Make up your mind!
Turns out I didn't need to get a new, machine-readable passport anyway. The US authorities have changed their mind and do not require a machine-readable passport or a visum from Norwegian citizens until 26th of October 2004. Oh well, I have it. Now let's hope they don't change the requirements and make me go to Oslo in order to get yet an other passport before then! Sometimes, conspiracy theories and personal paranoia seems justified...