My favorite 2008 Eurovision Song Contest song.

Ok, here we go. I have said in my previous post I would announce my personal favorite in a separate post. As promised, here it is: Poland's entry to the contest. Performed by Isis Gee and the song called "For Life" - I think it's simply a beautiful ballad and I cannot listen enough to it at the moment! I know, I always pick such "wrong" numbers... always the ballads with romantic melodies, but that's the way I am I guess, soft and romantic... ;-) Usually, my personal favorite is never a favorite with the masses so you better don't bet on this... hahaha 

But 'nough talkin' for now, here's Isis' song:

I had no choice
Perfectly clear from the start
I heard your voice
And I was falling
Into a space
Where daylight kisses moonlit skies
It was the place
Was written in your eyes

And oh, we made it
We finally found our way
And celebrating
Just where we...
We stand today

I'll let my heart show the way,
Oceans and mountians between us
Because your love
Is why
You made the wrong right

I will give my all
I will heed your call

For Life

I had no choice
Perfectly clear from the start
I will rejoice
Embrace your calling
And into a space
Where daylight kisses moonlit skies
You found my heart
And I knew it was
For Life

(Yeah)

I'll let my heart show the way,
Oceans and mountians between us
Because your love
Is why
You made the wrong right

I will give my all
I will heed your call

For Life
For Life

Get ready and listen.

Since several days I'm getting myself into the mood for the Eurovision Song Contest which will be held at the end of My 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia. Yeah, Eurovision - of course! Well, I'm gay, what did you expect after all?! ;-) My first contact with this year's Eurovision contest was when my dearest lilbro Dani told me what and who is going to represent Spain (one of the big Eurovision countries that do not go through the Semifinals) this year. It's sooo terrible that I refuse to give any mentioning here. Even if it's the smartest and brightest parody of the song contest, I couldn't care less. Let those people get lost and make up there own parody song contest, fine with me. But give me back "my" classic Eurovision. Not only Spain voted for a "fun" song but several other countries have chosen to send, in my ears, terrible music to the contest.

Nevertheless, there are a few songs that I think are worth of listening to for the most different reasons. Let me introduce you to them. At the end of this post I will provide the link to the page that my friend Timo kindly directed me to for more information about all songs (including those I do not mention here) with links to the videos and music files (if available). One thing I noticed while listening to all songs of this year's contest is the simple fact that you really have to listen to the songs several times. I noticed myself that I didn't like a song when I had heard it once which is now one of my favorites though! That's also probably the problem of today's Eurovision and the public voting system. Most people don't know the songs and only get to hear them once. That usually doesn't do justice to the songs. But that would be a whole other discussion which this post is not about. ;-) 

Since I use iTunes to listen to my music I use the built in function of ranking songs by giving them a maximum of five stars for most favorite. On top of my list of personal top songs of this year's Eurovision are three songs that received all five stars. I will mention my personal favorite in a seperate post (to give it more attention...) but Number 2 on my list would be the swedish entry: 

"Hero", sung by Charlotte Perelli (yes, it's the same who sung "Take me to your heaven" also for Sweden in the Eurovision some years ago under the name Charlotte Nilsson):

The third song with five stars on my list is actually not even taking part in the finals in Belgrade - because it became only number 2 in the national contest: but as I like it very I didn't want to exclude it here and still introduce you to it, it's Spain's number 2 by singer 

Coral, the song is called "Todo esta en tu mente"

Exactly six songs managed to conquer my heart and receive at least four stars. Let me start with the entry for Switzerland. This year the country's song is sung in Italian (which they switch from year to year), one of the official languages. A positive side effect to this performance is that the singer is not the ugliest performer they could find (well, ok, it's not a bear but then again I have a broad taste...). 

Paolo Meneguzzi, "Era stupendo" 

The entry for Hungary is quite a pleasant song too. You will notice that many of the songs I mention here are either of the typical, classic Eurovision-type of songs and/or very "sweet" melodic tunes. That's simply my taste, I can't help it, I'm such a romantic ;-) I do like classic music too, don't you worry... ;-) 

Csézy, "Candlelight" is the english title. The link is to the video in hungarian language.

Romania has also chosen for a nice song, a duet and just like Switzerland with a nice looking singer ;-) 

Vlad Mirita & Nico, "Pe-o margine de lume"

 

Also Serbia, the host country and last year's winner, has a very nice song with more traditional elements, but very nice.

Jelena Tomasevic, "Oro"

My home country Germany even has a nice entry that in the beginning I did not like too much but after I heard it several times I now really like it! They will send 

No Angels, "Disappear"

Finally, a more traditional style Eurvision song competing for Croatia and one of the songs that only received three of five stars in my ranking. Nevertheless I think it's worth sharing as this in my ears is a typical Eurovision song. 

Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents, "Romanca"

Armenia is sending a song to Belgrade too. Their song is a nice dance song that still has some traditional music elements in it and gives it a very distinctive sound (and as a non-dancer I even dare to say it's danceable...) This one got four stars, by the way.

Finally, as promised, I provide the link to the site that Timo had given to me and has all the infos about this year's Eurovision Song Contest (but mind, it's not the official page):

http://www.allkindsofeverything.ie/Belgrade08.htm

I hope you enjoyed one or the other song or even better all of them. Also, head over to the site and watch and listen yourself to all of the songs. It's fun and entertaining and can be very relaxing. Get ready and listen!

Only words?

"...only words", you said. Only words? No, it is so much more! It's your ability  to look in my heart, read my mind, listen to my mumbling, hug me from thousands of kilometers away, look into my eyes even though you don't see me, lend your hand to help me get up when I fall and yet do all these little but amazing miracles by saying just a few little words. But your secret is to know the magic ones, those that'll do the trick. 

Never seize believing in me. One day I will win. Until then, I will fight, again and again. And you will say "...only words". 

Again and again.

Happiness is a fragile state of mind. I think. I'd like it to be a very stable one but unfortunately for me it isn't. I sometimes think it's a daily struggle that I have to fight for to achieve it. And even more, to maintain a certain level. Somehow I did not realize it and more or less took it for granted. Either it comes my way or not. It's not something I cannot influence, I thought. 

But that's not the way it is. I can and I need to fight for it every day. I want to be happy, who doesn't anyway? But there's something in me that always tears me down, at least a little. And I am not really sure what it is - and why. Maybe my engrained insecurity? It often only needs a little word, or a gesture or lack thereof from outside to start that tear-down process in me. Can you imagine?

The process I am in at the moment of finding myself, building new friendships is a rather lengthy and tiring one. At times it feels like I am fighting a battle that I have already lost and I don't know why. It feels like I have a competitor who is superior to me in all aspects. And it makes me so sad to think that in the eyes of others I am not what I would have hoped for to be for them but the competitor is. The strange thing is that no one except myself starts those battles. As if I want to hurt myself to make me realize and confirm myself "see, it can't be true I am happy and lucky with what and whom I have". It's just so hard to constantly fight against this bad habit of mine. But I have to, I know that. In moments like these I long to see and speak my dearest friend who - that I know - can't solve the problem but at least can comfort me by empathy and wise words. Practically, that's not possible. Fighting the battle is something I have to do on my own. Again and again. Will it ever end?

Good mood.

I do feel good. Have I told you lately? I feel much better than weeks ago. I am getting to know new people and it's fascinating to make new friendships! I have met Timo lately who was "brave" enough to contact me on facebook. I really very much enjoy his friendship. Like me, he is interested in aviation and he has a passion for Eurovision, besides other things. We do see each other in Amsterdam as he also lives here. I enjoy it a lot and we always have lots of stuff to talk about. 

I feel I am busy recently and that feels very good. I can tell it's something I've missed for a long time. Seeing friends, talking, laughing together. Go to a movie, listen to and share music, have dinner together, all that stuff. It's great! It's even the reason I spent less time writing on my blog. Isn't that great? ;-) On the other hand, the downside is that Jelle really feels overwhelmed by it. Every "free" second to him it seems, is planned with activity. He still prefers much more privacy. But for me it feels good so I have to do it. We simply have to find a way that fits both. But I think I'm going the right direction.

Then, my little brother Dani also came back from his vacation and I spoke to him yesterday. I was very relieved he returned home safely and I was most happy to see him again (by video chat) and talk to him. I simply missed the great guy. He had a great vacation in Italy and I can't wait to see his photos and hear more stories and read about it. And best of all: he is so in love and happy with his Sera! It fills my heart with great joy to know that my beloved lilbro is so happy because he really deserves it to be! 

I also listen to music at the moment and also that makes me happy, have a look at my last.fm page. Looking at my and my flickr contacts' photos makes me happy. To be part of other people's lives that way is fascinating and I like it very much, especially if the contact to those friends develops to a more than virtual friendship. But only time will tell when and with whom it will happen. But I am happy as I know it does happen. I have found my best friend and little brother that way, I have met Timo and Jörg who are both wonderful people. And I know there will be others, sooner or later. Only knowing this makes me happy already.

I hope this explains a little why I am in a good mood. And now I have to stop talking as I have to get ready and do some little things before Timo comes along for a visit. :-D

Love and hugs to all my friends,

Guido

P.S. Please bear with me if I don't comment on photos or blogs lately... but suddenly I am so busy. ;-) But be sure I read and see everything! And I will comment, even though it might be a bit later, that's a promise.