October 5th, 2009
One of my favourite Finnish authors, Veikko Huovinen, has died. Veikko had prose that had a distinct deliciousness to it. I always wondered about the apparent success of another Finnish author, Arto Paasilinna, who’s prose is so much poorer compared to Veikko’s.
My first contact with Veikko’s work was when there was a tv-series based on his short stories. One of them involved two men, quite bent on drinking alcohol, with the other one being somewhat older and richer. At one point these men left on a roadtrip together, stopping every now and then to buy some more booze. And not just your ordinary gutrot but more refined stuff.
The younger man grows more impatient during the trip since they are not touching the alcohol. He is left to imagine the drunkage taking place when they get to their destination, a recluse log cabin in Lappland or something. Instead of staying at the log cabin, the old man takes the younger man into the woods, which are a-plenty here in Finland, for long hikes. Instead of drinking all the alcohol, the old man proceeds to bury them! In the middle of nowhere! Expensive stuff!
All the accumulated booze is scattered in to the wilderness. Shortly after the trip, the old man dies and leaves the younger man the locations of all that booze… The younger man soon becomes a skilled orienteerist and a cross-country runner, with the occasional prize of a nice bottle of single-malt, instead of slowly drinking his brains out in his flat.
All the above paraphrased from memory. That was the story that sparked my interest (way-back when I was a kid) and made me ask one of his story-collections (”Matikanopettaja”) for Christmas. I was pretty much sold. I’ve been reading his stuff over the years, not really extensively, but enough to keep the fan-flame alive. Pretty much a year ago, one of the finest gentleman in the world, Sam The Bedrock, held his graduation party in Sotkamo, where Veikko lived all his life. We went to get a view to his house, overlooking a river. I took a photograph or two and in one of those photos, if you squint your eyes, you might just imagine seeing Veikko in the window looking outside, pondering… hmmm… pondering… about what…?
Posted in Current Matters, Nostalgia | No Comments »
October 4th, 2009
I have been re-watching The Office. David Brent is the manager of the office and is considered to be a prime example of a bad boss. He lies to his staff, his bosses, probably even himself. He exaggerates things, seeks blame on others and constantly offends people knowingly and unknowlingly.
But David is not a bad person. He is just totally lost on how to conduct himself in this world, either professionally, socially or with regards to women. The way things work for his asshole-but-more-attractive sales-rep friend Chris Finch is not the way it works for him. Professionally he is a living example of the Dilbert principle. Despite being somewhat inept as a boss, he has become one, probably on a fluke. Mistaking his position as his own achievement, David is simply blind to his own ineptitude. Being successfull all the time is dangerous.
David doesn’t receive our sympathy until he comes aware of all this and accepts it. This is why I feel for David Brent. The world is a confusing place and people make no sense, you might as well be working in a random number factory, in charge of the sufficient value distribution.
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September 20th, 2009
It is that time of year when Winterists come crawling under their rocks to spoil everything for the rest of us. They put on their cardigans, woollen head gear, neck scarfs and mittens, just as soon as they thinks it’s “time for Autumn” or whatever is the current euphemism for these people. No coat is too heavy for them, no number of layers of clothing too small.
This phenomena has some serious implications. It is a well-known fact that temperatures get lower when people start wearing more clothes. This fact is backed by thousands of years of empirical experience. Also the opposite is a true fact. When people start to wear less in the Spring, the weather gets warmer. But the Winterists spoil it for everyone else by starting to wear wintergear as early as possible and hold on wearing them as late as possible, effecting the weather patterns of the whole universe.
Stop the Winterists before it’s too late! Wear your shorts and bikinis as late as you can to offset their influence! Remind people on various forums on the dangers that Winterists pose!
Posted in Concepts, Weather | 4 Comments »
September 13th, 2009
I don’t think I could have wished for a nicer day. I just got back from a fireworks display at the amusement park after spending a good few hours there on the day that was just enough to ask for for this time of year. Sunny and pleasant all day. A nice retribution for yesterday when I got literally soaking wet on a cycling trip.
The day went as planned. Some light computer gametry and coffee in the morning. Day at the amusement park. Retiring home for a pizza in the evening. Catching a fireworks display at night. There’s still some pizza left and a spot of heavy cider in the fridge.
It is shame that the supposed humans I know are such a bunch of pussies…
Posted in Current Matters, Hedonism, Nostalgia, personal | No Comments »
September 10th, 2009
Well, I have not received any counter-offers as to the programme for my looming incoming anniversary. It looks like the programme will be: Attend the local amusement park and dissober myself. Maybe somewhere in between I’ll engage in some self-inflicting debauchery as well.
…Or is it?!
Posted in Current Matters, Nostalgia, personal | No Comments »
September 6th, 2009
As faith (and not just faith, but to be honest, a whole bunch of natural laws and the accumulated experience of human kind to this moment) has it, I will turn 3-fucking-5 just week from today. My initial plan to celebrate this occurrence of maturing process is to spend it at Linnanmäki, the local amusement part down the street, after which I will promptly denounce sobriety.
If anyone of you bots out there would like to suggest something else, or even better, engage in the above mentioned activities with me, don’t hesitate to contact me. I have some monetary means at my disposal to take part in various kinds of arrangements. You have exactly one week! Can you handle it?! No! I asked CAN YOU HANDLE IT!?!
Posted in Current Matters, Nostalgia, personal | No Comments »
July 22nd, 2009
Hi all! I’m doing great, thank you for asking. My sense of humour is gradually returning to normal, which is good, since everybody thinks I’m a funny guy. I’ve just passed the middle of my summer vacation and the weather has been nominal. On every day that I’ve travelled it has rained, but there has been some sunshinage as well. Sometimes at the same time.
Not everything has gone according to plans, but in my mind the whole idea of a vacation is not to have too rigid a plans. How are you doing? I hope this entry finds you well. I hope you are currently wearing a bikini and preparing to send me all the photographs of yourself in them to me. For personal usage only.
I hope you a many ice lattes,
Yours, devoid of any sarcasm,
K.
Posted in Current Matters, personal | No Comments »
July 5th, 2009
To my complete expectations my Summer vacation has just started. Five weeks of non-work-related activities are in store. Which means I’ll be available for all kinds of suggestions and invitations of non-work-related nature. Be proactive, don’t let me invite myself over!
Posted in Current Matters, Social, personal | No Comments »
May 29th, 2009
Memes have been all the rage since their invention some 2 million years ago. Internet memes have been even bigger rage since Al Gore invented then along with Internet itself back in the late 80’s. You don’t really exist in the web (i.e the Real World) unless you have enough eyeballs consuming your webpresence. The way to gain those is to become a part of a meme.
Usually this works by being either incredibly stupid, self-destructional or brilliant (preferably on camera). For us who don’t own a camera there’s one option left. This.
When I was a kid (4-5 years old) on one Independence day when there were fireworks displayed, I thought the Näsinneula-building, a landmark of Tampere, was a space rocket about to launch into space. Yes, I actually thought that Finland had a space program of it’s own. Boy, was I stupid!
Posted in Beginnings, Concepts, Social, This Blog | 4 Comments »
May 20th, 2009
Sorry about the kind of lame Title, you don’t come here for the quality articles do you? You come here for the sex, admit it!
Some SPOILER warning is probably in order. I went to see Watchmen today. It is customary to complain when talking about Comic -> Film -interpretation and the sci-fist in me was deeply disappointed for changing the endlösnung. I understand the reasons doing it, I just don’t agree with them. There were some silly pop-culture references (Leonard Cohen’s “First we take Manhattan” playing during the end credits), reference to an old (untrue) anecdote of Neil Armstrong saying “Good Luck Mr. Gorsky!” on the fucking moon!
Rorschach’s character was recognizable, which was nice, although his defining moment was changed into something more dramatic. I don’t think Rorschach was the kind of person that would lose his cool. I also think that he was more cunning than good at kicking ass. The gore-factor was raised which was probably unnecessary.
Dr. Manhattan sounded exactly like you’d imagine. HIS defining moment is one of the most well-printed images in my mind. Goatse has nothing on “The light is taking me to pieces”. The film is bland in comparison.
Her name is Apollonia Vanova.
This blog turns seven years today. Anyone up for a drink tomorrow to celebrate? On me?
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »