NORMAL LIFE: Croatian Summer Now Online!

In July, 2006, Bree and I visited Croatia for eight days! A wonderful country, we made an unexpected detour back to Zagreb via Bosnia-Herzegovina which proved to be a real eye-opener. I strongly recommend Croatia as a tasteful, if somewhat minimal, alternative to over-commercialised destinations such as Spain and Italy.

Due to technical coding problems, I am unable to generate links for the four entries relating to this trip. If you click on July 2006, then scroll down to the following entries:-

Wednesday, July 19th: Part 1, Zagreb, Plitvice, Zadar & Sibenik
Saturday, July 22: Part 2, Sibenik & Split
Monday, July 24: Part 3, Dubrovnik
Thursday, July 27: Part 4, Bosnia & Back To Base

NORMAL LIFE: Helsinki Zoo International Ice Sculpture Competition

We braved the bitter winds are we stumbled through the snow covering the exposed island of Korekeasaari ('High Island). A freezing -8°C, Bree and I paid a visit to the island - doubling us as Helsinki's only Zoo - to see the ice sculptures of the International Ice Sculpture Competition.

Korkeasaari consists of 22 hectares of rock and you can access the island via a footbridge from the nearby recreation area of Mustikkamaa; the island has been a recreational part for Helsinki since 1569. In summer, Korkeasaari is one of the most popular places to visit and, during today's sub-zero temperatures, it was still proving popular; we had to queue for nearly 45 minutes just to get tickets!

We watched the 14 teams of 2 work away, chain sawing blocks to ice and using more common devices such as irons and hairdryers to work their magic with the ice. Below are just some of the awsome pictures taken on this wonderfully blue, but bitterly cold day! Click on each photo to see the bigger, more detailed version. Click the 'back' button to return to the blog entry.

Read more here:-
http://www.artmeetsice.fi/english.htm

NORMAL LIFE: Air Passenger Duty - Is This Legal?

I received an email from Ryanair this morning and I nearly fell of my chair when I read that, due to the doubling of Air Passenger Duty by the UK's Chancellor, Ryanair had deducted a further £10 from my credit card.

Surely such changes in tax should apply to new bookings, rather than increase the cost of purchases already made? Doesn't point-of-sale pricing stand for anything anymore?

Related article here,

Here's the emailed I received from the thieving bastards:

Dear Customer,

In his budget speech on 6th December 2006, the UK Chancellor, Mr Gordon Brown MP, announced his decision to DOUBLE "UK Air Passenger Duty". This tax grab which is applicable to every passenger departing from a UK airport will generate £1bn. in tax revenues for the UK Government, but will do nothing for the environment.

Unfortunately, as you booked your flight - confirmation number G1FCLA before the 7th December 2006 with a travel date after the 1st February 2007 (see the below flight details), we have no alternative, in this instance, but to act as the UK Chancellor’s tax collector.

In accordance, with Article 4.2.2 of Ryanair’s General Conditions of Carriage, the additional tax amount required by the UK government will automatically be charged to the credit card or debit card used to pay for this flight booking. These credit/debit card transactions will automatically take place over the next 2 weeks.

UK Air Passenger Duty Rates – applicable per person for each departing flight from a UK airport which was booked before the 7th December 2006 for travel from the 1st February 2007 onwards.

£10*(GBP) per person for each UK domestic flight
£10* (GBP) per person for flights from the UK to an EU/EEA airport
£40* (GBP) per person for flights from the UK to an airport outside EU/EEA

*or local currency equivalent

Ryanair condemns the UK Chancellor’s unfair and regressive tax on ordinary passengers. And we urge you to write to Gordon Brown MP at ministers@hm-treasury.gsi.gov.uk indicating your opposition to this tax grab which will generate £1bn. in tax revenues for the UK Government, but will not do nothing for the environment.

NORMAL LIFE: Imagine With Snow..

Imagine a Sunday afternoon spent walking through the parks of Helsinki in -5°C, during pleasant snowfall. Imagine passing a scene where hundreds of children are sliding down snow-lined hills with plastic dishes, screaming in delight as they gather speed on the slopes. Yesterday was such a day and I hope the natives are finally happy for the snow they have been waiting for so long! There last photo shows the new administrative government building set against Finland's equivalent of the UK Houses of Parliament.

NORMAL LIFE: Fathers With Something To Say

We are gay, and our father's have in the past made references to the fact that we don't have children. Bree and I have somewhat resigned ourselves to the fact that we were not intended to have children, at least biological children of our own. Furthermore, I personally think that society isn't ready for same-sex parents, and this puts me off even considering adoption or surrogate pregnancy.

When I returned to the UK last autumn, my father wasted no time in asking if I would ever consider having another relationship with a woman. Given the stress of coming out and the fact I had been in a relationship with another man for four years, I was surprised by this sudden question. My answer was simple: no. He said that getting married and having children were the best things that ever happened to him. Also, the arrival of his first grand daughter (and therefore the extension of his own procreation efforts) was a reason for further pride and joy. It was just the way he was saying it, as though I was going to regret it one day.

I had forgotten all about this until this Christmas when Bree had a similar experience with his father. Bree's father thought it appropriate to ask Bree, who had just turned 40, if he was planning to reconsider his 'lifestyle' and start a family. Again, I find this odd, given that I have been in Bree's life now more than five years. Truth be told, Bree has never really discussed his sexuality with his family, but surely his father couldn't be that naive? During the conversation, Bree was compared to his brother who is married with two young children.

And then a couple of days ago, I called my father for a quick chat during which I asked how my lovable three year old neice was. "She's fine," he said "but have you considered having your sperm frozen?" I was shocked by this sudden question, not sure how to answer or how it fit into the context of our conversation. "Um, no...why do you ask?" I replied. He went on to explain that some gay couples have surrogate mothers for their babies and freezing sperm is common practise these days. When I said that I really hadn't thought about having children, he seemed dismayed as if judging me for having some kind of control over my own life.

The moral of this story is that raising your children doesn't end when they reach adulthood. It's a lifelong journey. As much as I somehow admire those who have children and are able to watch their children grow up, just thinking of the way I behaved during my adolescence puts me off having my own children. On a deeper level, I can’t help but feel that the older generation tend to live through their children and it is for this reason that I want to hang onto my own individuality rather than place all my expectations, hopes and dreams on a child; it’s easier to do that than realise your own hopes and dreams.

NORMAL LIFE: A Case Of 22 Degrees!

My fascination with the weather continues, as Finland's winter continues to be the mildest on record. On this very day last year (read here), I reported how the weather was a bitterly cold -23°C. Today, the weather is -1°C, a year-on-year difference of 22°C. Isn't that just extreme?

While I'm thankful (nobody enjoys -23°C), you can't help but wonder what an inpact this will have on the environment. Will the coming summer be a scorcher, or will it rain to make up the ever obvious lack of snow during the winter?

As evidence that the weather does affect people's moods, I have been happier this winter than during the previous five combined. The reason: the weather has been very much like home (the UK), with periods of rain and wind. Such is the similarity in the weather that, at times, it feels like I'm surrounded by foreigners in England!

Meanwhile, Europe is battered by strong wings (see here and here).

NORMAL LIFE: Scottish Nationalism Threats Unity

Despite developments within the European Union, nationalism seems to be becoming more prevalent than ever; this is exacerbated by increased immigration and the taking up of employment which would otherwise remain with the 'natives' of such countries. Even Scottish nationalists, not satisfied with having their own assembly, want Scotland to become an independent country.

If anything, I would like to think that the United Kingdom serves as an example of how countries can cooperate together. In the UK, we have an official language that serves it's purpose: to unite the people during the course of everyday activities, be it trade, politics, education, health and whatnot. I'm no big fan of the current labour government (Indeed, one of the reasons I left that UK was because there was no government support for young people such as myself to buy a home of their own), but Gordon Brown rightly pointed out that the future will be 'characterised by interdependence'.

This interdependence is already observable throughout Europe with swathes or labour and sources of goods crossing the numerous borders. For Scotland to start pulling away from it's closest border, England, would be catastrophic, not just culturally and economically but for the families who have relatives in both countries. Worst case scenario, what if Scotland went one further and pulled away from the European Union? Would England then be forced into a position to decide whether or not they were Europeans or would they choose to salvage what was left of Britain?

What really gets to me is how political Europe has become. Gordon Brown refers to the 'Balkanisation of the UK', comparing Scotland's possible split from the UK to the split of the former Yugoslavio into five distinct countries. Overseas, the UK is recognised - perhaps inaccurately - as a single entity. This view is supported by a Chinese colleague who, a few years ago, asked me: "Why do you and your Scottish colleagues sound so different when you speak?". You wouldn't believe how difficult is was for me to explain that we are actually from different countries. In her mind, the UK was viewed as a greater entity combined than viewing Scotland or England in isolation.

Given the influx of foreigners to my native homeland, I can somehow understand why Britishness itself may need redefining. And I somehow understand why Scottish people would like to stand up and make a point, given the way the English have treated Scotland in the past. However, we can't let such political correctness get in the way of destroying what is a unique set of shared values and traditions which the world admires.

Read more here and here.

NORMAL LIFE: You Won't Take My Money, But You'll Give Me Some?

Recently, I was going through some papers and realised that I had two pensions in my name which two different employers had paid money into on my behalf as a benefit of working for them. One fund was significantly smaller than the other so I started the process of consolidating them.

Over the course of two hours, I had called both pension providers and the relevant previous employers to find out the process for transferring the balance of one fund to the other. Each party had a different preferred way for dealing with the process so I called the fund I wanted to consolidate everything into for advice.

Since I am living abroad and no longer subject to UK taxation, I am unable to maintain this particular fund. Somehow, I imagined that my time would end up wasted, set adrift amidst tax-related law bureaucracy. I was told that until I returned to the UK, had a permanent UK address and was subject to UK taxation, I would be unable to continue maintaining the pension fund in question.

Furthermore, the provider had no alternative products to offer allowing intra-country transactions meaning that I would need to open up a third, internationally maintainable fund! During the course of that call, however, I was told that the pension provider has recently demutualised (whatever that means!) and that I would need to speak to someone else before ending the call.

I was placed on hold briefly before a joyful Scottish woman came onto the line, informing me that my pension provider had free shares on offer as part of the provider's demutualisation. Thinking it would be minimal and annoyed by the fact that I would need to open a third pension, I was tempted to just left them keep the shares. Before I could make an excuse to put the phone down, however, the woman once again pointed out that I was no longer a UK taxpaper and therefore the monetary value of the shares would be awarded to me (for some reason, non-UK taxpayers are not allow to hold these shares) so they will be sending out a cheque for £529.

I nearly fell off my chair. My head was swimming in what can only be described as bureaucratic nonsense, but the long and short of it was that the pension provider was refusing to take money from me, but happy to give me money. I felt like I was a contestant on Deal Or No Deal. Deal, I thought!

NORMAL LIFE: Is Mother Nature Commoditising Heat?

Whoever is controlling the world's environment is a clever so-and-so, be it God, Mother Nature or whoever. While there's no sign of a deep freeze or a pending Ice Age, Global Warming is apparently likely to be a good thing for some of us (as I wrote earlier here).

The Financial Times recently reported that 'the Mediterranean faces crippling shortages of both water and tourists by the middle of the century' which means that 'northern Europe could reap big benefits from global warming' (read here and here). It has been suggest that, if global warming continues at current levels, the northern coasts of Britain (and why not the southern coasts of the Nordics?) could become future rivieras attracting tourists in droves.

The economic effects would be devestating for countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece whose internal investment has been geared towards a reliable flow of tourists, who spend an estimated €100billion ($130bn) per year. All this leads me to conclude that Mother Nature is commoditising the precious resource of heat by allocating it to specific regions of the world for certain periods of time. Could it be the world's own way of surviving for that little bit longer rather than allocating all the heat to one specific area, saving it from complete devestation?

NORMAL LIFE: Crossing Confusion

I nearly died on my way to work! Maybe I'm being a drama queen, but morning after morning cars refuse to stop as they approach a zebra crossing (one of those black and white striped pedestrian crossings) quite closer to where I work. Sometimes I'm standing there for up to ten minutes waiting to cross the busy road and I'm left wondering: why did they paint this road?

In the UK, it's mandatory for motorists to stop at zebra crossings if its seen that somebody is attempting to cross it. Of course, you get that occasional smart arse who thinks he's above the law and values his time more than yours. But throughout mainland Europe, I have often wondered why they put these crossings in places where motorists seem to not even notice them.

Another weird thing in Finland is when you cross a normal pedestrian crossing (e.g. one that it regulated by traffic lights for motorists and a green/red man for pedestrians). In Finland, pedestrians can walk at the same time as motorists turning left or right into the right you are crossing. Quite often, a motorist is dangerously close to pedestrians rushing across the road to beat the Green Man before he becomes a Red Man. Again, I'm left wondering why?

Isn't letting pedestrians and motorists go at the same time a risky combination? Somehow, Finland has got it right as road fatalities are amazingly low. But I am tempted, just to make my point, to sit in the middle of the road on my way to work tomorrow, but I'm afraid the motorist won't see me and I'll be added to the statistics of people who died through stupidity!

NORMAL LIFE: Can Kids Learn To Be Shy?

It's amazing what kids pick up on, and its not childhood illnesses or diseases I am talking about. I was watching the evening news recently on Finnish television. A reporter was looking for people - parents with children, to be more precise - to interview in a Shopping Centre. Upon approaching prospective interviewees, I noticed on each occasion how the interviewee's children shied away from the camera, longing somewhat to be as far away from the interviewer as possible.

In the past (see here), I have written about how Finn's possess three distinct characteristics: modesty, silence and a limited ability to socialise. One thing I didn't expect was for this to be confirmed, on television among children aged as young as three and upto the age of ten or so. It just goes to show how much, on a cultural level, we learn - or copy - from our parents. Conversely, in the UK, the situation is very much the opposite with children clamouring for attention; this is supported by studies that indicate that citizens in English-speaking countries actually find it difficult to remain quiet in the company of others for more than ten seconds. Of course, there are the shy exceptions, but I'm convinced that if they did a study, Finnish kids would be found to be overwhelmingly much shier - and quieter - than British kids.

I have my own evidence that supports this claim, but perhaps it's not representative. My niece is three years old and Bree has three godchildren aged four, six and seven. My niece, the youngest, is much more lively and social than the three elder ones put together. Given my family's own demeanour, it's hardly surprising my niece is a chatterbox. Likewise, given what I would describe as the relatively conservative nature of the godchildrens' two sets of parents, it's unsuprising the children are somewhat reserved.

This is an interesting observation because the more time Bree and I spend together the more he understands just how different Finnish people are. While all nationalities are different, this reservedness really is something that defines Finnish behaviour. Whilst admirable in the sense that Finns take the time to think things through before they react, it's one of those annoying characteristics as it often takes alcohol - that staple food of the Finnish diet - to bring out the social part of the person. Interesting, very interesting!

NORMAL LIFE: That Pink Jumper & Bird Flu

Life with Popeye (read more about him here) continues to go well in the office! He detected that I was unwell last week and, this morning, I sent him an online message to ask if he was wearing the sexy pink jumper I had seen him wear last week; I had joked with him that pink was so his colour to which he asked if it made him look 'funny'?!!

He responded to my online message by apologising as he wasn't wearing the pink jumper, and said that he had been thinking about me over the weekend. Alarmed, and seeking reassurance, I stopped chatting with him and called him by telephone. "I'm worried about you," I said and we both laughed instantly! I asked him if he was thinking good things. "Of course," he said.

I told him I was feeling much better, explaining that I must have had a virus of something. "Perhaps it was bird flu?" he asked. "Could have been," I replied "I'm such a chick, you know that!" Again, we were laughing! God, this guy is so cool!

NORMAL LIFE: Read Before You Start

It reminded me of my school days when you were instructed to read the exam paper instructions before the observing teachers would allow you to turn over the paper to start. What am I on about? I'll tell you what I am on about. It's that Jamie Oliver, and the way he overcomplicates things.

I bought Jamie Oliver's recent book, Jamie's Italy, for Bree for Christmas and, this weekend, we decided to make some of the dishes in it. Yesterday, we copied the ingredients we needed onto a piece of paper and rushed to the supermarket to buy what we needed (the stores are closed today because of the Epiphany). This afternoon, having read the instructions on how to make the dishes for the first time, Bree went nuts. "That will take hours," he grumbled and suddenly he felt very tired! I sensed that one of his famous naps were coming and I was left alone in the kitchen to prepare the food.

Given my lack of practise in the kitchen, I have to say that it was a good exercise because, with Bree asleep, I had to fend for myself. I must have spent four hours (yes, four bloody hours) making Hunter's Chicken Stew followed by Florentine Rice Tart. Seasoning and then marinating the chicken, frying it and then roasting it in a red wine solution which contained garlic, bay leaves and other herbs and spices took more than three hours, with the remaining time spent preparing the pasty and the rissoto filling for the Tart.

For the first time, I understood why England is facing an obesity crisis. Faced with chefs that think the likes of you and me have four hours to prepare a main course and a dessert, it's hardly surprising that people opt for the faster, cheaper and easier alternative. That's where Jamie Oliver is smart, though. The guy has managed to put the very fear of cooking into the hearts of ordinary folks like you and me, whilst managing to sell cookbooks at £20 a pop.

Having said that, though, the food was lovely. The chicken was a bit rich and the Tart was a bit too filling for my own taste, but what an experience it was. One thing I will do next time though is read the instructions before I start!

NORMAL LIFE: 90th Year Of Independence

Today is the day of the Epiphany, which celebrates the period from when Jesus Christ was presented to the Three Wise Men (Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar) until he was baptised by John the Baptist, in the River Jordan. It's one of those religious events that are taken seriously in Finland with the granting of a public holiday. Unfortunately, this year's Epiphany is on a Saturday which means that all the shops are closed on the only day when office workers get to spend their well-earned cash. What a joke, inconveniencing the national economy in aid of a meeting between a young baby in Bethlehen and three supposedly Wise Men. Hmph!

On a much more recent note, today also marks the start of Finland's 90th year of Independence (read more here). On December 6th, 1917, Finland declared independence from Russia and has made significant progress. I am currently reading A History of Finland written by Eino Jutikkala and Kauko Pirinen, and I'm just reaching the part about whether or not Finland remains tied to Sweden or should be annexed with Russia. With a very different history to that of England, Finland's history is equally turbulent although there was no empirical glory or slavery or chopping off of people's heads. Rather, Finland's history is tied very much to politics.

When I think how modern Finland is, I find it very hard to imagine that it was a Grand Duchy of Russia just 90 years ago. I have visited St. Petersburg (see here), and the differences between Helsinki and St. Petersburg are overwhelming. If you're considering a visit to Finland during 2007, check out these links:

- Tourist Website for Finland
- Official Website of Helsinki
- Virtual Finland

NORMAL LIFE: Has Winter Come And Gone?

Engulfed by a mild virus that I can't seem to shake off whilst dealing with a resurgence of my neck injury from last summer, I'm find this first week back at work a challenge. Yet another example of becoming a Finn is my refusal to seek medical advice. This morning, my colleagues and I discussed another, winter-related topic: the lack of snow.

Finland is no exception to this phenomenon; Ski resorts throughout Europe are suffering from a lack of business due to non-existent snow on their slopes. Normally, at this time of year, Finland is bitterly freezing. On January 19th last year (see here), I wrote about how the temperature plunged to -23ºC, something that seems unlikely to be repeated.

To my mind, Winter arrived already at the beginning of last November, with 1-25cms of snow in the south of Finland. It was lovely. Today, the temperature is +1ºC and I'm starting to wonder if it will drop to -12ºC like it did last November. Has winter come and gone?

For countries like Finland, global warming may seem like a good thing for a respite from a possible -23ºC is indeed a wonderful thing. However, if we consider 50 years down the line, Helsinki could risk flooding of an unprecedented scale if the Arctic Ice continues to melt at the current rate, as could other northern cities such as Sweden's Stockholm, Norway's Oslo, Estonia's Tallinn and Russia's St. Petersburg.

So, what's being done about it? Any efforts made by Europe will prove futile because the United States and Australia refuse to sign the Kyoto Agreement, which is a declaration by supporting states to cut their greenhouse gases which is known to contribute to global warming. Add China's industrialisation to the mix (can you believe they want to use coal?!), and the planet is doomed.

In 50 years time, I will be nearly 80 years old, and how shameful it will be to turn around to the youngsters and say "Yeah, we knew it was gonna happen, but time went so quickly that we just couldn't action anything". In the meantime, Mother Nature will continue to make a presence with Tornados, Hurricanes, Typhoons and Tsunami's. What will it take for someone to take a stand?

STEP BACK IN TIME: Flashback 62 now online!

Click on FEBRUARY 2005 to read:-
- Wild In South Africa (Days 1-3)
- Wild In South Africa (Days 4-7)
- Wild In South Africa (Days 8-11)
- Wild In South Africa (Days 12-14)
- Wild In South Africa (Days 15-16)
- Wild In South Africa (Last Words)

NORMAL LIFE: New Year, New Start, Ditching Begins!

At times, we all feel someone is taking advantage of us, and I am no exception. One of my own personal traditions is to review the contacts in my mobile phone on the first day of each year and start removing those who I have not heard from, or who I have simply chosen to disassociate myself from. This morning, I deleted 32 numbers.

I estimate that half of those were business contacts, whose usefulness has run their path. The other half I would say consist of former friends and colleagues who have remained in contact, but whose contact I consider to be so sledom or devoid of purpose that it's hard to associate any value to knowing them. It was a very therapeutic exercise to delete those contacts for their very existence in my phone simply reminds me of those who have moved on so I asked myself why shouldn't I move on?

As I scrolled through those who remain, I smile as I remember memories associated with each person. I'm happy to call them my friends and look forward to the year ahead; I hope 2007 brings them warmth and good feelings, just like the picture accompanying this post (which I took on Boxing Day off the coast of Helsinki's Kaivopuisto region).