Thursday 29 December 2016

The last post before the turn of the year... Vi ses 2017!

I may not write on this blog very regularly (yet), but "The last post before the turn of the year" seems to be a tradition already... ;o) 

 I hope you all had a peaceful and relaxed Christmas time. We surely did. 

Unlike 2014 and 2015, I didn't meet Michael Monroe at a signing session during the pre-Christmas period. Well, it's not a big surprise given how quietly the past few weeks and months have been spent. Amongst others, I spent more time reading books than going out to gigs this autumn. 

One of my readings in autumn 2016: Marie Kondo's "Magisk Opprydding" 
[English title: "The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art Of Decluttering And Organizing"]


In fact, we haven't been to a single gig since we saw Iggy Pop performing at the Bukta Tromsø Open Air Festival 2016 in Northern Norway. That was in July 2016. As already mentioned, it's a subject that may be worth a separate blog post. 

For New Year's Eve 2016 / 2017, another New Year's Eve cruise on Viking Line's "Viking Grace" was planned, especially since our first cruise of that kind on New Year's Eve 2014 / 2015 turned out to be nothing but a great experience, and since going ashore in Stockholm on New Year's Eve 2015 / 2016 turned out to be a pretty dull and overall rather disappointing venture. However, things went a little back and forth after the confirmation of a New Year show here in Finland. 

The event itself sounded more than promising, but, unfortunately, the venue doesn't seem to be able to reply to emails. I sent my request twice. They never replied. Then, I contacted the organiser of the event. No reply either. When I contacted the organiser of the event a second time, I was told that I should "hold on" and that my message would be forwarded to the venue (!). To date, I haven't heard ANYTHING. 

Especially in times like these where bars and other businesses have to close down one after another, due to the ongoing tough economy we are facing, I am truly amazed by such unprofessional behaviour. Although I wasn't fond of such unprofessional behaviour before either, I decided just recently to actively boycott such unprofessional behaviour whenever possible in the future. Life is too short for such a waste of time. 

While assuming that we would go back to the original plan of a New Year's Eve cruise, another New Year show here in Finland was confirmed. I gave it a shot and sent an email to those who are involved in this New Year show. This time, my email was not only answered, but it was answered quickly. 

So, on New Year's Eve 2016 / 2017, we won't board a ship but stay ashore in Finland. And as for me, I will not only actively boycott unprofessional behaviour whenever possible in the future, but also support those who actually show commitment. This is more or less one of my New Year's resolutions for the year 2017: More mindfulness. 

On that note: Vi ses 2017! :o) 
Stefanie