Here is a hilarious bit of news: mbl.is reports that someone came into a store yesterday and paid for goods with a forged 10,000 krona banknote. Yet instead of the banknote featuring an image of some VIP statesman [or YT's father] this one featured disgraced Central Bank governor Davíð Oddsson.
Compounding the embarrassment factor for the hapless cashier is the fact that a] Iceland has never issued a 10,000 banknote [ISK 5,000 is currently the highest denomination, although I predict this will change as soon it will probably be worth somewhere around 5 US cents] and b] not only did he not notice anything amiss, but he actually gave back change in the amount of ISK 7,000.
D’oh!!
And so, dear readers, we present to you the new currency of the Banana Republic of Niceland: The Doddsson!
Don’t spend it all in one place!
BUT WHAT OF THAT
Our new currency is not what matters in the world today, but the fact that the United States has a new president that represents a new era, not only for them, but for the entire world. I am so thrilled that Barack Obama is the new President of the United States – I know he’s just landed himself a job that is one of the toughest on the planet – especially now – but I have a deep conviction that this will be a watershed for the US as a nation, domestically and internationally. I can only imagine what it feels like to be a Democratic supporter in America today. wOOOOt!
WE HAVE WEATHER
It’s windy out there but skies are mostly clear, which at this time of year is Very Important. When it’s cloudy in November it almost feels like there is no day. It’s 8°C [46F], sunrise was at 9.21 and sunset is due for 5 pm.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Hahaha
( the currency thing)
and… well done Mr. Obama, I ‘m actually happy for those who are happy about it , it’s not a matter of being black or white, but I think it’s time to remind everybody what America is made of…
A thief with a sense of humor
Oh that poor cashier… how embarrassing!
I’m also delighted at the results of the US election. Best news for quite a while!
Better days are coming!
I still can’t quite believe it. I… yeah. Woot!!!1!!!!1!!! indeed.
That banknote!
The daughter (11) breathed a sigh of relief about 8:05pm Pacific time last night, and said, “We don’t have to move now, do we, Mommy?”
hahaha. That’s a good one.
Things are finally looking up here in the US. It felt like Christmas only much much better.
Apparently the banknote was from an exhibit of a student in the Iceland Academy of the Arts
Glad Obama is in, but with all of congress democrats I think too many taxex and unfriendly laws will be passed. I’ll keep your Canada post handy.
It would have been even better if the cashier had returned change in the form of a 7000 ISK note with Björk’s picture on it. By the way, are the cops sure the culprit wasn’t D’OH!ddson himself?
I’m actually getting a little teary-eyed from the reaction of the rest of the world to Obama’s win. And I’m not worried about taxes– ours are already among the lowest in the industrial world– and it’s hard to imagine any laws less friendly than the ones passed in the last 8 years. So I think I’ll stick around.
LOL about the Doddsson note. He looks exceptionally gormless in that photo, too.
It is a thrilling, gratifying, and reassuring moment in history to be sure.
I think Bush and Company should all be put on trial for crimes against humanity.
Alda,
Your sense of humor cracks me up. Outstanding. I’m sure this is a difficult time for you, which brings me to this thought.
A while back you asked if one would pay to subscribe to TIWR.
Personally, I would hate to see that happen, as it might exclude a lot of folks from being able to read your fantastic writting.
Would you consider this: setting up an account at paypal (or someplace else) where we (your loyal readers) can contribute something to the effort of keeping
this going. I know times are tought there, and I want to help. This is just the “American” way of tipping, for a service I use and appreciate.
I hope you will consider to do this.
Alda, above all, continue to do what you do. You have a loyal readership out there. I’d find it interesting if you care to post “hit” numbers to your site before the financial problems there, and after, as I know you have been quoted by a number of sources since problems arose.
In my own estimation, everyone in the English language environment is turning to you for information on Iceland, as you put the news there in a personal context. We, out here, need that to put the simple news summaries on DNFI in perspective.
As always, thanks for taking the time to do what you do.
Don
Don – okay okay, twist my arm already!
This would be a great time for George Walker Bush to spend the next 77 days cutting brush in Crawford. The nightmare is finally over!
Alda,
Which store was it? I’ve got some paper and colouring pencils here ready.
Leighton
PS Is it me or does Mr O look smug? I mean Oddsson, not Obama (he’s got every right to be smug right now), on the bank note.
Leighton – don’t know. They said it was a food store and the cashier was not Icelandic. Which doesn’t narrow it down one bit. And yes, DO looks smug. Always.
Only 10000 on that note? That’s nothing! See the Icenews comment thread where I posted pictures of some real money:
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/11/06/victim-deserved-it-criminal-officially-comic-genius/#comments
And Obama, well what can I say that hasn’t alread ybeen said?
Maybe only that you need to find your own Obama yourself.
It’s time for a change!
And, YES, YOU CAN accomplish that.
The 10,000 note reminded me of a $100 bill one cashier took in at a restaurant where I worked as a cashier. The manager called all in one-by-one and asked if they had taken it in. Soon as i saw it, I started laughing – it was thin cardboard!!
BTW. . . Wooo Hooo!!!!! You should have seen the TV news in Seattle, Washington; people were dancing in the streets of downtown Seattle on Election Night! Jumping up and down, hugging and waving signs . . . also most of the people . . . (dare I say???) were white! This wasn’t about race, color or anything except brains, charisma and a return to Camelot of the Kennedys. Yeah, you got it right, I’m just sooo happy I could sing! (Someone give me a bucket!) LOL!
Do you think they can find the person who created it and have them design a $1,000,000 USD bill with George Bush’s head on it??
Jessie, make that a 700 billion dollar bill! This way, Bush can pay for the bailout with a single banknote! Hey, who said fixing the economy is difficult?
Jessie – shouldn’t be hard, the bill was actually taken from a final project by a student at the Iceland Academy for the Arts.
I am cautiously reminded of a proverb warning people to not count their chickens before they hatch. Bandarikunum’s election should cause no joy to any human on the planet. I believe no good choice existed. “Change” has distance, not vector; if one direction is “good” ten thousand are “bad”. Now you have a situation where the most powerful military machine on the planet will soon be in the hands of a man with one term in Congress, no executive or military experience, and a chip on his shoulder. We shall have an unprecedented one-party government that can work faster than Althing and you know better than I that hasty decisions are not very often good decisions.
In Iceland’s distant history are the Berserks. They were useful for a time, but when the wars ended (or slowed down a bit), what does one do with Berserks? I have visited Berserkahraun, stayed overnight in a gravel pit to escape the wind. Russia and the USA still have their Berserks, figuratively speaking. It takes strong leadership to keep Berserks in control. Relevance to me — Eg er hermathur fra Bandarikunum, en ekki berserk.
Icelanders should not forget their own heritage. I have on my desk an impressive medallion (stor peningur), 1100 ara afmaeli islandsbyggdar 1974. There is on the back of it four landwights, each of which renowned for strength and/or cunning (a giant man, a dragon, an ox, and a bird, looks like a phoenix).
It took Iceland hundreds upon hundreds of years to evolve to a state where battles are fought in Althing with words; yet on the street, the park, and the sea; Icelanders are amazingly honorable and civil. You achieve this largely by having a relatively homogenous population, challenging geography and weather that forces people to cooperate or die, a libertarian political outlook, responsive government and nonviolent outlets for dissent. You cannot export these conditions to Russia or the USA.
The President of the United States is supposed to be merely the chief executive of the federal government only; not meddling in the affairs of the states or cities, or of other nations except as he represents the will of the people. It is very bold (and wrong, and false) for candidates to speak of things over which they have no authority; Obama cannot decide for himself what is going to be tax policy, or foreign policy; BUT as part of a one-party government, many things will happen quickly and Democrats do NOT understand commerce, military, or foreign affairs.
Can anyone help us identify a really heavy bronze medallian with the words (1100 ARA AFMAELI iSLANDSBYGGDAR 1974 ) printed on the back and embossed on the front is 4 pictures one of a man , an ox, a dragon , and a giant bird. My mother in-law was from Iceland and move here around 1952, was very brave to come alone to a place where she had to teach herself to speak the language and learn the ways on her own. I am still . in awe of her and she has since left us. So could anyone help us figure out whyour , dearly departed mother would have held on to this medal, i am sure it must have been a comforting reminder of her home land Iceland, but we would like to know what it symbolizes. Thank you in advance. Victor & Nancy Williams. vwilliams9857@charter.net