luckykaa

There's more than a day's worth of stuff to do in Helsinki in the summer. I just did the highlights. Essential stop was Suomenlinna. Another UNESCO world heritage site, and like all the others, well worth the visit. 

The regular Helsinki travel pass is accepted on the ferry. Since I have a 2 day pass, that made it free. There's also no charge for entry to the island, so it's possible to see most of the actual fortress for free. They charge for the museums, and there are several to choose from, so I felt I should look at the military museum. Quite small, but interesting. Also had some army clothes people were encouraged to try on. I grabbed a passing tourist to take my picture. The ticket also allowed entry to the submarine. So cramped. Must have been horrible servings in one.

Got to the end of the recommended route, and, since this was by the sea, took my shoes off and dipped my toes in. It's pretty cold, but I imagine it's swimmable-in.

Returning, I looked at online guides and was told to look at the cathedral (the Lutheran one), the other cathedral (the Orthodox one), but only really wanted to take a couple of snaps. Cathedrals don't interest me hugely. The "Rock Church" was a lot more interesting. Built in 1968, and carved right out of the bedrock. Inside, the walls are rough rock. Water trickling through is directed to special ducts. Light comes in through a skylight (part of the structure, including part of the roof is concrete). Rather than bells, a recording is played. The place is really quite tranquil.

Met the chap who joined us on the trip to Tallinn as I left. I shall refer to him henceforth as Uncle Jim. I told him I was going to an overpriced bar with a good view of the city. He felt it sounded interesting, so I invited him along. 

The Ateljee bar is on the top floor of the Torni hotel. The hotel itself is lovely, with an art deco style to the lobby. The lift took us up to the 12th floor, and then a narrow winding staircase took us to the bar. Was a little worried that Uncle Jim might struggle (he's no spring chicken, and had mentioned minor leg complaints), but he didn't seem to have a problem.  

The view is indeed wonderful. Helsinki is not a high rise city. Most of the taller buildings are 6 stories or so, so a 13th floor observation deck allows views right across the city. The beer was expensive, but since I've paid a lot more just to visit an observation tower before, I'm not complaining. And the view was worth it.

Ended the day with an island tour and dinner. There is a selection of tour boats with restaurants. So there's a tour around the island and decent food. I found sitting in the back section of the boat meant I couldn't hear the commentary over the engine noise, so after a while I shifted to the front. Honestly, the commentary seemed a little abstract. The tour was Imperial Russia themed, so focussed on the period where Finland was ruled by Russia, but it didn't seem all that connected to what we were seeing for the most part. 

We did pull aside another boat from the same line at one point It seemed they'd run out of beer. After a failed attempt, the other boat went round again, and the resupply mission completed, we carried on.

The boat arrived back at dock, and I left. Wandered around a little more. Wanted to see the station and admire it's late Jugend architecture.

Flight back tomorrow. Not sure if I have time to see more. 

Last day started with a game of "Goth Court". A lightweight roleplay game where players take the party of plaintiffs, defendants and court for  small claim actions in court. One character was horrified that her hairdresser had dyed her hair black as a midnight forest, when she wanted black as a raven's wings. Another was a vampire (played by me) who took a Vampire The Masquerade LARP a little too seriously. I really had good fun. And people liked my vampire, which was nice. Especially when I was complimented by a lady who was really good at character stuff.

After this was the masquerade show and tell, and that was followed by the being unable to get into the panel, then the unexpectedly moved to an earlier slot panel. A little disappointing. 

Did listen to a bit of the European Comics panel, but it was a little tricky to get much out of it given it was mostly a floor discussion and I don't know a lot about the subject.

The convention ended with the closing ceremony, as is traditional, and I headed to the Dead Dog Party (the traditional post con chill out and chat session)

More queues. 

Once again, they underestimated how popular thus would be.

Decided instead to head to the pub crawl. A much more easy going affair. Venue#1 was a pub with a fantastic selection of international beers. Venue #2 was a microbrewery. Venue #3 was a decent Finnish bar. I decided to retire after that. I was suitably merry and wanted to poke my head into the Dead Dog Party. Had calmed down by this point.

And as ever, I get to the end of the con, and want more time there.

I think I'll go to the con in Dublin. They can be frustrating arty tines, but I do seem to enjoy Worldcons.

Worldcon finds some spare space! It was hidden under the convention centre all along.

The new rooms were suitably vast. Two new rooms, with easily enough space for 500 people (although fairly close to full at that). Didn't have any problem getting in to anything I wanted.

Went to see some demo scene stuff, and learned that people are still developing Amiga and even C64 demos. Some pretty funky stuff, including a very nice Ray traced demo (which I think was in the 4k category), and an Amiga demo - although that one was on an '060. No doubt there are some demos that run on a stock A500.

Someone was denigrating a VR fly through of their novel setting. Basically a rollercoaster ride in VR which can be a bit disconcerting with the desire to  lean into curves.

Day ended with the Hugo Awards. I think this is one if the least comfortable auditoriums I've seen. It was a pretty good show. Some nice acceptance speeches. Ursula Vernon told us about whale fall in one of the most bizarre but fascinating acceptance speeches for any award ever. I do have mixed opinions about the Hugos. While it's fun to watch, I have a slight sense of the serious fans and writers seeing the Hugo Awards as their thing, and being a bit cliquey about it. I think they all went to their own party after the awards.

Chin had picked up what with having all the extra space. Look forward to day 4

 I'm here for the Finnish Worldcon. Duo far I've been to about 4 panels and
presentations, and failed to get into about 10. 69 people is to few for the potential audience of almost any talk. I did get into the Lies of Locke Lamora panel (seating for 45) though, through dint of turning up half an hour early. I had no idea about the books, but have learned that I should consider them to be romance tragedy rather than medieval comedy. 

Also went to a presentation on theatrical makeup.

And that was about it for scheduled items.

Meet up with many friends, which is always nice, but was tired, so decided to head back to hotel to chill. 

Time zone was messing me up a bit. At about 9, I was feeling suitably chilled out, and since my brain was on UK time, and insisting it was only about 7pm, returned to con for parties. Glad I did. Met a really awesome cosplayer dressed as Finland from Scandinavia And The World. There was also a Denmark, Canada, England, and apparently Iceland and King Europe.

Opinion so far, nice enough, but needs way more function space!


Really need a Finland icon.