Eurovision 2013 – My Top Picks!

by Becca C.

If you’ve never heard of Eurovision, the European song contest akin to American Idol but better, then you are missing out. Eurovision is a continent wide song contest that has been happening since the 1950′s and has included such well-known performers as ABBA and Celine Dion. A few years ago my Bosnian friend Mila introduced me to this contest and I’ve been hooked ever since. This year’s contest will culminated on May 18th in Malmö, Sweden and here are some of my favorite picks for this year.

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Valentina Monetta - Crisalide (San Marino). Now, I’m not usually a fan of uber-pop ballads in Eurovision, but the imagery of this video piqued my curiosity  In the English translation of the song, the words are all about hope, love and positive inspiration about keeping on trying. It’s worth a listen if you like poppy ballads.

Takasa – You And Me (Switzerland). This is a fun little song from the neutral land of Switzerland that just makes me smile. It is a very heartwarming song that reminds me of Iceland’s 2011′s entry “Aftur Heim (Coming Home)”, by Sigurjón’s Friends, and I’m all about happy feel-good songs.

Koza Mostra & Agathon Iakovidis – Alcohol Is Free (Greece). Who could resist a bunch of Greek guys in kilts singing about alcohol (is free) — need I say more? Here is a fun little ditty, even though the only words I actually understand in the entire song are ‘alcohol is free’.

Natália Kelly – Shine (Austria). This girl has a natural born talent and if you didn’t know she was from Austria, you would guess she was an up and coming singer in the states. This song is all about empowering yourself and as she says, “Trust me, you will shine.”

Gianluca Bezzina – Tomorrow (Malta). Ukeleles. Love Song. Happy Music. That’s all you really need to know about Malta’s entry. I really do hope you check this one out as it might become a favorite on your 2013 summer love playlists.

ByeAlex – Kedvesem (Hungary). Even thought I don’t understand a single word that is being sung in this song, I really just love the music. It reminds me of if Andrew Bird and Zee Avi had a Hungarian lovechild.

Elitsa & Stoyan – Samo Shampioni (Bulgaria). This is the type of ethno Europop that I just adore. It is poppy, yet retains some traditional elements (like voice, instruments and melody) to the song. I’ve been a huge fans of this type of entry in the past with such artists like Ruslana. Bulgaria definitely has my vote for this song.

Krista Siegfrids – Marry Me (Finland). Oh Finland! This Avril Lavringe meets Miranda Lambert meets, well, Finland works really interestingly well in this super pop song called Marry Me. You’ll actually might even find yourself humming this one for a few days like I did. There are really no words to describe it and you just have to watch it to understand why I find it so catchy.

Amandine Bourgeois – L’Enfer Et Moi (France). With a voice like Adele and a musical sound like the Black Keys, Amandine Bourgeois might having a winning combination for the first time in years for France. In past years French entries have been lacking the ingredient to make their songs a winner, but this years entry definitely has a chance. As a side note, this video is a bit NSFW so watch it when you are home.

Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson – Ég á Líf (Iceland). Get ready to grab a tissue because this one might make you cry. It’s entirely in the Icelandic language (which I don’t understand) but seems to be a story about a father and son relationship.

Margaret Berger – I Feed You My Love (Norway). I’m not sure how else to describe this song except James Bond-y. It has an interesting tune and lyrics and it’ll definitely be put on my Europop playlist this year.

This year has actually turned out to be one of my favorites for Eurovision on terms of talent, and I was pleasantly survived to see there wasn’t too many Jedward-type parody acts this year. Who are your picks for Eurovision 2013? Click here to see the whole list and let me know in the comments below who you would vote for!

The Crimson Horror – A Doctor Who Review

by Becca C.

Did you watch the newest episode of Doctor Who this weekend? If you subscribe to Radical Geekery, then I hope you did! I can hardly believe that there are only two more episodes until the end of the season but I am so excited to see what is next. Read on to hear more about the Crimson Horror (*dun dun dun*).

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What a rush this newest episode was — I wasn’t sure what to expect but as always the writers had me on my toes. In this episode, we are headed back to Victorian England with Clara (modern-day) and the Doctor. I almost half expected them to meet the Victorian Clara on the way. This story, without giving too much away, is a story in and of itself, which gives it a bit of mystery and intrigue.

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I was very excited to see Strax, Jenny and Vestra again and loved their cameos in this episode. I’m hoping to see more of them soon, but I have a feeling that they may not make another appearance until the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who in November.

Speaking of awesome Doctor Who reviews, have you checked out this absolutely adorable review of the Crimson Horror by my favorite Whovian, Lindalee Rose?

Let me know what you thought of the episode in the comments below!

Settling In and A New Beginning

by Becca C.

I’ve inadvertently neglected this blog due to real-life chaos +5 events that have been happening. About a week ago, our hot water heater flooded causing mold and mildew to invade our apartment and it was then and there that we knew a move had to happen. Just a week later (yesterday, actually) we moved into our new apartment. Check out this gorgeous view!

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I am just so happy to be in a new place that we feel is home from the get go and I’m excited to start blogging again. Be on the look out for some fun tutorial, articles on eating and general radical geekiness on the blog.

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I’m still here!

by Becca C.

I’m sitting here watching a Doctor Who special on BBC America right now and I realized how long it had been since I had actually posted and I thought I should get on it. I’ve been pretty dang busy and I have exciting news, I’m starting my own business — squee! It is something that I have ben wanting to do for a really long time and I’m finally getting the chance. This is also why I’ve been a bit absent from Radical Geekery. But don’t worry, I’m still here and will still post, but not as often as I was until I get things setup. Keep your eyes peeled for some news about my business in the upcoming months so you can become involved.

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Since I’m finally getting on it and writing this post today, I realized that I neglected to do a Doctor Who post after the newest episode. It wasn’t what I expected at all, but I liked it. In the latest episode, we are introduced to Clara again and the mystery of who she actually is begins to be explored. Steven Moffat brought it back to the Earth like the older episodes and really pulled me into the story  line. I can’t wait for this weeks episode (today!) and what else we are going to find out about Clara Oswin Oswald. What are you looking forward to this week?

 

Catching Up

by Becca C.

It’s been a few months since I made my new year’s goals and I thought I’d check back up and see how I was doing. I was surprised that I had gotten so many done and I definitely think 2013 is going to be the year that I reach all of them. Have you met any of your new years goals yet?

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1. Be able to consistently exercise (2-3 times a week) for 30-minutes at a time – This hasn’t really happened as much as I would have liked because of a flare up of chronic pain. I’ve visited my naturopath and we are working with some natural cures. My goal is to be rock climbing at the YMCA by my birthday in August.

2. Clean out my closet o’crap – Another work in progress, but it’s going a lot faster then I expected. We are planning on moving into a new place in May (see #7), so I’ve gotten about half of it cleaned out.

3. Redesign blog – Check! 

4. Make a quilt – Haven’t even thought about this one yet!

5. Attend Emerald City Comic-Con – Done! Check out my blog post about my experience at my very first con.

6. Finish my Leela cosplay outfit for above event -  Done and Done! Check out mine and other awesome cosplayers from ECCC this year.

7. Move into our new apartment – That’s happening in another couple of months and I am super excited. I am so ready to be in a new place.

8. Frame all the pictures – This one isn’t going to happen until #7 happens. I’m packing all my pictures up until we move to the new place.

9. Visit my family in Utah - Happening in August when I go to my 10 year high school reunion (OMG, am I really that old?). So excited to see my family and have a nice summer vacation.

10. Read at least 2o books – I’ve started a couple of different books; Making Home: Adapting Our Homes and Our Lives to Settle in Place, Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion, Peace is Every Step: the Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life and The Meaning of Wife: A Provocative Look at Women and Marriage in the Twenty-First Century. I think I’m well on my way to getting to my goal this year. Which books are you reading?

The Doctor is coming back!

by Becca C.

Yes, you did read that right! A week from today, the new Doctor Who episode, The Bells of Saint John (*spoilers*), airs. I am so excited that it is going to be back on the air after a three-month absence and Steven Moffat has be squeeing like a fangirl with his newest prequel minisode. Check it out and let me know if you let out a little scream at the end like I did!

Smeagol’s Slimey Greens and Reds

by Becca C.

We had semi-gorgeous weekend (meaning spouts of sunshine intermingled with  pouring rain) and I had a bit of time after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to throw together a fun little recipe that reminded me of my favorite ring bearer…Gollum…Gollum…Gollum, ahem, I mean Sméagol. This little recipe reminded me of Sméagol’s love for anything slimy  but it is an absolutely delicious, green and healthy dish that you won’t be able to get enough of. GreensandReds.jpg

Ingredients:

2-3 bunches of beet green

Garlic Salt

Olive Oil

Minced Garlic Clove

Directions:

ONE: Bring a large pot of water to a boil while you stem the greens and wash the leaves. When the water comes to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the greens.

TWO: Blanch for 2 minutes, until tender. Transfer immediately to a bowl of ice water, then drain and squeeze the water out from its leaves. Chop coarsely.

THREE: Heat the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant and translucent. Stir in the greens. Stir for a couple of minutes, until the greens are nicely seasoned with garlic and oil.

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