Indeed, this summer has been all about the city. I've finally managed to collect almost every single one of those 720 interviews I was supposed to but it doesn't make me as happy as I wish it did; no matter how much I would like to grab hold of these days, they won't last.

In a way I feel like this was the last summer. Next year I've got to make some important decisions that may possibly change my directions in life. And yes, I am nervous and frightened as hell but above all my mood's somewhat melancholic. There's no going backwards.

Maybe I'd better do exactly what my dad has predicted: wandering from one place to another as an idle artist with no objectives may cause confusion and trouble but it may also become my thing.

I've got to admit that despite the incomprehensible milieu and the fact that some unknown DJ played Brass Monkey by Beastie Boys but the legend himself didn't - shame on him - I did enjoy all the dancing for a while.

Nevertheless, Etelä-Haaga at 5 am this morning was way more impressive than Grandmaster Flash. Surrounded by fog and humming to this Placebo song I made my way home and ended up having difficulties with the lock that had somehow swelled because of all the heat. I felt like a burglar, trying to break in my own apartment and not to wake up the whole family.

I'm laying on the floor in an empty office, surrounded by shitloads of folders that have something to do with hands-on museums. I've only got two or three days of work left but I don't feel like doing the job. Besides, it took me forever to get here: instead of interviewing customers I found myself shopping records downtown.

Luckily tonight it's time for Grandmaster Flash at Tivoli and some pre- and afterpartying with great company. It's gonna be grand (I hope).

PS Let's not forget the past two days - this describes perfectly what I've been doing:

Tokoinranta, Neljäs linja and Café Java have been places to be recently. As I arrived home Thursday evening I heard someone snoring in the stairway of my house. I suppose the poor guy was trying to escape the evenings that are slowly getting darker and colder.

The past week briefly represented:

Yet there is one exception; yesterday we spent two hours driving around in search of Box. Our next road trip may or may not lead us in Berlin but at least it will be definitely worth carrying out with the company I had some 27 hours ago. It'll be worth a song, too:

I've spent four nights in a row with a very special one.
Before that I shared a tiny cottage with my sisters.
Now I'm home alone and not going to turn the lights off until I really have to.

On Wednesday I got in touch with boating for the first time since 2001, Lake Michigan and, to my surprise, enjoyed it a great deal.

On Thursday Gotan Project performed at Pori Jazz. Unfortunately I had to cope with the studio versions:

When arriving home from somewhere far away I use to sing to this. The same old story at the railway station on Friday (take me home to where my records are):

Night on Earth, en francais Une nuit sur la terre, est un film dramatique realisé par Jim Jarmusch est sorti en 1991. Il consiste en cinq séquences en différents lieux de la Terre : à Los Angeles, à New York, à Paris, à Rome et, finalement, à Helsinki.

Last year I made a French presentation that concerned one of my favourite films. Saturday night I watched Night on Earth once again.

On Sunday Emily Haines made my heart beat faster.

Today



I was listening to Rubik while trying to catch the train; I managed and ended up sitting next to this awfully cute young couple. Their excitement and shyness made me think about the time when I was in their position.

Back then Rubik was one of my favourite bands. Back then I was slowly getting in touch with the one that was waiting for me when I arrived home today.

I'm going to take a small break on a deserted island with seagulls, psychology books and my insane but oh so lovely family.

While looking after my friend's little sister and watching Pedro Almodóvar's Volver I suddenly felt a need to finally improve my Spanish skills.

Yesterday I met some Spanish gentlemen at my work and couldn't say a word in their language. Now that's what I call pathetic.

Eyes wide shut is probably one of the oddest movies I've seen in the past few months and the person I've got here beside me is definitely the best one I've met in the past years.

We're singing along to this

and I really really really hope that we'll stay this way.

Right now my friends are dancing to this:

Oh how I wish I was there. Besides, how are Gimli and Legolas able to function without Elrond around?

you get sadder
the smarter you get

Sadly enough I do believe it's true.

Here we go again! Consider this as compensation for the past ten days.

Singing along, dancing in the front (or at least second) rows and getting tired and irritated and paranoid and fed up but on the other hand very happy have been the key words recently.

Tuesday, July 6:

Wednesday, July 7:

Thursday, July 8:

Friday, July 9:

Saturday, July 10:

Sunday, July 11:

Monday, July 12:

Tuesday, July 13:

Wednesday, July 14:

And finally Thursday, July 15:

These are crazy days but they make me shine

Payday today!!! I've been penniless for way too long.

I may only quote Mr Berninger here:

I'll get money, I'll get funny again.


A small break from the city and this blog ahead; for a few days I'm going to hide in the middle of nowhere. As far as I'm concerned my absence will include some records from the 80s, lively discussions and idleness. More songs to come later on!

I'm going to reveal a secret:


I'm scared of growing up.

On my 18th birthday, the 1st of May, I saw PMMP on stage. When they played this song I started crying uncontrollably and kept on for quite a while.

I'm also very excited about the forthcoming years, but sometimes this feeling just hits me and grabs hold of me so hard I cannot help it.

Today one of my dearest friends came back from Belgium and I met her for the first time in almost 12 months!
Before the meeting I was excited and oh so nervous, afterwards I couldn't stop smiling.

...oh no no, during her stay I haven't bothered with the local girls.

Graham Parker's so lovely.

Today was like a rollercoaster. My throat is sore because of all the loving and laughing and yelling and crying and messing up and becoming happy again.

Today I've been thinking about love.

This song and Haruki Murakami's novel South of the Border, West of the Sun I finished a while ago have filled my head and heart.
Such a shame I accidentally passed my beloved one this stupid flu - I'd really like to have him here with me to share my feelings.

My aim is true

They're coming here!

I'd like to have them here tonight already, not on the 18th of November. I need some action now. I also need to get better now.

A friend of mine had a fantastic idea as we were talking on the phone: an indie-beach! No Britney Spears in the loudspeakers. No hooker-look-a-likes around. And awkwardly pale skin (such as mine) wouldn't be a problem. What a silly, corny and absolutely wonderful idea!

So it's 25 degrees outside and my body temperature's 38 degrees. I'm eating ice cream and watching football all alone.

My body is literally a cage today (as it was yesterday, too; Arcade Fire was performing 5 kilometres from my home and I had to stay in bed).

Last night Sini called me names: "You're always such a lady!"
It made me feel quite good. It also reminded me of this masterpiece:

And we accidentally made the whole club sing Happy Birthday and that was great.

And now I'm having a flu which isn't funny because a) I cannot practically speak, b) I cannot go to work to earn money, c) I cannot put the plans I've made into practice, and d) it makes me behave like an idiot.

And - this is official now - I am an idiot. I hope the one I let down today is reading this: I could make a million more of those paper planes to make you happier now.

Another party ahead tonight; a dear friend I've known for years and years is coming of age!
The problem is that I strongly assume that our taste in clubs differs sliiightly too much: club YK would do for me, Butterfly (oh my oh my) wouldn't. Gotta wait and see.

Luckily my day has already been saved: me and my dearest dearest dear had coffee in my grandparents' house and then rode our bikes 17 kilometres back to this city of ours and although I quickly found out that my legs are quite a useless piece of shit these days I enjoyed the adventure freakin' much!

Just read another article about Jack White. Once again I got way too inspired and excited and now I probably want to meet him and ask him to perform "Let's be friends" and to make some music with me. Actually I would very much like to ask him to marry me.

This one's my favourite White Stripes song of all time:

But here's the thing: this morning I woke up so perfectly, entirely, extremely happy that maybe I'd better let the things stay the way they are.
And Mrs Karen Elson White may stay where she is without a worry.

Last night I attended a party at my old classmate's place. It had been ages since I last had fun with him - back in 2007 we used to dance to this:

"This feels like such great regression with you guys around" and I had to agree with that. Except for a few unfamiliar faces nothing much had changed; the sunset above the Kaisaniemi Park was as fascinating as ever, laying down on the most comfortable bed was still strictly forbidden and some vague plans of creating groundbreaking street performance were made. It also turned out that time after time some of us will remain those crazy ones that climb on the rooftops when the 10th floor isn't enough.

Somehow all this made me feel quite secure - it seems that, against all my expectations, the times they aren't a-changin that much. Bizarre.