9.2.2010 Richmond, Melbourne

Have I told you my internet connection doesn’t work? I have N O I D E A what sucks in this damn machine. Am a bit pissed off since organising couches, job hunting, fitness class bookings, CS events checking, everything e v e r y t h i n g e v e r y t h i n g seems to happen via internet today. *ngnh, argh* And staying in touch with friends and family of course (the most important ones). Cannot we just return to beginning of 90s when nobody knew of internet, online contacts and staying in touch 24hrs?

My dear mini-HP is in Finnish language and because of that -> my flat mates are unable to help me. The hope awoke today again since posting to Dundernews discussion group and literally begging help on my knees there guess what - got a phone call today from a Finnish guy living and working in IT in Melbourne We’ll meet tomorrow and I hope he has some fresh ideas what to try to fix the problem. I would appreciate another ideas than throwing the laptop from the balcony or using kitchen hammer to make a minced laptop pie...

It was weird to speak Finnish by the way. Haven’t met a single Finn here in Melb. After spending a while abroad you naturally change your thinking language into English. Last Finns were the ones In Deco Backpackers in Queenstown, NZ. Have met one Estonian though. Heaps of English, Irish, Scottish. Lovely girl from Iran, another one from NY and a bunch of Aussies. Who I forgot? French, Germans, Turkies. Oh yeah, some south Americans.

All are great but Aussies are especially great. Pretty laid-back, relaxed, funny. “No worries, mate!” “Noup!” But I’m always a bit worried since I was born in darkness. What a good excuse to explain my serious face. No, nobody haven’t died, this is just me, I’m not always with a big smile on my face. Love to have fun though and even though am not smiling 24hrs a day can have great time.

This country is very multicultural. If you walk in Melbourne streets you see business men, their well-dressed stylish PAs, Greeks, Italians , Chinese, backpackers all over the world ...and I think, all the nationalities. it’s very interesting street life here. I can easily spend hours in coffee shop or restaurant just watching people and wondering their life stories. Last week I noticed I went to coffee shop to write post cards. In 2,5 hrs I did 1,5 cards. Do the math – street life watching is good entertainment here. And way much cheaper than movies for example. Can get a good tan too ;)

I‘m still travelling with my red Björn Borg hand bag, as exploded as it starts to be. Had to put it in hold for a moment since every day someone was asking me if I’m Swedish and where did you get that bag? It must be a cool bag huh since everybody are talking about that. Usually I say nooo I’m not from Sweden and bought it from second hand market in Hellsinki. Which is true. Option two (random one) ; I also might say I’m from Lapland. They have no idea where Lapland is; and then I can explain and they are still a bit confused because people cannot locate Scandinavian countries, not to mention northern parts of Finland on the map... or I’m very bad at describing the location:/ Good fun though if you like free entertainment. On a worse day I just say got it in Finland, I’m not Swedish but like older men. Which is a joke, hope you got it? ;) Next time, I think, I will ask you wanna buy it? Or hey, maybe I could sell it in Facebook to someone “wannabe-Swedish”? If Stefano and Richard manage to buy Vyökatu flat I’m gonna make a big money with my red Björn Borg. Coolio!

Have also noticed that have been writing same things to blog twice ;) Yep, that’s probably what you do when you don’t have 24h connection. You just do the necessary stuff quickly and then log off. Today I checked e-mails on Virgin Active, another very quick check on Penny’s laptop on the afternoon and now – must wait until tomorrow midday and drag my bones to the city. Apple and Mac are not too bad - as soon as you get used to them.

I’m obviously starting a career in real estatements. Since 1.9. have hired Tapanila flat twice, got someone to live on Alppikatu and after Cubitt Street inspection today found a good new tenant to replace me. I love all these places; wouldn’t do it otherwise. I’m so happy that
Alppikatu went to a good friend (feels like it is not totally lost). I lived there for so many years and that place – it is special. Have to move on though. New tenants will love it, I’m sure.
In my Tapanila apartment I‘ve found great people living there. I trust them completely.

Cubitt Street – it didn’t last long but I just loved it here. Time to move on - again. Will miss these guys. Where next - am I hiring wombat hole in outback? Could consider it ;) Me a wombat family, few kangaroos, joyes and platypus diving a natural pool. Would love to have an own horse too. I would call it Hiri.

Sports news of today: did morning pump. Woke up at 5.15 am and was on Bourke street at 6.15, before the sun rise. I know, sounds a bit crazy but I just felt a bit bad after lazying around after weekend, having big bbqs, drinks and so on. Morning was good, it woke me up. Class at 6.30-7.30 am, sauna, swimming, spa – it was good. Returned back to real life. Bring it on!