VA-CA-TION!!!

Hejsan!

Now is Sunday, two days after my last exam this spring. YESSS! Unfortunately I'm not very happy. This whole week was ruined by strange sickness that didn't hurt, only itched. Soo annoying! There wouldn't have been any problem except I was really scared. I pray it's over now and will never come back. It didn't affect my ability to study, but I just didn't feel like studying. I had passed that exam once before and then it was easy. In the end it was so close failing, but that was only because my nerves. It was Swedish oral exam and not only was I late but there was also another girl at the same time. She was speaking so well that I totally blanked. Couldn't understand a word! Luckily teacher just thought I was shy... Well I got mark 2 for it, from 4 the best and failure. I saw the list and most people got 2 as well so that was okay. And I never have to think Swedish again and I can graduate!!!

I practiced to the exam by reading Swedish magazines, a book (The lion, the witch and the wardrobe; 1st Swedish language book ever!) and watching Swedish and Finnish.Swedish tv-programmes and movies. Much more fun than thinking grammar. I actually started to think in Swedish! Especially I liked film called Tjenare Kungen, "God Save the King", which was about girls who wanted to become famous punk band in 80s' Gothenburg. Of course love gets into trouble, and for some weeks my favourite man looked skinny, even drug/boose abuser...



You have taken my heart, you my sister, my bride, you have taken my heart with just one glance.

Up a picture I made from Swedish film Arn Tempelriddaren "Arn -the Knight Templair". I haven't seen it but I have read the books. Actually same time that I read those books I read also DaVinci Code and saw movie National Treasure. Maybe that's why I dislike DaVinci Code so much even it normally that type books are my favourite. Same time I got three different explanations of Knights Templair, that I couldn't sink into that world. Well, it was stupid book in other ways also... And it there's not enough people haiting me, I will say that I hate Ursula Le Guin's books and Narnia is better that LOTR. Hahaa! When discussing of the last problem with my atheist friend, we found out that I don't like LOTR so much because there's no supernatural and my friend likes it exactly for that reason. But every other fantasy fan prefer the other one too! Well, I don't care. By maintaining my view I won't be a follower, a sheep. But really, when I spoke of the Earthsea thing I was nearly decapitated. Nerds are vicious!

A sort of a movie review

What a lovely day was last Friday! It was expected to be at least relieving for then was the second last exam this year, except for the summer exams of course. On Friday finally would year's hardship of trying to study, but always failing, end! My stupid bike broke leaving my leg and hip bruised and I had to walk. Any way, in the exam, which was general exam for all general and cultural history students, I saw even 4 friends! Usually there's no one I know. But now I was happy, they all said hi. But then, when it was supposed to be quiet, a friend came to me and asked whether I wanted to come to movies with her. And, of course I said YES!!! And then the exam started. And after the exam she actually waited for me an hour when I finished my exam (actually I thought she could wait and I hurried up, I usually do full 3 hours, now only 2,5...). And then we decided to go to movies then, she had free tickets. But the way she asked me, I had practiced it so many times in my head; if somebody, who you like, ever propose you, just say yes.

We went to see the new Robin Hood by Ridley Scott. First I wondered what new can it bring. But I think the new approach, mixing the relationships and good/bad roles was quite nice. I liked prince John especially. He was so boyish! "My first fight! I go first!" And I liked the scenes in France. Yesterday I watched Braveheart and my deduction was correct. In the movies made in 21st century the arrows are probably much more realistic than before. They used to be just sticks but now (maybe because sound effects) they really sound lethal.
Feelings were pretty positive on Friday, but now I'm not impressed much. It was okay film, but there are many annoying stuff. My friend was annoyed about the wrongly dated dresses and I about music coming out of instruments when fingers didn't touch. but mostly I felt annoyed about casting. Before I went to imdb I wouldn't have guessed Ridley Scott was English. There was maybe one English guy, Welsh had red hair and what was a Scot doing in English army? For me the best Robin Hood ever is the one with Uma Thurman as Marian. I thought it was really pretty film, of course this new one was similarly realistic, with dirty faces.



Up, an official poster. When you look it quickly, doesn't it look like he's speaking into a walkie-talkie?

What I started to think, when watching the movie, was that it seems that former British colonies have overrun mother country in filming national heroes. I was thinking of Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner as Robins, Mel Gibson as William Wallace, Kate Blanchett as Elisabeth, and so on. It's like Gary Elwes said in men in tights: "And why should the people listen to you? Because, unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent." But of course I souldn't complain, every time some Finnish acotr gets into foreing programme or movie, he/she acts Swedish or Russian... Maybe I should learn more openness. I've just read history philosophy and even before I knew that everything is relative. The English Robin Hood tv-series has actors speaking nto Oxford English, very realistic, I doubt poor people spoke good English in the middle ages. But who's to say they spoke modern English at all? New English people spoke probably more British English than modern American, but one doesn't think it often. Actually it's quite funny in Finland to think how natural it sounds when watching Jane Austen films, but in historical films of Finland people sound really awkward. But on the other hand, higher classes coundn't speak Finnish until about hundred years ago, so if they spoke Finnish then it was bound to sound weird. Yes, it's really awful, I'm so old and still I have so much to learn. I need a mentor!!!

Drinking from the Grail

Today I found amazing song. I don't know what it is, it's sung in English, but I can't really make out the lyrics. It's really simple, just C-A-F-G on piano all the time, and some fineries. But often simplest is the most effective. Especially for me, who's into stong base line. And then I went into facebook and saw my friend had written something to me. I'm still too scared to read and possibly ruin it so I don't know for certain what it was she wanted, but it started with traveling plans, and I wish, nay, I Pray she's asking me to leave with her. I've had so much shit this year, I've been all alone and school's went bad and health of course down. so when I read the note, and listened the song, I walked two steps, fell on my knees and cried. ---



This little dramatic act has been my saviour often. It takes away the pain in misery and boosts up the happiness in joy. Mostly, like 80% of it is an act. I deside now I feel like falling on my knees. But when I deside to stand and start walking my knees just give up almost automatically. And the crying is just wrong. That's not what I want, but I gather the emotion, on purpose, so much that it finally takes over. Why it's so amazing is because normally I have such selfcontrol. I don't talk, I don't defend, I don't say my opinions or show emotions (except laughter). It's such a pleasure to be dramatic on one's own home! And of course it's what ladies were doing in historical times, swooning and so on, as a mark of femininity. Such a nice little play of a fine lady. I wish everybody could experience this. Lots get fits of anger, maybe even fits of passion. But to hear a song and have a fit of such a joy it makes you fall really makes you believe in goodness of world. But don't cry. It makes your eyes and head hurt.

Summer rain!!!

There's nothing like the smell after a summer rain! Except of course the smell of just cut grass. I've been waiting when somebody cuts our grass... But then came this rain, which started after I was in school and had a sunbath and while I was having my lunch. The best time! And it's so lovely warm outside! It's been really hot here for couple of days. Must enjoy every minute because probably it will be cold the rest of the summer. That's what happens when vulcanic ash cloud starts circling the Earth. But really I don't understand why everybody's complaining they can't fly. People have been (civilians) flying only about 50 years compaired with tousands of years of not flying and still being able to live. And quite francly if I was stuck in Canary Islands I wouldn't be too sad. And one shouldn't forget the nature. I think it's just stupid to fly distances within one country (apart from big one like US). Shrinking 7 hours' train into 1 hour's plain saves only time, and not necessary even that with all the airfield security checks. Must confess, however, next time someboby asks me to go by bus from Aberdeen to Paris, 12h + 8h & 4h of waiting in between, I will jump to an airplane. Although Ferry across English Channel was cool...

Okay, now I will translate a little poem, which has been in my head a long time because spring has been so beautiful. It's by Larin Kyösti and Oscar Merikanto has composed it. I'm afraid not thes best translation, done in five minutes...


I live, oh what joy!
Oh what joy and music is within my veins,
Heart has never beaten like this,
What shine and fever fills me now,
I sing, I sing, I sing,
Because God created me to sing.



I could be dead already,
under the flowers of death and darkest night,
Oh no, no, I live, I can feel it now,
How my soul grows struggling
Towards the stars through the highest work!




I live, I live, I live,
To you , life, my highest song rings!
The holy spring shall crown my soul,
I am the young king of life again,
I sing, I sing, I sing,
Because God created me to sing.



- Good behavior in a nature reserve and ancient monument area: beer cans not left in wilderness but hidden in a rock hole.

Amhrán na BhFiann

This night became, by an accident (like everything funny) an Ireland night! I have no idea why I wished to search from my favourite webside a American/Irish movie MatchMaker, which is really cliché, but ah so lovely! I laughed inapprovingly loud and often considering I was supposed to read for an exam... But maybe it would have remained unwatched, if it hadn't had a significant male lead. I watched very closely, lots of times, of David O'Hara, but he's just not that good-a-looking guy. Still, if he would smile and say hi at me, I would drop my clothes instantly. Guess it's that crooked smile and Irish accent (although he's Glaswegian). I have to say, I stopped watching the District after first season, because they blasted him off. EF U!



And the femail lead was Janeane Garofalo, small lady. I am a small lady, therefore ofcourse I liked the movie! Actually I watch most of tv-programmes only because I fancy one of the men. Quite sad... or like my mom dared to say to me, you only talk about the thing you want (sounds better in Finnish).

And Irish theme continued with Intermission and Cillian Murphy. This movie had quite lot of Scottish actresses, maybe it's easy for them to change accent?... What I like about this movie is that Cillian behaves exactly like Finnish guys would. Girlfriend wants him to say I love you, and he chooses to break up with her, because he's too scared. So sweet! Oh and in the previous movie Sean and his brother had fights all the time which is lovely. If men have an argument, they wrestle a little and it's ok. When women hane an argument they start to spread rumours behind the other's back. No companionship, no relieving of steam, only hatred that grows and grows...


What else about Ireland? Oh yes, I almoust had an Irishman once, I said no because I thought it would've been embarassing and slutty in the first night. Here's the life lesson for all: If you want something, and it is offered to you, DON'T SAY NO. No matter if you have work or exam tomorrow, or if a date is sittin opposide or your mom, or you think tomorrow's an other day, I still have time. NO YOU DON'T! This is the last time ever you can do this thing, so take your change, you don't have to be even brave, just go even with white nose. That regret will be thousands times smaller than the regret you feel years from now when the second change hasn't come along. Horatius said 2000 years ago, Seize the day, Carpe Diem, because tomorrow you will be dead.


And here's a last look of Irishmen. Not actually Irish but something like that. I prefere the young Indiana Jones on the right, Sean Patrick Flanery. Ay, gonna have sweet dreams!

By the way

Maybe I should give you a small history lesson about my previous raving. The Scottish thing is continuation for queen Elisabeth and Mary queen of Scots -thing and Gunpowder plot. First after Elisabeth Scottish Stewards ( Stuarts) were in power, they were mostly protestants but at least good heritage. Then into power came German family and finally twinstate system was destroyed and Scotland became subject to England. There were Stuarts in France and first James The Old Pretender or The Old Chevalier tried to get power 1715 in the 1st Jacobite rising. Then his son Charles Bonnie Prince Charlie tried the same 1745 but was succesful only in destroying clan system. And the Jacobite term comes from James in latin, Jacob, if I recall correctly.



And the other Jacobite group was in France. According to Wikipedia the name comes from street the group assembled, also in latin Jacobus, Rue St Jacques. They were radical bourgeois group wanting French royalty to disappear and started so called reign of terror 1790s, the "bad revolution" after the "good revolution" when nobody was safe anymore.



First up there's picture of Flora MacDonald in her tartan, she moved to America during the highland cleaning, when all Jacobites were killed. Down is famous picture of Charlotte Corday by Paul Baudry.

Caledonian Dreams

Sunday boredom

Now it's sunday, mothers' day and all the shops are closed and it's raining and I don't have anything to eat. So... I saw a tv-programme, where people went to Wales. That Reminded me of Scotland. I lived there, on the east coast, for a year, but I never got to visit west coast, which is the more famous scenery of Scotland ( and the accent). I planned to take the Jacobite steam train from Fort Williams to Mallaig and I almost bought the tickets, but shit happens... It would have been so amaising!!!



Anyway, Jacobites are a wee interest of mine, I did some years ago a kind of stupid reseach paper on Jacobite rebellion's history through folk songs. It might have been good, if done better... However, I've just written my Batchelor's thesis which weared me out completely. I've been thinking with horror about time after summer when I have to start my master's thesis. But now, thanks to that stupid programme, I started waisting my sunday in researching.

I think Master's thesis is quite important in marking out one's special interests in future working life, and that's why I must write on something I really like, not just on something weird, ( like Batchelor thesis about 2nd WW Japan. Everybody keeps asking how I became interested about atomic destruction. How the fuck should I know?!!!) And I think, because I know languages, maybe I should think using them! I bought from Culloden a book about female Jacobites ( Damn' Rebel Bitches). And I have read a book about French Jacobite females. So why not write dissertation about Flora MacDonald and Charlotte Corday, the first saved Bonnie Prince Charlie after Jacobite defeat, the second murdered Marat, Jacobite leader in French Revolution. Actually tey are quite far fetched. Is there anything in common about the two Jacobite rebellions, except they happened at the opposing ends of the same century? Scotland and France were friends, but there still was that Enlightment in between them. Quite an obstacle. And of course Scottich were usually high class people, where French were bourgeois. I'm quite proud of finding Flora for my example. She was low class lass. (Scottish words!!!)




But I really should take some time off form thinking. I still have three books to read to one exam. When that's finished it's summer holiday!!! (except those summer exams which I should have done before...) What summer's gonna be like? I don't have any work, my friends (the one friend ) is going back to China, and I'm stuck in a shitty appartement far from city centre in a place where only first year students live. But with any luck I'll have a ball.

Above first there's a picture of highlands and the train, stolen from Westcoastrailways.co.uk. Next one's my own from Pantheon, Paris and the altar of republical idea.