Sara Hammerzmith

So, there we have the result! After 49 years of waiting, Portugal has gotten their first win. Well deserved and well done! It was not my personal favorite, but it could have been a lot worse!

I saw a lot of people on Twitter talking about “why could he win” – and to some extent, I understand this, because I was not a fan of the song either – but on the same time I get it. This is a very sick man – heartcondition – so ill he couldn’t, or wasn’t allowed to, perform during the rehearsals. This is also the reason he looked so “bored” – more like trying to stay calm. I’m guessing a lot of people had a lot of sympathy for him because of this.

Regardless – I look forward going to Portugal next year!

// Sara

So, the second semifinal just wrapped up here. And to be honest, I found this semifinal to be slightly better than the previous one – perhaps it was just a better balance. I had a few songs I liked – Estonia’s “Verona” and Romania’s “Yodel It”, but aside that – it it’s still weak. I think this might end up being one of the weaker years of Eurovision.

However, in the end, the qualifiers are as follows: Bulgaria, Belarus, Croatia, Hungary, Denmark, Israel, Romania, Norway, The Netherlands and Austria.

So as you see, Estonia didn’t make it through in the end. Which kind of sucks. But, at least some good tunes – like Bulgaria and Romania made it.

Now I’m eagerly waiting to the finale to air.

// Sara

And with that, Sweden is in the finale! To be honest, never for a moment did I doubt Robin. He sounded a bit nervous in my opinion, or well, the performance overall, but never for a moment did I doubt him.

Alongside him, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Armenia, Australia, Cyprus and Belgium qualified for the finale. To be honest – the only entry I really, REALLY enjoyed tonight was Montenegro – he basically screamed everything that is Eurovision for me. But my vote went to Australia. I have this secret settlement with the Ubanks – they vote for Sweden, I vote for Australia and this way, Aussie and Sweden keep their beautiful little exchange 12 party. Well, let’s hope so.

I’m a little gutted Iceland didn’t make it through. She had a really nice routine, but aside that, the whole semifinal was a little bit weak in my taste. I hope for a better heat on Thursday!

// Sara

These past couple of days has been pretty much filled with fixing and setting things up at the new place. It’s moving slowly, but it’s also taking shape quite quickly in fact. A lot quicker than I thought, but it also goes a lot slower than I’d have hoped.

But the biggest thing that is FINALLY done, is the “flag-door” that cut off the part of the livingroom that will serve as my office, and I’m really happy with it. It looks pretty much the way I thought it would, and the thing is, not only is it cutting off the office, it’s serving as a nice wall too.

Another thing we got done as well was carpeting the balcony. FINALLY I can start put things there – like, furniture and such. It’s still a long way to go to get it perfect the way I want it, but it’s a start!

Aside that… Not much new has happened. Hopefully I’ll get around to bring out some new music reviews to you guys, I will try my best.

// Sara

Hello guys.

Some serious things here. I am sorry for the lack of updates lately – this is only because of the move that is happening. My days are spent either working, in furniture stores or in the apartment itself. It’s a big thing you know, or well, it sucks the energy out of me.

But on the brighter side – Lordi was announced yesterday for Vicious Rock Festival – FINALLY another Swedish gig with Lordi. It’s starting to happen, you know? And on top of that, H.E.A.T after many years of silence are having some gigs in October, as well as releasing a new album in September. October is becoming a heavy, heavy month really.

I don’t really have much else to say right now. I’ve spent the evening now assembling IKEA furniture and choosing what posters to put up. Exciting, huh?

// Sara

So this beautiful little thing arrived in the mail today!

Like FINALLY! After all this wait, the album is finally here! All of you who’ve followed me for some time now know exactly how head over heels I am for this band, and how long I’ve waited for this album to finally come out. I have had a first listen at it, and I’ll get back to you all with a more detailed review once I’ve gotten into it more, but the first impression is that I like it. A lot. Right now, it doesn’t quite live up to the previous one, but I’m going to give it one more go before I say more.

Right now, my favorite track of this album is “Maniac”. It’s so good! Gaah. The album was worth the wait though, every day of the week.

// Sara

Soo. I did originally plan to post a review today, but something sort of came in the way. THIS.

Art Nation announced a Sweden tour – which is more than pretty much any band I like have done – and they have som real good looking dates! I’m planning to do both Karlskoga and Örebro, but we will have to see what actually happens. I’m so happy to see Karlskoga being on the bill – as you might now, my new job is actually located in that very town, but I remain here in Karlstad.

And to make this tour even better, Haunted By Destiny is the supportband, and it becomes beautiful for me, considering both of these bands were bands I discovered on Skogsröjet last year, so getting to see them both again, and together, will be… good. Really. Beyond good.

Let me know if anyone of you are coming to the shows as well!

// Sara