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.