sour grapes?

Further thoughts on Eurovision, I'm afraid. :o)

I think we've been able to ignore the extent of the political voting for the past few years because of the shiteness of the UK entries. Now, Andy Abraham's song is not my usual choice of genre, but I happened to like it and I thought that was quite a commendation for it, since it suggested a certain amount of crossover appeal. I didn't expect it to win, but I was hoping for a top ten finish. I think a lot of people over here felt likewise, and I expect that's why there's going to be more irritation about this (among people who care about it) this year than in any year over the past decade.

So I've got to wondering: do you think it's possible there might have been a certain amount of subconscious (maybe even conscious) racism going on? I mean, it was quite striking that, of all the entries in the final, we fielded the only lead artist who happened to be black. How the hell did that happen? There are people of colour all over Europe, and yet we're the only ones who sent one to the contest. Do you think it's possible our entry was dismissed by many immediately as "boring black music"?

Anyway, as I pointed out on ms_katonic's post, it looks like the bloke who won is something of a teen idol in the Eastern bloc. It would have been the equivalent of America being involved, allowed to split into all 50 states separately for voting purposes, and then Tennessee sending Justin Timberlake.

What on Earth can they do about it? I know they've been trying their best to come up with a fair system, but I really don't see how it's ultimately going to be possible.

tomatoes

My project to force myself to develop a taste for tomatoes continues apace. Today I have cooked myself my own perception of a Spanish chicken stew, complete with many cherry tomatoes, tomato paste (first time I've ever bought such a thing), garlic (don't usually cook with that either), saffron and thyme.

It tastes nice.

Soon, my friends, I shall be removing tomatoes from my "I don't eat list" forever!

Forwards to mushrooms, comrades!

Final note on Eurovision

Just for the record, my favourite - and the one I voted for - was the Croatian entry. Nicely understated usage of the circle of fifths in the verse (note to non-musos: I'm talking about the start of the song; compare what you hear to the harmonic structure of the verse of "I Will Survive" - that's the circle of fifths). And DJ 75 Cents was rockin' on the gramophone deck. :o)


ETA: I've found the pop video for it. It takes place mostly in trams.

Dad-related excitement!

I just called my Dad since it had been a while. And there's some exciting news.

He's dating!

He put an advert in the Herald and has met with a good ten or so ladies! Apparently he described himself as "curvy" in the ad. :o)

He has one particular favourite, who seems like a lovely one. I'm so happy! :oD Apparently her son really likes him too and when he went to watch a performance of her choir, one of her friends met him and said "Oh yes! You're the man who makes her laugh!" I've told him I think these are good signs. :o) They have already met a good few times.

He's told me that once he manages to find his passport he's planning to take her to Paris, dropping in on me and Stef on the way. He's realistic that it might fizzle out, and if so he'll just be glad of the fun they've had (he says she's divorced and "cautious"). But he's also hoping for the best. I think that's the best attitude!

Yaaaaaaay!! Go Dad!