Born to be wild!

Friday morning, waking up early. I haven't woked up 6 o'clock for.. ages. Shower, eating and before the eight I was already on a train to Tallinn. But this WAS the hardest part of the day. Then 4 hours nice car ride through beautiful Estonia to even more beautiful place in northern Latvia named Gaujiena. The "hard work" of rest of the day was to endure the strong sunlight and warmth, and to watch the filming of others, as our scenes were delayed and finally completely set for the next day.

Yeah, after many-many years, I am finally again acting. This time not in theatre but in a movie. And acting is much more for my liking and also much easier for me than is the job of movie director.. or any other job in that matter. I really like acting.. it's absolute fun. And it doesn't matter how much cash I get from it,.. I can travel freely,.. it is the active and interesting life without the need of money, in a company of other very nice people. Well, this time I got only small part. I was one of the patients in the asylum. Other "patients" were really cool people too. This woman who picked us as actors, said after many of our crazy jokes that if she has not turned crazy herself before, then our posse will surely do that (this was said in the best meaning as she really was entirely happy with us).

By the way, I already said that the place where the movie takes place is beautiful, but it is actually just mindblowing. Behind the ten hills and valleys, over the ten rivers, lies a fairytaleland. The so said asylum is actually a schoolhouse that resides in the old manorhouse. I must say that german landlords in Latvia were more richer or just wanted to show more of their power than the Estonian counterparts.. manor consisted at least three big houses with columned entrances, many smaller houses, great parks, and the place where we stayed overnight (about that later). The "asylum" was the mainhouse on the hill. In the valley below was the small lake (one of many around), and still in the middle of it a small island. The lake was also the important place in a movie. Nature was beautiful, weather was perfect, butterflies and dragonflies who were bigger than any I have seen ever before landed peacefully on the hand. I counted at least three different dragonfly species.

Oh, and you can't imagine the palace where we were housed. Probably this was the latest addition to manor as summer residence or something. A historicistic house somewhat reminding these cool english houses with little tower, unsymmetrical planning, great entrance hall, etc. Yep the entrance hall was greatest as it went through two floors and ended with dome of glass mosaic. Around it went the stairs up. First floor had marble pillars, second one the wooden. But the glass dome was not seen from the outside as there was also the third half-floor. All this house was filled with different old furniture. Even the view from the window of greater wc on the second floor was priceless, as there was also the park behind the house, then some woods and as it again was on the hill, then in the valley was another lake.

At first I was so sad that I didn't have photocamera with me, but saturday, after our scenes were taken, we were said, that we have to go there once more in a few days. This time I'll lend a camera from my friend.

Estonians know that Latvians have many jokes about us.. mostly about the recless or selfish or perhaps even poshy nature of ours, and Estonians often make jokes about Finnish, Russians and even Germans, but I had not heared any about Latvians.. now I did. And few even quite cruel.

For example: In old times Estonians thought that Latvians are bit weird,.. somewhat different. There was even a rumor that Latvians have six toes. But it figures they still have only five.. three in front and two in behind.

And friday, when we visited a shop there, it happened that after a while only one fairly new car came. Then one of our guys said: "Ah, these are then the wealthier Latvians". And the answer: "Yeah, look, they can even support two kids".

Still, do not think that Estonians are cruel. We just have weird humor.. and often we make it even upon ourselves. That said one more joke. For foreknowledge: Setu is one of the Estonian local populations, who are seen as clever and wise.. their region is even called Setu Kingdom. So the joke is as follows: Setu and a Jew is going court. What is the verdict? Prosecutor gets five years!

Well.. just can't stop with joking, but the next one was situational in front of that same shop. One of our cars needed the change of left rear tire. It not only showed how many men are needed to change one (Full pit), it still took so long that our car driver started explaining how everything in the world is normally done from the right side - cow is milked from the right, operations that are done through the nostril is done from right,.. sa perhaps they should have changed the tire too from the right side.

Only thing there that troubles me is that we get somewhat too little to eat. Stew is limited and when there is many actors and filmcrew then it is doubtable if I can request more. Anyway, if I'd eat so little in home, then probably I would soon be translucent. Too little meat stuff. Well at least saturday morning there were different porridges and enough of that, so I carried through the second day.

And finally at the saturday afternoon it was our turn to "go crazy". Director was happy with us, and so was the woman who organized us there. And one more time,.. it was lots of fun. Only really bad thing was that I hurt one of my fingers when playing rugby :P

One of other actors even would have offered me a part in theater play they are soon starting to do if I only would have been from Tartu (biggest small city in South-Estonia). Damn, I have so many friends in Tartu, and I really would like to move there.

So.. soon back to Latvia.. and then I bring some photos back with me.

As I alredy wrote I didn't go to Viljandi Folk

..but then again I was at the Viru Folk, that is less known. Don't even know if it is smaller anymore, but anyway, it is held at the smaller place - Käsmu. Käsmu is a beautiful village on the north coast of Estonia. Absolutely perfect place for such a festival. And as one of my relatives (I normally call him oncle) has a seamuseum there, and as I haven't been really anywhere this summer, haven't even got into the water yet, I decided that it would be good to go there and relax from the ordinary life at home.

Of course I went to Käsmu by hichhiking. Although I could have tried to go straight by smaller roads, I chose to go way round by Tallinn. I knew that hitching a car at the outskirts of Tallinn would be easier (but how easy that was.. about that soon). And I wanted to buy shorts and somekind of lightcoloured summer shirt. That's why I did that 50 km's round. First part from Aruküla to Tallinn was ordinary. Then bought needed things, and finaly set my steps to Lasnamäe (outer eastern part of the city). I was already walking the highway, but as still in the city where cars don't stop for hitchhikers, I walked on. Suddenly I heared a signal behind me. No, it wasn't anyone I know. There was a big black Dodge SUV (similar to those what are used in american movies for secret agencies), but from the front window I saw some young people to wave me. So I went by, and I couldn't have been more surprised - they asked if I'm going to Viru Folk. I have got on to car only moments after rising my hand, but it has never happened to me that a car stops before I even get to hitching. Moreover, Madis, Timo and Heili were my prime companions through these three following days. They were really friendly. When we got to Käsmu they even feed me with the salad Heili had made. Timo and Madis had guitars with them, so it was really good time singing with them, and Madis, as a guy who had roots in Saaremaa (that greatest of Estonian islands), had good share of humor too. They even asked me to go to Haapsalu with them a week later (that is today), where is August Blues Festival, but well, as weather is quite rainy and my cash is also getting out, and I still have six drawings to do for Kudrun, I will pass that.

These three days were perfect. All the people there was so friendly, and all the time it seemed that like we would have all the time in the world. I even didn't have to buy tickets to concerts as my uncle gave me the pass for the entire festival. So I got to see and hear much more good bands and musicians than I hoped. I even had lost hope to get to Kirtana Rasa's concert (one of my favourites and one of the prime reasons I even wanted to go there in the first place), as it was one of the few taking place indoors (and in the quite small hall too), and therefore only those who had the day or entire festival pass, get there. Again, lucky me! Kirtana Rasa was absolutely magical.. in both literaly, as some of their music is Indian raagas, which have healing and other powers.. and magical as these were just like fairytales. Their music was so beautiful that it brought shivers on my skin and a little tear into eye.

Another thing that I really wanted to see (and yes this time seeing was absolutely as essential as hearing,.. not that Kirtana Rasa would not have lost some of its magic when I would have just heared it from the CD), was the concert of Ichitaro - a Japanese drummer. It was unbelievable how fast and accurate his movements were. He didn't have a shirt, so every movement was seen in his muscles.. just amazing, not just but.. oh, I don't have words. When the concert ended, I went to personally thank him, meaning I got to use a little of my Japanese language (well I have forgotten most, I even couldn't say what's the clock in Japanese when he asked me that before the start of the concert). Ichitaro has been in Estonia already many summers, and he said that next year he is coming too.. so perhaps for the next year I re-learn it.

To others who don't know.. alittle strange fact. Probably you know how some cultural traits are tending to be present in the places that historically don't have absolutely nothing to do with eachothers. Like how similar are ancient Egypt and Mayans. Same way Estonians and Japanese have amazingly similar nature of people, some culture (for example ancient Japanese houses were more similar to Estonian ones than any of European, Russian or even Scandinavian ones.. for example, I don't remember exactly was it Japanese Emperor or some other important man, who visiting Estonian Open Air Museum where old peasant houses are preserved and old commons are introduced, got tears into his eyes and said that Estonians and Japanese must be somehow related), and Japanese Shinto belief is much closer to our animistic belief of forefathers than the Scandinavian polytheism, and as much as can be compared, Estonian warriors were as proud as Japanese ones,.. and japanese as many as I know, always feel almost like in home in Estonia, they learn our language more quickly than even Russians here, and when I learned japanese, I too felt some weird similarity to Estonian. Ok, that's that.

Back to Folk then. Then there were these nightclub parties in first of which Kudrun's boyfriend Martin was the DJ. Especially his party was total success.. house was filled with dancers, and he too got personal thanks from few, one even got his contacts to call him to some other party to play. I have yet much to learn about DJ work.. soon I go to visit them in Tartu, then I let Martin to give me some pointers.

Second night was somewhat more boring. For some reason, most people was outside on the balcony. Heh.. most time even I (singed with my new friends). Well, for some time I went to dance too, but certainly less than in the previous night.. in the first party I danced all the time. Unlike most others, I don't fear going straight to the dancefloor and dance even alone. I even like so.. I like not to ask a girl to dance.. at least not at once. I like to make girls to desire me first, to lure them to me, to see which one of them is confident enough to get acquinted with me. And that is how it went. At one time I decided to go out to breth some air too, when suddenly one really pretty and energetic girl took from my hand and said: "don't go away". Now she's in my head, and damn.. I don't even remember her name. Only thing I know that she learned German in the same university as me. Ok.. in some sense it is relief that she disappeared, as I still feel that my secret crush is too strong to fall for any other girl.

After the party the sun was rising and at the beach everything seemed perfect (should count how many times I have already used that word). Now it truely felt like time has stopped, because there was not even the slightest windbreeze and therefore also the sea was like mirror. 5 o'clock in the morning I went to swimm and when I got to the tent I still couldn't sleep. So I found that behind the museumhouse, there was really early lecture about the history of Käsmu and the nature around. By the way every morning there were some lectures. Second morning I listened lecture about the swords, the history of Estonian warrior culture, and the alternate cultural aspects and importance of the swords.

Päivä on nuori niin kuin vastasyntynyt. (Raapana - Finnish great reggae wisdom)

(meaning: The day is young as a newborn child)

Still I got few hours sleep on every morning, and although in the evening I had to drink wine with lots of coffe to not to fall asleep (remember, remember this formula; normaly I don't even drink coffee, but coffee and sweet red wine together are really good), I was all the time quite full of energy and good feelings.

Oh, and I met two new relatives.. in both cases in a pretty weird circumstances. No more comments on that. And I ate even raw fish with sour cream, sweet garlic, tomatos and potatoes.. of which the raw fish is normally absolutely off limits for me. So, only thing left undone was the conquering of viking longboat that sailed around the bay there.

Until the next hitchhiking trip!

Love you all!

What makes it tick!

Few days ago Kudrun told me that she saw me in her dream. I was introducing my girlfriend whom I don't actually have. Kudrun said she was a real sweathart and pretty one too with her short curly hair. That made me say that this is quite unlikely. Of course the outlook isn't the only and even not the most important thing about girls, yet I must say that I certainly look more girls with long hair. And moreover.. I'm actually really picky. So I said to Kudrun that I write here everything I can think of my ideal girl, that next time Kudrun may see her in dream. Oh, and Kudrun said that this girl spoke latvian. I guess I must be careful when I go there soon.

Ok, but here's the list of features I would like my girl to have. Take it with little humor.

1. She should have long hair; at least to the shoulders. Although I have liked some blonds too I prefer darker shades from light brown to red (especially natural) to black. And I do like curly hair.

2. She must not smoke.

3. She should be expressive and have positive view of the world.

4. She doesn't have to be so interested of art, but must understand the importance of the culture, and should understand my love for the art.

5. Should have nice slim body and the height aproximately as mine. And I prefer pale skin. Small and tender. Broadly speaking, she should be feminine and act like a lady.

6. Should possess the art of flirting and caressing.

7. Should have good sense of humor.

8. Should have pretty smile and starlight in her eyes (as these are the things I fall first when I see someone).

9. Believes into love and she must be sure that she loves me.

10. She should be intelligent and preferably gone to university.

11. Not too decked (well it means she should have a good sense of taste).

12. Honest and straightforward.

13. It will be a good bonus if she'd have a vivid fantasy.

14. Should have a developed soul.

15. Should not get jealous because of almost nothing.

16. I don't like the lack of depth and affectation.

17. She should be even tempered; certainly not apathic and when in front of problems she should want to seek for solution, not to give up. Should not tend to prejudices.

18. Souldn't be a maniacal organiser.

19. Can't be negligent.. should care about herself, the home and even world around.

20. Shouldn't be too pragmatic.

21. Don't talk lisp with children.

22. Should speak good english, and bonus would be if she would speak french (I really would like if she'd speak some words of love in french to my ear sometimes.. oh, old memories). No need for latvian.

23. Enjoys both peaceful, quiet nights and active social time.

24. Should have some courage.

25. Unlike many men, I prefer small tits with small nipples.

26. Should be openminded and although I like when people have their beliefs, she should also respect my freedom to believe what I believe.

27. Should be tolerant to different people.

28. Should stand for conservation of nature and sparing economy.

29. Should be reverent to both classical and modern (clothing, music, interior design, etc.)

30. TV should not be the prime entertainment.

31. Should understand the concept of teamwork.

32. Drivers licens would be good, but still she should like to walk and ride a bicycle.

33. Understands that I have friends and my own hobbies too; and she should not wait for only me to organise some nice time together with her.

34. There just must be synergy between us.

35. I like freckles ;)

Actually I even know one or two girls who kind of have at least most of these qualities.. and I really like these girls, but don't get exited, even if I have a secret crush for them, it possibly stays so. Although I long for love, I don't think that i'm meant for such relationship. First of all,.. I don't like sex very much (of course I love the beauty of the women, their form of the body, to touch the skin, but simply don't get much from the act of sex).. and what kind of girl would want such a guy, because as I have understood, girl wants that her partner would feel good too. I'm more of a person of the feelings not deeds. And of course.. I don't have almost any money right now.. and how ever you would calculate a relationship demands some.. even simple one-nightey demands some dough. Anyway.. most of my life I have avoided getting too close with someone, but I can say that it's hard.