soundtrack | David Bowie: Ashes to Ashes

I've been horrified about the Asian earthquake. Thailand and Sri Lanka are so popular holiday places right now that almost everyone knows someone who has been - or still is - somewhere down there. I'm afraid that the curious people watching the lists and images of missing people will block the net so I've tried to keep out of the way, but still I haven't been able to avoid a few images of the missing children and unidentidied persons. How awful it must feel to wait information from the other side of the world not able to do anything. And it must be really strange for those who have returned without any damage or without missing family members. I mean, a tropical paradise turning into chaos a few days ago must be feeling like a surrealistic dream when you are wiping the snow out from your street back home.


It would have been a sort of strange, dark Xmas time this year even without the earthquake. Of course it felt good to sleep (and that I did, about 12-14/24) and to eat, and it was warm and cozy with my parents and all... but never trust your brother if he's something like mine. I asked him to bring us something nice and harmless to watch; something that won't liquidate your brains but it's still fun to watch. And what does he do? On the night before the EQ we watched Grave of the Fireflies, an anime from Studio Ghibli. I'm sort of glad that I watched it even though it was nothing like I had in mind. (I guess it's one of the best movies ever and I recommed it to everyone but don't watch it when you're a bit down. It won't make you more glad.) The dying theme of Xmas continued next morning when the news from Asia started to flow and like that wasn't enough I still managed to watch a documentary about a demolition of Pompeii.


After this happy happy Xmas weekend I've been trying to have a few days to myself and my own projects but so far I've gotten nearly fifty work related emails. It's hard to NOT work when you know they are there awaiting and the longer you wait... I'm sort of telling myself that a couple of days make no difference but still I *know* that the AOTTD (amount of things to do - I learned this yesterday from spam mail) will grow fast to the point where it'll be hard to handle. So... I guess I'll have to make some work things already today.


During this time I've been trying to finish my one spam related artsy project. I already missed one deadline (well, it would be today and it's impossible to finish right now) and I'm afraid that I miss the deadline of one New York alternative gallery, which was interested about my installation, too. Have I mentioned about this? If not, it really doesn't matter now but shortly: I'm making my first installation ever. It's not complicated but still it requires a lot of background work to be done and here I am, stuck in the word-ville not able to finish the thing in time. I should have had more time in the beginning of the project. Anyway, it's no use to whine now. I'll finish the project, if not now then later and it'll find it's place somewhere.

By the way, the net art interview was published in tutka.org a few weeks ago (in Finnish of course).

soundtrack | Metallica: One

Thursday again.
Mad week again.
And Metalliga again?
Seeing some kind of pattern here?

The last weekend was dedicated sleeping and working (f.ex. Sibelius Academy project) - first time in many weeks I stayed in.

On MonTueWed I stayed in Jao evaluating media students. Watching as they work, that is. I tried to be on time everytime but somehow I managed to be late every day. I don't fit to this system.

On Thu I visited Aalto Museum (had some coffee there) and Timppa's parents (Xmas food). My brother and I bought a wide screen tv for our parents and it was delivered today to us; I used about three gift paper sets to wrap it and the whole package looks a bit disturbed. But if somebody says something I'll blame drunken elves for that. I also set up our nice plastic xmas tree and ordered a nice snowy weather outside.

Today we'll go see my parents - for undefined time - after I first will have my good night sleep. Ah, Sleep, thy I miss...
So, I'll be offline for a couple of days. -ZZZZZZ ZZZZ ZZZZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZ ZZZ zzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzz zzz zzz zz zz..............

soundtrack | Metallica: The Unforgiven

Mad week. It's already Thursday? What? My strange sleeping habits have propably made some holes in the time-space continuum. Mentally I'm still living Tuesday, the day straight from hell... Wednesday was a bit better. The most nicest surprise of this week came yesterday with mail: paycheck. I had totally sort of forgotten that I'll get paid for teaching.

I've done a lot of work with new Alvar Aalto F layout. Layout idea is not exactly mine (the visual realization is) - but it's a bit hard to adjust to another way of thinking; even though the concept of the site is not mine and it's already thought of, I had to make my own proposition too, just to make things clear in my head. But too many cooks... Maybe it's the best if I stay out of the way and just do what I'm asked to: layout, graphics and coding. The main problem with this project has been *time* - I've actually managed to do three weeks work in one week... and about four times. The latest deadline was for Wednesday and of course I had this brain blowing head ache on Tuesday - I was hardly able to move. So I slept through that day and tried to get rid of the pain - but in vain. I just had to start make the layouts at midnight - and got finished at sevenish in the morning.

Needless to say that I missed the small christmas gingerbread-coffee-moment in Craft Museum where I was invited to... And also missed exhibition opening in Gallery Harmonia. The rest of the day I just wondered in home like Ozzy O. But actually I got few smaller things out of the way: writing reviews for my students and contract outlines for The Online Gallery Henkevä Silakka / Spirited Herring project.

Yesterday I got the new concepts for Sibelius Academy project. That should be the main theme of today if everything goes well. Other things I have to finish before the following week ends: two artist pages and layouts for one artist and Colour Foundation page... And then there is this national costume project and two language versions of the Craft Museum pages awaiting... Well, work really doesn't end by doing it.

First I take a little Xmas shopping moment...

soundtrack | Audioslave: Like a Stone

Teaching days behind me and that's it for this year. Still some reviewing things but that's whole another thing. These last two days I've been teaching colour history and reception things - my thing. But I have to say: these have not been my brightest moments...

I've worked a lot with Sibelius Academy project. Right now I'm a bit lost with that one but I'm trying to organize all kinds of 'to do -lists' to help my work. Also worked with Aalto Foundation new layout and some small sites coming up. I have a small rush right now. Mental note: too much teaching is bad.

And interviews about net art: I'm about to answer to Javamuseum short interview and on Tuesday I answered one email-interview which will be published later in tutka.org (online-zine by the students of Diaconia Polytechnic/Turku).

Anyway: another christmas party thing (Jyväskylä Artist Association) accomplished. Maybe I'm allergic to Fridays or something. My right eye's watering, I'm like crying all the time. I noticed the thing on last Friday but I don't think tha tI was crying the whole week, it was just the Friday week back - and it started again this Friday. But this time it didn't stop at all but got worst on Saturday. I practically couldn't do anything yesterday because my eye kept watering so much I really couldn't see. And at the same time the eye is drying and then itching and now it's swallen. Good reason to keep holiday: it's not so bad as yesterday (yes, the eye is still swollen and itchy and red even the tear amount has dropped significally) but still when I try to look at a bright monitor it starts again.

Maybe I'm allergic to work.

soundtrack | Velvet Revolver: Slither

Time? Where does it go? I guess it has something to do with the fact that I've been sleeping a lot. I didn't sleep a lot when I had my three day teaching session on the beginning of last week: after I came back from teaching I worked home until about 3 or 4 o'clock each morning and then woke up at about half past eight each morning. Then on Thursday I could sleep a bit longer but I had a meeting at noon so eventually... First I met with Ulla to discuss about our colour exhibition in The Craft Museum of Finland and after that I had a meeting with Hannele Ollakka who is an internationally awarded textile artist. Then I visited many places and brought some christmas calendar type candy things to my business acquaintances + friends. Every year I cut some kind of cardboard christmas character/elf-heads but this year I was so bored with them that I started cutting two horned little christmas devils... But they ended up being quite cute anyway. Devilish christmas, that is.

The same Thursday I came home and was sooooo tired I almost bursted to cry. I started making some layouts for Alvar Aalto but as the layout they want is so unconventional, I had a lot of problems with realizing it and I had to ask for help. Then I went to sleep for a couple of hours, started working with that one again at midnight and continued until about five o'clock at morning (just to hear next day that nobody had read their email on the morning before the meeting at afternoon...) The next day I woke up at three, took a shower, dressed up, left to get a Angel season 3 dvd pack, came back, spend some time in phone and then it was already six and Matti Reivi's exhibition opening in Gallery Becker. After the exhibition opening we walked to his home to afterparty (and ate good Russian food) and we returned some time after midnight in the freezing weather - but it was nice.

On Saturday we first visited my parents (resting, eating) and then I went to Anna's christmas party/ coming home party. I really was so tired that first I wasn't going to go but considering that Anna has just returned to Finland after being first three months in NY working in UN headquarters and then three months in Washington working in Finnish Embassy - and after christmas she'll leave to Amsterdam for about three weeks... When else could I have a change to meet her? At the party there was also Niina whom I haven't seen for ages - so it really was fun and I totally forgot how tired I was. But at about 11 when everyone else were leaving to downtown I headed home - to get some sleep.

And some sleep I got. Yesterday I woke up at about three and today at about one.
So, I've actually spend a couple of holidays here. Which is always good to mention in my working blog... (Actually, I've made small updates everyday but nothing big. I'm unable to plug off.)

What else?

Webgallery Spirited Herring project is now officially accepted as the Arts Council project. I'll meet Tiina on Tuesday to discuss about all the necessary paperwork.

And there has been some things evolving arounf my 'art' things. I'll write more about then when/if it'll be more accurate but this one I can tell: I spoke with one American on phone last Friday (this phone call I mentioned before) and I actually talked him about a bit bat. I hope the line actually was so *baD* he didn't hear me well enough...

Yesterday I tried to catch up with Spyro (talking about PS2 here) which I didn't finish because of The Racthet & Clank 3. And which I now propably won't finish because it's TOO DIFFICULT. R&C problems were easy compared to this one and it's said everywhere that Spyro is practically a children's game.

I've ashamed me enough now. Time to have a small break. Ashaming will continue later.

soundtrack | Backyard Babies: Ex-Flies

Project Emptying-Minds-By-Strange-Teaching-Medthods continues. Last week's teachings session ended in Friday evening at eightish - after which I went straight to Jaakko Valo's exhibition opening at´
The Jyväskylä Art Museum... and then there was some time spending procedires at Parnell's, Vihreä Haltijatar (Green Fairy) and Vakiopaine Bar (eh... Standard Pressure Bar...) - all which of them are pubs. I missed the christmas party of the Craft Museum of Finland to which I was invited to but luckily I didn't miss all the goodies. Mikko participated the christmas party and met us later on the pub - and brought me a doggy bag with salty snacks and chocolate things. But I have to say, a quite large piece of strong cheese in same doggy bag... Well, it didn't actually spoil the surprise but I have to say that the chocolate tasted a bit strange.

The following days - la dolce vita mode. The very next morning we went to visit my parents and what we did: slept, ate, slept, ate and played some cards. And then slept. On Sunday morning (eh) I woke up at half past one (on DAY that is), spoke html for a couple of hours and then turned into a zombie and watched tv about eight hours straight. *Bling bling.* It was about one in the night when I realized that a) I had to start making the demo for Aalto Foundation if I want it to be ready on Friday and b) new teaching period would start at 10 o'clock next morning. So I started coding the demo and got a good four hour sleep before waking up.

I actually wasn't so tired as I thought I would be. Teaching period of the day went well. But then I decided to go to the art class and when I waited in the corridor for the class to begin - in a really good chair and covered with my soft and furry winter coat listening to the quiet noise of the library hall... Oh boy. I almost reached the coma. After that moment I've been strangely non-efficient. I've replied all the emails I've received today, worked with MUHI layout and even done some small updates - but some projects (like writing Webgallery Spirited Herring project description for the Arts Council and plans for Jani) just take ages.

And yes, The Racthet & Clank 3 is now over and on the second run... I'm trying to keep some pause in that. Have some work to do.

soundtrack | Megadeth: Die Dead Enough

I've been so busy that I'm practically neglecting my friends. Yesterday Teija called me if I'd like to go to have lunch with her - I had to refuse (being busy). Today she called and offered to buy me a lunch in thai-restaurant - but still I just had to say no. Some other people have contacted me and asked if I'm ok since there hasn't been entry in my blog and there's a total email silence. Not a good sign. Me, bad. *ashamed*

Well, here come the excuses. I've been a bit fewerish. I should have stay in bed last week when I had a chance - at least in theory. But there was this one killing project that has been hanging since the beginning of July (not my fault, the orderer missed the deadline for ONE MONTH) and I just had to finally get it out of my hands. But working instead of sleeping the fewer off was not so good idea. And the situation didn't get any better when I decided to go and watch fireworks - there is actually a VERY frosty atmosphere outside. When did the winter start? Snow and all.

And I've been working like maniac. The fun part was Arctic & Fabulous Film Festival in which I was a member of the jury last weekend. There were some amazing short films (documents, animations, experimental, fiction...) We were unanimous about the winner: Karaoke, a short animation by Aiju Salminen.

And then there is Racthet & Clank 3 (PS2...) I can't work 24/7, can I? And dont worry my friends, you'll have me back soon, I'm almost finished with that one.
The flu won't be over, I know. This week I'm teaching each evening in äThe Adult Education Centre of the City of Jyväskylä. And on weekend I have to finish a couple of demo sites. Plus all the other projects. Actually, there should be a panic button here. I'm almost glad that I'm too tired to panic...

ps.
FILE 2004 website 2004 + festival is open. I was invited to participate with my work Book of Days - but then as I browsed around other participants I noticed that [R][R][F]2004--->XP project is also participating. I have one work, Silence, in [R][R][F]2004 Violence XP project... So, I have actually two projects exhibited in Sao Paolo, Brazil. [R][R][F]2004/ Violence XP project actually tours in other places too: 04XI-04XII 2004 Ist INTERNATIONAL EXHIBIT OF DIGITAL ART - ORILLA#04, Museum of Contemporary Art/Foro Universitario Santa Fe /Argentina + 7-12XII 2004 404 - Electronic Art Festival Juan B. Castagnino Art Museum Rosario/Argentina... Me, good. *grin*

soundtrack | The Cure: Lullaby

HA!

Right after the last entry I dropped out from the network all together. The next morning I called to the helpdesk of my connection provider and they told me that there is something wrong with the net connection - not just my imagination - and that there was nothing else to do but wait. Luckily I had scheduled one meeting about The Online Gallery Henkevä Silakka / Spirited Herring with Anssi so I didn't need the connection right then. We had a lunch in one Chinese restaurant and we planned the gallery project together. I wasn't sure about our budget so after lunch we visited the The Arts Council of Central Finland and set the total budget amount from The Arts Council; we'll propably try to get extra money from somewhere else. Anssi will propably get the most of the money since his job is the most basic one and because it's harder to get grants for programming. That will be seen. I'm meeting Jani tomorrow (well, today, after a good night sleep) and we'll make more plans and maybe more accurate budget. Anyway, the Online gallery thing is now developing. Finally.

When I came home I chatted for a while with Teija (in non-virtual mode, person to person) about some work business + some non work things. After getting gome I was happy to notice that I was back online and able to update. Except. I could download my email but not send email. My email provider helpdesk was allready closed so I just had to wait for the next morning. My mail works now but the problem was not really solved. We noticed that somehow I could use another port and everything is ok, but something is blocking the usual port. Shitty Shitty Bang Bang.

Anyway, on Thursday Ulla and I met in the The Craftmuseum of Finland: The colour+dyeing exhibition we've been planning WILL BE the main exhibition of the museum in 2006 - from May to September. WOW! It feels really great but at the same time... *fear* would propably be the right word for this. It's still too big thing to fully understand.

And some updates (working like maniac here after a forced pause mode): The Arts Council of Central Finland, Elämän värit, Arctic & Fabulous Film Festival, The Craftmuseum of Finland, Gallery Becker, Alvar Aalto Foundation, Centre for Cultural Affairs of Jyväskylä... Also made some layouts for Alvar Aalto Foundation and printmaker Aino Kaarina Pajari.

*zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*

soundtrack | Björk: Triumph Of A Heart

NOT A SINGLE WEEK this stupid &%¤&%¤%¤¤%### c:ter is not trying to annoy me to death. Anssi mailed me (with tilt on subject) - we both seem to have a same problem. Access to one network doesn't work. As so happens, I can't now update the Aalto site, Craft Museum, or Arctic & Fabulous - just to mention few.

Today (...oops, it's already yesterday) I was teaching at Jao and on Thursday I'll go again. I've actually had fun with the students ... But I'm not so sure that the feeling is mutual. I bet they let it all out when they go home after class. Grrrr... I have to say I almost angst-paralyzed when I realized that I'm teaching every week of this month. But now as I am, it really isn't that terrible. One thing bugs me though: Ratchet and Clank 3 (PS2) will be in stores next Monday: I was going to buy it (well, uh, send Timppa to buy it) and then lock myself inside and play, play and play. And play. But frell. Can't do that - duty calls. Maybe I'll just have to develope some kind of mind blowing project and nobody will know the teacher is missing.


Oh boy, oh boy. I have such a ;) project going on... First I thought it was a good idea for some kind of commentary artistic work but the more deeper I've sank into the project, the more I've become convinced that I must be mad and there if there is something artistic, it must be the void space in my head. There is propably a computer which could do what I'm doing about zillion times faster but do I care? No. Now I'm too embarrassed to tell what that project is but as I have continued it already ten days, I just have to finish it. This project is soooo good example about my nerdy life.


---
Oh, and I've decorated my new monitor with colourful post-it parade. Feeling cozy already.

soundtrack | Bitch Alert: Psycho Drama Queen

Really.

Noboby will believe me anymore. I'm running late with all the projects because of these /&%&¤##¤%¤¤#¤%#¤ machines who won't respect me in any way. On Wednesday, I had just saved the draft of the entry below and was about to start updating sites when my monitor, my sweet sweer Silver, passed away. Died, so to speak. There was only a bright flash of spectrum and then - the darkness.

Of course this was at the evening when all the stores were already closed. I had no chance but to watch television all evening. Which would have been relaxing if there wouldn't been there deadline images in my mind. And too tight schedule stranglering me.

I bought a new monitor right in the morning. I really hadn't time to think because my day was scheduled from noon to midnight and I just had to get the screen right away. I just made the fast decision to be traditional: I bought an good old fashioned monitor, not TFT one. Which actually bugged me for a while. This is *a big* black 19" ViewSonic. I adjusted the monitor for about two hours and still I wasn't very happy. My Silver was a flat Sony Trinitron - the image was really sharp and the lines were straight. Well, this new one is not flat. Now I'm getting used to it. Actually, the adjusting is really easy and big resolutions work well - big prints are now much easier to handle.

But I can't help it. I still miss the good old Silver.

*Oh my god. I've given name for my screen....*

Okay... I'm starting to worry me...

Anyway, after we had brought the new monitor home, I ate a small piece of tuna pizza and rushed to Craft Museum. Ulla and I presentated our exhibition idea for the management of the museum - and voilá. We'll meet again next week and start making a budget for the exhibition. More about that one later when it'll be more accurate.

After the meeting I headed for JAO where I teached to about 7.30pm. I have to say: I'm loosing my touch as a teacher. Or propably I just was so tired because of my rebel c:ter relatives and all the adjusting... When I came back I made some small updates but the big projects are still still... Soon Stilton if my luck keeps going on like it has.

Today I had a meeting at The Arts Council of Central Finland and we discussed about the future of their web pages and of my online gallery project (coffee + cookies). Then I went to see Luova foorumi (Creative Forum) people (coffee+cookies). When I was returning home I met Rune and we went to hide from the rain to a small eco cafe (coffee+cookies). Easy living.

Well, the positive point of this is that now I can watch FarScape in bigger screen - looks good.

soundtrack | David Bowie: Wild Is The Wind

(This was actually written on Nov 3)

Day before yesterday it was the FarScape which won over going to art class. And - *hih* - I was the only viewer. Some guy (who had the same kind of reddish combat boots which I have - except mine are not exactly combat boots... *babbling goes on*) came to start the movie and after a while he left - and there I was, alone in a small movie theater, watching the series all by myself. Really. Then when it ended some other guy came to turn the machines off. I walked back home through the dead silent town - I was home before 11 pm but I was so tired I went to sleep almost right away.


Maybe it was (uh, the tiredness) because of my sudden cleaning activity which took place on Sunday. I finally got bored to look at the metallic locker thing in our one room - we got the locker from our neighbour and it just has stood there about two monts waiting for someone to fix a place for it. So I started this project on Sunday, emptied one shell system from cd's + vhs tapes etc and then pushed the locker into its right place. The only problem is now that it was relatively easy to empty the shells but it isn't that easy to fill them back. And then there are the extra doors I had to move from one corner to get the locker to fit... We have one old wooden door from one common sauna (I think) which is really beautiful ..and heavy and now homeless and without proper place.
I was going to continue the project on Monday but - FarScape. And yesterday I had one meeting and then I was teaching yesterday.

Anyway, it's making me really tired - playing some sort of hide and seek type of game with this &&%¤¤¤%%### c:ter. Online offline. Conscious - unconscious.

soundtrack | Spiderbait: Black Betty

Good news first:
Arctic & Fabulous Film Festival 2004 has been online since Friday.

Bad news then:
Since I worked so har on last Thursday and Friday I decided to keep a few days holiday and enjoy the weekend. So I did. On Saturday I visited my parents, we played cards among other things. Then in the evening Timppa and I went to a Maj Karma + Bitch Alert concert in Tanssisali Lutakko - and came back about 3 or 4 am. Needless to say, Sunday started after midday and I practically watched tv the whole day. La dolce vita!


After a good rest I woke up refreshed and energetic - to what? My computer had decided to download XP service pack 2 - all by itself - and I sort of accidently ended up installing it. After which all worked fine otherwise but I couldn't click anything on desktop - *TILT*. I ended up calling Microsoft help desk and there was this young guy (I suppose so) who helped me a lot and I actually got my C:ter working again.
But after a while... The story actually didn't end like that but after some bliiblaa and blahblah everything is now ok. I think...


And other stuff: as soon as I got back online, I updated Coloria and Webgalleria Henkevä Silakka / Spirited Herring. Last week I actually managed to proceed with Spirited Herring project; I'll write more about that when I'll got black on white. But one thing is sure: Spirited Herring is going to change a lot and it won't be just my project anymore. More about that one soon.


I've worked a lot with Väripaletti project and I got the first demo finished a few hours ago.
Made a few layouts for Piitu Nykopp, an artist who makes dolls. Still a few artist layouts to make.


I should really go to my art class but there's a screening of FarScape / Peacekeeper Wars at 7pm... It's not hard to guess which one will win this battle in my mind...

soundtrack | Muse: Butterflies & Hurricanes

I did it. I updated my work-o-matic. There are some files still missing but I really haven't bothered to list small projects at all, so that should do. The trick.


Yesterday one reporter from YleQ (radio station) contacted me about using Coloria to some project - I'm so glad that my hobby has some use for someone else too. I don't have turn my guilt processor on + to eleven (hih, a little Spinal Tap joke here) while making Coloria instead of working with proper projects. ...Actually Coloria has had a lot of visitors this week (at least I've got a lots of feedback). Nice.


Right now I'm working with Arctic&Fabulous (on demo phase), Kirsi Neuvonen (on problem solving phase), Riiminka (problem solved, thaks to Anssi before whom I bow; renewing phase), Väripaletti (coding the basic page), a light related net exhibition for Alvar Aalto Museum and Sibelius Academy project (small adjustments). Basic updates of today and yesterday: Ptah, Alvar Aalto Foundation, The Craftmuseum of Finland, Elämän värit, The Arts Council of Central Finland and Centre for Cultural Affairs of Jyväskylä. You see, I've been busy.


A small side note: today at noon I noticed that it was as dark as at summer midnight. I really couldn't read inside without light. Goth season has arrived. Now it would be a good time to dress in to black leather and pvc and find the darkish mood before entering the rainy, nightish day.


I continue my journey in the darkness. I'm leaving to get more education... about colours.

soundtrack | Thin Lizzy: Whiskey in the jar

The whole week has just flashed before my eyes.


Wasn't a very good week for teaching. First of all, I was there only for three days of the whole week and through that time I was a bit disoriented. I was so tired that the whole week was like a big dream sequence. But emphasis on the word dream - I was tired but there was nothing nightmerish about it. Except for my headache which was about to kill me on Tuesday afternoon. The rest of the week was much easier. The whole class is more like work shop than a course with new things. I tried to advise each student personally and also tried to get them to help each other. But anyway... I'm more a power seeking unit than a teacher and I think the students know that now.


On Thursday I woke up at 6am (!) and left for Helsinki with Teija. I had one meeting in Alvar Aalto Academy at noon and Ulla from Sibelius Academy came to pick me up at half past one. Actually, I think that I finally got a hold on to that Sibelius Academy project! *Click.* After the meetings I met my brother who kindly offered me a luxurous eat-as-much-as-you-can on RAX - and then I headed back home.


But at least one project is almost down and out. Riiminka is online, published on October 19. There is still one minor problem to be solved - but anyway.


Next week's program includes f.ex. Kirsi Neuvonen's site renewing and Arctic & Fabulous site renewing...
And some more FarScapes.

soundtrack | Rammstein: Mein Teil

Rude awakenings, the title should really say. Well, not that rude - but a bit unexpected. This morning I received an email - someone was asking if 'the teacher' is existing here somewhere. I had totally forgotten about teaching in JAO this week. Well, actually, I checked my calendar last night and there was nothing about teaching in this date but there was a hand written note which had the dates 19-22 written on it. When I looked that closer it got more obvious that the nine in n.teen was actually badly written eight of e.teen. So, sorry all the students there. We'll see tomorrow.

I ofcourse hadn't realized the teaching project when I promised to travel to Helsinki this Thursday. But too late to cancel that one. And I don't really want to.

After a morning shock I started with updating Gallery Becker, Alvar Aalto Foundation and
The Craftmuseum of Finland sites. Arctic & Fabulous Film Festival is also on it's way. I have all the movie images completed, the site will propably open this week.

I spent some time designing a logo for Väripaletti project. I actually managed to make a few simple versions about an idea we developed with another Päivi H (a namesake of mine). The logo designing is really not my business but I've designed a few this year. It's something.
I should've take the painting course today but since the slight changes in shedules due to the teaching project... I'm taking a evening at home.

FarScape is waiting for me.

soundtrack | Franz Ferdinand: Michael

It has been a couple of busy days with work. I've spent a lot of time with the Sibelius Academy Muhi project and it's finally getting there... I have simplified the layout a little bit - but not too much I hope. Next Thursday I'll visit Helsinki (and have actually two meetings there) about this project. It's always nice to see face to face... I try to keep it one day trip but let's see what happens.

I have also made some small adjustments to Elämän värit page (English version, not online yet) and Riiminka page which will be soon published. + Regular updates for Alvar Aalto Foundation + The Craftmuseum of Finland + The Arts Council of Central Finland (which I visited shortly yesterday to get some coffee... Lazyness). Kirsi Neuvonen's new website project is also ongoing project which takes a lot of attention.

Päivi Kaijula from The University of Jyväskylä is making some kind of research about Finnish internet galleries and wanted to interview me. She came by today and asked a few questions about my online art gallery Webgalleria Henkevä Silakka / Spirited Herring and about my own work. The interviewing situation reminded me of the poor condition of the project. I'm a bit sad that the online gallery has survived pretty much on it's own; I haven't really made any big improvements lately. For the last two years it has basicly just lived it's own life. But now I'm planning the change on that. I'll re-design the layout next January and some other new things will be there too... Hopefully I'll just have energy enough to do that.

And a new DVDrw replaced the old mystically broken one! Life is just a party! Even though lack of the DVD seems to lead to all kinds of creativity. Like Wednesday morning while I was waiting for the new DVD-rw to arrive I didn't want to start working just to get it dropped as soon as I'd got to it. So I just started playing with Photoshop... view the img: You Poor Little Devil. Which made me think again about an old idea of making a small devil portrait collection.

Watch out for some devilish action in the future.

soundtrack | Wasted: In The Darkest Hour

Indeed.


After accepting the truth about dead DVD I tried to calm down and resque my evening watching something nice on tv. But before doing that I decided to check my mail once before putting the computer to coma for the night. Of course I didn't notice that some evil virus had managed to close down automatical virus protection as well as email virus checking from my sweet sweet Norton - and virus it was. I couldn't get the virusprotection online again without turning the computer off. Then when I finally got to check the viruses it couldn't get the viruses deleted so it had to delete my inbox. All the messages that is. But luckily I've been wise and moved the most important mails to subcategories and saved them to hard drive. Anyway, instead of watching nerdisly FarScape (on Friday evening - I have no life) I ended up watching the Virus Check by Norton (I really have no life). Until five at the morning.


Today I made a brochure site for architure & art 2005. It's basically based on the logo designed by Teemu Taskinen. The final site will be quite different I guess.


I also coded the product pages of Riiminka site. I have to say I under estimated the time the product pages take. But I'm almost there.


Which reminds me that I haven't updated my work-o-matic since spring. There are some projects to be updated. I make a public promise to myself to get it updated this month.

soundtrack | Maj Karma: Kyynel

Ok. I have a few conspiracy theories. For example: the world is against me. Again.


This week has been the most unproductive ever. I guess I've had some kind of flu or something, working (and living as well) has felt heavy and slow. Yesterday I met doctor and had some minor operation and stiches don't make me feel much better. But today I decided that this nothingness can't go on. So I pushed myself on the edge with all the work - work work work - until I felt my head is falling off. Then after 10 hours of brain aching pain and blood, sweat and tears I decided to relax and watch some FarScape series my brother just sent me two days ago. And what happens? Nothing. After a little while of cursing and booting the damn machine and almost throwing the whole thing out (well, it's too heavy so I have to just play some mind games) I finally called my brother who found out that there has been similar problems with some other LG GSA 4081B users as well. Not a diver-fixable problem. The driver is dead.


F***** LG shit. It still actually recognices DVDs but not cd's (r,rw or empty or anything). And so it happens that it's weekend, no repairing activity. Luckily I've copied the most important work-cd's into hard drive so I don't have to make excuses to any clients. But I can't afford to take this c:ter anywhere. The quarentee is still ok (except I can't find the documents anywhere - but I hope the have some kind of record of my buyings in the shop) but I have so much work I simply can't let my c:ter go... There are about five acute deadlines waiting.


Maybe I just should be lucky to breathe *she says ironically and vanishes*

soundtrack | Guided by Voices: Sons of Apollo

Yesterday (well, actually day before that, it's already over 1am) I went to my evening course about artists' material etc. - the course actually started over month ago but I just hadn't got the time until now. I started a few paintings - made the canvases and all. It was nice making something concrete for a while. Today I went to this colour course I'm taking and it was nice too - something else to think about. There are some issues blurring in my mind which I can't turn off quite as good as I'd like to. But hey - not a zombie yet.

This morning I received an invitation to Superstar Collective office opening. I'd really like to take a visit to Tampere and the opening but I'm not sure can I afford it right now. That's another thing. I should remember to write bills to my customers. I'd really need a secretary. Actually, I'd also like to have some one to finish all the projects - I don't mind starting them but it's always (/%¤#&%%%% after a few months.

Yesterday I made small updates for the Centre for Cultural Affairs of Jyväskylä and started updating Kirsi Neuvonen's website. The project has continued today - beautiful pictures! Also updated The Craftmuseum of Finland, The Arts Council of Central Finland + ArsLab2 sites but I'm not really in work.mod right now. I just can't seem to concentrate enough.

I'm making so much typos I'm almost al bhedding. Better to get some sleep.

soundtrack | Depeche Mode: Enjoy the silence

A few hours ago I came back from the exhibition opening of some local women artists (in the Museum of Central Finland) and started packing. I'm leaving to Iitti (don't ask) tomorrow. It's actually a very small and beautiful village in Southern Finland (never been there but I trust brochures...) and I'll travel by bus. By bus! I've always preferred train but hey - five or six hour by train and about three hours by bus. Nostalgic. I have to pack my gameboy with me. And sleeping bag - I'll be sleeping in the gallery (floor).


I actually visited the website of Iitti to get some information. There was something about the place being on the border of Tawast and Carelia and the dialect is influenced by both of them. They also warned that there are some really old words which aren't used anywhere else in Finland anymore. And that some old people might add a letter 'h' after each word. I'm getting a bit worried - will I understand the language there... It's almost like travelling abroad. :)


And yes. In the exhibition opening I was telling really happily about my great adventure to this strange southern place and what says Jukka? He's going to travel to US, Nebraska tomorrow. But still, I bet Iitti is much more exotic expirience.


--

This morning started with a panic reaction. I had totally forgotten the exhibition exchange in Webgalleria Henkevä Silakka / Spirited Herring. Luckily V020 sent me his 'on/off' art thing and I installed it and my own drawing about Wannabe-Lara into the exhibition. Later when I met Anssi (business lunch again - of course) we talked a little about renowing the gallery. I'm planning to make a face-lift to the gallery maybe in the beginning of the next year but also I'd like to see some development happening...


I still have to update Alvar Aalto Foundation. I can do the rest of the job when I'll return from Iitti.

soundtrack | Bitch Alert: Selling Hugs

Strange feeling. In the other hand I'm feeling the energy inside me and I've had a lots of good ideas and fantastic layout models but at the same time I can't get the ongoing projects done... I just propably need some big big project to eat my brain.

Oh, but I have one. This morning started with Ulla calling me about Muhi project (for Sibelius Academy). I haven't opened the Muhi.files since we left for Prague and I had to *concentrate* to get my thoughts back. Ulla sent me a lot of new documents and some propositions to look at. I heard my braincells popping while I was trying to update myself on that project. The project is soooo big and there are so many levels and little details to be concidered that I'm sometimes a bit worried am I able to handle the project. But I'm sure it will be all more clear after the first functional demo and after I can concentrate fully on that project (next week). Thank god Ulla made me really easy-readable notes about the changes to be done, it helps a lot!

Another project that has really easy-readable notes is Riiminka. The girls visited me today and we checked the website through and wrote down the changes to be made. They have all the things in order and everything is said so clearly it almost feels like the half of the job is done.

So, I'm not really in working mood today but I managed to make few small updates for The Arts Council of Central Finland and ArsLab. What else? Oh, Kirsi Neuvonen's current website will be updated soon, we talked about that. I also got some material for Architecture + Art 2005 seminar today. So the work won't end by working.

Somehow I found myself playing with Photoshop, making new brushes and such. I haven't made digital images for a looooooooooong time so it was about time to make some. Wannabe Lara is seen in my dig.art page.

I have to spend some time with Coloria to keep it going. I got mail today from Kriska R. who is making a book and wanted to mention Coloria in it. Makes me feel good.

soundtrack | Robbie Williams: Radio

And so it happened. I changed the place it all happens.


Today I updated a few sites: The Craftmuseum of Finland, Gallery Becker and Nordic Glory Festival; chatted with Teija a while. After eating (special offer) in Memphis I went to visit The Craftmuseum of Finland exhibition opening.


Not in working mood so I decided to change my ebloggy to blogger services...


Time will show...