...that damn bus - penteleen nysse!

I had a meeting this morning. I woke up early enough (as if I’d been sleeping ‘cause of that Full Moon). I had my cup of tea, dressed up, packed my bag, put my shoes on – and went on to catch a bus. People who know me might get all surprised – me taking a bus?! Well, even though I love biking my mountain bike just isn’t right for this Finnish winter. Tires get all heavy, me all sweaty (and sweary).

I was right on time at the bus stop. Actually, I had to wait for like 15 minutes. Then it finally showed up, three minutes early. There was already another bus on the bus stop so all the people started walking towards (my) bus and got in. Well, I thought, since I was standing a t the bus stop t h e bus would pick me up there. Guess what?!

It didn’t! The bus driver stepped on the gas and took off! It all happened so fast that I didn’t even realise it before it was too late. I had missed both m y bus and m y meeting. How about next bus, you might ask?! In 33 minutes (but it would be too late). I got soo mad that I wanted to scream (anger management?). Instead of screaming my lungs out I went to Kauppahalli (local market place) and got myself fresh, just baked rye bread. Yam!

  

Molin tänää menos yhtehe miitinkihi, soli Tampereen Nirvas. Mä heräsi toki jo hyvis ajoon, keitteli kupi jouluteetä ja niierespäi. Molin siä nyssepysäkilläki ajoos, vartti aikaa vartoa pikkupakkaases. No, aikanansa se nysse tuli (pari minuuttia etuajas). Siinä pysäkillä oli toine nysse vähä niinku tiellä, jote ne muut immeeset lähti juoksemaha siihe toisehe nyssehe. Minen. Yleensähä ne nysset bruukaa pysährellä pysäkiillä, jote m’orottelin rauhas. Se eka nysse lähti menojansa – ja nii lähti se tokaki! Se kuski ei vilikaassukkaa sille mu pysäkille vaa kaasutteli tiähensä. Notta mua risas! Molin niin järkyttyny siitä, ette eres tajunnu lähtiä juoksemaha perähä (ja koputtelemaha sen nyssen klasiihin). Teki miäli raivota äänehe. Ja olisinki mutta sitte mä kekkasi jotaki muuta!

Mä lähärin siitä Keskustorilta Kauppahallihi ja ostin ittelleni palakittua manselaasta ruisleipää (ja kaks kaurasämpläriä). Ny moon kotona, enkä aio enää tänää lähtiä mihinkää täältä kotuani. Jonsei navetta pala.

On My Stereo

Tallulah – one of the most beautiful songs that I’ve ever heard.

To me Tallulah brings back memories.

 

I’ve noticed playing Tallulah (loud!) when ever I feel unsecure (which is a lot), and not knowing what to do with my life (sic). I guess it’s my way of dealing with stuff: becoming even more depressed and not seeing a way out.

“I remember shooting stars, the walk we took that night, I hope your wish came true, mine betrayed me.”

When I talk about my favourite songs I always(!) act like my cup is full so to speak, that my favourite songs have already been written. That there possibly can’t be any addition to this already wide collection of goodies from different ages by different artists and by different bands. Yet, one time (a long, long time ago!) I did decide that my top 3 is closed: I chose one song by three of my favourite artists and had my list put together. In which order these three songs are depends on the day, and with whom I’m talking with. I won’t be sharing that top 3 with you yet.

I saw Sonata Arctica two summers ago at Sauna Open Air (Tampere, Finland). They didn’t play Tallulah but another masterpiece called Last Drop Falls. 

Sonata Arctica – Silence

…of Silence

Weballergy

False News Travel Fast

The End of This Chapter

Black Sheep

Land of the Free

Last Drop Falls

San Sebastian (Revisited)

Sing in Silence

Revontulet

Tallulah

Wolf and Raven

Respect the Wilderness

The Power of One

PeaceMaker

Wolf & Raven (Remake 2008)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ec8tpPcAs

Taskunauris ja sen perät _ Pocket Watch

Yksi jalokivistäni on ehdottomasti perimäni taskunauris, jonka perät on tehty ihmisen hiuksista. Kuullessani ensimmäisen kerran ihmisen hiuksista tehdyistä kellonperistä näin mielessäni valokuvia natsiajan juutalaisleireistä. Näissä kuvissa oli kasoittain silmälaseja, matkalaukkuja, tekoniveliä ja niitä hiuksia…

Tarkemmin aiheeseen tutustuttuani minulle selvisi, että kellonperä on ollut muinoin eräänlainen miesten koru. Tätä korua pidettiin vastaantulijoiden nähtävillä ja se koristeltiin usein erilaisin merkein tai kaiverruksin. Koristelu ilmaisi isänmaallisuutta, maakuntasidosta tai aatteellista näkemystä. Suomessa riipusperät olivat yleisimpiä 1930- ja 1940-luvuilla. (lähde: kellomuseo.kutomonportti.fi/kerrankuussa2010.html)

Ihmisen hiuksista tehtyihin kellonperiin on käytetty elävän tai vainajan hiuksia eri tavoin punomalla tai alustalle liimaamalla. Vielä 1930-luvulla saattoi sulhasmies saada morsiamen omista hiuksistaan punomat kellonperät… Hiuskorujen punojat käyttivät korujen tekoon mielellään pohjoismaisten naisten hiuksia, sillä nämä hiukset sopivat mainiosti punontaan pohjoismaisen hiuslaadun ollessa pehmeää ja taipuisaa. (lähde: Parkkinen, A. 2009. Hiuskorut - Historia ja konservointi tekstiilikonservaattorin näkökulmasta. Opinnäytetyö.)

Todellakin… Todettakoon, että tämän pohjoismaalaisen naisen hiukset ovat ehtyvää (vai sittenkin eheytyvää…) luonnonvaraa – vaikkakin pehmeää ja erityisen taipuvaa.


My title “Taskunauris ja sen perät” can also be translated “Pocket turnip and its butt”. Funny, eh…

One time I had this fine party to attend. And, of course, I had nothing to wear. I was going through my closet and only found a black dress from the 60s. Since it was, like, my only option I decided to wear it. My mom freaked out. In her opinion I looked like I was attending a funeral. So, she gave me this pocket watch to wear as a fine jewellery. I had a blast at the party.

The very next day I had a closer look at (my!) pocket watch and realised its strings were made of human hair. Oh dear, I thought. Too bad my mom didn’t know anything about the history of the pocket watch, and couldn’t tell me whose hair it was. My grandma had black hair... Later I learned that these kind of pocket watches were “men’s jewellery”, used until the early 1940s in Finland. Even in the 1930s strings were braided by brides. These strings were then attached to pocket watches, and given to fiancés. Nordic hair was widely used because of its soft and curly quality. Do you think dreadlocks are today’s “men’s (or) women’s jewellery”? 

the Mask

One of my most valuable goods is this old wooden mask. I bought it less than a year ago at a local antique store. It’s from the 19^th century, and in a very good condition. It’s quite heavy and you can put it in your head – really! I think it must have been worn in rituals to hide one’s personality. I did try to look for further information on my piece but couldn’t really place it in any specific historical background. It seems to me that there are lots of wooden masks out there, huh?! Most of them are new, sold at tourist spots.

When I first saw this piece it was love at first sight. I mean I love antique but am more used to the Finnish rustic style of the early 20^th century. But since I already had some other masks at my house I decided to purchase it. Don’t ask how much I paid for it ‘cause I ain’t telling you!

I have been making up stories about my mask being used by this great warrior sacrificing his life for something even greater. Too bad we don’t get to hear stories these kind of antique pieces have in them. It’s mostly just guessing and story-telling. But, what I am sure of is that this mask will go where ever I go – and have at least my personal history with it.

He looks kind of sad, doesn't he?

Kent - 747

Kent, one of my favourite bands ever.

“747”, makes me want to play guitar (if I only could).

I still remember my first Kent gig. It was in 1997 (Tampere, Finland). At that time people still bought their tickets at record stores (or at least I did!). Well, I went to get my ticket and saw this most amazing poster there at the record store! It was just for promotional use so they were not selling it (I did try hard persuading them). I guess they had some kind of a tradition of giving away posters after gigs, and they didn’t take reservations of any kind. What they told me was that there had already been lots and lots and lost of people wanting that particular poster! My luck…

The gig was awesome. I remember standing in the very first row – I could almost touch them! After the show I crawled (really!) on the stage trying to get as many picks as possible. My sister collected them (I don’t know if she still does). I did manage to get some… The very next day (it must have been quite early) I walked by  

t h a t record store and decided to give it a shot.

Now you must have guessed the rest: I got it! I got it!

My luck has totally changed since then but… I can always say having an authentic Kent poster (if it really matters). Enjoy!

(photo by Picture Effect Magic)

                                                       

Dingo - Lähetyssaarnaaja

I got my first glimpse at being a fan and loving music at the age of five. And, I didn’t start with no less than Finnish pop rock, Dingo. Being a fan meant something very deep for me, and had it consequences for my whole life. I mean, even in my early thirties I describe myself as a “fan”. A “fan” of music, a “fan” of bands, a “fan” of artists.

I have nothing but great memories about Dingo, being a fan. (I even got to see Dingo at my early age. I only remember drawing onto their dusty bus “<3 Johanna”. All in all, Dingo represents chiffon scarves, insurgency, tons of hair spray, and c-cassettes for me.

But, a few words about Dingo:

Dingo is a Finnish band formed around 1982 which fused Finnish melancholy with catchy rock  melodies, headed by singer Pertti Neumann (also known as Pertti Nieminen). For a few years of top success Dingo was one of the most popular Finnish rock bands and caused a phenomenon called "Dingomania" all over
Finland. (source: Wikipedia, 31.12.2011)

Lähetyssaarnaaja - Dingo

the Cure - Friday I'm in Love

I so remember this one summer more than 10 years ago, 1998 to be more exact. I was taking this summer course in order to get into the university that same summer, and was staying with my friend for a whole month. Instead of really studying and getting ready for that exam I had my first cigarette and did a whole lot of drinking. So, meaningless to say, this summer course didn’t have that much to give…

My friend had Friday I’m in Love on vinyl – c’moon! It must have been the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I still remember the cover – and here’s a reminder for the rest of you. So, in short, the Cure – Friday I’m in Love represents the summer of 1998 to me. And, I did get into that university.