Aging in style

I love products that age with style.
In fact I might not be the most careful user of products, since I want them to look that they've been used. Especially outdoor gear looks a bit newbie if it's brand new.

When I unscrewed these worn lock pedals I felt slightly sad, but on the other hand happy to be able to look what they've gone through.

If you try to find a material that ages with style - go with aluminum, but be careful not to overdo the finish since the phase between glossy surface and worn out style might be nasty.

Photo albums ease of use

So far I have been force to use Flickr web albums because of its appealing simple looks and UI. When lookin photos, you don't want anything extra to bee visible. Difference between Picasa and Flickr is evident at least to my eyes.

Not that selection of webgallery for an Average Joe would be based on one single interaction, but still this is something to consider: In my default PC viewer(IrfanView) next picture is selected by simply using arrow keys. Also Facebook and Picasa has the same functionality. When using Flickr I have to use my mouse to click a small thumbnail to get next picture..
-So of to Picasa I go, thaks for great time Flickr. Disadvantages in this change are the looks and complexity of Picasa but advantages are simple and intuitive use and the fact that now I have all my stuff behind one Google account :)

New Topic - Favorites

With this post I'm launching a new Topic to the right hand side menu.
Favorites will include many items from highlights but present more clearly my favorites.

In this case I want to recon that despite the somewhat artificial taste of Rainbow Strawberry jam, it's the best jam I've ever used on my delicate pancakes!

Christmas came again

Now I see the reason for the americans calling this a holiday Season.. Slightly before christmas I bought the best rally game available (and possibly ever made) Sega Rally and the christmas was early. (for X360 Colin McRay rally is available only as Dirt - waste of money I would say)
But, using those tiny controller sticks but an idea of force feedback wheel into my head. And I just had to go to the city..

The force feedback wheel makes the steering much harder, especially correction moves need much more effort and speed compared to sticks. But who said driving a WRC would be an easy job. Luckily I'm steadily gaining my usual speed back. -Great purchase!

Also I started a modification work on the controller. Despite the plasticy feeling the designers have done fairly good job on the usability and ergonomics side. You can hold wheel in your lap or on top of the stool or even attach it securely to the table. -How ever it could be smaller, and it could provide some features to make it conveniently storable.
-My choise seems to rely on removing excess plastic parts and turning one Ikea stool into a small WRC cockpit ;)

Creating value out of thin air

Not that I have anything against washing my hands with normal soaps, but this foam stuff provided by Lindström makes me choose my coffee places according to it's availability!

The foam form also decreases it's consumption and impact to the nature.
Unfortunately the positive green effect is on later builds destroyed by removing the mechanical lever and making the container battery powered.

Trend of adding more and more electronics and batteries to simple gadgets is really unfortunate and saddening. The more sustainable way would be to make robust enough constructions and provide good aftersales support.

Perfect combination - Tsokka

Sometimes nature and technology create a perfection.
Tsokka, Pyhä.

I have to say that Tsokka is a refreshing exception on the Lappish service scene. (Not the typical ripping your money on your holiday) Really good food, great selection of drinks and dedicated staff.

Hating wet weather - no wonder!

Found one possible reason for me hating these current wet weathers.
My dear old boots seem to be in the end of their journey. These boots have walked on Copacabana, hiked on the Scotland highland, been carried on a tray by security woman in Tokyo airport and in almost every other place I've been in last 7 years -year around.
Since I'm from Laihia, I should understand that these are still in perfectly good shape othervice than the soles, and repair these or at least start using these only on dry weather. Or propose these to the Museum of stingyness in Laihia, where there's bunch of interesting items that has been used to the very end. But these are bit too normal for the museum, so I'll drop them to the bin with good consciousness. But for certain, my next boots will also be made by Jalas!

Feeling Lappish

Services doesn't always have to appear perfect, as long as they deliver their offerings in honest manner.
Example of little things one starts to take for granted is Teboil in Peura. This morning on a way from Rovaniemi to Oulu I felt pride to be that much of a local to know the perfect place for a pancake and coffee :)

Church bells of Konevitsa monastry

I found today an forgotten gem from my favorites, and started to share the story to my foreign friend:

The gem was Church bells of Konevitsa by Piirpauke. -The melody literally comes from the church bells: At the time when lake Laatokka still was part of Finland, there were some musicants living around the lake. And at still summer evenings they could hear the bells from monestary of Konevitsa island. Musicants started to follow the sound by Kantele and turned it into a folkmusic.

And pretty well it came out even on modernized(1975;) version. -At least I can really easily picture the lake shore while listening..

Even more modern version is made by Finnish metal band, Sentenced on 2002.

KYN - Kauppakorkeakoulun Ylioppilaskunnan Naislaulajat

When I was driving around eysterday, I popped into church of Kaleva in Tampere. As you can see in the picture, there was a group of people in the front. -At some point they organized themselves and started to sing..
-I was the only person listening when 30 young energetic women sang 'Tulisit' (would you come). I couldn't help smiling .. a lot =)
Later that afternoon I had to go to see KYN's real performance in Tampere talo, where Tampere Vocal music festival was taking place.
-Now just have to order a cd from them ;D

Dizewars

Pertti introduced me a great game - unfortunately..
Dizewars it is.

Export of rare goods

*edit* *edit* Added and updated links to You tube - click the titles

25/12/06
It Came!!!
Not the snow, but Rare exports Inc. -The best present what I can have! And tomorrow the second part: The official safety instructions 00.15-00.25 on channel four.

"Rare Exports Inc.
Alunperin mainostuotantoyhtiön asiakkaille joululahjaksi tehty lyhytelokuva, josta tuli kansainvälinen huippumenestys. Rare Exports Inc. on kuvitteellinen yritysesittely firmasta, joka tekee vaarallisista luonnonvaraisista joulupukeista haluttua kansainvälistä kauppatavaraa, kilttejä ostoskeskuspukkeja.

Rare Exports Inc. - The Official Safety Instructions
Rare Exports Inc.:n jatko-osassa joulupukkien toimitusfirma neuvoo, miten hurjaluonteisia ja koulimattomia joulupukkeja pitää käsitellä.
Pääosissa Jorma Tommila, Tommi Korpela, Tazu Ovaska ja Otso Tarkela. Ohjaus Jalmari Helander."
Lainaus: www.telkku.com


22/12/06
I thought that I have no more to say, but going through what TV is offering on holidays, I had to ask:
Does anybody know anything about a short movie called Export of rare goods? -Please ask your friends too.. =)
Movie naturally tells about Santa, and is partly filmed in Kemi harbour. Last christmas it was on TV, and I hoped it would have become a new legend of christmas.

Varjo Galleria - Artist Safaris

For the people in Rovaniemi, there's a fine exhibition on display at Varjo Galleria.- The most interesting gallery I've seen. From the webpage you can find also previous exhibitions.













"ARTISTS SAFARIS" is an exhibition of art around the Lapland, installed in a christmas-sale looking way. Display is open until the end of the year. -If you don't have the chance of getting in for a cup of coffee, at least take a peek from a window where you can see unbelievable fine chickens by Iitu Ranta made out of pieces of old bottles. (Too bad that the structure isn't so lively in photos as in real life..

Wii

I haven't have so clear feeling of joy for a long time, what I had yesterday with Antti's Wii game console!
What makes Wii so special is the user interface what it is using. There's just a stick in your hand, and it can be Anything from bowling ball to fists.
Especially I enjoyed when it was a tennis racket. -It was so great when the ball got the speed, direction and spin according how I hit the incoming ball =D And I got warm and now my hand is aching.. ;) This is how gaming should be!

I have to appreciate Nintendo in several ways.
-The UI is really marvellous, it gives instant joy to who ever tries it. And they made it work, unlike Microsoft with sidewinder.
-They had the guts to do move from the safe environment of console playing to world of sports accidents and muscular problems. Common sence says that this is good move. But what will happen in American courts will be other thing..
-For using old technology on the game console. While other consoles (including Sony's PS3) are adding more power and technology, Wii turns the profit curve up also on old technolgy and old games.

Grill food and black christmas

Our project ended today, and to finalize it, we went for a beer. -A little afternood tipsy has always a brisky effect.. (feeling sorry for the one who had to catch a flight ;)
Walking back from town I stopped by at Alakunnaksen Grilli. -They actually make a second best pita-kebab in finland. The first place is still hold by Manse kebab. (possibly because of the rareness of the experience)

In general, grill workers are really under appreciated in their profession. Today the girl behind the counter was new, so I was a bit worried. Luckily she pulled out the kebab better than most of the older workers could have done. -Grill food is a skill demanding task. -Seriously!

And a weather report from Arctic circle: No snow. Friction for the Santas sledge to take of is too high. -You should get ready for a presentless christmas. And seriously think about your consuming, or this becomes a normal situation..