Ice Hockey on a Billboard

As a paying spectator or TV watcher, would you prefer to watch an ice hockey game that is played on a billboard? I know I wouldn't.

...it's anyway too hard to follow the puck now and then...

Naturally the laws of economy play a role in pro sports, while there is still several levels to satisfy the needs & wants that the teams and sponsors have. I was veeeery surprised to see the new ice hockey ring of the Kärpät in Oulu, Finland. It is so "shocking" that even a high profile ice hockey blogger Puck Daddy a.k.a. Greg Wyshynski has taken a notice about it.

Also Finnish tabloid has taken this on their agenda;
http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2013072917307076_sm.shtml
http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2013073017308930_sm.shtml

Here is a pic via www.suomikiekko.com - make your own call...!

 

Kimi Räikkönen - Lively F1 Faces

 

Hyvä Kimi - Be as you are!

Sotamuseo Tallinnassa - War Museum at Tallinn, Estonia

This is an old article that might interest some of you who a) move around Estonia and b) are interested in history. http://www.hot.ee/vvmuuseum/

I've not been there myself - yet - even if I just spent some days playing tourist around Estonia. Another one to check out is the submarine in maritim museum in Tallinn. Check it out! http://www.meremuuseum.ee/

Estonia has got a LOT to offer, open your mind and check it out! Also Tallinn - before it becomes just another European city...

Pietari - St. Petersburg Next Door

From the top of the shop at Jätkäsaari, Helsinki I told about earlier, you can have also this view;

Since Russia and St. Petersburg is next door from Helsinki, you can take a ferry cruise there and back in only few days. No visa needed at least for Finns, some terms of course apply - like you are obliged to buy some tourist services while there etc... If you are interested, check out the site of the ferry line in the pic. I have no interest to market them further so figure out the rest by your self - or give me a call ;o)

Bronko's BBQ Sauce - This is GOOD STUFF...!

Imagine going to a supermarket at a local mall up North in Finland, the country of reindeers and Santa Claus - the REAL Santa, locally called Joulupukki. From the store you find a GIANT size of a man, real deal American with cowboy hat, sun glasses (indoors, of course), and a gitar behind the counter. Is this Finland or what...?

Ladys and Gents, it was Mr Bronko at the counter with a BIG smile and full of good spirit!

In the pic you can see also Bronko's mother, on a sauce bottle named after Momma Dee. I have now tasted all 3 sauces available in the shop, the sweet, smoky and spicy, and man I can tell you they are indeed worth this post!

Get to the shop, at least the Citymarket at Iso Omena shopping hell in Espoo had them. More about Bronko at his site www.bronkosbbq.com .

Bon Appetit - Hyvää ruokahalua!!!

PS My Kingsford did again great deeds with the BBQ stuff, today using the Smoke House. Believe me or not, the branding on the arm is genuine Bronko's BBQ branding - I was reaching for something...

On the Road

In my Friday post I estimated the number of deaths in Finland for the Midsummer weekend to be 10. I'm sorry to say I was wrong: according to Iltalehti, the number is 15 at the moment, 7 in traffic, 7 on water and 1 killed. The return traffic is still on so the numbers might still go up... Let's be careful out there!!!

Here are few captured moments from the road. Too bad I didn't have a camera available when I passed an electronic car with a licence plate "CO-2", but I found a pic of it on www.eltelnetworks.com;

I wonder why these guys were not driving the one they were carrying...

Is it Bond?

James Bond?

No, it's triple-o'-seven!

Smoke on the water?

Well, too bad I didn't take a pic: it was a female member of romani people in full costume and as always one that takes good care of the car...

I want my money back!

Then again, what have I paid...?

Promise for today's weather:

Delivery:

Now we are in the afternoon, and there is a glimse of a potential for a better weather. Let's hope it will be at least close to what we had yesterday, the Midsummer eve.

It was the first time ever that I saw the famos Helsinki area Midsummer thing, bonfire a.k.a. kokko at Seurasaari museum island. No, I didn't pay the 18€ per adult to get on the island and sit on a crowded rock, drinking coffee and singing folk songs. I'd say I had the VIP seats!

Well, there we some others at the back row...

C'mon baby light my fire!

Loistavaa Juhannuspäivää

**

Have a Great Midsummer Day

Olutta on...

Kohta Kustavissa on...

...olutta. Jonkun lasissa. Sen jälkeen olutta on kustavissa. Minä en ole siellä.

Translation for the ones with a bit weaker Finnish skills;

• SIGN: "Men, sit while peeing! Regards, Cleaning Lady"
• COMMENT: "Again women's logic... And this should reduce the need for cleaning?"

Hauskaa Juhannusta meille kaikille

-

Happy Midsummer for us all!!!

PS My unfortunate guess is that due to our habit for unwise behavior and alcohol consumption, 10 people will die in Finland this weekend, drowning, in traffic, or killed by a "friend / family member". I hope I'm 10 heads wrong...

Horror Story Part 18 - The End(kö)?

Dear Friends,

There is a good chance that the horror story is getting closer to the end. Or is this only a kick for a new begin? The main character of the story will be behind bars for 60 days if there are no surprises in second level of legal process.

http://www.seiska.fi/Viihdeuutiset/Johanna-Tukiaiselle-ehdoton-vankeustuomio/1005725

Please be aware that you open the link at your own risk - it contains material that can change your image of "glamour girl" forever...

PS Kiitos jälleen Ts., olet hyvin varmistanut, ettei minulta mene näitä elämää suurempia uutisia ohi!
PPS T, sinä kaipasit uutisia ja tässä sitä on - toivottavasti tämä ei murra luottamustasi naiskauneuteen...

Rock @ Helsinki Tonight -

If you are at Helsinki tonight and want to listen to some rock - in fairly down-to-earth authentic environment, check out the Classic Cars Café at Jätkäsaari. The first band starts apparently at 9ish and the Texas Oil that plays apparently Hurriganes stuff starts at around 1030 pm.

The place is open also at daytime so pop in for a cup of coffee, beer, shot, pinball or what ever is you choise!