For one, nobody would think Haaken's name was odd (not only is Haaken a common name there, but hey, it's hard to be shocking in a country where people are really named Björk Guðmundsdóttir). For two, theirs is the only language to use a rune in their alphabet (the thorn, Þ). For three, they spawned Sigur Rós. And fourthly (the actual inspiration for this post), the Icelandic government is actually dealing sensibly with global warming and oil shortages. I also hear the climbing is good, and the summers tend to be cooler than Missouri's . . .Addendum: a few more things in favor of Iceland: plentiful fresh(ish) cod, turf houses, president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (ahhh . . . just rolls off the tongue), active volcanoes, and churches that appear as if they were built to transport you to heaven themselves . . . what's not to like?
12 comments:
Dealing with global warming and oil shortages??? Don't tell my are actually falling for the whole Al Gore non-sense!?!?!
Surly, surly . . . And don't tell me you're falling for all the Bush, Cheney and Co. pseudoscience that says we have no pressing environmental issues . . . :)
Bush, Cheney and Co....pseudoscience????? No. I have done my own studies and read studies and the whole global warming is a left wing political agenda. The earth heats up and it cools it's a cycle. Bobby Kennedy said that in 10 years that global warming and pollution was going to be so bad we'd all have to wear gas masks...guess that didn't happen. I think we'll just have to agree to disagree on this issue.
Whoooooaaahhhh Nelly . . . I've been blinded by vitriol. I'll have to a wait a day or two for the acrid smoke to clear and then I'll try my hand at a reasoned response . . . In the meantime, why do we have to fight . . .
http://youtube.com/watch?v=11TaDDUVcGQ
The fly in our American political ointment- politicians are thinking about their next election in 2 or 4 years, not the state of the world in 200. Conflicting studies aside, there's plenty of evidence in plain sight that there are some serious environmental problems. (Haze of smog over most major cities, fish depleted, Kilimanjaro with no snow, etc). The catch is that Europe and North America don't want to lower their standard of living, and the rest of the world wants to attain it, and it's not sustainable. :-(
All that aside, Iceland looks like a lovely place to live. :-)
Thanks for returning a comment! I'm glad that you all are doing well. How old is Haaken?
And I'm still Margaret, but Petry now, instead of Parker. :-) It's just over 3 years now that I've been married and in Phoenix. (city motto: paradise for 9 months, hell on earth for 3) And I was really saddened and taken aback to hear about both Jason K and Lynda V. I wasn't aware that Jason had joined the military. Poor Erin! What a heartbreak. :-( When I heard, I went to look at my album of Mongolia pictures. It's surreal to look back at a photo of people so unaware of the future. :-( More shards of our shattered world. Do you still keep up with anyone else from the trip?
I will certainly keep in touch. Up till now I've gone with the more adolescent-friendly Myspace, in case a student needs to come by and unload, but I've been meaning to get on Facebook for a while. And thanks for not minding me snooping on your blog. :-)
Please tell Jess congratulations on almost being done with her degree- that's great!
Have a fun Saturday. :-)
Re: Jesus and politics:
-He had long hair
-He wore sandals
-He rode on a donkey, not an elephant
Some support for your point. :-)
I highly recommend moving to Iceland! I can attest that it is the greatest place on Earth. People are friendly, they love to have a good time, daylight for 24 hours for two months out of the year and a holiday where you eat only the foods Vikings did. What is not to love!
I hope you guys are good!
Aaron,
Now that the smoke has dissipated a bit I'll say a couple things regarding your response to the possible reality of global warming.
First off, as far as my believing that global warming exists or not, I tend to think that with issues as complicated as this it is pretty much impossible for the layperson to really know anything. This is a really complicated issue, and there is a lot of spin coming from both sides of the issue. Our beliefs are shaped by the influences we choose to respect, and are thus a product of our choices and what we want to be true rather than some outward, objectively true reality (which of course says nothing about the possible truth or untruth of the thing we believe, just that we don't form our beliefs in some detached, objective manner). Thus, you have chosen to believe more "conservative" opinions about this issue while I have chosen to believe more "liberal" ones. Certainly, the studies you've read may seem pretty convincing, but that's assuming one reads them already trusting the source and wanting to believe what said source has to tell you. The same goes for the other side (i.e., that global warming does exist). As far as my choosing to think global warming is probably a reality, I tend to trust people that I know are concerned about the state of the planet, because I'm pretty convinced from my own experience that it's in trouble, and that a lot of people don't care about taking care of it. With that, I tend to be suspicious of opinions on the issue coming from people who think we don't have much impact on the earth, or don't care that we do. Along these lines, I also think environmentalists have less to gain from promoting their perspective (in contrast, say, to Exxon Mobile touting said studies that claim global warming doesn't exist), and have a better possible motive for it (i.e., an ethical concern about the state of the planet, rather than a profit concern about the value of the company stock).
Secondly, your point about Bobby Kennedy is a straw man. Just because he was wrong (or right) about a position regarding global warming or whatever says nothing about the actual truth of global warming.
And finally, as somebody who I know claims the Christian faith (and presumably Christ's commandment to love one's neighbor as one's self), it seems that whatever your opinion on the matter it would be better to approach such issues with at least a degree of gentleness and respect for the "other side". . .
Aaron,
Given that the above unassailable reasoning is rather likely to convert you to the green cause, I thought you'd appreciate this little article:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife
/08/23/o.green.gore/
I hope you find it helpful . . . :)
Peder, I have to say, i agree and disagree with you. I agree that we are influenced by those around us and things we care about, but I have not seen or felt any evidence of global warming. And as studies have shown over and over, people are more productive when it is warmer and people live longer in warmer climates. I don't think Jesus was a liberal.
Also, I would consider myself a borderline libertairian. I think the Govt should have limited involvement in our lives. They should not be telling Exxon or anyother company that they have to invest in alternative enery sources. Most do anyway, b/c they realize that that is the direction consumers are heading. Their main objective (as should any public company) is profit for the share holders. As someone who is in the financial industry and sells stocks, i have to say i'm glad they do that. It's increasing my wealth. Also, universities and scientists have plenty of reasons for saying global warming is true...they get grant money. If they don't have the grant money (which mostly comes from liberals) then they don't have a job.
I think it's hard to predict what the weather is going to be when scientists can't even predict what it will be 3 years from now.
I guess, the only way, we'll be able to find out who is right or wrong is in about 75 years when the cycle changes and things start to cool off and you'll realize I was right. :)
So how's med school going?
Welcome back. It is great to read from you again. Your blog is one of my favorites to read. Anyhow, thanks for your honesty over the past couple months, your writing always touches my heart (that sounds totally chick, but it's true).
I'm with you on the whole environment deal. There should be concern- it's an issue of stewardship. (But what do I know, I live in a hippie beach town and drive a VW Bus).
Thanks for the music too, it's a so nice.
aloha
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