Eurovision

Just over three weeks left for the Eurovision trip to Helsinki. Of course, a good holiday needs good planning, which is why I have a couple of things lined up for whilst I'm out there. Being a bit sunnier than the last time I was there, I'll be doing a little geocaching around the city.

Hopefully I'll be able to get another reindeer steak whilst I'm there. The cheesy tractor restaurant Zetor could be on the menu.

I have holiday cash, the hotel and air tickets are paid for and so is my entrance to the contest. How exited am I??? BUBBLING!

A number of countries have started their national selections for their entry for Eurovision 2007, however as usual the BBC is leaving it until March. Finnish broadcaster YLE has started theirs for the song to represent them in Helsinki, and you can hear the first six entries here.

Quite a mixed bag, I'm sure you'll agree.

Sunday was eventful - I spent the first couple of hours of my morning on the phone trying to get a line to Helsinki. Tickets were put on sale for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest at 10 am, and varying reports have been floating round that tickets for the final sold out in 13 minutes.

The Helsinki phone system almost melted down, and at 11.44 am I finally got a line. Sadly, no tickets for the final for me, but I managed to get one for the semi-final on the Thursday, and one for the 3rd dress rehearsal for the final. I'll get to see the acts and running order at 2pm, but I won't be at the filming/live event that you see on TV. I'll keep trying though.

Lippupalvelu, the company selling the tickets wouldn't take a credit card over the phone, so they invoiced me and I had to wire the money over to Finland. More expense, to an already expensive outlay. Probably a once in a lifetime thing though.

The car went to the garage to be repaired on Tuesday, and I've been given a Toyota Yaris in the meantime. I'm afraid I have nothing nice to say about this car. It takes unleaded, sounds like a Diesel, and has about as much pulling power as Virginia Bottomley. DO NOT GET ONE.

Hot chocolate time methinks.

Negotiations furiously continue with various hotels for a stay during the Helsinki Eurovision Song Contest. Which hotel will be awarded with douze points, and which will be sent with a slap across the face nil points. Keep a look out, and see where the Hazzanet lot will be staying for an awfully euro-popped holiday.

Finland's "Lordi", a monster-rock band gave a monsterous performance at the Olympic Arena last night, playing to the audience all over Europe. Many countries awarded their douze points to Finland, leaving Lordi walking away with the title of a Song For Europe 2006.

This means that 1) I collected £14 from Ladbrokes and 2) the contest will be in Helsinki next year... YAY!

Aaah, Eurovision time. Who will win? Will it be Daz Sampson, and that naff rap, or will it be hard rockers in rubber monster suits, Lordi? I have to admit that my money is on Lordi, and I hope that the show heads to Helsinki last year. Let's hope that it does, and I'll cadge along for the ride :)