(no subject)
I watched the first semi final with my friend Embla and her two daughters, aged 7 and 10. I think the little ones were more in tune with the broad European mind than either of us:
1. Montenegro - none of us liked this one - the girls complained about the lack of good taste in clothing. Verdict = ugh
2. Israel - Embla and I were not overly impressed but the girls liked him - went through to the final
3. Estonia - this one did not go over too well, the girls were confused and didn't like the scantily clad women
4. Moldavia - the girls both hated her though the younger one said she liked the teddy
5. San Marino - I liked this one but the girls had a glazed expression on their faces
6. Belgium - again they didn't understand the song but they thought it was ok
7. Azerbaijan - admittedly an exercise in questionable taste but all of us woke up - the girls stared in open-mouthed fascination - went through to the final
8. Slovenia - this one didn't leave a lasting impression
9. Norway - well liked all around in my living room - went through to the final
10. Poland - epic fail in the wardrobe department according to the girls - went through to the final
11. Ireland - the older one hated Dustin. she covered her ears and was squirming on the couch, the younger one decided she liked him mostly to annoy her sister
12. Andorra - a non event all around
13. Bosnia & Herzegovina - I was so enamored with this song that I barely registered the girls' reaction. They did seem entertained. Went through to the final
14. Armenia - this song was one of their favorites, they absolutely loved it. I don't get it myself. Went through to the final
15. Netherlands - finally a female singer who dressed to the older girl's liking - a beautiful and sexy dress that managed not to be revealing - none of us noticed the song.
16. Finland - we agreed we were impressed with the fact that they sung in Finnish. Went through to the final
17. Romania - oh, we were all pretty bored. Went through to the final.
18. Russia - again we weren't impressed. Went through to the final
19. Greece - the girls were swaying to the beat but Embla and I thought it sounded too familiar. Went through to the final.
At one point the older girl asked what "gay" meant since Embla and I'd been throwing the word around. We told her - or rather translated - and tried to explain that while the boys in her class might be using it in a negative way the word itself was not negative and it was all down to the context. This prompted a discussion between the girls that it was ok to be gay. The older girl was resolute in her opinion and the younger one agreed with everything she said ( Dustin the turkey being the lone exception).
In the end we called 8 out 10 - Poland and Romania taking us completely by surprise.
1. Montenegro - none of us liked this one - the girls complained about the lack of good taste in clothing. Verdict = ugh
2. Israel - Embla and I were not overly impressed but the girls liked him - went through to the final
3. Estonia - this one did not go over too well, the girls were confused and didn't like the scantily clad women
4. Moldavia - the girls both hated her though the younger one said she liked the teddy
5. San Marino - I liked this one but the girls had a glazed expression on their faces
6. Belgium - again they didn't understand the song but they thought it was ok
7. Azerbaijan - admittedly an exercise in questionable taste but all of us woke up - the girls stared in open-mouthed fascination - went through to the final
8. Slovenia - this one didn't leave a lasting impression
9. Norway - well liked all around in my living room - went through to the final
10. Poland - epic fail in the wardrobe department according to the girls - went through to the final
11. Ireland - the older one hated Dustin. she covered her ears and was squirming on the couch, the younger one decided she liked him mostly to annoy her sister
12. Andorra - a non event all around
13. Bosnia & Herzegovina - I was so enamored with this song that I barely registered the girls' reaction. They did seem entertained. Went through to the final
14. Armenia - this song was one of their favorites, they absolutely loved it. I don't get it myself. Went through to the final
15. Netherlands - finally a female singer who dressed to the older girl's liking - a beautiful and sexy dress that managed not to be revealing - none of us noticed the song.
16. Finland - we agreed we were impressed with the fact that they sung in Finnish. Went through to the final
17. Romania - oh, we were all pretty bored. Went through to the final.
18. Russia - again we weren't impressed. Went through to the final
19. Greece - the girls were swaying to the beat but Embla and I thought it sounded too familiar. Went through to the final.
At one point the older girl asked what "gay" meant since Embla and I'd been throwing the word around. We told her - or rather translated - and tried to explain that while the boys in her class might be using it in a negative way the word itself was not negative and it was all down to the context. This prompted a discussion between the girls that it was ok to be gay. The older girl was resolute in her opinion and the younger one agreed with everything she said ( Dustin the turkey being the lone exception).
In the end we called 8 out 10 - Poland and Romania taking us completely by surprise.