Eurovision Is My Christmas - Semi 1

Sometime in 2008, I was flipping channels and I came across well, this.

It was Bosnia and Herzegovina's 2008 Eurovision Song Contest entry. And like a car crash, I couldn't turn away. I think my favourite part is when the guy, Laka, pops up from the laundry basket and sings; "With my favourite prank, I trick flora and faunaaaaaaaa!"

That wasn't even my fave entry from that year. In fact, I wasn't even sure I even liked it. I still don't know if I like it. And yet, I kind of love it and it's great. There's something about the green suit, greasy hair and the flailing about the stage that walks the fine like between genius and stupidity.

But regardless, I was kind of hooked on Eurovision ever since. I love it, I love the glitz, the glam, the tawdry half naked women, the cheap music interspersed with the rare great music, the costumes, the accents. It's 101 countries wrapped in a gaudy little bow.

And it is fucking awesome. Mostly, it's so bad It's good. But I think it's so good it's good.

So yeah, it's Eurovision weekend, which is kind of like my Christmas. And if you're not into Eurovision, well, this entry is going to be shit boring. Sorry.

Eurovision isn't big in the US at all-- so as a consequence none of my online friends shares one iota of my enthusiasm (I'm so ronery...) but it's kind of a big deal here because Australia is 'multi-cultural', and part of the natural identity is that... we borrow the national identity of other cultures.

There are a lot of Greeks, Macedonians, Italians here although... well, Italians didn't give two shits about Eurovision until last year, where they re-entered for the first time in years and years. And they came second.

Well, to be honest, most Italians still don't give a shit about Eurovision on the whole. Especially in Italy. But here in Australia too.

For the record, the entry didn't do it for me. It was too schmlatzy; and if he was going for the Bublé effect, well, I can hear it, but I don't think his voice was strong enough to pull it off. I really didn't think the song would do as well as it did.

But shows what I know.

So I'm kind of like a friendless anomaly when I watch Eurovision. Well I am in general, but in this, too.

But I get all gushy and culture-nerdy and excited.

I'm such a freak.

I get excited easily, I've mentioned this a lot.

But I just love learning about culture, and Eurovision gives me a window to places that I would have otherwise overlooked... and dream to visit.

Shit. I just realized something. Am I a closet romantic?

Fuck it, I totally am. I think I see life through rose-colored glasses.

Well that sucks.

Well, I can't help it. I have this weird sense of whimsy regarding most things, especially culture and art and the world.

I have the perpetual anime shiny-eyed-awe face.

I can't help it! Don't judge me!

... My dream is to go to Eurovision someday; any country really. Preferably one I haven't been to. Baku would have been great, because it looks amazing and wonderful and...

My Mind: "Everything is amazing! I love everything! I want to be everywhere and do everything! I love you! LETS HUG! WHEE!"

Shut up, Brain.

In Australia, everything is delayed, and I get even more delays because I'm in Perth. So they only showed Semi 1 tonight. I prefer to watch it on TV-- not the internet-- because if my brother isn't going out he'll watch with me, and it's just more relaxing that way.

So I kind of need to stay off the internet until they show the final on Sunday, or at least not look at anything so I don't ruin the result for myself. Which my ex inadvertently did one year, when he's all like; "Hey have you heard this song, 'Fairytale'? It won Eurovision this year!" When the final had just ended hours before, and they were about to show it.

Pfft. He was such an asshole, I'm glad we broke up.

I'm not a fan of spoilers.

Semi 1 was great, but I only really had two favourites in Semi 1; Switzerland and Iceland. I could take or leave the other songs, although I have such a soft spot for the Russian Babushkas. I almost cried, they were so friggin' cute.

I didn't like Iceland at first, but it has kind of power-metal undertones, which I'm a sucker for. I lament the fact I wasn't into Eurovision when Lordi won; that would have been great to watch. I am also a huge sucker for stringed instruments, and a closet romantic-- as we found out earlier, so the Iceland entry is win-win for me. It's purty and makes me feel all melancholy.

And well, I only liked Switzerland because the guys are from the Italian part; and they are kind of cute. And I liked his horrible English accent. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't too bad either.

I swear to Buddha, though, the Moldova entry guy is like Edward Norton and Colin Farrel's love child. I freaking swear.

Anyway, I need to sleep and get off my nerd highs.

They are the only kind of high I know. *sob*