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.

Bloganuary: Happiest day of my life

happy day book
Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

I have had many happy days. The day when I finished elementary school. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. I was bored with school when I was 15. I’ve already been one extra year when I had to repeat 4th grade. I was also happy when the education in health studies ended. I didn’t want to be there in the first place, but I had to start somewhere. I was happy when I finished my two-year-old studies because I didn’t give up even if things weren’t always nice. I’ve been happy to leave jobs I didn’t like. I was happy to get elected to study at Helsinki Design School. I was happy to get a few job interviews even if I didn’t get picked. There were also happy days when I was a child and my sister was still alive. Life needs to have happy days, or life wouldn’t be enjoyable.

There is one day that beats every other happy day, and that was my birthday last year. I had been waiting for it for years, and then it finally happened. I saw Duran Duran in concert. It was a rainy day, but I enjoyed every moment. That was the happiest day of my life. Of course, it was also a happy day when I saw Robbie Williams in concert, but I didn’t have to wait for it for years like I did with Duran Duran. Since I saw the video of ‘The Reflex‘, I have wanted to see them in concert. They were supposed to be here earlier, but it was cancelled. So when it finally happened, and it was my birthday, I went. It was also the first time I lived in a hotel alone. I was lucky to have been quite close to the stage. It was a shame the weather wasn’t better, but when you finally get to see one of your favourite bands, it doesn’t matter. I got wet even if I had my raincoat on, but it was the happiest day of my life.

There will be more happy days this year. I’m going to three different concerts. The one I’m looking forward to most is the Take That concert. That’s a band I never saw in concert because my mother didn’t let me go. They are a trio now, so it won’t be the same, but they still sound great. That concert will be one of the happiest days of my life because one of my dreams will come true. It’s outdoors, the same place where the Duran Duran concert was. I’ll be close to the stage this time too. Hopefully. Let’s hope the weather will be better.

No break for the wicked

young man sleeping on an open book
Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

It’s not that I’ve had a busy year. On the contrary, it’s been quiet until October, when my filmmaking studies at Helsinki Design School started. The assignments aren’t as complex and time-consuming as the graphic design course. There is a lot of writing and analysing of movies. Two meetings in a row, we had about directing and screenplay writing. The latter is the most exciting subject for me. I’ve studied it before, so it’s a bit familiar. This week we had about casting, where two Finnish professional actors told us about the actor’s point of view of the movie and television business. They also played a scene that one of the students had written. There is a big difference between amateur and professional acting. An ordinary person goes through the script quickly, but a professional actor takes the time and, well, acts. This education has been fascinating and will continue to be so when the next meeting is in January. There won’t be a break in the assignments, but they’re not stressful, so it doesn’t matter.

If this year was quiet, I wouldn’t have that in 2023. Besides my studies, I’m going to a few concerts. First, the Robbie Williams one in March, and then in July, Pet shop boys. But wait, there is more. A sudden, surprising twist occurred. It was something I didn’t expect. My teenage dream will come true on June 27, 2023. The British band, Take That will come to Finland. The tickets will go on sale tomorrow (Monday 19th). They were here 29 years ago. My mother didn’t let me go at the time. I can’t let this chance go by. They’re a trio now when they were 5 at the time. I’ve only seen their concert in the movies and on television. It’s much easier to buy concert tickets nowadays, so I’m sure I’ll get a ticket. There will be a busy week at the end of June and the beginning of July 2023. First, Take That and a week later, Pet shop boys. So a lot of travelling next year.

Before all the above, Christmas break is upon us. I’ll be going on a cruise to Tallinn with dad. Maybe I will still post on this blog this year, but that will be after the holidays. In January, the Bloganuary begins again, which I will participate in. If I don’t write here this year anymore. Have a jolly good Christmas, and give peace a chance.