Latvia has been saved! They are back in Eurovision!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll have to remember today, everytime someone peeves me off at work, to think of Eurovision, my holiday, and seeing Latvia perform!
And Bosnia is sending a rock band to Eurovision. Should be, umm, interesting.
Its shaping up to be a good year. Andrew Lloyd Webber is on board for the UK, Patricia Kaas for France, other countries are sending all their big acts, and System of a Down might be representing Armenia. hehe
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy new year everyone (3.5 hours ahead)!
2009 - the year of Eurovision.
I just got an email from the Eurovision club actually, mainly telling people not to panic about Eurovision stuff. Officially all hotels are booked out. Now they are saying that they have 3 (1000+ room) hotels set aside just for the fanclub members at cheaper prices. I don't need to worry though - I have my apartment all set in the heart of Moscow. The tix will be all set to go in the first week of February, once everyone has the chance to secure the set aside accommodation.
2009 - the year of Eurovision.
I just got an email from the Eurovision club actually, mainly telling people not to panic about Eurovision stuff. Officially all hotels are booked out. Now they are saying that they have 3 (1000+ room) hotels set aside just for the fanclub members at cheaper prices. I don't need to worry though - I have my apartment all set in the heart of Moscow. The tix will be all set to go in the first week of February, once everyone has the chance to secure the set aside accommodation.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
So, Georgia are back in Eurovision late in the game after previously deciding back in August that they would pull out because of Russia and its invasion. But we lose Latvia?
I know which country I'd rather have in the competition.
I hope that the EBU/ESC organisers can find some sort of rescue package for Latvia to get them back in. And Lithuania.
Oh, and apparently Johnny Logan isnt singing for Ireland - I heard only a week ago that he would be in the competition, but apparently not. Instead they are going with an open competition for the song, probably some ridiculous 3rd placed Irish Idol or something. The UK isn't faring much better - the song will be written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, but he's doing a star search of unknowns which will be eliminated on live tv. Why not just get a act that's already known? sheesh.
Thats where the traditional countries get it wrong. They keep using unknowns and Idol contestants for their entries - acts who have never ever played to a whole arena of people before and can't handle the pressure. The Eastern European countries then select their biggest acts for their countries - acts who know how to work an audience and play to crowds. And even more important - acts that have a following in their regions. Dima Bilan won this year not because of politics. He won because people in the area vote for who they know and he's a huge star in Eastern Europe - Russia, Ukraine, Baltics, etc. Also aided by the fact he competed 2 years prior in Eurovision, so all the regular viewers knew him. He also had the stage presence to back it up.
If Ireland had Johnny Logan, or the UK had someone like Take That, they'd win.
The last time the UK won, it was because they had Katrina and the Waves (as in the act that did 'Walking on Sunshine'). Everyone knew who they were.
The UK makes me so angry with its treatment of Eurovision. They take the mickey out of it, ridicule all the other countries, think they are so damn good, but then they come last and they wonder why. They keep blaming it on political voting, not the fact that they actually really suck.
Having Graham Norton confirmed as the new host for Eurovision in the UK commentary team doesnt help matters at all.
I know which country I'd rather have in the competition.
I hope that the EBU/ESC organisers can find some sort of rescue package for Latvia to get them back in. And Lithuania.
Oh, and apparently Johnny Logan isnt singing for Ireland - I heard only a week ago that he would be in the competition, but apparently not. Instead they are going with an open competition for the song, probably some ridiculous 3rd placed Irish Idol or something. The UK isn't faring much better - the song will be written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, but he's doing a star search of unknowns which will be eliminated on live tv. Why not just get a act that's already known? sheesh.
Thats where the traditional countries get it wrong. They keep using unknowns and Idol contestants for their entries - acts who have never ever played to a whole arena of people before and can't handle the pressure. The Eastern European countries then select their biggest acts for their countries - acts who know how to work an audience and play to crowds. And even more important - acts that have a following in their regions. Dima Bilan won this year not because of politics. He won because people in the area vote for who they know and he's a huge star in Eastern Europe - Russia, Ukraine, Baltics, etc. Also aided by the fact he competed 2 years prior in Eurovision, so all the regular viewers knew him. He also had the stage presence to back it up.
If Ireland had Johnny Logan, or the UK had someone like Take That, they'd win.
The last time the UK won, it was because they had Katrina and the Waves (as in the act that did 'Walking on Sunshine'). Everyone knew who they were.
The UK makes me so angry with its treatment of Eurovision. They take the mickey out of it, ridicule all the other countries, think they are so damn good, but then they come last and they wonder why. They keep blaming it on political voting, not the fact that they actually really suck.
Having Graham Norton confirmed as the new host for Eurovision in the UK commentary team doesnt help matters at all.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Ok, yes, I'm behind the eightball on this one. I just realised how crap Easyjet truly are.
Firstly I've been passed onto 4 different people in Easyjet just because I want to push one of my hotel bookings forward by a day. I don't even mind if they just cancel the first day of my booking and then credit me money to pay for the other day, but that just seems to hard for them. The last person I got passed onto was a 'security adviser' for the company who has no idea why I'd be referred to them.
I might just ring the hotel in Berlin directly and ask them to cancel my first night and add one more day to the end of the booking.
And then, despite the fact that Easyjet say their flight schedule for summer 2009 for Berlin is LIVE, any search I do says that flights are not available post 2 November 2008. What did I do? I just booked on AirBaltic instead. It is possibly more expensive, but at least they have flights. Cost me about $90 for the one way flight from Riga to Berlin. Air Baltic from what I can see so far are pretty decent. I got a SIM card from them months ago for a local Baltic mobile number so I can use it next year on my travels (no roaming fees, its all pre-paid card stuff and can be topped up online, the rates seem extremely reasonable and I've got 10 Euros credit on it already. That SIM card turned up in the mail within a week, so I call that service. Plus they sell Brainstorm gear on their flights and website as the 'official sponsor of the band'.
And then I contacted the hostel I am staying at in Riga and asked them to add another night to my booking there. Cost another $8 in reservation fees. Damn Euro is so bad right now.
All this to see Depeche Mode in Latvia (one day after I was originally scheduled to leave Riga). I guess its a good reason not to book everything holiday-wise so much in advance. But I wouldn't want to risk Eurovision either.
Firstly I've been passed onto 4 different people in Easyjet just because I want to push one of my hotel bookings forward by a day. I don't even mind if they just cancel the first day of my booking and then credit me money to pay for the other day, but that just seems to hard for them. The last person I got passed onto was a 'security adviser' for the company who has no idea why I'd be referred to them.
I might just ring the hotel in Berlin directly and ask them to cancel my first night and add one more day to the end of the booking.
And then, despite the fact that Easyjet say their flight schedule for summer 2009 for Berlin is LIVE, any search I do says that flights are not available post 2 November 2008. What did I do? I just booked on AirBaltic instead. It is possibly more expensive, but at least they have flights. Cost me about $90 for the one way flight from Riga to Berlin. Air Baltic from what I can see so far are pretty decent. I got a SIM card from them months ago for a local Baltic mobile number so I can use it next year on my travels (no roaming fees, its all pre-paid card stuff and can be topped up online, the rates seem extremely reasonable and I've got 10 Euros credit on it already. That SIM card turned up in the mail within a week, so I call that service. Plus they sell Brainstorm gear on their flights and website as the 'official sponsor of the band'.
And then I contacted the hostel I am staying at in Riga and asked them to add another night to my booking there. Cost another $8 in reservation fees. Damn Euro is so bad right now.
All this to see Depeche Mode in Latvia (one day after I was originally scheduled to leave Riga). I guess its a good reason not to book everything holiday-wise so much in advance. But I wouldn't want to risk Eurovision either.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Know what I'm thinking about right now?
Cheating on my holiday plans a little and flying from Berlin to Krakow, rather than catching the overnight train. The difference in cost is that the train is $50 cheaper. The plane will obviously get me there about 8 hours quicker and gives me another day to fool around in Berlin. hmmmmm.
I love Berlin.
And my penpal Tanja emailed today to say she's now living in Hamburg, so I might even be able to make a day trip to see her.
I am also very annoyed at Easyjet, as it appears they have scrapped the flights between Riga and Berlin. I may have to catch AirBaltic instead, at a cost of $90 more.
Cheating on my holiday plans a little and flying from Berlin to Krakow, rather than catching the overnight train. The difference in cost is that the train is $50 cheaper. The plane will obviously get me there about 8 hours quicker and gives me another day to fool around in Berlin. hmmmmm.
I love Berlin.
And my penpal Tanja emailed today to say she's now living in Hamburg, so I might even be able to make a day trip to see her.
I am also very annoyed at Easyjet, as it appears they have scrapped the flights between Riga and Berlin. I may have to catch AirBaltic instead, at a cost of $90 more.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Haha. I just read that the Eurovision shows will start at 11pm local Moscow time because most of Europe is behind by 2 hours and they want it prime time. So I'll be crawling out of the shows sometime around 2-3am on the Sunday morning.
woohoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
And with the latest news announced about the Eurovision voting changes, LTV (Latvia) have announced they will be participating next year.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
My Eurovision is made.
Now I feel I may need to write a lengthy email to the Prata Vetra boys about how the release of their next English-speaking album (which comes out next April/May) would be best served in terms of promotion with a return performance at Eurovision. It's been nearly 9 years since 'My Star', and Renars hasn't hosted for 4 years. Far too long ago.
Plus I've heard the rumour again that Verka Seruduchka might represent the UK. Would be bloody brilliant.
woohoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
And with the latest news announced about the Eurovision voting changes, LTV (Latvia) have announced they will be participating next year.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
My Eurovision is made.
Now I feel I may need to write a lengthy email to the Prata Vetra boys about how the release of their next English-speaking album (which comes out next April/May) would be best served in terms of promotion with a return performance at Eurovision. It's been nearly 9 years since 'My Star', and Renars hasn't hosted for 4 years. Far too long ago.
Plus I've heard the rumour again that Verka Seruduchka might represent the UK. Would be bloody brilliant.
ohmigod! ohmigod! OHMIGOD!
Eurovision has been confirmed for next year as per what I was told as a 'strong rumour'. Therefore the risks I took booking everything in advance has paid off.
Moscow - Olimpisky Arena - 12,14,16 May 2009
And jury voting is back in part next year for the final, so that the whole neighbours voting for each other might be somewhat reduced. Best decision ever! And with that announcement about juries, fingers crossed that Austria and Monaco have chosen to return as well. hurrah!
Just hope that tension dies down in regards to the Georgia situation and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) compete for certain too.
Great thing is, I've got absolutely confirmed accommodation now, an apartment all by myself about 15 mins walk from the actual arena. And I'm all set for my tickets too (just waiting on the final cost for that - I should know in November and then will have to pay before the new year... anticipating $700-800 for the 'package' - tickets to both semis and the final, and also for my OGAE fanclub card to use at the Euroclub - I had to submit a photo of myself for that). Euroclub is the 'party central' venue for the period of Eurovision. I've heard that acts hang out there, do performances there, host parties/discos... fun fun fun.
The organisers have said that they will do their best to lessen the cost of the ticketing package because they understand that Moscow is an expensive city to visit. And they will find more cheap decent accommodation availability considering there is so little available and what is around costs a mint. They also have said they are going to put up road signs and directions before the shows in Roman letters (ie. what English uses) to make it easier for the tourists.
Oooooh, its all happening. I can't believe I'm actually going to be in Moscow in 8 months time for all this!
Eurovision has been confirmed for next year as per what I was told as a 'strong rumour'. Therefore the risks I took booking everything in advance has paid off.
Moscow - Olimpisky Arena - 12,14,16 May 2009
And jury voting is back in part next year for the final, so that the whole neighbours voting for each other might be somewhat reduced. Best decision ever! And with that announcement about juries, fingers crossed that Austria and Monaco have chosen to return as well. hurrah!
Just hope that tension dies down in regards to the Georgia situation and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) compete for certain too.
Great thing is, I've got absolutely confirmed accommodation now, an apartment all by myself about 15 mins walk from the actual arena. And I'm all set for my tickets too (just waiting on the final cost for that - I should know in November and then will have to pay before the new year... anticipating $700-800 for the 'package' - tickets to both semis and the final, and also for my OGAE fanclub card to use at the Euroclub - I had to submit a photo of myself for that). Euroclub is the 'party central' venue for the period of Eurovision. I've heard that acts hang out there, do performances there, host parties/discos... fun fun fun.
The organisers have said that they will do their best to lessen the cost of the ticketing package because they understand that Moscow is an expensive city to visit. And they will find more cheap decent accommodation availability considering there is so little available and what is around costs a mint. They also have said they are going to put up road signs and directions before the shows in Roman letters (ie. what English uses) to make it easier for the tourists.
Oooooh, its all happening. I can't believe I'm actually going to be in Moscow in 8 months time for all this!
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