Catching (almost) the blue moment among all the blue houses.
Very appropriate for this blog.
Day 223: Blue Moment
Category: Finland
Day 222: Murals
Alanna’s comic school is in a neighborhood called Karakallio. It’s a bit of a drive, so it makes sense for me to wait there for Alanna to be done. I typically spend at least part of the time walking around the neighborhood.
The most interesting part of the area is the large-scale murals decorating houses here and there.
It’s like a treasure hunt. Suburban version.
Day 221: Change of Season
It’s that time if the year when the autumn just crashes in. Right now, the majority of leaves are still green. The trees are yellow only in spots, reeds are turning brown and streets are painted with fallen leaves.
In a week, the world will be all yellow and brown. With a dash of red.
Day 212: Soukka Day
Finns are not very good at building neighborhood communities. In general, Finns are not very good at casual socializing. Having lived in our current house for five years, only now – through Scouts – have I realized there is actually any community activity at all.
So today was a Soukka Neighborhood Day. The girls participated in a Scouts skill trail, which rewarded participants with a free crepe and jam.
Grassroots participation.
Day 207: Work Week
Since its founding, our company has been pretty diverse, even for a startup. I remember when we hit 45 employees, we had people of 19 nationalities living in 14 countries (and 49% women).
I love it, but it comes with its challenges. And, to be fair, any company culture benefits when colleagues occassionally meet face-to-face.
So once a year, we bring managers and a few experts together. We still keep it casual.
Good for business, tough on photography projects!
Day 204: The Snake, The Death and Naked Boys
I have seen many world-famous churches with breathtaking decor on my travels – and yet there is none I like more than Tampere Catethdral.
When painting the church in 1904-07, Hugo Simberg (who just happens to be my favourite artist) broke all the norms. He painted a snake (the most evil of creatures) eating an apple in a prime spot on the ceiling, roses to symbolize earthly love, and – shock horror- 12 naked small boys (the apostles?) carrying the “Garland of Life”.
None of which you would call typical for its time.
My favourites, though, are the two more famous works on the walls: The Wounded Angel, lovingly carried by two peasant boys (note the factories in the background, placing the scene firmly in the industrial Tampere), and the Garden of Death. In the latter, the creatures of Death tenderly care for the delicate flowers, the souls of the departed.
This is so much more approachable and warm than the massive cathedrals in Europe built to inspire awe. Fits my small-scale view of life much better.
Day 203: The Observation Tower of Pyynikki
I grew up in Tampere, and any excuse to visit is a good excuse. I rarely do any sightseeing, but made an effort this trip… mostly for the photos.
Pyynikki observation tower gives you the iconic views over Tampere. Just as importantly, though, it has the best sugar-coated doughnuts (munkkis) in Finland.
Day 201: Progress
About six months after we moved to our house, a new metro station opened 700m away. Since then – over 4 years – nothing has happened in that area as the city plans have been challenged in different courts.
But we all knew that there was no scenario where a metro station this close to Helsinki would remain surrounded by forest and a few old houses. So they have now started felling the trees and tearing down the old single-family houses.
We all knew, except my girls. They are horrified that someone would destroy nature just to build houses. Why can’t they build houses where there are no trees, bunnies or squirrels?
How right they are.
Day 197: The Bugs of Finland
I have always thought there are really no “cool” bugs in Finland. After a walk with Alanna in the sunny forest, I have to admit: there are. I am just really bad at spotting them.
Day 194: Books and Play
I love some of the new libraries in Finland. They are a far cry from the stereotypical dusty, dark rooms with a librarian angrily shushing every sound.
The library in Lippulaiva, the nearby shopping mall, is full of color, sounds and running children. There is a playground with a slide and a real car, a pool table, a few 3D printers, and a loom. There are soft armchairs, cushions on the floor, and several soft nooks tucked away in corners. And there are books that people (kids especially) actually want to read.
I sympathize with people who feel it is too much; that libraries should be quiet and calm, with a focus on education.
But I think reading should be fun.
