Last evening when President Bush was addressing the assembly at Virginia Tech my cable tv service went on the blink and stayed that way throughout the evening. I phoned service which said the problem was their end. Quite surprised that it lasted so long. Anyway, I used the time productively, working on a little essay I'll post in about two months or whenever. Though I'm paying for this service and wasn't happy at having none for a long time, it was good to be without.

Local reaction to the Virginia Tech massacre didn’t take people here by surprise; several told me it typified much of what’s wrong with America, thattt is, lack of gun control. At the same time, nobody railed against the US, just expressed their sadness.

Today’s weather is partly cloudy, not the slightest breeze, which makes Iceland one of the most special places in the world to experience natural silence. You don’t have to go far from the city or inhabited areas because urban planning here is quite advanced. That is to say, even some 50 years ago natural surroundings were incorporated such as paths, wooded areas and the like.

“The Lord…will drive them out of your sight, and you shall possess their land” [Jos 23.5]. The same verb (yarash) with two different meanings; fundamental sense is to inherit which here seems to imply ridding oneself of an obstacle before actually possessing it.

Icelanders are wild over American Idol, following it closely. They also like Desperate Housewives, CSI and 24 Hours. Although British programs are offered, American ones are preferred head over heels.