Helsinki Cathedral Decorated In The LUX Light Festival

My favorites which probably won’t qualify in ESC2018

This is a tough competition especially this year. First semifinal will kill many good performances and the second one the rest. And unfortunately not all will agree with me anyway on the songs I like. So here are some I love and keep loving but which I believe there’s a high risk of them not going through to the Final. 

AZERBAIJAN - AISEL - x my heart (1st semifinal)

DENMARK - RASMUSSEN - Higher ground (2nd semifinal)

F.Y.R. MACEDONIA - EYE CUE - Lost and found (1st semifinal)

IRELAND -RYAN O’SHAUGHNESSY - Together (1st semifinal)

LITHUANIA - IEVA ZASIMAUSKAITÉ - When we’re old (1st semifinal)

POLAND -GROMEE -feat. LUKAS MEIJER - Light me up (2nd semifinal)

ROMANIA - THE HUMANS - Goodbye (2nd semifinal)

SLOVENIA - LEA SIRK - Hvala ne (2nd semifinal)

Differences

Small talk and friendliness

In general Finns don’t do it, mainly because we suck at it. The small talk québecois isn’t as aggressive as in English speaking Canada but still I find it weird how people, totally strangers to me, ask me how I am…what is it to you? And especially when the automatic answer is always “good” and in the end people don’t give a damn how you’re really doing. It just feels waste of time and energy for me.

Small talk creates the image of people being friendlier but like I said I feel it’s very shallow. It’s not that Finns cannot be friendly or helpful too but people consider one’s “personal space” physically and emotionally bigger I guess.  That’s why we keep it on general level until we’re actually some sort acquaintances at least.

(Pic from montrealinpictures.com)

Drugs

I’m one of those rare people who’ve never used them. Call me boring but that’s my decision and I don’t judge those who do them but I have absolutely no desire to use drugs myself. In Finland the closest I’ve got to them is hearing an old class mate dying for an overdose. No one’s even offered or tried to sell me anything.

In here, on the other hand, they’re everywhere. Especially marijuana. You could even smell it in the air while attending events or just by walking in the streets. Or I could anyway. And people are so open about it. Super weird, I say.

Winter life

Finns seem to be like bears who go to sleep for the winter time and wake up when the spring arrives. Apart from the holidays like Christmas season and New Year's. Here, on the other hand, people don’t let the cold stop them for going out or arranging events. Super cool, I say.

(Igloofest, one of the coolest events in the city)

Restaurant culture

They say that Mtl has more restaurants than any other city in North America. I could even add to that the industry is blooming over here. All the famous cuisines of the world are represented and there are lots of small, cozy, special pubs, cafes and restaurants all over the city. For the staff, tipping seems to make the working in the industry worthwhile.

In Finland, thanks to our laws and regulations even having your own restaurant is quite difficult and expensive. Especially when the majority of Finns don’t wanna pay for a good service or diversity of products. Tipping isn’t mandatory even though you might bump into some rare Finnish customers who actually recognize a good service when they see it and reward the staff for it. Surprisingly self service is quite in common.

(Almost legendary Café Olimpico in Mile End)

Homeless people

Thanks to the Finnish social security system we don’t’ have much homeless people. Not where I come from anyway. In Helsinki there are some. But even still they aren’t as aggressive or visible part of the scenery.

Here they’re natural part of the cityscape. It took some time to get used to them. Haven’t given any money to any of them so far cause I still feel like I’d be supporting their choice not to work and to beg for their living. Even though I understand that things don’t work the same way here as they do back home and that some people probably haven’t ended up there by a choice.  

Garbage system

Found this incredibly weird in the beginning. You just dump all the stuff on the streets which can include anything from furniture to..anything really. In Finland we use those big garbage bins (each house, building has its own) and it’s not okay to leave your old couch or a dishwasher next to it. That’s what landfills have been made for. But being quite expensive in Finland, has made the dumping in the woods –option, very popular. Unfortunately.

I would be willing to pay more taxes if we’d have the similar system in Finland too. At least people wouldn’t feel the need to dump their carbage in the nature.

Alcohol

People can drink and party hard here too. Apart from a few drunks at the subway, the number of people vomiting or passing out in the streets because they’ve had one too many is still zero so far. Unlike in Finland where the consumption of alcohol and the problems caused by it are present everywhere you go.

Sauna

Most of the spas seem to have a sauna and even some gyms but it doesn’t have the status of being part of almost every day life like in Finland. Haven’t dared to try one yet here. 

My hometown

UMK 22 : My top

If pandemic has had any positive effects during the last two years – it is on Eurovision. The contest is now being seen differently as an oppurtunity to promote your music and gain fame than ever before. Television in general I guess since performing live has been pretty challenging now for the passed two years.

Last year’s Eurovision results showed how people are craving for live music, self made songs about real emotions and not pre-choreographed dance moves. All top 3 of winning songs were not sang in English and represented each of them a different genre. Blind Channel brought Finland the best result since Lordi’s victory 15 years prior and have ever since been embraced by charts all over the world. This is the professional spirit I’ve been longing in Finland for years.

UMK 2021 Winners Blind Channel

Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) offers perhaps the best national ESC selection of the season! All the seven acts are already published artsits with their own characters, style and paths. These are all very well produced products already on its own merits and it’s only matter of one’s personal taste whether or not the song is your cup of tea. 

This year’s black horse The Rasmus could be easily thought to be the automatic winner being the most famous band among the seven entries but these six other entries do give a fare and balanced battle and the best one will win!

Music videos have also been upgraded what they were from previous years matching to each performance and atmosphere. Check each one by clicking the title of the song below! 

Cyan Kicks : Hurricane

Cyan Kicks

This was such an explosive start for this year’s UMK! Cyan Kicks comes from the same record label as last year’s Blind Channel and to be honest they do share some of the same elements. They call their style as modern rock. In genres Hurricane succesfully blands electronic as rockier sounds together. The energy here is undenyable. I cannot think of anything to add to this one. Only live performance will define where they will stand in the race to Torino..

Pros : self made song

Cons : generetic lyrics

BESS : Ram Pam Pam

Bess

The most surprising UMK entry so far and my ultimate favourite! People tend to compare this to Erika Vikman’s Cicciolina a couple years back but I personally I find this 10 x times better. The chorus is catchy and you find yourself singing along Ram Pam Pam instantly! The song is ultimately about freedom and breaking up from a bad relationship. For me this is the best pop-music can offer and I’m so in love with Bess’ raspy voice. I seriously wouldn’t mind if this won the ticket to Italy!

Pros : bold perfomance on the video and hopefully on the stage

Cons : The title of the song + swear words in the lyrics which would have to be changed for ESC

The Rasmus : Jezebel

The Rasmus

The big name among this year UMK entries. Frankly I’m surprised they weren’t just internally selected as for Darude and Saara Aalto. However having them competing this way brings much needed spice to the show. First sight and hear promises well (Desmond Child was one of the songwriters btw!) – I loved the black and yellow look and the quitar (new quitarist Emppu getting much deserved attention through entire song). The song follows safe pattern in its rock genre and moves smoothly from one part to the next one. Tiger roaring is a nice add. However I was slightly disappointed in the chorus – it didn’t explode, reach the hights as I would have wanted. But then the song does improve the more you listen to it and at this point it does sound quite natural as the song goes on. This is hit and stage ready and very familiar from The Rasmus with or without Eurovision.

Pros : Solid, high quality performance

Cons : Too safe? Can The Rasmus answer to these crazy high expectations?

Younghearted : Sun numero

For me less known band but Younghearted has established a reputation of singing beautiful, acoustic songs. Sun Numero makes no exception. This is a heartfelt break-up ballad. The song builds up nicely but a bit too slowly to my taste, the singing is amazing though. This is a great add to this years UMK. I don’t have much to say about this and it bothers me.

Pros : Emotional, gentle – easy to listen

Cons : Too forgettable?

Olivera : Thank God I’m an Atheist

Oliveira was completely new artist for me so no expectations but the song title promised bold, ironic attitude. The first thinfg you hear after pressing play is the VOICE! So unique, strong… I hear so much soul and character. The second thing that blows me away here is the lyrics, they’re so deep which makes me think again that is ESC able to appreciate this talent and art enough? She’s not super well known in Finland but I hope her participation in UMK gets her much deserved attention. I’m loooking forward to see how her R’n’B ballad is staged. Despite of the memorable beat, atmosphere her voice and lyrics are definitely the hook in this one! 

Pros : Self produced without a big label behind her

Cons : Just another ballad? Will her voice deliver live? 

Tommi Läntinen : Elämä kantaa mua

Every year UMK has a ”senior artist” entry. Last year it was Danny, this year it’s Tommi Läntinen. I prefer Tommi, his songs have always had more flavour even though I cannot call myself a fan by all means. His 1994 hit ”Syvälle Sydämeen Sattuu” about school bullying is a timeless Finnish classic among others. ”Elämä Kantaa Mua” however carries a more uplifting, positive message than Danny’s song last year or Tommi’s previously mentioned hit. The song is written by Finnish rock band Haloo Helsinki, who are one of the best loved rock bands in the country and if they were performing this song, this would be all over the charts. Even sung by Tommi it does have a radio play appeal and the tune does suit for him. He interprets the lyrics in his personal way and has a strong presence. This has grown on me significantly. Would I want him to represent Finland in Turin? Perhaps not but I do hope all the best and success for him with this song.

Pros : well written and performed pop hi

Cons : age group tends to separate this further from the other entries and voters

Isaac Sene : Kuuma jäbä

Another surprise in UMK 22! And probably the hottest one which has promised to make you blush! This is a genre, style and artist I wouldn’t normally listen. However one has to give credit a song well composed and played and charismactic performer. I don’t know if he reminds me of Young Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake or Justin Bieber - or perhaps a mix of all them? This lingers somewhere between pop-R’n’B but includes also electronical sounds. There was a small fuzz around this song if it had been relesed before UMK release – however since no actual recording of this release has emerged, it remains only as a rumour. There’s nothing I would add or remove but as mentioned before not my cup of tea.  

Pros : daring, not a traditional ”Finnish” song

Cons : Is he only a teenage idol? Will this sexy performance appeal to voters?  

What do you think of this year’s UMK entries? UMK takes place on February 26th at 9pm (FI timezone) on YLE. 

"Why does it feel like it's gonna hurt the same? You gotta live untill you die. Lost in the silence of a long delay. You laugh 'til you cry. Flowers fade. The spaces over our lives. They remind us to forget the pain... We gotta lift our eyes to the dawn through the forest of forgotten tears. Let it all out, let your guard down, let it all fall down and rearrange again..."

What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.

William Least Heat Moon

TIPS for Lisbon

After living in Lisbon, Portugal for 8 months now - people refer to me as local. Which is cool and it’s nice that people see me as this way though I don’t feel local just yet. Mostly probably due to my problems while speaking in Portuguese. Here are some things I think are useful to consider before entering the country for an holiday or for a more permanent stay. The list could be continued on and on but managed to narrow it down to these facts. 

HIGH HEELS

Have probably heard of it but the city is covered with cobblestones and not very well if I may say so. They’re also slippery especially when it rains. If you’re all about the heels I’d recommend wedge shoes or heel that is thick and gives support. Wearing flats is still the best option though.

PORTUGUESE AREN’T SPANISH

Portuguese are introverts. So they won’t come and chat up with you like their social neighbours across the boarder. They will help, they are interested but usually it demans reaching out - from you. Especially in Lisbon people are more reserved than elsewhere in the country I hear. Folks are also very good English speakers here so don’t worry about not knowing enough of Portuguese. Even though making an effort in people’s native is always recommendable.

The difference between Spanish and Portuguese goes also for the language and culture in general. Don’t expect things to be identical despite of the large number of things being quite similar.

PORTUGAL ISN’T JUST SUNSHINE

Lisbon and Portugal does stand on the edge of Europe, next to the Atlantic that brings winds, cold ones and rains. Winter days may be +10 degrees but the nights get low as +2 or even lower. And the houses aren’t heated. So trust me it’s chilly. Also spring time March-April is supposed to be rainy though temperatures are up.

Not my pic! (Moomin)

DON’T PAY TO SEE THE CITY VIEW

The city has great miradouras, lookouts where you can admire the city view towards the river, see the famous churches, castle and landmarks. Enjoy the sunset and have a drink without paying the entry fees. The elevator of Santa Justa, the arch of Rua Augusta and the castle are nice to visit once or perhaps even twice but I prefer the the miradouras which are also the locals favorite.

EMBRACE THE HISTORY

Since Lisbon is the second oldest capital in Europe after Athens make an effort to know the main events in time that made Lisbon the city as we see today. Portugal as a country has a long, proud but not easy history for anyone who’s more interested.

GET LOST

There’s no better city to get lost in but Lisbon. Especially Alfama, the old part and Bairro Alto – the party district which opens up totally different way during day light. Take the most narrow street, celebrate the richness of details and colours around you. Go slowly and pay attention as many cool bars and cafes have no signs outside so these are the spots that only locals know about!

PASTEL DE NATA

The original pastry being almost 200 years old from the district of Bélem where the monks at the Jéronimos Monastery started the whole thing just to get their leftover eggyolks for use. In 1834 the recipe was sold to a local bakery which still exists today in the same spot. Only five men know the secret recipe and they never travel together in case of accidents etc so that there will always be someone to carry on the legacy and tradition.

Traditionally served hot from the oven and with sugar and cinnamon - you can buy them from almost every grocery store and bakery but the number one spot is still and will always be at Bélem. And trust me, they have earned their reputation. Make a stop while sightseeing and don’t be scared of the lines outside since they do have a quick service! If the trip to Bélem is too difficult to squeeze in, Manteigaria at Bairro Alto is the next best thing!

USE THE TRAMS

The old ones which you cannot find anymore in every city. They don’t go as far hop-and-off busses or tuk-tuks but within a normal ticket price you cover the classic Lisbon streets, plenty of sights and save your legs from walking. It’s not completely touristic because the locals still use them as normal transportation to get to work and about!

DON’T STAY IN THE CENTRE

In my opinion Lisbon does not have city center. The biggest shopping mall, sights and services exist different parts of the town. Touristic center can be narrowed down to Alfama, Baixa and Bairro Alto districts. But there are plenty of hotels, restaurants, museums and sights outside of these areas so no need to get stuck in downtown! Lisbon is totally walkable also and has tram, metro, local train and bus systems to make moving around easy.

LISBON HAS A BOHEMIAN SOUL

If you bother to get to know Lisbon culture and history at all you’ll probably notice that every street, square and statue are not named after politicians but famous artists who made an impact. Some kings and famous historical figures might make an exception here though. This fact is highlighted by the street art, the status of fado music and music in general in here, the diversity of the buildings and local enterprises. Clearly there’s so much space to creativity here! Not everything works as it should and if they do it’s usually with the slow motion I’ve been talking about but there’s an irresistible charm in the local lifestyle.

I keep..

Allô!

March has been so full of #mtlmoments that I don’t even know where to start!

The much praised La Nuit Blanche which was already a month ago was indeed one of the greatest events of my Mtl year. Ten well spent hours by doing free activities in the greatest company. The highlight of the event was definitely vinyl scratching just around the corner from the place I live. Other stuff included penguin watching, so called tramway ride, ice sculptures and several other different art performances all over the city. Some activities didn’t exactly match the original description but were still somewhat enjoyable. And they were all free so can’t complain.

(LNB, 2014)

Also the long anticipated Laura Pausini concert which was even more back and beyond than what I imagined first. In total 9h of travelling in a bus from Montréal to this small town of Orillia, in Ontario. Even my first apartment was bigger than the local bus station. But the people there were the friendliest I’ve ever met. It came handy at that point when we were checking out from the hotel (we stayed in the same one with the band and crew btw!) and there was only 30min to our bus’ departure to Toronto and we seriously thought that you could have a taxi in that time but noup. Our travel plans would have changed dramatically unless the hotel’s manager hadn’t driven us herself to the bus station. What a service!! http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/ontario/orillia/days-inn-orillia/hotel-overview

(You'll never find me in this one! pic by Mario Torre)

We were lucky enough to see Laura doing a tv interview before the concert and where we were literally 1m away from her. She saw my flag and signed some autographs, again I was super lucky to get one! Otherwise there were no more chances to meet or talk to her. But I don’t wanna complain cause I’ve been so lucky with her in the past in London and Madrid. I did give her the post I wrote about her here in my blog ( http://lageografiademicamino.tumblr.com/post/68130494682/she-uguale-a-lei ) through a staff member of a casino. Not sure if she's read it or checked out my blog or anything.

The concert followed the same tracklist as the previous concerts in America and Europe. More or less. Some songs weren’t performed like Con la musica alla radio which I’ve been praising here in Tumblr too.. But I guess you can’t have it all. Laura seemed tired. But she’s now a mom of one-year-old and still touring around the world so who wouldn’t be tired in her place The problem with an artist like Laura is that she gives so much of her time to her fans and when she's acting normally and just doing her job it doesn't feel like enough.

But the concert was great overall. Her voice was in top condition as always. The majority of people were quite old, I felt super young among those canadian-italian grannies. That was one of the reasons why the concert seemed a bit slow compared to the concerts I attended in A'dam and London which were just full of energy. But I did love to see the show with my own eyes and hear the latest versions of the songs. Now all I’m looking forward to, is the live release. #pausini20th

The latest event which I’ve been to was St. Patrick's Day,  probably one of the rare Sunday afternoons in the winter time when it's totally okay to get wasted here. Totally new acquaintance as an event since we don't have it in Finland. Originally an Irish thing but celebrated widely in all over North America. Also in Mtl where almost half of its population has some sort of Irish background in the family (who knew?!).

It was fun, cold thou but fun. There was a parade of three hours long, more commercial apparently when compared to the real thing in Ireland. Or so I was told. But I did get to see some mounties, which I've been dying to see ever since I came here! Green was the theme colour of the day and the streets of centre-ville were packed of people wearing all sorts green clothes and accessories. Even the beer was green at the Irish pub where we later ended up with the bunch of couchsurfers.

(Moi, on St. Paddy's)

ALSO, I'm almost embarrased to tell you this but I did attend to a seminar of "Get the Guy" by Matthew Hussey. Apparently he's quite big in his field, wrote books and doing a world tour now with this seminar thingie. Definitely a #mtlmoment I never thought I'd do! It was just one post or two before where I was telling how I'm not looking for anyone or anything but.. yeah friend had a free ticket and I thought what the hell.

It was okay, he didn't tell anything that I wouldn't have known before but gotta admit that it was still pretty entertaining with his jokes and that gorgeous british accent. In the other hand, it did have a bit of a commercial taste cause it ended up lasting over five hours! When I left he was still talking.. not about pick up lines or how to get any guy but about himself and trying to sell his book, tour or whatever. Well now, I've been there and done that too! :)

Single ladies, interested or curious in the subject, this is for you :)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnFUFy4GbdQ

But I have worked as well. Quite a lot actually recently. Just had my first days off for 11 days. I’m be working now only in the evening shifts since there’s not enough of physical space for all the employees to work during the day. And naturally the day shifts are more popular compared to the evening shifts which last until midnight. Like I said before, nothing against working in the evenings but I gotta admit non-stop working until midnight five times a week might get in the way of my social life. So in some point I’m thinking of cutting it down to four days a week kind of thing. But at least Babel is paying $12/evening shift more now!

Against what people might think about it, the job ain’t about the playing the game but to find all the things that might go wrong while playing the game. The employees are usually divided into different teams and we have different themes, areas etc, we need to work on. Still fun thou. People are still super friendly and there are worse jobs in the world. Haven’t done translating since there are now more finnish people but I enjoy the team I get to work with while doing the regular testing. 

It’s been pretty hectic at the flat as well. First one room mate from the flat downstairs got evicted after he started fighting about this rat issue at the building with our landlord. And now that room mate is suing our landlord. A bit more dramatic the disagreements here between landlords and tenants compared to Finland. Yeah but now he’s moved out. We also had a week of renovations being done in our kitchen and bathroom which was just pain for me cause it didn’t just fit into my daily routine at all. Cause I worked in the evenings when they were gone and then when I was at home so were they. But it’s over now and no more leaking taps etc. But now the toilet doesn’t work! I hope the landlord gets it fixed by my bday which is next weekend..when I’m just gonna do the traditional finnish thing: get drunk… with great friends of course to carry me home afterwards. #finnish #bday #justkidding

Weatherlike. It's been back and forth with spring and winter over here. There's been pretty gorgeous days with sun and warm temperatures over 0 but then there has been snowstorms too, the latest one today. But I'm still brave enough to say that I have indeed survived the famously cold canadian winter. #mtlmoments

Okay, now I stop! Thanks again for reading :)

The last of Tallin. I promise. For a while anyhow.