“Shit, camera...”

“...chest out,” thought Julius to himself as a reflecting lens betrayed the paparazzi's location.

Raseborg Ruins

In addition to Olavinlinna's war castle, this summer I've visited another medieval sight - the Ruins of Raseborg or Raseborg Ruins. Though smaller and more modest than the Olavinlinna castle, Raseborg's castle is even older (built in the late 13th hundreds). It is very near Helsinki, in Tammisaari, the city that holds the Brigade in which I completed my military training in 1999. It took me and my friend Saila not even an hour to drive there. As you can see, the weather was optimal for a road trip to a historical location. (Unlike this week, this gray and rainy week. But in one way I'm fortunate: the weather is keeping me busy indoors translating.) We are actually pretty high above ground here.

Tired Boys

It's understandable. Not having to do anything, not having to drive or keep a watch on the traffic, can be very exhausting. Emil, his brother Alex, and Jan are sleeping on our way home from our road trip to Savonlinna to see the majestic Olavinlinna war castle. I wrote about it earlier, and it appears that Emil has as well but to his credit he added great pictures too.

Like Father Like Son(s)?

I found a picture of my dad taken thirty years ago. I think he's only about twenty years old here, despite the scruffy beard. Many say we share several "aesthetic traits" (and I'm not only referring to the hair loss). I think there are some similarities which is comforting in a no-son-of-postman kind of way.

Surprisingly, more than one of my friends said after my graduation party a few weeks back that my brother Danny resembles my dad, not in the way he looks but in the way he is, the way he talks, acts, walks, and the like. So one got the looks and the other the demeanor? Danny, high five or shoulder to cry on? How about a high-ish five?

Timo Soini, an After-thought

In my post about Timo Soini, the only Catholic MP in Finland, I mentioned that I almost voted for him during the previous elections. I mean the city council elections, not precidential, although he did run for precidency too receiving 103,000 votes. I agreed with all of his values and missions except one, I am not a vehement opposer of the European Union.

Eventually I voted for another candidate (who wasn't elected) because Timo Soini, I thought, wasn't global enough. He is not multilingual, and I felt that he may not see the human race as one big family or not emphasise this enough.

After reading his political biography, Maisterisjätkä - meaning 'Master-dude', referring to both his academic dimension and modest suburban soul - my opinion of his global thinking has slightly shifted to the better. I will be following his political and personal life more acutely in the future. He combines many admirable traits, and the future of his political party, Perussuomalaiset (Traditional Finns), looks very bright indeed.

Olavinlinna Castle

Earlier this week, me and my friends Saila and Emil, Emil's brother Alex and my semi-brother Jan, drove to Savonlinna to see its famous Medieaval castle, Olavinlinna (St. Olaf's). First built by the Swedish Empire sometime in 1475 to protect its interests against the Russians, it is one of the oldest castles in Finland. It's also the world's most northern stone fortreess still standing.

In the photo above (taken by Emil), Alex, Saila, I and Jan are just admiring the view before crossing the draw bridge to take a better look. Over the years it has been extended a couple of times, new towers have been built etc., and it's seen plenty of actual warfare. It surrendered once after a longer siege, but no-one has ever broken into it. Olavinlinna was built on a rock island, so it has splendid natural protection on all sides.

Since 1912 Olavinlinna has hosted the most famous opera festival in Finland, Savonlinna's Opera Festival. During this few day long festival the castle is not open to tourists. The government actually rents the castle out. You can even rent the King's Hall, only, or any other of the various rooms or court-yards for your friends, your wedding, and the like. Our tourist guide told us that the King's Hall costs only 600 euros a day. Think about it! Emil and I immediately started to talk about planning some sort of theological seminar or get-together there.

Teemu the School Boy

My "little brother" Teemu will begin school this August. He can't read or write yet, but he can write his name, identify many letters, track down any (and I'm afraid every) cartoon and music website, and is a regular contributor for the Winx fan-site. Teemu has been a blessing to our family for over five years now. He is still our "little boy", but used to be small enough to hide under ordinary pet-toys.

As the park supervisor looked away...

...Simon saw his opportunity had come, and, commending himself for outsmarting the silly girl, galloped away leaving a trail of dust behind.

Hunting Trip

I have been kindly invited by my friend Saila's father to join him and Saila's uncle on their annual hunting trip this October. I am definitely planning to make it, and even paid my hunting license despite not knowing if I'm even in Finland at that time (I might be in Tanzania). It will be prime season for black grouse (teeri), wood grouse (metso), and hazelhen (pyy). I carry a shotgun (not in public), not a rifle. In other words I've never hunted big game like moose or elk (they're two different species no matter what the British say).


This photo is from my brother's wedding (reception, not ceremony). Somehow his wife Sirkku was able to tell the difference between the moose pelt and Danny's hairy chest, even though Sirkku's brother Sami tried to deceive her by carefully adjusting Danny's crucifix. How she did it remains a mystery to this day.