What are you up to?

Triduana · Nov 29, 2024

Sorry I haven't been here very much recently. First off, after years of threatening to find myself a new job, I finally went and did it

. It's still the same type of work (ecology), but I'm doing more of the project management side of things instead of being away from home surveying most weeks. So I now have a mainly office-based job for the first time in 20 years. I'm still getting used to it, there's a lot to learn (a lot of numbers!) and I'm having to make sure I still get my exercise!

Secondly, most of my art supplies are in the loft. they've been there since September when my brother stayed with us and we had to make room for him. So my plan of doing 10 paintings this year has gone out of the window (I managed 2). Will do better next year. I'll get everything back out again this weekend when I go and find the Christmas decorations.

Thirdly, I went to Norway. Oh my word. So pretty (and so Christmassy!) It got very cold and a lot of it looked like the picture below that I took from a train. I have many more photos, I'll post them soon. I want to go again immediately.

Artyczar · Nov 29, 2024

Congrats on the job Kay! That's great! Maybe you can get one of those walking pads for your office. I just got one, and I use it (sometimes

.) I've often thought about trying to move to Norway. It's so beautiful. How were the people? Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures! And don't worry, I know you'll get back to art soon enough.

Donna T · Nov 29, 2024

I hope you'll like the new job, Kay, and I can see why Norway is so special to you - Wow!

Grapes · Nov 29, 2024

Arty, I've been wanting to move to Norway too. They say the government is so rich that basically every citizen is a millioner. They get all the heaviest storms directly from the Atlantic. But, the landscape is gorgeous to paint.
Triduana, stunning photo! Will follow this thread to see more, can't wait. Congratulations for the new position!

PaintBoss · Nov 29, 2024

Congratulations on the job! I hope you like it.
I think it’s difficult to get into Norway as a citizen. I understand it’s very hard to learn the language. And it’s very very expensive. It has a host of good things going for it though. It used to be considered the cleanest air in Europe, but unfortunately other countries’ pollution has affected their air quality. Gorgeous place.

john · Nov 29, 2024

Yes congrats on the job change. Sounds more comfortable. My old degree is in environmental science. Hard to find a career in it so went into the HVAC trade but I maintain the interest. Cool that you are able to work in that area.

My thoughts about Norway include, cold, dark, snow and cold and yes beauty. And fjords. And cold and dark, which leads to much drinking and doing crazy stuff like taking saunas then jumping in the snow.

PaintBoss · Nov 29, 2024

Yes, JOHN I don’t think I’d handle the dark very well either but for me it’s depression.

Grapes · Nov 29, 2024

john said:
My thoughts about Norway include, cold, dark, snow and cold and yes beauty. And fjords. And cold and dark, which leads to much drinking and doing crazy stuff like taking saunas then jumping in the snow.

John, All true, excepts saunas .. I didn't find saunas there! I've never heard they go to sauna or have saunas!

PaintBoss, to contrary Norwegian language is one of the easiest languages in the world to learn. I've learnt at school+univ. Swedish for 7 yrs. and Norwegian is very similar (don't tell that to a Norwegian

) so I almost understand what they say or write. Swedish is super easy to learn, too.
I went to Norway for a three week pleinair trip a while back and everyone was saying it's extremely expensive there but when I entered to a supermarket the prices were same as in my country! I was surprised b/c I was prepared to starve like a true pleinair artist. Also, the rented cabin was the same price gategory as in my country I'd pay. Let's hear what Triduana comments about the prices.
I'm thinking to return to paint pleinair (Lofoten) there and it would be convenient for my cat because we can just drive, no aeroplanes for my cat.

Terri · Nov 30, 2024

Triduana said:
Sorry I haven't been here very much recently. First off, after years of threatening to find myself a new job, I finally went and did it . It's still the same type of work (ecology), but I'm doing more of the project management side of things instead of being away from home surveying most weeks. So I now have a mainly office-based job for the first time in 20 years. I'm still getting used to it, there's a lot to learn (a lot of numbers!) and I'm having to make sure I still get my exercise!

Secondly, most of my art supplies are in the loft. they've been there since September when my brother stayed with us and we had to make room for him. So my plan of doing 10 paintings this year has gone out of the window (I managed 2). Will do better next year. I'll get everything back out again this weekend when I go and find the Christmas decorations.

Thirdly, I went to Norway. Oh my word. So pretty (and so Christmassy!) It got very cold and a lot of it looked like the picture below that I took from a train. I have many more photos, I'll post them soon. I want to go again immediately.

View attachment 45144

Looks absolutely gorgeous, Kay! I'm looking forward to seeing more from your trip.

Congrats on the new job. I know it can be extremely daunting just to make up your mind and go look, so extra applause for you getting it done.

I'm a big fan of your art, so hopefully you'll be able to get those supplies back and in working order soon.

Triduana · Dec 1, 2024

Thanks everyone. Yes it was daunting going into a new job, I have a lot of new things to learn! Everyone there is very supportive and it's a fun atmosphere. I definitely needed a change from my last place though.

I really liked the people in Norway, very friendly and I had some good conversations. I always worry about a language barrier when I go abroad, so I tried (unsuccessfully) to learn some basic Norwegian but it wasn't a problem as English is very widely spoken.

Eatimg out was very expensive, I would say at least double the price of eating out here. Alcohol is extortionate - I have never drank so little on a holiday! My bank account took a big hit as it was my husband's 40th birthday and I wanted to treat him to nice food. The food was very good though (especially the restaurant at the seafood market).

Photos to come soon.

I got my art supplies out the loft yesterday, along with the Christmas decorations, so it's going to be a very busy Sunday!

TK H-H · Dec 3, 2024

I've been spending lots of time working with two stray cats. My partner's been taking care of the one for over 2 years (she was born to another stray). The other for almost a year.

The 2yr old we've named Kishka. The mystery age been-around-for-a-year is now named Kaido. Kaido is officially living with us. Kishka lives with us part time. Kaido's become quite cuddly as well. We're trying to adopt both.

Kaido has a vet appointment in a few weeks to get the works done. Kishka can't be picked up yet so nothing booked for her. She usually spends the evenings and nights here and spends the daytime outside.

Fluffy one is Kaido. The other is Kishka.

Terri · Dec 3, 2024

Aw, they look great- healthy and content to be inside (at least at that moment in time!). Good on you for helping these strays. They didn't do anything wrong and usually just need some tender loving care!

I wonder if they can appreciate how lucky they are. From the pattern of the blanket, you could be fostering some puppies!

TK H-H · Dec 3, 2024

We wonder if Kaido was owned at some point given how quickly he's warming up to us. We searched around for anyone potentially looking for him but no luck. He's been outside living on the property for almost a year. He has some weird reactions to certain things too, which makes us suspect he wasn't treated the best once upon a time. For example, crinkly sounds, raising your hand too high or raising your voice. He bolts and hides. Poor guy. He's such a sweet boy though. Really well behaved too.

Kishka we know for sure was never owned. We've known her since she was a kitten. Her mother's no longer around (not sure if passed away or just relocated), but she was a stray as well. Kishka has a daughter we named Pancake who still comes around periodically. Both Kishka and Kaido got caught by a trap-and-fix program a couple months ago so both got fixed. So no more kittens for her. And we got the bonus of not needing to fix them.

She's slowly warming up to us too, but it took a lot of time and effort. She's pettable but only on her terms and as long as you don't touch her head. We got collars and nametags for both but I have yet to put them on them. Not sure if Kishka will even let me. But we wanted her to have it in case something happens, then we'll be contacted. We're hoping she'll eventually stay permanently.

We found a good groomer for them too. We'll book Kaido with her once he has his vet visit and vaccines.

TK H-H · Dec 6, 2024

Got some better pictures of both.

PaintBoss · Dec 6, 2024

Oh, I wish I could just reach thru the pictures and give them a big kiss and snuggle. Oh I know they’re not ready for that. Ha ha I just love cats. And they’re gorgeous. They look happy. You can win them over with time and love and being rather predictable.