Uneton48-elokuvat on taas näytetty teattereissa ja tuomaroitu - tosin tuomaroinnin tulokset ovat vielä hatun alla. Tässä välissä käväisimme Tampereella näyttämässä Plevnassa sen maanosan elokuvia sekä Kiikoisissa Samin isän maalaisidyllissä.
Töitä olisi vaikka muille jakaa, mutta en jaa kun olen niin paska delegoimaan. Yritämme saada tässä viikon aikana valmisteltua Unettoman finaalia, pystytettyä yhdet nettisivut ja sen sellaista. Ilman lastenhoitorutiineja tämä on jatkuvaa köydenvetoa siitä, kumpi hoitaa ja kumpi "saa" tehdä töitä. En tiedä, miksi työaika on palkinto lastenhoitoajasta eikä toisinpäin. Ehkä siksi että Lukas on niin täynnä energiaa, että jotkut design-hommat tuntuvat sen päälle venyttelyltä. Lämpimässä saunassa. Juoksulenkin jälkeen.
Tänä iltana nukutimme poikaa yläparvella noin puolitoista tuntia. Välillä kävin siellä makoilemassa sen kanssa, välillä piti laulaa Sinistä unta, välillä se lauloi itse omin sanoin ja harjasi mun tukkaa. Sitten sänky muuttui taas trampoliiniksi, piti saada vettä, piti päästä vessan, tyynyt ja peitot tippui jne. Siinä vaiheessa kun yläpetin kälätys loppui, olin itsekin jo valmis sammumaan. Mutta älä mitä, silloinhan meidän työaika vasta virallisesti alkaa!
On se hyvä että omaa lasta rakastaa niin rajattomasti ja järjenvastaisesti. Muutenhan tää kaikki olis ihan kauheeta. Aina kun kuvailee jollekin lapsettomalle elämää lapsen kanssa, se kuulostaa omiinkin korviin tosi rankalta. Siis sellaselta, mikä varmaan pistää miettimään lasten saamisen / hankkimisen järkevyyttä. Kun ei niitä hienoja juttuja tai sitä äititunnetta voi tai kehtaa tai osaa oikein kuvailla. Ne kuulostaa suussa siirappiselta. Niille ei ole suomenkielessä sanoja, jotka ei olis noloja ja menis jotenkin ohi maalin. Eikä se elämä tietysti koko ajan niin siirappista olekaan. Mut on se välillä. Meillä on Lukaksen kanssa ihan omat jutut. Ehkä mun aivot on vähän pehmenny, mutta mua oikeesti naurattaa sen vitsit ja laulut ja höpötys. Sydän pehmenee ja pää pehmenee lisää.
Tässä joku päivä tajusin, etten ole enää skarppi niin kuin nuorempana olin. Ennen Lukasta. Mutta koska olen niin pahasti pehmentynyt, mua ei stressaa se pehmeys. Mikä pelastus. Katson pää kallellaan niitä terävämpiä, joilla on nopea ja hyvin muotoiltu comeback joka yhteyteen, valmiina ammuttavaksi kuin nuoli asian ytimeen. Kun en enää edes jaksa yrittää vastaavaa taituruutta, keskityn seuraamaan tilannetta ja yritän vain pysyä kärryillä, muistaa mitä mikäkin oli suomeksi. Se tekee hyvää. Mulla oli aiemmin tapana kuunnella vastatakseni nokkelasti. Nyt kuuntelen lähinnä ymmärtääkseni, tai pysyäkseni edes niillä kärryillä.
30.5.15
20.5.15
Reunited with Lukas
We're on our way back to Helsinki with Lukas. He enjoyed the weekend with grandparents, but was a little angry with us for leaving him behind. "Ei saa lähteä autolla!" (No leaving by car!) he told us over Skype, just hours before we came back. He's right. It's a bit unfair to leave him behind. Out of three of us, he's by far the best traveller.
Yesterday, we made time for a little outing in one of my favourite spots in Tallinn - the Kadriorg park. They had a little Russian carnival in there and Lukas got to ride a train that went way faster than probably allowed in any Commonwealth country. Sami will upload a video and I will link to it...
Yesterday, we made time for a little outing in one of my favourite spots in Tallinn - the Kadriorg park. They had a little Russian carnival in there and Lukas got to ride a train that went way faster than probably allowed in any Commonwealth country. Sami will upload a video and I will link to it...
17.5.15
Uneton48 ja viimeiset tunnit
Viikonloppu on mennyt suht vähillä unilla mutta ihan toimintakunnossa. Kamppi alkaa tulla tuskallisen tutuksi - erityisesti sen öiset liikkumisvaikeudet. Kun hämmentäviä lasiovia iltaisin suljetaan ja hissit lamautuvat, pohjakerroksesta vitoseen pääsee vain tavarahissillä ja kulkukortilla, joita kymmenhenkisellä ryhmällä on kaksi. Kumpaakaan ei yleensä ole käsillä kun pitäisi päästä pissille sinne vitoseen.
Unettoman oma tiimi kuvasi koko viime yön omaa "varjoelokuvaansa" Kampin suljetuissa välikerroksissa. Oli hauska osallistua yhteen kässäripalaveriin, jossa leivottiin surrealistisen korkealentoiselle pätkälle loppuratkaisua. En ollut ajatellutkaan, että täysin toisenlaisen maailmankatsomuksen omaavat ovat yhtä lailla vaarassa sortua saarnaamiseen kuin kristityt. Saarnaavuus on aina yököttänyt minua elokuvissa, maailmankatsomuksesta riippumatta. Ideointi kolmen eri maailmankatsomuksen pohjalta on tavallaan yhtä surrealistinen kokemus kuin tuossa parin metrin päässä syntyvä elokuva.
Parhaillaan odotamme malttamattomina kello kymmentä ja kauppojen aukeamista. Aamiainen saattaisi auttaa kuuluisaan Uneton48-päänsärkyyn. En myöskään malta odottaa, että leffat saadaan palautettua, lavat purettua ja pääsen reissaamaan takaisin Lukaksen luo. Tämä on ensimmäinen kerta, kun olen pojasta erossa kolme yötä putkeen ja tuntuu niin piiiiiiiiiiiitkältä!
Ja tässon tää hashtag: #uneton48
Musta ei ole twiittaajaksi, joudun pakottamaan itteni siihen. Kilpailijoiden twiitteja on kiva lukea, mutta oma puhelimeni ei ole koskaan kädessä kun ympärillä tapahtuu.
16.5.15
Uneton48 - Living in a mall for the weekend
Behind me, you can see a glimpse of the huge commercial space Kamppi shopping centre has lent us during Uneton48 competition. 3 hours until the launch event begins. I've just returned to Finland from Estonia and trying to get 20 T-shirts printed before 6pm. So far so good.
One of our trainees asked me if I'm also "some sort of a trainee". Good God, yes! An eternal trainee. And clearly the 10-euro foundation I bought on the ferry is doing wonders to my complexion :)
Sami and a few others are sitting in comfy chairs, on a stage, in the middle of Kamppi shopping mall. You could put Sami and his laptop in glass box that hangs in the air over the ocean and he wouldn't know the difference. I better get used to all this again. We have a hotel room, but most of the time during this weekend is spent in this mall, which is also the largest public transportation hub in Finland. Also the coolest, as of tonight.
11.5.15
Puhelakossa kohti Unetonta
Kahden vuoden flunssattoman putken jälkeen poimin koneesta mukaani superviruksen. Ensimmäinen puolitoista viikkoa Suomessa (ja nyt Tallinnassa) on mennyt niistämiseen ja liman yskimiseen. Pahimmillaan tauti vei äänen ja puhumisesta piti pitää taukoa pari päivää. Kurkku ei ollut erityisen kipeä, joten äänen puuttuminen tahtoi aina välillä unohtua. Tuntuu tosi oudolta avata suunsa ja huomata, ettei sieltä tule kuin pihinää.
Tämä maailmankolkka tuntuu pitkän poissaolon jälkeen oudon kuivalta. Aivan kuin olisin vieläkin lentokoneessa. Iho kuivaa, huulet rohtuvat ja kurkkua jatkuvasti kuivaa, vaikka tauti on jo parantumaan päin. Onko mahdollista, että elimistöni on ehtinyt tottua korkeampaan ilmankosteuteen enkä enää selviä pohjolassa? Onko tämä lopullista? Vain metsässä, saunassa ja ilmankostuttimen äärellä ilma tuntuu hetken normaalilta.
Odotan innolla, miltä Eesti ja Suomi näyttävät kun flunssa hellittää. Unettomaan on enää vajaa viikko ja kerrankin tiimi ja vastuunkantajat (en minä) ovat sitä luokkaa, etteivät järjestelyt ole aivan levällään. Näinhän tätä olisi aina pitänyt tehdä, riittävällä työvoimalla ja realistisilla työpanoksilla.
Taudin takia Tallinnasta ei ole ehtinyt vielä nauttimaan. Kaksi vuotta ole muistellut niitä katuja ja kahviloita, joita viime kerralla (3 kk reissulla) löysimme. Ja ihanaan kesäyliopistokurssikaveriinkin (eikö suomi ole hieno kieli?) pitäisi ottaa yhteyttä.
Tämä maailmankolkka tuntuu pitkän poissaolon jälkeen oudon kuivalta. Aivan kuin olisin vieläkin lentokoneessa. Iho kuivaa, huulet rohtuvat ja kurkkua jatkuvasti kuivaa, vaikka tauti on jo parantumaan päin. Onko mahdollista, että elimistöni on ehtinyt tottua korkeampaan ilmankosteuteen enkä enää selviä pohjolassa? Onko tämä lopullista? Vain metsässä, saunassa ja ilmankostuttimen äärellä ilma tuntuu hetken normaalilta.
Odotan innolla, miltä Eesti ja Suomi näyttävät kun flunssa hellittää. Unettomaan on enää vajaa viikko ja kerrankin tiimi ja vastuunkantajat (en minä) ovat sitä luokkaa, etteivät järjestelyt ole aivan levällään. Näinhän tätä olisi aina pitänyt tehdä, riittävällä työvoimalla ja realistisilla työpanoksilla.
Taudin takia Tallinnasta ei ole ehtinyt vielä nauttimaan. Kaksi vuotta ole muistellut niitä katuja ja kahviloita, joita viime kerralla (3 kk reissulla) löysimme. Ja ihanaan kesäyliopistokurssikaveriinkin (eikö suomi ole hieno kieli?) pitäisi ottaa yhteyttä.
3.5.15
Helsinki with a Headache
There is a transition period when re-entering Finland. It begins during the last flight, the one that is full of Finnish people. Every time, I realise the same things. They bring back vivid memories and prepare me for mental state that is Finland.
1. The smell of an old drunk
I don't know how I manage to avoid this whiff when overseas, but somehow I do. Maybe it's because the sober Finns generally keep their distance when around strangers, so the only ones brushing up against you at the airport are those on a bender. And by a bender I mean a dedicated lifestyle of consistently drinking as much as you can as often as you can. You can usually tell them from their skin colour, sometimes even before you smell them. It is that strange purplish red, too dark and bruise-like to be just sunburned, although it's probably that too.
2. I am making people uncomfortable
When in New Zealand, I get used to routinely smiling and nodding at strangers, especially when sharing small spaces such as buses or lifts. Everybody does this. If the situation lasts for long enough, you will have to make some small talk to ease the tension. NOT doing this makes people uncomfortable. In Finland, it is exactly this polite nodding and smiling that makes people uncomfortable. Fear flashes across their eyes as they try to calculate what's going on. Are you mentally unstable? Are you going to talk to me? So they quickly look away and pretend I'm not there. It usually takes me a couple of days to tune down my public behaviour.
3. Tinny sound of heavy metal
In New Zealand, this musical style never enters my folksy-indie-hipster existence. I never really listened to it, even when I used to live here, but it still brings back memories. It's mainstream, a part of this country's soundtrack. It's clean, flawless, standardised, safe... and oh so tinny. It makes me long for something simple, full bodied, imaginative and bold. Like My Brightest Diamond.
4. The delightful exceptions
To every rule, there is always an exception. In Finland, the rule of 'expressionless faces on public transportation' is occasionally broken. And if you don't follow the local protocol and respond to the searching smile or the offhand comment, you are rewarded with the most genuine, meaningful encounter. Our latest one happened on the bus 74 - a senior man with an amputated leg and an incredibly sunny attitude.
5. Inhabitable conditions
We took Lukas for his first outing in the city. He took one look at the scenery with the icy wind on his face, turned around in the stroller and pulled a blanket over his head. Even a child knows there's something wrong with this weather. Were human beings ever meant to live this far up north? This is not where human race originated. It's only with the help of modern technology that we are able to live here, somewhat comfortably. Most people are vitamin D deficient. Many are depressed. Are we genetically adjusted enough to really thrive in these condition? Will we ever be?
6. Strange children
In my experience, toddlers usually smile back when you smile at them. At least if you give it bit of time or make a funny face. Only in Finland have I smiled at a little one, cute as a button in their Michelin man outfit, who just stares blankly at me. Not scared or shy, just not reacting.
On one train ride, we also met an older child (6-7 years), who clearly wanted to play with Lukas. He was very giggly and kept making eye contact, but wouldn't talk to us. We asked for his name and introduced ourselves, but he just smiled. Sami ended up naming him "Tossavainen" and he seemed happy with that. I wondered if he was taught not to talk to strangers.
7. Accidental exercise
When relying on public transport, you end up walking and running quite a bit. Probably less if you know exactly how it works, but I suspect our car-dependent lifestyle in Auckland is way more sedetary than that of an average Helsinkian (if that is a word?). I might be in better shape if I lived here and could actually pull off these skinny jeans I borrowed from my sister that are so popular in this town.
8. Not owing anyone anything
In Finland, it's less likely for anyone - even your friend - to ask you for a favour. In situations where Kiwis expect reciprocity, Finns strive for self sufficiency and extreme hospitality. Instead of a potluck barbecue, they invite you for a home cooked meal where everything is provided. You won't be even asked to bring the wine. They may expect an invitation from you one day, but not necessarily. I remember thinking like this when we lived in Finland - I wanted to be hospitable, but not 'owe anyone anything'. Maybe that's why Finland has very low national debt, where as New Zealand is maxed out.
We are in a position where we have to let Finns help us, cook for us and lend stuff to us. Coming from the Kiwi mindset it's a little easier. I also learned from the Mentalist (hehe) that if you want to gain someone's trust, you have to get them to give you something. That makes them feel invested in you. Somehow, when living in Finland and trying to be self sufficient I was missing out on all this.
I wonder if the Mentalist advise works on state level. Does the rest of the world feel more invested in New Zealand or Greece than Finland?
After back-to-back 30 hours of flying / airport navigating, it has taken me two days to shake the persistent flight headache and fogginess. Only the stuffy nose remains. I can't complain about the flights though. Lukas turned out to be the perfect travel companion. I get the feeling that people don't believe me when I tell them how relaxed, happy and excited our 2-year-old was on the plane. It sounds too good to be true. What can I say? He loves cartoons and snacks, sleeps in any position and is not bothered about takeoff, landing or being surrounded by strangers. Instead, he kept thanking us for every flight "kiitos helikoppoteri", excited to go to "kauppakesku" (mall), which I find is a very accurate description for an airport.
Okay... I gotta go now for a walk in the crispy wintery air of Ristiina, the lovely middle-of-nowhere of Finland where we arrived yesterday. Will add pics later :)
1. The smell of an old drunk
I don't know how I manage to avoid this whiff when overseas, but somehow I do. Maybe it's because the sober Finns generally keep their distance when around strangers, so the only ones brushing up against you at the airport are those on a bender. And by a bender I mean a dedicated lifestyle of consistently drinking as much as you can as often as you can. You can usually tell them from their skin colour, sometimes even before you smell them. It is that strange purplish red, too dark and bruise-like to be just sunburned, although it's probably that too.
2. I am making people uncomfortable
When in New Zealand, I get used to routinely smiling and nodding at strangers, especially when sharing small spaces such as buses or lifts. Everybody does this. If the situation lasts for long enough, you will have to make some small talk to ease the tension. NOT doing this makes people uncomfortable. In Finland, it is exactly this polite nodding and smiling that makes people uncomfortable. Fear flashes across their eyes as they try to calculate what's going on. Are you mentally unstable? Are you going to talk to me? So they quickly look away and pretend I'm not there. It usually takes me a couple of days to tune down my public behaviour.
3. Tinny sound of heavy metal
In New Zealand, this musical style never enters my folksy-indie-hipster existence. I never really listened to it, even when I used to live here, but it still brings back memories. It's mainstream, a part of this country's soundtrack. It's clean, flawless, standardised, safe... and oh so tinny. It makes me long for something simple, full bodied, imaginative and bold. Like My Brightest Diamond.
4. The delightful exceptions
To every rule, there is always an exception. In Finland, the rule of 'expressionless faces on public transportation' is occasionally broken. And if you don't follow the local protocol and respond to the searching smile or the offhand comment, you are rewarded with the most genuine, meaningful encounter. Our latest one happened on the bus 74 - a senior man with an amputated leg and an incredibly sunny attitude.
5. Inhabitable conditions
We took Lukas for his first outing in the city. He took one look at the scenery with the icy wind on his face, turned around in the stroller and pulled a blanket over his head. Even a child knows there's something wrong with this weather. Were human beings ever meant to live this far up north? This is not where human race originated. It's only with the help of modern technology that we are able to live here, somewhat comfortably. Most people are vitamin D deficient. Many are depressed. Are we genetically adjusted enough to really thrive in these condition? Will we ever be?
6. Strange children
In my experience, toddlers usually smile back when you smile at them. At least if you give it bit of time or make a funny face. Only in Finland have I smiled at a little one, cute as a button in their Michelin man outfit, who just stares blankly at me. Not scared or shy, just not reacting.
On one train ride, we also met an older child (6-7 years), who clearly wanted to play with Lukas. He was very giggly and kept making eye contact, but wouldn't talk to us. We asked for his name and introduced ourselves, but he just smiled. Sami ended up naming him "Tossavainen" and he seemed happy with that. I wondered if he was taught not to talk to strangers.
7. Accidental exercise
When relying on public transport, you end up walking and running quite a bit. Probably less if you know exactly how it works, but I suspect our car-dependent lifestyle in Auckland is way more sedetary than that of an average Helsinkian (if that is a word?). I might be in better shape if I lived here and could actually pull off these skinny jeans I borrowed from my sister that are so popular in this town.
8. Not owing anyone anything
In Finland, it's less likely for anyone - even your friend - to ask you for a favour. In situations where Kiwis expect reciprocity, Finns strive for self sufficiency and extreme hospitality. Instead of a potluck barbecue, they invite you for a home cooked meal where everything is provided. You won't be even asked to bring the wine. They may expect an invitation from you one day, but not necessarily. I remember thinking like this when we lived in Finland - I wanted to be hospitable, but not 'owe anyone anything'. Maybe that's why Finland has very low national debt, where as New Zealand is maxed out.
We are in a position where we have to let Finns help us, cook for us and lend stuff to us. Coming from the Kiwi mindset it's a little easier. I also learned from the Mentalist (hehe) that if you want to gain someone's trust, you have to get them to give you something. That makes them feel invested in you. Somehow, when living in Finland and trying to be self sufficient I was missing out on all this.
I wonder if the Mentalist advise works on state level. Does the rest of the world feel more invested in New Zealand or Greece than Finland?
Lukas the Flying Toddler
After back-to-back 30 hours of flying / airport navigating, it has taken me two days to shake the persistent flight headache and fogginess. Only the stuffy nose remains. I can't complain about the flights though. Lukas turned out to be the perfect travel companion. I get the feeling that people don't believe me when I tell them how relaxed, happy and excited our 2-year-old was on the plane. It sounds too good to be true. What can I say? He loves cartoons and snacks, sleeps in any position and is not bothered about takeoff, landing or being surrounded by strangers. Instead, he kept thanking us for every flight "kiitos helikoppoteri", excited to go to "kauppakesku" (mall), which I find is a very accurate description for an airport.
Okay... I gotta go now for a walk in the crispy wintery air of Ristiina, the lovely middle-of-nowhere of Finland where we arrived yesterday. Will add pics later :)
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