cmcali's Xanga

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:32:39 GMT

So, yes, I'm in Finland. Taking in the Nordic joys of Helsinki. Since it's a long weekend at work, I decided to hop on a flight up here and just have a long wander 'round. (I've never been to Finland - or any of the northern Nordic countries - before, so it seemed like a good chance before they get snowed in for the year.)

After I arrived, I was channel-surfing in my hotel for a moment and came across some girls playing a.....uh....a Finnish sport. Called Pesäpallo. I watched for about 30 minutes, and I have no idea what they were doing. After the winning team was presented their trophy and had finished jumping up and down with excitement, I shook my head, said, "Oooooooook," and headed out.

I wandered through a bit of the city centre, and eventually found a small, out-of-the-way restaurant for dinner. The place was advertising a buffet, so I asked the owner what was on tap.

"This one's reindeer," he said, pointing to a large black pot.

"Mmmm-hmmm," said I.

"And this one is salmon," he said, pointing to another pot.

"OK," I said.

"This is also reindeer. Stewed."

"Ahh, two kinds of reindeer. Good, good," I said.

"Potatoes," he said pointing a three dishes. Of course. "And herring. Three kinds: Whole salted. Pickled. Chunks."

"Errrrrm, mmmmm. Right." I nodded.

"Herring soup, too. And you must have this: it's like potato bread. Very good with the egg-butter here."

"Egg butter?" I said.

"Egg butter. Very tasty."

So I tucked in to my two kinds of reindeer, salmon, whole salted herring, three kinds of potatoes and potato bread with egg butter. Actually, the egg butter was pretty tasty. And the reindeer was really quite good, too.

After dinner and some further wandering, I stumbled into a...film festival. The Helsinki International Film Festival? Something. Anyway. I saw a Norwegian film called "Nord" (North). It was a very amusing film. A bit off-colour in places, but very amusing nonetheless. The scenery and music were both great.

Mmmm....reindeer.

******
Go Dodgers!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:23:11 GMT

Haven't blogged in awhile, but now that I'm on holiday, I may find a few minutes here and there...

As my loyal readers may recall, I was supposed to be doing the Vierdaagse, or Four Days Marches, with Lea (Rock Star IT Guru) this week. Unfortunately, some achilles tendonitis that I ignored until last month has left me hobbled and unable to walk 160 km in four days. (I know what you're thinking, but I actually was kind of looking forward to it....)

I road-tripped here with Lea anyway, and have thus far quite enjoyed having a couple of days to sleep, read, and take photos....also trying to provide some moral support to Lea in the form of notes stuck in her bag and text messages saying, "Where are you? Walk faster!". May try to upload photos at some point, depending on the internet connection, but it's moving slowly at the moment.

So off to read some more and listen to the rain coming down...

Monday, June 22, 2009

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:57:40 GMT

I'm sorry, but the white and gold bag is just so....over the top. What does he keep in there, anyway? Fed, go play tennis and stop being a fashionista.

Bleh.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sat, 16 May 2009 20:28:03 GMT

Dobry vecher, Moscow! Ali's flat thanks you for a wonderful show! Our votes go to:

8 points toooooooo.....Lithuania!

10 points to.....Armenia and Bosnia!!

And our 12 points go toooooooooo....Portugal!

Thank you and good night!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sat, 16 May 2009 17:14:04 GMT

....and so this is what I'm wearing:

Yep. Ajde Bosnia. They'd better bring it.

And Yana, supporting Germany:

Off to make food.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sat, 16 May 2009 16:47:05 GMT

Eurovision 2009, 19.45.

I really quite like the Bosnian song (hear it here), so I've decided to jump on the Bosnia and Herzegovina bandwagon tonight. Eating falafel as I type this (mmmm), and I'm about to don my t-shirt for the night...

To help set it in context, you need to know that the flag looks like this:

More photos to follow....

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sat, 16 May 2009 16:23:00 GMT

The first "live blog" of Eurovision 2009:

I am listening to greatest hits of Eurovision, 1969-2009. And vacuuming.

Yes, it's a glamorous life I lead.

Hopefully the blogging will get slightly more exciting once the Bosnian flag t-shirt goes on, but no guarantees. ;)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thu, 14 May 2009 20:02:27 GMT

OK, so I didn't quite get around to previewing the second Eurovision semi-final (I was out having fun, sorry). To make up for this, I'll attempt to out down some thoughts about the second SF as it happens live...and there's nothing like a Russian ballet and folk orchestra playing "Waterloo" to kick things off, eh?

Croatia - It's instantly forgettable. I'm trying to write about it ten seconds after it's been off-stage, and...nope. Nothing. I feel like it might have been an impassioned ballad, but....nope. Still nothing.

Ireland - Kinda punk-rock, but cuter. Another blog described it as "Irish Josie and the Pussycats," and that's pretty apt. Also a bit off-key here and there, but not bad. Lots of energy. Wouldn't mind seeing this one qualify. Go Ireland.

Latvia - Urgh. I can't stand this song. The lead singer looks really angry about something, but my Latvian isn't good enough to figure out what.

Serbia - Lead singer has a blonde 'fro. Impressive. Too bad the song really sucks. He's not even singing, so much as sort of....chanting in a really deep voice.

(So, one thing Moscow is doing in the cuts between songs -- while they introduce the next country -- is showing us Russian words and their English translations. So far, I've learned borsch, na zdarovia, and vecherinka. I've also forgotten the word for snow, but I think it was smetna or sm...smmmm....smthing.)

Poland up next, and....it's another blonde singing a slow ballad. I have to say, 30 seconds in, Iceland is kicking Poland's butt. Yeah....she's belting it out, but....nope. Iceland was waaaay better.

(Thus far, I've really only been impressed with Ireland. This means that a) I'm going to be verrrry disappointed in the finalists; or b) the rest of this semi final had better be CRACKING.)

Ahhh, Norway - one of the heavy favourites going in. Maybe I've seen this song too many times, but the kid singing looks a bit...forced. Scared. First chorus - yeah, he's nervous. Awww. Well, he is only about 12, though. It's a decent song, though (well, for Eurovision), and he's recovered OK. Should still go through.

First interlude - a short history of Eurovision. See, that's why I know all the history - because I actually watch the contest.

Cyprus - (A bit ironic that the Russian word in the title was whatever the Russian for friendship is.) Hmm. This song isn't actually bad when it's on key. Unfortunately, when it's off-key like it is RIGHT NOW, it's really quite terrible. This could be the longest three minutes of the night. Shame, 'cause I kinda like the song.

Slovakia - Yet another blonde, singing yet another slow ballad. No, really. I'm not just cutting and pasting. Oh, wait, now it's a duet. OK, to their credit, they've actually picked up the pieces a bit. But it would still surprise me greatly if this song qualifies for the final. (And in the last ten seconds, the blonde has dropped the pieces again.)

Denmark - I liked this song going in - it's a catchy song. Solo guy with backing band, singing about believing in love again. Awww. Good start, but the chorus has just gone really badly off-key. And now back on. Off-key again, on-key again. Man, get it together! Good song, but a pretty mediocre performance. I still hope it qualifies and he gets another shot.

Slovenia - Ahh, yes. This is a weird song. There's a quartet playing, and the singer doesn't appear for the first two minutes of the song - she's behind a....translucent sheet. The quartet sounds a bit like Bond. Looks a bit like a male Bond, actually. If it's the Eurovision SONG Contest, is it really fair that you're only SINGING for like 45 seconds of your 3-minute song? I like the song. I'm not sure Europe will like it. We'll see.

Hungary up next - I'm torn on this song. It's a heavy-beat disco dance number appropriately called "Dance With Me", and...it's been growing on me a bit, but it's still not, like, my favourite song ever. Or even tonight. And it's also off-key. (I don't remember nearly this many songs in the first semi-final being so badly out of tune.) Can't imagine this qualifying, but.....no, it probably won't.

Azerbaijan - I liked what I heard of this song before tonight. Also a duet - but an up-tempo dance number. The guy is singing it a lot better than the girl, but they're allllmost holding it together. Might qualify for the final, but if it does, they'll need to do a lot better on Saturday to compete.

Greece - this is another hot favourite because the singer (Sakis Rouvas) is a hot Greek. The choreography is just terrible already - hurrah for Eurovision. And one of Sakis' backup singers is waaaaay too loud and waaaaay off. He's OK - they're just badly mixed. It'll probably qualify because it's Greece, and he's Sakis, and that's just the way things are, you know?

Lithuania - I actually really like this song. Very simple - guy on piano, singing a song called "Love." And he's a pretty decent singer. I hope this goes through - it certainly deserves to - and he can go head-to-head with Iceland.

Moldova - This song is very catchy. Very Eastern European folksy, but very catchy. Singer is doing a great job with a fun-sounding song, and....

(Interrupting to say: holy cow. Jonathan Broxton, the Dodgers closer, just hit 102 mph on the radar gun. Wow.)

....back to Moldova. I think this song would sound good as a dance re-mix. I'd buy it. Good performance, though many of the lyrics seem to be "Na na na, hey hey!" Oh well. I don't watch the ESC for the brilliant lyrics.

Albania - Also a very catchy song, and the singer's doing a decent job with it. She's also wearing a pink tutu and has a giant blue man standing behind her. A few off-key notes here and there, but overall, a pretty good performance of a decent song. Should also probably qualify.

Oh, here we go to the green room guy again. He's really terrible. Doesn't really speak English, which is a slight problem for a broadcast in English/French, and occasionally just stands blinking into the camera looking lost. I feel actual physical pain when he's on camera.

Ukraine - This ain't Ruslana or Vera Serduchka. This song is...very....loud. I'm not a huge fan. I kind of hope it doesn't qualify, but it probably will because it's from Ukraine. Svetlana's stage show is interesting - giant hamster wheels, and half-naked guys wearing Spartan helmets. And now the Spartans are dragging a drum-playing Svetlana across the stage. Ukrainian flags everywhere. Hmmmm.

Estonia - I DO like the Estonian song - it's been growing on me a little bit every time I hear it. If only I'd chosen to support Estonia on Saturday night (instead of Bosnia/Herz), I would have had a much easier time dressing as the country flag. Have you seen the Bosnian flag?

So, yes. Small chamber orchestra on stage. Lead singer holding a violin. This song also as a chant feel -- that's partly the lyrics, and partly the beat - but it's on purpose, as opposed to the Serbian song where he was supposed to sing and he chanted instead. Now singer is playing the violin. What is it with everyone playing the violin this year? This song sounds a lot like the Slovenian entry, but is a bit more subdued, and just generally a better song. I'd vote this one through no problem.

And so we come to the end. The Netherlands wrap things up with the brightest, gayest World Peace Song Ever. "Love will make us glow in the dark." Three guys singing about how if we all just love each other, we can keep the world from going wrong. They're wearing sparkly black suits. There....are....no more words. Shine, people, Shine.

("These are not jazz fingers. THESE are jazz fingers.")

Our lovely Russian hosts are going to press the button now....time to get your vote on, Europe. And time to begin the 15-minute recap of the songs.

If I had to pick ten that I'd LIKE to go through, I'd pick: Ireland (Girl Rock Power!), Norway, Denmark (to complete the Nordic Full House), maaaaybe Azerbaijan if they promise they can pull it together, Greece, definitely Lithuania, Moldova, Albania, Estonia, and either Hungary or the Netherlands for sheer bravado, but I'm not in love with either.

And the ten that are actually going through are......drum roll please....

(I want to be Svante Stockselius when I grow up.)

Azerbaijan, Croatia, and Ukraine are the first three through. Croatia is a bit of a surprise...

Lithuania joins them. Good choice, Europe. All Eastern Europe so far, though. Hmmm.

Albania's in. And now Albania is screaming in the green room. Whee!

Moldova also in. Allllllll Eastern Europe so far. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Denmark goes through! Hurrah!

Estonia is in!! Also hurrah! (Dang. Missed my chance to be the Estonian flag on Saturday night.)

Norway is in. Not a surprise, but they did make 'em wait for it.....

One to go...yikes. There are a LOT of Eastern European countries in here. I'd feel better if Ireland went through....

But it's Greece. Not really a surprise there, either.

So there are your finalists, as we cue Charpentier. I'll be very curious to see how the 50/50 text-jury vote fares on Saturday. Until then, go Bosnia/Herz!!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:10:41 GMT

Since I'm going on this death march in July, I decided it would be good to train up for it a bit. So Lea and I went walking slightly more than 20k yesterday. It took 4 hours. And, surprisingly, it was not mind-numbingly boring. Lea is pulling her weight in the "keeping me entertained" department, thus far.

Legs also not totally dead today. Hurrah.

*****
It's Eurovision Week!!!

The first semi-finals are tomorrow night. Presented here for your advance notice: the annual ESC contestant run-down.

Taking part in the first semi-final are:

Montenegro - Andrea Demirovic - Just Get Out of My Life: It's catchy, but it's...like a catchy, pop-driven break-up song. In fact, it's very much like Slovenia's entry last year, which had potential but really bombed on the night. Not impossible that it goes through, but not one of my favourites.

Czech Republic - Gipsy.cz - Aven Romale: Ummm, ew. It's gypsy...rap? It's....just....no. Move on.

Belgium - Copycat - Copycat: Belgium, as noted several times, has a penchant for sending in truly strange entries that make me say, "Belgium - what is going ON up there??" This one is no exception - on the heels of last year's made-up language extravaganza, Belgium has sent an Elvis impersonator singing a song called "Copycat." He's not bad, really. In fact, the song's quite unique, and it's not a terrible Elvis impersonation. I just wonder if it'll get the votes on the night because, well, it's weird.

Belarus - Petr Elfimov - Eyes That Never Lie: This song has a definite Kenny Loggins feel to it. If you like 80s power ballads, then this song is for you. Again, not bad. A tad overdramatic, what with screaming guitar solos, etc. I wouldn't put it on my mp3 player, and I'd be surprised if it goes through easily.

Sweden - Malena Ernman - La Voix: Hmmmmmm. I have to say, having heard some of Sweden's other options this year, I'm a bit disappointed in this one. That said, it's not terrible. It's like....pop-opera. Think Sarah Brightman, but not actually Sarah Brightman. The singer's voice has an impressive range, I'll say that. But the choreography needs to change, pronto. The mask thingy - nuh-uh.

Armenia - Inga & Anush - Jan Jan: OK, I'll admit it. I kind of like this song. It's catchy. It makes me want to dance around my flat, and not just because they're telling me to "move my body...." My knock on it is musical: it's pretty unimaginative musically - not much in the way of harmonization or chord work. But there is The Eurovision Key Change in the last 20 seconds, so that's something, I suppose.

Andorra - Susanna Georgi - La Teva Decisió (Get A Life): Actually, I quite like this one, too. It's simple - girl singing, strumming a guitar with backup band. But she's a good singer, the song's uncomplicated, and it just...goes well. I hope it goes through.

Switzerland - The Lovebugs - The Highest Heights: OK, I really like this song. Think The Fray in Eurovision, but less piano. Apparently the group is actually Swiss this year, as opposed to one of Switzerland's "borrowed entries". It's not a pop song - more like quiet rock. Musically very good, lyrics not totally lame. There are potentially some very good songs in the lot this year, and this is definitely one of them.

Turkey - Hadise - Düm Tek Tek: Arrrrgh. I hate it when countries regress. Last year, Turkey sent the fantastic Mor ve Ötesi, who sang a great song. It didn't win, though, so they've gone back to the bog-standard "vaguely ethnic Turkish-sounding pop love song." It's not a bad song, but....it's kind of like Armenia's this year - not really standing out in any way.

Israel - Noa & Mira Awad - There Must Be Another Way: OK, props to Israel for sending an Israeli-Arab combo. And singing one of our World Peace songs this year (every ESC has to have at least one). It's actually not a bad song, and the two women sing well together.

Bulgaria - Krassimir Avramov – Illusion: I don't think a man should be able to sing that high. I will say, the harmonies are actually pretty good if the singers can hit them. But this song has "potential disaster" written all over it.

Iceland – Yohanna - Is It True?: Right off, she's going to get "Hot Scandinavian Blonde" points. As slower love ballads go, this one's not bad. But it's also not great. I'm not sure this is going to have the power to really make an impact in the same way that Molitva did a couple years ago. If Yohanna comes out and really belts it out, maaaaybe. More likely, though, will kind of blend in with all the other blondes singing love ballads.

F.Y.R. Macedonia - Next Time - Neshto Shto Ke Ostane: It's like....it's like....uh. How about next time, FYRM?

(ETA: Ah ha! It just hit me! Chesney Hawkes!! That's what it's like. But not as in tune.)

Romania – Elena - The Balkan Girls: Apparently Balkan Girls like to party like nobody [else?]. This means if you vote for Romania, you can come to the ESC next year and party with Balkan girls. [Vote for Romania!] And I think I just heard the lyric, "we'll shag all night." Ummm, can you say that in Eurovision?? Ack! My ears!

Finland - Waldo's People- Lose Control: Love, love, LOVE this song. It's a bit dance, a bit rap, and generally a great beat. My fear is that it won't translate well on stage - the backing/hook singers need to be perfectly in tune to make this come off. Iceland pulled off a similarly tricky song last year, so I'm hopeful. Would love to see this song in the top 3, and it's easily my winner on the night.

Portugal - Flor-de-lis - Todas As Ruas Do Amor: I also like this song. It's a very folksy song, but the singer pulls it off pretty well. I don't think it'll break Portugal's winless streak, but I hope it makes the final.

Malta – Chiara - What If We: I feel like Chiara has represented Malta about a thousand times, but of course, that's just silly - Eurovision's only been around for 54 years. Really, it's not a bad song at all. Not sure it'll make the final, but it's not a bad song. Chiara's got this Eurovision thing down to a science now.

Bosnia & Herzegovina – Regina - Bistra Voda: Some strangeness going on here. Band looks a bit like Coldplay, but sounds more Eastern European and slightly militaristic (witness the snare drum throughout). I actually kind of like the song's sound - it's not a standard slow ballad - there's something else that gives it a bit of a difference.

And those are your Semi-Final 1 contenders. 18 will enter; 10 will go through, and 8 countries will go home crying. If I were picking 10, I'd go with: Finland, Switzerland, Andorra, Bosnia, Armenia, Israel, Portugal, Belarus, Sweden, and....oh, pick one more. Mind you, those are the song's I'd pick, not what I'd think is actually going to go through. What will be interesting is seeing how the return of a jury panel, mixed with televoting, changes the results. Might give Andorra and Switzerland a shout at getting through, which they definitely deserve this year.

Back at ya on Wednesday/Thurs for semi-final 2....

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:47:48 GMT

Lack of blogging for awhile has been due to too much stuff going on. Mostly work. I have having no fun here whatsoever, I promise.

That said, I have just been informed by the Adminstration of the Vierdaagse that I received a place in the 93rd 4 Days Marches this July.

Yes, I will indeed attempt to walk 40 kilometers a day, for four days straight. All I can say is: my friend Lea, who dragged me into this, had better be REALLY ENTERTAINING for 40 km a day......

More later. My knees hurt already.