Lysi is the Icelandic word for fish oil. Lysi hf is a an incorporated company in Iceland that is synonymous with the processing and sales of cod liver oil.

It is not unusual for an Icelander to start the day with a spoon full of lysi. Cod liver oil is quite healthy - in fact, in the U.S., the Consumer's Union recently suggested that all middle aged people would benefit from a daily dose of fish oil. In addition to containing a good dose of vitamins A & D, fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They can be found in a few plants (notably flax seed), and are present in grass-fed beef and sheep. But modern industrial agriculture pumps animals with corn and other grains, which are lacking in the beneficial omega-3 fats, but rich in the inflammatory fats. The result is a deficiency in essential fats and an increase in chronic inflammatory diseases.

This year's Iceland Airwaves music festival will happen from October 18th to October 22nd (Wednesday to Sunday). It involves simultaneous performances in bars, clubs, and other venues across Reykjavik and plenty of partying. This festival involves a large number of medium and small gigs; the smallest locale holds 200, the largest, just under 1000. There is also an off-venue schedule, where dozens of other live music events will take place.

Below is part of the schedule (subject to change)

International Bands at Iceland Airwaves 2006
• Brazilian Girls (FRA/US)
• Cold War Kids (US)
• Fields (UK)
  

Icelandic Stamp Commemorating the Life of Halldor Laxness

Halldór Kiljan Laxness is Iceland's most popular writer; he was awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955. I had the pleasure of meeting Halldór in his house in Mosfellsveit in 1987. His wife Auður greeted me downstairs, and showed me up to a study on the second floor. I settled in, and coffee was served.

Magni Makes it into the Final 4!! Although he was eliminated during the final episode, Magni was able to showcase his talent to the world, and did gather respect and some new fans. Congratulations, Magni!!

Magni "Iceman" was an Icelandic contestant on the CBS series Rockstar: Super Nova during the summer of 2006. His given name is Guðmundur Magni Ásgeirsson (which gets Anglicized to Gudmundur Magni Asgeirsson), and he has been a prominent musician in Iceland for several years. Although Magni's start was a little rough, he has gone on to distinguish himself as one of the top contenders.

Like the U.S., Iceland went through a period of prohibition, where all alcoholic beverages were outlawed. But curiously, when prohibition was lifted, beer remained illegal. The temperance movement was strong in Iceland, and horror stories were spread about workers and school children in Denmark and Germany that were seduced by beer and drank it continuously! It was only in 1986 that the ban on beer was lifted.

Reykjavik is the third most expensive city to live in, according to a study in The Economist magazine published July 22, 2006. These conclusions will not come as a big surprise to people familiar with Iceland.

Oslo, Norway, claimed the crown for being the most expensive city in the world. Oslo weighed in at 130, or 30% more expensive than New York City. Tokyo and Reykjavik were close behind Oslo.

The survey cited alcohol, tobacco, and transportation as key factors - expect to pay double, triple or quadruple the U.S. prices for these products. Tourists to Iceland are highly advised to stock up on vices at the duty free store in the airport when they arrive, or be prepared to pay very high prices when they are in the country.