The Who rocks!

We went to see The Who in Helsinki. The last time they were in Finland was 40 years ago! You would not know it's been so long. This was probably one of the best gigs I've ever been to!

Lemmings are back!

I used to love Lemmings, and to my surprise, it's available also for Windows!! Click here for download.

Denmark and back

I attended the annual user innovation workshop. This year it was organized by CBS in Copenhagen. It was great as always to meet with people who do research in user innovation.

Paluu pulpettiin

Pakkohan tää peruskoulutesti oli tehdä, kun tällanen kerta löytyi! Yllättävää kyllä sain keskiarvon 9,7 eli sitten vuoden 1993 on ilmeisesti jotain kehitystä tapahtunut meikäläisessä. :)

Sushi for the pain

Today was a loooong day in the office. We have to file all travel documents through Personec Travel, which is a program from hell. I ended up spending a little bit over 2 hours trying to clear my travelling expenses for the trips to Japan and the US. I would say I'm above average computer user with use experience of dozens of programs and some programming skills. But no, this is obviously not enough for being able to clear two trips in two hours. The result (after sweat and near-tears) was only one trip cleared (which in fact bounced back later!). After that I was done. And also ready to rip off heads of the mean and useless people who have "designed" the stupid program.
Once I realized I had also missed the 7 o'clock train to Tampere, which means I will not be at home until a little after 10 o'clock, I was ready to scream. The only solution to ease out the pain, was to stop for sushi at Kamppi Center. It helped.

California dreamin'

After the trip to Japan, only 3 days at home, 1 in Helsinki, and then I was off again. This time I was headed to Silicon Valley, mainly to Stanford University. I also spent one day in San Francisco doing the usual tourist stuff.
I quite unintentionally spotted the street where the famous BRAVIA Commercial with bouncy balls was shot. I love that ad (if you can love an ad)! Their other colorful ad is pretty good too.

PS. Check out the videos: the cable car, sea lions

Fried vendace for lunch

This is truly a summer-thing to do in Tampere: Having fried vendace for lunch at Tammelantori market place. I am (as you probably already know) a big fish-eater, so this is a perfect lunch for me. Some might argue they put too much salt on the vendace, but I don't really care - it's delicious! The only thing that was missing was a glass of cold white wine. :)

Kyoto is lovely

On Monday we took Shinkansen to Kyoto. It was not the first time I took the same train. I could easily see myself living both in Tokyo and in Kyoto. And probably anywhere else in Japan, too. These two cities are just the only ones I know. The highlight of this trip to Kyoto was probably seeing Kinkaku-ji temple i.e. Golden Pavilion Temple or visiting the Ito Jakuchu exhibition. The man must have been a genious!
On June 1 we flew back to Helsinki.

In Tokyo!

On Thursday 24th I took off for Japan for a work-related trip, although I must say, our timetable is not super busy... :) The first 3 days I spent in
Tokyo. It is definitely one of my favourite cities! And Japan in general is great. In my opinion, Japan and Brazil are the coolest countries in the world. This was my second time in Tokyo (and in Japan). Last year in February I was there with Riksu (who was by the way quite jealous of me for getting to go back!).

PS. Check out the video: descending from Tokyo Tower

Bolivian rams

I am anxious for my Bolivian rams to pair up and start making babies. However, I believe that the chances for the offspring to survive with all the other fish are slim...

Ruotsi sujuu

Samojen kamojen joukosta kuin Snoopykin, löytyi myös vanha "päiväkirjani". Olen kirjoittanut tämän kyseisen tekstin arviolta 5–6-vuotiaana sen jälkeen, kun ollaan oltu kylässä pikkuveljeni Juhon kummeilla, joiden lapset puhuivat pelkkää ruotsia. Äkkiä sitä oppii, kun on pakko. :)

My Snoopy

I had to organize some old boxes full of stuff from my childhood. I found my dear Snoopy and lots of clothes I had made for her (yes, it's a her). :)

Small leaves and strange candy

It seems that we are finally getting leaves on trees. It gives you hope that the summer will be here eventually. :)
Although I am a big fan of both salmiakki and chocolate, I don't see the point of putting them together. Well, somebody thought of it anyway, and today I got to taste this strange combination.

Vappu!

Time to celebrate Vappu! It must be different in all countries, but at least in Finland it is a milestone on the journey from spring to summer, and according to students the most fun holiday all year. Riksu is not a big fan of Vappu, so this year (like previous years) I spent it with my friends in Helsinki.

Fish news (good and bad)

I have good and bad fish news. I'll tell the bad news first: I have lost my first fish in this tank. One of the ten Flame tetras had been in a bad shape for a while already, and today in the morning I found the corps. No new fish or plant has been introduced to the tank since when the Otos arrived in the beginning of February, so the reason for his death should not be a decease that is infectious but something that just happened to this specific fish.
Then the good news: It seams that my Bolivian rams have reached their adulthood. This means that there's a chance for babies! :)

Check out also the new video on my bristlenose pleco Rousku.

Pelottavaa yhdennäköisyyttä

Löytyipä eräästä blogista vähän pelottavia kuvia...
Ja kuka sanoo, ettei telkkarista ja muista tuuteista tulvivalla kuvastolla ole merkitystä ihmisen kehitykselle?
T: Tyttö, joka ei saanut kattoa Ritari ässää

Teekkarilakki

Tasi-isäni teekkarilakki on hiukka erivärinen kuin omani. Kaikki kellastuminen ei johtune ajasta, vaan ennen jotain tiettyä vuotta materiaali vain oli sellaista, että se helpommin kellastui. Noh, kun isä ei ole enää lakkia pitämässä, annan vappuna lakin Tasin pikkuveljelle Timpalle, joka omana teekkariaikanaan oli jonkin sortin radikaali eikä hankkinut omaa lakkia.
PS. Huomasin muuten, että olen isääni isopäisempi, kun sovittelin lakkeja.

Good old Zander

Riksu and I have pretty different diets when it comes to eating vegetables, meat, or dairy products. But with fish we find common ground. Today we cooked a simple but delicious meal: salad with parmigiano, mashed potatoes, and zander.
Similar dishes in earlier posts:
02.09.2006
14.10.2006
What can I say – I love fish!

Product Development Gala

Today it was time for the annual Product Development Gala at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK). All projects for this year's PDP course were presented in the gala. I took the course in 2003–04 and can say it was the best piece of university-organized learning I ever went through!

Feels like summer!!

Look at the temperature chart! Today and yesterday it's been like two summer days. Over +20 °C (68 °F) both days, although almost 0 °C (32 °F) at night. Today I went cycling with short tights. What a feeling! Well, the rest of the week is going to be crap, but who cares today!!!