Eurovision Song Contest 2024 *clears throat*

(I do that a lot, btw. Damn rhinitis! Hmm, alluring image to cultivate on the Internet right there…)

I PLEDGED (well, sort of) that I would go into this year’s Eurovision cold! (As cold as could be!)

(I am still a little put out at last year’s results. Well, it happened. I would love to be a juror one day. Oh, the POINTS I would give to some of the songs… #Power) (I would probably be a rubbish juror actually. I don’t like the bit at the end when the acts receive their public vote: you can tell it’s tough for many of the contestants. Justice for “Who The Hell Is Edgar?” ETC.)

I have heard some songs in their entirety.

Look, we’ll see how this goes, ok?

If anyone is interested *ahem* I made a playlist with some of the national final songs from this year (Lithuania, Estonia, Goddess Konstrakta from Serbia, RAAVE! from Austria).

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1yjfpUHxRqKf55RU44k6CO?si=6dBzPxkqReum9F_VwpYsMw&pi=e-CP17-xqsQVGi

I have watched Eurovision on and off since the 1980s.

My favourite Eurovision song of all time is this captivating masterpiece.

Goddess! Robbed! Babble! Etc…

My favourite songs from the last few years, hmm: Serbia from 2022/2023. Austria from 2023. Anouk (Netherlands). I honestly don’t know! Hold up, is it time for another playlist…

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0g68TA4oT3IJrHAF9Jk5js?si=BtdchOxRSZ6Id5WBjKZ-Yg&pi=e-Jq0QSIXkRJ-e

I like songs to be in native language if possible. I am a middle aged woman whose passport expired. Gimme different cultures, different languages! Give me that flavour, that excitement!

I am aware that I am getting older and some of the factors (things like TikTok integration) mean nothing to me (oh Viennaaaa). I really don’t want to sound like someone shouting at a cloud. I want to get the balance right (oh the title of a Depeche Mode song).

What have I heard so far, then?

Estonia – song with an incredibly long title that I am not going to look up as my cat is on my lap (Eesti, we are cool, right? We have a history!)

SOUNDS LIKE I have no idea

I completely and utterly love this and I am thrilled that this song will be representing Estonia in May. This is why I watch Eurovision! It’s in Estonian, it represents Estonian culture. The package is so fun and charming and clever and infectious. I might have to vote for this, you know. When did I last vote at Eurovision? I don’t always particularly care for the Estonian entries. I used to be a big fan of the Estonian music scene. Tallinn is home to this gem…

https://youtu.be/4j5M4N_NDPg?si=4Hrn_30A9ejbtCOA

(Does the embed work? It is the Depeche Mode bar in Tallinn. GOD. The sweetest perfection indeed.)

Sweden – Impossible

SOUNDS LIKE “Salva Mea” by Faithless (thank you Internet!)

Yes, Sweden has the ‘teacher’s pet’ tag for sure: they are good at what they do and I will always respect a competition like Melfest (they put the work in and it invariably pays off) but, yeah. It can be like eating Pringles (let’s NOT go there) instead of trying a new flavour, something different… I would love to hear Swedish language, for example. (When did Sweden last send a song in Swedish? It is a beautiful language.)

These singers (Marcus and Martinus) are adorable, and it is probably just as well I am not a juror because I don’t like to think of their little faces being disappointed in any way. Eurovision can be ruthless. Of course they will do well because Sweden (and the singers are Norwegian). The song is catchy. Good luck to them.

(I will be back…)

(I love Pringles btw. Way too much. And I always almost eat the original ones.)

Opening Up

So, I have just been on Facebook. My personal info section is pretty bare (it is mostly a work thing, to be honest). I toyed with the idea of fleshing it out a bit (what a horrible expression) (I see that some people on Facebook have little sections on their pages where they have answered questions, and it is often contentious stuff such as Brexit) (thank you, David Cameron) (that was sarcasm by the way).

I need to keep it as dry as possible, really (I cannot go vocally anti-Tory because I am conscious of my job. I cannot post sweary stuff á la a family member who has been suspended from Facebook loads of times). It is really boring. My page is boring. Okay, so my life is boring. What to do?

I am reclusive – I will admit it. I have anxiety and all that comes with it. My self-esteem is frequently rubbish. I don’t really know how to ‘do’ being social because my head gets in the way.

I am obviously single, super single. I am used to being single. I don’t want to be hurt. I like having my own space, too. Just sometimes, though (and more so recently) I think of companionship. I went for a walk in the local woods yesterday and thought it would be nice to have someone with me. It would be nice to go supermarket shopping with someone (I do not ask for much). It would be nice to snuggle in front of the TV with someone. Damn.

This, though, involves opening up. Letting people in. Being brave and also vulnerable. People on Facebook don’t need to know about my favourite TV shows etc but perhaps I should open the door just a little.

When I was (much) younger I used to give myself profiles, like the ones seen in the magazines at the time.

Should I try something now, for the hell of it?

• Name – Fiona
• Star sign – Aries
• Favourite food – Pizza
• Favourite drink – Coffee Diet Coke water
• Favourite song – “When The Sun Hits”, Slowdive
• Favourite city – Tallinn, Estonia
• Favourite sayings – “A problem is an opportunity dressed in work clothes” and “Be the change that you wish to see”

It is hot and I am tired. Maybe it is time for closing down.