The Saga Museum

The Saga Museum

Historic Exhibition – restaurant – shop – activities – events

The Saga Museum brings the Viking age to life with realistic silicone figures in historically accurate clothing and realistic settings, carefully designed according to tradition and historical records. During your visit you will meet some of Iceland’s most famous heroes and infamous villains portrayed in their defining moments.

A multilingual audioguide accompanies you, bringing to life the struggling beginnings of an Icelandic nation; the Viking settlement in 874, Leif the Lucky’s discovery of America, the founding of the world’s first parliament and the epic clan feuds that marked the settlement.

The Saga Museum is an incomparable experience for anyone whishing to witness the real history of the Viking recreated. This is as close as you will ever get to meeting the Vikings in the flesh.

A Viking in face of the Saga Museum. Photo by Olga

The Museum Shop

At the museum shop you will find a wide selection of traditional Viking handiwork, souvenirs, clothing ad beautifu local design. The museum als runs a webstore at its website.

After you have visited the Vikings you can make sure to visit the museum tiny theater. There you can watch a short behind the scenes video documenting the process and methods of making the silicone figures, weapons and clothing.

Become a Viking: At the end of the tour you will be given the opportunity to try on the clothes and weapons of the Viking age. Great fun and a great photo opportunity.

The Saga Museum is located at Grandagaröur 2, an old fish factory right in the center of the vibrant old harbor area. The building is close to downtown and right by the whale watching tours, and some of Reykjavik’s best restaurants.

The museum offers guided tours and group discounts.

The audioguide is included.

The Saga Museum Website: http://www.sagamuseum.is

Aggressive Behaviours

Aggressive Behaviours

The purpose of this essay is to outline some of the major theories and psychological studies in relation to interpersonal aggression. Aggression is a topic of interest to psychologists in the many branches of the social science, notably social psychologists. For instance, social psychologists predict that children exhibiting aggressive behaviours tend to be disliked by their peers, as opposed to non-hostile children. Conversely, children who observe a group at play before attempting to join a game seem to be the most popular, demonstrating greater social skills.

Clearly, displaying agressive and hostile behaviours is unlikely to gain one popularity. However, among primates, agression may serve the purpose of establishing social status. Further, testosterone, the hormone mainly produced by male gonads (although women also have the hormone, albeit at lower levels) has been associated with agression. Interestingly, in a study on chimpanzees, chimps who consistently lost in altercations, had lower levels of testosterone than those who won, and these levels fluctuated depending on the outcome of the fight. Moreover, serotonin, the neurotransmitter regulating mood, also fluctuated with win or lose situations.

Not all the creatures are agressive. Photo by Elena

Along these lines, Albert Bandura has been credited as one of the most famous psychologists to study behavioural agression and agressive tendencies. His studies on children’s modelling behaviour after watching an adult interact negatively with a Bobo doll, inspired a series of experiments on the effects of watching agression on television. Indeed, the media’s portrayal of aggression seemingly without seriously nefarious consequences (or even glamorized!), as well as, violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto, have been blamed for violent acts committed in real life. Nevertheless, clinicians remain divided, for the most part, as to whether watching violent acts actually leads one to behave more violently. Indeed, correlation does not imply causality, and researchers have stipulated that perpetrators with violent tendencies may be drawn to violent content in the first place.

Naturally, bullying in schools has been a prominent topic in the study of agression and hostile bbehaviours. For example, psychologists have found that children who were loners were more likely to be bullied, as opposed to children who had at least one friend. In addition, since the popularization of the Internet, cyber-bullying has become a problem, exacerbated by the fact that due to its fairly recent and dynamic nature, coupled with global scope, the laws governing cyberspace remain under development in many areas.

Also, social and developmental psychologists point to frustration as a precursor to agression in certain cases. For example, frustrated needs and desires may lead a child to behave aggressively towards others, especially if the child failed to learn other ways to regulate his or her negative emotional states.

Alternatively, for adults, mental illness may also contribute to violent acts, often times with the individual not entirely cognizant of his or her behaviour (hence the insanity defence in extreme cases for not criminally responsible persons). To illustrate, auditory hallucinations combined with delusions in clinical patients with schizophrenia, have been documented. To illustrate, command internal running commentaries, or “voices in their heads” may tell a patient with schizophrenia to hurt themselves or others. Notwithstanding, obviously, a person found not criminally responsible for a heinous crime will still be isolated from society in most jurisdictions, and communities across the world, albeit in a mental institution instead of a high-security correctional facility.

In contrast, from an evolutionary psychology perspective, aggression might have served a certain adaptive purpose. For instance, to take another social science perspective – political science – Realists (Realism – political theory/school of thought) would stress the importance of power, strategy and even show of force, in international (although of course not interpersonal!) relations. Still, as Mahatma Gandhi has proven, peaceful protest and civil disobedience go to far more positive, yet spectacular and impressive lengths. Thus, the purpose of the present paper was to cover the main theories and arguments discussed in the field of psychology in relation to hostility, violence and aggressive behaviours.

Frustration, Aggression, and the Make It All Better Pill

We live in a world where there should be a feel better pill for almost everything and anything. The Simpsons, the popular, long-standing family oriented cartoon had an episode on it, the one where Lisa Simpson – the perfect child by so many standards, becomes depressed and starts vomiting smileys once she gets put on antidepressants. But let’s not minimize antidepressants, depression or what is discussed in The Simpsons. Indeed, some very serious issues are discussed in The Simpsons, but I digress…

Confusion, photo by Elena (Toronto's pier).

The point of the present post, and yes, there indeed is a point, is to discuss frustration, aggression, restlessness and other things which are not fun, but which still creep up into daily lives of, sometimes it seems, everybody. Psychologists say that frustration leads to aggression and other expressions of hostile and violent behaviours, thoughts and cognitions. Frustration is not getting what one wants, to have one’s wants, needs, and goals thwarted. Isn’t there a pill for that?

Pregnancy: On the Early Side of the Street

Pregnancy: On the Early Side of the Street

When a baby ignores the due date and surprises you

By the 30th week or so of pregnancy, most mothers-to-be probably wonder whether their babies will ever arrive. They usually will be kept waiting seven or eight more weeks, since term is defined as being from the 37th to the 42nd month of pregnancy. But between 6 and 8 percent of babies in the United States are premiers, which means that they are born somewhere between the 20th and 37th week of pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, preterm delivery is the “single most important problem of pregnancy.”

Thanks to advances in medical technology, even babies born as early as 25 weeks can sometimes be nurtured in a hospital incubator while the infant's body systems develop outside the womb, but breathing problems, brain damage, infection, and intestinal difficulties can all befall a preterm newborn.

The cause of preterm delivery is poorly understood, but the threat appears higher in women with poor prenatal care. Women are also at heightened risk if they have a history of preterm birth in prior pregnancies, a history of having several induced abortions, multiple pregnancy, uterine abnormalities such as a poorly formed cervix or fibroids, abdominal surgery, an infection, bleeding in the second trimester; an underweight condition, placenta previa (the placenta lies low in the uterus, partly or completely blocking the baby's exit through the cervix), early rupturing of membranes, high blood pressure of a chronic illness.

Rupturing of the membranes is an obvious sign that preterm labor may soon begin, but the signals are often much more difficult to discern. A change in vaginal discharge, pelvic or lower abdominal pressure, a low-grade backache, and abdominal cramps and contractions can often disguise preterm labor.

To stave off preterm birth, doctors may recommend bedrest, the consumption of extra fluids by mouth or intravenously, and in some cases drugs to inhibit uterine contractions. Before doing so, however, the doctor must conclude that delaying labor will pose no harm to either mother or fetus, which, in some cases, it might.

Pregnancy, a gift of Gods. Photo by Elena

Getting a Loan

Getting a Loan

Okay, so you’ve got your business idea, your business plan draft approved and are ready to take on the business world… Just one additional detail: capital investment. Capital funds and a healthy cash flow are essential for any firm to thrive, or to live long and prosper, let alone make a successful debut in most cases.

Thus, venture capital, or simply, cash money to be invested in renting an office, office equipment and supplies, machinerie, licensing fees and fares, and so on, must come from somehwere and family and friends may not always be willing to, or in a position to, lend you the necessary funds.

So, there’s always your best friend – the bank! Getting a loan at the bank may not sound like the best idea, especially if you happen to be liability averse, but it is feasible and may provide the best solutions in credit worthy situations. However, there are several rules to follow in order to appear credit-worthy to your financial instituition (the lender).

While a loan typically given out for the purchase of a house, called a mortgage, is given by banks, a mortgage broker may be helpful in securing the lowest interest rates on a mortgage.

It’s easy to get a loan unless you need it (Norman Ralph Augustine, an US aerospace businessman). Illustration: © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Also, banks adapt their lending rates to the bank rate set by the central bank. Moreover, having good credit or a good credit rating or score is very important in applying for any ype of credit, as banks, other financial institutions and even telecommunications companies use this information to determine your solvability.

Likewise, simple things, like dressing smart may influence the human factor in your favour. Indeed, the corporate account manager may be more impressed with you if you’re dressed in business casual fashion, than if you look like you’re merely celebrating your company’s IPO (initial public offering) with several bottles of fine wine.

Similarly, a clear, concise and precise business proposal outlining expenses and expected easrnings per quarter for the first year of commercial operations, should likewise make you look like you seriously know what you’re doing, which is likely to incline the bank to lend you money.

Finally, as with all credit, loans and mortgages, an income statement, as well as, other statements about your sources of income and/or funds, including personal and business tax returns all contribute to construct a clearer picture for the financial managers you wish to impress, enough for them to grant you a personal or commercial loan.

Loans and Credit

From an accounting perspective, a firm`s books record three financial events: assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity or simply equity. The idea may be summed up as such A= E+L, and constitutes the accounting equation. The present section deals with the liabilities part of the equation. Liabilities comprise debt or obligations that the firm owes to creditors or other lenders, and thus must eventually repay. Which is why both parts of the equation must balance out, in order for a business to stay afloat and avoid being submerged by debt. However, completely avoiding debt when running a business, may not necessarily be the best idea. Indeed, investing in research, development and capital upgrades may greatly pay off in the future and if the only option to do so is obtaining a commercial or business loan, the option should not be overlooked. Similarly corporate credit card represent a convenient way to separate business expenses, and as falling under the debt label, are likewise recorded as liabilities.

As with all credit related enquiries, not crumbling under debt, paying one’s bills on time, and remaining in good standing with credit rating agencies, represent some of the fundamentals to borrowing money. These rules apply to the banking industry and other financial institutions, and whether the amount borrowed concerns a credit card, a credit line, a mortgage, a personal commercial or business loan.

As a general rule, a mortgage is given as a partial loan for the purchase of a house as collateral. However, even though the house (or condo) is considered as collateral, proof of stable income is required to secure the loan. Naturally, the necessary level of income depends on the loan sought, which itself may cover up to 90% of the payment for the property a minimum of at least 10% downpayment usually being required if not suggested. Mortgage calculations abound, and a mortgage adviser at the bank may be helpful in determining your borrowing needs and ability. Along these lines, a mortgage broker may facilitate negotiating the best landing rates across banks and financial institutions when shopping for a mortgage.

Alternatively, a commercial or business loan may be calculated based on projected income. For instance, the purchase of a rental property may be calculated using 75% of the rental income to be generated by the rental units instead of or in addition to the personal income of the purchaser from employment.

A commercial or business loan may also be gotten based on a business plan and proposal, as long as it is serious, feasible, and has at least some collateral or capital investing and funding. As a rule, the more stable and greater one income, and the better one’s credit history, the easier it is to obtain any type of loan…

Let’s get one thing straight: No one wants Stafford loan interest rates to increase. (John Paul Kline, an American politician). Illustration: © Megan Jorgensen.

How to Pick Low-Cost Funds

How to Pick Low-Cost Funds

There are some 4,000 mutual funds out there, more than 30 times the number available three dozen years ago. Yet the annual cost of running the funds hasn’t fallen much. For some stock funds, fees actually have increased. Fund expenses matter: Fees charged by mutual funds get taken out of the investor’s pocket before any returns are paid out. When funds do poorly, expenses worsen a fund’s losses. Studies show that, although investors sometimes do well even with high-expense funds, your odds of gaining better returns improve when you invest in lower-cost funds.

How do you pock funds with low fees? The annual fund expenses include the following: fees paid to the fund’s adviser, costs of accounting, shareholder and annual reports, phone representatives, advertising, payments to custodians, the institutions that hold the fund’s securities.

Should low-cost fees be the main reason you choose a mutual fund? Hardly. Fund advisers say the most important factor is to decide what type of fund – aggressive growth, diversified foreign, corporate bond, etc. – you want to invest in and the degree of risk involved. Only after deciding on funds that reflect your goals should you compare fund costs.

This table shows approximate annual fund expenses as a percentage of assets for various stock types:

Diversified U.S. Stock Funds – 1.30%

Aggressive growth – 1.70%

Equity income – 1.25%

Growth 1.30%

Growth and income – 1.2%

Small company – 1.4%

International stock funds – 1.8%

Diversified foreign – 1.6%

Europe – 1.9%

Pacific – 1.8%

Bond funds

Corporate bonds – -.85%

Government bonds – 0.9%

Municipal bonds – 0.75%