Caught this on PBS HDTV tonight and it was spectacular (it'll be on several more times over the next week). The choirs were great, and the setting - Nidaros Cathedral - was extraordinary.
Norway is yet another list of countries that I'd really like to visit and spend a month or so in. As a Canadian, I've always found it odd that nationally we haven't fostered more of a friendship and alliance with the smaller Northern countries (Sweden, Norway, the Baltic States, Finland): We share common political (e.g. smaller countries amongst heavyweights) and environmental conditions (cold!).
Speaking of togetherness - I've been to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) in Minnesota quite a few times, and I would truthfully say that the classic stereotype of Canadians (many mannerisms, friendliness, and so on) actually applies more aptly to the great folks of Minnesota. That's a beautiful state full of great people, and in many ways it's more Canadian than Canada.
A very large grocer up here in Canada is Loblaw's (which operates under a variety of brands). They generally operate huge supermarkets full of a good selection of fresh, quality products. It most certainly isn't the cheapest grocery store, but I can honestly say that I enjoy grocery shopping when it's mulling around a Loblaw's.
One of the greatest coups of Loblaws, and it's one that has brands and retailers worldwide taking notice, is the President's Choice brands. Originally begun as a rather corny "I'm the president, and this is the stuff I like!" selection of items, it has evolved into a very high quality brand (which is rare given that it's a store brand, which usually indicate a compromise in quality): If I'm looking for a product in a realm where I don't have a favourite, I'll go past all of the well-known brands and pick the PC alternative if one is available. In any given Loblaws visit, probably 30% of the non-produce items I buy now are PC brand items.
Of course Loblaws doesn't actually manufacture the brands themselves - Instead they get outside manufacturers to do it, often the people whose products it will compete against. However it seems evident that they spec out excellent products, and they demand a very high level of quality and ingredients (PC brands eliminated or minimized transfats long before that became a norm, for instance). The result is products that seldom disappoint.
Why do I mention this? I mention it because the PC brand is going so well, and they're earning so much namespace, that a good thing can't continue: Seemingly inevitably some blowhard fly-through executive will decree that if they are making $X, then they should reduce the quality of the ingredients and make $X*1.2! Perhaps I'm a cynic, but this cycle of self-defeat at the hands of short-term sacrificers is legendary when something starts doing well.
