Lena’s Satellite

Well, there’s a surprise – the UK completely bombed in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.  I’m not in the slightest bit surprised.  We don’t take this contest at all seriously and our nation, that continues to produce some of the greatest pop music in the world, is represented instead by complete unknowns and some very dull songwriting (sorry Pete Waterman, but this definitely wasn’t your finest hour). 

I’m actually pleased to say that having caught my first listen to our song entry yesterday, I made the conscious decision not to watch and therefore not to be embarrassed. 

Several people predicted that Germany would win… currently being the rich man of Europe and everything.  (We could all be heading to them, cap in hand, pretty soon so we needed to keep ‘em sweet).  That may be a little unfair, having listened this morning to singer Lena with ’Satellite’.  Her ‘mockney’ English accent is slightly dodgy (‘though to be fair she sings English better than I can sing in German), but she’s cute and the song is catchy, young and a bit of fun.  It’s the complete package really …and a far cry from our very poor offering.  

So, well done Lena and well done Germany.  At least you can actually afford to host this next year!

(Last year’s winner – Alexander Rybak, Norway)

Sign your name across my heart

For some reason I woke up this morning singing Terence Trent d’Arby’s song, ‘Sign Your Name’.  The original video is up on You Tube but I prefer this version just because the sound is so much better.  I love this song, love his voice in this. 

Said by some (over there at YouTube!) to be a cross between Prince and Michael Jackson, I must say I agree.  Check out the second video below ~ ‘Wishing Well’ ~  to see for yourself. 

TTd changed his name to Sananda Maitreya a few years ago and now lives and works in Milan.

Sign Your Name (1987)

 

Wishing Well (1987)

‘Norvege 387 pointes’ ~ woohoo

So what’s the verdict on last night’s Eurovision win by Norway?  For me, (as a hater of this contest who got sucked into watching half way through, despite my better judgement) I think it stood out as honest, simple, sufficiently different and with that important component in a highly visual world - a cute(ish) looking singer (sort of).  I was singing it as I stripped for bed - I suspect the tune will be driving me spare by the end of this morning.  …Like all good Eurovision songs then.

Well done Norway.  I’m pleased for them.  As a nation they’re a nice lot and, to be honest, I’m relieved that the UK doesn’t also have to stump up for a big show next year.  We’re already on the skids whilst having to prepare for the 2012 Olympics.  Anything else and we’d have to sell the family silver …(oh yeah, we already did that). 

(P.S.  Poor old Germany eh?  Even the lovely Dita von Teese couldn’t save the day.  Hang on… What was she doing there anyway? So, er…Can we please have George Clooney shimmying around our singer in his boxers next year?  I really think that might secure us a win).  

(For 2010′s winner ~ Lena ~ click here)

'Norvege 387 pointes' ~ woohoo

So what’s the verdict on last night’s Eurovision win by Norway?  For me, (as a hater of this contest who got sucked into watching half way through, despite my better judgement) I think it stood out as honest, simple, sufficiently different and with that important component in a highly visual world - a cute(ish) looking singer (sort of).  I was singing it as I stripped for bed - I suspect the tune will be driving me spare by the end of this morning.  …Like all good Eurovision songs then.

Well done Norway.  I’m pleased for them.  As a nation they’re a nice lot and, to be honest, I’m relieved that the UK doesn’t also have to stump up for a big show next year.  We’re already on the skids whilst having to prepare for the 2012 Olympics.  Anything else and we’d have to sell the family silver …(oh yeah, we already did that). 

(P.S.  Poor old Germany eh?  Even the lovely Dita von Teese couldn’t save the day.  Hang on… What was she doing there anyway? So, er…Can we please have George Clooney shimmying around our singer in his boxers next year?  I really think that might secure us a win).  

Man on Fire

One of my favourite photos from the Award Winners Slideshow on Reuters at the moment:

First Prize, Sports Features, The Press Photographer’s Year 2008.  A competitor runs through fire during the Tough Guy event in Perton, England, January 27, 2008.

REUTERS / Darren Staples

Innovative

The Gwanggyo Power Project, South Korea – Designed by Rotterdam based architects MVRDV Design

I think in another space in time I would have suited being a designer of some sort. I’m drawn to innovative and often quirky design, provided that it has a purpose and is not just quirky for quirky’s sake.

This morning I was doing some housekeeping over here, filling in some gaps to pages I sometimes like to visit, when I came across reference to the winning design of the Gwanggyo Power Project in South Korea. This, to my amateur eye, is just amazing.  A more than worthy winner.

More pictures of this innovative design can be seen at the ‘Inhabitat’ website, or by clicking on the above image, which will take you to the relevant pages of the MVRDV website.  [If, like me, you're interested in modern architecture the MVRDV site is well worth a look around anyway]