Tuomo writes: Wanna see something really scary? No, I’m not talking about ghouls, goblins or ghosts... Oh no, I’m talking about the Race Monster: It usually lurks around red places (states, necks, etc.), and it roams around wrapped in (gasp) prejudice! EEEEEEK!!!
On a much lighter note, enjoy this.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
It's Madonna!!!
Tuomo writes: So tonight is the big night when we – finally – get to see Madonna perform at BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver. We missed her Confessions tour, but Dave’s brother and sister got to see her in Boston. Our initial envy turned into mild mannered glee when they told us that they were astonished by how many gays there were at the concert that night. Umm hellooo, under which rock have you been hiding since the 80s?!? :-)
In honour of this grand event in my life on the eve of Santa Madonna(according to Breakfast Television, "everyone" will be there tonight – including "Argyle" Kyle!), here are a couple of clips, either by Madonna herself or inspired by her, starting with Dave’s favourite:
This one's deliciously wicked:
And this one is just downright delicious:
And finally, no tribute would be perfect without this one :-)
In honour of this grand event in my life on the eve of Santa Madonna(according to Breakfast Television, "everyone" will be there tonight – including "Argyle" Kyle!), here are a couple of clips, either by Madonna herself or inspired by her, starting with Dave’s favourite:
This one's deliciously wicked:
And this one is just downright delicious:
And finally, no tribute would be perfect without this one :-)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
As per Request - Sorta :-)
Tuomo writes: Pekka mentioned a great Eurovision song from the early 80s, back when music was the main point and not skimpy hemlines cut in a bias and pyrotechnics :-)
I couldn't help posting the clip so that everyone understand what we are talking about: Giannis Dimitras and Feggari kalokerino "Summer Moon". Παρακαλώ!
I couldn't help posting the clip so that everyone understand what we are talking about: Giannis Dimitras and Feggari kalokerino "Summer Moon". Παρακαλώ!
Into the Groove!
Tuomo writes: To echo my admiration of Tytti's impeccable taste in music, I've always felt a bit embarrassed about admitting that I am a Madonna fan.
Pretty much everyone agrees that she doesn't have any real singing - or acting - skills, but man does she cover up for it in so many other ways! I remember when she came out with Like a Virgin in the early 80s and I was in high school. I never really got a kick out of it, but it did catch my eye; even to this day, I wouldn't include it in my Top 5, let alone Top 10 Madonna hits, but hey, you gotta start somewhere. It wasn't until Into the Groove and her Blonde Ambition phase came out that I started to pay real attention to her. I loved the "packaging" and the cheekiness that it came in it! As a budding homosexual, I was titillated by her provocative approach to presenting herself; oh those outfits. So garish, so provocative, so... 80s! Later on, Madonna's overt support for the gay community made me a lifelong fan even though I have to admit that I sorta lost interest in her around her Kabbalah inspired album but got - pardon the pun - back in the groove along with her Confessions on the Dance Floor album.
Most of all I have to admire her for having had such a long career in a field that these days is infested with flavours of the day that become one hit wonders overnight. In fact, considering that way back in the beginning, she was expected to become a one hit wonder herself, so three decades of pop hits is in my book something to be proud of.
From the selection of three decades of songs as the icon of pop culture par excellence, I think my favourite Madonna song is Into the Groove mentioned above. Highlighted in - and promoting itself - the movie Desperately Seeking Susan, I couldn't help falling in love with this romantic comedy. In fact, it is one of my guilty pleasure movies: not much along the lines of a unique plot or fabulous acting, but it struck a chord in me at that time that still continues to vibrate. Besides, how many singer-actors in a supporting role can say they've danced to their own music! On my dance card, this one ranks high on my list of top pop dance songs...
So tomorrow when Madonna hits the stage in Vancouver, I hope she will be performing Into the Groove. That sure would make this 42-year old man very happy. In the meantime, I'll contend with the YouTube clip. Too bad I'm not now at home where I could lock the doors and dance - to my hearts content :-)
Pretty much everyone agrees that she doesn't have any real singing - or acting - skills, but man does she cover up for it in so many other ways! I remember when she came out with Like a Virgin in the early 80s and I was in high school. I never really got a kick out of it, but it did catch my eye; even to this day, I wouldn't include it in my Top 5, let alone Top 10 Madonna hits, but hey, you gotta start somewhere. It wasn't until Into the Groove and her Blonde Ambition phase came out that I started to pay real attention to her. I loved the "packaging" and the cheekiness that it came in it! As a budding homosexual, I was titillated by her provocative approach to presenting herself; oh those outfits. So garish, so provocative, so... 80s! Later on, Madonna's overt support for the gay community made me a lifelong fan even though I have to admit that I sorta lost interest in her around her Kabbalah inspired album but got - pardon the pun - back in the groove along with her Confessions on the Dance Floor album.
Most of all I have to admire her for having had such a long career in a field that these days is infested with flavours of the day that become one hit wonders overnight. In fact, considering that way back in the beginning, she was expected to become a one hit wonder herself, so three decades of pop hits is in my book something to be proud of.
From the selection of three decades of songs as the icon of pop culture par excellence, I think my favourite Madonna song is Into the Groove mentioned above. Highlighted in - and promoting itself - the movie Desperately Seeking Susan, I couldn't help falling in love with this romantic comedy. In fact, it is one of my guilty pleasure movies: not much along the lines of a unique plot or fabulous acting, but it struck a chord in me at that time that still continues to vibrate. Besides, how many singer-actors in a supporting role can say they've danced to their own music! On my dance card, this one ranks high on my list of top pop dance songs...
So tomorrow when Madonna hits the stage in Vancouver, I hope she will be performing Into the Groove. That sure would make this 42-year old man very happy. In the meantime, I'll contend with the YouTube clip. Too bad I'm not now at home where I could lock the doors and dance - to my hearts content :-)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Introducing Tytti
Tuomo writes: This is what a funk brings you to: How can it take so long to write a blog entry on one of your dearest friends?!? I mean I wanted to do this for her "major milepost," and the gifts that were supposed to reach her and to be waiting for her when she’d return from her trip to Turkey didn’t get sent until today (like FOUR weeks late)...
At any rate, I have been wanting to write about my friend Tytti for the longest time. With Pekka and Timo, she’s the third leg of the tripod that keeps my life in focus. For the life of me, I cannot remember the exact circumstances of how we met other than it was at some party organized by SUB, the student organization for English majors at the University of Helsinki. In what must have been the fuksiaiset, or "freshman induction," and in my drunken haze, I remember her saying timidly that she wanted to participate in Sub. Fast-forward a year or two, and she was the chair of SUB!
So what do I appreciate so much about her? For one thing, she’s always been able to provide a frank but fair view of the state of affairs. I can’t think of anyone as well-grounded and well-versed in her opinions, ranging from choosing the perfect pair of floral pattern pants to how to deal with parents in denial. All of this delivered spot-on with kick-ass precision of a world-class stand-up comedienne... Oh the bons-mots I have come to cherish!
Second, we both share the joys of travelling. Unfortunately we haven’t had too many opportunities to travel together (London 1990, Tallinn a time or two in the late 90s, and hosting her in Toulouse and Barcelona 1991 and Vancouver in 2008), but even these few ones are worth a pot of gold. Oh the anecdotes! Without her and her infallible taste in culture, I don’t think I would have discovered as many best kept secrets. Add to this an appreciation of good food, be it gourmet or not, I couldn’t think of a better travelling companion. I don’t understand people who can’t sit down every once in a while for the tiniest of salads or just an amuse-gueule to process the sights and sounds du jour – or just to chitchat. Nor can Tytti. Add a refreshing gin and tonic to the equation, and things just get better. Nor will I ever have to worry about coming down with malaria either.
Finally, I appreciate her taste in music. With a background in music from high school, she has a taste for a wide variety of music, ranging from classical to the most eclectic performers of world music. As a perennial language queen, I love music that isn’t always your run-of-the-mill, dime-a-dozen mainstream music in English; when she’s around, I have no qualms about putting on music that I know would drive other people climb up the walls: French, Turkish, Latin/Spanish, Arab, bhangra, you name it...
In fact, the song that I would like to dedicate to her is Hijo de la luna by Mecano. I discovered this Spanish group while I was studying in France in the early 90s. When I returned to Finland, she was the first one to appreciate Mecano categorically without comments like ewww, creepy or This isn't in English. As a lot was going on in our lives at that time, we both seemed to get a kick of some kind from their somewhat edgy and controversial lyrics. Oh and I guess we were both going through some kind of a Spanish phase in our lives, too...
We miss you very much. Husband-hunting in Seattle any time soon?
Click here to see the original version of Mecano's Hijo de la luna.
But check this version out, too. It is so up our alleys! ¡Arriba!
At any rate, I have been wanting to write about my friend Tytti for the longest time. With Pekka and Timo, she’s the third leg of the tripod that keeps my life in focus. For the life of me, I cannot remember the exact circumstances of how we met other than it was at some party organized by SUB, the student organization for English majors at the University of Helsinki. In what must have been the fuksiaiset, or "freshman induction," and in my drunken haze, I remember her saying timidly that she wanted to participate in Sub. Fast-forward a year or two, and she was the chair of SUB!
So what do I appreciate so much about her? For one thing, she’s always been able to provide a frank but fair view of the state of affairs. I can’t think of anyone as well-grounded and well-versed in her opinions, ranging from choosing the perfect pair of floral pattern pants to how to deal with parents in denial. All of this delivered spot-on with kick-ass precision of a world-class stand-up comedienne... Oh the bons-mots I have come to cherish!
Second, we both share the joys of travelling. Unfortunately we haven’t had too many opportunities to travel together (London 1990, Tallinn a time or two in the late 90s, and hosting her in Toulouse and Barcelona 1991 and Vancouver in 2008), but even these few ones are worth a pot of gold. Oh the anecdotes! Without her and her infallible taste in culture, I don’t think I would have discovered as many best kept secrets. Add to this an appreciation of good food, be it gourmet or not, I couldn’t think of a better travelling companion. I don’t understand people who can’t sit down every once in a while for the tiniest of salads or just an amuse-gueule to process the sights and sounds du jour – or just to chitchat. Nor can Tytti. Add a refreshing gin and tonic to the equation, and things just get better. Nor will I ever have to worry about coming down with malaria either.
Finally, I appreciate her taste in music. With a background in music from high school, she has a taste for a wide variety of music, ranging from classical to the most eclectic performers of world music. As a perennial language queen, I love music that isn’t always your run-of-the-mill, dime-a-dozen mainstream music in English; when she’s around, I have no qualms about putting on music that I know would drive other people climb up the walls: French, Turkish, Latin/Spanish, Arab, bhangra, you name it...
In fact, the song that I would like to dedicate to her is Hijo de la luna by Mecano. I discovered this Spanish group while I was studying in France in the early 90s. When I returned to Finland, she was the first one to appreciate Mecano categorically without comments like ewww, creepy or This isn't in English. As a lot was going on in our lives at that time, we both seemed to get a kick of some kind from their somewhat edgy and controversial lyrics. Oh and I guess we were both going through some kind of a Spanish phase in our lives, too...
We miss you very much. Husband-hunting in Seattle any time soon?
Click here to see the original version of Mecano's Hijo de la luna.
But check this version out, too. It is so up our alleys! ¡Arriba!
Who's Got da Funk?!
Tuomo writes: And not the pleasant kind of funk either...
I guess the current slump started after our European friends left and our week at the beach was over. Ever since that everything has felt more or less blah.
It didn't help when when our friends at the beach - hopefully jokingly - mocked my attempt to keep in touch by means of this blog. All kidding aside, I felt hurt, especially when since the trip none of them have even bothered to wonder and/or ask me why I haven't been updating my blog. They were the main target audience in my mind that determined to write this blog in English. I might as well change the language to Finnish because those who do read this are our Finnish friends. And considering that I haven't written much in a few months, they probably haven't been following this either, so I'm questioning why bother in the first place... which definitely guarantees that this blog doesn't get any updates!
I haven't gone to the gym in ages. I haven't eaten sensibly or been on WeightWatchers since June. All I have done is eat and watch TV. And not without snacking on goodies that aren't carrots... I just can't seem to get interested in anything.
I postpone doing things for later. Or tomorrow. Or next week... or month.
I did get myself to go to a hot yoga class (Bikram) for like three times. Then I lost interest. Or motivation. Or maybe it was too pushy. Or something.
I need to get excited about doing something. Like going to the gym... or something.
Though I do have to point out that there has been a glimmer of some end to the funk. I recently got in touch with two friends from the past (thanks to FaceBook, my seemingly only source of social contact). I've written an e-mail or two with them in French and Estonian, something that seems to get my groove back on. I also got my car serviced today, and for some strange reason I feel like achieving things so that when Dave comes home the kitchen won't be a mess or the hallway upstairs won't be strewn with laundry to be folded or put away.
In fact, to prove the point that not everything is as gloomy as it may seem, I ran across another blast from the past, or a YouTube clip, Zoolookologie by Jean-Michel Jarre that got me in a merrier place, at least temporarily. Oh I so love the 80s graphics; it reminds a lot of my high school art work :-)
I guess the current slump started after our European friends left and our week at the beach was over. Ever since that everything has felt more or less blah.
It didn't help when when our friends at the beach - hopefully jokingly - mocked my attempt to keep in touch by means of this blog. All kidding aside, I felt hurt, especially when since the trip none of them have even bothered to wonder and/or ask me why I haven't been updating my blog. They were the main target audience in my mind that determined to write this blog in English. I might as well change the language to Finnish because those who do read this are our Finnish friends. And considering that I haven't written much in a few months, they probably haven't been following this either, so I'm questioning why bother in the first place... which definitely guarantees that this blog doesn't get any updates!
I haven't gone to the gym in ages. I haven't eaten sensibly or been on WeightWatchers since June. All I have done is eat and watch TV. And not without snacking on goodies that aren't carrots... I just can't seem to get interested in anything.
I postpone doing things for later. Or tomorrow. Or next week... or month.
I did get myself to go to a hot yoga class (Bikram) for like three times. Then I lost interest. Or motivation. Or maybe it was too pushy. Or something.
I need to get excited about doing something. Like going to the gym... or something.
Though I do have to point out that there has been a glimmer of some end to the funk. I recently got in touch with two friends from the past (thanks to FaceBook, my seemingly only source of social contact). I've written an e-mail or two with them in French and Estonian, something that seems to get my groove back on. I also got my car serviced today, and for some strange reason I feel like achieving things so that when Dave comes home the kitchen won't be a mess or the hallway upstairs won't be strewn with laundry to be folded or put away.
In fact, to prove the point that not everything is as gloomy as it may seem, I ran across another blast from the past, or a YouTube clip, Zoolookologie by Jean-Michel Jarre that got me in a merrier place, at least temporarily. Oh I so love the 80s graphics; it reminds a lot of my high school art work :-)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
We're South-East Asian!
Tuomo writes: We had nothing else to do, so we took the Which Country Are You quiz. Here are the results, first for me, then for Dave:
Tuomo: You're Vietnam! After years of muddling through on your own, you've finally repaired yourself to a point of respectability. You would have been much better off had people you didn't like not kept insisting on spending so much time with you. But
those times are fading quickly and these days you're pretty sure you won't get burned.
Dave: You're Thailand! Calmer and more staunchly independent than almost all those around you, you have a long history of rising above adversity. Recent adversity has led to questions about your sexual promiscuity and the threat of disease, but you still manage to attract a number of tourists and admirers. And despite any setbacks, you can really cook a good meal whenever it's called for. Good enough to make people
cry.
Now that was positive!
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