The Howling

I've been rewatching the first two seasons of Alias, and boy, I didn't even remember how awesome it used to be. It lost me somewhere mid-season 4, but those early ones were pure gold.
I mean, Marshall and his gadgets! Sydney's outlandish outfits! The exotic locations (including a super-fake Helsinki)! The adorable, angsty UST of Syd and Vaughn! One of the most fucked-up families in the history of fucked-up families! And my god, the guest stars! Roger Moore, Christian Slater, Ethan Hawke... Quentin fuckin' Tarantino!
Ahh, nostalgy. :]

I just hope J.J. Abrams's other creation, this relatively unknown little series ;) called Lost won't lose me too by jumping the shark and going too weird on us. Okay, in truth I wouldn't mind the weird, I can take time-traveling Scotsmen and polar bears in hemispheres where they don't belong and world-wide conspiracies and stuff, but not badly handled character arcs (like unnecessarily prolonged love triangle/quadrangle thingies...) and bad writing. So here's to hoping it will redeem itself and give me other reasons to watch it in addition to Desmond and Sayid (as they're pretty much the only characters whose fate I really care about any longer).

Okay, I guess that was it for now, I'd better go to bed now. *yawn*
Three weeks till Dublin. *bounces a bit* I'm so excited. And a bit nervous too. Whew.

Can you imagine me in pigtails and trainers, running in the woods all sporty and stuff?
Me neither, really.

But believe it or not, I just came back from a 30-minute jog in the nearby woods where I tested my brand new Adidas (brand pimping, oh yeah :p) running shoes.
It was great, actually. At times I felt like I was flying (and curiously enough, in my flying dreams it usually starts with running and then slowly rising off the ground). *smiles*
Now I'm feeling a bit dizzy, though, because my physical fitness and stamina still suck. But if I keep this up, I'll be in good shape in September which is good because a week's hike in Muonio (Northwestern Lapland) can be a bit tough for a beginner.

Oh, and whaddya know: the new Nightwish album wasn't named Lunar after all.
But I can't say I'm disappointed either. Dark Passion Play seems to fit very well, and I'm loving the album cover no matter what Photoshop nerds say about its quality.

Other randomness: I cut my hair today.
It feels strange to have your hair 10 cm shorter all of a sudden, but it also feels a lot more thick and healthy. Hopefully the new super-conditioner the hairdresser recommended will help and I'll some day be able to grow my hair long without it starting to brittle and break immediately.

Mmh, to Helsinki tomorrow. I have never been to Suomenlinna before, actually.
Should be great, even though I don't even know the couple to be wed personally.

The summer managed to take me by surprise again. Finnish summer is good at sneaking on you like that.

Maybe that's the reason why I've been spending money like crazy lately.
First I ordered The Mists of Avalon DVD from CDON (about 13€), then I bought tickets for me and Ella (as a graduation present) to the Turku gig of Nightwish in December (87,65€ including shipping costs) and today I spent 60€ to books.

I was in Akateeminen when I noticed some brilliant person had finally decided to translate the first part of the Young Jack Sparrow series in Finnish, and the book version of At World's End (which is a lot more elaborate than the two previous ones) as well.
I don't really know why I bought the latter because I still like AWE the least of the three, but at least it has some scenes that were cut from the film, like that exchange between Jack and Becks about their shared past.
The translation of both is luckily quite good (although "Aye" doesn't bloody translate as "Ohoi". That's "Ahoy". And in Tia's case the word "mystic" is a noun, not an adjective.), but I'd still have rather bought them in English if it had been possible because especially with the YJS book I have to use some imagination to hear Jack's "voice" in my head. Ah well, at least it's not only in bloody Swedish anymore.
I was already about to leave when I spotted an interesting-looking book in the "New books" shelf. It was Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts (yes, I know she's a romance novelist, but I like her witty style and the fact she adds some supernatural mystery and mythology in her books), translated in Finnish. I've been trying to find that book for ages, so I was pretty happy and decided to buy it as well on impulse. On the other hand, though, I've been dying to get something new to read. I think I'll go read it someday by that lovely little pond near my house.

On Sunday I was at Ella's graduation party in Laitila.
The weather was lovely and sunny and hot as hell, so I had an excuse to wear my green sundress I bought a couple of years ago from Zara. After we'd scandalized (okay, I think Ella herself did most of the scandalizing) her relatives for a couple of hours, we proceeded to her family's summer cottage at Lukujärvi where we could let our hair down. And get naked. ;p
It was lovely to just hang out there in good company, swim in the warm and clear lake, go to wood-warmed sauna and bathe in that huge wooden tub/jacuzzi thingy by the lake (Samppa was in quite lucky position to be the only guy there among four pretty naked ladies :D), watching the sun set and listening to the diver cry somewhere on the opposite side of the lake.
I could have easily stayed there for another couple of days. Or weeks.
I think I'm definetely more a lake person than a sea person. Which is actually quite weird, but it might have something to do with my fear of very open spaces (I don't remember what's that called, agoraphobia?). But it's also something about lake water that makes everything about you soft; your hair, your skin. Salty brine has quite the opposite effect.

Meh. The Lukujärvi trip made me reminsce last July when I spent long hours just sitting by that lake in Tohmajärvi with my feet dangling in the water, watching the sun set slowly and listening to the cuckoo on the opposite side of the lake. It also stirred that odd longing in me again.
I now know that the place I'm looking for is not in Tohmajärvi or anywhere near, but there I was closer to it than in here. For some reason I think I... have to go back to Kuopio. O_o
But then again, didn't I swear I would return when I left last time? *chuckle*

Anyway, here's to Finnish summer:

( Nocturne )

Hmm. I wonder what is wrong with me nowadays.
Recently I've noticed that my so-called interactive home, the Nightwish forum, has started to annoy me for some reason. Or actually it's not the forum itself, it's more like I've had some sort of strange epiphany, like I'm getting tired of the whole thing and need a change.
However, it affects my behaviour on the forum and I'm afraid I'm coming across as a snappish, arrogant bitch who thinks too highly of herself.
Not good, especially because I'm supposed to be a soddin' moderator. *sigh*

Meh. I think I really need to turn a fresh, blank page in my life.
First step, I think, would be getting a damn life in the first place. This aimless drifting and living through fiction is really starting to bother me.
Last time I did something social or even showed by nose outside of my flat for more than an hour was last weekend when Aki unexpectedly called to let me know he's in town and ask me to hang out with him and some other drunken metalheads.
Hanging out with said drunkend metalheads is always somewhat hazardous leisure time (when a troll goes to berserk mode, it's not a pretty sight), but it was good to see Aki again after a long time. He's a good guy (albeit a bit macho) and it was quite funny how natural and un-awkward I felt hanging out with him even though we hadn't seen each other in ages.
Guess certain shared experiences can make people bonded for life. *chuckle*

I also went home for the Mothers' Day and it was actually really nice as I can't remember the last time I've had so much fun with my brothers, joking and laughing over dinner. I guess Johannes doesn't hate me anymore, that much at least. *wry smile*

Tomorrow I'm supposed to meet Tommi. That's something at least.
I wonder what's the occasion.

(And yes, I'm utterly and completely addicted to this track. 'Tis a masterpiece.)

One thing is for certain: Hevillä ei hävitä.
Not in Finland anyway.

So yes, Ari Koivunen, a lanky, long-haired heavy metal singer won the Finnish Idols.
Tonight he managed to make the judges tear up with a heart-wrenching version of Still Loving You by Scorpions, give me chills with Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun and perform a very decent cover of Sonata's FullMoon.
Anna wasn't really that bad either, I really liked that Portuguese song of hers, it felt very natural and smooth. But as Jone said, she's not Alicia Keys and definetely not Joan Jett.
Ari on the other hand, again quoting Mr. Jone Nikula, could any day replace even Bruce Dickinson vocals-wise at least. \,,/

routaneito dropped by to see the first gig of the Finnish tour of Finntroll.
Too bad Wednesday was apparently The Day of Misfortune and among other not-so-good things we managed to miss the first 20 minutes of the gig, which was pretty much half of the set.
'Twas a great gig though, even though Beast's drums broke soon after we arrived and they had to improvise while the roadies tried to fix the problem. Virta played some Säkkijärven polkka (which naturally made me and Ella show 'em how to polka) and then we heard a very interesting techno version of Trollhammaren. *grin*
Fortune among misfortune was that they played all my favourites only after we arrived, at least Svartberg, Det Iskalla Trollblod, Fiskarens Fiende, good ol' Försvinn Du Som Lyser (Hail Somnium! \,,/) and the brand new, absolutely amazing and absolutely hilarious En Mäktig Här.
It was also good that this time they were donning their troll-gear and warpaint (even though Skrymer was uncharateristically boring and played with his shirt on). Routa is so cool, the guy's hair is to die for. <3 And I want my own Tundra as a pet, a furry little thing peering at you from beneath his wild, curly black mass of hair and looking like he might any minute attack your leg and start gnawing on your ankle. :D Vreth also proved that he's able to lead the troll horde (at least in live situation) even though he's a lanky prettyboy.
There's nothing lanky nor pretty about his voice, though. The lad screeches and growls like the best of them, sounding more like good ol' Katla than our darling Rivfader Wilska.

Katla was there, by the way, unless I'm completely mistaken. He was skulking around after the gig and hanging with the guys. It's funny, the moment I first saw the guy I immediately thought there was something special about him, this pretty smartly dressed somewhat short fellow with long wavy mid-brown hair, sweet-natured looking face and kind of amiable aura about him. I had no idea who he was at first but then something in my head told me: "Katla." I can't be 100% sure of it, tho', because I'm not that familiar with Katla's looks. Interesting anyway. *shrug*
Suvi also got to hug Vreth, poor guy is too pretty for his own good. :D And Ella met again her goddess Erna aka Enary, the ex-keyboardist of Lordi.

And before Suvi left yesterday, we also met suomigoth and her boyfriend Ville in Shamrock. Sometimes I have moments when I wish I had enough patience and dedication (not to mention money) to dress like she does, she looked so stunning. But I guess I'm happier in my comfy cargo pants, earth tones and combat boots running around in the woods.
That's what I've done a lot lately, by the way, as I have a forest pretty much on my backyard, the Riihikallio trollwood. And Isosuo is only about 1,5 kilometers away from where I live, I'm yet to visit it again though.
Heh, I really felt like "true Ranger" the other night when I roamed the nearby woods. At first a pretty little starling followed me a while by flying from tree to tree beside me, and then a white hare jumped on the path before me. And when I arrived to the part of the forest where I knew was located a pirunpelto ("devil's field", an ancient seashore turned into a field full of huge rocks, you can see some pictures of the pirunpelto in question here), I just followed my instincts and wandered wherever my feet would take me. And lo and behold, I arrived to the pirunpelto. It was pretty impressive sight, especially as the waxing moon was shining brightly in the sky while the setting sun was still shedding its golden light in the horizon.
Then I smelled smoke in the air and followed it until I found the smouldering remnants of a small bonfire from a rocky hillside with a very cool view over the faraway city. And when I walked back home, the only light I had was that of the moon, but it was bright enough for me to not miss a single step and every branch and twig threatening to slam me in the face I dodged instinctively even though I couldn't see them at first. I was quite proud of myself. :p
There's also this place in the nearby woods where I often stop to lay down for a while to do some moonbathing and stargazing whenever I return to home in the evening if the sky is clear.

I'm pretty happy living there, the forest as well as my flat feel like home already.
The only downside is that whenever the sun is shining the flat is hotter than a sauna, I think I need a fan or two for summer. And I still need a couple of rugs, a bookshelf, a bedside table, this machine and an internet connection and I'm a happy girl.

And then some lyrics from a song that has been playing in my head a lot lately:

"Tuota tiiä mie en itsekkään
Minkä tien otan etehen
Juonen juostakseni
Valihen
Tiiä minkä tien otan etehen

---

Korvessa miun kotini
Majani
Marjavarsilla on miun majani

Taiten taivas kirjaeltu
Oikein tehty Otavainen
Miten lie elämä miulla
Miten lie
Elämä miulla mustakulmalla..."

Hi, I'm alive.

And yayz, things are starting to look better again.
I have money, I could quit Fendari, I was just shopping for some stuff for my new flat today with my parents and the bureaucratical bullshit is almost over now.
And the spring is definetely coming, even though right now the weather is horrible: slush, ice, water, mud and gravel everywhere. And annoying wet fog. Hrr.

I also decided to drop by at Thalia (one of the only coffee shops in town that allows smoking indoors and thus the favourite hangout of many young people) for a change on Monday. It was like I'd never left in the first place: same faces, same topics and same thick veil of cigarette smoke. Ella and Laura and Janina enthused about the newest Pimeyden Maailma/Hauraita Unelmia/whatever saga and Tommi and Venla were being cute.

I felt a bit like an outsider, though, but I guess it's only normal. I haven't really been around much lately. Funny how some things stay the same nevertheless, though. Like the way Tommi greeted me by smiling and scratching me behind my ear, just like he could have done three years ago. (Though you can never really be sure what kind of reaction to expect from that guy, it can be anything from an warm hug to acting like you don't even exist). And I noticed I still love him as dearly as I did three years ago, despite everything that has happened since then.
(Also, I think some tiny little part of me will always be just a little bit in love with him on some level. But well, he's Tommi. Everyone is.)

On slightly more negative topic, it somehow never ceases to amaze me how many bloody damn idiots there are on this planet. I know it's not my place to feel any kind of righteous fury about that, but apparenly my "defend the pack" instincts kicked in (which is pretty interesting actually). She really doesn't deserve that crap and some people should really get a soddin' life.
Okay, rant over. *chuckle*

EDIT: Oh, forgot to add this thingy, got it from routaneito .

Luin juuri uuden Moonsorrow-albumin lyriikoita pala kurkussa.
En edes tiedä mitä tähän voisi sanoa muuta, kuin... Niin, en tiedä.

Jäästä syntynyt

Auringon kuoleman syntyäkseen
Uusi maailma tarvitsee
Vain pisaran vettä kylmyyteen
Käsillä juoksemaan ihmisten

Varjojen virta

Hiljainen järvi kauas kantaa
Säveltä maiseman pysähtyneen
Lehtikään ei katseen alla liiku
Kylmyys yksin ui pinnan alla

Ja ruumis kaipaa vettä
Se huutaa vapautta
Ei sitä täältä löydy
Ei hetkeen mistään

Kuka eksyneelle tien näyttää
Kun aika kulkee vain loppuaan kohti

Varjojen virta
Kuolemaa kuljettaa
Maa on harmaa
Sydän poissa taas

Tie haarautunut on jossain harhaan
Tässä lumi peittää merkit askelten
Vain värit vaihtuvat katseen alla
Kylmyys yksin yksinäisen rauhoittaa

Ja ruumis kaipaa vettä
Se huutaa vapautta
Vieraassa kaupungissa
Etsien kauneutta

On kaikki pian vailla tarkoitusta
Taivas luonut jo katseensa pois
Askel tuskaan, askel vapauteen
Jos tänne jään, en täältä löydä mitään

Vain varjot kulkevat tästä
Seuraavat toisiaan
Eivät odota ketään

Edessäni näen vuorten sortuvan
Silti hetkeksi nyt jään
Kun tunnen tulvan nousevan

Taittaa kohtalon tahtoisin
Valon nähdä ja kääntyä takaisin

Aina aurinko nousee jossain
Kuiskaa ja tielle osoittaa
Ei enää meri sateena piiskaa
Tuskin siihen havahtuisin

Yksin tuhannen joukossa
Aina jossain muualla
Juuret maasta riistetyt
Kerran elävät, kerran kuolevat

Taittaa kohtalon tahtoisin
Valon nähdä ja kääntyä takaisin
Siksi hetkeksi nyt jään
Kun tunnen tulvan nousevan

Varjojen virta
Kuolemaa kuljettaa
Maa on harmaa
Sydän poissa taas

On kaikki pian vailla tarkoitusta
Taivas luonut jo katseensa pois
Askel tuskaan, askel vapauteen
Jos tänne jään, en täältä löydä mitään.

-----------------------

Musiikki itse ei vielä tunnu sisimmässä repivänä suruna ja kaihona yhtä vahvasti kuin vaikkapa Jotunheim edelliseltä levyltä, mutta ehkä siinä kestää jonkin aikaa. Hävitettyä ei kukaan ole koskaan helposti avautuvaksi levyksi kutsunutkaan. Mutta se on varmaa, että lahjoja Sorvalin suvusta löytyy.
En tosin voi olla miettimättä, mitä ihmettä seuraava (ja mahdollisesti viimeinen?) levy tuo tullessaan. Kivenkantajalta Verisäkeisiin siirryttäessä eksyttiin jo melko synkille saloille ja tiettömille lakeuksille ja nyt jo tunnetaan tulvan nousevan ja katsotaan miten vuoret sortuvat ja maa ajautuu liekkeihin...

(For possible curious non-Finnish speakers, I'm only rambling about the new Moonsorrow album, mainly about the lyrics and their themes. See for yourselves:

( Born of Ice/Stream of Shadows )

Do you ever get the feeling about somebody, the feeling of being home?

Well, I came to a conclusion tonight: Tuomas feels like home.
I know it makes absolutely no sense and probably sounds very delusional and fangirly and like I'm hopelessly in love with him or something, but... He just does. *shrug*

More about the Kotiteollisuus gig tomorrow when my head hurts less and my brain's less fuzzy.
But to make things clear: I did not meet him or anything, barely shared a quick smile or two.

*suddenly remembers something*
Oh Hynynen. *giggles*

Goodnight, kittens.