Meat party, Iceland

For a once vegetarian then vegan now carnivore, this was a good week. This was the week of the 'meat party' as it is now known. This Saturday night was one of the culinary highlights of my time in Iceland to date. The party itself was nothing special, but the caterer must have been a flippin' magician. Much like all the other party stories I've told you, this one starts by me walking in to a room full of strangers half sozzled on mini Thor's.

This was the 'meat party' for an unknown meat thief and Hans

It took a good 45 minutes until Hans and I met the hosts of the party or any of the guests. During that time we devoured Reindeer steaks, two kinds of smoked Duck, roasted Auk, baked Puffin and roast Lamb. To top it off it was all Fondue! Meat and cheese, I mean are ya wise? Because the socialising was kept to a minimum for the two of us, all I have left ior this week's post is a picture of me eating a Reindeer. Enjoy it. I did.

Reindeer steak ... like you wouldn't believe

Dig work? Iceland

I don't know why I'm surprised. Most people expect snow in Iceland. Having never really had to 'live' with snow before, there were some things I had to learn. Let's see what it takes to get to work here during winter.

Lesson 1: How to mentally prepare yourself to leave your apartment

First you have to want to leave the house. Then you have to get prepared to leave the house, which means donning a jersey, jacket, scarf, hat, gloves and waterproof pants if you can be arsed. Once you're ready to go you realise that it's probably not that simple.

Lesson 2: How to shovel snow so you can physically leave your apartment

More often that not you're going to have to break a sweat before you even get to your car. The task of shovelling snow is made particularly more difficult if you don't actually own a snow shovel. Note: although it seems like it might, a broom does not work.

Lesson 3: How to scrape just enough ice and snow off your windshield to see

Once you've finally made it to your vehicle (with wet pants if you forgot those waterproof overs) you've still got a couple of tasks to do. The car has to be started so it has a bit of time to warm up before you carve your way in to town. This is a good opportunity to call 'shotgun' and flip on the seat warmers which usually only work in the two front seats. Next you have to get out your scraper and brush (if someone hasn't already borrowed it for their car) and set to clearing a hole in the windscreen large enough for you to see out of but not so big that it takes you 20 minutes to get the job done. Once the car is de-iced and warmed up, and you are icy, wet and freezing it's time to go to work.

Lesson 4: How to drive on powder and recognise the road

Lesson 5: How to overcome obstacles when making a right turn

Driving in knee deep powder can get a little hairy, especially when the visibility is down to 5 metres. Despite the fear you better stick to the 90 km/hr speed limit because you're probably already running late. Just watch out for snow drifts across the road which could de-rail a train and any vehicles that may have gotten stuck on the road in front of you. Needless to say the demister should be dialed all the way up to 'shred mist' for the journey. Whingers and back seat drivers should be left at home.

Lesson 6: How to park your truck so as not to get stuck

If/when you actually make it to the office you can't just whip the car in any old way. I like to roll it in hard and fast to dislodge any snow occupying my spot, slam it in reverse and get outta there asap and then ease back in again. In doing so I not only have a bit of fun but also ensure that the snow beneath the tyres is a little compacted and therefore unlikely to ice up and swallow my car during the workday. Nothing sucks more than coming out of work and having to not only learn lessons 1-3 all over again but then to have to fart about trying to get your car rolling.

Lesson 7: How to hate work before you even get inside

So you're already half an hour late when you get out of the car to discover the office looking like this. Not only did you have to dig your way out of your own home, you now have to dig your way in to work. Thing is, by the time you've come this far, digging out one more door is a lot easier than turning around and going home. So tell me boss, if laziness has no place at work then why can't I be bothered to go home?

My 27th birthday, Iceland

I know we all use google every day, but have you ever asked it this? As retarded as it may be, once you turn 25 or so you kind of stop caring. Also it is still hard for some of us to count past the limit of fingers + toes. Never the less this week it was my birthday. Let me talk you through it in painstaking detail.

Phase 1 of birthday #27 nearing completion

First obviously there was the soak in the hot pot to ease all those extra aches and pains I've accumulated over the past year. With all the snow and ice about I was lucky not to do my back in a few years prematurely. And before you say anything - no I wasn't alone - someone had to take the picture didn't they. Still it wasn't exactly a party pot that particular night. Next things next, and as it usually is food was involved. Cat whipped up some tasty birthday type treats to feed the meagre scraping of "party goers" I could muster up.

Remember saveloy's, sausage rolls, mum's pav and way too much candy?

Once the goodies were safely being washed down by a multitude of mini Thor's it was time for the embarrassing art of the presents. Now there were others of course (of which I don't happen to have pictures) for which I am very thankful, but none came close to being as awkward to receive (pun not intended) as this one.

Woollen - for whose pleasure exactly?

... mine apparently ...

Once the glow in my cheeks had subsided and everybody's eyes were off my crotch we got in to a serious game of Wii 10 pin bowling. This game has received some serious attention during the dim dark nights of winter, but I am yet to break a 1,000 points average. This the Wii deems is what separates novices from professionals. Couldn't even bend the rules for my birthday. Do I need to explain what a birthday sulk is? Apart from a minor tanty the evening was as uneventful as any other 27th birthday I expect. No wrinkles suddenly appearing, no major sagging to speak of and certainly no wise words filling my noggin. May I be so lucky again next year.

Thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday special - whether you were here in Iceland with me, called me on the phone, hit me up on facebook, sent me a txt or knitted me a woollen party hat. You guys are all O for Owesome.