All about my foot.

The doctor put a cast on it, gave me crutches, told me not to put any weight on it for at least a week and sent me home with three weeks sick leave.
And I was worried about not spending much time at home...

It's very difficult to walk with crutches, not to mention bathe, cook. and just generally move. My arms are KILLING me! I have no upper body strength and man, I can feel it!

So, if you're reading this and you're in visiting distance... now's the time baby!

One of the many ways I avoid studying.

Mailmaa kylässä festivaali! World Village Festival! Food, music, sunshine! God is working against me...



This is Galaxy a Senegalese group who played Senegalese inspired hip hop (if I had to define it). They also featured a Finnish MC called Pale Face. Very cool music to dance to... yes, I'm still dancing and my foot is still broken and I'll tell you what, I'm feeling it now.



This is an awesome Finnish hip hop/jazz(?)/funk band called The Don Johnson Big Band. I had heard of these guys but very mixed comments. I've gotta say though, they were very cool. The lead singer Tommy Lindgren has SO much energy I couldn't believe it. Running around the stage, jumping and crazy dancing throughout the whole gig. Impressive to say the least.



And these guys (there was a drummer and a... um... another member playing multiple instruments such as... um... instruments I don't know the names of!) were from Iran, Algeria and France and they played Hendrix covers! Naturally...

Music... the only universal language!

a little technical question

Help people! Why is my blog all weird? Why are the posts all stuck at the bottom? How do I fix this and make it look cool again?

Finland's Heroes

I believe there are only a very few situations in my life where I really need a strong man. One of these situations is when you really need to be taller to take photos at a rock concert. In this case, girlfriends just don't cut it!
Yes, I was a part of Finnish history last night. I was there, amongst the tens of thousands, to "see" Lordi play in Helsinki for their adoring fans. Of course all I could see were people's heads!


However, the atmosphere was pretty awesome and I've got to say there is something pretty special about a whole city of people chanting in unison... almost spiritual in fact. Even if they were chanting "Lordi, Lordi, Lordi".



This was my best picture using the biggest zoom in I could manage and a lot of guess work. The camera saw a hell of a lot more than I did.

But the most exciting part of my night was yet to happen.
Trains in Helsinki are not usually very crowded and when three times as many people as usual try to fit onto one, people freak out. I managed to almost get into an argument with an old lady who was blocking the door into one carriage by standing outside the window and suggesting (very politely) with hand actions that she move down a bit so the rest of the people suffocating at the door could have some room. She refused to respond to me so the rest of the carriage took up my cause and in the end I was on the train with some new friends and a seat! The seat of course I offered to the grumpy old lady... but she apparently didn't want it. Unfortunately, one of my new found friends was an old drunk guy who couldn't speak English except to say that "everything's ok" and "I love you". Kind of scary. He kept asking people to translate for him. Thank God no-one seemed to speak English on the train that night. My Finnish has improved enough now to understand that he though that because I was a young English girl on my own, people should look after me. And that he thought the girls in the carriage next to us should brush their teeth.
So my night ended with a drunken man kissing my forehead and me giggling all the way home!
I know I asked for more romance but that was not quite what I was thinking!

You can't always get what you want.

But I usually do! I'd like to thank the person who put a little bit of sugar in my bowl. It is most appreciated!

In other news, Lordi is playing for free in town tonight and I really feel that I would regret missing this historic occasion if I don't go... but I'm so fucking tired! I haven't slept properly all week and now it's really catching up on me. I look about 5 years older! I feel about 10 years older... but they're the winners of Eurovision... I have to go.

Going to stay home and study continuously for the next two weeks. Firstly because the exam is Thursday week and secondly (and most importantly) I am incredibly broke and can't afford to leave my house. So don't expect much excitement from this blog until after June the 15th!

Once again, if you feel so inclined to send me money... or care packages... email me for details!

I want a little sugar in my bowl...

Romance. I want it.

I've been watching "Sex and the City" recently (just to see what all the fuss is about) and apart from making me wish I lived in Manhattan and had Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe, it has made me all romantic.

Today I was trying to remember the last time I did something romantic with someone and realised I was thinking back years.

My first real love was romantic. He took me dancing in an empty dance studio on our first date and taught me how to waltz. He also wrote a song for me... there's nothing much more romantic than that.

My second love had moments of romance. A trip to the beach where we slept in the car and ate fish and chips by the light of the setting sun.

I have had others, males and females, be romantic both platonically and... um... romantically (?) but even these occasions are few and far between nowdays.
What is it about me now that encourages such complacency?
Where are the flowers?
Where are the notes left on my pillow?
Where are the surprise nights out?

Perhaps I am too self sufficient... too willing to pay my own way, look after myself... no room for Prince Charmings.

Fuck that! I want to be a princess too sometimes.

I don't want expensive dinners. I don't want presents. I don't want elaborate plans.
I just want someone to make me feel truly beautiful and special. I don't want to be just one of the guys or worse...

I'm not asking for the world... just a bottle of bubbly, a punnet of strawberries and your undivided attention.

Hopefully this will be a link to my latest photos on Flickr... I do apologise for my computer retardedness, Jhuny, but you should know that by now!

Anyway, I have nothing much more to say... no-one is emailing me so I'm feeling very neglected. Obviously all your lives are far too boring to tell me about them! Well, bugger you all then (just kidding... EMAIL ME EMAIL ME EMAIL ME).

Hard Rock Hallelujah

It's been quite a weekend here in Helsinki.
We lost the ice hockey the the Czech Republic and it's been raining all weekend, but... and I still can't quite believe it...
WE WON EUROVISION SONG CONTEST!
For those of you who don't understand the significance of this win, in the history of Eurovision Finland is best known for consistantly finishing last or close to. Normally we are happy if we get 20 points but last night history was made.
Finland scored 292 points... and our entry were monsters. We entered a death metal (very pop sounding death metal) band called Lordi that dress up like monsters and sing about angels and demons. Weird.
I am a little concerned at how this will effect our global image, particularly as Finland is seen already as somewhat of an unusual country. I guess though there's no such thing as bad publicity?

But the thing that really annoys me is that now Lordi have ruined my master plan at winning Eurovision and becoming a national heroine. Those who know me will remember my promise to enter and win the Eurovision song contest. But now a bunch of satanic monsters have beat me to it!
Well, at least it has shocked me out of my complacently and next year, I will win. God knows what kind of gimick I'll need though...

Hyvää Suomi!

Bones

The doctor rang and there is a small fracture in my foot.
So instead of a few weeks of recovery, now it's many weeks AND I am supposed to get hard soled shoes to help mend it.
WTF??? I mean, I don't want a cast, but hard soled shoes? They are going to be so expensive! I wonder if Dr. Marten's count as hard soled... not that I've actually seen any here but I'm sure I could find them.
Crap crap crap double crap.

And the most disappointing thing (apart from not being able to dance) is not being able to go to gym class. I was getting into this whole gym junkie thing! But I've made an great exercise play list and am choreographing a non-foot routine for myself.
Now I just need someone to stand in my room and yell encouraging things at me in Finnish!

News Flash

New photos on FLICKR!!! Hurry! Check out the photographic proof of all my ramblings! For a short time only (actually that's a lie... I have no idea how to take them off now!)

How long do I have to wait for you baby?

Not a week goes by at the moment when I don't manage to injure myself or get sick. Last week I woke up with a pinched nerve in my hip, the week before I had an annoying cold, the week before that, I don't even remember but God knows I wasn't healthy.
And this week I managed to sprain my foot. Not my ankle this time, but my foot. At least there is a good story to this one!

It all began with a new pair of shoes and a 50 year old woman named Sharon Jones...

On Thursday night we went to see Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and it was possibly one of the best gigs I've seen. And those who know me understand what a big statement that is.
The support group were the highly esteemed Finnish jazz quintet, The Five Corners Jazz Quintet, named after the five corner intersection here in Helsinki. I hadn't heard these guys before and I gotta say I was impressed... and that was before the rum and coke! They played a tight set of latin and hard bop and the drummer kicked ass.
However, as soon as the Dap-Kings hit the stage they were all but forgotten.
Decked out in matching suits, the 7 piece band didn't waste any time getting down and funky. The crowd was already grooving and Ms Jones was nowhere in sight. The bass player sang and mc'd for the first 4 songs and then when the crowd was at boiling point out came the lady of the hour.
If I look like this when I'm 50 I'm going to bottle my blood and sell it on Ebay.
Dressed in high ankle boots and a skirt that barely stayed below her ass, she strutted out onto the stage and hit it.

I could not stop dancing or smiling the minute she hit that stage.

She has the kind of voice you thought only existed on records nowadays and her dancing put James Brown to shame.

But wait, you're all asking yourselves... how did I sprain my foot? Dancing? No. Did someone step on it? No.
Sharon liked to pull people up on stage to dance with her and naturally, being the total show off that I am, I found myself up there shaking what my Mama gave me in front of a packed house. I even sang a bit with her! Despite the fact that it was the first time I'd ever heard the song! Ah, funk... it's just like jazz. But it was such an awesome experience. She said I represented Helsinki! I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd only been here for a few months.
So then I was getting off the stage with the help of two charming men... two charming men who didn't really help much at all and left me crashing toward the ground in 3 inch heels. So that's how I initially hurt my foot. But then I kept dancing for another hour and walked halfway home... that's how I really fucked it!

It was a shame that I hurt it particularly when we were back stage sharing an apple with Ms Jones and the boys and were invited to the after party (after all of them "checking" that I didn't have a boyfriend... musicians are sooo subtle). But I was in far too much pain by that stage, both rums and the Jalo had worn off by this stage.
However I did hang around long enough to be told that my dancing made the bass player lose count and that I got them all grooving. I must admit, that was really nice to hear. Oh, and they liked my singing too!
So with funk and compliments ringing in my ear, the rum and cokes wearing off in my blood and pain shooting up my leg, I hobbled home to lie flat on my back for the next two days. Ah, life sweet life!

Helsinki.... I represent you! And if I represent you... you're in trouble!

Defining fruit.

They were always my tomatoes it seems.
Although I was happy to share, at least pretend they were ours.

So here I am. Sunny days. Where's the rain when you need it?

I was fine before and I will be fine again. The sun can only shine brighter and the days get longer from here on.

Coming back.

Sometimes after a trip to the moon re-entry is tough.

You just have to try to remember the stars.

Sun

And all of a sudden it's 25 degrees and I have a tan. This country is crazy! The last week has been absolutely beautiful, weather wise. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the birds are singing, ducks are getting ready to get down together... very inspiring!
I had a very chilled out weekend. Just lying around in the sun, hanging out with friends in the sun, eating icecream... in the sun, drinking beer... in the sun. Very nice.
Last night I went to check out this Helsinki Improv gig which was ... interesting. One of the highlights was a guy who combined American heavy metal and Icelandic folk music. This was followed by an hour of electronic music... a guy making noises on his various computers. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting and I did like some of it... BUT AN HOUR!!! I was beginning to wonder if he'd ever stop. And I missed The Amazing Race for this!

The summer is really beginning to effect people. Everyone is sitting around with as few clothes as possible, trying to soak up as much sun as they can before it disappears again. Because you just never know here. It could snow tomorrow.
The biggest problem with summer though is that people drink a hell of a lot, even more than during winter, and then they all relieve themselves outside. Not behind bushes or trees, but just against any wall, anywhere! It's kind of off putting to be honest. And not just men...

However, I will gladly dodge the piss and avoid the empty beer bottles and rejoice in the beautiful sun.

Procrastinating...

I love my computer so much that I can't seem to leave it alone now! I have my sociology books sitting next to it as though I can somehow absorb the information without actually reading it, or opening the front cover.
I keep coming up with excuses, things I REALLY need to do, like catalouge all my music into easily accessible play lists or catch up on people's blogs that I don't even know. Now I am just killing time until Jamie Oliver in Italy comes on TV, then after THAT I will definitely study.

Hmm, seems I don't really have anything to say either. Have I mentioned it's stopped snowing!!!

Vappu

Everyone warned me about this extremely popular Finnish holiday. They warned me that you were expected to drink until you couldn't stand up, that everyone in Helsinki would be out and about and totally wasted and that it would rain on the picnic day.

It didn't rain anyway...

It was a great weekend! Beginning with a night of dancing with Cat at Tavastia. Her partner "Slick Ray" is the guitarist in a very popular Helsinki funk band called Eternal Erection, so we went and boogied all night long (well, for a couple of hours anyway). I had heard about this band for months, but they play publicly so irregurarly that this was the first time I'd seen them and I was impressed. Decked out in pin striped suits, playing a mix of choice covers and P-Funk influenced originals, they had energy and charisma and they funked. As I felt my feet sticking to the beer covered floor I was transported back to days of Funk Fiction at the Evelyn... oh, back in the day!

Then Saturday produced wonderful weather, despite the gale force wind, so Frida and I took a long walk around Seurasaari and I was amazed to see how different it looked without the snow. It is amazing how quickly Spring appeared. It was literally over a weekend! I left work one Friday and it was snowing then I went back Monday and I needed sunglasses! Crazy!
Then Saturday night was pretty chilled. Hanging out in Oujee (pronounced Oh Yeah), listening to some cool music, trying not to drink (failing) and having conversations about Melbourne hippies and hanging pictures.

So I woke on Sunday feeling fresh and good. N and I braved the S-market in the city to gather supplies for my Thai influenced noodle salad and to stock up on more alcohol. What normally would've taken maybe 30 minutes ended up being about 3 hours! There was a buzz in the city. People carrying helium balloons, drinking already, kids going nuts... I was beginning to feel a little nervous.
We bussed out to Kannelmäki (almost in a forest!) with our supply of booze, three kilos of salad (I got a little carried away) and our makkara to grill. The party was great fun. A great mix of Turks, Spanish, French, Czech, Aussie, Italian, American and I think there were a couple of Finns there too. It was so nice to be in such a multicultural group, particularly as they are all totally mad! There was dancing, there was strange explanations of dangerous sounding games, there were arguments about Aussie rules versus every other ball sport and there was a shit load of eating and drinking.
Makes me wish Vappu happened every weekend.

And then on Monday, May Day, we headed off to Kaivopuisto with half of Helsinki for the traditional hungover picnic. And there was sun! So much sun I have freckles now (and a slightly red nose)!
I can not believe how many people were there! I didn't actually think there was that many people in Helsinki altogether!!
And there is this weird tradition where everyone wears their high school graduation hats for the day. Not the Amercian style ones, but sailor style caps. I've got to say, it looked really weird!!!
We met up with the Turks as well as almost everyone else we knew in this city, ate more food, drank sparkling wine and generally chilled out in the sun.
The Turks demonstrated the dangerous sounding game they had been describing the previous night... and it doesn't just sound dangerous, I was surprised no-one left in an ambulance. It basically involves one guy standing against a tree and the others forming a rugby scrummage style line in front of him... for those who can't imagine, they stick their heads inbetween the others legs. Yes, I know, it's weird. And then when they have this line, someone vaults on to the top of their backs and lands as hard as they can in an attempt to break the line. Then someone else, then someone else... I will be posting photos at a later date! I can imagine that next Vappy this will be the official sport!

So, I am no longer a Vappu virgin and I think I did it in style. I didn't throw up in the street (or anywhere for that matter), I made it to the picnic and I even found some streamers to string around my neck at some point!
Next year, however, I will get myself a sailors hat.