Martin Haakon Gran and Laura Phan

00:06 My name is Laura Phan. I'm 23 years old. Today's date is September 1st 2006. We are in downtown Manhattan and I'm sitting across from my friend Martin. Yes. My name is Martin haakon Gran. My age is 34 years old. Yes. It's 1st of September and we're in New York. And Laura is my friend.

00:36 Where are you from Martin? Well, I'm from Norway.

00:40 I was born in the in the city of Bergen which is on the west coast of Norway.

00:46 I live there till until I was like 7 and then we moved to Africa for one year. We were letting company in in a small village Cobra Zumba outside darsalam for 1 year. So I started school and can cousin Liam and then we went back.

01:07 Levenberg for a couple years and we came to New York and I need to 6 and then we move back and I when I was 20, I think it was I was 25. I moved to Oslo which is the capital of Norway.

01:26 And started to continue my University degree there.

01:31 So what brought you back here? Well in 1986 when I when I moved first time to New York it was I was 14 years old and you know, I can from Bergen and Bergen is a very small nice warm friendly confirm City and I I went I think it was on the on the

02:00 Largest youth School in in Bergen which had a hundred and fifteen students and and we move to New York and I came.

02:11 Manhattan and that was a blast of course just be on Manhattan, but then I can answer you School United Nation is national school will head around like 3,000 students, which was a major step for me. I was like, well, I guess I kind of saw the world somehow so that made a very big impression on me and then you know a 14 year old boy it is I got affected up that and I always wanted to come back.

02:46 So me being there 14 always had a dream of going back to New York. So we will now 2006 I'm here.

02:57 How long have you been here?

03:00 I came on the 26th of May this year.

03:06 And I've been in and out for 3 months and 8 days. I think I like down there, but I think it's around there. Actually, I am coming for several days. It's very work phone.

03:20 So, how do you see New York now compared to when you were a young boy?

03:27 Well, it's actually kind of same I think I probably because my my memories has changed a little bit and just a little bit while I grew up seeing a movie scene film CMU. No 14.

03:50 It is I think it's going to be quite the same. It is. The first time I came here back here was May September. No May in the 2001.

04:03 So then I haven't been there since 86 and I think that made me adjust a couple of images that I had of New York. I went back to my school to Eunice and I got a tour around the school and everything and then you know, the school for was much smaller than I of course thought there's a fast-moving smaller the hallways with smaller even the lockers and forgot to chairs with smaller, but it was the same, you know, so it kind of got more than my memory of New York out a little bit more real and in 2001.

04:38 I was here this by by the World Trade Center is in the top of the Twin Towers, which we also were we're here one in in. Mm and Noah 1986.

04:49 What are the different perspective of New York now than in 86. I was a child. Then. I was 14 doing what 14 years old boys do in New York. And now I'm you know are growing up. So I guess that's a chain maybe I changed more than New York kind of it was it was it was finally it was open. It was nice. I was able to walk around.

05:18 I was you do on my own one day. I remember me and a guy called Eddie. We went up in the Empire State Building just a fun of it afternoon after school, you know, if we have to walk from these River North Empire State and I was just fine the deaf talk and everything and we walked around. So in terms of living in New York in 86, it was it was nice. I didn't see any crime. I didn't know I was not afraid it was good. It was nice.

05:49 So, what did you want to get out of coming here?

05:53 Then or now

05:55 Now

05:57 Yeah, well, I've been missing New York for a five times after 2001 and now this is the first time I've been living here for a while.

06:09 And as I started off with me 14 years old on Manhattan had this dream come here living here be a kind of a New Yorker not that I am but I just like the feeling of it. I think that was my my my major dream Growing Up So this opportunity of me working here for three months and 8 days has made me feel that. I'm a little bit of part of the everyday life in New York.

06:44 My dream before I came now like the this spring was to

06:50 Come to New York apartments.

06:55 Bring my paper New York Times. Like I didn't have to read it kind of just want to have my paper in my hand and a coffee and I am I on the other hand and walk to work which is a kind of a very everyday situation. But that was the main dream coming back b b a person in New York be a kind of a New Yorker everyday life not the big things not like

07:22 Guggenheim Aurora's seeing Opera in Central Park or like the big things but but the Small Things everyday life things and I accomplished that I've done I've been living here. I got bored a couple of days.

07:39 I think that's good.

07:41 Why the appeal what is it about, New York?

07:46 Well again coming from from a small town in Norway, which is the richest country in the world and very nice and then back in 86. We almost didn't have I don't think I think I don't I don't see name again. I had but the words. There's not a lot of batalla T in terms of human beings in in in Norway. So come to New York seeing the world.

08:13 Experience the Vitality of the city United Nation the students at the United Nations is literally almost the whole world. So I experienced that people are people regardless of where they are from and then you know living up in Norway up really up and going up north protected from everything and it's kind of in the world. May I think I learned that you know, people are people regardless of where the problem how they look or which kind of race are brought up in so that I ality of the city

08:51 That there's so many there. It is actually on capital of the world. I think that's the main reason why I I really really love, New York.

09:04 What's the main reason?

09:08 So when do you head back home?

09:12 Now well I leave tomorrow.

09:17 And of course very excited at fault for going back my son Isaac 7 years old heat. I heard from a friend that he met him on the street the other day and he asked so are you looking forward to it too that your dad is coming home and he just started jumping up and down.

09:38 And you know, I guess that means he misses me a lot as much as I miss him. So I'm looking very much forward to 2 to see my son back in back in Oslo and he was here and he you know, he's a part of this this little stay so we can talk about that and I guess he's a part of the you don't mind my story about New York now some

10:04 Yeah me coming home. It's going to be it's going to be good. I tried it. You know, I was very sad, you know that Laura about leaving New York and I really tried to stay here longer and I really work for that.

10:17 But I really wanted to take out everything I could of this day. But when I found out that I have to go back because of work. I'm now very excited of going back though. I'm trying to let New York go and it's okay because I know you will be here and in New York is a hold of course always here and I got a lot of friends and

10:41 The door is kind of open in many ways many more ways and events in the mood for this. Here.

10:48 So the dream has been fulfilled do anything. Well, I walked the streets with the paper in my hand in the coffin roll the hand and had to everyday life. So yes to dream has been fulfilled and even more than I got to know people. I got to know you I got the I got other friends I seeing things I never thought of going to see I seen things in New York that I never have seen nothing even imagined before which it's well small things people living replaces Ali at Felix the guy with the Rastafari hair playing DJ thing around the restaurant. I never thought of going to be well maybe not friends about to get to know people like that.

11:33 You know all these 70 years old 73 years old. No one kind of knows at this restaurant that I'm going at who got five children and Anthony ex-wife's and doesn't miss them at all.

11:52 But he misses his brother that is dead.

11:55 And he likes me because I'm what's today's date because I'm polite and asking questions. So, you know, seeing people like meeting people like that. I never imagined I'm going to I was going to do that. That's a nice a whole bunch of stories a lot of stories lot of stories many memories and then probably things that I'm going to keep for myself, but but many many many good stories and then moments of this day that. Too, you know,

12:32 Be with me on man in our way, and it's not like now that I've been living here for for 3 months and 8 days.

12:41 It's almost like New York is different for me. Now. It says it's kind of mine will not mine. But I belong here somehow I have some bonds. I have some attachments, you know that we will always keep it to the city.

12:57 Somehow so

13:00 I feel you know the dream about New York to dream of a living here to dream of.

13:07 Being a part of the city. Is this kind of for feeling that I'm going back now?

13:13 I would like that. So so the dream yesterday dream has been fulfilled in and then even more

13:20 It's very good.

13:22 I'm already planning my my next travel over here. I bought a bed that I'm going to keep him to flatten the friend that is always being there for me and you know if that's

13:37 So what next what are their dreams other creams?

13:44 Well, you know, I guess that must be work. Why is her career? I've been working with advertising not for 10 years.

13:55 And that's what I've been doing here in New York as well. As you said that be center of advertising in the world props.

14:03 And I probably want to do a shift in my career. I guess that's my new goal my new dream doing something different from from advertising one concrete ideas is maybe stop working in the in the UN.

14:22 Maybe moving to New York in a couple of years. My my son goes live it more up and work at the UN headquarters.

14:30 And I guess that would fit quite nice in since I started a New York Middlesex on the United Nations International School.

14:39 So maybe in a couple of years, I I I work at either you meant maybe with communication which is not that far away from advertising but though that's different. You'll be a real New Yorker and many.

14:58 I know Ali I work on my paper in the cough. Am I had a lot give directions to female I have the right maybe a real New Yorker in that that belongs to be kind of a

15:15 Nice extension of this to stay here that no one coming back and then live for real because now I always known that this is going to end. My apartment has been not kind of mine. Mine Furniture is I've been care that much of doing it to mine because you know, I was going to leave so

15:36 Staying here for a long time. I think I would like that that make it make it real.

15:42 Intern self building a home without stopping at home, I guess spending that man. So tell someone, you know, never been in my flat because I never want to listen to the second in the city always eating out always on the run always out there had not sleep too much was a complete bike in Norway, but you didn't work out too. Well because I got very sleepy being here. So

16:12 Do you have more questions?

16:15 I'm trying to think about where we should take this next be on, New York Avenue.

16:26 You and I

16:30 We can we can we can talk about me. It's just a question about what I what I the lessons I've learned in life.

16:42 He wanted to ask about and I think.

16:47 The main thing that I've learned in life, which is kind of relevant it to me having a dream walking around with a newspaper in a coffee in my hand is that it's the Small Things That Matters

17:01 Dismal everyday trivial things that is in really important in life. So the main big hairy goal coming living in New York from the smallest city in in in Norway being the man was traveling oil far away to this great great great world city. The very big hairy go but I don't think that's actually what is important in life. I think it's important.

17:32 Can I have some kind of ability to cherries holding our newspaper in new hat having a feeling that the aroma and taste of all of us?

17:44 Simple black coffee not the macchiato or double espresso or something or just a small everyday coffee.

17:54 So the lessons I've learned. I think I'm kind of glad for his that I have his ability to be happy for and be glad for

18:07 Small things in life tiny small things

18:12 Like a hot car or a feeling word for my hand touching my shoulder are you know taking the bus when they are?

18:22 See you in the blue sky walking.

18:25 To work or something.

18:31 The best you're the biggest blessing. I mean, when did you when did you realize this or when did you just start appreciating life and it's and it's the same all pleasantries. Well, it started actually, I'm not quite sure how it started. I guess it's a combination of who I am and then my father and mother is and how I grew up and everything but one major thing that happened in my life after my stay in New York and 86 is that I was in the hospital for disease and almost passed away from ya in Haiti.

19:17 Something I think it was and after that I remember that well. I was in the hospital for one week and I was like on the borderline between life life and death which was of course very top of my parents. Especially not me because I didn't I didn't realize it then but when I recovered I had to stay in the hospital for a while and I I really want to just be outside was it was Spring Meadow Long Winter and everything and next to my the window next to mine my hospital, but I saw this bus driving back and forth all the time and people going in and out of that bus and I have only one dream and then wants to get on that bus.

20:05 Was it was so nice outside and I I just I didn't know what I wanted to do after I got into the bus. I just wanted to be somehow free and get on that bus and get on with everyday life everyday life. And I think that I

20:21 You know after that incident I kind of was happy to wake up happy to 2.

20:31 You know, I do everyday. Thanks because it's after all life is precious. I learned that I'd life is precious for real. I didn't read about it. I didn't hear about it or or had a friend that will pass away or that's why it was me. It was it was me Martin KRON. Almost. I felt it on my body and I think that made that little change that I learned that lesson that small things in life. It's important. So did you say you're almost last?

21:03 Will open your eyes and made everything so you can call me call it a blessing but I think it's sometimes you cry. Sometimes I think about that after all that nice thing that happened was maybe then again, we don't know that but maybe I didn't wouldn't appreciate the small things. That much maybe is my my big dream would be the Harry Gould New York, whatever not the newspaper in the end small little coffee on the way to work. Didn't happen the penthouse spray me with the digital.

21:45 Yeah, science has and the automated everything. That's maybe not that important. I think he's letting me in the midst of our culture that's moving forward in.

22:04 So appreciative in yearning for all of these.

22:12 Expensive and Finer Things in life, and maybe there should be a return to the Small Things traditions.

22:22 I think some people things.

22:25 I like that. I like, you know, I can really get moved seeing an old man on the subway.

22:35 What I can get moved off of remember the guy I saw it at the subway was some kind of a construction guy or Carpenter is something very masculine tough dirty. Love Dustin and solves big guy.

22:54 And he could maybe look a little bit frightened make a little bit scary cuz it was a big and dirty and you know, but he was not because in his hand he was holding this little boy that obviously wasn't the packaging was little bit damaged on one corner. So it probably had fell off of a truck or something or maybe something. I lost it in the street and he picked it up and found it I think and he was holding it in a way that he almost wholly with some kind of care or love so I would think that he was on his way home to a grandchild or when a child perhaps or something and he was glad about getting this gift. Maybe just a fell out of the sky kind of uninhabited on a Tuesday.

23:44 And seeing that that little moment this tough masculine guy.

23:51 Really care about this little toy that he possibly found and imaginative at happiness a little kid or whatever it was going to get that.

24:00 That moves me small small things everyday.

24:05 Everyday things

24:07 I like that.

24:10 To create these stories are scenarios that will I don't know. What is a right, but I guess it's not far from the truth the guy holding up in the subway, but you know, I don't know maybe it does it away or maybe I don't know maybe cells that it whatever but my imagination takes it to

24:30 That it's about, you know, caring and showing affection showing love.

24:36 And I am and that people are people the scary guy on the subway sitting there looking very tough always that he could if he irritating was going to hit you but no he doesn't People Are People

24:52 Stop doesn't matter about the appearance. People are people wanting by people have a heart and I want the care. I think I like that.

25:01 Observations on the subway

25:11 Anything else you want to talk about?

25:18 I'll be there.

25:24 Who's got questions who wrote down some questions and you?

25:30 I could buy you think I could probably talk about.

25:36 My son's birth.

25:39 And when he came along and that was amazing moments.

25:46 It was on the 15th of November in 1998.

25:51 The first thing

25:54 The first thing I thought of when he came out from his mom was to see like I scanned him in a fraction of a second. I guess see if it was out there that everything was all right that got two arms and two legs and you know didn't look strange with something. So then after that little

26:21 You know scanning of him being. All right, it was a strange very strange and then fantastic big moment.

26:31 But I was a little bit surprised that I was aware of a check them first. That is everything. All right.

26:39 I guess I you you want to think of yourself as as I would care and love whatever this tile is sore if you got three or four arms tattoo, but I wanted to make sure I maybe it's connected to him to do my thing back back on the hospital and I I didn't want to stay that much in the hospital anymore. I want to be I want him to be normal because that's what I wanted to be after my thing.

27:14 And

27:16 He was after the moment that he was the most beautiful little funny creature. I didn't think it look like me at all because his face was little bit.

27:30 Presidents with nose looks like a lot more like your note that mine and and but that didn't matter at all. He was a good half. He was a sweet love if it will child.

27:45 And I was I guess that's the the biggest.

27:48 I think it's the biggest moment in my life may be nothing proudest room with Millie for the biggest moment.

27:56 He'll probably stay probably stay your biggest moment in your life. Probably I think so, even if I get more to which I want.

28:09 But I think Isaac.

28:12 Isaac when he came along I think that's the biggest one with you know this firstborn. I creating a human being

28:22 And I like the Tatian of him going up him being somehow something like me and her mom.

28:32 A lot of pictures of patients in that great with your other children hear this but you think they'll be a little upset. Of course, I would love for her and that's when there's this and he was the fourth partner. So who's fooling who they will understand that I probably in the pond at the firstborn. Yes, I would think so.

29:02 So is your life everything you imagined it to be?

29:08 Actually

29:12 I think that I didn't have a very complete plan for my life or at least those plans that I had and those goals and then dreams.

29:26 That I kind of created for myself. I think I have reached them.

29:32 And

29:33 If I haven't that's quite okay, you know what my mama kind of person that I have complete goals and I can create dreams but I'm kind of a rational guy. So when I see that well, maybe I'm not going to recycle right now. I'm adjusting it.

29:51 So I guess my my perception of my own life is that I'm I got all my goals are going to have a fill out my dreams because I have adjusted them. Yeah. Yeah, you know, it's accomplishable and be happy with that and you know me sitting here.

30:13 I'm in downtown Manhattan in 2006. That was that was up in 1986. That was a big big dream, you know, and I'm here. I'm here sitting here. So my life is so you know, that's what a long as planned kind of.

30:34 Actually, I think that's my perception of it.

30:38 Who's this that make me?

30:43 I don't know. I think it's I think I'm fairly a kind of a happy happy person.

30:50 Don't You Think You Are

30:55 A little sad when I know that I'm going to leave, New York.

31:00 Amount happy camper cuz I know I'm going to leave New York. See I just it.

31:06 Exchange

31:10 Yeah, I'm looking for then. I'm excited to get back home.

31:15 I'm excited about giving you know, when Isaac was here you were that failed Swartz?

31:22 Anyone to lightsaber

31:26 And which is obviously way too long. I think it's almost as high as you and it cost way too much money.

31:34 And that it is going to happen. Can I have it? I have my own money. I have no money. I have savings all alone. And I said no. I don't know. I think I said come on is way too expensive this way too big you can carry that is impossible and he understood that so he is he I guess he said he's good at adjusting his goes well, and he bought this other small Star Wars theme.

32:00 And and now of course, I'm coming home and that light lightsabers for him. And I think he's going to be excited about that.

32:10 Of course, he's going to be all he said to me I talked to him to him on the phone.

32:16 If you had a new witches.

32:18 How do you prefer a gift or something and he talked a little bit about it? And then I said but I think the most important thing and then he finished my sentence and he said yes, that is that me and you were going to see each other again.

32:34 And I think it said that.

32:36 Because he meant that and that's just like a clever thing so he could get more presents or something. I think it really means that you I think so. Maybe I'm usually food for the but he's aware that is so that's, you know holding.

32:55 Our hands together are seeing each other together is the most important thing but isn't that but you know lightsabers in nice token of something to show your thinking of them.

33:10 Got a lot of other stuff as well. Anyway lightsabers the big thing. I think his eyes will be focused just on the lives. Probably remember to bring batteries, which is a kind of a gold tip.

33:28 So how do you want the people of New York all these people that you met to Remember You?

33:36 Well

33:39 I am I hope they will remember me, of course and I guess they will you will remember your right or and I hope you and and all the other people I met will remember remember me. Yes.

33:59 That's nice.

34:02 Nice and Andis

34:07 Happy dude from Norway. I guess that you wanted to spend more or less time with.

34:17 That you want to maybe

34:21 See you again come out.

34:24 If people would remember something like that, I will be one that be

34:31 I guess it's all about you. Don't spending time together, which is maybe the most important thing.

34:38 So if people at work or people I'm at

34:42 Oregon City are like thinking. Yeah, it would be nice meeting Martin me again.

34:48 I think that would be good.

34:53 I'm sure you what do you think? What do you think people remember? Yes.

34:59 How are you? Remember me?

35:02 As the man with many many different colored shoes course decides that

35:14 Very

35:19 Honest, man.

35:26 Who enjoys enjoys life?

35:30 Anda

35:32 You help me remember all of these little things and

35:42 Made

35:44 Life a little more

35:49 Rich

35:52 That's nice.

35:56 I'll remember all your

36:00 English idiosyncrasies give you a few tips that you help me. I like that.

36:21 Appreciate that absolutely.

36:32 Hilton

36:34 Okay, anything else you'd

36:38 Do you want to stay?

36:42 Well

36:44 Well if someone

36:47 I've never been to New York. I want to go or wonders why you should go.

36:54 I would say that.

36:57 You should go and experience New York experience debit vitality and and come here and see all these wonderful people the whole world.

37:11 In one spot

37:13 Living together

37:15 And it's you know this great City everyone.

37:19 Everyone speaks different language is not many at least. There's a lot of people who doesn't speaks perfect English. So me.

37:30 Have from your hiding my thing with language. It's very welcome here because there's so many others as well. There is no like not not such a thing that is one type of you and me zoning the city like the French people owning parents are or where did German people owning Berlin when we check in? Oslo New York is is I see this I can see it everyone's City.

38:02 And the City

38:04 I think it's both fall that you know the easy pattern to get around.

38:09 It's the other buildings that are very rational. So the people is is who is going to give me the color I think people City.

38:20 I like that. So yeah.

38:24 If you haven't been go.

38:26 That's what I say. New York.

38:30 I was I would like to say when everything is well, and I thank you.

38:37 Thank you for our meeting our bonds and your friendship. And and of course this this idea preschool.

38:52 Very cool. And if I said, or any other of my children, perhaps we'll listen to this equally left. I will tell you that I promise I'll buy you guys a lightsaber. I promise.

39:07 3 just because you said that comment.

39:11 Yes. Thank you, Laura.