I just realised that my own profiling, thoughts, etc on Eurovision acts now will have be done at the rate of 2 a day if I'm gonna finish them by the time I leave.
sheeesh! Its getting close now.
My thoughts on certain acts have really changed over the past 3 months, but one thing remains is that I still tip Norway to win. And I guess thats why I just finished painting a banner to wave in Moscow...
"i'm in (heart) with a fairytale"
I'll take a photo and post it up here and then people can look out for me waving it at the show.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
My trip planning for Eurovision has been going on for 9 months, and hopefully I've learned some lessons to organising that I can pass on to others hoping to make the journey to Eurovision (from anywhere, not just Australia)...
1. Keep a close eye on the Eurovision news - eurovision.tv , esctoday.com , oikotimes.com , esckaz.com are my favourite sites. Looking at the websites on a daily basis kept me up-to-date on rumours, including the city Eurovision was being held in, when Eurovision would be held, and how much it would cost. Knowing well ahead means you can plan well ahead. Those 4 websites are probably the first websites I look at every morning that I log onto the internet. They keep my Eurovision love alive the other 11 months of the year.
2. Join a OGAE fanclub. I believe if you love something, you should show your love. So I joined OGAE UK because it puts you in touch with people who share your love, and it adds another element to your interest by getting fanclub emails, newsletters etc. I've made a few friends online through it as well, and I look forward to meeting them in Moscow - means I won't be alone in a strange land. Last of all, there's the benefit of ordering OGAE tickets to Eurovision which are discounted and the best seating is on offer to fanclub members.
3. BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION AS SOON AS DETAILS OF HOSTING CITY ARE AVAILABLE. I can't stress this enough. I know a lot of people wait to hear what places are the "official hotels" so they can be closer to the action, but my experience says the longer you wait, the more the prices go up. I booked a B&B originally in Moscow who then said they'd move me to another place further from the Arena and then double the price. Obviously I wasnt pleased. But because I made enquiries so early on I at least had other places to choose from. I'm now going to be staying in my own apartment 2 metro stations from the arena, and the cost is 480 Euros for the week. The hotels I've seen this late in planning have been 100 Euros per night!
4. Do your travel research. This goes in conjunction with booking the hotel - find out about the city you are going to - transport, cost of living, sights,visa requirements, 'the dodgy areas'... I believe it adds to the excitement of travel, or maybe its just me being anal. I even go to the point of borrowing books and dvds from my local library to find out about the culture of the country, maybe a bit of the language, (or in my experience, watching Anthony Bourdain - I like learning about national food) ... It turns your trip to Eurovision from an event to an experience. In most cases, the place Eurovision is held is somewhere I wouldn't have thought of travelling to before or will probably travel to again, so I want to get the most from my trip.
5. BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS EARLY. If you are travelling from another European country, book early because transport to the hosting city gets booked out quite quickly. If you are travelling from Australia I recommend booking in the period Nov-Jan prior to Eurovision. Its during that period you can take advantage of 'Earlybird' flight deals. Another tip for travellers from Australia is to get 3 quotes from different travel agents, then select the cheapest/best deal and take it to the remaining travel agents and play them off each other (Flight Centre is good for this because they match price and sometimes throw in stuff for free to get the business). By doing that I knocked $800 off the cost of my flights flying Cathay Pacific/Finnair - Melbourne-Helsinki-Moscow-London-Melbourne. It even worked out cheaper than flying Aeroflot *shudders*
1. Keep a close eye on the Eurovision news - eurovision.tv , esctoday.com , oikotimes.com , esckaz.com are my favourite sites. Looking at the websites on a daily basis kept me up-to-date on rumours, including the city Eurovision was being held in, when Eurovision would be held, and how much it would cost. Knowing well ahead means you can plan well ahead. Those 4 websites are probably the first websites I look at every morning that I log onto the internet. They keep my Eurovision love alive the other 11 months of the year.
2. Join a OGAE fanclub. I believe if you love something, you should show your love. So I joined OGAE UK because it puts you in touch with people who share your love, and it adds another element to your interest by getting fanclub emails, newsletters etc. I've made a few friends online through it as well, and I look forward to meeting them in Moscow - means I won't be alone in a strange land. Last of all, there's the benefit of ordering OGAE tickets to Eurovision which are discounted and the best seating is on offer to fanclub members.
3. BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION AS SOON AS DETAILS OF HOSTING CITY ARE AVAILABLE. I can't stress this enough. I know a lot of people wait to hear what places are the "official hotels" so they can be closer to the action, but my experience says the longer you wait, the more the prices go up. I booked a B&B originally in Moscow who then said they'd move me to another place further from the Arena and then double the price. Obviously I wasnt pleased. But because I made enquiries so early on I at least had other places to choose from. I'm now going to be staying in my own apartment 2 metro stations from the arena, and the cost is 480 Euros for the week. The hotels I've seen this late in planning have been 100 Euros per night!
4. Do your travel research. This goes in conjunction with booking the hotel - find out about the city you are going to - transport, cost of living, sights,visa requirements, 'the dodgy areas'... I believe it adds to the excitement of travel, or maybe its just me being anal. I even go to the point of borrowing books and dvds from my local library to find out about the culture of the country, maybe a bit of the language, (or in my experience, watching Anthony Bourdain - I like learning about national food) ... It turns your trip to Eurovision from an event to an experience. In most cases, the place Eurovision is held is somewhere I wouldn't have thought of travelling to before or will probably travel to again, so I want to get the most from my trip.
5. BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS EARLY. If you are travelling from another European country, book early because transport to the hosting city gets booked out quite quickly. If you are travelling from Australia I recommend booking in the period Nov-Jan prior to Eurovision. Its during that period you can take advantage of 'Earlybird' flight deals. Another tip for travellers from Australia is to get 3 quotes from different travel agents, then select the cheapest/best deal and take it to the remaining travel agents and play them off each other (Flight Centre is good for this because they match price and sometimes throw in stuff for free to get the business). By doing that I knocked $800 off the cost of my flights flying Cathay Pacific/Finnair - Melbourne-Helsinki-Moscow-London-Melbourne. It even worked out cheaper than flying Aeroflot *shudders*
Thursday, April 2, 2009
This is excellent! http://www.esctoday.com/multimedia/gallery/623
I told people to not discount the Ukrainian act at Eurovision, and if this is true (and not an April Fools) I'll have been proven correct. A massive pyrotechnic 'cog' descending from the roof of Eurovision with Svetlana in it. She trained for the circus originally, so she can actually do gymnastics stuff in these things. I love the addition of the stripper pole in the middle too. hehe. They are calling it the 'hell machine'.
You are so sexy BOM
Dont make me crazy BOM
We're gonna do the BOM BOM
Aint that amazing BOM
....
I call you on the phone
You speak in monotone
Don't wanna be alone
Because I'm crazy BOMMMMM!
Baby, baby, you're so fine
Be my, be my valentine...
....
Baby, I could save your world
I'm your anti-crisis girl.
I told people to not discount the Ukrainian act at Eurovision, and if this is true (and not an April Fools) I'll have been proven correct. A massive pyrotechnic 'cog' descending from the roof of Eurovision with Svetlana in it. She trained for the circus originally, so she can actually do gymnastics stuff in these things. I love the addition of the stripper pole in the middle too. hehe. They are calling it the 'hell machine'.
You are so sexy BOM
Dont make me crazy BOM
We're gonna do the BOM BOM
Aint that amazing BOM
....
I call you on the phone
You speak in monotone
Don't wanna be alone
Because I'm crazy BOMMMMM!
Baby, baby, you're so fine
Be my, be my valentine...
....
Baby, I could save your world
I'm your anti-crisis girl.
Monday, March 30, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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
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
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