The Busking Queen

Yup, I'm so poor, I have turned to street performing. I took my clunky turquoise typewriter out, sat on the street and wrote poems and stories for people for money. It's actually loads of fun.

Read about my busking experience on my XIHA Life blog.

One woman took a photo of me busking and then printed
out the photo for me. She also gave me 10 euros for one poem!

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Passion Pit – The Reeling

Yello's "Oh Yeah" and Halloween

My dear friend was telling me about how she needs to be the hot girlfriend from Ferris Bueller's Day Off for Halloween solely because she recently bought some white fringed boots. I agree wholeheartedly. And it reminded me of the song from the movie that just says like "OH YEAH" – similar to the Kool-Aid man. (The lyrics actually go, "Oh Yeah. The moon. Beautiful. Oh yeah. The sun. Even more beautiful." How can you go wrong there?)

I decided to Youtube it to see if I could watch the part of Ferris Bueller that features the song. Even better: I found the music video.

I LIKE THIS SONG SO MUCH MORE AFTER THIS VIDEO:



Two guys making those noises and a little girl who is the sun and the moon? Brilliant. My favourite part comes at the end (2:53) where the men's silhouettes are fighting and point at the moon to distract their opponents.

As a side note, if another friend and I don't go ahead with our top-secret ideas for Halloween, I think I might just have to be Pikku Myy from the Finnish cartoon, Moomin. I look enough like her that it's so simple: I put a bun on top of my head, find a red dress, get a bow tie and, ka-ching, Halloween costume.

It's just a shame that no one will understand it in New York.

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Matt & Kim – Daylight

Phoenix's "1901"

An extremely good lights show can go a long way, and for Phoenix, that’s what they are counting on in their video for "1901." White lights illuminate the boys in bars, streaks, plaids and sparkles. The lights electrify the sound! Luckily, a simple concept can lead to great things.



See my blurb on nickydigital.com here.

Chairlift's "Bruises"

You may have heard this one featured on NPR, or in an Apple commercial for a new iPod Nano. The truth is: Chairlift's "Bruises" has a catchy beat and a quirky chorus no one can deny. And what is going on in this video? Stacks of TV screens, black spray paint, lead singer Caroline Polachek rolling around in a garbage bag dress? It’s a lovely little hideout these kids have, and the best news is that the video devolves into a spin-the-bottle make-out session (sadly excluding the duet singers).



Read my blurb on nickydigital.com here.

Sunday Funday: The Zombies

Even if you're not familiar with the name, I'm sure you've heard The Zombies, perhaps without realizing it. They're probably most famous for their song "Time of the Season." I have been on a Zombies binge recently, and found this great video that VH1 probably threw together in order to play the song on their Classics. But it has some great footage! How amazing are some of those outfits??? And who can resist some great '60s lady-ass-shakin'?

For extra credit, check out The Zombies performing "She's Not There" live on U.S. television. Gah, nostalgia – and I wasn't even alive then!

Birdy Nam Nam's "The Parachute Ending"

It’s no surprise that this song is reminiscent of Justice's album Cross, because the French duo produced the song. And just like the famed jams from that album, Birdy Nam Nam's bass-thumping "The Parachute Ending" is sure to move your hips – if you can take your eyes off the video.

Beginning with a hover-craft wielding alien, the video narrates an epic space battle full of neon colors and constant movement.



See my blurb on www.nickydigital.com here.

Settle down now: Helsinki

I am finally settling down. I have spent the past two nights in my new apartment, which is only a five-minute walk away from the fake apartment I was duped into believing was a good choice. (See my previous blog post if you don’t know what I’m talking about there.)


I am starting to think it was kind of fate that I didn’t get the other apartment, because this one is really ideal. It’s tiny, but lovely. Here is what I love about it:

Read the rest of my blog post on my XIHA Life blog here.

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Sparklehorse – It's a Wonderful Life