Blurb about my choice of music this week.

Oh, and on a musical side-note, I LOVE my new ipod :) I mean, its not really any different to the old one apart from the fact that my old one had a complete meltdown and wont work anymore...

But, since getting the new ipod, its pretty much been surgically attached to me during lab hours. I love the laid-back attitude of the Finns. Anyway, the battery life being as good as it is (wonder how long that will last), I've been enjoying a vast array of albums, everything from Funeral For A Friend to Backstreet Boys. Its been good. But this week, the most listened to awards have to go to the Script and A1. Not really along the same lines, but still. I got my hands on a copy of the Scripts album just after Christmas, and only got around to listening to it this week. Gosh its good. I listened to it about 3 times over in one day alone. To be fair, I was doing other things at the time too, but you know what I mean. I'm so glad we finally have something decent in our charts, a band worthy of their sucess.

Of course, despit A1 having the novelty factor of being a boyband that did write a lot of their own songs, they arent really in the same ball park shall we say. However, this was the band of my childhood. I was absolutely obsessed with Ben for those pre-pubescent years of mine. They were my first gig (London, UK2K tour, haha) and I loved their first two albums dearly. Clearly, the obsession, however strong, was fairly short-lived, as I had moved onto the likes of Linkin Park by the time the third album was out, and didnt bother to buy it... Anyway, I found it in a second hand shop/warehouse here in Turku, and it looked so sad sitting on the shelf unloved and unwanted for only €3 that I just had to buy it. There are some good tracks on their. I'm still easing myself into it, but also having a total guilty pleasure fest by listening to all the albums at work...

So I've decided to share the main release from the third album with you. The song is called Caught in the Middle, and interestingly enough the video was shot in Finland. I always assumed, what with Christian being Norweigen, that this video was shot in Norway. But actually, it was shot on a peninsula in the Kirkkonummi area, which is one of the stops the Intercity train makes on the journey from here to Helsinki...

Still Keeping Busy

Tonight was the first meeting of the English Language Circle for the spring semester. There weren't nearly as many people as last semester, but they seemed like a nice bunch. We went for coffee and had a nice chat. I hope they keep coming, and that the group will get going again like it did last semester. After all, its pretty much my only way of meeting other exchange students here.

As for the past week, its been going pretty well. I made a silly mistake in my calculations at work this morning, but other than that it feels like a really successful week. Pretty much doing the same things I did just before Christmas, but just before Christmas I had the startings of a terrible cold, and so my brain wouldnt work. Although I could do the experiment, I didnt really understand the hows and whys of it. But now I do! Hurrah! My work has a purpose. Actually, feeling fairly confident at work recently. Dunno whats got into me. Being all independant in my work, and being bolder with colleagues as well (smiling, saying Hei etc).

What else have I got up to this week... Well of course there was Helsinki on Saturday. Was a really nice day, possibly just because it was so spontanious. Went to Kiasma with my friend, which was pretty fun actually. Look at the pretty human kaleidascope made by one of the works of art...



Then we went for lunch in a cafe, where we met up with our old Finnish teacher. And then 3 hours late, I also met up with another friend from my language course, and went back to the old flat in Passila, where there were more familiar faces to be seen :) Actually, got so carried away in conversations that I nearly missed the last train home. Thank goodness for the night buses in Turku on the weekend - I had never intended to stay that late!

I'm hoping to head to Tampere this Saturday. Need to make the most of my free Saturdays while I still have them :)

Keeping Busy

I had a rubbish day at work yesterday so was rather up for a drink and a dance at the welcome party for the new exchange students last night. I went with my flatmate, who I seem to be getting on surprisingly well with now that Spanish housemate has moved out. Anyway, met some nice new people and generally had a good night. Had to leave for the last bus home at midnight though, which was a shame, but I felt a bit rough this morning, so maybe it was for the best. Anyway, had a better day at work in terms of my happiness, but not in terms of research. Not only did I completely mess up a whole afternoon's work for me by plating the wrong thing, I also switch off a machine that someone else was using, nearly ruining their experiment too. Impressive rate of failure there...

Anyway, tonight I am gonna tuck myself up in bed for an early night, as I am returning to Helsinki tomorrow. I have no other plans, and remembered reading about an exhibition of asian art going on at Kiasma, the museum of modern art. The exhibition is called Drawn in the Clouds, and features works from Li Wei among others. I'm not often into art, but I've seen some photo's of Li Wei's somewhere (cant remeber if it was a newspaper or magazine) before and liked them, so thought while I have nothing better to do I may as well head over and have a look. And I've managed to arrange to meet up with some of my language course buddies while I'm at it, so should be a good day all round.

Here's my favourite piece from Li Wei...

So the results are in and...

Waldo's People are through! Woo. With 44% of the vote. Puts them in good stead me thinks.
Bizarrely Remu also got through, with around 28% of the vote, and to be honest he looked as shocked as I was.

Means that between Passionworks and Sani there is less than a measely 30% of the remaining vote. They both go through to the second chance selection, but to be honest, its not looking good. I'm pretty happy with the results though. More so than last week at least :)

Finnish Esc Selection - Week 2

So I've managed to watch the stream tonight, which is good because Waldo's People were singing tonight. They were just on, with strong vocals and fire jugglers in the back. Quite cool. I just love the strong beat, its so catchy. So decided to give em a vote :)
Not sure if they are my absolute favourite anymore (Speakerbox by Signmark is slowly overtaking), but that is for next week's selection. As for tonight's performances...

• I missed Sani Doctor Doctor, but watching the replay clips during the voting it seems like your typical esc pop song, complete with terrible pun-filled lyrics, but I dont see it as a good fit for Finland somehow.
• Passionworks were ok, but the female's vocals and and outfit were questionable.
• Remu - dont even know where to start..!
• And then Waldo's People, delivering a strong performance, although looking a bit confined on such a small stage...

We await the results...

Incoming!

Or should that be outcoming?

You would not believe what just came out of my mouth. The hole where my tooth used to be, after 3 weeks, had finally filled up with a soft spongy tissue, but still not healed properly. Today however I noticed something solid making its way to the surface. After many hours, I was finally able to manoeuvre it free. It looks kind of like a toenail, but I'm guessing its a thin fragment of bone or tooth. Although comparing it to the tooth (yes, I have it with me in a jar) I really think its the wrong shape. So I'm guessing the dentist chipped my jaw when he took the tooth out. Seriously! No wonder its been so blooming painful. I'm just relieved to have an explanation, and that now its out, it will hopefully, finally heal over into a nice happy little bit of gum.

Fingers crossed eh?

Sugar Cherry Candy World

There is something so incredibly ironic about listening to the following song, whilst walking to work in the dark while its snowing, that you just cant help but smile. Go on, indulge in some terrible summer pop. It might help. Or tip you over the edge...