Train of Thought

In November 2009, over 1.2 million Norwegians tuned in to watch a 7½ hour documentary on the “Bergensbanen”, or Bergen Railway, a line that travels between Bergen and Oslo, Norway. It is an exceedingly beautiful trip, especially as it crosses the Hardangervidda, an enormous eroded plain high above the treeline.

This barren, snowy landscape supports some of the largest herds of reindeer in the world, where they migrate across the plateau during the year, moving from their winter grazing lands on the east side to their breeding grounds in the more fertile west of the plateau.

This is where our journey begins, at Finse Station, the highest station on the line.

As the train makes its way through the landscape and down to sea level, I will be performing solo guitar pieces, pulling from my last few shows: Lucky Strike (Gold Rush), At the Crossroads (Faust), and Face (Steve Mitchell’s recently performed short story).

Every fifteen minutes, an alarm clock will ring. At that moment, I will immediately stop what I am playing and launch into a rousing rendition of Elmo & Patsy’s holiday classic, Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. After which I will turn back to the Bergensbanen train, pull something else out of my ass, and we will reboard the Train of Thought.

I’m not sure where we’ll get to. We might end at the Asker Station, or we may get all the way to Oslo.

I would like to thank Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear for hosting this First Friday event. Tasty treats and wine will be provided by Rioja! A Wine Bar.