http://www.douzepoints.com/blog Bringing you a view of Helsinki Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:51:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en like after a battle in the Third Crusade, but in reverse. Message boards are alight this morning with harsh words against the EBU for allowing the East to put forward better quality songs than their Western counterparts.  The head of the EBU, Svante Stockselius is getting the brunt of mittel ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=13 Mid May not 1963, but a bus ride in Helsinki, what a lady, what a night. Well no lady, but I've got an admirer, and it's a qualifier for the final. Oh yes. It may be 1am GMT, but it feels like a new millenia over here. It was a long night.  Needless to say ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=12 Even though someone who shall remain nameless changed my log-on and cost me a fiver in calls, I shall persevere. Don't let the b...s drag you down. I've just returned from the pub, after taking the ludicrous decision to sit in the hall for the 3rd & final semi-final dress rehearsal. Not that ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=11 Here are the qualifiers...maybe.  Serbia 10/10 - doubtless will be El Tel's favourite, couldn't get more minimalist with it's lesbotic tendencies. The backing women just stand there, looking like the safari jockeys from Big Train.  All said, Roland from Grange Hill went down v.big in the hall Switzerland 9/10 - mannequins at ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=10 There were loads of "parties" last night, but I forsook the Sacndinavian, Greek/Cypriot, & Slavic get-togethers and restricted myself to only one, the Big Four do. These "parties" are a varied affair, the Macedonian one for example was held with the extended family of the singer in a community hall, ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=9 and that's just my underwear.  You tend to have a more confident stride when you're sporting new undergarments, but I thought I deserve it.  Took me 20 mins to master the trams and the trains. Anyway, as for Helsinki, it's smashing. So far, I've knocked over a confectionary stand, bumped into Iceland, and got a head ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=8 but I fear it may blow off (the hat, that is).  It's a super trilby effort, and puts at least 5 years on me. Roger of Germany and Serbia's backing singers will love it. As you can tell I'm on the final packing push now, right down to the accessories. Missing parties ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=7 Many others of my kind have now landed and are embroiled in the semi-final rehearsals, so I have decided to give a quick overview from the brave souls already on the front line. And not the wise ones, enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of Helsinki, but the ones suffering the sounds ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=6 As I type this Hepburn sunglasses and touch up kits are being packed throughout Europe, as the acts lock up their Samsonites to climb aboard a short haul flight to ignominy. Although I won't be in the frozen tundra for another week, matters will carry on without me.  From Thursday the 3rd of ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=5 This will be my blog for the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki, Finland and my, am I looking forward to it. In between trams and beers, I hope to be reporting back with all the wide eyed fascination that results from watching 42 nations wearing sequins.  Landing on the 8th of ... http://www.douzepoints.com/blog/?p=3