SO WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO IN NORWAY?
Last week, I had the pleasure of introducing two new Norwegian colleagues to a form of dining with which they had not been acquainted - beer and wings at Hooters. Along with two other of my work friends, we took them to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minneapolis, to experience the delights of this chicken and ale emporium. With it being a Friday night AND the third game in the World Series, the idea of taking them to Hooters seemed like a bit of a no brainer.

To enhance their enjoyment, our hostess was also in the 2004 calendar, a golden opportunity for our norwegian chums to (a) purchase a calendar, (b) get it personally signed, and (c) have a photo taken with our pneumatic and charming waitress.

Now, least I be accused of sexism and corruption, I should point out that according to our friends, there is no Hooters in Norway, nor is there anything like it. In fact, one of the things Norwegians apparently like to do for fun is stand around in the freezing cold for weeks, waiting for a movie.

According to the norwegian paper, Aftenposten, 144 fans, dressed as Tolkien creatures such as hobbits, elves and orcs, have been queuing outside the Colosseum Cinema in Oslo for three weeks, waiting to buy tickets.

According to Anette Hellaa Christiansen, who was number seven in the queue, "This is so social, so pleasant. Many from last year's queue have moved in together. Eccentrics have to stick together."

Right. Either that or open a Hooters and sit in the heat, for goodness sake!