Wonderful As It Is...

Oriente train station in Lisbon. Couldn’t decide in which colour I like it more...

Tampere part 3. Don’t ask me how parts there are :D 

And which arrives in time for Christmas

Salut à tous! And sorry for the silence!

It’s officially winter now. Within a week, we’ve had two snow storms which both brought 30cm of snow. Shouldn’t complain, especially when there’s no snow at all in Southern Finland at the moment, but I think I this is quite enough of it for now. For a week there were these crazy cold temperatures like -20C which felt like -30C because of the wind.

(Our packyard at the moment)

My winter coat which I brought with me from Finland is good and warm but it doesn’t cover my lower body but I think I’ll survive especially now when there’s only -10C.  Don’t wanna waste my money on heavy winter clothes , which I won’t be able to bring with me back home anyway.

And before someone asks me if Canada is colder than Finland, the answer is yes. At least at the moment. First of all I gotta admit that I don't have all my normal/proper winter clothes here with me and like I'm not into buying them. But it does feel colder thanks to the wind and humidity even though the temperatures weren’t any different.   

Otherwise I’m so loving winter in Mtl. There’s this ice skating rink at the old port where each day of the week has a different musical theme like for example Classical Monday, Retro Thursday and Québecois Sunday. Also at the same place there’s gonna fireworks each Saturday night until Jan. 4th. In January there’s gonna be Igloofest which is the winter version of Picnik Elektronic. An outside electronic party! It's gonna be super fun!! 

(Ice skating at Old Port of MTL) Pic from VisitMontreal

It will be my first Christmas away from home. I’m not afraid or nervous about it at all. I’m  thinking of taking part of Couchsurfing Christmas dinner or just take a walk in the town and take a few pics of the city’s gorgeous decorations.  

I think I will stick with some of my traditions. I’m gonna watch the classic animated film of Snowman. I’ve never been a huge fan of the tradition of worshipping graves like most of the Finns, but I’m actually thinking of climbing to the Mont Royal cemetery even though there’s no particular reason for me to go there. On 25th I’ll go for a lunch to a friend’s place. Not bad for Christmas, spent far away from my country and family.

Pic from VisitMontreal

My internship is now officially done. I wasn’t able to work as many hours I should have but despite of that the learning experience has been rich and diversed. As long as I’ll be in mtl, I think I’m gonna keep going there for free, depending on my availability of course, just because I like it there and it’s a valuable working experience for me anyway.

Now I’m looking for any kind of work that they’re willing to pay me for. If I won’t find it here, I’ve been thinking of moving to Toronto which entreats me but in the same time I’m so a fond of Montréal and I’d hate to leave this place. But Toronto is waaaay much better option than going home for sure.

So far I haven’t been enthusiastic about doing waitressing jobs but I did one shift at the gallery cause someone had called in sick last minute. They didn’t pay me as well as to the “real” waiters but with the tips I earned much more than in Finland for the same amount of work. It’s not exactly what I wanna do but just for the money I wouldn’t mind doing it for a while. On va voir. We’ll see. 

I wish you all, near and far.. Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noël! Relax, eat and be happy :) 

Time is a Purchase

Allô!

How people do this five-days-working-week I'll never know! Been super busy again.. Pics aren't really great since they aren't mine but haven't had the time to go through the ones in my camera yet... #nextpostpromise

At work things are going well. Obviously since I haven't had the time to write this post earlier. Still tons of things I don’t know… but within time I guess. Despite of the fact that I’m on call employee shifts have been coming in every day Mon-Fri almost for two weeks now which I’m super happy and relieved about. The shifts vary between 7AM to midnight. But I have nothing against that cause I’m used to not to have a nine-to-five job. The change suits me.

Done a lot of just basic game testing but also some translations. Both have their pro’s and cons. But the coolest or the nicest thing at this job has nothing to do with the video games but with the people who work there.  Even being one of the hundreds of employees I can still feel like being a part of a team. People are super friendly and helpful and even thou they might not remember your name but they say hello to you while passing by and ask how you’re doing or which project you’re working on now.  Gotta say that, one of the best working atmospheres I’ve ever worked in. So far. 

There are obviously a lot of Canadians/quebecois but also people from all over the globe. Making friends happens pretty naturally. English is used more as a “working language” but French is terribly common too. So far I’ve been the only Finn in the house but there should be a couple of more starting soon which is nice as long as that doesn’t affect on my working hours. Hoping that the things keep on going the way they have so far.

(Tubing!! - Pic from VisitezMTL)

Meanwhile when I haven’t been working, I’ve been doing all sorts of super fun canadian winter activities which could easily be finnish winter activities too I guess. So far been on a ferris wheel, eaten maple-syrup-taffy-pops (check the pic in my previous post), done tubing and skating which the later was the first time for a decade! And I did not even fall! Winter outdoor stuff has been more fun than what I remembered. Those of you reading this and being afraid of northern winter weather, I can assure you that the snow and cold have their moments! As long as you dress up properly.  

Also despite of my lack-of-enthusiasm for ice hockey I dared to go out and watch the match CanVSFin. I gotta admit that there was a quite nice and inspiring atmosphere. Three finnish girls against the entire sport bar full of canadians. Finland didn’t win but I still had a great time and the closest experience I think I’ll ever get to the canadian-hockey-mania. #mtlmoments

(Damn..... )

For the first time during my stay here in Montréal, I finally feel like I belong in somewhere and that I’m a part of something. That my existence matters for someone or something.  I’m so glad that after all the struggles I was stubborn (read: crazy) enough to stick around and be patient. Not that I’ve been having the crappiest time of all, over here but everything feels quite right at the moment.

Even at the gallery where I popped in last Saturday for helping out with a short event, people were like “Where have you been??” since I hadn’t been in for three weeks. This feeling is a result of perfect combination of going to a work you enjoy going to and having great friends to enjoy all the fabulous things this city has to offer. And I know that there must be people out there, reading this and thinking that she must have found a boyfriend… but noup. I’m perfectly happy without one. In my opinion, there are lots of great things in life that don’t include a man. #justsaying

(Pic from VisitezMTL) 

Speaking of.. all the fabulous things that MTL offers.  Montréal en Lumière (in light) is one of the most praised events in the city. It’s been going on now for a week and its program includes everything from performing arts, gastronomy to free outdoor activities that will all culminate to La Nuit Blanche this Saturday. “The white night” will be an entire night filled with awesome activites, many of them free, all over the city – it’s seriously difficult to choose where to go! Pure AWESOMENESS!! http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/nuit-blanche-en/

I don’t know which one I’m more excited about, La Nuit Blanche this Saturday or Laura Pausini concert (this time I'm really going!) almost one week from now, which the later one I’ve decided to go after all! #futureMTLmoments

In a situation like this there’s not much else left to do but dream...

UMK 2023 - review

Gone are the years when Finns were ashamed of their Eurovision selection! 

We saw signs of improvement in the attitude of Finnish artists and music industry towards UMK / Eurovision already in 2020 before the COVID-19 hit us. I would wanna say a game changing factor happened when YleX (radio channel, part of YLE broadcasting company) joined in the production team after ESC 2019. 

Robin’s song Girls like you was elevated by the fun, uplifting and may I say a bit risky staging! (UMK23)

Three years ago Erika Vikman was the moral winner with her Cicciolina even though not winning the actual trophy and ticket to Rotterdam. Her song became a major hit launching her musical career to new hights in Finland. I even dare to say that she did change the competition with her song and performance. 

In 2021 the world saw music shows differently on TV and it was much needed face lift also for UMK. The other songs had no chance against Blind Channel. These were the years when the staging improved overall tremendously even though we had a few misclick (Teflon Brothers 2021, Erika Vikman 2020). 

Lxandra’s Something to lose was one of the most beautiful moments in UMK23! I would have wanted this to reach a much higher climax at one point though..

In 2022-2023 we really saw big Finnish names participating UMK (The Rasmus, Benjamin, Robin Packalen, Kuumaa) and also having some new artists emerging (Bess, Younghearted, Käärijä) and making a name for themselves some even without the UMK trophy. 

In 2023 UMK final gathered 2,1 millions viewers (in 2022 1,9millions), the lyric videos on Youtube were viewed almost 5,5 million times and the songs were listened on Spotify over 14 million times! 

In 2023 we finally have the quality that we need and the people’s interest (abroad and home) that we want! 

Kuumaa’s Ylivoimainen live performance was simple but effective! However, when watching it for the first time it seemed a bit dull and not having enough to keep you interested. (UMK23)

Finns tend to complain about the number of UMK songs and how 6-7 is not enough but if this is the quality they deliver, personally I need no more! I’ve voted 5 UMK songs now in two years in a row and I’m content! This is also a money factor, if we had more songs would the level of quality hold? In music, music videos and in the live statings? I would be doubtful.

I also like the way things are being revealed and when. Mid Jan for artists anouncements is a perfect time just before the ESC national selection kicks off and I love that the songs are being dropped from there without any delay or waiting times. For seven days, there was always something new to look for each day! Late Feb has become a bit a pattern for UMK final but technically this could be later but would it ruin the hype then? 

Keira’s No business on the dancefloor was excellent with catchy coreography and simple stating. However, the fact that she’s a new artist came across a bit. (UM23) 

UMK has received criticism about stagings over the years which we’ve seen improving each year (this year being perfect). Also camera work, angles haven’t been on point (las year Isaac was a bit of a disaster) but last night was a big jump to the right direction! 

What still is left to improve however is the acoustics - every year we complain about the artists vocals sounding shitty when in reality they sound good at the actual venue. The venues have been changing over the years (Tampere’s Mediapolis, Turku’s Logomo etc). Even last night the sounds of the audience singing, clapping were overwhelming the artists vocals which I think damaged the reactions of the people watching the live at home. 

Benjamin’s Hoida Mut was well executed and performed except vocally... However credits for performing ALONE! 

So overall UMK was smash hit with high quality performance and not just the competing ones and with a winner (Käärijä - Cha cha cha) that is definitely taking a risk. The hype has already spread outside of Finland and Cha cha cha is predicted to become a televote winner (juries, you never know). Time will tell us in a few months.. 

UMK 2023 Song review - Portion Boys

The hype is very real around Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), the Finnish national selection for Eurovision and the race to Liverpool continues with glam rock anthem!

Portion Boys - Samaa taivasta katsotaan

Portion Boys have been around for a while. They originally started from Youtube back in 2010 and by releasing regurarly singles slowly but surely made theirselves a name in Finland. Especially the few last years have been succesful for them. They’ve become known as a positive dance-pop group with a lots of personality. 

Samaa taivasta katsotaan represents quite well the band’s musical repertoire and style. It offers a great ending to UMK23 series (as it was released as the seventh and the last track) and also to UMK23 show on February 25th. This is a very rich song, we have several elements and genres mixed in this one and it is the thing that might keep the viewer hooked for the entire 3 minutes but it might also be the thing that breaks charm.

I get the feeling of the song trying too hard. It’s trying to please everyone - we have the rock rap, anthem like instrumental parts, heavy metalish screaming going on. Even the lyrics mention several countries and make references in foreign languages. It’s a mess and it’s up to one’s personal taste whether it’s a mess for your taste. 

The song reminds a bit of Eurovision Movie: Fire Saga by its vibes and with its to be honest Eurovision clichés. Even reference to Latvian Pirates in 2008 has been made in social media. There’s a certain sillyness in here but also the spirit of becoming one despite all our differences. Usually these kind of entries haven’t done very well in ESC.

However,  this might be one of the rare UMK23 entries that I do not wish to advance to ESC. On another year yes but not in 2023 when we have better options. However, I have to admit it does hold the strongest hook in UMK23. This might go against the lovers of Cha Cha Cha as it musically and spiritually stands completely on the other side of the edge. However, I can see this becoming a true Finnhit classic and bringing people together on the dancefloor.

What do you think of the seventh UMK23 track and would you vote for Portion Boys’ Samaa taivasta katsotaan to go all the way to Liverpool? UMK final takes place on February 25th!

Part trois and also the last one!: Another round of shots taken by me all over Helsinki. Obsessed with the waterfront, blackandwhite (they always look better, don’t they?) and flowers or any kind of hay. Got caught up by the storm, sunshine, following the duck and the lovely colours of autumn. And yes, filters used. One of these days I’ll get better at this and have courage to post my pics without them.

My negative review of 2018

So this is the part where I tell you how everything went wrong and everything was shitty! If I had to decide based on this experience whether to travel somewhere else for Eurovision the answer would be NO. I’m so glad I didn’t pay hundreds of euros for flights and accommodation in Lisbon and instead just happened to be here. I’m glad I did this - now I don’t need to wonder and I’m happy to continue my Eurovision love by watching it all from tv and/or online! 

Organization could have been better from the fans’ point of view. The lining up hadn’t been planned properly, there were no fences so cutting in line was kind a easy. Inside the arena not all the screens were on so if you were short and didn’t have seat you might have not seen anything. Also sound quality wasn’t on point when the shows started on the May 8th. The difference between Tuesday and Saturday sound quality is like night and day! Missed several performances on Tuesday’s live show because of the screens and sounds problems. And it was my only live ticket! Just seriously disappointed. 

Also the ticket sales went obviously down south. The arena was quite empty for even Semi I live show and Semi II jury show. The standing arena wasn’t nearly full. Blue ticket, the official one had sold out all tickets but apparently the tickets were being sold on other websites three times more expensive! And a lot of people didn’t apparently buy them for Semis even though the Final shows with its jury and rehearsals were sold out in reality. There could have been use for those tickets which weren’t sold. I’m so pissed about this also cause when we got there there were nothing else left than standing area tickets! 

Overall never felt more left outside alone than this year when I was actually in Eurovision! But let’s move on to the actual songs and results! Obviously many of my loves left out already at the Semis but concentrating the main shockers and disappointments.

My ultimate favorite this year, Estonia. I was kind of disappointed that Elina didn’t get more points from the juries since her performance was so technically, vocally on point. And plus the visuals were memorable and standing out from the rest of the performances this year. Can’t believe she got less jury points than so many who were clearly worse singers and had less memorable performance. 

Bulgaria which had an amazing hype around their song the entire spring came 14th! The jury votes were fine I guess but I expected the audience to bring them up. The performance as the song were really dark but I think it all looked really good and stylish. Televoters gave them only 66 points. Wow. But still love their song! 

I’ve loved French entries for quite some years now and especially this year MadameMonsieur were the best find for me! But something goes wrong for France. They’ve had good songs, great singers and performers, also the visuality and the staging hasn’t been THAT BAD! But still they always fall down 10 positions at least in the actual results. Amir placed 6th in 2016 which was an amazing result for France but still kind of far away from the top 3 which he was originally favorite for. Alma (2017) and MadameMonsieur both placed 12th and 13th far away again from the what they were really going for and audience was cheering them up to. They seriously need to look into this. However France and MadameMonsieur remain for me the best find of Eurovision 2018.

My loves Spain and Portugal! I absolutely loved these songs! So beautiful and emotional, especially Spain! You could not watch that without smiling and feeling the song. But yeah.. I guess they took a hit because there were so many songs this year that went with stronger sounds and were instant hits where Claudia and the spanish couple were left behind and not many actually voted for them. Just sad. 

And what about the UK invention! Again! Last year it was the winning artist from the previous year who was intervened. But last year the guy didn’t take the mic. Poor Sury! But seriously what’s up with the security unable to keep the STAGE are safe! It is the stage for god’s sake! 

I loved Slovenian entry this year from the beginning. But apparently Lea felt her song was lacking drama since she added this cut in the middle of the song where no music or lights would work. In the semi it seemed like the host country screwed up but in the final she changed it to look like she stopped it. From the faces of the audience they didn’t get it or find it funny. Neither did I. Totally unnecessary. 

For two weeks I was hanging around the arena and in Lisbon hoping to spot any artist or blogger for an autograph or a photo. I did see Ireland’s Ryan in Belem on Sat one week before the final. He was wearing his sunglasses so wasn’t sure if it was really him. I POLITELY asked about it and he LIED to me that he wasn’t him. Later on saw posts on Instagram with exactly same clothes and in the same neighborhood. And I liked Irish entry and defended it for others who doubted it! Jerk. There goes my points for Ireland forever. He was the only “Eurovision star” I spotted the entire time. Tragic.

Australia! I loved Jessica’s bubly performance and yes maybe her song was a bit generetic but it was so inspiring and uplifting! And the crowds at the arena seemed to appreciate it. But televotes! OMG so low! She did not deserve this even though her vocals weren’t on point on Saturday night.

Belgium! Not qualifying! How is this possible! Sennek’s song was not my personal top favorite but I know many people liked it. Definite OMG moment this year. Found her live performance cool and giving so much life to her song! 

I’m still in summer...