Eurovision 2005: early handicapping for the semi-final

We still don’t know three of the songs (Belgium, Iceland & Portugal), but 37 of 40 is enough for me. For those unfamiliar, there will be (again) a semi-final of 26 entries on 19 May. 10 of those songs will join 14 others that pre-qualified (through a top 10 finish, or being one of the big 4: UK, Germany, Spain, France) for the final on 21 May.

Andorra Marian van de Wal La mirada interior: Average song, woodenly delivered, even with roll-over support from France and Spain, it won’t make the final

Austria Global.kryner Y así: Yet another faux latin track. Won’t make the final

Bulgaria Kaffe Lorrain: tepid, MOR,languid, going nowhere. Won’t make the final

Belarus Angelica Argubash Boys & Girls: My dark horse pick to make the final. This is intense, dark, and she’s gorgeoous and freaky--should get enough attention for those alone. Apparently she’s thinking of changing to a different song--that would be a mistake, based on what the others sound like.

Switzerland Vanilla Ninja Cool Vibes: Will make the final unless they stuff it up live. Great sound, makes a memorable first impression. Switzerland, clearly, wants to win the 50th contest (they won the first one, after all).

Denmark Jacob Sveistrup Tænder på dig: This should qualify, so long as they don’t over-choreograph it like last year. And they should leave it in Danish: it sounds sexy, but it’s got a great beat to it. And he can sing live. I actually think this could win.

Finland Geir Rönning Why: OK they didn’t send another tango (yay!), but they’ve fallen into the Nordic “life sucks let’s all die” lyric morass. May qualify based on the strength of the singer, but probably not.

Croatia Boris Novkovic Vukovic umiru sami: Only a 1 minute sample available, but it’s a straightforward pop/folk track, sung well. Combined with regional support, this should qualify for the final.

Hungary NOX Forogj világ: I don’t like it, it’s not original. But I kinda want them to qualify so they don’t disappear for another 10 years. But I don’t think it will (sorry aadroma)

Ireland Donna & Joseph Mc Caul Love?: Dislike. OK song, decent singers, amateurish performers. And has a person wearing glasses ever won Eurovision (Nana Mouskouri finished 6th)? Please pay Andrea Corr whatever it takes to go next year . . .

Israel Shiri Mayon Hasheket shenish’ar: After some wonky entries, finally a good pop track again from Israel. Should qualify for final. Very polished sound.

Iceland Selma If I had your love: ?????

Lebanon Aline Lahoud Quand tout s’enfuit: Welcome to Eurovison Lebanon, go directly to final. Great song, great singer, could actually win it all.

Lithuania Laura & The Lovers Little by Little: they went for a ringer, but faux ABBA Swedish pop just doesn’t stand out these days. Not the worst, but probably won’t qualify.

Latvia Walters & Kazha The war is not over: more Swedepop, with more pessimistic lyrics. Could qualify, but really shouldn’t. Last year in Istanbul the head of the Latvian delegation was despairing of their result. Then try something different.

Moldova Zdob si Zdub Bunica bate toba: Literally “Grandma plays the drums”, it’s quirky enough and fun enough to qualify. Poor Moldova, they jumped into Eurovison after the success of O-Zone and Dragostea Din Tei. Except they split up.

Monaco Lise Darly Tout de moi: Only snippets available, but doesn’t sound very interesting. Won’t qualify.

FYR Macedonia Martin Vucic Ti si son: I really, like the track, but the live performance is boring. Tart it up a bit and this could win the whole thing. It’s been like 30 years since a “la la” won--but the tune and beat totally rawq.

Netherlands Glennis Grace My impossible dream: a good song, a great singer, a power ballad = easy qualification for the final. In fact I predict top 5 overall.

Norway Wig Wam In my dreams: Bon Jovi in glam rock drag. May qualify, thanks to the 9 year old vote.

Poland Ivan and Delfin Czarna Dziewczyna: my pick for worst song of 2005. Ew.

Romania Luminita Anghel & Sistem Let me try: Catchy, if the performance is memorable, should qualify.

Slovenia Omar Naber Stop: He’s kinda cute, and it’s kinda an OK song, but pretty flat. Won’t qualify.

Summary:

Qualify for final: Switzerland, Denmark, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Moldova, Netherlands, Israel, Lebanon

Marginal, may qualify: Romania, Norway, Latvia

Wild card: Iceland

OutGames Rendez-vous Montréal 2006

Anyone else planning on going? There’s a kweer rights conference the week before, as well as all the sporting and cultural activities.

I’ve been to all sorts of mega-events, and one thing I’ve learned over the years: book your accommodation well in advance. If you don’t, the event usually blocks all the hotel space, tries to manage it all, and invariably stuffs it up.

Which is why we’ve booked ours. We’ve booked a studio mini-apartment at L’Abri du voyageur, a tourist-class hotel. The location is great, right in the heart of downtown, a mere 10 minute walk to the gay village, on the Métro, easy to get pretty much anywhere from there.

Anyone else thinking of going? We could, like, you know, make L’Abri the, like, unofficial LJ hotel. Like.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? No?

Magate: the penultimate day

Today the physiotherapist dude came. Ma likes him, and he’s given her exercises, and he’ll be back in a few days. He’s youngish (20s), and the fact Ma likes him means she might do some of what he suggests. Yay!

When I first visited Ma in the hospital she hoarsely whispered “ah ha layke”. And “uhh pee uhh suh”. Which mean “Robert Blake” and “Scott Peterson”. Turns out that Ma’s a big Court TV junkie, and was concerned about these verdicts. It was nice of everyone to wait for her to be home and see the verdicts herself. Peterson got the death penalty; Blake was acquitted. Ma’s happier with the latter, with respect to Peterson “don’t give him the death penalty--make him suffer.” A gal after my own heart.

I made a pot roast for dinner. Once again Da tweaked on one aspect of my cooking--”waddya cutting the meat in small pieces for? wot the hell izzat?”--though he eventually remembered to mention the food actually was quite good. Ta yeuele!. Ma ate more than before again, and riderofkarma brought her home some fresh fruit salad.

I then nipped over to Nanny’s, for a visit. Uncle Kevin and Aunt Nancy are in from Pennsylvania, whom I see infrequently. I made a pot of tea, then tweaked Aunt Eileen’s computer. And then I got to tuck Nanny in--she goes to bed by 20h00. Sweet! She had her flannel jammies on, and was all adorable in her bed. I couldn’t resist nuzzling her, smooching her up and pulling the binkie up to her chin.

She totally loved it!