Elder JimZim has been scouting locations for our upcoming mandatory WLBOTT Work/Life Balance team building exercise.
Key considerations:
jurisdiction / extradition policy
remote (preventing our unpaid interns from ducking out early)
functional septic system.
Elder JimZim sent me this delightful venue:
A little clarification was required….
WLBOTT Confidential Email, dated 12/1/2025
Since, between the two of us, you are the one with social skills within the acceptable norms, do you have any interest in contacting the sellers of the Icelandic bungalow? Info needed for our blott:
electricity?
heating?
internet connection?
gps coordinates?
does DoorDash make deliveries?
floor plan?
HOA or zoning restrictions?
average 911 response time? (actually 112 in Iceland)
TV reception?
private landing strip / helipad?
is the septic system below the frost line? Max flushes per day?
zoning restrictions?
mineral rights?
availability of a 50 year mortgage?
Miss Iceland
Another key consideration was that our mandatory Work/Life Balance team building exercise coincide with the Miss Iceland competition. WLBOTT is sponsoring Ingibjörg Twinedóttir in this year’s competition.
A little background to provide context….
History The competition has been carried out since 1950; in the first year it was called Miss Reykjavík (Ungfrú Reykjavík). Since 1955, the contest has taken place under the current name Miss Iceland. In the past, contest winners gained the right to represent Iceland in Miss Universe, Miss World or Miss International. As of 2009, the winner goes on to compete in Miss World. There are six regional preliminary contests in each of the five rural regions and in the capital Reykjavík. 20 to 24 candidates, three to four from each region, take part in the finals.
In 1954, the Miss Iceland beauty pageant was held for the first time, and the winner was a young Akureyrarmær named Ragna Ragnars. There was some dissatisfaction with Ragna’s participation, as the Nordic Women’s Association had accepted a challenge to girls not to participate in the competition.
The selection was made in such a way that the ticket to Tivoli also served as a ballot. Unlike previous competitions, there was no jury to decide the winner. The first prize was a trip to Paris.
The first beauty queen to have any international success was Sirrý Geirs, who was crowned Miss Iceland in 1959. Sirrý came in third place in the Miss Universe competition in 1960 and, like other contestants, was offered a chance in Hollywood. Sirrý appeared in the television series The Beverly Hillbillies
Television career Her best known role was as Mrs. Drysdale’s maid Marie, in three 1962 episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. – Wikipedia
Miss Iceland 1961 was María Guðmundsdóttir. María grew up in Djúpavík until the age of 11, while her father, Guðmundur Guðjónsson, was the manager of the herring factory[1] in Djúpavík. After María reached the finals of the Miss Universe competition, new opportunities opened up for her in Paris, where she became a sought-after model. María became a pioneer for many Icelandic girls who followed her into the modeling business. – Lemurinn.is
[1] Talk about having it all!
A Word from the Committee
Miss Iceland is more than just a pageant—it’s a symbol of empowerment[2], confidence, and the celebration of individuality for women.
Miss Iceland has evolved beyond its traditional roots, becoming a platform that promotes self-expression, ambition, and social impact.
For many women, participating in Miss Iceland is an opportunity to showcase their talents, intelligence, and strength. While beauty contests have often been critiqued for emphasizing physical appearance above all else, modern iterations like Miss Iceland strive to challenge this narrative. Contestants are encouraged to be multidimensional, with a focus on education, career goals, and community involvement.
The contest also provides a space for women to discuss important societal issues.
At a recent Miss Iceland pageant, our WLBOTT-sponsored contestant Ingibjörg Twinedóttir used her culinary skills for the talent competition, featuring some of Iceland’s most iconic dishes.
Her selection included:
Lifrarpylsa-fish pudding, sliced into uneven gray rounds, garnished with dill as if the garnish could save it.
Hákarl served in neat little cubes, steam-like ammonia vapors subtly wafting upward.
Skata (fermented skate) presented on delicate porcelain, with the audience visibly grimacing in the background.
Súr hvalur (fermented whale blubber) sliced into translucent, rubbery slabs that catch the light in unsettling ways.
Harðfiskur, dried fish pieces arranged like a bouquet of leathery flowers.
Our contestant Ingibjörg offers samples of Hákarl to the judges.
The WLBOTT-sponsored judges were a bit put-off.
Elder G gives us the details:
Hákarl — Fermented Shark The undisputed champion of “No thank you, please.”
Made from Greenland shark, which is naturally poisonous until buried, fermented, and hung to dry for months.
Tastes like fish-flavored cleaning fluid.
Smells like a Viking ghost exhaling ammonia directly into your soul.
Served in neat little cubes, as if cubes will help.
Semi-Sequitor: TSA Beauty Pageant?
Icelandic police officer wins Miss World title Miss Iceland, Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir, a part-time police officer who wants to be a lawyer, was crowned Miss World 2005 on Saturday.
Miss Mexico, Dafne Molina Lona, was the first runner-up, and Miss Puerto Rico, Ingrid Marie Rivera Santos, was second runner-up in the contest in Sanya, a southern China beach resort.
Vilhjalmsdottir, 21, a part-time airport police officer, is studying anthropology and law. She was born in her country’s capital, Reykjavik, and enjoys hiking, camping and playing the piano.
It’s difficult to imagine this in the context of America’s TSA.
For the convenience of our WLBOTT followers, we’ve translated the Miss Iceland application to English. The original can be found at https://www.missuniverseiceland.com/apply
The application was due yesterday, December 1st.
If Elder JimZim is able to secure the venue, he plans to book Laufey for a “Tiny Office” concert.
