Thank You 2014 - Welcome 2015!

 The year in pictures and minimum words. Let's leave some space for your imagination! I kind of feel sorry for the ones who have not had the chance to be part of the trip. At least majority of you - I bet you recognize yourselves ;o)

Where did it all start from?

 From something unclear can be made something great!

 C'mon Baby Light My Fire!

 Let's check what's around and go for it!

 We gotta work for it - in the right places!

Let's enjoy the trip and have some fun!

 Enjoy the view and of course the company when ever possible!

 Remember to recharge the batteries - fill up the tanks!

 Celebrate the success and milestones!

 Challenge yourself!

 Enjoy the moment!

When you fill up the tanks, you can enjoy the ride!

And then work again, stop to think for a moment when needed!

 You can do it!

 It's not that high mountain to climb!

 You'll have friends to work with you if you are a team player!

 Know your hoods!

Take the moment!

Show your colors, commit to the team and the cause, everything is there for us to take! 

Welcome 2015, I'm looking forward to the trip with you!!!

Happy New Year - Hyvää Uutta Vuotta 2015!

The Second Coolest Sauna Break

Since all the >150.000 lakes in Finland are frozen and hence not that good for a sauna cooling break, I settled for the second best, more suitable for the season;

Let's enjoy the holidays!!!

Hyvää Joulua Maailmalle - Merry Christmas from Finland!

Joulupukki - a.k.a. Santa Claus a.k.a. Father Christmas has left the building. You know, the real Santa who lives at Korvatunturi, Finland. Forget the nonsense about North Pole, that is only in movies...

Sauna, rice porridge, glögi, salmon, caviar, cheeses, caserols, and of course the ham. Tree, family, friends, Joulupukki, presents. That makes Christmas!

Hyvää Joulua!

Who can change the world?

Some time ago I came across with the thought below. It hit me right away with the simplicity and the logic.

For the ones who might not be able to see the picture, let's recap...:

"The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do."

Itsenäinen Suomi 97 vuotta - Finland's 97th Independence Day

Today Finland has been independent for 97 years. Again Tuntematon Sotilas -movie is on TV and the President's reception is back in Helsinki now that the palace has been renovated.

To secure we can celebrate Finland's independence also in the coming years, there has been discussions if Finland should join NATO or not. I myself see more benefits than down sides or risks, or one could think joining would be the best insurance ever...

Regarding the NATO topic there is a good column at local newspaper - naturally in Finnish.

More about Finland's independence in my old posts.

Suomen mahdollisesta NATO jäsenyydestä on käyty yllättävän vähän rakentavaa keskustelua. Asiaa voisi ajatella siltä kantilta, että se olisi paras mahdollinen turvallisuusvakuutus, joka jo sinällään tuo rauhallisuutta. Uusi Suomi ja Arno Kotro pohtii asiaa eri kanteilta kolumnissaan:
http://arnokotro.puheenvuoro.uusisuomi.fi/181775-voi-halonen-ja-tuomioja-minka-teitte

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää meille kaikille!

Why Nike, why?

The only thing that comes to my mind regarding the pic & shoes below is "WHY?".

In my fairly wide network of people I can think of only one person who would be a very potential  buyer of these shoes. Some of you know her as Tsupukka, not least due to her fantadtic blog st www.tsupukka.blogspot.fi

Go girl says a fan in 2nd generation!

I just find it hard to believe it has been a success production for Nike, far from Air Jordan levels...!

If you wish to spot these shoes, start strolling the streets either in Espoo Tapiola hoods or at Korso ghetto at Vantaa. Focus on 18ish year old basketball player look alike girls...

PS This is not the first time I can be blaimed for anti-shoe-fetish, check out the previous ones on the left column down at "Shoes"-keywoard. 

Currywurst in Helsinki, Finland

Ladies and Gentlemen, you can get good currywurst in Helsinki! Yesterday was the restaurant day when anyone can open a "restaurant" for a day. I was in Helsinki down town at Esplanadi park at 4ish pm. Weather was cold & wet a.k.a. standard for November. Still there were quite many options to choose from and I tried multiple.

One of them was not a pop up restaurant but a proper snack kiosk on wheels, serving great currywurst. You can find them normally at Narinkkatori or Rautatientori. Check out more on their website www.currywursthouse.net

If you wish to eat a bit better and to sit down, go to Zinnkeller at Meritullinkatu in Helsinki www.zinnkeller.fi

Fathers Day Sushi - Isänpäivä Sushi

For me the genuine fathers day is 365 days a year and sometimes 366. Today the lunch was
more than delicious sushi from Sushiart www.sushiart.fi at my hoods Tapiola, Espoo, Finland.

If you want to eat onsite, it is smart to book a table as the place is quite small. You should combine a dinner with a movie at next door Kino Tapiola, the classic place...

Happy Fathers Day to all of us, BIG smile and love to my children & wife who have made this possible!!!

Hyvää Isänpäivää!!!

Worth waiting?

Woops I did it again...! I mean the silence. It has just been again hectic in many areas and I am - just like many follow victims of North - trying to get along with the most depressing season of the year. It is wet, dark, cold and no week day holidays to give an extra break.

Luckily I had a chance for a break in a summer, Costa del Sol in Spain again. Sun, warmth, beach, swimming in the sea, great food, experiences and most important time off from normal routines. I miss it already...

One of the big ones was the basketball game og Malaga team, I can tell you guys that the Finnish fan culture is getting step by step there but we have maaaany steps to take. Dedication, passion and commitments are words that come to mind - and that is definetely what the guy on his bike has got on the clip you can find behind the link below. Worth to watch!!!

http://www.liftable.com/andreadcombs/ridge/

Have a great weekend you all!

PS We both did our parts in the aftermath of the weight project. Now the project has converted into ongoing process with ups & downs in compliance....

Weight project status - Done!

I did it!

As targeted I got my weight below 100 kilos again. Since it is not yet sustainable, we agreed with the young man I made the bet with about a compromize in "penalty": he starts our holiday with 1,5 days without Coca Cola etc soft drinks and I will buy us the huge portions in an ice cream bar.

The diets always start tomorrow and you can not trust a skinny cook...