A true European=watching Eurovision

I have discovered that I love Eurovision. I've heard about it for years, but this year I got to experience it. There are 39 countries that participate (a few of them can hardly be called Europe- i.e. Israel- really, Israel?  Who looked at a map and said, "Isreal thats in Europe?").  Each country has chosen a song that will represent the accumulated musical tastes and hopes of their nation. Then just like American Idol, you pull out your phone and vote for your faves. One catch - you can't vote for your country. This all happens quickly over 3 nights. Apparently, if you live in the UK, Eurovision is not cool.  I think this attitude is because they never win and never get close to a good showing. They finished in last place this year, but their song should of never left the country in the first place.

I was invited to no less than 4 Eurovision parties, but I settled for watching it at home.  We projected it onto a wall  and screamed and groaned with the song selections. Some songs were beautiful (i.e. Belgium) and some were so awful I refused to stay in the room (i.e. Armenia).  For all of the Americans or the Europeans who were too cool to watch themselves, this is my review of Eurovision 2010.
First my Favs:

Belgium - me and my guitar. This was my pick to win and it finished pretty high. 





Cyprus – I also loved this one. Absolutely loved it, but the background singers were off. They all made fun of me for my 2 picks, because neither is a typical Eurovision song, but I love my boys with guitars.





Lithuania – Tina, Betina, and I really wanted this one to make it to the final (where 20 songs compete, but it didn’t make it. So sad.) It's actually fairly lame and I think thats why we like it. Lame lyrics, lame dancing = not lame total performance.





The winner:
Germany won, not that I don’t understand, but still not my favorite song. I wanted one of my boys with guitars to win. [sigh]





Denmark – came in 4th and I think that is a very decent showing for this song.  Does this sound as much like Abba to you as it does to me?  Seriously, wasn't Abba a hit band 30 years ago?  Just sayin' Denmark.





Crazy yet fun: Apparently these are true Eurovision songs, which means catchy and danceable. 

Greece -



France –

Those are the highlights according to me.  Well, there is one more......  When they were killing time to count the votes, there was a long segment where they flashed to cities across Europe and showed large groups of people dancing.  They also show the contestants homes and those moments are priceless.  Of special note are how badly the Londoners do on the whole dancing thing, the lone guy in the North Sea, and all of the dogs. Ah, Eurovision, I may just be un-cool enough to watch again next year.

Fødelsdag

Fødelsdag = Birthday. I love birthdays. I think I love them because the day is all about you and, at least in my family, there are no set traditions; anything can happen. Which means that every year you get to be more creative about how you want to celebrate, well, you. Though there are traditions that I never realized, i.e. the song.  "Happy Birthday to You ..." is not what they sing in every country. Also, in Europe its not normal to go out to eat for some part of your birthday.  Happily though, getting presents and a day all about you seems universal. 

Danish birthdays involve lots of waving of Danish flags (absolutely not a joke) and there are several birthday songs that can be sung.  In my house we wake the person up and invade their bedroom singing loudly and waving Danish flags for all we're worth.  It all took some getting used to, but my birthday was lovely in every way.  I'm even beginning to learn the main birthday song, though I basically just sing the "Hoo-ah, hoo-ah" part.  Here is a video of Danes surprising a bus driver on his birthday and you'll smile with how sweet it is and understand my learning the hoo-ah's.  You may also make the jump that I have, that a hoo-ah song and waving Danish flags is a great way to celebrate a fødelsdag.