The Mystery of the Hovering Helicopter

There is something strange going on in the skies today. For some reason a helicopter hovers and then moves on. The first one I noticed was at around 1pm this afternoon, and it appeared to be hovering over a river. Now, there is another one, just outside of Aquatom Mansion, and it appears to be hovering just over where the town centre would be. At the time of writing this, it is 9.30pm, and the helicopter has just this moment flown away, over the Mansion, and into the distance.

Earlier today, I drove over the bridge that spanned the river, and there were fire-fighters with a training vehicle pumping water into the river. This made me think that the helicopter was part of the fire brigade, and they were possibly filming the training process. This is what came to mind anyway, and I thought nothing further of it. If I can’t see what is going on, my mind fills in the blanks for me.

Tonight’s helicopter wasn’t over the river. It was just hovering, with lights flashing, and making the whirring noises that helicopter rotors make. The pilot was obviously not being discreet, with the amount of noise being made, but they were definitely up to something.

Sometimes, especially in the hours of darkness, the helicopters will shine a searchlight down to the ground, but this one wasn’t doing that. It was just hovering for about ten minutes, and then it moved on.

My mind is now working overtime.

The helicopter was hovering to make everyone look at it, and wonder what it was doing. A diversion tactic, to stop us all noticing the other thing… that I didn’t notice due to watching the helicopter. The annoying thing is, I wouldn’t have even looked out of the window if I hadn’t heard the helicopter hovering, and wondered what was going on. And now, I have been left wondering what is going on – but an even stronger wonder than before!

Very often, about two – possibly three – times a day, a small group of two or three Chinook helicopters (the type which have the rotors at the front and back) will fly over in one direction, and then about half an hour later they will fly back in the opposite direction. I quite like watching these go overhead, flying in formation, and making the ground (and even the air around me!) gently shake. Never once have I thought to wonder where these big mechanical birds were going to, or had been, but after this one today my curiosity has been piqued. More so by the fact that a Sea King helicopter landed on the road beyond the one where my parents live some time last year, and took off again about fifteen minutes later. Nothing was ever mentioned about this in the press or local radio, and helicopters landing on main roads would certainly cause a few questions to be asked. If I was a journalist, I’d be asking anyway! Especially since the last of the Sea King fleet was retired in 2003.

There are no air force bases around here, unless there is a top secret one, which wouldn’t surprise me if there was, and I don’t think there are any naval bases either.

I know I’ll never get to know what is going on, but if there are any secret operations taking place, they are kind of lacking in the secret department. And another thought has just come to mind… several years ago, I saw a Stealth Bomber fly past the window in work. The hovering helicopter, the Chinook fleets, the Sea King and the Stealth Bomber may not be linked together in reality, but they are in my mind. However, putting them together has just created more questions than providing answers.

All this from a hovering helicopter. My mind does like to wander…   

Can coincidences occur over time?

I experience literally thousands of coincidences. Far more, actually, for them to be coincidences in fact. Some people don’t believe in coincidence as such and say that these random events are just things that were meant to happen at that time. And even though this makes sense (they are just two (or more) separate – yet similar – events occurring at the same time, in the same place, on their own accord); in the same breath it makes no sense in equal measure (just how can two (or more) separate – yet similar – events occur at the same time, in the same place, on their own accord?)

A dictionary definition says that Coincidence is:

1. the act or condition of coinciding : correspondence
2. the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection; also : any of these occurrences

Which pretty much sums up what we all know about coincidence. I found out the word coincidence is of French origin, and was first used in 1605. This leads me to my first coincidence over time.

I have been drawn to the year 1642 for some time now. I have found out that some pretty major world events occurred in this year, such as the origin on the microprocessor, the completion of the Night Watch by Rembrandt, the founding of Montreal, the discovery of New Zealand, the birth of Isaac Newton and the death of Galileo. There are other discoveries for this (and surrounding) years, and other events of historical importance, as there have been in other years. Last year (2010) we had a total Lunar Eclipse that coincided with the Winter Solstice on December 20th – the last time these two events coincided was in 1638, around the time of my heightened interest.

So, could this mean that all of the coincidences I have been experiencing over the years have also been pointing to something in the Seventeenth Century, since this was the century the word ‘coincidence’ was first used? Or maybe my finding out that the word came into existence back then is a little prompt to ‘look wider’ and not be as focussed solely on 1642? I do have a tendency to look in one direction and miss everything else around me. Or maybe I’m looking too deeply into things, and seeing events merely as ‘coincidence’ when really they aren’t.

Whatever the reason, these coincidental events are happening very regularly to me. I’m not complaining, I hasten to add, they provide me with a reason to look on in awe at the magic and mystery of the Universe and its workings.

I see coincidences as reminders that I am in the right place at the right time. How else would I get to experience such random events happening at the same time, if I wasn’t meant to be there, at that precise moment, to witness them? This is all well and good with the events that occur on the same day, but what about events that occur over time? How can they even be classed as coincidences, centuries apart? If they aren’t coincidences, they are still coincidental, and this then brings in another paradox. How can something not be, and be, a coincidence?

See, I’m looking too deeply into coincidences now!

On to the reason for this post. Yesterday in work, I was carrying out one of my regular testing routines, using a test customer with the surname Tighe. This is a name I have never, ever come across during my umpteen decades in this lifetime. I was wondering whether it would be pronounced ‘Teague’ or ‘Tie’, which was what made it stand out to me. Usually I do my test and then move on to the next one, not paying any attention to the customer I am using. Later yesterday evening, I was reading the local newspaper, and there was a story on page three about somebody called Tighe. I don’t know what the story was about, but again the name stood out because I had ‘discovered’ it earlier that day. I mentioned this to my Mum, as I always point out my coincidences to her, and she told me a tale of someone who had tragically died as a result of a road traffic accident many years ago. This story was one she used to always tell us when we were younger to remind us of road safety, and she has used it, or mentioned it, many times over the years. Never once, though, did she mention this young woman’s name. It was Tighe.

So, indirectly, the name Tighe has linked me back to the Seventeenth Century through looking into coincidences and the origins of the word. Or maybe everything is all just one big coincidence and I’m making it far bigger than it actually is. But this brings me to the title of this post, can coincidences occur over time?

With me in mind…

Way back on October 11th last year (2010 in case this is being read in 2012 or later), I wrote a post called ‘Which Me is the ME me?’, and, if I’m not mistaken, it may be the first post where I introduced Bernard.

Since Bernard appeared on the scene, other inner personalities of mine have wanted to get their names mentioned in the blog. Most of their names are actually Tom, but, with them all being quite demanding personality aspects, they want their independence, and they want their own names. As for them having their independence, I have politely refused each and every one of them. Well, I can’t have several hundred mini versions of me running about on the planet now, can I? But, as for their names, I thought, “Why not?!”

I named Bernard first because this was the loudest ‘voice’ I heard in my head back then. Before you shout, “Oh, no! This blogger is hearing voices in his head!”, the voices are perfectly fine and normal, and thank you for your concern. Although I do regularly have conversations with these voices, this all takes place inside my head, and within a very short time period.

Before I move on, I must say that my mind is like a TARDIS when it comes to the amount of things that are going on in there, the things that fit in there, and the things that I lose in there and haven’t got a clue where they are. I tend to lose lots of things in my mind, only to find them whilst out shopping, or driving, or writing a post for my blog. I’m not saying I’m forgetful, but with all of that space in there, it is no wonder that things… erm… where was I?

Ah yes, my inner personality names.

Bernard, as I have mentioned, is my nagging inner voice. The constant inner critic that makes me stop doing something I want to do in case ‘this’ happens. The voice that says I am never good enough to do anything, and am destined to fail. Not that Bernard is right, of course. It is good that he serves his purpose as an inner warning signal, but sometimes he can hold me back, and then tell me how stupid I was for not doing what I wanted to do – even though he had also told me not to do it! Even though he is more hassle than seems fair, he is by far the loudest of my inner personalities, so he gets a mention first. He is currently on a faraway mission with the second inner personality, Fred.

Fred is the angry driver in me. Fred brings out frustration, angst, anger, and makes me see red even if the traffic lights are green. I thought at first that Fred was actually Bernard, but their voices are totally different. Fred tends to normally operate me through my actions rather than through my mind, so he is a tricky and dangerous part of my personality.
After I had gotten out of my car after a particular stressful journey just around the corner, I shouted at Bernard (in my head remember!) to leave my driving up to me, and I was puzzled why Bernard responded with silence. If ever I’m frustrated by something, Bernard’s voice can be heard telling me how useless I am, but this time he said nothing. It was later, when I spotted the actions of another driver’s Fred that I realised that my Fred was separate to Bernard; and since then the two have been separate inner entities of mine. And both of them, at the moment, are off looking for a golden needle in a multiverse full of haystacks inside my mind, so I’ve had a relatively quiet time of late.

I have a very lazy, restful and relaxing side to me which is always telling me to take things easy. He is always saying that things will get done when they get done, and just “chill now man!” He, actually, isn’t even in a rush to be named, but as he has quite a strong influence (in a non-influential, don’t put yourself out kind of way) I thought I’d name him next, and then we can all have a sleep. I mean move on to the next one! I have a middle name, Liam, which I hardly ever use, so this is ideal for him. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to use this name again, so once more, Liam is my relaxing side.

My inner writer wants to be named next. In fact, my inner writer has been the one who has kept me going with writing these blog posts since last May when I first started. My inner writer also wants to point out that he is in no way connected to my inner typist, who is utterly terrible. My inner typist doesn’t care how many back spaces are used, letters changed or paragraphs deleted, but my inner writer groans at every single one. Unfortunately, my inner writer’s name has to be Tom. It can’t be changed to anything else, as it is me who is actually doing the writing. Even if I said that my inner writer’s name was George it wouldn’t feel right. But wait! Aquatom1968 has stepped forward to save the day!

My inner superhero, Aquatom1968, is my online character. Not exactly a part of my inner population of personalities, he is as real a character to me as Bernard, Fred and George (oh, go on then!) are. But, is he a characteristic of me (Tom), or my writing personality, George? See what I said about my mind being like a TARDIS? You can meet yourself with all of the weird things that go on in there!

Keeping most things in order, is my spiritual side, who seems to have a dual name. True and Tarot. Every now and then, I’ll receive a thought from Tarot and my mind will wander off in search of all things mystical and spiritual; and at other times True will appear and I’ll be searching for facts and figures. My spiritual side never comments about what I am doing, he only prompts me, gives guidance every now and then, and generally seems to observe more than take part.

So, there we have half a dozen or so named personalities who inhabit this mind of mine. Keeping them all together, in the flesh so to speak, is me, Tom. Slightly bewildered, somewhat confused, and mostly happy, I enjoy writing about myself in a surreal way. Breaking myself down like this really helps me to get to know my inner self better. It may not help with physical things, but they’ll all fit nicely into place once my inner being has been brought into correct alignment.

I have only touched the surface here with my inner personalities, there are many more, but space and time here, in blogland, is limited (unlike the infinity that is my mind and the rest of the universe!). I’ll introduce further personalities as time goes on, but before this post ends, I have an urge for one last paragraph to type:

As i ahven’t been introfusced in the paragraph that George was, I’d like to introduce myself to you all personally. My name is Fingers, and I’m the typist who has to tyo==pe each and everyome of these letters, space bars and backspaces everydat. I never complain once, nor do I receive any complaints for my tying skills!

Well, thanks for that, Fingers! I couldn’t have said it better myself!

Making it sound better

With Fred and Bernard off on their little quest, things have been a little more quiet around my head for the past few days. It makes a nice change to actually notice the leaves on the trees, or the sunshine, or even the red traffic lights without a twinge of anger (or Fredness); and it certainly feels good not to hear the constant nagging that I am not good enough from Bernard.

OK, I know that in some areas I could be better, but I don’t need an Inner Bernard to tell me that. It’s annual review time in work, where I have to answer questions the likes of ‘what did you do well in the last year, and what did you do not so well?’

Talk about a loaded question! I presume they only want to know about work, otherwise I could go on for reams of paper about the things I did well, and the things that I can do better. I only have an hour, so I need to keep things brief and to the point. Making something up out of nothing is quite a task, but it can be done.

I’m actually half way through it, and I’m not making it up. I’m just making it sound better. How many ways can you say ‘managing to stay awake in the long hours when I have nothing to do’? That answers both parts of the question at the same time, actually, and it also says nothing at all.

This has got me thinking about other lines that can be used on such a review, or even a CV for a new job, if only for a laugh and most definitely in a non-serious way. Somebody once applied for a job where I worked previously, and the management had ‘accidentally’ left their application form out on the desk. It was from someone who worked in promotions dressed as a white bunny rabbit, and their CV went into great detail about carrots, hopping, having a good ear, fluffy tails, and other rabbit associated things.

If this was the only job they had known, and was the only work experience they had had, then you can understand why it was all they could write about on the application, but this would really have called for some ‘embellishments’ to their descriptions so they could actually appear to be able to do more than be a rabbit.

So, here are twenty ideas I have had for alternative descriptions for everyday jobs that many of us undertake:

Window Cleaner: Dual-sided Visual Enhancement Technician (if working outdoors as well as inside) or External (or Internal)  Visual Enhancement Technician for those who work part time in window cleaning and only do one side.

Bookkeeper: Traditional Transitional Numeric Executive

Gardener: Nature’s Artificial Beautician

Directory Enquiries Operator: Urgent Response Assistant (for telephonic use)

Supermarket Shelf-stacker: Promotional Product Placement Artiste

Welder: Metallic Fusion Engineer

WordPresser: Unique Literary Publisher

TV Newsreader: Non-urgent Response Assistant (for television use)

Check-out Assistant: Seated Transaction Clerk

Kissogram: Personal Promotions Assistant

Bank Manager: Bank Manager

Bookmaker: Traditional Numerical Converter

Florist: Floral Artist

Chef: Urgent Response Assistant (for gastronomic use)

Air Steward / Stewardess: Airborne Professional Promotions Assistant

Bus Driver: Transitional Seated Transaction Clerk

Fast-food Burger Toaster: Extreme Urgent Response Assistant (for gastronomic use)

Painter an Decorator: Colour Distributor

Vampire: Nocturnal Assistant

Superhero: Diurnal Assistant

You may have noticed one that didn’t really change that much in the list; I couldn’t think of a better name to use, so just extended it a little, stretched it out, so to speak, and came up with Floral Artist.

And there we have it. Jobs that already sound better (in the majority of cases) by adding a little creativity to the mix. I shall continue to use this creativity in my annual review tomorrow and see where it takes me…

In the Green Room

One minute I am in work, in an old job, trying to solve some kind of problem, or look for some information, or something (and I’m working with people who I haven’t worked with for at least twenty years) and the next minute I am in a waiting area of TV’s ‘Loose Women’ waiting. This can only mean one thing… I have had another dream!

To start off with, last night’s dream was different than my normally brilliant excursions into randomness. It was darker, odder, and very discombobulated.

I was in work. It was night time (or it was very dark) and the desks were only lit up by the light from the computer monitors. Paperwork was strewn across every desk, and the desks were set out in rows. Not all of the desks were in use, and I was helping someone to find some information. I do not know who I was helping. I do not know what I was looking for. And I do not recognise the office that I was in (a very large room, that was visible even through the darkness)

I had to walk to another office to go for something, but instead of entering the office I had intended to go into, I was outside. An old – very old –single storey building was across the walkway from me. Even though it was still dark, I could see the many small windows that stretched across the whole length of the wall; some were broken, and some had their extremely white window frames missing. The office I had just left was on the second floor. I was now outside on the ground floor, and no stairway, lift, or ladder had been used to get there – that I could remember.

I had to walk through this old rickety building to get to where I needed to go. It seemed even older inside. Older and colder. And darker. And starker, for that matter!

I walked through, and found myself in a well lit, and almost deserted, entrance hall. It was an entrance hall to some kind of shopping mall, which was not visible from either the other side of the rickety building, or through the windows from inside it. Yet, it was immediately outside.

I didn’t have far to walk into this mall, as the door I needed was just around the bend of a wall which curved away to my left. I walked through this door, and met a colleague who I hadn’t seen since my second job. She ushered me to hurry up, as things would be starting soon.

The next thing I remember, I am sat in a well lit room, with plenty of round tables covered with white table cloths. I don’t remember anything else about this room apart from the tables, and the people sitting there. Some current work colleagues were on other tables, some old work colleagues were on the one that I was sitting at, and there were some people who I didn’t know dotted about as well. Other people were serving food to us all, and the tables were soon full with a feast that was fit for a king.

Apparently, this room was a waiting area, or green room, for a TV company. All of the people in the room were waiting to appear on various TV shows, and the table I was sat at was for ‘Loose Women’ a lunchtime chat show.

Every time I went to get something to eat, my plate was empty, or the food had gone. The tables were emptying very quickly for that matter. All that was left in front of me, in a matter of seconds, was a bowl full of potato crisps. Something caught my eye so I looked away for a second, and when I looked back that bowl was empty. I blinked, and then it was gone.

One of the people at my table said ‘it’s time now, we’re on’, and as I went to stand up to follow them, I woke up.

I have only just realised when writing this, that I hadn’t noticed the glaring fact that Loose Women is a lunchtime programme and my dream was set at night. Apart from not noticing this little fact, the dream was about different layers again, and very large open rooms. The rickety building was spacious, even though run down. The shopping mall entrance was huge, as was the office. Things appearing and disappearing also featured prominently in this dream, as did my knowing that I had to do something – even though I didn’t know what it was!

Like I said, a very discombobulated dream. Very out of sorts, but equally as vivid as my previous ones. I can remember the parts I can remember very clearly. But, like certain aspects of the dream that I can’t remember (the job, the help, the search, the mall, the food) in the dream, I can’t remember them awake either.

Yet I can remember not remembering them.

‘Different layers’ takes on a totally different meaning with regards to memories. The question is… what am I missing?

Balancing nothing with something

This weekend I did something that I thought I would possibly never, ever be able to do. In a stark contrast to my normal weekends, I actually did something.

So, it’s back to normality once again. My three-day review of the songs in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest gave me a little Easter break away from writing my daily blog posts, so I only had to pop by every now and again to make sure things were still working and appearing correctly, and no major errors had occurred with the blog or even WordPress itself! I’ve become quite attached to this little sub-section of cyber space… unfortunately, that attachment has made me somewhat a little too over concerned, if not protective around here. Hence my need for the little break to recharge my batteries, and to give myself the chance to do other things.

Not that I have done that many other things that were different from my general day to day routine, but sometimes it is nice to give attention to another of life’s areas. Over the past three days, I have:

• Mowed a lawn
• Gone shopping
• Caught up with my favourite TV show
• Had a rest
• Enjoyed the sunshine
• Eaten some fabulous food
• Tickled a couple of cats
• Slept well
• Visited my regular haunt
• Found inspiration

Nothing new there (apart from one) – all very much everyday things that are taken for granted. By taking things for granted, I tend to miss them, don’t appreciate them, and don’t appreciate the ‘extras’ that come with them.

Take mowing the lawn, for instance. I don’t do that at Aquatom Mansion (as I have staff to do that for me) but I helped my parents with their’s. There is nothing spectacular about mowing a lawn. I don’t actually mow very well – in fact I managed to strangle myself at one point with the electric cable, but I’ll gloss over that little incident – and was surprised that I had actually done it. The mowing, not the strangling.

I suffer badly from hay fever. It is as though I have an allergy to Spring and Summer, so usually I have to remain inside, unless it is raining. This is one of the reasons why I appreciate and enjoy the rain; I can get to go outside in Summer!

So, I mowed a lawn, with grass trimmings flying in the air all around me, on a very sunny day. I was outside, in the elements, and enjoying myself thoroughly. I was expecting to suffer later in the day when my eyes would have swelled to four times their normal size, and my nose would have become redder than a Martian sunset, or any other red thing imaginable. I thought I would have been sneezing constantly and itching the corners of my eyes with intense fury.

I was wrong. I didn’t experience any of that. If I hadn’t taken the advice from, and followed, one of the sports companies’ slogans and just done it, I’d have missed out on so many different levels.

The fear of the suffering in the past would have prevented me from moving forward.

I saw through that fear, I faced it head on, and just did it!

OK, I didn’t do a particularly good job, strangling aside, there were long tufts of grass left here, there and everywhere, but I’d had a go. I had fun. I’m not a gardener, so there was no way the lawn was going to look like a fine example of a show lawn, but that isn’t important. And besides, it looks like a show lawn to me, and the tufts are there to provide artistic licence. Who says show lawns have to be perfect anyway? And who decides on the meaning of perfection?

Long and lazy weekends are great fun! Normal lazy weekends are great too, but long ones are even better! Adding a little bit of ‘action’ into the laziness seems to have enhanced the quieter times rather than cancelling them out. How can you manage to do something and nothing at the same time? I have managed very well over this weekend. It’s all a matter of balance. And that ‘balance’ will have to be introduced tomorrow when I’m back in work, so I can add a little ‘something’ to the ‘nothing’.

Review. Eurovision 2011. Part III.

I’m not much of a critic. I like what I like and write about it non-stop. I try not to mention the things that I don’t like, but sometimes they have to be mentioned to show contrast. To add depth. To prove that I am human and do have my own opinion. My opinion will probably differ from thousands of other people on this wonderful planet of ours, but imagine how things would be if we all liked the same thing?

I have been an avid viewer of the Eurovision Song Contest for what seems like centuries. It has always been with me. I know that there are three types of people when it comes to the Eurovision. One type, like me, who just love it. One group, unlike me who can not stand it. And a third group who say they don’t like it, but watch it, for whatever reason they have.

This post, and the previous two, aren’t for those in the last two categories. I’m not writing anything to make you change your view of things. Just as I am entitled to my opinion, everyone else is entitled to theirs too, and I wouldn’t want to be the one to change your mind. Even if you love the Eurovision, you may disagree with what I think about a particular song. The fact that we can choose what we think, how we feel, and what we say shows that we care about the subject enough to talk about it. Just because we have a difference of opinion doesn’t mean we still can’t be friends, right?

OK. On with my review. Where did I last get up to? Ah, yes, P.

Portugal. Homens Da Luta singing ‘Luta é alegria’. There is always a novelty song in the Eurovision, and this year I think it is Portugal’s turn to enter it. I can’t speak a word of Portuguese, but I think this is a song is about revolution, celebration and speaking out. The struggle is joy. I’ll give 7 out of 10 for it’s quirkiness, but I don’t think it will be in the top ten. However, I am often wrong!

Romania. ‘Change’, sung by Hotel FM. A very happy, bubbly, feel good song about changing the world and making dreams come true. Good beat, great singing, and good song. My type of song!!! 9 out of 10. AND a place in the top ten.

Russia. ‘Get You’ performed by Alexej Vorobjov. Ooh Oh! I’m coming to get you! A poppy rocky kind of song that gets better as it goes along. And it starts off quite good as well too! I was tapping my foot to it! My bad one! 8 out of 10, and a place in the top ten.

San Marino. ‘Stand By’, sung by Senit. I like this song, but I think it would possibly be better as part of a movie soundtrack. It may do well in the contest as it is a different kind of entry. I will give 7 out of 10.

Serbia. ‘Čaroban’, sung by Nina. The video to this song is very seventies, and so is the music in parts. A very different song, and different in a good, happy way. Another 7 out of 10.

Slovakia. ‘I’m Still Alive’, performed by Twiins. A beautiful, thoughtful song, that flows along very nicely. 8 out of 10 and a place in the top ten.

Slovenia. ‘No One’ sung by Maja Keuc. A slower song, but a Eurovision song. I prefer the ending to the early stages of the song, but it does build up to it’s finale, so that is perfectly alright. This may do OK in the contest, I’ll give it 6 out of 10.

Spain. ‘Que me quiten lo bailao’, sung by Lucía Pérez. A happy party-come-carnival tune that just makes you dance along. Makes typing quite difficult, but I managed! 8 out of 10.

Sweden. ‘Popular’, performed by Eric Saade. A pop song about being popular. The singer being popular. It kind of does and doesn’t make sense. And he ‘pops’ out of a glass tube during the song. Random. Quite entertaining. May do quite well if there is a sudden urge in popularity for old style tunes. 7 out of 10.

Switzerland. ‘In Love For A While’, Anna Rossinelli. I enjoyed this song, and there are a few la’s and na’s to sing along with! It actually sounded very familiar at the beginning but then developed into it’s own rhythm. This one I’m sure will be in the top ten, and I’ll give it 8 out of 10.

The Netherlands. ‘Never Alone’, sung by 3JS. A pleasant enough song, but I think it is very similar to quite a lot of others. This could be played low in the background to create atmosphere, but I’m not sure. I’ll give it 6 out of 10.

Turkey. ‘Live It Up’, performed by Yüksek Sadakat. Not at all what I expected at the beginning, and not how I expected it to develop as it got going. Quite rocky, but am I referring to the music or the song? I’m not sure, so I’ll say 5 out of 10.

Ukraine. ‘Angel’, sung by Mika Newton. Unfortunately, this is another song I’m not sure about. A good singer, but I don’t feel anything from this song. Another 5 out of 10.

United Kingdom. ‘I Can’, performed by Blue. We aren’t allowed to vote for our own entry in the UK, but being one of the ‘Big Five’ we automatically qualify for the final. I’m sorry to say that if this wasn’t the case, I’m not sure if we’d have made it. Blue sing well, and the song has some good parts to it, but there are some parts that don’t seem to fit. I’ll give 7 out of 10. I’m saying a place in the top ten, but only because I want my own country to do well!

Just before my reviews are complete, way back in Part I there was one song that I had to re-visit. Due to my tendency to mis-read information, my concentration was clouded. If, heavens to murgatroyd, something goes awry during one of the acts, the performer sometimes has to re-perform at the end. So, now I revisit Bulgaria:

Bulgaria. ‘Na Inat’ by Poli Genova. I was torn with this song. At times, I was tapping along with it, and at others I wanted so much more from it. I’m not saying it is a bad song, but it is a song with something that didn’t reach what I was expecting. So, I’ll give it 5 out of 10.

And there we have it! 43 songs listened to all the way through, and my first impressions recorded here! Some I liked, some I wasn’t too keen on. All were different to each other, and I enjoyed listening to each and everyone of them.

I can’t wait to watch the performances live at the Eurovision Song Contest next month. Not that I’ll be there in person – in Germany, that is – I’ll be in my living room, holding my own Eurovision party!

The first semi final takes place on 10th May. The second semi final is on 12th May. And the final, the grand final at that!, is on 14th May.

If, like me, you can’t wait to hear what the music is going to be like this year, please visit the Eurovision website, where you can read more about all of the performers and listen to or watch their videos!

I’ve enjoyed writing these reviews, even though they are extremely brief. I may not be a good critic, but I can have a good time trying!