Sami Oinonen

Scale model of Träskända mansion

2007-04-14T22:04:00.000+03:00

The scale models at WeeGee, which hosts the Espoo Museum of Modern Arts and Espoo City Museum, just keep on fascinating me. This was the third time I visited WeeGee. The miniature worlds of a small finnish town around '50s, the Träskändä mansion of Espoo from 18th century and the medieval village are astounding in detail and quality.

I could spend hours watching the scenery and trying to build stories around the miniature people inhabiting these mini-worlds.

First ride of the season

2007-03-25T15:03:00.000+03:00

This spring has been exceptionally warm. On Sunday afternoon, the temperature peaked at 16 degrees celcius. So, the obvious thing happened. I took the bike out and gave it a go. Just could not help myself. Lovely.

Chilly winds and alien cocoons

2007-02-28T22:49:00.000+02:00

Grand day out in Seurasaari on Sunday, but the wind was freezing.Brhhh! When the sea froze, the water level was exceptionally high.

So. most of the rocks that are some 50 cm above the ice level are still covered by thick ice. Funny, as if there was something bulging below the water. And some were like from the movie Alien. Like this rock.

Finally, winter

2007-01-28T12:20:00.000+02:00

Beautiful Sunday morning, -10 degrees celcius. The ice on the Espoonlahti Bay is strong enough for skating. Too bad that there's snow on the ice here and there. Hoping for brisky winds to blow the snow away...

First finnish Christmas in my life without snow

2006-12-27T22:00:00.000+02:00

Now, what could I say. This Christmas was the first ever in my life when there was no snow at all in Finland. It even rained a bit on Christmas Day. How cruel is that? Unbelievable. Luckily Santa, being an authorized flight instructor, had a helicopter.

Visiting Fiskars II

2006-12-17T20:30:00.000+02:00

Time for Christmas presents and a visit to Fiskars, the craft, design and art village in Pohja. I have never seen the river running so high.

Visiting Finnish Toy Museum

2006-11-19T14:29:00.000+02:00

The WeeGee-building in Espoo is great. It hosts several museums: Espoo Museum of Modern Arts, Espoo City Museum, Finnish Museum of Horology... and Finnish Toy Museum.

Today I visited only the Toy Museum, with Akseli. It's a small room but filled with memories. The coolest piece was the miniature scale model of a imaginary (I think) rural town called Löylymäki. The details were just stunning. I'd love someday to build one. But do I have the time... or the patience :-)

Project: Jugend Chair

2006-10-19T20:41:00.000+03:00

This is my current woodworks project. I am creating replicas of this oak chair from 1899.

I have started to build a test chair to learn the process. I use aspen. The final version will be made out of oak.

Kyyvesi at sunset

2006-09-23T01:36:00.000+03:00

Lake Kyyvesi in Haukivuori. Visiting our friends from Naperville.

Well, next year there is no more Haukivuori. The municipality will be merged to Mikkeli on Jan 1st, 2007. Throughout the years Mikkeli has eaten up all the surrounding smaller communities one by one.

The Haukivuori people knew it was coming and they have pretty much accepted the destiny. There is no way a small community like Haukivuori could alone sustain the needed service level anymore.

We agreed that next year will do hardcore Karaoke songfest at the local pub.

Somero, Finland

2006-08-29T23:55:00.000+03:00

The road 280 which goes through Somero countryside is one of the most beautiful scenery routes in Southern-Finland. I usually drive through Somero on my way to Alastaro motor circuit.

The Somerojoki river, the endless cornfields, the curvy road, the hills...it's so beautiful.

Visiting Fiskars

2006-07-09T11:09:00.000+03:00

Every summer, at least once, we spend a day in Fiskars, the craft, design and art village and community in Pohja. The antique flea market, design shops, cafe..all in a very picturesque surroundings.

This year's exhibition, Remix, was themed around art and products made out of recycled materials.

Such as this Glope Hope's Wedding Gown made out of a parachute.

On Seurasaari Bridge

2006-06-29T01:21:00.000+03:00

The King of Seurasaari wathcing over his kingdom on the Seurasaari bridge. Seurasaari island is such a nice place, a true haven. The cafes should though be open longer than until 4pm or 5pm.

Messerschmitt KR200

2006-05-05T21:56:00.000+03:00

Spotted this M in Kaivopuisto park, Helsinki. Chatted with the owner. Restoration took two years. He told me all about its history. Fascinating. He was very proud of it, and should be.

Hvitträsk Restaurant

2006-04-28T21:41:00.000+03:00

Birthday dinner at Hvitträsk restaurant...this was actually the first time we ate there. Pleasant surprise. Hvitträsk is just a wonderful architectural wonderland, filled with surprises and ideas.

John Zorn & Cobra

2006-04-02T21:30:00.000+03:00

I managed to get a ticket to the sold-out Cobra gig. It was at Helsinki UMO Jazz House on Tuesday March 7th.

Zorn conducted (or prompted) a 12-piece band consisting of top Finnish jazz musicians. The chaotic but controlled free jazz noise was based on his of game pieces concept. The gig was one of the most intense music performances I have ever experienced, and I have had my share of intense live performances thanks to Mike Patton.

After the gig I asked the keyboardist of the band about the logic of the cue cards Zorn was using to prompt the band. He told me the obvious and then said "... hell, I don't even know or remember all of them..."

Grand Day Out - Seurasaari island

2006-03-12T14:37:00.000+02:00

Beautiful Sunday afternoon in Seurasaari. Walking on the snowy ice. Sausages, coffee, hot juice. Sun shone warmly the first time. Spring is starting, finally.

Ducati 749R

2006-02-23T23:46:00.000+02:00

Night at the Ducati Club's garage. Tips from rr drivers on how to adjust the bike properly for track as we prepare for the next track season. interesting.

Mustio Manor

2006-02-16T21:24:00.000+02:00

Visiting Mustio Manor, this time for business. Usually we visit Mustio once a summer, the history, the surroundings are just great. The restaurant in one of the old stalls is excellent.

Ducati Paul Smart LE

2006-02-04T21:16:00.000+02:00

The coolest bike of the Helsinki Motorbike Expo. The show was bigger than ever before, the motorbike boom is here.

KOM 35v - Porvarit, oopperamurhaajat, pikkuhitlerit!!!

2006-01-17T22:29:00.000+02:00

[English translation at the bottom] Sunnuntai-illan KOM-teatterin 35v-juhlakonsertti oli upea. Harvoin kolme tuntia menee näin siivillä. Tupa oli täynnä ja tunnelma harras. Presidentinvaalien ääntenlaskenta ja Pekka Milonoffin sen epävirallinen tulostiedotus toi vielä ekstrasäväyksen. Yllättävän vähän oli mariraitaa havaittavissa. [KOM-theatre 35 yr anniversary show kicked helluva ass!!!]

Ship in Espoonlahti

2006-01-17T01:01:00.000+02:00

Skating on Espoonlahti on Saturday. We started from Soukka's Klobben and then headed towards north to Saunalahti, Luoma, up Sundet-river and then back. Some 22 km in 90 minutes. This ship has been trapped in the shallow water for more than a year I guess. Apparently there was a dispute, who's responsibility it was to get it removed. Espoo city lost and will need to lift it up.

Sundet River

2006-01-08T16:43:00.000+02:00

Beautiful Sunday morning for a walk on Sundet River and Espoonlahti.

Xmas posters - It's me on my bike!

2005-12-27T14:05:00.000+02:00

Using photomosaics sw, I re-created an image of me riding on Ahvenisto circuit. The image consists of some hundred photos of me riding my bike on different motor circuits. How uncunny.

Printed at a local print shop and got it framed. Cost excluding my labor was around 50EUR. Supercool. Other photomosaics are here.

A plant trapped in Ice

2005-11-27T20:23:00.000+02:00

Skating on natural ice the first time this season...and it will only get better. At the moment Lake Matalajärvi ("Shallow Lake") is propably the only lake in Southern Finland with enough ice (5-7cm) for proper skating experience on natural ice.

A Hotel, Monte Gordo, Algarve

2005-10-17T22:48:00.000+03:00

talking about fit-for-purpose, exteme functional design. This hotel is located by the monte gordo beach, a landmark you cannot miss. Balcony and space in the sun almost for everyone. Cold industrial scenery thanks to clouds and early evening light.

Cool Maori-influenced building, Seville

2005-10-17T22:45:00.000+03:00

This building was close to City Hall. Nice hybrid of influences.

Akseli on a mission to build sand cakes

2005-10-16T23:17:00.000+03:00

Akseli enjoying the beach and sand on our holiday in Algarve, Portugal. Stayed for a week, visited also beautiful Seville. One Ducati 998 spotted!

Boy and shadow

2005-10-16T23:10:00.000+03:00

Old Sailing Boats Approaching Helsinki

2005-10-08T23:14:00.000+03:00

Having the last ride of the season, thought I'd have a cup of coffee but then spotted these old boats gliding in to Helsinki. Majestetic.

Sundet River

2005-09-24T14:43:00.000+03:00

or as it used to was called.

Akseli

2005-09-11T19:53:00.000+03:00

Beatiful Sunday morning at the playground. The hand...the boy...and The Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Cool Scale

2005-09-07T22:45:00.000+03:00

Could not resist. The make is "ENO", which is also name of the place I was born.

Ella's Party in Pillinki, Sep 3rd

2005-09-07T22:37:00.000+03:00

Akseli is done with Pinata

Ella's Party in Pillinki, Sep 3rd

2005-09-07T22:35:00.000+03:00

Sape, Kari and Ella visiting Finland. Kids are occupied with pancakes.

Old Tractor in Pillinki

2005-09-07T22:31:00.000+03:00

Old VALMET tractor. And it works!

Visiting Kirkkonummi islands - Rönnskär and Mäkiluoto

2005-08-28T18:43:00.000+03:00

Stormy and rainy Sunday. Perfect day for a jolly boat trip to visit Rönnskär lightouse and Mäkiluoto's military base. Rönnskär lighthouse (the rock foundation seen in the picture) was built in 1800, and the King of Sweden approved the original lighthouse plan by signing it with a single swedish word "Gillas" as in "I dig it".

Fireworks in Kaivopuisto

2005-08-19T23:29:00.000+03:00

Happened to be motorbiking, and was just wondering where all the folks are going. Fireworks contest.

The Dent

2005-08-14T23:57:00.000+03:00

Idiot me. Crashed the bike on Ahvenisto Motor Circuit on August 1st. Missed the gear, and suddenly I was merely a passenger heading fast into the gravel. Thank god there was some, and did not hit neither the tyres nor the fence. The right side of the bike + the tank will need to be replaced tomorrow. Ducati's spare parts are ridicilously expensive. Stupendously. Live and learn. The tank in pristine condition is here.

The Hedgehog

2005-08-11T19:05:00.000+03:00

Visiting ma and pa. This little fellow enjoys very much eating all the foof of Piu The Cat.

Taidekeskus Salmela, Maria Mughal, Aug 10

2005-08-10T23:45:00.000+03:00

Fascinating paintings by Maria Mughal at Taidekeskus Salmela

Storm is coming

2005-08-09T23:37:00.000+03:00

Heavy rainfall and thunder. Beautiful. The storm of the summer.

Pihlajasaari day trip, Aug 9

2005-08-09T23:19:00.000+03:00

Pihlajasaari main building, nowadays a restaurant. It has few fascinating photographs from the 30s when it seemed to have been very popular summer picnic destination. Reminds me of what Hanko was around sime time. And what it is today.

Mustasaari day trip, Aug 6

2005-08-07T15:51:00.000+03:00

Traditional visit to Mustasaari island
Link to last year's similar picture

Visiting Louhisaari Manor in Askainen, Aug 5

2005-08-07T15:42:00.000+03:00

After Moominland we visited Louhisaari Manor in Askainen, where Marshall Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was born in 1867.

Moominland, Aug 5

2005-08-07T15:31:00.000+03:00

After the Saaristomeri Ringroad tour, visited first time with Akseli in Moominland. He was excited and bit scared at first of the big Moomin characters. A cool wooden boat by the Moominland pier

Finnish Archipelago - Driving through the Ringroad, Aug 2-5

2005-08-06T15:12:00.000+03:00

Saaristomeri archipelago is such a beautiful place. Stayed at B&Bs, first in Nauvo (Gammelgård), second night in Iniö (Bodgård), and last night before Moominland day trip in Naantali (Tammiston tila). [Aksu driving the feeding chair. Approaching the Inio island. Sandbox. Old tractor at Iniö. Naantali Old Town]

accidentally saw this ancient tractor while we were driving through Iniö island of the Finnish archipelago. It's so perfect that I've begun to suspect that someone planted it there - just for the tourists :-)

Juliette & The Licks @ Tavastia, Aug 5

2005-08-06T14:13:00.000+03:00

What a brilliant gig. One of the most intense I've ever been to. Juliette is a hardcore rock'n'roll singer and performer (yeah, she can act too...). Never seen anyone even remotely like her. Her band, The Licks, was extremely tight. A night to remember.

Trip to Stockholm, July 28-30

2005-07-30T14:45:00.000+03:00

On a Silja Symphony boat to Stockholm. Day on Djurgården island - visited Skansen and Gröna Lund - and back. Wish Helsinki would have something similar. Akseli got his first guitar.

Trip to Stockholm, July 28-30 - Part II

2005-07-30T14:02:00.000+03:00

Dälek @ Tavastia, July 26

2005-07-27T14:16:00.000+03:00

MC Dälek's aggressive rap with the massive (and loud) industrial wall of sound and hip hop beats. Only MC Dälek and Oktopus were on stage. The hyperactive turntablist Still was nowhere to be seen. Unfortunately.

Saturday day trip to Porvoo

2005-07-23T14:35:00.000+03:00

70's nostalgy with "Flathead" train from Helsinki to Porvoo Old Town and back.

Ilosaarirock Saturday Night Fireworks

2005-07-19T14:17:00.000+03:00

Beautiful weather. Great music. Cool fireworks.

Mokoma @ Ilosaarirock

2005-07-17T14:19:00.000+03:00

Sunday.When will the inflated upswing of Finnish metal end? Mokoma's 80s and early 90s influenced trash did not move me at all.

Amon Tobin @ Ilosaarirock

2005-07-17T14:18:00.000+03:00

Sunday. What an intense one man show. Brilliant fusion of hip hop, jazz, trash and rhythm. Amon could have easily filled a bigger tent and play on Saturday as opposed to Sunday afternoon

Disco Ensemble @ Ilosaarirock

2005-07-16T14:19:00.000+03:00

Saturday. Disco Ensemble is currently one of the finest in Finnish rock scene. Their intense and heavy break-and-go dance-oriented guitar rock reminds me of The Datsuns and Division of Laura Lee. Disco Ensemble's challenge is mediocre songs.

Day @ Linnanmäki - Band of Clowns

2005-07-14T14:21:00.000+03:00

A summer without day or two (or all the time, if you ask Aksu) at Linanmäki amusement park sucks big time.

Aksu on Daddy's bike

2005-07-13T14:08:00.000+03:00

The mandatory "Son on Daddy's Bike" picture. Recently A has discovered that he has eyebrows, and that they relate to somehow on grown-ups being serious. So here he is with his eyebrows trying to be convincing.

Aksu on his 1st bike

2005-07-12T13:30:00.001+03:00

Perhaps the coolest birthday present. Well, I guess it takes a while until Aksu learns how to really use the pedals, steer and drive.

Birthday graze - Akseli & Päivi

2005-07-12T13:22:00.000+03:00

Double birthday party: Akseli 2 years, and Päivi 30 yrs. Strawberry cake and summer is a brilliant combination.

An image from Aksu's 1st birthday party a year ago is here

Fantômas @ Tavastia, July 7th

2005-07-07T12:03:00.000+03:00

Fantômas ruled at the sold-out Tavastia, hands down. The gig was extremely exhaustive and intensive collage of metal, sound effects and grindcore with Patton's elastic vocal acrobatics.

They played pretty much all of the "songs" from Suspended Animation, bits from Delirium Cordia and few tracks from the Director's Cut (Expriment in Terror, Omen, Cape Fear and Godfather as the encore). Patton conducted and Buzz Osbourne, Trevor Dunn and Terry Bozzio (with his insanely huge drum kit!) followed. Fantômas' metal is the most challenging and rewarding. A rare treat.

Link to my gig review on Rumba web site (in Finnish)

Aksu looking through the chair

2005-06-29T23:29:00.000+03:00

Sandcakes

2005-06-20T20:13:00.000+03:00

Aksu being creative

#1 Track Day - My S4R

2005-05-28T13:00:00.000+03:00

First time on track with this monster

#1 Track Day of the Season

2005-05-28T12:54:00.000+03:00

From 10 am until 4 pm at Alastaro motor circuit. Three groups with 20 minute shifts. Managed to drive around 120 km. focusing on learning the track and get into the rhythm effortlessly. Getting there slowly.

Aksu on Daddy's S4R

2005-05-21T12:52:00.000+03:00

...on a sunny spring day

The Arrogant Gang of Reindeers

2005-04-18T20:58:00.000+03:00

"hey you reindeers, stop ignoring us, we want your undivided attention"

Akseli The Living Road Sign Boy

2005-04-18T20:48:00.000+03:00

He froze for minutes to point towards the cafe. No doubt this was a silent demonstration to persuade parents to buy him waffle with strawberry jam. Again.

Pulkka Graveyard

2005-04-17T20:57:00.000+03:00

this amazing site just appeared all of sudden in the middle of nowhere. Nobody could tell why tens of pulkkas had grouped at the end of a slope. We wonder what will happen to them as the spring marches on.

Spring Observations #9 856

2005-04-05T21:37:00.000+03:00

Backyard has suddenly a lake in it. Water stands still as the soil is still frozen. Got muddy.

"Har-har-har..."

2005-03-27T10:47:00.000+03:00

bellowed the giant as it shook the train.the passengers fell from the train like ants

The Giant Crushes Steam Train "512"

2005-03-27T10:45:00.000+03:00

behold as the giant hand grabs the train from the rail.

Akseli's 1st Lego Boat

2005-03-25T18:30:00.000+02:00

It is just amazing how fast the kids learn...few weeks back A was not interested at all of building blocks and now he is very excited and busy building whatever

Spring Observations #398

2005-03-25T18:10:00.000+02:00

During the afternoon the melting snow started flowing on the river ice towards the sea

Walking on the river bank

2005-03-25T12:51:00.001+02:00

Spring time is here!

2005-03-25T12:51:00.000+02:00

Walking on the river bank as the spring is getting closer day by day. This is the warmest day so far. +8 C

"the air filled with a reddish glow"

2005-03-25T09:40:00.000+02:00

"Alone and unaware, the landscape was transformed in front of our eyes. Buildings began to stretch wide across the sky, and the air filled with a reddish glow. The soundless dawn came alive as cities began to mark the horizon. Mechanical sounds cascaded through the city walls and everyone reveled in their ignorance. A brief moment of clarity broke through the deafening hum, but it was too late. Our happiest days slowly began to turn into dust. The sixth extinction crept up slowly, like sunlight through the shutters, as we looked back in regret." (Red Sparowes: At The Soundless Dawn)

Mastodon, The Saviors of Metal

2005-03-13T13:44:00.000+02:00

Jeez how blurry these camphone pics can be (I desperately need mp-camphone). Mastodon played a roaring yet a bit short gig on Friday. Their last on this European tour. The best progressive metal band out there.

On a Love Boat - Bollywood Night

2005-03-13T13:26:00.000+02:00

Friday night's event at Savoy. Anuradha Shukla, Kiran Thakrar and the Strings band were playing Bollywood songs. To respect my first encounter with Bollywood, which was 15 years ago in Udaipur, I left during the intermission. This time on purpose. Camp.

Grand Day Out w/Michelin Man

2005-03-05T17:27:00.000+02:00

Today was (again) a sunny winter day. Me and Akseli were walking on the snowy sea ice.

...Trail of NOISE

2005-02-28T14:13:00.000+02:00

Last night at Tavastia.... straight from Austin, TX ...And You Will Know Us by The Trail of Dead. I was utterly disappointed. The band was extremely loud and chaotic. Style over substance.

Tree on Lake Mälaren

2005-02-06T21:10:00.000+02:00

I took this picture with my (not so sharp)camera phone when we were skating in Sweden. A tree on a small rock. Beautiful.

Skating on Lake Mälaren

2005-02-06T10:34:00.000+02:00

towards a lighthouse and a lonely tree

Swans in the opening

2005-01-04T09:10:00.000+02:00

This couple was still in Finland in January, trying to find open water.

Skating on Lake Tuusulanjärvi

2004-12-17T09:04:00.000+02:00

After sunset. ca. 20 km trip with 15 fellow long-distance skaters. Wonderful experience.

Plants and Bubbles in Ice

2004-11-27T14:20:00.000+02:00

The sea ice is strong and 8-10cm thick. Good for skating and taking cool scenery images

Season's first skating trip

2004-11-20T14:22:00.000+02:00

Lake Ridasjärvi. Ice is 6-8cm thick. Beautiful.

Enduro - A close-up extraordinaire

2004-10-31T14:39:00.000+02:00

Enduro - Sami The Rider Extrasuckdinaire

2004-10-31T14:35:00.000+02:00

Ducati Club having fun off-road with KTM 250cc's. In total some 4 hours on the forest track. Felt extremely exhausted afterwards. Luckily the sauna (and magnesium tabs) healed a bit my old aching muscles. Fun!

D-man

2004-10-03T19:07:00.000+03:00

On the last ride of this (rainy) season. Within the speed limit.

The Road Ahead

2004-09-26T19:08:00.000+03:00

Could not resist

Docklands Cranes

2004-09-22T21:48:00.000+03:00

@ Mobile Content World 2004

Yeah!!!

2004-08-17T15:27:00.000+03:00

Akseli chilling out in his bright red rain overalls.

Aksu's 1st birthday

2004-08-01T15:29:00.000+03:00

Aksu on Mustasaari motor circuit

2004-07-19T15:33:00.000+03:00

What a sunny day. Day trip to Mustasaari island. Riding, swimming, ducks, sand cakes, ice cream, coffee and buns. Cool

The Attack of Giant Killer Teacups

2004-06-21T15:37:00.000+03:00

Grand Day Out in Linnanmäki amusement park.

Me.Myself.My Camera Phone

2004-06-11T15:40:00.000+03:00

An introspective study on unimaginativeness as it is manifested through meaningless self-portraits, and images of blank objects close by. Even though the novelty of camera phones is fading, the lack of focus and theme, and the mind-boggling volume of nonsense are persistently with us through flickrs, moblogs and the like. This series of self-portraits poses a fundamental question:

- Should camera phones’ user interfaces be made much more difficult to operate by complicating menu structures and hiding camera features thus effectively impairing image capture and upload? Would the world then be a better place?

2004-06-10T20:30:00.000+03:00

captured the inspiring discussion between Horst and Jekatarina on emergent behavior, flocks and self-organizing systems

Entering Casa Battlo ... Anne-Imogen is looking down from the 2nd floor main hall

The Ruins

2004-06-06T20:22:00.000+03:00

This beautiful tower is all what is left from medieval castle overlooking the town Sitges close to Barcelona

Extreme close-up

2004-05-28T15:42:00.000+03:00

Akseli and daddy on a swing