-Feb 15th. A Big Wind has come on the scene about 9am and supposed to continue for a day or two. However, the weather is relatively mild, about 8C. I have four days off now and plan on visiting friends on Westmann Island. I would love to fly (only 25 minutes) but weather is problematic, hence the ferry. Because my friend and his family reside on Westmann, they`re entitled to discount ferry tickets, so her made the arrangement for Saturday, overnight. This will be my 4th trip there.

-Local news had a piece about teenagers addic ted to video games, popular here among that crowd as anywhere in the world. Sad part is that a local 15 yr old went out and stabbed an elderly man (killed him) to see if it was similar to the game he was playing.

-I enjoy keeping up with world news through CNN and BBC on the television. Of course, much is about Iraq, and the image I`ve formed is of American troops kicking in doors to private homes. They are on virtually every night along with the daily dose of suicide bombings.

-One fellow in his mid 20s called Geir helps me out with the foreign post. Both of us have been scrounging around for Icelandic mailbags, in short supply. Not just that, they are virtually non-existent. We figure that those which have been sent abroad for Christmas haven`t returned. At first I thought no problem, but the fellow who handles foreign mailbags, especially from small countries, waits a while to collect a bunch and return.