Keep on rocking, Robbie

robbie williams XXV concert stage
All Photos: Mia Salminen (me)

I went to see Robbie Williams in concert yesterday (March 5). It was the 2nd time for me. He rocked 25 years ago and still keeps on rocking. I had a better seat this time. Between songs, he talked about his time in Take That and his past problems. He had very deep thoughts that he shared with us. We weren’t only his audience but also his friends. He was interacting with the audience. He’s always been funny, so there was no exception this time. For example, a couple sat in seats where they saw his performance from behind. He asked them if they were together, and it would have been quite embarrassing for them if they weren’t. He told them to come down, so they could sit in front of the extended stage part. They sat there during the whole show. It was such a great gesture from Robbie. Brits, in general, are friendly people.

Another funny thing was when he saw this tall guy and told him it must be nice to be so tall. A shame for the people who stands behind him, Robbie joked. It was a great atmosphere at the concert. He also made a female fan happy by singing one of his songs to her. That’s something he does in his shows. After his band and dancers went off stage, Robbie came back and sang a few lines from his famous songs that we would sing. One of them we couldn’t sing to, and he joked we don’t know his songs by heart. He didn’t mind, though. It was a great end to the concert. He left us with a good feeling.

Here are a few photos from the concert.

I only celebrate birthdays

kids birthday celebrations
My birthday when I turned 6 in 1983

I only celebrate birthdays and Christmas holidays. I don’t care about Valentine’s Day or Friend’s Day, as we call it in Finland. You should celebrate it every day. You don’t need to do it only on this day. I don’t know why you should have a particular day for it. Maybe it’s just a way to rub it on people doesn’t have friends or loved ones. Either way, it’s an unnecessary day.

When I was a kid, I had birthday parties. It was nice to get presents. We had cake and played put a tail on a donkey. That’s what I had when I turned 6. Birthdays were important then, but as older as you get, you don’t celebrate them the same way. Who wants to get old anyway? The last time I had a birthday party was when I was in 5th or 6th grade. Today all I need is a meal with dessert, and then that’s over. Last year I was at some kind of party, the Duran Duran concert. People only congratulate me on Facebook because that’s what the notifications say. I don’t get many congratulations anymore. Maybe they don’t care. Actually, I don’t get any responses on whatever I post. I only post for myself, so I don’t feel so bad.

I haven’t had any friends since 9th grade, but I have managed without any. The last time I saw my former classmates was over 20 years ago. I don’t even know if they’re still alive. You lose touch with people for different reasons, but that’s life. Some find new friends, but some don’t. In the filmmaking course I’m doing, I won’t have any contact with my classmates when it’s over in August. I talk to them, but that’s about it. Typically, I don’t have much in common with people. They’re not on the same wavelength as me. They’re not asking me anything either, so it feels like people don’t want to get to know me. It’s their loss. I have other things to think about.

Different people celebrate in different ways. Some have big parties where they go dancing, and some celebrate quietly at home. There are no right and wrong ways to celebrate. You do the way you feel like. I only celebrate birthdays and Christmas holidays quietly without a big fuss. For me, other celebrations are only an ordinary day among others.

Bloganuary: Dull family tree

I’ve never done any family tree research. I haven’t had any contact with my relatives. My family tree is dull; that’s what I know. The relatives on my mother’s side were mostly money hungry and full of themselves. The relatives on my father’s side are better. About three years ago (or 4), I found out I have a cousin. She’s the only one I have any contact with. My cousin also has a sister, but she lives with her family in another city. My dad has a half-sister that he sometimes calls. She’s over 90 years old. It’s been a while since we met last. It was mostly because of covid.

That’s how far back my family tree can go, to the present. But I have photos of a tree. Enjoy the pictures of the tree in the front yard of my dad’s building. It was supposed to be taken down, but they haven’t yet.