White Nights in Tampere, Finland

Finland is a very contrasting and intriguing country. A mixture between Western knife of technological advancements, American huge cars (old Caddies and JEEPs along the latest enormous SUVs are very popular), bikers and rockers (almost all young people are blackers with tattoos) etc. On the other hand a far better but still, socialist flava is hard to ignore: blocks like in Eastern Europe (but far nicer though), very cold and dull buildings. Tampere seems to have recovered from the surge and fall of the first industrial revolution; however, seems quite limited for its 250.000 people but looks to develop (even more industrially): new highways, industrial complexes and housing facilities are on the way. Although per capita consumption of alcohol and depression are among the highest in Europe, people still are found of their home country. And that's something, here where the day is 6hrs during Winter time, while cold and rainy most of the time. However, in the summer I bet things change entirely (just like Kiel, I guess) and the same sun-bathing in the parks phenomenon can been seen here as well (probably all Nordic countries do it). More similarities with Kiel; the greeting "Moin, moin" which can be heard there is the same in Finland. Although the prices are quite high for drinks (approx 5 € for a draft beer), the bars and clubs look always full. Parks as well...but hey, drinking in a park is pretty nice in the summer. The clubs were full on Saturday night and people look interesting...very intriguing hair and dressing style. A must for close observation. Lots of beer=>lots of fun, even cocktails from a pottie (if u really want). Dance and just forget. Mingle and just enjoy the differences. after that maybe look for a donner or a pizza joint to grab a bite. And then head home. The night is always confusing so,after checking up a couple of (more)clubs, you just follow the route back home wondering if you should sleep at all..

EURO 2008 - The King Football is back

After just few weeks since Champions league has ended with a banging final, football is back on the first stage. European orgolies, artists, scorers, defenders, fakers, materazzies and zinedines, all participating towards (hopefully) another good representation of soccer. May the best win!

Finland - R&D, Caddies and frugality

Between huge forrests and a myriad of lakes, there is this (quite big) country called Finland. Besides the Nokia phenomenon, there is still something so different with these people. Related to Hungarians and Estonians, Finish people still in their stubborness have managed to transform a logging country into one of the most watched models of economic growth and catch-up. How? Well...conjecture is everything. So...chinese people should pay attention to the general details before copying. But again...cannot hurt anyways.

Missed Flight

I mean...it had to happen once. Too bad (or not so bad) that it did today. And all that after just bragging yesterday about my flight "records" (arrivals with 15/30min before the departure for checking for domestic/US flights). But I mean it definitely had to be Lufthansa (usually kind of rigid) and Hamburg (always lose my luggage here). Too bad about missing the beauty of Stockholm and getting up at four to be at the airport at 6 and all for nothing. Set in line for 45minutes at the suggestion of the advising lufthansa person before and successfully denied boarding to the Stockholm flight around 6:45. At least I got a rather OK booking (via Copenhagen) with about 4hrs delay. should be good to get some early sleep after the prior white night. However...very disappointing.

Leaving Kiel

After ten months here in the northern Germany, somehow I cannot help myself to feel at home here. With all the goods and bads, Kiel remains a nice place to live in. Especially now, when the summer is here, everything looks better. The beach (one of the multiple available) is just 4 ferry stations away, while biking becomes a pleasure rather than necessity. I had to sell my bike and it's too bad I couldn't take it back to RO, since I have enjoyed it a lot. All and all, i guess all of us will miss the Fjorde..

The Quest for a decent (good) movie

Finally, I had some time off and I forced myself into watching some movies. And it was a good thing to do, after I became addicted to these 42min episodes of multiple series (Heroes, Lost of Battlestar Galactica) which are perfect to end (quickly) a working day that lacks those 1 and half hours to enjoy a motion picture.
American Gangster (2007) is a tremendous movie. Every bit of those 160 minutes is worthwhile. Denzel is making another great appearance in an Oscar deserving role as the apprentice that rises into a drug lord in Harlem. Russell Crowe, second violin (as always?) being the bad-ass/drunk/but beautiful minded cop (as always?) that fulfills his destiny. Definetely worth-your-while(and wallet).

Juno (2007) was another nominee for the Oscars the last year. This is a strange mixture of drama, black comedy and romance with a twist of that special something. Although the movie looks boring and flat, the savor of the lines is incredible and probably that will be the only thing that (if it) keeps you till the end.

There is Justice afterall (even in Sports)

These days I was extremely pleased that sports proved to have some justice in it after all. Here I refer to the Romanian soccer championship, where a team outside the capital (CFR Cluj) won for the first time after 17 years, breaking this supremacy. Moreover, it was such a dirty display of corruption, games won by the referees and by dubious decisions which favored the 2nd placed team (the better know Steaua Bucharest). Such things shouldn't be anywhere near sports, but I guess that, in Romania anything goes. Thus, on top of all these, justice has prevailed. Which is a relief.
Same feeling but a different story happens now in the NBA. I am a big fan of the game, so I watch as many games as possible (the time difference now is ridiculous) and I hope that finally someone will throw out those Spurs. Nothing against them personally, I'm just not a fan of their disruptive defense manner and their unbelievable luck. And it looks that now (after the Suns failed again) the Hornets might give me satisfaction (2-0 so far). Moreover, the Lakers seem to put together all the pieces along (the new MVP) Kobe Bryant looking forward for a championship again. But hold on for the home court of the Jazz. If they win one..they are good 2 go. East Conference is amazingly weak this year, but I expect a Celtics-Pistons final, from which the winner could be a true contender in the big game.

Cool Nike Commercial - Life of a Soccer Player

(late) Taxes

Always a huge "pleasure". This year even more so, since I am not in the US and I am not sure that I NEED to fill my tax form. Oh well, the deadline is gone already, so might as well just hope I still can fill it without claiming anything. With all this travel and other hectic stuff around I was not able to do it in April. After all, if it isn't that hard, why we hate it so much?:))Beats me..

Tanzen in Mai

Dancing into May..that's how the Germans start this month. And I mean...it is only natural that after xxx months of winter (especially here in the North) that people feel the need to stay outside, reinstate the supremacy of beer gardens and just enjoy a drink and a good conversation. Clubs and bars are full...everyone is party-ing...after all tomorrow is the 1st of may...a well deserved break from work.