#they do 90 min fireworks here it's wild

[okinawabearsnake]

a collection of moments from my first year in Japan where i felt whole

[borisbubbles]

Eurovision 2010s: 20 - 16

20. maNga - “We could be the same” Turkey 2010

You could see it in my eyes, it should come as no surprise that the highest rock entry on this ranking is OF COURSE the avant garde rock entry. 😍

It certainly isn’t a stretch to call “We could be the same” avant garde because it’s an experimental extravaganza if ever there was, a rag-rag fusion of indie rock, industrial, hiphop and folk. 😍 More importantly one that WORKS. It’s really hard to put all of these genres together and not disturb the flow between each segment, yet that is exactly what maNga do. Their song runs like an oiled machine, supported by an excellent score of orchestral rock (the fiddle is an especially nice touch.) The snappy libretto keeps the ensemble well together, creating an atmosphere of pure coolness. 

This brave and creative entry is further supported by an act that has a well-defined aesthetic and artistic vision. (another sign of good avant garde. Pay attention because we are going to boot a LOT of them near the top of this ranking). MaNga don’t need much in terms of staging (since their song is already excellent), so a clever combo of strobe light seizure + dramatic helmet removal (FEATURING ACTUALLY CUTTING METAL AWAY WITH A BUZZSAW) is all it needs. 

FOR JUST ONE NIGHT WE COULD BE THE SAME

NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. 

Eurovision is all about taking the hand that you’re dealt and running with it. maNga did exactly that. They weren’t vocally perfect but again, rock is a genre where it’s okay to sound unimpressive because the score will always out class you. They don’t have the best song, but again, it was something special, brave and inspired. Every small aspect of “We could be the same” comes together into a whole that is much bigger than the sum of its parts and for that, I shall always cherish them. 

________________________________________________________________

19. Joci Pápai - “Origo” Hungary 2017

[2017 review here]

I was worried that Joci’s NQ in the latest contest would tarnish his legacy, but if anything “Az én apám”’s failure at being entertaining only made me appreciate “Origo” even more.😍 Let us not beat around the bush. “Origo” is art. Like all art, it’s largely hit-or-miss. You either love this wonderful fusion of rap, self-references to Samuraihood and gypsy folk traditions, or you’re a unevolved troglodyte with subpar taste.😈 Lol I remember the music journalists and juries HATING “Origo” and... honestly, I get it. Yes. I can understand that deeply personal anectodes and proudly displaying your cultural heritage can fly over the heads of those narrow of mind. It’s fine. Not every song has complex meaning. You can vote for the “Replays” of this world at your heart’s content. ^__^

Music is at its core a form of expression, of conducting emotion with sound, of telling a story. We use words as a crutch for our empathy, but truly good music doesn’t need to rely lyrics in order to spread its message around. The true message always lies in the score. “Origo” shatters those language barriers by slowly,

 but steadily

unfolding a melancholic and touching narrative

that strikes everyone silent.

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18. Krista Siegfrids - “Marry me” Finland 2013

A WILD DINGDONG HAS APPEARED

Only logical we continue from artistic complexity to figurative cotton candy. 😍 but the same musical principles apply here as well, actually. “Marry me” has an upbeat tempo flanked by wedding bells that already carries its happy-go-lucky marriage vibe across even before the first words are spoken. 🤗 It is there to indulge and delight, which it does with all the zest and pluck you’d expect from Krista Siegfrids. 

Anyway, I’m sure this will shock you but I FLOOOOOOOOVE Krista Siegfrids soooooooo fucking muuuuuch as a human and I am NOT backing down on my fanboyism. She’s one of the few Eurovision Alumni that ALWAYS makes me happy whenever she appears, either as a force of HIGH FASHION/UMK hostess or as a resident melfest flop queen.😍  HON SNURRA MIN JORD!!!

DINGEDONG EVERY HOUR, WHEN YOU PICK A FLOWER~

As it happens, “Marry me” is the perfect canvas for her over-the-top, realhousewifesque personality. "Marry me” just delivers non-stop: it has a light-hearted, infectuously catchy beat, doubles down on lyrical and visual comedy, carries a happy vibed with a deliciously psychotic undercurrent, supplemented a superb act featuring a groom-into-bridesmaids twist and some hilariously opportunistic lgbtq pandering 😍 OH OH OH OH OH

DING DONG!!!1!1!1!11!1!!

ps: this being the entry that caused TRT to withdraw indefinitely because they can’t get on board with some hot girl-on-girl action. STAY PRESSED LOSERTWATS!!!

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17. Laura Tesoro - “What’s the pressure?” Belgium 2016

“YOU’VE GOT A STUPID SMILE 😄” -- Alexander Rybak, when praising Laura Tesoro during the NF. (😍)

Lol this is where my degrees of separation come in, because I’ve met several people that personally know Laura Tesoro and... with one exception they ALL fucking loathe her. 😍 (and aforementioned exception is her cousin 😍)  The general concencus re: Laura is that she’s an insufferable conceited bitch. Now, this could have easily ended up terrible if LauraLaura was That Unfounded Girl but... um,

can we say she has grounds to be a bit high on herself? She was fucking awesome in Stockholm. If anything Laura’s diva id helped “What’s the pressure”. First of all, there is the admirable confidence with which she takes the stage and completely NAILS every twist and turn with minimal effort. This is pure performance TALENT and if you can’t see that you’re Helen Keller. 

And second there’s the message behind “What’s the pressure”, which is uplifting and cheerful in the hands of a normal person, but when brought by a narcissist like Laura becomes a hysterical exhibit of concern-trollery: “HEY PERSON SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY ~I~ *NEVER* SUFFER FROM ANXIETY. LET ME TELL YOU WHY YOU SUFFER FROM ANXIETY AND I DON’T” (god what an obnoxious human 😍 LOVE HER. 😍) 

All in all, I think Laura has the justification she needs to have an ego, something her aforementioned haters (begrudgingly) admitted after seeing her own the live twice.🤭  She is a living conduit of confidence juju, a performance wonder, a Diva trapped in the body of an antropomorphic labrador. Dynamite comes in small packages and Laura Tesoro is more lit than Chinese Newyear fireworks.  🎇________________________________________________________________

16. Hovi Star - “Made of stars” Israel 2016

I’ll be honest, Hovi Star is one of my favourite human beings to ever participate in Eurovision.🤗  He has proven himself an UNSTOPPABLE force of sass, delivering interview gold on a terrifyingly consistent basis. There are enough examples, but the ones I’m going with are his impeccable Ira Losco Snatch Game  and his hilariously petty, one-sided feud with Douwe Bob (Dutch reporter: “what do you think about Douwe.” Hovi: “Oh I don’t think about him.😊 At all.🙂  Ever. 🙃 *hairflip*” god what a King of stonecold putdowns 😍)

Having said that, even though I loved Hovi as a ~human~ going in, I was still caught off-guard by how much I loved “Made of stars”. See, you know what I think about stripped down power-ballads: I don’t think about them. At all. Ever. *hairflip*. 

However, this fucking song

pulls all of my heartstrings

with mesmerizing efficacity.

“Made of stars” showcases the best of Israel: they excel at classical drama: well-choreographed and sentimental, “Made of stars” is a genuinely touching ballad which Hovi magically imbibes with the spirit of Conchita. He whips up emotional tension so thick only his wit can penetrate it.

As an entry “Made of stars” is very emotionally intelligent and so, so brave. It has clearly defined yet subtle undertones of homosexuality that make me feel represented and loved. It is staged in good taste, elegant, introverted and clever, yet accessible, direct and poignant. The middle-eight’s crescendo-into-starfall creates a bone-chilling moment of beauty, of pride, of empowerment. 

For such a simple entry, it delivers a lot of great things, proving once more: it’s not what you perform, but how you perform it.

And this update spelled the end for Turkey, Hungary, Finland and Israel.

TURKEY

Not much to say, honestly. Turkey have three entries in this decade and two of them were good. They are a hit-or-miss nation for me overall, mostly because i LOVE them in the 80s and 90s and somewhat dislike them in the 00s. What mostly bothers me is TRT’s attitude towards the rainbow community AND their self-entitlement towards the jury vote/big five. Both are highly toxic and I’d rather they keep on sitting out until they’re willing to become a healthy part of the Eurovision community again. 

HUNGARY

Hungary are a good Eurovision country and their statistics reflect that. Boggie of COURSE ruined it by being the worst, but she’s an exception, not the rule. They are a really good country for indie gems and hopefully they’ll get their shit together. Could make a nice outsider winner pick in the upcoming decade, who knows?

FINLAND

Finland is such an underrated eurovision nation. I mean, look at that chart, and then ponder on the fact, with 7 good entries out of 10,  they NQ’d six times and that NONE of their four qualifiers reached the top 10. Finland are bullied beyond belief and it fucking needs to end. 

ISRAEL

This looks more underwhelming on paper than it is in reality. Israel’s probelm is never the song. Their songs are nearly always good. The problem is the live performance, where they get their accents wrong (ie: Mei dying from wideshotitis, Kobi being reduced to a sobstory, Dana being a giant penis joke, Harel fucking up vocally and Netta being reduced to a parody of herself). They just need to lighten up more, which they did post-Nadav resulting in a few great entries, and Toy. Overall, Israel are one of my favourite Eurovision countries, and for good reason: when they are good, they are fucking excellent. 

[liliumwallichianum]

finna ask myself these cause nobody else will

ASK ME THINGS

*SO I started writing these a long time ago and never finished them so I’m gonna just add all my answers (06/04/2017) in bold enjoy neethz

***EDIT AGAIN this is so wild... 3 years later.... I was so depressed, hated my relationship clearly, and hated myself? Writing on 4/10/2020 and starting at #49 first pass so I can actually finish and publish lol.

1. You woke up naked next to the last person you texted, what would you say?

typical @richiericherson; good morning lol 

2. What’s going on between you and the last person you kissed?

4months datin; wow! 6 months dating :) 

3. If your boyfriend or girlfriend was into drugs, would you care?

is this a joke? we’re both into them it’s coo; same answer as previous :) 

4. Is your last name longer than six letters?

yee; same

5. Was your last kiss drunk or sober?

sober; same

6. Have you ever wanted to have someone but you messed it up?

oh yeah HAHAHA; have i though? 

7. What does your last received text say?

“yes”; have fun studying

8. How many times have you kissed the last person you kissed?

a million and one; and a million more

9. Where was your last kiss at?

in ma bifs bed; my bed this time surprise surprise

10. When is the last time you saw your sister?

today morning her bitchass lives w me ; 40 min ago... still live w her bitchass

11. What do you drink in the morning?

water, a smoothie; coffee. ugh the deprogression 

12. Where did you sleep last night?

my bifs; my bed

13. Do you think relationships are hard?

hardest; shouldnt be but they are

14. If you could go back and change something in the past 5 months, would you?

yeah probably work a little harder at the end of last semester; idk a lot i feel but i cant look back specifically and pick things out. i would change almost everything if i could

15. You’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, any problems?

no that would be perfect; yeah we’d just hella yell at each other

16. Would you rather it be sunny or rainy?

both but sunny; both but rainy :/ 

17. Do you know anyone with the same middle name as you?

my sister; same

18. Are you wearing jeans,sweatpants,or pajama pants?

pajama shorts; joggers

19. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 years from now?

probably; yeah 

20. Does anyone like you?

yee i hope so ; yeah

21. Have you ever kissed someone with a name that starts with an S?

ummm lemme check.. yup 2 people!; still 2 hahah

22. Is the last person you kissed gay?

no hahaha; sometimes lol

23. Is there a person you CANNOT stand?

not really there’s all love here; that dunt from hs lol

24. Have you ever considered getting a tattoo?

yeah just let sarah give me one; can’t believe it’s been 2 months

25. In the past week have you cried?

yeah im weirdly pmsing or im depressed cant tell which; LMFAOOOOOOOO IM SO PREDICTABLE. literally sitting here crying... still dont know if it’s pms or depression 

26. What breed was the last dog you saw?

golden :) great dane

27. Do you dry off in the shower or out of the shower?

out out out; out

28. Have you ever kissed a football player?

no i wish; still wish but tbh i probably have

29. Do you think you’re old?

not at all; TOO OLD BUT TOO YOUNG IDK

30. Do you like text messaging?

not at all; grown to like or tolerate ig

31. What type of day are you having?

stressful cause orgo quiz soon and i know nothing; a normal day. 

32. Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced?

already have it pierced!; sameee

33. Do you prefer warm or cold weather?

cold i think; cold ? ugh idk 

34. Is there a person of the opposite sex who means a lot to you?

yes my bf; my dad.

35. Would you prefer a relationship or a fling?

idk about this one tbh.... probably relationship; relationship 

36. Are you a simple or complicated person?

both; i try honestly i try

37. What song are you listening to?

none; redemption

38. When you say you’re sorry do you mean it?

mostly no... lol i say sorry to ease the situation; nah 39. Is there a girl that knows everything or almost everything about you?

not even close lol 40. What made you start liking the person you like now?

i was lonely.. peer pressure...  41. When did you last receive a text message?

like just now 42. What is wrong with you right now?

idk i want it to stop though. i want overall sadness to stop . 

43. How well do you know the last female you texted?

p well she’s one of my bffs at wayne 44. Does anyone disgust you?

yea fam almost everyone lol 45. Would you date someone right now if they asked?

no considering i have a bf 46. Are you in a good mood right now?

i wish  47. Who was the last person you talked to in person?

simran  48. What color shirt are you wearing?

black. did u even think differently ?  49. Has someone recently told you something you didn’t want to hear?

Probably something bout swap 50. Anyone you’re giving up on? Tryin to give up on swap, giving up on Frank

51. Do you hate the person you fell hardest for?

Yes.

52. Have you ever thought about giving up on someone but couldn’t?

Swap? Def DONT want him back but can’t let him go 53. Do you like rain?

Yes 54. Do you care if your boyfriend/girlfriend drinks?

No unless they’re crazy on it aka swap 55. Have you ever liked somebody and never told them?

Probably 56. Do you like to cuddle?

So much..... with Y only 57. Are you shy?

Nah 58. Do you get along with girls?

Yes! I think 59. Have you dated the person you texted last?

No... well kinda? I guess I’ve dated Alex 60. What do you carry with you at all times?

Chapstick, my animal print scrunchie 61. If you were paid 1 million dollars to spend the night in a supposed haunted house, would you?

Yeah 62. Do you think you can last in a relationship for five months?

Yes 63. Think back to October, were you in a relationship?

Unfortunately 64. The person you like kisses you on the forehead, do you find this cute?

Yas 65. Did anything “cute” happen in the last week?

Yeah, all the boys I’m talking to supporting me lol

66. How old are the last three people you kissed?

23/22, 28, 24?

67. Would you rather pay to get your nails done or do them yourself?    

Pay 68. Which do you like better- Zebra print or leopard print?    

Leopard 69. Do you have any stickers on your car?    

Hell no 70. Would you rather listen to Luke Bryan or Lil Wayne?    

Weezy f baby 71. Blackberry, Anroid, or iPhone?    

Android ugh miss mine 72. When’s the last time you had pizza from Pizza Hut?    

Wowwwwwww probably the last year 73. Do you like diet soda?    Nah 74. What color are the walls in your room?    Blue w stars 75. Are you 16 or older?    Yes 76. Do you watch Pretty Little Liars?    I used to 77. Do you have a job?    Yes being a Med Student   78. What are your initials?    NUS 79. Did you ever have braces?    Nope 80. Are you from the south?    Yup south INDIA

81. What does your last status on facebook say?   Supporting Michelle and sharing her article   82. Do you still talk to the first person you ever kissed?    No lmfao Meiyan 83. Are you closer to your mom or your dad?     Probs mom

84. Have you ever done cheerleading or gymnastics?    No 85. What’s the last movie you saw in theaters?    Ugh idek something w swap? 86. Do you smoke?    Yes 87. Would you rather wear heels or flip flops?    Flip 88. Is your phone touch screen?    Yes 89. Do you normally wear your hair straight or curly?   Wavey  90. Have you ever snuck out of your house?    Hell yeah 91. Would you rather swim in a river, lake, or pool?    Lake 92. Have you ever made out in a car?    Yes 93. …Had sex in a car?    Yesssss best sex ever ugh 94. Are you single or in a relationship?    Single 95. What were you doing last night at midnight?    Sleeping 96. When’s the last time you saw fireworks?    July 4? 97. Do you like the camera on your phone?    No 98. Have you ever had a friend with benefits?    Yes 99. Have you ever passed out from drinking?    Yes 100. Are you friends with people on facebook that you actually hate?    Yes 101. Have you ever had a pregnancy scare?    Yes 102. Name your favorite Kesha song:    Bro no 103. Do you have any tan lines right now?    Yes kinda 104. Would you ever wear cowboy boots with shorts? Yeah if I was going to faster horses lmaoo