This week I’ve had a bit too much to do and too many responsibilities for someone who is still recovering from a surgery. So the knee has been very painful for a few days and more swollen than is was last week. It’s nothing too serious, I think, but it just reminds me that I should be taking it very easy at this point and it’s for a reason that I’m officially on sick leave. I’m quite fed up with the crutches and to try to take care of any matter with them is starting to get on my nerves. But it’s hopefully only another week with them and then I’ll see how I manage without… The metal ‘stitches’ were taken out on Wednesday and this is how my beautiful leg looks like now.
Today I was a bit adventurous and went to visit the Vero Moda store to see if they had the new ‘Very’ collection in Kuopio. Well, they had a few items but of course not the ones I was interested in. I got really fed up with Kuopio because it’s practically impossible to find the kind of shoes & clothes that I like here. Well, not completely impossible, but pretty much. I have no idea when I can wear high heel shoes again but luckily, the Finsk shoes I had ordered online arrived today. They are truly amazing, beautiful and feel very good on the foot. But, the right shoe feels a bit big and I’m a bit concerned about that. I have to try these beauties on again tomorrow and make up my mind whether I can wear them or do I have to return them – which I don’t want to do! What do you think? Should I keep or return them???
After the long grey socks I’ve gotten back to knitting. My daughter insisted that I knit these ‘leg warmers’ (have no idea how they are called in English) for her. She absolutely loves them and wears them day and night.
I’ve never knitted anything like this before but I had to try this when I saw the instruction in one magazine. They are very comfy!
I’m making sushi now and wishing you all a lovely weekend!
Johanna
So, the date of my knee operation is confirmed. In less than a week it’s going to operated and I’ll finally know what kind of damage exactly happened in the third Acts of Clothing performance in November. I feel relieved but also a bit frightened. Depending what needs to be done in order to fix the knee, also determines the length of the recovering process.
The other really terrifying thing is that I have so much work to do and I don’t understand how will I be able to meet all the deadlines and complete all the mandatory work related things in just a few days before going into the surgery. Arghhh…
On Thursday I spoke in a seminar focusing on cultural management and producing cultural events In Jyväskylä. It was really inspiring and exciting and we had a very good conversation in the end. There were many students who study arts management and they were so sweet with their questions. Yesterday I also met Kaisa who will start working with me on ANTI Festival in April. I’m so much looking forward to that! I think we’ll make a good team.
Last week in Helsinki was also very very inspiring. It was simply great to be on the course focusing on international touring and look at the different requirements and aspects of it. I was also inspired by the many conversations among colleagues and it was great to sense the feeling of common concerns, aims and visions. The days were very full, besides the course I had arranged meetings with several collaborators and managed to see some work as well.
Iiris Autio, the managing director of Tero Saarinen company and Suzanne Bilodeau from Cinars:
Whilst in Helsinki, I also quickly popped in Asuna and in Minna Parikka’s boutique with Maija. And I didn’t buy anything! The shoes I fancied didn’t fit my foot at all and in Asuna the trousers I fell in love with were soooooo expensive that I managed to stay sane and keep my credit card in the wallet. Yesterday I visited the lovely Minzi store in Jyväskylä and didn’t buy anything either. They had some great shoes (but not the right size) and inspiring 2OR+YYAT clothes but they were not really my style. I wish they’ve had the new collection of Finsk shoes but they hadn’t arrived as yet… And that was probably very good as I won’t be able to wear super high heels for a while after the knee operation.
Johanna
Today I start a new educational live art course around the Acts of Clothing performance and process. Exciting!
Here’s Marcia in her famous flamenco tartan and me in my Marimekko in the hotel Atlas in Kuopio.
Photography: Pekka Mäkinen.
Wishing you all a good day!
Johanna
Today I went to town to buy some food and wine with my son. We decided to have some coffee and hot chocolate in café Burts which is located in one of the shopping malls in the centre. I seriously didn’t plan to visit the best underwear store of the city but then thought I should pass by and then I thought I could have a look at the Marlies Dekkers undies. But when I saw that they had some Marlies Dekkers items on sale, I thought I have to try them on. So I came home with this gorgeous bra and underpants…
I finally hang some hooks in my dressing room and they are perfect for my Minna Parikka Maxine and Lumi Accessories handbags.
It’s been freezing cold today but very sunny and beautiful. I’m enjoying my almost free weekend and today we cooked lovely Japanese noodles, veggies and salmon in a wok. Delicious.
J
I’ve tried to keep up my regular exercising regime but it’s really not working very well. In each training session, there are movements which the knee cannot support and it kind of collapses – and this is very painful. This also happened today in the worst possible way (and I wasn’t even training) and I fell very badly. The knee hurt so badly that I cried like a baby, lay on the floor and wept with ice on the knee. Not good. I’m so sick of not having heard again from the insurance company and this whole case is just dragging further and further.
I will call the insurance company tomorrow. I actually tried to call them today (before I had fallen) but didn’t reach the right person. If I’ve ever had any trust to any insurance company, I really don’t anymore.
My home ‘gym’…
Otherwise I’ve been busy working on ANTI Festival. The call out for ANTI Festival 2010 is now open so check it out if you are interested in applying.
Another interesting position is open in the Regional Dance Centre of Eastern Finland. More information in Finnish available here.
Johanna
Ok, I’ve now finished knitting the socks. Thanks again Aila for the inspiration! They feel nicely warm and I think I will wear them a lot with skirts and dresses.
As I went to buy the silk ribbon for the socks, I quickly had a look at the sales in a couple of shops. I fell in love with this woolen Benetton top which looks great with my grey Noolan skirt and the new socks I’ve knitted.
I’m getting back to the ANTI Festival work on Monday and we are moving our office next week to the Mylly, a site where a lot of artists and cultural organisations have moved since December. So we painted the office to make it look & feel like a place where it’s great to spend time every day…
Today I did a really intense workout in the gym & pool and wanted to reward myself with something. I went to Alko (Finnish alcohol monopoly) and I bought a bottle of this sparkling Australian wine I haven’t tasted as yet. But it does look gorgeous!
So yes, the holidays is almost over and I’m looking forward to getting back to work. There are a few things I haven’t gotten myself to do and I feel annoyed with myself but there are surprisingly many things that I’ve accomplished. So I feel confident that I will have the energy to do what I need to do….
Johanna
I finally got to see my orthopedist a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, the magnetic scan didn’t show properly the ACL ligament which the orthopedist thinks is torn. And although my knee is obviously much better at the moment, he still thinks that the ligament is torn and can only be fixed in an operation. So for a month I should train and exercise according to my normal routines and we’ll see if I’m able to that and if the knee functions as it should. So yesterday I went for a 50 minute run and stretched afterwards. It was kind of ok but the knee is very painful when it’s straightened and also in some turning movements. Now I can really feel the bit of exercising in the knee. It’s really painful.
Other than worrying about my knee, inspired my friend Aila, I’ve been knitting socks. It’s not a very unusual thing to do, I know, but I haven’t been knitting anything for maybe at least 15 years. Those of you who saw my Acts of Clothing performance know that I used to knit a lot as a teenager but I’m completely out of practice and actually hadn’t even thought about knitting until I saw a pair of gorgeous socks Aila had knitted. I’ve now finished one sock during the last hours of 2009. Now I’m knitting the second one and hope that I’ll find time and inspiration to finish it soon. I’m sure I’ll love to wear these! This is unfinished but you can see the pattern:
I still think that the only proper Christmas tree is lit with real candles:
And another Christmas tradition is to make a puzzle. I guess it’s the only time of the year when there’s enough time and peace to concentrate on something like that. This year we had this beautiful 1 000 piece Moomin puzzle:
I had a peaceful New Year’s eve knitting, sitting by the fire, having a sauna, drinking some nice wine and firing a few fireworks with family. I wish a splendid and inspiring 2010 for everyone.
Johanna
I’m finally going to have a magnetic scan of my knee tomorrow which I can hardly wait. I actually can’t believe that one whole month has passed since my injury and only now the insurance company has agreed to pay for the scan. What ever needs to happen after that has to be again decided separately. I think it’s unbelievable. They called me just before the Christmas holidays and I couldn’t get an appointment for the scan but still – so slow and inefficient. They also have kind of let me understand that it’s not that clear what they cover and what not… Anyway, tomorrow I’ll know better about the condition of my knee. But it’s been really annoying not to be able to exercise properly. Frustrating!
My daughter got new skates for Christmas and yesterday we went ice-skating. I obviously couldn’t skate but it was fun and she did very well. It wasn’t that freezing but it was a bit windy so it felt quite brisk on the face. Other than that I’ve tried to relax and read, sleep and read… I’ve read three books and I’m especially proud of finally finishing Zadie Smith’s On Beauty. I was reading that book for months, never having time to concentrate on it properly, feeling too exhausted or just struggling with it. But I couldn’t leave it without finishing it. So I finished that first and felt really relieved as that book has haunted me for months. I still don’t understand why some people call it a master piece! It didn’t do anything for me. Actually, I tried to read it probably already last year, but had to give up then… Anyway, I have a pile of books waiting next to my bed as we borrowed a ton of books from the library before Christmas and also some dvd’s. It was nice to see Filth & Wisdom – some very good music on the film! Now I’m reading Erlend Loe’s Facts about Finland and I have some Hanif Kureishi also waiting…
I always cook the traditional Christmas casseroles from swedes, carrots, beetroots and potatoes. I’m delighted to see that my children eat them but it’s really not the case with everyone. We’ve had quite a crowded house for some days and I find it a bit disturbing when young people are so fussy about food. It’s almost rude. And sometimes I think it’s ignorance. I know I shouldn’t care too much but I’m a bit hysterical about good food…
I’ve admired the woolen socks that Aila has knitted and wondered if I should take out my needles. But maybe that it too ambitious as I have so much unfinished work I should get back to. I’ll have to think about it!
Johanna
On Thursday & Friday I was working in Helsinki and had meetings with different people and institutions. I think it was really useful and also inspiring.
This week I got the first versions of documentation dvds from Acts of Clothing and BODY/HAIR performances. Both look good but I should find time & energy to work on the subtitles. It’s a job I would happily give to someone else. I also don’t know what to do with the full documentation of the Acts of Clothing as it is almost non-stop talking for almost an hour and half…
But during my short visit to Helsinki, I had a chance to visit some of my favourite restaurants and design shops as well as the Christmas market in Vanha where I found a very nice present for my son. I finally saw the new Lustwear shop on Bulevardi. It was great to meet Hammi, one of the designers & owners, as she was in the shop when I visited. They had a few just amazing coats which I didn’t even want to try as I seriously can’t buy anything like that at the moment. And if I try something just perfect on, there’s a chance that I lose the battle with myself and take out the credit card… So I bought just a little Christmas present for myself. The next day I run into Hammi and Maikku, the other designer & owner, in Stockman and we had a nice chat. I haven’t seen those ladies for some time now. It was great to see them and items from their new collection. I highly recommend.
I didn’t visit Minna Parikka’s shop or Asuna, but I quickly went into Helsinki10. I was happy to find products of No Bad Design in there as well as jewellery made out of old toys (I cannot remember the designer). I had almost forgotten that I have a No Bad Design bracelet! And my daughter has fallen in love with the toy jewellery so I have bought a piece for her for Christmas. The Ethic shop is Kuopio sells them. Before taking my train back home, I visited the Mac Store where I bought I few items I needed for my new Mac Book Pro and also decided to visit the Nanso shop. They had some nice example single pieces in very good price and I ended up buying a black & red Love Cats top and a dress … But they were very cheap!
On Friday I had a nostalgic latte in Café Entré in Kruunuhaka. So many times I’ve sat there before going to the ministry of education or the arts council of Finland. Then I had a lovely lunch in Mai Thai and bought take away sushi for the train journey back home. The train trip was really strange as opposite of me sat the most hysterical or ADHD woman that I’ve ever seen. For the whole four hours, she packed and unpacked, sat and stood up to search through her 8 or so bags, she constantly also changed her place to sit and had everything, literally everything packed in plastic bags including her lip balm! She was all hot and red on the face from all the hassle she just couldn’t stop. She seemed very nice and friendly but she was so restless that I would go crazy if I had to spend a day with a person like that. Tomorrow is hopefully my last day of working in the ANTI office this year. I’m really looking forward to that!
Johanna
After the Acts of Clothing performances I’ve been feeling rather exhausted, but happy and content. Despite the fact that in the third performance I had a knee injury and did the last two shows sitting in a wheelchair, Marcia assisting me. It was rather tiring but we quickly decided that we won’t cancel the last performances and in a very short time figured out a way to do the shows in the best possible way in the unforeseen circumstances. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and I’m excited about the upcoming possibilities to do the show in different festivals and venues in the future.
But this all has eaten up my energy! Of course the thing with the knee is a nightmare. I’m dealing with the insurance company at the moment and waiting to get a magnetic scan which will determine what happens next. Day by day I can walk better, with less pain, so I’m not desperate. But it is really strange not to be able to go for runs or nordic walks! I’m very worried about my fitness…
In the last performance I got 36 pink flowers from Marcia to celebrate my age and the number of my clothing items in the performance. I also got amazing flowers from the Regional dance centre of Eastern Finland the regional arts council of North Savo. They all still delight me every day! After the last show I wanted to have a party to celebrate the fact that Acts of Clothing might be last work I ever make. I didn’t really manage as the performance preparations and then the sudden injury ate up my energy and I didn’t have time to organize anything properly. But we had a nice time, some food and lots of cava… We also went out and on the next day I had a hangover from hell. But I’ve never been pushed around in a wheelchair through the city from bar to bar before ! At least it was an experience.
So this is it for a while. I’m not going to make any new work in 2010 but hopefully tour the existing works and focus on developing the ANTI Festival, research new ways of working and collaborating and do some further studies. For a long time I haven’t felt this excited and happy!
To reward myself for all the hard work I ordered two skull bracelets & earrings by Tarina Tarantino. Marcia had the bracelets and I absolutely fell in love with them. So they are a memory of this wonderful collaboration and performance, which I’ve had the best time performing.
Lovely weekend to everybody!
Johanna
