Lapland - Shopping

Naturally one needs to go shopping on the holiday. To shop or just to look around.

One thing that I know is strange to some of you, is the open access to the knives - puukko - in the shops. In here right next to the ice hockey sticks and princess stuff.

 Or here tested by the kids.

On the other hand, you never know who do you meet in the shop, so you better be prepared and equipped also while shopping! I guess this bear is not that angry one, as the lady dares to touch it.

Murrrr, sano karhu sateella...

Lapland - on the Road

I was in Lapland for a holiday trip, with a main target to enjoy skiing and of course the Lappish environment. Here are few tasters from the road.

Some of you might recognize where this is from. It has been there "always", even before the new highway.

Sometimes it is worth getting your bum up early. Beautiful sunrise.

You better pay attention where you drive as you easily slip away from the road. Good thing is that the snow is soft, but getting back on the road is tricky.

The trees and the tracks were pretty here and there. Art of the winter...

Particularly further up the country.

They had a new way to show that certain places on the road signs were across the boarder, like Kostamus in Russia. Did you know that Finland has got the longest land boarder in EU to Russia, over 1000 km?

On the way there is still the dead chopter with an Ukkohalla ad.

The kids were wondering what were these white things in the middle of the pic. Phone lines that you don't see that much any more...

The snow art changed now and then into a bit more ugly fall art.

The speed measurement reminded everyone about speeding, even if you were 1 km/h over the limit.

There was a rally race somewhere nearby and tens of cars came across. Not fast as they were not racing at that point...

One thing I must complain is the stupidity of most drivers that think the road parts with the second lane means everyone needs to pick up the speed - and drop it again after that part ends. NO, it is meant for taking over slower cars that should not speed up when there is the chance to take over.

Hope you understood, I did at least :o)

Safe on the road as always. Bum tired after hours of sitting, but still happy to travel with the family as we all are used to driving long distances. Lots of stories, laughter, music, talking and silence. Fun moments together!

More Lapland to come, stay tuned...

The Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 is...

...not Finland!

I gotta admit this is a fact. Again. The only time this proved to be untrue was at 2006 when Lordi won the contest. And that will stay the same also after this year's contest.

After not watching that closely the qualifying rounds - that have been said to be a bit complicated - I was not that happy to see the "best" six that made it to the final of the qualification round. Sad but true, in my opinion, none of them have the potential for more than few random points from the actual games.

What is surprising, both members of the family who were follwing the show, agreed that the lady perfoming in the second(!) official language in Finland, Swedish, was a strong candidate. And I'd say luckily she made it, good luck for the games Pernilla!

...if this guy would have made it, I would have a heck of a lot of explanations to give even after Lordi...

No worries, the games are on again in May and we'll be watching, no matter if Finland will get zero points or not ;o)

By the way, The Rasmus made their come back with a new single "I'm a Mess", that I unfortunately can't link with this PC. The song was not first a slam-to-my-head, but it did have some catching elements...

Have a great weekend!

PS C'mon Blues, keep your head up - giving away the game 8 seconds before the end is not what we wish to see...!

Regards from Mr Valentine!

"People will forget what You said or did to them but they will never forget how You made them feel"

I don't know who has got the copyright or is the origin of the quote, but I borrowed it from Minttu's FB post. Kiitos lainasta!
Happy Valentine's Day - even if I think it is a piece of western fluffy pink superficial approach - that has been brought to Finland smartly as a "Friends' Day", Ystävänpäivä. A good way to increase the target group...

Have a pink one!

More black(!) humour...

Looking at the action picture from an emergency room, a question comes to mind:
"Is he going to make it???"


EMERGENCY ROOM - ALABAMA MEDICAL CENTRE

...I could be wrong, but judging by his hat, this guy ain't gonna make it!!!

PS Would you have thought of this from a person who was selected the next president the night before...?http://digg.com/newsbar/politics/this_guy_was_elected_president_of_finland_yesterday_first_morning_after_elections_pic

We have a new president in Finland - Sauli Niinistö!

Today we started the day with -28C in Helsinki area the day of the second round in the presidential election. The result was the most clear ever in the history of the 2-phase election, 62,6% for Sauli Niinistö from national coalition party on the right wing vs 37,4% for Pekka Haavisto from the green party.

Sauli Niinistö will be the 12th president of Finland, that got independent at 1917.

Out of the somewhat 20 districts, only Ahvenanmaa - Åland, the island between Finland and Sweden that would very much like to be independent - voted Haavisto to be a winner. Over there the voting % was a bit over 50%, which can explain part of the result. I can tell you that district is heavily supporting the Swedish party and now that they didn't have an own candidate on the second round, the interest dropped and surprisingly(?) Haavisto won over there.

In Helsinki the votes were almost equal, neck-to-neck few tenths from 50%. Overall the voting-% was quite low, below 70% that was almost 10% down from the main round.

I've witnessed some discussions both online and live, where friends supporting different sides have taken this a bit too seriously. I sincerely hope that you have not been too offensive with your views. All of us have a right to have our own opinion, no matter how wrong they feel to be. As long as they do not affect other people's lives, it's your own business.

Just remember, if they do affect the lives of others, think carefully what you do or don't want to do as some of your choices might have long term effects that you have not thought when arguing about some details or making a decision that feels good - for you. Unfortunately I've seen this happen so think and consider a compromise if there are more important things at stake.

Onnittelut uudelle presidentille!
He will step in on March 1st, so there is still some time to pack the bags...

In Finnish info at http://www.yle.fi/ over here and in English in here.

What else for this weekend?
Fan at 2 futsal games - the indoor football that is played on handball court - and in a basketball game, some b-ball for myself, and first time on the slalom hill for this winter. It was pretty cold, about -18-20C on minus side, but still skiable for an hour at a time. Then of course for a pit stop at the bistro...

For the ones at Helsinki area, Messilä next to Lahti is a good option to the ones next door. Nice athmosphere and surroundings a bit over an hour from Helsinki and the slopes are better than in e.g. Vihti or Serena. At the same time we got to meet friends who had come from Moscow for a long weekend skiing trip. I was thinking at one point if we should have pushed them to go up to Lapland, but considering the temperatures I am lucky we didn't. It has been around -30C up there.

Still some time to get my legs used to the skiing, need to do some workout with my thighs even if I have thought they have been ok. It is just so different pressure they get on the slopes - and I don't take skiing too easily. It's a great combination of outdoor fresh air, fun exercise, leisure time with friends or family, and of course before-during-after-ski fun.

I am looking forward to the upcoming ski trip to Lapland! Trust me, it is fabulastic!!!

Have a great week you all!

PS In case you wish to spend a fun day either for private or work pleasure - even at VIP level - check this out; http://www.kelkkakunkku.fi/ Great event even if you would not like the motor sports at all!

PPS More snow coming as we speak and the temp is only -8C

Winter Sat...

Hmmm, it's late Friday night and I love the cold Finland life. I have been outside to get out some stuff I need for tomorrow's potential slalom skiing day. On top, I've got 2 long 2-3 person pulkka's, THE TOBOGGAN, and of course the  liukuri's - the plastic pieces that enable us to slide down the hill on a piece of plastic under our buts...

Electing a new pesident on Sunday - and I'm gonna vote for the same guy as on the first round.

However, tomorrow on Saturday I am likely to put again my helmet on and go for a few hours of alpine skiing - no matter if it is that damn short hill or note...

Hyvää yötä!

Black humour...

I trust you can take this - and if not, please change the channel!

======

The current plight of the Costa Concordia reminds of a comment made by Churchill. After his retirement he was cruising the Mediterranean on an Italian cruise liner and some Italian journalists asked why an ex British Prime Minister should chose an Italian ship.

"There are three things I like about being on an Italian cruise ship" said Churchill.

"First their cuisine is unsurpassed. Second their service is superb. And then, in time of emergency, there is none of this nonsense about women and children first".

The Presidential Battle is ON!

We ended up for the second round at the Presidential election in Finland. Two candidates, both with spouses over 20 years younger. One a comm's director of the candidate's party, the other male hair dresser. And candidates both agree the spouses should be left out from the discussions...

I have not voted yet, will most likely leave it for the actual day next Sunday - and most probably voting for the same candidate I voted at the first round.

...and now for the sports day, unfortunately indoor game for this beautiful winter day. Have a good one!!!

Good evening Mr President of Finland!

Today is the election day in Finland, we are selecting for ourselves a new president. The title claims that the two female candidates would be out of the game - and to be honest, I don't see a realistic chance for them to make it even to the second round. I am a bit afraid they will be in the bottom three.

That makes Finland will join the majority of democracies with male president, while for the past 12 years we've had a female president.

One of the candidates, Paavo Lipponen, has got a perfect CV in politics up to prime minister career. He has never ran for the presidency, mainly due to strong candidates from the same party. Now the gallups say he is on the weak side.

Another Paavo, Väyrynen, has ran for the office several times - always failing. His explanations have been various, best one being that he lost due to media game. Now he has taken a self irony approach with confidence. No one else would have even thought to make a coffee mug with his and his spouse's picture. The royal style...

We also have a candidate that is a bit different from the main stream. Like one public figure said on an article, if this man wins, we will have as the first "lady" a gay man from Ecuador.

One candidate, Member of European Parliament, is also a World Champion and European Champion in track & field. It is one of the female candidates, Sari Essayah.


There is also a man, who was in the middle of the zunami in Thailand back at 2004. Barely survived. A man who's wife died years ago in a car accident. Now he is again happily married.

Three candidates have spouses who are +20 years younger than the candidates. One of them from Ecuador. Another the Communications Director of the party of the candidate. I wonder what they talk about at home. Third one is married with a lady younger than his daughter.

Still, let's not forget it is about politics and let the best candidate win!

PS For the ones interested, you can find some info from here.
PPS There is no reason for anyone to be offended, no sides taken here and I tried to describe what I can see and hear. Eli ei pitäisi olla syytä loukkaantua, tässä on vain muutama palanen siitä mitä olen kuullut tai lukenut...