Happy Independence Day

[auroracloud]

It's Finnish Independence Day today. Me not being much of a patriot or nationalist, I haven't really celebrated it, especially as the main Finnish way of celebrating it is watching on TV how the President hosts a ball for 2000 Important Guests, and shakes their hands for two hours. And a part of the fun is commenting on what everyone is wearing, who has been invited, and who stepped on their wife's train. I kid you not. After the handshaking there's also some extremely crowded waltzing, some music that has been calculated to please the majority of the people, and some tepid interviews with guests about "What does the Finnish independence mean to you"?

Other ways of celebrating Finnish Independence Day mainly include reminiscing about wars and listening to sombre music. Yeah, my people sure know how to have fun.

In our defense, though, have you seen what the weather is typically like here on December 6? It's not exactly picnic time. Eh, but can't help history, independence was declared December 6th 1917, and it's the only readily available date that wouldn't antagonize half the population and be extremely insensitive in one way or another.

So anyway, because this year the weather was actually nice (normally it's very grey and dark, but today it was clear and cold, quite pretty; no snow, though), I went outdoorsing, and there even was a bit of forest! And I've eaten some trout with potato wedges - anything involving fish and potatoes is Extremely Finnish Food. I've also been reading some Finnish poetry (I don't get along with most of our novels, but we've had lovely modernist poets) and listening to a radio programme about Finnish structural history, which was really interesting and not your usual nationalist history focused on wars and presidents. I reckon that is plenty of celebrating for me, so then I made some scones and tea and watched Doctor Who. I suppose I should spend the rest of the evening trying to get my deadlined fanfics into shape. The good news is, the people in my spicy advent calendar fic are having sex! I don't know if they're having very well-written sex, but hey, it's a start. It took me quite a while to get them that far.

Also, hi new people via friending meme! I'll probably do some kind of a locked "about me" post for new people some time soon. I just have trouble being brief about it.

Also taking this time to note that if anyone finds me via the friending meme (or anywhere else)and wants to be friends, please comment somewhere. I like saying hello and such before friending people. If you just want to subscribe without feeling a need to be subscribed to or given access, feel free to go on subscribing.

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

In our defense, though, have you seen what the weather is typically like here on December 6? It's not exactly picnic time. Eh, but can't help history, independence was declared December 6th 1917, and it's the only readily available date that wouldn't antagonize half the population and be extremely insensitive in one way or another.

This probably shouldn't have made me laugh as much as it did. Happy Independence Day, anyway!

[auroracloud]

Oh well, my reaction to Finnish patriotism is usually either laughing or wanting to tear my hair out, so laughing is the better option, I think. I'm not good at nationalism and patriotism, even if Finland is a pretty darn good place to live in, if you live somewhere in this century. (I don't recommend Finland before the latter half of the 20th century, because you were too likely to be malnourished and die early. But now it's pretty good.)

Thanks, anyway!

[theuncertainhour]

Hello, and happy belated Finnish Independence Day! I found you via some Classic Who interests & your journal is A+, so I thought I'd introduce myself (with a great deal of embarrassment!). I have a brief intro post pinned on my DW but not much else yet - I came over from Tumblr to keep in touch with a few people - and I'm looking (awkwardly) for some new friends. I hope it's ok to comment here!!!

[auroracloud]

Thank you and hello! I'm always happy to meet new people who are into some of the same things I am, and I especially can always use more Classic Who fans, because I got into fandom late and only started watching the classic series this year. And I'm flattered you like my journal so well - I always feel like I'm not posting most of the things I mean to, and when I do they don't come out as well-structured as I would like, but I'm glad it still works, for some people at least! I'm fond of this type of journalling, and though it sucks Tumblr went the way it did - as I know it's been important for a lot of people's fandoms - I'm glad at least that it brings new users to Dreamwidth.

And yeah, it can feel awkward to look for friends (I almost only manage it via friending memes and occasionally from participating in the same challenges and such), but don't worry, I'm very glad to have new DW friends via shared interests, and I'm sure it goes for many other users as well.

[giddyant]

HI! *waves*
That sounds like a lovely way to spend an Independence Day. Best of luck with the writing! I'm currently in the 'if I ignore it passively meditate on it, these plot points will resolve themselves' stage.

[auroracloud]

Thank you! Good luck with your writing as well. Sometimes taking a break and letting subconscious do the work is a good way to advance the stories. Of course, sometimes it isn't. :-D But anyway, that's why I like to have several ongoing stories so I can switch between them when one isn't cooperating.

[unfeathered]

Oooh, I don't think I knew you were actually Finnish! This is interesting because last term my folk dancing class were doing Finnish dances and were wondering what some of the names meant and although I know a Swede and a Norwegian (both from RP on LJ/IJ/DW) I didn't think I knew any Finns! How ironic. :-)

Anyway, happy (belated) Finnish Independence!

[auroracloud]

Hee, I may have neglected to mention what exactly my nationality is! But yeah, from Finland and Finnish-speaking. There aren't so many of us around on DW/LJ these days, as far as I can tell. If you are ever wondering about the meanings of any words, I'll be happy to translate. Of course, if it's very specific folksy/regional terms, I might sometimes be as clueless as you are, but I can always try. :-D

[unfeathered]

Yeah, I think I got Eastern Europe, possibly Scandinavia, but I don't think you'd given me an actual country. And thanks! We won't be doing Finnish again for a long while, unfortunately, (we're moving on to the middle of France next term!) but it's always useful to know someone from each country!

[kat_lair]

Heips! Lisään sut jos sopii, on kiva saada uusia suomalaiseja faneja ympärille... I post in English and live in England, ex-pats always feel more patriotic!

[auroracloud]

Hei, ilman muuta! Tosi kiva nähdä muitakin suomalaisia täällä! :-)

[ellieet]

Um. *puts hand up* How does one do an 'About Me' post and lock it on the page? Asking for a friend. It's me. I'm a new friend. Hello! ^_^

[auroracloud]

Hi! I actually had to look it up myself because I haven't done it on this site yet. This FAQ page gives the instructions: https://www.dreamwidth.org/support/faqbrowse?faqid=199

A tad more complicated than it's been on other sites, but can be done!

[ellieet]

Thankyou so much for that! Trying to get myself organised this end so people actually have half a clue who I am. :D

[tinny]

anything involving fish and potatoes

Lolol. :D

The good news is, the people in my spicy advent calendar fic are having sex!

Muhahaha, the progress on my own fic for the calendar was *very similar*, let me tell you. It was a suprise when it finally worked. :D