: Julien Perez and Maria Norris  Hair: Angel Gonzalez Makeup: Nikki la Rose ________ Get started today at StitchFix.com/darkhistory to get $20 off your first order—and they'll waive your styling fee. That's StitchFix.com/darkhistory The best way to cook just got better. Go to HelloFresh.com/DARKHISTORY10FM now to Get 10 Free Meals + a Free breakfast for Life! One per box with active subscription. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan. That's HelloFresh.com/DARKHISTORY10FM to Get 10 Free Meals + free breakfast for Life. Shop my favorite pajamas at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows And if you're looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com. Check out squarespace.com/DARKHISTORY for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use OFFER CODE: DARKHISTORY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Welcome to our review of PR pitches and mergers and acquisitions in the UK PR scene with Andrew Bloch. Here we discuss the biggest pitch wins, mergers and acquisitions that the PR sector has seen in November 2025.Andrew is the lead consultant PR, social, content and influencer at the new business consultancy firm AAR and a partner at PCB Partners, where he advises on buying and selling marketing services agencies.Andrew also runs the advisory firm Andrew Bloch & Associates.Before we start, make sure you get your tickets quickly for our PR Masterclass: Agency Growth Forum . It's on Wednesday 26th November 2025, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm GMT. Both face-to-face and virtual tickets are available. The event is held in central London.PitchesVinted appoint Axe+Saw – Social media brief to manage Instagram and TikTok channels globally. Airbus appoint MHP Group – Europe's largest aeronautics and space company appoint a new retained strategic comms adviser following a formal tender process. MHP Group includes agencies MHP, Mischief and La Plage.Formula E appoint M+C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment – global brand and corporate comms brief following a 6 way pitch.Tomme Tippee appoint The Romans for a global PR and influencer brief.Alcohol Change UK appoint Shook and Shape History to deliver its 2026 campaign. Alcohol Change is the charity behind Dry January.The Investment Association appoint M+C Saatchi to deliver a cross-banking sector campaign. The Investment Association – a trade body representing investment managers and investment management firms in the UK Will lead the creative and media delivery of The UK Retail Investment campaign, which will encourage more people to become investors. Co-Op appoint Speed Communications for a joint consumer and corporate brief. Will work alongside in-house team to execute creative, insight-led campaigns through media relations, thought leadership and storytelling.Net Company appoint Cavendish Consulting for government relations and pr brief.Philips Hue appoint Tin Man for a global consumer PR brief.M&A activity for OctoberHeadland acquire Bladonmore - an international digital, brand and content comms agency. W. Bladonmore will retain its identity and has 50 FTEs in London and NY. This is Headland's first acquisition since LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, reinvested in the business in October 2024, having first partnered with the firm in 2021. Headlands is £33M rev in 2024. Clients include Accenture, BAE systems, Danone, KFC, OcadoGolley Slater 100% of shares sold to EOT. 130 members.Next 15 merges 5 companies to form new B2B marcomms firm Pretzl. The new business will be led by Clive Armitage, current CEO of Agent 3. The b2b marketing firms Agent3 Group, Publitek, This Machine, Velocity and Twogether will be unified. Will launch in Feb 26 - 300 employees across 12 offices in North America, Europe and APAC.

We go deep with Phillip Johnson Richardson on the real stuff behind a Broadway glow up. He opens up about being a young Black man showing vulnerability onstage, the pressure to be perfect, and how identity, belonging, and mental health shape the work. We talk about choosing when to step away, the cost of staying, and the tools he uses to keep his center steady when the noise gets loud. Quick heads up: if you hear a low rumble while I am speaking, that was the rain hammering the studio during our recording. We also get into the creative process behind his original music, the difference between chasing applause and building a life that feels true, and the practical ways performers make it work in New York. If you want to see him live, his final performance in Hell's Kitchen is November 30. This one is candid, grounded, and full of takeaways you can actually use. Phillip Johnson Richardson is an actor and musician whose Broadway credits include Hell's Kitchen as Knuck and the recent revival of The Wiz as the Tin Man. On screen, audiences have seen him in projects like Sharper, Little Voice, The Last O.G., Chicago P.D., Proven Innocent, and The Other Two. He writes and records original music and continues to build a multi hyphenate career across stage, film, television, and the studio. Connect with Phil: IG: @philsgoodmusic, @glaeddad Web: https://philsgoodmusic.com/, https://glaeddad.com/ Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon and watch video versions of the episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter & Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theatre_podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheTheatrePodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alan's personal Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@alanseales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back, wellness seekers, to the BH Sales Kennel Kelp Holistic Healing Hour. I'm your host, Grandpa Bill. Today, we're moving beyond physical vitality and diving into cognitive fitness—the deep, integrated strength of the mind.As many of you know, I've been a dedicated student of Dr. Anthony Metivier's Magnetic Memory Method for years. This isn't just about passing a test; it's about building a robust, resilient mind. I've recently been mentoring my granddaughter, Adah, a college freshman, and her latest challenge has proven to be the most profound holistic exercise we've done: The Backward Walk from Metivier's advanced curriculum.Before we even begin the walk, we must remember the lesson of Peter of Ravenna. He taught us that our memory structures—our Palaces—must be real, finished, and stable. Adah chose her quiet church. This isn't superstition; it's holistic architecture. If your environment is chaotic, your mind will be chaotic. Ravenna demands a stable, moderate space so the mind can be still.Adah built four stations for her Political Science class, encoding the clauses of the 14th Amendment using PAO and the Major System. The images are striking—a Roller Skater laughing on a tight rope for Equal Protection, and the Tin Man dancing on noodles for Citizenship. They stir the emotions, as Ravenna instructed.The problem with the Forward Walk (Station 1 to 4) is that it's easy. It's a habit. Your brain is only saying, "Okay, I remember Station 1, so I'll automatically look for 2." This creates a weak, linear chain. If you forget Station 3, the rest of the chain breaks.The Backward Walk—from the end to the beginning—is the ultimate cognitive diagnostic tool.When I ask Adah to go Backward to the Beginning of the Memory Palace, I'm forcing her mind to do three things, each with massive holistic benefits:Dismantle the Chain: It proves that every piece of knowledge is directly and independently anchored to its specific Place, not to the piece before it. This promotes a non-linear, resilient thinking pattern, which is crucial for problem-solving in life, not just academia.Test the Architecture: By reversing the process, we expose any weak links or "clutter" in the Memory Palace—the very chaos Ravenna warned us against. If Adah hesitates between the Altar Rail and the Baptismal Font, we know the place wasn't truly mastered, and we must revisit the station distance or imagery.Achieve Deep Presence: Dr. Metivier always stresses the three-breath pause at each station. In the reverse walk, this pause is non-negotiable. It forces deep active recall and anchors you squarely in the present moment, turning a memory exercise into a powerful form of meditation and mental centering.Holistic healing isn't just about avoiding disease; it's about achieving mastery and calm. When Adah successfully sprints backward—from the Roller Skater back to the Tin Man—she doesn't just feel relieved; she feels profound confidence. She knows the information is integrated into the core of her mind.This ability to command your own knowledge, to retrieve information from any angle under pressure, is the ultimate antidote to mental stress and anxiety. It's about being the director of your mental theatre, not just an audience member waiting for the play to start.So, I encourage you all to try this cognitive strength test in your own Palaces today. Choose three simple stations, encode three easy facts, and then go Backward to the Beginning. Feel the effort, feel the resistance, and then feel the immense reward of true, integrated knowledgeThank you for tuning in to the BH Sales Kennel Kelp Holistic Healing Hour. Until next time, stay grounded, stay magnetic, and keep those cognitive pathways clear.#TheBackwardWalk, #MetivierMethod, #PeterOfRavenna ,#CognitiveFitness ,#HolisticMemory, #GrandpaBill, #BHHealingHour, #MagneticMind,The Ravenna Foundation: Stability FirstThe Dissolution of Linear Thinking The Healing Power of Mastery

Mike Boyle speaks with Alex DeMille on his novel The Tin Man, and his writing relationship with his late father. Mike also speaks with Kerry Mand from I Heart Mac and Cheese on their upcoming gift card drive with the Tragedy Assistance Program. This and more on Hour 2 of the Mike Boyle Restaurant Show!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Encounter Weekend: www.zoweh.org/the-heart-of-a-warrior-encounter The Heart of the Story: Why Everything Flows from the Inside Out In this episode of the Exploring More Podcast, Michael Thompson and SJ Jennings unpack the central role of the heart in the spiritual life. Drawing from Scripture, theology, and personal experience, they explore how the heart is not just symbolic—it's the seat of belief, perception, and transformation. Referencing The Wizard of Oz and the Tin Man's search for a heart, they reflect on why the heart matters so much in our stories, and why it's often misunderstood. Is it wicked? Is it good? The answer is complex—but critical. They dig into what it means to live "life from the heart," the lies that often corrupt our core beliefs, and the role of the Holy Spirit in healing and restoration. With practical next steps and recommended resources like Search and Rescue, this episode is an invitation to begin inspecting, guarding, and transforming your heart—because that's where life really starts. We hope you enjoy this episode and invite you to connect with us!

Welcome to our review of PR pitches and mergers and acquisitions in the UK PR scene with Andrew Bloch. Here we discuss the biggest pitch wins, mergers and acquisitions that the PR sector has seen in October 2025Andrew is the lead consultant PR, social, content and influencer at the new business consultancy firm AAR and a partner at PCB Partners, where he advises on buying and selling marketing services agencies.PR Masterclass the Agency Growth Forum is now live. Virtual and face to face tickets are now available.Check out PRmasterclasses.com or the homepage of PRmoment for the full speaker lineup.Also, thanks so much to the PRmoment Podcast sponsors, the PRCA.Here is a rundown of what Andrew and PRmoment founder Ben Smith discussed:Pitches  National Express - Block Report - Block Report launched earlier this year Founded by Chris Grimwood of Iris and Social Chain and Jack Colchester of Wonderhood. Singapore Tourist Board - Splendid - UK integrated marketing agency. This win follows an open RFI. Splendid won Heathrow Express in April. Belfast City Council -  Cavendish Consulting, Lanyon Communications (part of Consello) and Open Strategic Communications PPHE Hotel Group (formerly Park Plaza Hotels Europe) - Launch PR. Retained consumer and corporate brief. 51 properties across eight countries. Rangemaster - Stakked - Iconic cooker brand with global recognition and deep British roots. Previously in-house. BFI London Film Festival - Vamp - 69th film festival. Vamp has worked with clients inc. Disney, paramount, Netflix, Prime, C4 Apple TV etc Aardman Animation - Wonderland. New Ewe Knit it campaign invites fans to create knitted items that can be turned into blankets for the homeless in London. Toy Retailers Association - WPR. To promote the dream toys list of the hottest toys for Christmas 2025.  Butlins - Popcorn. Positioning the holiday resort as the Home of Entertainment. Popcorn is strong in consumer and lifestyle - clients include Thorpe Park, Panasonic and London Designer Outlet. Hey Dude - Words+Pixels.  Launch of new campaign with Lewis Capaldi. Acai Berry Foods - Neon Brand Communications - Neon are specialists in health, wellness and beauty and lifestyle brands (hotpot yoga, coconut collab etc.) For Goodness Shakes - Frank. Launch protein and collagen drink, Glow. Lipton Teas and Infusions - Clarion. Retained consumer pr for sub brands PG Tips and Pukka. Youngs Seafoods - Brazen. Consumer pr, social media, influencer. Frozen fish brand - supplies approx. 40% of all the fish eaten in the UK every year, apparently! Omi/Shakers/Dints - Ballou. Trio of new clients for Ballou UK. Nationwide Building Society - Popeyes, Ogi and DEBRA - Folk  Border to Coast Pensions Partnership - Apella Advisors. Appella was founded in 2019 by ex APCO UK boss James Acheson Gray - works with Aviva, KPMG and Nationwide Building societyRoyal Mint - Third City. The Royal Mint is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Monopoly Board game. Vinted – Smarts. Pan European pr, social and creator for online marketplace for selling, buying and exchanging new/second hand items. POD - Tin Man. EV electric charging provider, joins Tin Man's existing energy division - EDF, Electrify Britain, Energy GB. Changan - Woosah - Chinese auto firm launching into UK market with all electric Deepal SUV model. Paddy Power - Pitch - Addition to roster alongside Ready10.  M&A Team Lewis acquire Instinctif Partners. This deal will double the size of Team Lewis' UK ope

Join Adam, Tyler, Jason and Justin in this episode as they wrap up the first season of Stargate SG-1 by covering "Tin Man", "There But for the Grace of God", "Politics", and "Within The Serpent's Grasp". Join them as they handle such topics as a punchable robot, the end of the world, the U.S. political system, and stun guns that disintegrate you. Please consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds: abortionfunds.org/donate If you've been enjoying the podcast, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/DeepListens If you like our new art and want to commission some of your own, reach out to Tyler at tylerorbin.net

This Week on Earth Station DCU! Drew Leiter and Cletus Jacobs dive into episodes three and four of Creature Commandos. Batman investigates a chilling new villain called the Wound Man—an impassive killer who selects victims alphabetically and inflicts maximum pain—while navigating Gotham's grim realities and unraveling a mystery that emphasizes detective work over high-stakes spectacle in Batman: Dark Patterns #1, 2, &3. Batman investigates a hostage crisis in Bledin Towers that spirals into architectural horror and social unrest, culminating in violent riots and a desperate alliance with the Ventriloquist as Scarface manipulates chaos from the shadows in Batman: Dark Patterns #4, 5, & 6. All this plus, DC News, Shout Outs, and much, much more! ------------------------ Table of Contents 0:00:00 Show Open 0:00:53 DC News 0:07:55 Batman: Dark Patterns #1, 2, 3 0:10:58 Batman: Dark Patterns #4, 5, 6 0:15:22 Creature Commandos S1 Ep3 – Cheers to the Tin Man 0:26:14 Creature Commandos S1 Ep4 – Chasing Squirrels 0:42:34 Show Close   Links Batman: Dark Patterns #1 Batman: Dark Patterns #2 Batman: Dark Patterns #3 Batman: Dark Patterns #4 Batman: Dark Patterns #5 Batman: Dark Patterns #6 Star Spangled War Stories #101 (Cletus's Read More Comics Pick) Detective Comics #583 (Drew's Read More Comics Pick) Earth Station DCU Website The ESO Network If you would like to leave feedback, comment on the show, or would like us to give you a shout out, please call the ESDCU feedback line at (317) 455-8411 or feel free to email us @ earthstationdcu@gmail.com

Miss Heard celebrates Season 7, Episode 317 and in this episode of Miss Heard Song Lyrics will dive into one of the most delightfully wrong misheard lyrics ever: did the B-52's really sing about roaming the world with legendary game show poet Nipsey Russell? (Spoiler: no… but wouldn't that be amazing?) We unpack the real lyrics of “Roam,” take a detour through Nipsey's rhyming legacy, and celebrate the quirky brilliance of the B-52's. Come for the misheard lyric, stay for the Tin Man trivia. You can listen to all our episodes at our website at: https://pod.co/miss-heard-song-lyrics Or iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and many more platforms under Podcast name “Miss Heard Song Lyrics” Please consider supporting our little podcast via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/MissHeardSongLyrics or via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MissHeardSongLyrics #missheardsonglyrics #missheardsongs #missheardlyrics #misheardsonglyrics #podcastinavan #vanpodcast #SongLyricsFails #MusicPodcast #PodcastLovers #MustListen #B52s #RoamW #80sMusic #NipseyRussell #GameShowLegend #MatchGame #PopCulturePodcast #FunnyPodcasts #PodcastComedy #RetroVibes #TVThrowback #ComedicGenius #PodcastLaughs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNwC0sp-uA4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_B-52s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipsey_Russell

Feeling like the Tin Man when your feet hit the floor – and winded on a single flight of stairs – doesn't have to be “just your 40s.” In this episode, we call BS on the idea that midlife means inevitable decline and lays out a clear, doable plan for rebuilding strength, muscle, and pep in your step over the next six months. No doom and gloom here – just evidence-informed training that respects your real life. You'll learn exactly how to structure your workouts for results: which compound lifts to prioritize, how to sprinkle in isolation work the smart way, and why adding power and plyometrics helps you feel quick and athletic again. We'll also touch on where cardio fits for women over 40 so you can train wisely without living in the gym. What you'll learn in this episode: The base of your lifting should be this Should you do cardio with your lifting? Why avoiding power work or impact over 40 backfires When to use isolation exercises Why 6 day a week bro splits aren't working for women 40+ Enjoyed this episode and want more?  Ready to have the plan done for you – with full-body strength, smart power progressions, and cardio that actually fits your life? Grab a 7-day sample of Strong with Steph at stephgaudreau.com/workout – then join the program and let Steph lay it out so you can just open the app and lift. 

This week the Solving Boys finish off the X-Men: Evolution episodes in style! With Joey (ArtoftheTinman) and Gina (VenerableCosplay). We have such a fun time nerding out with our new BFF's of the pod. Shawn even makes a play to get adopted! Oh yea, we talk about the episode too. Apocalypse's final plan and so forth...

The last couple of weeks have actually been kind of slow, when it comes to the craziness of trucking so I don't have any really dramatic stories from the road. However, now that Break Safety Week has come and gone I do talk about how it affected our fleet. Leave a comment and let me know what your experience was like. What to Expect in Episode 185 It's a pretty normal reaction to be scared of the unknown. Just like Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow were scared of the unknown that lurked in the forest as they journeyed to Oz, changes lurking in the trucking industry can be scary too.  I thought it would be interesting to talk about some of the topics that seem to be getting a lot of attention these days. Here's how this episode breaks down. Electric Trucks I talk about my experience driving an electric vehicle for the last 7+ years and how I think it relates to trucks. Driverless Vehicles My Tesla has the "Full Self Driving" feature. It's good, but I think it's going to be a while before we see anything of any significance in capability and quantity in the trucking world. Craig and I talk about why. The English Proficiency Mandate A recent crash in Florida that killed 3 has brought this topic to the forefront of the highway safety discussion. Craig and I talk about some of the specifics and how this has the potential to have a significant impact in the not too distant future.

For some reason we decided to watch two modern adaptations of The Wizard of Oz this week - the SciFi Channel Series "Tin Man" (2007) and NBC's "Emerald City" (2016).Both were pretty wild! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textToday we have Episode 3 of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Dorothy and the Scarecrow meet the last two members of Team Oz. The Tinman and the Cowardly Lion. They both have their own special ask and continue on with Dorothy along the Yellow Brick Road. So now we have no brains, no heart, and no home. That's a lot of no. Let's see what the lion can add to this mix.To check out more of my work, go to my website at cathicolasaudiobooks.com, or find me on Audible. If you're an author looking to turn your book into an audiobook, email me at cathicolas@gmail.com, let's talk. And if you like the podcast, please leave a review or share it on Social Media. Thanks for listening.