There have been some tears in the house and outside. Lili has gone to sleep and before long she fell out of bed on her head. She has a huge bed and we still wonder how she has managed. But now she is asleep again while Tobi
Is standing guard, Blabla snoring at her feet.
Yesterday evening there was a group moan and cry and Blabla is still mad at me. Apart from some angry text messages she has not managed to talk to me yet although she has been back since dropping off Sagy at the train station. Dropping Sagy on a train to be precise. And with this we came to the reason why the conflict.
I already told how I am a bit uncertain about Tobi brining too many other creatures here. To top that it turned out that Sagy is quite a bit of a bad influence on others. The day after he came he has managed to stop both Jen and Lili doing anything at all. They were planning on tiding and cleaning and a range of other things but their day has come to nothing because of his disruptions, comments and terrible attitudes influencing everything around him like some flu. Even Tobi picked up on it. Lili was an immediate and she was just not cooperating in any way with us. When finally I put my finger on the ‘problem’, Sagy squeaking and whining miserable under my thumb I decided he must go. Blabla took the initiative on taking him to the train so he can find somewhere safe somewhere south.
Of course there has been lots of uncertainty around because I have thrown someone out! Blabla, and this is why he is so upset, now wonders what if he makes a bad move. Tobi is a bit uncertain too and started to wonder if he should go as well. I reminded him to the wonderful winter ahead of us. After a cup of tea and a bit of chat he quickly forgot his imagined troubles and started designing proper dragon winter outfits. He is all so excited and when we saw a couple of tractors already practicing the routes clearing snow he got even more excited, tears in the eyes and everything. After all this is going to be his first winter up here when he won’t have to hide in a cave.
Seeing those tractors, all ready for snow got me a little bit disappointed. Although I tried to hide it I think Tobi could see. But he politely didn’t notice and flew ahead home to have a quick chat with Jen. I am disappointed readying for the snow on the 25th of August.
He presented Jen with an amusing design, terrible long three times foldable neck to keep his fire thingies really warm in his throat, special holes for the wings with elastic edges, pocket on the belly for the hot water bottle and a tale section. Jen told him basically that there is no chance in hell she will knit that for him as it could take till next spring. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer but not wanting to argue, I guess still bit concerned for his position he grabbed Blabla and they dined out only coming home for Lili’s bedtime.
We just watched a dispatches about Banking. Have I said before we are all doomed?!
Monday 25 August 2008
Saturday 23 August 2008
Helsinki
Mostly eventless days have passed. We have visited a baby yesterday and had a lot to eat for dinner while there. I like social calls with food involved. Tobi and Blabla haven’t been there. In fact up until a couple of minutes ago when they finally found their way home we have not seen them since they took off to get some earplugs. The ones of which purpose I had to lie when talking to Lili. It took them only two days and the first sentence I have heard from Tobi on entering was something like ‘OH !&{k! We forgot the earplugs.’
I truly didn’t know how to react to that so I made myself a cup of coffee and gave them the fish Lili just caught a couple of minutes prior to their arrival.
I am listening to their recount of events this moment trying to make out the words as they both speak with mouth full at the same time. They have started flying in circles of increasing diameters outward looking for that 24/7 shop. They have not found anything and next morning, approximately 300 miles south from here they have landed in a small town just north of Helsinki to get some breakfast and go to the local supermarket for opening hour and get some earplugs before heading home. At the café they have met a cat if I understand correctly whose name was Sebastian, a vagabond also getting breakfast after a great night out with lots of drinks and fun. He happened to be heading to the local store to get some earplugs because he claimed to be a bed sleeper but he needed to get some sleep so he needed the earplugs for sleeping in town. He spent all his money the night before, none left for hotel.
Ok. That story hasn’t really led anywhere. They left him in a park with earplugs than headed to Helsinki because Sebastian recommended them the place. They thought since so close they would check it out. They have quite liked it especially the subway. Tobi loves subways. For some reason he has an obsession, a believe that somewhere in the world Dragons live underground in the subway tunnels, he just not sure in which city but he desperate to meet this distant relatives. He isn’t even sure about the continent. But he hoped to find them there. For the following 31 hours they stayed underground looking, waiting, hoping to find some dragons. When asking fellow passengers they tried not to cause too much of an panic with the idea of dragons around. After about 3 hours they have started using the earplugs against the annoying and monotonous noise of the sub trains. Hence they came back without them. They haven’t found the underground dragons there either.
However they have picked up a new acquaintance called Sagy. A dog but it is about the size of a cigarette packet so Tobi doesn’t find him scary. Sagy lived in the underground but wanted to get out from there for sometime. He was just too little to climb the stairs. Tobi helped him and as I can see he is receiving Sagy’s undying gratitude. I am a bit annoyed because having a house dragon is ok with me but when he starts bringing all kind of other creatures home I am starting to get a bit… freaked out. Blabla loves Sagy. A dog that is terrified of him. Tobi loves Sagy, a dog that he is not terrified of.
They all finished now with dinner and I just pointed out that although that cat, Sebastian has recommended to them seeing Helsinki, they spent all this time in the subway, so actually they have not seen the city. I am seeing some funny faces, disappointed and a little bit embarrassed. I think it is best if I send them all to sleep.
I truly didn’t know how to react to that so I made myself a cup of coffee and gave them the fish Lili just caught a couple of minutes prior to their arrival.
I am listening to their recount of events this moment trying to make out the words as they both speak with mouth full at the same time. They have started flying in circles of increasing diameters outward looking for that 24/7 shop. They have not found anything and next morning, approximately 300 miles south from here they have landed in a small town just north of Helsinki to get some breakfast and go to the local supermarket for opening hour and get some earplugs before heading home. At the café they have met a cat if I understand correctly whose name was Sebastian, a vagabond also getting breakfast after a great night out with lots of drinks and fun. He happened to be heading to the local store to get some earplugs because he claimed to be a bed sleeper but he needed to get some sleep so he needed the earplugs for sleeping in town. He spent all his money the night before, none left for hotel.
Ok. That story hasn’t really led anywhere. They left him in a park with earplugs than headed to Helsinki because Sebastian recommended them the place. They thought since so close they would check it out. They have quite liked it especially the subway. Tobi loves subways. For some reason he has an obsession, a believe that somewhere in the world Dragons live underground in the subway tunnels, he just not sure in which city but he desperate to meet this distant relatives. He isn’t even sure about the continent. But he hoped to find them there. For the following 31 hours they stayed underground looking, waiting, hoping to find some dragons. When asking fellow passengers they tried not to cause too much of an panic with the idea of dragons around. After about 3 hours they have started using the earplugs against the annoying and monotonous noise of the sub trains. Hence they came back without them. They haven’t found the underground dragons there either.
However they have picked up a new acquaintance called Sagy. A dog but it is about the size of a cigarette packet so Tobi doesn’t find him scary. Sagy lived in the underground but wanted to get out from there for sometime. He was just too little to climb the stairs. Tobi helped him and as I can see he is receiving Sagy’s undying gratitude. I am a bit annoyed because having a house dragon is ok with me but when he starts bringing all kind of other creatures home I am starting to get a bit… freaked out. Blabla loves Sagy. A dog that is terrified of him. Tobi loves Sagy, a dog that he is not terrified of.
They all finished now with dinner and I just pointed out that although that cat, Sebastian has recommended to them seeing Helsinki, they spent all this time in the subway, so actually they have not seen the city. I am seeing some funny faces, disappointed and a little bit embarrassed. I think it is best if I send them all to sleep.
Wednesday 20 August 2008
That Sunday of mine
Lili, Tobi and I had breakfast together. Lili hasn’t failed to mention that she loves having breakfast with us and she will get up every morning to eat together. I wonder about that, she never wants going to sleep. She just picked up a book to be her bedtime story for ever and ever: I don’t want to go to bed’ A rather fitting title. Tobi and Blabla just took off trying to find a 24/7 somewhere in Oulu. Lili has been back to Day-care for three days and we all are desperate for earplugs now. She thinks that we can only hear her if she is shouting. Even if we are sitting next to each other. I think the idea of finding a 24/7 in this town is a little hopeless though. I think I may have heard Blabla muttering something to Tobi that they can search a 1200 miles radius if need to. I think they over dramatise the issue. Of course loosing it and shouting at the child to stop shouting is just us pointless.
She likes to be back in Päiväkoti so today even I had no work to do she wanted to go anyway. The rest of us had a quiet day and that probably what had led us to having an even lower tolerance to loud sharp noises by afternoon time.
Had a brief brake in typing, every couple of nights we have a fun chat with Lili in her bed before going to sleep while Tobi and Blabla under the bed also getting ready for sleep. Of course tonight the other 2 are not here, as they will not find a 24/7 for quite some distance, but I did not want to tell the exact truth why they are gone so I had to make up a story (!) about how Tobi snores so loudly that he often wakes himself up during the night and the earplugs are to prevent that.
Only Molly and Sleeping Beauty seem to be ignorant to the sharp noises. I think they probably have been missing all the swirls of daycare life. Although today the two of them have been out shopping as I have learnt from Lili on the way home. Their old toy trains have been too old so they have donated them to someone or something I wasn’t really sure and set out to purchase new ones. By the time Lili and I got home they were busy playing in he room. This has inspired Lili to get her train set out as well. At least she was somewhat reasonable about bed time and leaving the set till tomorrow to play with it again. The other two I had to confiscate the trains from until morning. I feel quite bad about it but they wouldn’t have let Lili sleep otherwise.
Couple of days back I have said something about bringing only one more child ( a real one) into the house feels like opening a nursery class. Our quiet Sunday afternoon
She likes to be back in Päiväkoti so today even I had no work to do she wanted to go anyway. The rest of us had a quiet day and that probably what had led us to having an even lower tolerance to loud sharp noises by afternoon time.
Had a brief brake in typing, every couple of nights we have a fun chat with Lili in her bed before going to sleep while Tobi and Blabla under the bed also getting ready for sleep. Of course tonight the other 2 are not here, as they will not find a 24/7 for quite some distance, but I did not want to tell the exact truth why they are gone so I had to make up a story (!) about how Tobi snores so loudly that he often wakes himself up during the night and the earplugs are to prevent that.
Only Molly and Sleeping Beauty seem to be ignorant to the sharp noises. I think they probably have been missing all the swirls of daycare life. Although today the two of them have been out shopping as I have learnt from Lili on the way home. Their old toy trains have been too old so they have donated them to someone or something I wasn’t really sure and set out to purchase new ones. By the time Lili and I got home they were busy playing in he room. This has inspired Lili to get her train set out as well. At least she was somewhat reasonable about bed time and leaving the set till tomorrow to play with it again. The other two I had to confiscate the trains from until morning. I feel quite bad about it but they wouldn’t have let Lili sleep otherwise.
Couple of days back I have said something about bringing only one more child ( a real one) into the house feels like opening a nursery class. Our quiet Sunday afternoon
Tuesday 19 August 2008
And Tomorrow it’s Sunday again!!!
Counting that today is Saturday and it feels like that to me. Sleeping in, hanging out, not busy and not working. For me Tuesday and Wednesday are the resting days therefore tomorrow at least feels like a Sunday.
We have been busy as usual the last few days. Had people over for dinner and chat and I must admit that increasing the number of children by one in the house, effectively doubling the total to 2 I feel like I’m in the middle of a day-care class let loose. Shows how much I am not used to this stuff anymore. Tobi and his pal the cat have been out that night. There was an outing at the Day-Care Tobi works at once a week - it is for expat dragons’ kids and eggs living in the northern Finland region. They came home exhausted and after the guests have left we have passed out on various locations in the house. Some kept on talking though but… Lili slept in our bed last night and I woke several times being kicked in the head or shoulders. We carried on with a struggle for the duvet, kicking it off vs. pulling it back on. A fun entertainment for the middle of the night. Something to never bore off.
We have found out Tobi’s cat friend’s name. It is Blabla Blablabla.
Lili asked and I don’t know if Tobi was just taking her on a ride, or that really is the name but now he stuck with it. We just nicknamed him Bla. We found this out two nights ago same time I have heard the following story:
Tobi was climbing a giant tree. A really giant tree and there were spider coming. They were huge and one of them wanted to eat him…
‘So what did he do?’
He flew away. But the spider could fly after him.
(long suspense, Lili I guess wasn’t sure how to get Tobi out of this mess)
‘If the spider and the tree were giant, could there be giant birds?’
Yeah and one of them came and ate the spider so Tobi was safe.
Another Story told about a family getting up for breakfast, going to the park then to the beach flying kites. When coming home they have had Pizza for dinner, which is convenient because that is Tobi’s favourite and they went for a Sauna. After Sauna they watch ‘Doctor Who?‘ before going to bed.
Sounds like a nice day
We have been busy as usual the last few days. Had people over for dinner and chat and I must admit that increasing the number of children by one in the house, effectively doubling the total to 2 I feel like I’m in the middle of a day-care class let loose. Shows how much I am not used to this stuff anymore. Tobi and his pal the cat have been out that night. There was an outing at the Day-Care Tobi works at once a week - it is for expat dragons’ kids and eggs living in the northern Finland region. They came home exhausted and after the guests have left we have passed out on various locations in the house. Some kept on talking though but… Lili slept in our bed last night and I woke several times being kicked in the head or shoulders. We carried on with a struggle for the duvet, kicking it off vs. pulling it back on. A fun entertainment for the middle of the night. Something to never bore off.
We have found out Tobi’s cat friend’s name. It is Blabla Blablabla.
Lili asked and I don’t know if Tobi was just taking her on a ride, or that really is the name but now he stuck with it. We just nicknamed him Bla. We found this out two nights ago same time I have heard the following story:
Tobi was climbing a giant tree. A really giant tree and there were spider coming. They were huge and one of them wanted to eat him…
‘So what did he do?’
He flew away. But the spider could fly after him.
(long suspense, Lili I guess wasn’t sure how to get Tobi out of this mess)
‘If the spider and the tree were giant, could there be giant birds?’
Yeah and one of them came and ate the spider so Tobi was safe.
Another Story told about a family getting up for breakfast, going to the park then to the beach flying kites. When coming home they have had Pizza for dinner, which is convenient because that is Tobi’s favourite and they went for a Sauna. After Sauna they watch ‘Doctor Who?‘ before going to bed.
Sounds like a nice day
Saturday 16 August 2008
Just a Saturday
I may have written about the silent mass if birds flying westward before a storm or heavy rain. I have seen them again today. Just the same silence, organized yet anarchistic organisation. There is no rain or storm coming. With Tobi and his friend who is staying over for a couple of days we started speculations that maybe their flying west in silence has nothing to do with the rain. Perhaps they are escaping Soviet Russia. Maybe it is time that someone told them that it’s history for over 15 years now. Perhaps they are escaping present Russia, after all Fascistic dictatorship is pretty much on the same end of the scale as State capitalist autocracy. Cooling the speculation I threw in the idea that perhaps they are completely apolitical in their motives and this is just a wicked hobby to fly west in the evening and east in the morning worshiping that funny shiny disc moving about in the sky, or these birds are already travelling to warmer climate before winter bores of just lurking around the corner and jumps on our heads or in some other sense this is just their way of life.
After a lengthy debate we settled with a compromise: hobby/worship. We have decided so this is a fact of life now.
It was somewhat of a kite afternoon. Little kites flew. Wind was a bit funny, I guess it has stretched some muscles couple of days back. Lili liked flying kite. She thought it was cool for about 10 minutes then she asked about the playground.
Tobi’s friend staying over is a cat. Would you have imagined? I have been poking him about this after dinner when the cat has not got eaten and he said that cats are such rarity here that he at some point invented imaginary ones and as he got to know them they turned out to be cool. So now he has given up on eating cats much to Lili’s delight. She says Tobi is into Pizza now. I can’t blame him. While we were just the 2 of us when the others were in Scotland we had a few pizzas. Tried different stuff all the time and I guess he kinda got into it. They called me a couple of times from Babel, the pizza place to go and remove him from the kitchen, he is getting annoying. I told them to get a big dog. Even an imaginary one would do. That settled it.
Tomorrow it’s Sunday! Who would have imagined?
I almost forgot, in fact I forgot but now I remember. Tobi said he slept in a cave last winter. He didnt have a cool family to hang out with in a cosy apartment. This winter will be different.
After a lengthy debate we settled with a compromise: hobby/worship. We have decided so this is a fact of life now.
It was somewhat of a kite afternoon. Little kites flew. Wind was a bit funny, I guess it has stretched some muscles couple of days back. Lili liked flying kite. She thought it was cool for about 10 minutes then she asked about the playground.
Tobi’s friend staying over is a cat. Would you have imagined? I have been poking him about this after dinner when the cat has not got eaten and he said that cats are such rarity here that he at some point invented imaginary ones and as he got to know them they turned out to be cool. So now he has given up on eating cats much to Lili’s delight. She says Tobi is into Pizza now. I can’t blame him. While we were just the 2 of us when the others were in Scotland we had a few pizzas. Tried different stuff all the time and I guess he kinda got into it. They called me a couple of times from Babel, the pizza place to go and remove him from the kitchen, he is getting annoying. I told them to get a big dog. Even an imaginary one would do. That settled it.
Tomorrow it’s Sunday! Who would have imagined?
I almost forgot, in fact I forgot but now I remember. Tobi said he slept in a cave last winter. He didnt have a cool family to hang out with in a cosy apartment. This winter will be different.
Friday 15 August 2008
Kite in the air…
Yesterday finally it was kite wind. I think my speculations about Tobi not having good connections and stuff was totally wrong. He got it totally right. Or something like that. It was good wind. We got a bit exhausted in fact by the time we cycled out to the beach. It was very windy. Very very. I think wind wanted to impress us a lot that day, so much that the little kites have failed to fly altogether. I got out the diamond one which has an area of about an A4 paper plus the tale but it couldn’t make it in the air. Quickly it had asked back in the bag. We let it.
It was time for the stunt kite which is unfortunately too advanced for Lili just yet but we had a good time anyway. Taking turns with Jen the conversation was a lot like
‘Ok, my turn’ or ‘can I have a shot now?’
With the response
‘yeah’ - without following action of handing the stuff over or ‘just a minute’
The kite had the time of its life I think. So far. It was screaming in joy especially when pulled into twists, sharp turns and fast glides across the sky. Screaming such things as ‘Yeaaaah’ and ‘Yahoooo’ and ‘I’m alive!’ It was great to watch.
Wind after some time instead of its usual dropping dead and playing silly games wanted to impress even further and put on some additional weight. We started to feel that we may loose some skin to sand scratches and Stunt Kite also changed its scream to such as ‘Aaaaaagh’ and ‘boohoo’ and ‘heeeeelp and finally ‘Get me dooown!!!’ which I eventually did with a badly aimed twist and he came down like lightning digging a 16 feet crater on impact (do you believe? I don’t make up stories). Tobi had a good laugh at him and took off to show off and impress SK while we started packing up calling a complete but still somewhat orderly retreat.
We picked Tobi up several hundred yards inland. He asked me if he could ride on my bike on the way home due to sore parts like wings and stuff. Him asking rather than just jumping on as usual was showing that he felt seriously in need for transportation and not usual laziness.
This fun was followed a mostly eventless day with exhaustions of all kinds, getting a couple of nice bookshelves, cooking Lili her dream dinner, Tuna pasta (she asked for it) and work tile this night.
Putting Lili to bed tonight we were chatting, talking about dreams and favourite dreams and other things. Tobi was getting to sleep underneath the bed. Lili asked me why Tobi goes to work with me all the time. Why does he not stay at home sometimes? I guess it is because he is my supposedly imaginary friend, mostly. When we asked him he said tomorrow he will hang out with Lili no problem.
Next Lili asked where was Tobi last winter, before he came to be here with us. Some interesting question. We couldn’t get an answer for that. He was snoring already. Maybe we find out tomorrow.
It was time for the stunt kite which is unfortunately too advanced for Lili just yet but we had a good time anyway. Taking turns with Jen the conversation was a lot like
‘Ok, my turn’ or ‘can I have a shot now?’
With the response
‘yeah’ - without following action of handing the stuff over or ‘just a minute’
The kite had the time of its life I think. So far. It was screaming in joy especially when pulled into twists, sharp turns and fast glides across the sky. Screaming such things as ‘Yeaaaah’ and ‘Yahoooo’ and ‘I’m alive!’ It was great to watch.
Wind after some time instead of its usual dropping dead and playing silly games wanted to impress even further and put on some additional weight. We started to feel that we may loose some skin to sand scratches and Stunt Kite also changed its scream to such as ‘Aaaaaagh’ and ‘boohoo’ and ‘heeeeelp and finally ‘Get me dooown!!!’ which I eventually did with a badly aimed twist and he came down like lightning digging a 16 feet crater on impact (do you believe? I don’t make up stories). Tobi had a good laugh at him and took off to show off and impress SK while we started packing up calling a complete but still somewhat orderly retreat.
We picked Tobi up several hundred yards inland. He asked me if he could ride on my bike on the way home due to sore parts like wings and stuff. Him asking rather than just jumping on as usual was showing that he felt seriously in need for transportation and not usual laziness.
This fun was followed a mostly eventless day with exhaustions of all kinds, getting a couple of nice bookshelves, cooking Lili her dream dinner, Tuna pasta (she asked for it) and work tile this night.
Putting Lili to bed tonight we were chatting, talking about dreams and favourite dreams and other things. Tobi was getting to sleep underneath the bed. Lili asked me why Tobi goes to work with me all the time. Why does he not stay at home sometimes? I guess it is because he is my supposedly imaginary friend, mostly. When we asked him he said tomorrow he will hang out with Lili no problem.
Next Lili asked where was Tobi last winter, before he came to be here with us. Some interesting question. We couldn’t get an answer for that. He was snoring already. Maybe we find out tomorrow.
Wednesday 13 August 2008
Rain?! Again? How much?
It seems we have been wrong. Tobi feels miserable right now cause he thought that we have it all sorted with the wind. I am trying to cheer him up because we might have good connections to the west but the other directions probably react to this side deal with a bit of discontent.
It was pouring rain all day. Our plan, going to the beach and flying kites was washed away long before we even started considering scraping ourselves together to leave the house. Apart from this minor set back It has been a nice experience receiving loved ones and long seen friends. Lili is so happy to see me after this nearly three weeks that I think I have not spent a minute without her today. At some point in the afternoon I took time out sleeping. Before she got bored she brought some books to read while waiting on me.
Moses was in great joy coming home. He has been a chatter all way home from the airport and has disappeared to Lili’s bedroom and haven’t seen him since yesterday. Tobi is a bit disappointed because at times he would prefer not to be in that room for the amusing amount of things on the floor or floating in mid air but he likes hangin’ out with Moses while the bear likes disappearing into the mess. I guess the two of them have some issues.
The other day, day before yesterday when the advance of the nice Scottish presents were coming, a stormy night, I saw something very interesting but mostly concerning. Couple of hours before the storm The Crows showed up. Late spring they disappear from town and return only for the winter. I guess they never go really far anyway but yesterday they were back with they dry, hoarse cries talking and spreading the news about Winter coming. There was complete panic among their ranks. Tobi and I got shaking knees rather quickly absorbing this and we both tried flying south with the mob which he has managed I nearly fell off the balcony when realising it wont go for me.
Of course after the storm, when I was sleeping cosy in my bed, tucked up and warm Tobi came home soaking and shivering. It was a false alarm. They all went back to their summer houses.
I haven’t seen them today so I guess Winter isn’t coming yet. I am happy about that.
There is a radio play we have been listening to and is fairly interesting I recommend. Click here to hear it.
And for those of you who can hear Hungarian I am getting into Hungarian folk stories a’la Gabor. A story called
Lovaglejto es Sarkanyfalva
Part 1
Part 2
It was pouring rain all day. Our plan, going to the beach and flying kites was washed away long before we even started considering scraping ourselves together to leave the house. Apart from this minor set back It has been a nice experience receiving loved ones and long seen friends. Lili is so happy to see me after this nearly three weeks that I think I have not spent a minute without her today. At some point in the afternoon I took time out sleeping. Before she got bored she brought some books to read while waiting on me.
Moses was in great joy coming home. He has been a chatter all way home from the airport and has disappeared to Lili’s bedroom and haven’t seen him since yesterday. Tobi is a bit disappointed because at times he would prefer not to be in that room for the amusing amount of things on the floor or floating in mid air but he likes hangin’ out with Moses while the bear likes disappearing into the mess. I guess the two of them have some issues.
The other day, day before yesterday when the advance of the nice Scottish presents were coming, a stormy night, I saw something very interesting but mostly concerning. Couple of hours before the storm The Crows showed up. Late spring they disappear from town and return only for the winter. I guess they never go really far anyway but yesterday they were back with they dry, hoarse cries talking and spreading the news about Winter coming. There was complete panic among their ranks. Tobi and I got shaking knees rather quickly absorbing this and we both tried flying south with the mob which he has managed I nearly fell off the balcony when realising it wont go for me.
Of course after the storm, when I was sleeping cosy in my bed, tucked up and warm Tobi came home soaking and shivering. It was a false alarm. They all went back to their summer houses.
I haven’t seen them today so I guess Winter isn’t coming yet. I am happy about that.
There is a radio play we have been listening to and is fairly interesting I recommend. Click here to hear it.
And for those of you who can hear Hungarian I am getting into Hungarian folk stories a’la Gabor. A story called
Lovaglejto es Sarkanyfalva
Part 1
Part 2
Monday 11 August 2008
I think this may just be a very long sentence
It is becoming now a tradition to sing opera at work with Tobi on Mondays. We set out singing a Hungarian Rock-Opera from the eighties, King Stephan which truly is not about a king over a 1000 years back but a cosy up to the communist leader at the time, I mean in the 80s. A very interesting piece and if there are any Hungarian readers out there who wish further details on my interpretations should request it I might take time to give an insight. Tobi today did not stay to finish the singing and the shift with me. Poor thing has missed a nice afternoon sitting in the sun, for a while but shortly without moving there was no more sitting in the sun. although the sun hasn’t moved that much either but the clouds!!! But Tobi missed sharing good company with some friends and… well, there was not much sharing of the beer and cider. Everyone was sticking to their glass vigorously. There was some joking if I have more than 2 drinks after work I might not make it home, so I received a suggestion I should have a sticker on me with the address and maybe a blanket in my backpack if passed out somewhere. It was almost needed as on the way home I already began considering finding a nice spot taking a couple of hour rest before I pedal the remaining 1893 metres home but Tobi saved me. He was so excited that even if at first he almost knocked me off the bike, after that he decided not to swing left and right sitting behind me and he didn’t flap his wings in excitement either, which he normally does when excitedly explaining something.
It all started with his knee. We all have a knee of some sort that is very good with the weather. Probably it has something to do with worn out joints and air pressure. But I am not a witch doctor so lets not get into it. His knee started hurting and he insisted it wasn’t because he accidentally toppled over when stepping in a bucket of cold water and kicking the wall right after, also incidentally trying to stay on his feet. We sometimes really get into this opera stuff you know.
He had some bad suspicion and left to investigate the WEATHER!
Jen and Lili are coming home tomorrow from home, I mean Scotland and you know Scotland. Of course if you haven’t been there you don’t. The last winter I lived there as a goodbye present we had the wettest winter season on records. The summer I left, naturally, was the driest in living memory. This is the precondition. Then the hurting knee… And they are coming.
Once I regained full control of the bike and he managed to come down enough to understand him, for the remaining 367.2 meters home and while waiting for dinner he has explained that there is a present coming from Scotland, being sent over with Jen and Lili and as I am somewhat of a rain good, or some claim so I should expect rain. Supposedly he had a chat with wind, some crazy mumbly kind, he couldn’t really understand but it seems that now we have a truce and they were giving a helping hand to those present clouds.
Consequence: In the afternoon we sat in the sun for a very short time. Those clouds. It is 23.15 and pouring rain. It should only get here around 19.50 tomorrow evening.
Sadly I have somewhat anticipated this from experience. Hereby I apologize to all those who have to share Oulu with me tonight.
Never the less
Thanks for the gift
It all started with his knee. We all have a knee of some sort that is very good with the weather. Probably it has something to do with worn out joints and air pressure. But I am not a witch doctor so lets not get into it. His knee started hurting and he insisted it wasn’t because he accidentally toppled over when stepping in a bucket of cold water and kicking the wall right after, also incidentally trying to stay on his feet. We sometimes really get into this opera stuff you know.
He had some bad suspicion and left to investigate the WEATHER!
Jen and Lili are coming home tomorrow from home, I mean Scotland and you know Scotland. Of course if you haven’t been there you don’t. The last winter I lived there as a goodbye present we had the wettest winter season on records. The summer I left, naturally, was the driest in living memory. This is the precondition. Then the hurting knee… And they are coming.
Once I regained full control of the bike and he managed to come down enough to understand him, for the remaining 367.2 meters home and while waiting for dinner he has explained that there is a present coming from Scotland, being sent over with Jen and Lili and as I am somewhat of a rain good, or some claim so I should expect rain. Supposedly he had a chat with wind, some crazy mumbly kind, he couldn’t really understand but it seems that now we have a truce and they were giving a helping hand to those present clouds.
Consequence: In the afternoon we sat in the sun for a very short time. Those clouds. It is 23.15 and pouring rain. It should only get here around 19.50 tomorrow evening.
Sadly I have somewhat anticipated this from experience. Hereby I apologize to all those who have to share Oulu with me tonight.
Never the less
Thanks for the gift
Sunday 10 August 2008
Traumatic memories that cloud a wonderful cloudless day
My dream, daydream from the other day derives from experiences we have had in Hungary. There is a character now, who has become remembered for us as the Nazi Neighbour. Probably he has not been aware of his Naziness but he is/was never the less.
While there Tobi has not been with us much, he has taken on the habit of sitting on the roof of my mom’s house - where we stayed - because there was a dog, a large dog in the garden of whom, as generally of dogs, Tobi was terrified. To make matters worst, that dog was also called Tobi!!!
So Tobi, not the dog one spent much of the 2 weeks sitting on the roof and taken on the habit of chatting with birds which today fruited some interesting writing while I was sitting in my favourite café but that isn’t my point yet. From the roof that afternoon about three weeks ago, lots of guest, friends, relatives and the Nazi neighbour. Several times Tobi has fallen off the roof… what he has been hearing. The neighbour has had a good afternoon spreading hatred, spitting out terrible thoughts as if he was talking about the weather. Nobody said anything and I have not been going on a holiday to argue but eventually threw the NN out. He and the people around were teaching some nasty things to the kids. Tobi told me later it is probably good that I never learnt to breathe fire. Would have been a sad end to the Nazi Neighbour.
Things have been moving, social standards, limits in the very wrong direction in that country and probably other countries too. People are conformist, none wants to confront people who advocate the idea of excluding (at best, committing genocide against at worst) whole segments of society because they are different. Sad ‘cause in most cases a simple lesson of their own medicine brings a positive change. Three weeks on from the incident the person in question has came forward to my mom, who was the host at the time an apologised for his behaviour and publicising such views as a guest. I guess it is really crap to realise that most people think of someone he is not worthy of their company. Tobi was delighted to hear that, so was I but on this we both are a bit sceptical.
But back to the day, today, getting over some visit to Hungary I must admit that Oulu today was fantastic. The sun was out and it was warm for a change. There was good west wind but my kite was at home but nevertheless there has been a Jazz festival in town. In my favourite café a really nice band played for most of the afternoon. They were pretty cool, I think the youngest in the gang must have been about 65. I had some writing there and Tobi was on the phone a lot, I think maybe to Lili. He didn’t realise what I was doing in the meant time so at long last I managed to sketch him while on the phone. I am happy.
I also been very inspired by the Jazz music and among other writings there is a little bit on the following address
http://half-hour.blogspot.com/
Tobi has been sitting on a rooftop nearby after finishing his chat on the phone and brought back a poem they wrote with a guy he met. He calls himself Raven but to be honest he looked just like an ordinary Corvus Corone to me. Anyway, here is the poem:
MidAugust
Sunday once again
Become dead
Events here This
Is the beginning of the
End. Of summer
While local raven
On rooftop agreeing,
It is time for snow to
Come. Soon it is…
The end
What would you expect from a crow?
By the way, has anyone notice that Georgia has been invaded by Russia over the weekend?
While there Tobi has not been with us much, he has taken on the habit of sitting on the roof of my mom’s house - where we stayed - because there was a dog, a large dog in the garden of whom, as generally of dogs, Tobi was terrified. To make matters worst, that dog was also called Tobi!!!
So Tobi, not the dog one spent much of the 2 weeks sitting on the roof and taken on the habit of chatting with birds which today fruited some interesting writing while I was sitting in my favourite café but that isn’t my point yet. From the roof that afternoon about three weeks ago, lots of guest, friends, relatives and the Nazi neighbour. Several times Tobi has fallen off the roof… what he has been hearing. The neighbour has had a good afternoon spreading hatred, spitting out terrible thoughts as if he was talking about the weather. Nobody said anything and I have not been going on a holiday to argue but eventually threw the NN out. He and the people around were teaching some nasty things to the kids. Tobi told me later it is probably good that I never learnt to breathe fire. Would have been a sad end to the Nazi Neighbour.
Things have been moving, social standards, limits in the very wrong direction in that country and probably other countries too. People are conformist, none wants to confront people who advocate the idea of excluding (at best, committing genocide against at worst) whole segments of society because they are different. Sad ‘cause in most cases a simple lesson of their own medicine brings a positive change. Three weeks on from the incident the person in question has came forward to my mom, who was the host at the time an apologised for his behaviour and publicising such views as a guest. I guess it is really crap to realise that most people think of someone he is not worthy of their company. Tobi was delighted to hear that, so was I but on this we both are a bit sceptical.
But back to the day, today, getting over some visit to Hungary I must admit that Oulu today was fantastic. The sun was out and it was warm for a change. There was good west wind but my kite was at home but nevertheless there has been a Jazz festival in town. In my favourite café a really nice band played for most of the afternoon. They were pretty cool, I think the youngest in the gang must have been about 65. I had some writing there and Tobi was on the phone a lot, I think maybe to Lili. He didn’t realise what I was doing in the meant time so at long last I managed to sketch him while on the phone. I am happy.
I also been very inspired by the Jazz music and among other writings there is a little bit on the following address
http://half-hour.blogspot.com/
Tobi has been sitting on a rooftop nearby after finishing his chat on the phone and brought back a poem they wrote with a guy he met. He calls himself Raven but to be honest he looked just like an ordinary Corvus Corone to me. Anyway, here is the poem:
MidAugust
Sunday once again
Become dead
Events here This
Is the beginning of the
End. Of summer
While local raven
On rooftop agreeing,
It is time for snow to
Come. Soon it is…
The end
What would you expect from a crow?
By the way, has anyone notice that Georgia has been invaded by Russia over the weekend?
Saturday 9 August 2008
Fantastic Day
I or maybe we have or had a fantastic day yesterday. I certainly did. Today so far has been pretty much rubbish but yesterday was great. Really tireing though.
I have been on a rally. There has been a great many of people. Some have estimated the numbers well over half a million. As one of the main organisers this has caused me an amazing joy. I was nearly in tears for most of the day. It was an Anti-violence rally you know. Anti violence and pro-tolerance on the day that has showed so much trouble and shame to us in Hungary for many years. But this day it was different. Gay pride the day was but that parade has almost completely lost in the crowd of sympathizers and people who were just there for showing they have had enough and were retaking the public place for civilized, dialogue centred life.
Budapest has never seen so many people all at once on its street celebrating their life together as a society, a country full of people who took pride in being different from one an other. A blow against racism and all kind of ‘phobias’ that really are just racist attitudes and of course a blow against the view that an opponent in the public domain is also an enemy.
There was no trouble, the police and other organizations trusted with security were relived and happy for they had little to do that day. All it appeared of course they were busy but not with violence. Maybe preventing it but mostly just providing logistic assistance.
The speeches were… well…
I should recount them here but that would not be fair. It’s kind of you had to be there thing.
One of the best days of my, our lives. But unfortunately my shift has ended, I finished work and I had to step trough that door back to present day, to this reality. But it has been a nice day. In some thoughts it is frightening when one’s job allows a person to become a complete automaton, a mindless machine while the mind can completely detach itself from the body’s experience.
Tobi is back and he says it as all sorted now with the wind. I will test that tomorrow. Fingers crossed. I might fly a kite. Probably less exhausting that that magnificent rally on Budapest.
I have been on a rally. There has been a great many of people. Some have estimated the numbers well over half a million. As one of the main organisers this has caused me an amazing joy. I was nearly in tears for most of the day. It was an Anti-violence rally you know. Anti violence and pro-tolerance on the day that has showed so much trouble and shame to us in Hungary for many years. But this day it was different. Gay pride the day was but that parade has almost completely lost in the crowd of sympathizers and people who were just there for showing they have had enough and were retaking the public place for civilized, dialogue centred life.
Budapest has never seen so many people all at once on its street celebrating their life together as a society, a country full of people who took pride in being different from one an other. A blow against racism and all kind of ‘phobias’ that really are just racist attitudes and of course a blow against the view that an opponent in the public domain is also an enemy.
There was no trouble, the police and other organizations trusted with security were relived and happy for they had little to do that day. All it appeared of course they were busy but not with violence. Maybe preventing it but mostly just providing logistic assistance.
The speeches were… well…
I should recount them here but that would not be fair. It’s kind of you had to be there thing.
One of the best days of my, our lives. But unfortunately my shift has ended, I finished work and I had to step trough that door back to present day, to this reality. But it has been a nice day. In some thoughts it is frightening when one’s job allows a person to become a complete automaton, a mindless machine while the mind can completely detach itself from the body’s experience.
Tobi is back and he says it as all sorted now with the wind. I will test that tomorrow. Fingers crossed. I might fly a kite. Probably less exhausting that that magnificent rally on Budapest.
Thursday 7 August 2008
That nasty wind!
Tobi has decided on becoming an expert in wind. He will learn talking to it and everything. Now he is away consulting with some weather forecast scientists maybe they can give him a head start. This idea came from my problems with wind you see, he is trying to help.
But to my disappointment at this moment it is making matters worst. We kept each other company for the last couple of weeks, the house is otherwise empty apart from the fishy fish. And now he is gone too. it’s a shame because this morning he has got his burping skills back. He drank so much water till he nearly drown himself - you see he is a fire breathing, well, spitting dragon so water down throat not too good. But he burped and hasn’t stopped till he left. That was sometimes in the afternoon. Getting home, steady west wind. That means wind from the see and usually that is steady. Good wind for flying and not even as cold as the north wind. But I haven’t had my kite with me today and remembering a previous occasion when the string got around his neck Tobi didn’t want to stand in for the kite. Which didn’t matter as I haven’t happened to have 20m string with me without the kite. After this and a cup of coffee he took off.
Tomorrow when I take my kite there will be no wind, or north wind, or there will be wind till I get to a good spot. Happened this week. We went out to the beach, I saw a guy flying a kite with a couple of kids. I finish my coffee, Tobi finishes his ice cream, we set up the kite, ready, stead… and the other guy’s kite just fell out of the sky. We waited for about half hour, tried but eventually gave up, packed and got on the bike. Wind picked up immediately. North wind. This has happened several times this past week or two actually. Hence the argument or something like that.
I never new before I had a thing with the wind. Tobi doesn’t seem to be surprised. But I don’t know about his approach. I don’t want to talk down on science but I don’t think weather forecast has managed to talk with the wind yet, maybe predict it. They say it has something to do with air pressure and temperature. I am not sure. Sounds too serious to be sane. Maybe we should sort it out over a cup of tea or something.
Hungary! I promised.
A short episode and maybe we keep it in drips and drops. Too much to handle on one go. Big country you know.
We spent a day with some friends in a garden close to the Danube not far from Budapest. Nice day, nice evening with fire going and good wine pouring down our throats. At one point in the evening a Dragon, normal, full size kidnapping princesses kind of dragon and a Knight, a real knight wearing proper armour, I think it was StGeorge make but probably only assembled in Europe otherwise made in China, so these 2 pretty much hand in hand show up happy and snappy an’ took all our wine! Unbelievable! Although when talking about this episode with the others next morning I have received mixed messages. They said something about wine not taken but drunk and I realised that my memory is a bit blurry regarding that actually windy and dark night around the fire.
Don’t know. Tobi wasn’t there to tell me what really happened. He kept away from most of our holidays there. Thanks to a Dog also called Tobi.
But that is a tale for tomorrow.
When I figure how and where to post Audio, I will be posting some stuff. Help!
There are still the other blogs, there has been some life there:
http://half-hour.blogspot.com/
http://honouring-wolf.blogspot.com/
But to my disappointment at this moment it is making matters worst. We kept each other company for the last couple of weeks, the house is otherwise empty apart from the fishy fish. And now he is gone too. it’s a shame because this morning he has got his burping skills back. He drank so much water till he nearly drown himself - you see he is a fire breathing, well, spitting dragon so water down throat not too good. But he burped and hasn’t stopped till he left. That was sometimes in the afternoon. Getting home, steady west wind. That means wind from the see and usually that is steady. Good wind for flying and not even as cold as the north wind. But I haven’t had my kite with me today and remembering a previous occasion when the string got around his neck Tobi didn’t want to stand in for the kite. Which didn’t matter as I haven’t happened to have 20m string with me without the kite. After this and a cup of coffee he took off.
Tomorrow when I take my kite there will be no wind, or north wind, or there will be wind till I get to a good spot. Happened this week. We went out to the beach, I saw a guy flying a kite with a couple of kids. I finish my coffee, Tobi finishes his ice cream, we set up the kite, ready, stead… and the other guy’s kite just fell out of the sky. We waited for about half hour, tried but eventually gave up, packed and got on the bike. Wind picked up immediately. North wind. This has happened several times this past week or two actually. Hence the argument or something like that.
I never new before I had a thing with the wind. Tobi doesn’t seem to be surprised. But I don’t know about his approach. I don’t want to talk down on science but I don’t think weather forecast has managed to talk with the wind yet, maybe predict it. They say it has something to do with air pressure and temperature. I am not sure. Sounds too serious to be sane. Maybe we should sort it out over a cup of tea or something.
Hungary! I promised.
A short episode and maybe we keep it in drips and drops. Too much to handle on one go. Big country you know.
We spent a day with some friends in a garden close to the Danube not far from Budapest. Nice day, nice evening with fire going and good wine pouring down our throats. At one point in the evening a Dragon, normal, full size kidnapping princesses kind of dragon and a Knight, a real knight wearing proper armour, I think it was StGeorge make but probably only assembled in Europe otherwise made in China, so these 2 pretty much hand in hand show up happy and snappy an’ took all our wine! Unbelievable! Although when talking about this episode with the others next morning I have received mixed messages. They said something about wine not taken but drunk and I realised that my memory is a bit blurry regarding that actually windy and dark night around the fire.
Don’t know. Tobi wasn’t there to tell me what really happened. He kept away from most of our holidays there. Thanks to a Dog also called Tobi.
But that is a tale for tomorrow.
When I figure how and where to post Audio, I will be posting some stuff. Help!
There are still the other blogs, there has been some life there:
http://half-hour.blogspot.com/
http://honouring-wolf.blogspot.com/
Wednesday 6 August 2008
After a summer - or they say so
Late spring, early summer we, Tobi, the rest of the family, the ‘gang’ and I anxiously awaited summer. I am afraid we weren’t paying attention because we have possibly missed it altogether. If it has been at all. Now we are raising bets with Tobi if it will snow before the end of this months or maybe some other time. Early September or something. It looks bleak, cold and long - even longer than before - winter. So we will have plenty of time to write into this blog.
Fish are singing happily to hear that but I still cant read lips. Neither can Tobi although it doesn’t stop him from trying, or just singing about anything coming to his mind. We played opera on Monday at work. It is good to be alone where none can hear us. One can do anything. Kind of fun and I am glad that I like it because it seems that I will be there a little bit longer. (little bit heh?). Some English speaking Day Cares here in Oulu looking for teachers, one of them also for assistants. No chance for the Teacher (man in charge) positions, apparently I miss some crucial qualifications and experience but I am a little bit concerned it may only be a polite way of saying I should have been born with a British passport, or more preferably, learn English from my mom. I am also not qualified to work as an assistant. But if I went on benefits, through a work programme designed to help unemployed people getting work experience they could apparently employ me. Of course they wont have to pay anything because the state would, benefits, not wages. I went down to the office anyway, just to ask their opinion on it, curiosity. While waiting I met an engineer from Eritrea. He had a job back home at the Uni. Kind a educated fellow. Been here 5 years, no job, in the office every few months for a stamp waiting for an hour. They do a lot for him. He was ranting a lot. Tobi insisted we tell him about the fires to be picked up from Hungary but I resisted. I think he shouldn’t get some, might be dangerous although don’t get me wrong. I understand his frustration.
The lady at the office told me that this particular employer is just trying to use both the state and me with her offer. Appreciated. I fear maybe I shouldn’t write about this because what if they read and I wont get the job for that but hello! I haven’t got the job anyway and just like in Hungary, I guess there is a point one has to point out racism and xenophobia. So here we go. While Tobi is dancing with joy; his ancestors you know are dragons of the fighting, princess kidnapping kinds. He still gets entertained by conflict.
His ancestors although have been kidnapping princesses types they were nice fellows. Of course the parents and the knights hoping for half kingdoms and fixed marriages on rescue never understood their motives. But I guess the beneficiaries of the establishment, such as kings and stuff are always interested in maintaining the status quoi. As Tobi insisting, rather persistently, chewing on shoulder of mine while sitting on my head that - he got off realising I am writing this - so that they - dragons - were interested in re-educating these ladies, teaching them about the miseries their privileged social status caused to ordinary people. None of them got ever eaten, apart from some during the great cat famine of southeast Asia. But that was way back. And you know the verdict that is also popular today: you educate a woman you educate a whole family!
So yeas, we are back. Tomorrow I will tell about the fantastic experiences we had amongst the loving and tolerant people of the country I still am a citizen of.
Tobi by the way forgot how to burp. Really weird. The house is just silent. Or so it feels.
Some other postings…
http://half-hour.blogspot.com/
http://honouring-wolf.blogspot.com/
Fish are singing happily to hear that but I still cant read lips. Neither can Tobi although it doesn’t stop him from trying, or just singing about anything coming to his mind. We played opera on Monday at work. It is good to be alone where none can hear us. One can do anything. Kind of fun and I am glad that I like it because it seems that I will be there a little bit longer. (little bit heh?). Some English speaking Day Cares here in Oulu looking for teachers, one of them also for assistants. No chance for the Teacher (man in charge) positions, apparently I miss some crucial qualifications and experience but I am a little bit concerned it may only be a polite way of saying I should have been born with a British passport, or more preferably, learn English from my mom. I am also not qualified to work as an assistant. But if I went on benefits, through a work programme designed to help unemployed people getting work experience they could apparently employ me. Of course they wont have to pay anything because the state would, benefits, not wages. I went down to the office anyway, just to ask their opinion on it, curiosity. While waiting I met an engineer from Eritrea. He had a job back home at the Uni. Kind a educated fellow. Been here 5 years, no job, in the office every few months for a stamp waiting for an hour. They do a lot for him. He was ranting a lot. Tobi insisted we tell him about the fires to be picked up from Hungary but I resisted. I think he shouldn’t get some, might be dangerous although don’t get me wrong. I understand his frustration.
The lady at the office told me that this particular employer is just trying to use both the state and me with her offer. Appreciated. I fear maybe I shouldn’t write about this because what if they read and I wont get the job for that but hello! I haven’t got the job anyway and just like in Hungary, I guess there is a point one has to point out racism and xenophobia. So here we go. While Tobi is dancing with joy; his ancestors you know are dragons of the fighting, princess kidnapping kinds. He still gets entertained by conflict.
His ancestors although have been kidnapping princesses types they were nice fellows. Of course the parents and the knights hoping for half kingdoms and fixed marriages on rescue never understood their motives. But I guess the beneficiaries of the establishment, such as kings and stuff are always interested in maintaining the status quoi. As Tobi insisting, rather persistently, chewing on shoulder of mine while sitting on my head that - he got off realising I am writing this - so that they - dragons - were interested in re-educating these ladies, teaching them about the miseries their privileged social status caused to ordinary people. None of them got ever eaten, apart from some during the great cat famine of southeast Asia. But that was way back. And you know the verdict that is also popular today: you educate a woman you educate a whole family!
So yeas, we are back. Tomorrow I will tell about the fantastic experiences we had amongst the loving and tolerant people of the country I still am a citizen of.
Tobi by the way forgot how to burp. Really weird. The house is just silent. Or so it feels.
Some other postings…
http://half-hour.blogspot.com/
http://honouring-wolf.blogspot.com/
Tuesday 5 August 2008
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