Sara Hammerzmith

Off H.E.A.T’s new record which I’m currently reviewing. May be one of the absolute best songs on this album.

The sad part about this, is that I somewhat lose my spark TOO EASY. I get a “writing-block” or how to call it, when I just have no clue what to write whatsoever. I try to read various books (read: Music & Cyberliberites, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Handbook of New Media…) but without finding any inspiration. May be because I easily drift away. It’s the same when I sit down and read just HoND. If it’s too many difficult names at the time (which it tends to be so far in the book) or nothing that really catches my attention, I tend to drift away in my mind thinking about other stuff. Like the jacket I want or the festivalsummer or my plannings or whatever really. Then a familiar name such as Gringoire, the play, Jehan or Trouillefou gets me back on track for a second and then I’m drifting again. That’s why I tend to only read a little bit at the time. So I don’t lose the whole thing, you know.

Also, we did the selection for Eurovision tonight. I haven’t blogged about it at all, but as I suspected, Loreen would win. And she well deserves it in my opinion. My personal favourites was Top Cats, but I’m well pleased with Loreen too.

Alright. It’s getting late and the record is running without me keeping a… record on it. Lol.

NP: It’s All About Tonight – H.E.A.T
// Sara

Having the Steel Panther tickets and CD’s infront of me pretty much helps getting “It Won’t Suck Itself” stuck in your brain. I can’t believe its only a matter of days left until we take off! I’m starting to get a little nervous and worried as I tend to do right before something like this, and as pretty much any other girls I still don’t know what the heck to wear for one of the shows. I have a set “outift” for one of the shows but not the next… Damn it. Need to figure something out.

The day has been spent in the stable mainly and doing some other bookings. Seriously, seems like all my life is about booking, planning and travelling at the moment… and it kinda is. And that’s only because concerts have a sick tendency of always ending up at the same time of the year. We have six concerts to do on three weeks. Seriously. Here we’ve been, two months without ONE SINGLE concert, and now there are six. On three weeks. Seriously concerts, go fuck yourselves. You are making our lives very, very hard. Especially if you try having a life in between this.

But I’m looking forward so much it’s not even funny. It’s Steel Panther again, and I guess it’s like they say, third time’s the charm. FINALLY a “proper” show with Steel Panther. Or what I mean is, it will be a show when I’m a fan and where I’ll be “close” to the band, somewhat at least, and I’ll know every word to every song. Almost. Lets say I do.

Alright. The tiredness is taking over here, time for pancakes, Hercules and Hunchback songbook before I go to bed. Tomorrow downtown and stable once again, awaits. SEE, this is what happens. When no concerts occur, you just spend more time in the stable. I can’t say I complain, but you know. It’s kinda… hilarious somewhat. Since it was the concerts that dragged me away from there before in the first place.

// Sara

Men plötsligt har en ängel lett ömt emot mig, och kysst min kind men utan att bli rädd. En känsla närmar sig, bryr hon sig om just mig? Och när mina klockor hörs igen… mitt mörka torn ja minsta steg… har träffats av ett himmelskt sken…

I hope I got the lyrics right. I’m too tired to check, and I still don’t have any sound on the computer. “Heaven’s Light” is just stuck in my brain right now because I just played it on Forte.

I think I’m in some sort of… inspired mood right now. I just get a lot done. I’ve managed, finally, to book all the hotels for the Stala&SO. trip and as soon as I get home from Steel Panther I’ll start booking the traintrips and concerttickets (for those places availible that is). I originally wanted to do it BEFORE I left for Steel Panther, but I think I could use some sparecash on the account for traintickets and such in Oslo and Copenhagen.

I went downtown today for my last minute shopping. And I know how bad it probably sounds right after I said I don’t have much cash left on my account, but it’s not as bad as it sounds. When I do my last minute shopping what I mainly do is to re-fill my “travel-box”. I have a small box that I fill with ‘important’ stuff that I bring for concerts, travels or festivals. And I try to make sure everything’s in stock, but occasionally, things empties out. So before every trip I make sure I have enough plasters, sunspray (mainly for festivals), aspirins, mousquitocreams and then less important things as hairspray and such. So that’s what I mean with last minute shopping.

I also keep other necessary stuff in this box, such as watches and extra wallets etc. I never wear watches daily, but it’s extremly convenient to have when you travel abroad to a different timezone, I usually only switch timezone on this one. And you don’t need to check your cell all the time. And two wallets is also convenient, this way you can easily bring both some swedish money to be used before departure and after you’re back in Sweden, or as in our case right now,when we go from Sweden to Norway and then to Denmark we can just keep our Danish money in one wallet and Norweigan in another one to keep them apart. I’m not sure what we should do with our Swedish but okay…

That’s another thing I did today, exchange money. Michelle and I wrapped up the day with a smaller meal at Subway discussing horrible Disneymovies (horrible in the sense of scary, not poorly executed, but we discussed them too), Steel Panther and horses. With other words, pretty normal day for the two of us.

And for the first time in a very long time, I’m actually tired. Usually, I’m never tired at this point at night (it’s currently 01:09 here). This is usually the time I.. awake. But I went up a bit earlier than usual today so I guess thats why. Just a few more things, like clearing out a bag and store some books, and then I can finally go to bed. Stable and hairdresser is on the schedule tomorrow. Nice stuff.

// Sara

And for the first

Last weeks(?) have been mental. I’ve spent more time in the stable than I have ever done since Pickles went away, and along that I’ve been studying like Idontevenknowwhat. The scary part is that Steel Panther is just around the corner, next week to be precise! That scares me. All should be booked for that, yet time moves too fucking fast.

I haven’t gotten tickets for the HammerFall show in Karlstad even though I should, but my main priority before that show is Stala&SO., cause I may love HammerFall but I love Stala&SO. a bit more. And S&S happening in Sweden just don’t. They just don’t.

Tomorrow I’m heading downtown with Michelle for some last minute shopping for SP and a meal. Good break in all this madness. Now I shall keep reding “Music and Cyberliberites”, our current schoolbook. I would actually like to recommend this to book to anyone interested in the musicindustry. I like it very so much!

// Sara

Another day without sound. Loljk, it’s been a week without sound, but hey, what to do about it.

Today’s been a day off. So I’ve practically been raping my songbook playing “Hellfire” all day, probably the reason I got that particular line in my head at the moment too. AND I just read a rated R crossover-fanfic with Clopin/Belle. It all makes sense somehow. It MIGHT also have to do with the big fangirl grin that cracked on my face reading the novel by the three small words “A tattered beggar“. THREE LITTLE WORDS. I was just waiting for it, “Ok ok ok, we are at Gringoires play…. soon soon soon…. YES!!!! YES BADUMTSS!!!”

Apart from that, I made a brief visit to the stable. For 10 seconds, or less. Why is that? Because, for God know what reason, I tend to always forget my bag. If I ever bring a bag with… a notebook, or food or anything, despite me even hanging it in the common-room, I ALWAYS FORGET IT! And then I have to get back the next day. ALL THE TIME. It happens ALL THE TIME. Good thing the stable is a safe place to forget stuff at!

While walking back home from the stable I got a text from always so missed Hanna asking if I wanted to catch up. Said and done, went downtown to see her and while I was at it, pick up the traintickets for Denmark. Steel Panther is happening in less than two weeks now, I can’t believe it! It’s gonna be SO awesome. I hope. I’m still trying to find yet another piece of clothing before it, but it shouldn’t be impossible. Or we will see.

Anyway. That’s that, hitting the sheets now. Nighty night!

// Sara

Yeah. I have these odd (Hunchback-related titles) for one reason. And that reason is, I don’t have any sound on my computer. This enables me to listen to music, or well, technically it doesn’t, since I got an iPod, BUT, I don’t really like just SITTING with my iPod so yeah. No music! And this forces me to come up with titles. Of which I suck. So I use the first line that comes to me. And for God knows what reason, Frollo’s words to Esmeralda was the first.

On Monday I did however meet up with Cornelia again, it was a long time no see. But how glad was I to see her! We had a great time. Today I’ve spent most of my time in the stables, a lot of theory. Both courses in leadership, theory lesson for youngsters and wrapped it up with crashing Emelie’s ridinggroups theory. (Crashing in the term of showing up uninvited)

BUT. After long waiting… this beauties finally arrived in my mailbox.

First off, it’s the original (translated) novel, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” (Or Notre-Dame de Paris as the original title is) by Victor Hugo. I was so looking forward to get it it’s not even funny. I also opened a random page and the first name I saw was “Clopin Trouillefou”. That’s what I call faith. I also started reading it a bit, and I can barely put it away! I have to make sure to take a day off when I just sit down to read it.

The other book is a songbook from the Disney movie. And… I had very little expectations on this one, as it said on the site that it included the lyrics to all the songs, and since I figured it’d have nice pictures, why the hell not. And it wasn’t expensive. But when I opened the book, I was greeted with this lovely sight

Seriously. I fangirled just a little… No just kidding, I end up even MORE excited over this one than the novel. As I have been struggling to play these songs! No these particular, or well, I’ve torn my hair over CoM, but any of these songs! And now I have them PERFECTLY arranged in this book! Finally. Finallyfinallyfinallyfinally!

So excuse me for a while. I’m gonna head over to my piano as I’ve named Forte to make some music float in this silent house. Or at least it’ll be noise. Next songbook to be ordered after this is definitely Hercules. If it exists. I’ll see about that.

But first. Hotelbooking and Schoolbook purchasing.

// Sara

Love the gaps I have. But honestly, I don’t have much to blog about! And that’s making it a bit difficult. Maybe I should try finish off the Hunchback comparison, but I’ll do that later this week.

The good part though is that we’ve finally, or soon at least, reached March. Which means, the concert-inferno starts. Steel Panther times two, HammerFall times one and Stala&SO. times three, and that in SWEDEN, mark my words! I can still not believe that is actually happening.

Tomorrow I’m about to head downtown together with Cornelia, which is a true long time no see! Will be great meeting up with her again. But that’s tomorrow. Right now Mickey’s House of Villains is coming up.

I love crossovers. You know when characters from different films get together, and I took a serious interest in it yesterday when I got hooked on the line “Maleficent being on a date with Jafar” and took a sneakpeak on House of Mouse. Then I finally found HoV, so that’s up now. God bless YouTube.

// Sara

Today it’s February 15th. Lordi’s Facebook page should be filled with birthday wishes, since it’s Mr Lordi’s birthday today. But this is not the case, due to some unexpected and extremly sad circumstances.

We learnt this morning that our very beloved drummer Otus, or Tonmi Lillman, has passed away at an age of 38.

I don’t… really know what to say here. For the first, it took me a while to “get used to him” in the band. But you know, eventually I did and in Paris 2010 I got to meet him. He seemed a bit shy, but yet kind. Didn’t say much to him, but it’s the impression I got. I, and I guess we all were, looking forward to see what he could contribute to the band. We were all looking forward to hear what an album would sound like with him… but…. No.

The most disturbing part is how final it is. Death. When a bandmember leaves, you can always “blame” the band, or someone in the band. You can direct your anger and sadness towards someone and say it’s their fault, it’s their fault he or she ain’t in the band anymore. But death doesn’t work that way. It’s no ones fault… it’s destiny, I guess you could call it. My thoughts goes out to his family and close friends, and also to his fans.

I think we should do like we did when Kita left the band, that anyone who reads this will comment a great memory they had with him. Wheter you met him or not, just write something that you will remember about him, give you happy memories. In times like this, we need to focus on the good memories he brought us.

Rest In Peace, Lizard-Butcher-Whatever you were. We will always love you. Thanks for the memories.

// Sara

Of course. Happy Birthday, Mr Lordi!

Yes, honestly, that’s the song and the line stuck in my head right now….

Why is that? WHY? What are the reason? WHAT? How did it happen? HOW? Aesj sush! Ouch….

Saw what I did there? Ha ha ha ha!.

No but it’s actually because I’m currently, totally unplanned, ended  up watching The Hunchback Of Notre Dame from 1939. I’m still watching it, just taking a little refreshing break not to fall asleep. No, the film isn’t boring, it’s quite interesting actually, but I’ve slept like what, 2½ hours the last 24 hous so… So I’d probably even sleep through the Disney Court Of Miracles, no matter how much I love it.

I’m not gonna tell you so much more about this film just yet, mainly because you know I haven’t finished it, and also I figured I could talk about it tomorrow, and put some effort in it. I’m gonna twist and turn it, so I hope you’ll be able to keep up.

However. Recently, I, totally unexpected actually, came across notesheets for all the Hunchback of Notre Dame songs. I wasn’t even looking, I was on a site for midifiles and all of a sudden there were notes… So I was about to get my toypiano that I always use when I find new tones, mark though, I’m _not_ a trained pianoplayer at all, all I can do is so called “fingerplaying”. I know how to ‘count’ to get the chords, but I don’t know how to use it, so don’t take me for a pianoplayer just because I use it occasionally, okay?

So either way, I went to look for it. For this special occasion, I had actually managed to find just FLUTE notes for the songs, and as I looked through the wardrobe upstairs for the piano (which I thought I had put there) I thought to myself how epic it would’ve been if I still had my flute. You see, my dad sold it, he said.

But as I looked… I saw a black box. A familiar box. And I need only touch it to realize what it was. One touch, to feel the hard, engraved plastic. When I grabbed it, and felt the heaviness, pulling it out to see the engraved and silverpainted “Armstrong”… I swear. I shed a couple of tears. My flute. My both hated and loved, flute.

I thought it was gone… but now it’s back. It is a joyus moment. So now, I just sit and practice “Court Of Miracles” like a maniac on the piano to make sure I know the notes before I even try it on with my flute. It’s been a few years, you know.

Alright. The last 40-50 minutes of Hunchback awaits, so I shall return to my cheesedoodles!

// Sara