OK, so to be honest, I actually have another three days off after today, but that means three quarters of my holiday have already gone.

However, I have been doing many things lately.

First of all, I did survive the Eurovision, not too shell-shocked, either. I just have to comment upon something. Let's not be sore losers, people! We (as in "the Western European countries") have dominated the competition for almost fifty years. Now that the up-and-coming Eastern European countries take a hold, stop talking about "political voting". The reason for neighbouring countries voting for each other is more likely because we tend to have the same tastes in music. And the UK, of all countries, should not even mention political voting. The only reason they didn't end up in last place, was that Malta gave them their 12 points...and that was apparently a deliberate protest against "political voting". Some changes should be put in place, though, now that we have doubled the number of countries in such a short time. For instance, even though this will unfortunately leave Norway as the country with the most "nil points" forever, we should give points to every country. This will probably give a more nuanced picture. We should also have the EBU physically control every aspect of the phone vote. Thirdly, we could bring back professional juries. Do what they do in a lot of talent shows these days; 50% of each country's vote comes from phone voting, the rest from a jury.

Just my opinion, of course, which no one usually listens to.

What else have I been doing with my time lately? Well, we did celebrate Norway's constitutional day on the 17th of May. I took the whole day (week) off to celebrate this year. I really, really wanted to go to the Steven Pimlott celebration at the National, but made sure that would not be an option on the day by making plans with friends all day. So we went to Southwark Park, where we were quite surprised by the large number of people having turned up.
There were speeches, food (why they hadn't taken into account the sheer need for lomper I will never know, but they were completely sold out before we got there, which meant I couldn't care less about the hot dogs), music (Sondre Lerche was there, in extremely good spirits), "walking corpses" (or "a marching band" as the more linguistically aligned among us would say), lots of children and lots of flags. And then we took part in the (almost compulsory) parade. Which was kind of fun.

When we had stayed for about two hours and they announced the games for the children, we decided it was high time for us to get something to eat. Well, leave the park, at least. So we did just that, and went to a pub a colleague of mine had suggested because of their nice garden and beer.
So we got a small sheep. I bet the beer was nice, only I don't like beer, so I didn't drink more than about one fifth of it. The food was good, though, and not too expensive.

Then we went back to the neighbourhood of the park, to the Norwegian church there, in order to take part in the rest of the celebration there...which started with us throwing ourselves at the local (week-old) Norwegian newspapers they had there and buying their shop. Well, almost. I bought four chocolates and the others just about the same. The point was that these were Norwegian chocolates and food which you can't get anywhere else.

The entertainment for the evening was much better than last year's; varied and quite impressive, some of it. Unfortunately, we were sitting next to The Parents From Hell(TM), whose kids were running all over the place and causing a lot of noise. When people asked very politely, after about 90 minutes of this, if they would be so kind as to try to keep the noise down, they were ignored completely. These people even turned out to be members of the congregation! So much for your Christian goodwill and compassion.

We spent the rest of the evening at our local pub and the next day we sort of relaxed at home before going to a local Indian restaurant. I had what I thought would be a different dish to what I had on my previous visit, but it turned out to be the same "mystery sauce" with just slightly different ingredients. My dessert was an Irish Coffee. Perhaps I'm turning into an alcoholic.

For some very strange reason, I watched the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United. It was extremely boring, even though it did become marginally more interesting during the second half, only I think that could have been because I had put a bet on the outcome. I lost, as they just couldn't be arsed to score until way into extra time, at which point we were much more interested in the fire which had started nearby (it was quenched just about the same time the match ended).

Speaking of fires, who's the moron who set the Cutty Sark on fire? Spookily enough, the suggestion of DNA testing all new-borns for illnesses and criminal tendencies suddenly seems very attractive.

Oh, and last Monday we went to see Spider-Man 3 (which was nice) and 28 Weeks Later... (which was nicer and yet darker).

This week sees the end of the wonderful Evita run, which is sad, but also makes my wallet a little happier. And speaking of Lord Lloyd-Webber (indirectly, at least); what happened last Saturday when he let Daniel go instead of Lewis in the Joseph compo? I was sure Daniel would stay until the final, when Lee naturally wins the whole thing. Lee has a very annoying speech impediment, though, which has led me to not voting for him these past few weeks, but last time he was back on my list as he simply is at least one level above everyone else in that competition. Due to his drama education? Quite possibly, just like with Connie Fisher and the Maria bunch last year.

Labels: current affairs, evita, film, Lloyd-Webber, music, musicals, Norway, personal, philip quast, sport, theatre, TV

...and both my holiday and the Eurovision Song Contest will be under way!

I have Scooch's song spinning around in my head, but of course, it being the British entry this year, I have been more exposed to that song than any of the others. In fact, I had not heard the other songs until the semi-final. I have, however, been listening to all of them at least three times now and have some favourites, Hungary being the top one.

And how come this year's Italian entry comes from Latvia? Hmm...

Has anyone noticed that Italy and Monaco is no longer in the competition? It seems more Western European countries will pull out in the next few years because of the farcical turn the competition has taken; the Eastern European mafia seems to have taken hold even on Eurosong. I do, however, think that a lot of this year's entries are very good, so much better and much more exciting than last year, which was a major disappointment all around.

And let's hope Europe is fed up with Irish folk music by now, because once again Ireland is competing with an Irish pub song (a tradition, funnily enough, started by Norway, of all countries). Get with it. And last year's hard rock entry from Finland has spurred quite a few other rocking entries this year.

However, the scope is much wider than ever before, and this is a very good sign and I have high hopes for the future...even though it may be run as an exclusively Eastern European competition after a while.

Labels: music, TV

Americans are not stupid - once again sent to me by Aug - OK, so everyone can make a mistake when put under pressure from a reporter on the street, but damn!!!

Labels: current affairs, humour, time wasting

Indulge me.

Story 1
Story 2
Story 3
Story 4
Story 5
Story 6

Labels: humour, time wasting

First of all, let me just state how much I would like yesterday's BBC commentators to take over for Sir Terry Wogan. He is way past his use-by date. Yesterday's couple were sarcastic, interested and open, whereas Wogan is just sarcastic and negative (increasingly so throughout the evening). And since the UK show where he announced the wrong winner, it's time for him to retire, I think. At least from live telly. Radio he does fine, but he seems to be lost on telly nowadays.

Also, no big surprise that Norway did not qualify for the finals yesterday. Surprised, however, that Denmark didn't, because of the hype beforehand. Hungary did, though, so I am going to vote for them (I think) on Saturday. Time will show.

Labels: music, TV

20. Malta - Boring and incredibly out of key
21. Andorra - McFly Junior, only out of key. How I wish that everyone could just find the right key.
22. Hungary - Blues, really good, my favourite, I think!
23. Estonia - Another typical Eurosong, but I really liked this one.
24. Belgium - Disco is in the house. Mika is better, though.
25. Slovenia - Opera...ish
26. Turkey - Catchy rhythm, pretty sleazy-looking guy
27. Austria - Very good singer, catchy song
28. Latvia - What the hell? And yet...not bad! I must be mad.

That should be the lot. Back after the results.

Labels: music, TV

That wasn't half bad, actually. First time I heard "our" entry. Let's just hope all the "disappearing frocks" confused people enough to vote for Norway. If she's willing to shed that many layers of clothing during the semifinals, who knows what will happen during the finals!

Then again, we all know the only men watching Eurosong are gay, so that wouldn't be a great selling point.

She was in key, though!

Also, "Guri Schanke" is a rather unfortunate name when said in English. :D

Labels: music, TV

14. Poland - I wonder whether they will be going to a party afterwards?
15. Serbia - And this one's for the lesbians? I wonder whether Serbia know what they've sent as their first ever separate entry in the Eurosong contest...
16. Czech Republic - Welcome, also! Back to the eighties rock here.
17. Portugal - Very catchy rhythm, and I felt like dancing, although maybe not with her.
18. FYROM - "In my world we live in harmony", maybe also sing in harmony?

I'll be back after the most important entry of the evening.

Labels: music, TV

7. Montenegro - More rock. Or something.
8. Switzerland - Bobo's back! Unfortunately also out of key.
9. Moldova - Rocky Leather. Very catchy, but the cringe factor was big (out of key)
10. The Netherlands - Edsilia's back, too! I bought her last eurosong single in '98.
11. Albania - Actually grew on me and became rather catchy
12. Denmark - Large, pink, presumably dead bird on that guy's head. Mediocre eurodance song, but enough feathers and glam to keep the Eurosong gays happy.
13. Croatia - Why did they bother? Terribly out of key, too.

Labels: music, TV

Help.

Well, naturally I am watching the whole thing, and must comment upon all the entries of the semi-final:

1. Bulgaria - Nice percussions, not much of a song, though.
2. Israel - Weirdoes, doesn't work.
3. Cyprus - Catchy.
4. Belarus - Yucky guy with terrible accent and gleaming teeth.
5. Iceland - Eirikur trying to sound like Meat Loaf, nothing special.
6. Georgia - Welcome to Eurovision! The song was quite nice, actually.

More to follow.

Labels: music, TV

Not just sad, but strange as well, I happened upon this obituary by some extraordinary coincidence. I had no idea she was dead, and this happened very early last year. Hmm...

Labels: TV

I suppose it was all a foolish dream that Spore would be released sometime before the London Olympics. Grrr...

Labels: gaming

Yesterday, when I came home from work and had done the dishes, I sat down to eat and watch another episode of Daniel Deronda before vegetating in front of the computer with...of all things...Jewel Quest 2 and lots upon lots of my old music. I sat there whistling and almost singing to every single song; I hadn't heard some of them for years. Very, very nice and relaxing. Must get back to listening to music properly.

I am also preparing mentally for a very big challenge, namely the fact that I am going to take on a huge project--a project that is at least 14 years overdue. I know it comes as a shock to some of you (and others will be thinking "what is she on about?"...and yet others "what is she on?"), but I am going to do something that is going against my old beliefs. I will simply have to start shaving my legs. I know, it's painful to think about, but I have bought this cool pair of shorts that I need to use in other areas than my sitting room and balcony, and hairy legs is rather unattractive.

So I have enlisted the help of a very willing flatmate to give me tips. It will of course take a few more weeks before I have mustered up the courage to take charge of the razor and shaving cream.

Funny thing is, lately I have reverted to my old style (and I use the term "style" very loosely in this context), in other words looking more like I feel*, but at the same time I'm using nail polish and will start shaving my legs, which is totally contradictory to that. Tsk, tsk.

* Reminding me of part of a conversation I once overheard in Oslo after having seen La cage aux folles for the umpteenth time (non-Norwegians will not understand this); two posh ladies talking about someone's kids and one of them saying "hun er visst sånn bøtsj, hun". Oh, dear.

Labels: gaming, humour, music, musicals, personal, theatre, TV

I guess not.

Labels: humour, time wasting

Yep, that's right.

The Onion makes me laugh so much it is difficult to read those stories while at work. So...uhmm...I probably shouldn't.

Story 1
Story 2 (funny even when considering current events in Portugal)
Story 3
Story 4
Story 5
Story 6

Labels: humour, time wasting

Must share. The Westend Whingers is a great read and it seems to me they know what quality is. Very funny, as well.

Labels: humour, theatre

On my first day off (Friday) we tidied and cleaned the flat because our letting agency were coming for a visit. Checking up on us to see if we were still to be trusted.

Apparently, we were, and it took them two minutes to figure this out. All the hours of hard work paid off. Well, hopefully. Celebrated by playing Shadow Hearts: Covenant, which I had been looking forward to all week.

Saturday started with watching Schindler's List--not a good choice if you want to leave the house afterwards--and followed by The Lake House. Or possibly the other way around, I forget.

We then went down to the Apollo Theatre in order to see The Glass Menagerie starring Jessica Lange, Ed Stoppard, Mark Umbers and a delightful Amanda Hale. We had cheap seats, which we swapped with a couple for slightly better seats, but still we were too far away from the stage for me to see adequately. Wearing glasses, I had to squint a lot in order to see anything. I almost fell asleep a lot during the first act because of this. I bought a packet of Polo during the interval, though, and since the couple in front of us had given up and left, there was suddenly no need to squint as much and with the constant supply of Polo and an enjoyable second act I eventually left the theatre elated.

The rest of the evening was left to telly. I am not going to comment the Josephs this week.

Sunday was spent playing Shadow Hearts: Covenant until I reached a stage where I actually died for the first time in 14 hours, and I was in such shock I had to turn it off. Felt a bit peckish and thought I should probably watch something while having my late lunch, so naturally I popped a whole mini-series into the DVD player. Couldn't turn it off. Tipping the Velvet - absolutely LOVE that story. Had totally forgotten that Hugh Bonneville was in it, so that was an added bonus. And then I had to borrow Daniel Deronda from my flatmate (yes, there are in fact three links between the two series), which I started watching late last night. I had completely forgotten David Bamber was in that one. I seriously need to check my memory.

Labels: david bamber, film, gaming, jodhi may, personal, theatre, TV

May I just state my happiness over the fact that Seamus was voted off in last week's Any Dream Will Do? He seemed like an obnoxious git who kept saying he was so much more experienced than the rest...and then sang like crap, even though he was a singing coach! Somehow I think he may not have gained any new students after this.

Rooting for Lee.

Oh, and just 28 hours till the return of Hustle.

Labels: Lloyd-Webber, musicals, theatre, TV

This looks like a brilliant idea, where young muslims may find a suitable partner which could be approved both by their parents and themselves. At least it is a step in the right direction.

Letting religion run your life, however, is a HUGE discussion I will not enter into at the moment, scared that I will never get out of it.

Labels: current affairs