all things me

Last Friday I went out with a couple of colleagues, “for a pint.” We were walking to the subway station when the other asked me to come along and I had to make sure, “You’re asking me? Even though I don’t drink alcohol?” I was told that was beside the point. So, I tagged along.

We went to a beer house and I ordered a Pepsi (I was treated, how kind). The bartender asked, “you want some vodka¹ with that.” My response? A loud “god no!” When we sat at the table my colleague laughed and asked if I get asked that a lot. I don’t but that might be because it was my first time “out for a pint.” (I had a wonderful time!)

I’ve never drunk alcohol, nor tasted, nor wanted to. Usually it doesn’t cause any problems but in the company’s summer festivities we were at a Greek restaurant and I asked for something to drink other than beer or the lukewarm water they served at the tables. The waitress shrugged and said “this is a Greek restaurant in Finland, why would we have something else?” (What about kids?!?)

Finns are big drinkers and I’m one of the odd ones out. Proud of it, too, although I don’t remember making a decision between to drink or not to drink. There has been no need; drinking has never even crossed my mind.

I suppose it’s “common knowledge” at work that I don’t drink alcohol. (It certainly is common knowledge with my family and friends.) In our last Christmas party I won a bottle of wine and a promotional t-shirt. I asked if the competition organizer would mind if I gave the bottle away to everyone. I kept the t-shirt although I don’t think I’ve worn it once.

On Monday a colleague of mine had emailed a project manager saying that he hadn’t had time to finish a task so he’d buy a beer to whomever finished it for him on his day off. And either the PM or the colleague had added, “or a Hyvää Päivää² to Minna.” Today — I got a bottle of vitamin C + caffeine Hyvää Päivää.
(Yup, caffeine is my drug of choice. I’m not pretending to be a goody two-shoes.)

1. Well, he said “kossu,” but who cares. (See Wikipedia if you do care.)
2. Hyvää Päivää wellness drinks, another site, in English

I was standing on the escalator coming from the subway. Listening to music on my mobile. All of a sudden the music stopped and I thought I’d accidentally hit the pause or stop button on the remote. I kept walking, thinking I’d fix it when I get to the bus stop (I was in a hurry).

Suddenly I realised the music — Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake — was playing on the loudspeaker!! It took me a few fumbling moments to shut it up.

The phones should definitely refuse to play music from the loudspeaker unless it’s specifically activated by the user.

Or maybe I should just listen to less embarrassing songs…

Do you have an artist, a song, or a music style you like, which you rather keep to yourself?

Luckily among the dozens and dozens of dirty spam comments that are caught in the blocks, and just drive me crazy, there have lately been these gems from “Daniel.”

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Disappointment, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Movie Meme, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.

I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding Defeating Sudoku in five simple steps, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong

Oh, Daniel. You’re a moron.

I sit down in the train after speeding in a hurry through the town on a mission – I need to get something for my godson. Suddenly a noisy flock of finnsvenskarna, Swedish-speaking Finns, comes trampling down the corridor. Oh no! They sit in the 4+4 seats smack in front of me.

I start digging through my backbag – I must’ve brought my earphones, I must’ve! (I had to make a quick switch of bags in the morning when I realised I couldn’t fit everything in my other bag.) I finally found them in a pocket I didn’t remember having.

I have nothing personally against Swedish-speaking Finns, but because the language is “foreign” I can’t block it out as effectively — the Finnish words in the middle make it worse.

And let’s be honest: they’re loud.

Anyway, I hope you have a nice weekend. I’ll be in the middle of dogs, horses, kids, and a donkey.