Iz Good

Posted on March 19, 2013 by tosabarbell

We had lunch Saturday with one of my favorite new Finnlanders (and I have about 15 favorite new Finnlanders.) Mikko spoke pretty good broken English and it seemed whenever he didn’t know what else to say, an “Iz Goood” would pop out of his mouth. ‘Iz Goood’ stuck for the remainder of the weekend. Whenever we couldn’t understand the locals, we’d just nod and say, ‘Iz Goood.’

Bigg’s 3rd place Truck Pull…Iz Goood.

High noon sun, fans, and spiked Hot cocoa…Iz Goood.

Talking story

Having Zydrunas confirm Bigg’s invite to the World loglift championships next fall…Iz vary, vary, Gooood.

Northern Lights

Seeing an amazing display of the Northern lights outside my plane window leaving Kuusamo? Iz fucking Gooood.

Now we’re home. I have massive post-holiday let down and I’m exhausted. It’ll take me a day or two to recover from the lack of sleep and the excitement of the trip, but I have a competition Saturday so I don’t have time to be silly. Back to work!

This life you give me, Iz Goood.

Me to Bigg on our plane ride home.

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Ozzie to Cash

Posted on March 15, 2013 by tosabarbell

It was only a matter of time before we’d find our Finn version of McBob’s. We asked our hotel staff about finding a good cup of coffee and they sent us to Twin Peaks bar. They were right. Not only did we get good coffee…but the awesome bartender directed us to his favorite liquor that we need to bring back for our home cabinet. One star Jaloviina. A combination of Koskenkorva and Cognac. But not too diluted. So I also had to get a bottle of Koskenkorva, flask size, for the competition Saturday. Which means that since it’s only Thursday, I’ll need to get another bottle for Saturday. Hee.

It’s pretty nummy.

We caught on quickly to the eclectic music selections of our Finn McBob’s. It went from Ozzie, to Johnny Cash, to Michael Jackson, to Guns’N’Roses. In between the best of the U.S. we heard some Finnish rap…I think. I have no idea if it was Finnish…but it was something I couldn’t understand so I’m assuming.

Our Finn version of Milwaukee Dan (McBob’s)…

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It’s a beautiful Friday here. -18c when we got up, but the Sun’s out…so stay in the sun and it’s all good. Finnish competitor Tomi Lotta, his wife and mother-in-law (I’m assuming) rolled in last night and we had a nice dinner. They are very friendly and fun. Pretty cool.

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Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.

Jesse Owens

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Big Breath of Winter

Posted on March 14, 2013 by tosabarbell

Getting off the plane on to the frozen, snow covered tundra of Finnish Lapland was very Rocky IV…minus Paulie falling in the snow…and cranky Russian escorts. Instead, we had a happy Finlander promoter greet us with a big smile and a penchant to push his Audi to it’s limits as he drove us up and into a winter wonderland.

Our room has a balcony for some afternoon sunning and looks directly onto the ski hill. The crunch crunch of snow boots coming and going is pretty funny. It’s about 10 degrees right now and walking around feels like you’re taking a big breath of winter. Fresh, crisp air; the constant mist of snow coming off the roofs; and a waiting fireplace in the lobby is about as good as good gets.

More pictures to come…stay tuned.

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Sun’s Out!

Posted on March 13, 2013 by tosabarbell

After aboot 20 hours of travel, we’ve finally rolled into Finlandia. As we were getting off the plane the little old lady (with the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen) who I was sitting next to stepped onto the jet bridge and said “BRRRRRR! It’s cold!” The flight crew looked at each other, laughed, and said “Sun’s out!” And it is. It’s a gorgeous sunny spring day here in Helsinki and I’m thankful for a drama free journey…so far.

I’m enjoying some type of chocolate/coffee/latte drink thing that I can’t read but it’s very tasty. We’re off to find food; nap; food again and get ready for an early flight tomorrow up to Kuusamo.

So far, so good.

If a sauna, whiskey, and tar do not help, the disease is fatal.

Finnish proverb

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