I had this massive brainwave over the past 6 hours - I want to do a show at comedy festival. hehe. I want to do a show about my Eurovision obsession.

I'm not in any way proclaiming I'm a comedian. Far from it. But I believe there's plenty of unintentional comedy in discussing Eurovision and my obsession and its history.

Seriously. I'm thinking this could work.
I always thought it would be awesome to do my own show at comedy festival, but I just can't imagine myself writing 'jokes'. Storytelling I can do. I have heaps of stories. I love telling my stories.

I want to take video footage in Moscow now. I want to show the world Eurovision outside of just the broadcast. To do this, I might have to apply for accreditation. If I say I'm writing a show about my obsession of Eurovision for Melbourne Comedy Festival 2010...?

What brought it on was peoples reaction to my story of going to Eurovision this year at Bens farewell yesterday. Initially people ridicule you for going, but after 5 mins they all admit they adore the show and watch it every year, and about 10 mins into the conversation they actually think going to Eurovision would be awesome. Its a wonderful celebration of kitsch - a guilty pleasure, something that will be the best party ever to attend. Yes, they all said I was obsessed during the conversation (what with my knowledge of it), but they all thought it was a fantastic holiday idea and told me they'd be keen to hear what its like on my return.

heyyyy, any of my musical friends out there want to write a song?

Its official - Asiavision is starting this year. Australia is going to be in it (SBS should be announcing its involvement very soon). Apparently the national finals will be sometime between July and October, and the Asian Final is in November.

Basically its like Eurovision. Except its localised and Australia will be in it. The official languages of Asiavision will be Mandarin and English. Don't know where the final will be held, but the rumour is Singapore.

If you fancy prizemoney, being onstage in a massive arena or writing a song for it, and getting a free trip, lets write a song!!!!
(the more dodgy the pop punk feel of it, the better).

Dom, if its in Singapore, I'll come visit you in Malaysia whilst I'm over.

And in other related news - my Eurovision promise for this year. I'd really really like to see Norway win. If they do though, I dont believe I could afford to go next year. I have a feeling Azerbaijan are the other big chance, but its ridiculously hard to get to.
So... if one of the following countries win instead, I will go to Eurovision 2010 -
Spain, Greece, Malta, Turkey
(as well as my normal favourite countries to visit - Germany and UK).

I made the decision of those based on the fact they are affordable and easy countries to get to. I chose them because I havent been down to the Mediterranean yet on my travels (apart from Italy), but I'd love an extra excuse to go. I think they all have very high chances of winning. All of them are ranked as top 10 chances already.

If I do go 2010, the holiday will be about cruising the Islands after Eurovision and maybe doing a cooking course somewhere. I'd love to learn more Greek and Turkish dishes. Lots of great vegie meals to eat there. oooh, and I would like to go to Pompeii... still havent been there.

In 2011, I might aim to do the Balkans... Romania, Moldova, Ukraine etc. By then hopefully the visas won't be needed.

ohmigod, losing it - it has been confirmed, the opening night party on the 10th is the 'Legends of Eurovision' concert. YAY RUSLANA! They are saying there are two venues for the party. I imagine the legends will perform at both, but they are saying that there are 2 venues mainly because in Russia during May "the weather can be unstable".

Either way, YES!

I'm gonna have a massive first night in Moscow.

The official clips and versions of songs for Eurovision are starting to be released as the closing date for song submission was 16th March. I think we may have underrated the Albanian act as she's a fantastic singer and the song is now in English. She still can't dance but apparently they have got her Kalomira's (last years Greek entry who came 3rd) choreographer, so that should do wonders for her performance.
I think people are also underrating the Ukrainian act. Its rather sensational with its bondage imagery, but the song is catchy 'baby, baby, you're so fine. be my, be my valentine'. I expect it to do quite well because I know that Ukraine invests heaps to give the best performances

Things are starting to filter through about the Eurovision shows.

Apparently at the final, the interval will be a 'winter wonderland'. Some talk of fake snow on the audience.

The opening act at the final is Dima Bilan doing 'Believe' again, but he'll be flying over us on wires. They are putting a ice on the stage for an ice skating spectacular too.

As for the opening Eurovision party, it is rumoured to be hosted on 10th May in the Red Square. THAT WILL BE AMAZING!

The Euroclub is meant to be in the exhibition centre about 5 mins walk from Red Square.

And then finally, I've heard that as part of the party (dont know if they mean opening or closing party) there will be a 'History of Eurovision' concert with some of the past winners performing including my beloved and favourite Ruslana (Ukraine 2004), Marija (Serbia 2007), Helena (Greece 2005), and Dana International (Israel 1998). If that happens, I think I might wet myself at the concert out of excitement.

just woke up again to read the latest on the ticketing saga. It appears that the website didnt work anywhere but Russia this morning meaning that no-one outside of Russia got a ticket to the final. Well, how are they going to explain that? Hmm? What are the EBU doing about this?

I mean, I'm relieved that us fanclub members got tickets already, but this is ridiculous.

The website is 'working' now, but after going in and trying to book another rehearsal ticket it appears that all the instructions after selecting a seat are conveniently in Russian! I havent a clue what I'm doing on it. I put the online translator thingy on and it didnt come up with any payment stuff, it says to click 'my orders' (which doesnt work) to pay. So I can only see that this is an utter farce.

People who have rung the phone line for tickets from outside Russia have said that it goes to onhold music for about 15 mins and then hangs up on you. So no-one is getting tix that way either.

Its starting to get quite obvious that most tickets will be sold on the black market to European fans at a far higher price.

In some good news, they have moved the opening ceremony/party from the 9th May to the 10th May which means I'll be there for it now. It apparently is to be held on Red Square, which I have a feeling could be a massive highlight of my trip.

They have also drawn the running order for the semis and finals. Not bad. Semi 1 does sound a little dull though. Spain is really trying to push this year to win. Soraya is doing massive promo and talking herself up, and now they have the amazing final performance spot in the final.

ok, now this is REALLY ridiculous. Apparently all the ticket ordering is only working in Russian on the website now.

I found something else though... there is a 'Russian only' ticketing agency that is handling some tickets as well (its official - I found it through the official website), and they not only have English translating available on their site, they will let international orders through as long as you pick them up on arrival in Moscow (no delivery offered). There are no issues with their website, but they have well and truly sold out of tix for the final and the 1st semi (but for some reason not the 2nd semi - there are HEAPS of tix left for it).

So, I now have my VIP ticket to the final dress rehearsal the night before the final. Total cost of $A48.
I think that might be it for me ticketing wise now.

I'm told that as fan club members we can go to the afterparty on the finals night. I really, really hope so. I'm planning on having a big one and then going home to just vacate my apartment and head to St Petersburg the next night on the overnight train.

Ukraine has just released its promo video for their act 'Be my valentine'. Its ummm... like going to a night at the Hellfire club. Or that leather bondage float at Mardi Gras. I have a feeling it will be an 'interesting' act on stage from them this year. But then, when havent the Ukraine done something fabulous at Eurovision? I'm still in love with Ruslana from 2004 :-)

The public tix for Eurovision have been on sale for about 2 hours. They opened the site early without warning. It's probably been down for about ummmm...2 hours. I dont know who they hell is able to buy tix through it. First you login then it logs you out. If you actually get to the bit where you select seats it then goes blank on the delivery page. And to top it off, they dont seem to have any of the rehearsal tix on sale. I'm trying to get a VIP ticket to the final rehearsal they night before the FINAL.

Everyone is currently VERY annoyed. And no-one is giving answers. After ringing the box office in Moscow directly, they said they won't deal with non-Russian orders on the phone.

I don't think thats very good service for Eurovision.

At least, thank god, I have my final and semi final tix already through the fan club.

SUGGESTION TO ALL PROSPECTIVE EUROVISION GO-ERS: Join your local OGAE fanclub - show your support for Eurovision and your country, and it will reward you back.

whoop!
I just paid for my Eurovision tickets! 185 Euro (because I had a holding deposit on them of 30 pounds). They set it up so I just paid via Paypal to make it quick and easy.

phew. The stress is all over. Let the Eurovision fun begin!

I don't feel apprehensive at all about going over there - the fanclub have all been so friendly and it does seem like a bit of big family when you go to Eurovision. Theres a fanclub for every country there so I imagine it will be massive. I can't wait to meet some of the other fanclub people from places like Sweden and Germany.

I even booked my Edinburgh to London train last night (only 14 pounds - bargain!) so its really all over when it comes to planning, booking and paying. Only spending money left to save and change.

7.5 weeks till I head to Moscow!!!!!

OH YEAH BABY!

All my tickets to Eurovision (section in front of the stage!) come to a grand total of 203 Euros through the fanclub! Like $400 for everything. wow. I'm ready to fork over the money right now. Can't believe it. And then I just go and pick them up on arrival in Moscow.

I was told to expect around 300 Euros 6 months ago for the ticket package. They are selling individual tickets to the public for the 2 semis, final and 9 rehearsals at a cost of 480 Euros (very average seating).

And my lovely shiny plastic rather official looking membership card is in the post already. I should have it early next week.

Ah, bless 'em.
ok, now this was worth the wait. All that stressing...

Havent heard the final versions of everything, nor seen all of them performed live, but going out on a limb to guess the final 25 acts for Eurovision (the final - the qualifers - in order of possible results)...
Let's see how many I get right in my selection at least...

Norway
Azerbaijan
Iceland
Greece
Finland
Ukraine
Spain
Turkey
Germany
Malta
Armenia
Ireland
France
Sweden
Poland
Hungary
Montenegro
Romania
Switzerland
Denmark
United Kingdom
Moldova
Russia
Czech Republic
Estonia

The 1st semi final is nowhere near as strong as the 2nd semi, so I guess I could have some surprises in store.

Oh, and Georgia have pulled out of Eurovision. The European Broadcasting Union deemed that their song 'We don't wanna put in... we just wanna shoot him' is politically motivated (ie. possibly referring to Putin) and thus is not allowed in the contest. They had option to either change the lyrics or submit another song/act but Georgia have refused.

Just Czech Republic and Sweden left to decide their songs now :-)

hehehe, Ukraine has gone mardi gras.

'Be my valentine'. Its trashy, she could do with some singing lessons, but its actually catchy and frankly, a bit fabulous.

She performs upside down at the start and in the middle she wanders off to play the drums.

I reckon they will tidy up the performance for Eurovision and it WILL come top 5 in the final.

yay! best song revealed this weekend.

OMG!

The song chosen by Russia is APPALLING. She can't sing! And the song lyrics are dreadful!

hahaha.

No Russia, I don't think you are hosting again next year.

Norway to win!!!!

The Estonian act just chosen isn't too bad actually...
Just waiting on Sweden, Serbia, Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to reveal their chosen final songs. They have to all choose by 14th March.

Not one intentional novelty song revealed yet. How disappointing :-(
Latvia is pretty funny though.

I just looked at the price of accommmodation in Oslo. I take it back - I DON'T want to go to Eurovision there.

Looking at $200 a night to stay in a 'cheap' hotel.

Maybe I should hope somewhere in the Balkans wins. I haven't been there before either and the region is dirt cheap to holiday at. hehe.

Nah. I still think Alexander/Norway should win. I just probably couldn't afford to go. It looks worse price-wise than Moscow.

340 Euro for average seat tix just to the 2 semis and the final???? WTF!
Thats what they selling tickets for this year to Eurovision to the public.

The fanclub members are still waiting to hear final prices for our 'package' of 2 semis, the final and the rehearsals. We have been told its considerably cheaper and better seats... but...

Tix go on sale to the public 12th March. I hope they let us fan club members know whats happening before that date rolls around. They still havent confirmed final prices, payment due date and how the tix are being distributed. I don't want to somehow find out I don't have my fanclub tix after all and I'm too late to get public sale tix.

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

ohmigod! Soooo cute!

Have a look -
http://life.ru/video/9120

YAY! Wild Dances!

They look like them, sing like them and do all the moves. They even have got a kid on rollerblades performing as the ice skater from last years act.
I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Haven't seen a Lordi lookalike kiddie act yet though :-( Kids doing heavy metal in masks would be awesome.

My mum bought me my inflaitable Aussie flag hand today to wave at Eurovision. Will you all watch the broadcasts and look out for me?

and once again Russia has delayed Eurovision tix.
They are now saying mid-March for payment.

I might just ask to pick them up on arrival in Moscow, because I probably wont receive them in time here.

Who starts selling tix just 1.5 months before a MASSIVE European event which they have known was going to happen, when and where, for a year?

At the moment I think a lot of fans have decided not to go because they were told accommodation problems would be sorted out (and they haven't - no-one has heard back from the Russian fanclub about hotel bookings - its been 7 weeks) and without having guaranteed accommodation and guaranteed tix only 1.5 months before the event, I think I'd cut my losses.

Thankfully I'm in a better situation. I have my accommodation.

I'm off to the Russian consulate next Monday morning to organise my visa. The 3rd last thing I have to do/pay for (the other 2 being the Eurovision ticket being paid for and booking my Edinburgh to London train).

63 days till I leave for Moscow. 9 weeks.

woah. Just heard the full Azerbaijani song. Its a serious contender. Thinking top 3 (although I believe that Norway is still best).

Updated scoring from me (my personal preferences after 2 full days of listening to songs over and over)...

Points -
12 - Norway
10 - Iceland
8 - Azerbaijan
7 - Finland
6 - Germany
5 - Switzerland
4 - Greece
3 - Moldova
2 - Malta
1 - Turkey

Greece and Turkey (and even Ireland) are starting to wear thin with me. But Germany, Moldova and Switzerland are growing on me. Even the Albanian entry is becoming a fave of mine but I have serious doubts that the girl can give a good live act.

Personally I think we are looking at the following top 5 in the final -
Norway
Azerbaijan
Finland
Greece
Iceland

I think we will also see Turkey and Malta up near the top somewhere. And I think we'll see all of the Big 4 (uk, germany, spain and france) not at the bottom for once, which is where they have been the past 5 years (they will be more like mid range in 2009 - huge improvement).

I still think I need to see the Swedish, Russian and Ukrainian final entries before making a definative list though. Russia and the Ukraine are deciding this weekend, and Sweden is early next week.

After next week I think I might start placing bets on Norway and Azerbaijan (at least).

Bosnia presented their entry last night. Nothing too flashy. 'Bistra Voda' sounds and looks like a Coldplay cover band.
Israel selects tonight.

There are only 6 more countries left to select. woooo... getting close! I can't really believe I'll be in Russia in about 9 weeks time.

Helsinki, Moscow, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Riga, Berlin, Krakow, Edinburgh, London.
What an amazing route. I'm almost in shock when I think thats where I'm travelling to. Only have my train from Edinburgh to London left to book now. And a day trip to Auchwitz. And maybe a day trip to Vilinus (from Riga). I've heard theres an amazing KGB museum in Vilinus. And you can drive old Russian tanks in some museum place in Latvia.

My friend Rob told me to speak loudly in an Aussie accent in Helsinki because the Finns love Aussie visitors. I'll keep it in mind.
And *sigh* Riga - the home of Europes biggest food market. I'm staying 5 mins walk away from it.

When I come home I'm sure to look like a beetroot. The plan is to eat a LOT of borcsht (and thus I should lose weight too) in Russia, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.
And perhaps I'll eat reindeer in Helsinki.
Theres an energy drink in Finland called Cocaine.
My fave drink though is Mezzomix in Germany. Close second is the German apple mineral water that I lived on in 1999, 2002, 2004.
And I won't forget to eat a heap of tomato, brie and basil bagettes from Pret a Manger in the UK. mmmm.

Yes, yes, this will be a bit of foodie, eastern european & eurovision tour.

I have to also remember to take lots of photos. I get lazy with my camera but I want to have lots of photos to remember the holiday by. I don't think I'll be going back to Russia anytime soon.

Next year I might have a Scandi tour... I've always wanted to go to Iceland. And Norway. And see more of Sweden. And Denmark is sooooo much fun.
Or maybe I should do a Balkan tour (Romania would be nice)... Or a Spain/Italy/Greece/Malta/Turkey sun and sailing tour... ooooh, something like that Rick Stein barge tour with all the local foodies. Cooking classes in Greece perhaps?
Let's see where Eurovision ends up.

I think thats what I've decided in my life. I'm always happiest organising tours and going on holidays. I like seeing the world. And for that reason, I'll never really settle into a 'career'.

I have an Estonian mobile number all set to go.

Spain chose Soraya, which admittedly was the best of the bunch. She's just another pop diva though, without the appeal and personality that Ani Lorak had when she sang for the Ukraine last year. But I'm sure it will do rather well.

Portugal chose Flor De Lys, which again was the best pick on the night. But the song is rather dull, somewhat folkish without being memorable.

And Croatia and Latvia also decided last night. Not a possible winner amongst them.

Sweden will be next to choose - their final is later this week.

Czech Republic are deciding between 2 songs now by Supergipsy. Both are too hardcore rap for Eurovision.

I think Bosnia and Slovenia might be deciding next weekend. Plus Israel is choosing its song (out of 4 possible). And then Russia, Ukraine and finally Belgium and Azerbaijan will release their full entries.

For f*cks sake Spain, what are you doing?

They decided to fast track the Eurovision choice process by having the 3rd semi and the 2nd chance show on the same night, then decided to scrap the 2nd chance process and have the final on the same night... its now 1am in Spain and they are only up to the 3rd song out of 12 songs in the final.

Oh, and now theres technical problems! The stage has broken under the weight of a prop...
Just send someone!

I hope to god Spain never win Eurovision if this is the crap show they put on.

And Portugal isn't much better. 20 juries? 1am... still voting...
Flor De Lys has obviously won, so announce it, have them perform and finish already!

Ahh, the joys of webcasting mean I can see how bad acts/shows really are. Even Georgia had a better show than this.

I am aware that the actual Eurovision is just as long and drawn out, but its at least entertaining.

Did you all know that the show won't be starting in Moscow until 11pm at night? Its so its broadcast in central Europe during prime time. Means I won't probably leave the arena until 3am in the morning. And then we'll probably go to the afterparty. And then I have to leave my apartment by 10am the same day, and wander around until my overnight train to St Petersburg. Gonna be a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong two days.

Latvias entry = rock song in Latvian. The guy doesn't blink, just shouts. Bloody awful. Someone compared it to Laka from Bosnia last year. Laka was at least entertaining and catchy.

Croatias entry = male Croatian ballad. Its a yawn fest.

Spain and Portugal are being decided as I type.

Norway is leading the online betting in the UK - 5/2 odds. Good taste!
Greece, Russia, Turkey and Malta follow.

We are getting down to the final countries/songs being decided, and I think its almost safe to say that Norway is the best this year. Obviously Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine could produce something brilliant in the actual show and change my thoughts, but Norway will be the one to beat.

I don't agree with the odds on Iceland - 40/1 (and 100/1 on another website). I think thats an amazing outside bet. Finland is 66/1.
Even Cyprus is getting closer odds and it sucks.