This week in the Turku pub meeting: the Hugo special. We’ll be discussing this year’s short story nominees for the Hugo award. The nominees are available in the web, so everyone can join in the conversation.
Bar Bremer, Thursday June 2, at 6. Everyone’s welcome. Those too, of course, who aren’t interested in the Hugos, or haven’t had time to read the nominees.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Tales From the Inn
About thirty fanthusiasts turned up last night for TSFS’s Fantastic Inn. The setting was very appropriate: an old dungeon with stone walls and a very medieval feeling.
The evening was very informal and also “fantasy light”—I’m sure a purist scadian, or even a medieval-oriented larper with no sense of humor would definitely not approve. But that wasn’t the point. The point was to gather together and have fun in a setting a bit different for everyday life.
There were a couple of programming events during the night; maybe a bit too few. I think there could have been some event to start the evening as the guests arrived and get them in the mood. Now, people came in, got some food, and started talking about the same things they usually do when they meet. Of course, role-playing medieval guests wasn’t the goal of the evening, but still, I was left with a bit of a feeling of arriving in a middle of a normal pub meeting (albeit with more people), only dressed funny.
There was a fiendishly difficult Tolkien quiz—or at least it seemed to be impossible to the mere mortals, although the few Tolkien-wizards present seemed to know the answers to every question. Except the last one… (“When is Orlando Bloom’s birthday”—and that one got also quickly taken care of.)
There was also some singing. Pictured here is the more pleasant version. The singing together part I wasn’t that keen about. Fortunately, there was another room with wonderful machines capable of producing sounds that completely drowned the “singing”. The music was good and appropriate for the setting, ranging from folk rock to soundtracks of fantasy and historical movies.
I had a good time, and others seemed to be enjoying themselves too. The big challenge for the organizers would be to manage to attract some new blood to these events, too: almost everyone present was either at least a semi-regular at the pub meetings or member (or former member) of the TSFS board. You’d think that with the popularity of Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings movies, this would be just the kind of an event that could attract new fen to join the merry crowd.
additional photos
The evening was very informal and also “fantasy light”—I’m sure a purist scadian, or even a medieval-oriented larper with no sense of humor would definitely not approve. But that wasn’t the point. The point was to gather together and have fun in a setting a bit different for everyday life.
There were a couple of programming events during the night; maybe a bit too few. I think there could have been some event to start the evening as the guests arrived and get them in the mood. Now, people came in, got some food, and started talking about the same things they usually do when they meet. Of course, role-playing medieval guests wasn’t the goal of the evening, but still, I was left with a bit of a feeling of arriving in a middle of a normal pub meeting (albeit with more people), only dressed funny.
There was a fiendishly difficult Tolkien quiz—or at least it seemed to be impossible to the mere mortals, although the few Tolkien-wizards present seemed to know the answers to every question. Except the last one… (“When is Orlando Bloom’s birthday”—and that one got also quickly taken care of.)
There was also some singing. Pictured here is the more pleasant version. The singing together part I wasn’t that keen about. Fortunately, there was another room with wonderful machines capable of producing sounds that completely drowned the “singing”. The music was good and appropriate for the setting, ranging from folk rock to soundtracks of fantasy and historical movies.I had a good time, and others seemed to be enjoying themselves too. The big challenge for the organizers would be to manage to attract some new blood to these events, too: almost everyone present was either at least a semi-regular at the pub meetings or member (or former member) of the TSFS board. You’d think that with the popularity of Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings movies, this would be just the kind of an event that could attract new fen to join the merry crowd.
additional photos
Friday, May 27, 2005
Getting Fantastic in Turku
Fantastinen kievari (The Fantastic Inn) is a fantasy-themed gathering that takes place tomorrow evening (Saturday, May 28) in Raatihuoneen kellari, starting at 7. There should be room for everyone at the inn (the organizers say you can just show up at the door, even if you haven’t signed up in advance). The evening’s program will consist of snacks, some events, and just meeting other like-minded people.
The event is organized by TSFS. Admission is 6 euros for members and 7 euros for others. Attendees should be wearing a “fantasy-themed outfit” (I’m reading this as pseudo-medieval/Tolkien-ish).
The event is organized by TSFS. Admission is 6 euros for members and 7 euros for others. Attendees should be wearing a “fantasy-themed outfit” (I’m reading this as pseudo-medieval/Tolkien-ish).
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Captain Euro
Today’s mafia had a bit of a slow start. But after a while, people started to turn up, and in the end there was the usual amount of crowd. Especially after a bunch of giggling girls appeared at the next table from the movies; from Seventh heaven, by the looks of them. Well, maybe not giggling girls. A respectable part of Turkufandom: adult, intelligent women all, I’m sure. Who just do a very good impression of giggling school girls. And I don’t just mean drawing a little heart in the guest book with “Orli” written inside…
And who’s Captain Euro, then? Apparently, he was supposed to be some kind of a super hero for the Unified Europe or something. I don’t remember who brought him up (Pasi, probably). But of course you could do things even with a lame-ass hero like that. Like have him throw his deadly euro coins at his enemies. (Who’d they be, I wonder? Maybe two sides of the same coin from the far east, Yen and Yuan. And naturally, a certain arrogant red-white-and-blue guy we all know.) Also, you could teach finance to kids: Captain Euro’s coins are so strong they are the only thing that can pierce Captain America’s shield. But only when the euro is actually stronger than the US dollar. What fine education that would make: “Now, kids all around America: remember to spend money and get the economy rising, so Captain America could finally beat Captain Euro!”
Yes, a lot of fine discussion tonight. At least we didn’t giggle.
And who’s Captain Euro, then? Apparently, he was supposed to be some kind of a super hero for the Unified Europe or something. I don’t remember who brought him up (Pasi, probably). But of course you could do things even with a lame-ass hero like that. Like have him throw his deadly euro coins at his enemies. (Who’d they be, I wonder? Maybe two sides of the same coin from the far east, Yen and Yuan. And naturally, a certain arrogant red-white-and-blue guy we all know.) Also, you could teach finance to kids: Captain Euro’s coins are so strong they are the only thing that can pierce Captain America’s shield. But only when the euro is actually stronger than the US dollar. What fine education that would make: “Now, kids all around America: remember to spend money and get the economy rising, so Captain America could finally beat Captain Euro!”
Yes, a lot of fine discussion tonight. At least we didn’t giggle.
Book Thingy Link
This is just a quick link in case you came here by a backlink from Juri or Hannu. My answers to the book challenge are on LiveJournal, and the challenge was sent to me by Hanne. We now resume our normal occasional fandom-related blogging. Thank you for your cooperation. The Blog is your friend. Trust the Blog.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Pub Meeting On Thursday
There’s a pub meeting in Turku again this Thursday. Everyone’s invited to Bar Bremer at six to meet people and discuss all things sf.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Sf Scrapbook: Johanna Sinisalo in Turun Sanomat
There’s an article about author Johanna Sinisalo in today’s Turun Sanomat. It’s about Johanna winning the James Tiptree Jr. award, and also touches writing fantastic fiction in Finland and her upcoming works.
Update: There are also short reviews on Johanna’s short story collection Kädettömät kuninkaat ja muita häiritseviä tarinoita and an anthology of Finnish short stories about the Internet Verkon silmässä, edited by her. (Review found via Babek Nabel.)
Update: There are also short reviews on Johanna’s short story collection Kädettömät kuninkaat ja muita häiritseviä tarinoita and an anthology of Finnish short stories about the Internet Verkon silmässä, edited by her. (Review found via Babek Nabel.)
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