American BBQ spice found in Finnish grocery store

Approaching the summer solstice

From the Finnish Meteorological Institute Web page today:

Sun rises 3:54 and sets 22:47. Length of day is 18 h 53 min.

Photo from stardate.org

Tall Ship in Helsinki

The Swedish Ship Götheborg was in Helsinki this week. It was moored at Suomenlinna on Saturday, and that is when Yvette and I went to see her.

nice boat

We saw this yacht this weekend in Helsinki.

From the Helsingin Sanomat:

Luxury private yacht draws onlookers to Katajanokka

The Pelorus is apparently now the property of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's ex-wife

Yep, it is BIG!

The luxury yacht Pelorus, moored at the Katajanokka Quay, is all of 115 metres from bow to stern.

It has a helicopter pad - or maybe two of them - on the deck, and one of those antennae or domes astride the funnel is probably something to do with the vessel's alleged onboard anti-missile defence system. There's also supposed to be a cinema on board, a disco, and even a mini-submarine.

The yacht, which tied up in Helsinki on Wednesday, has rapidly become an unofficial local sight.

Dozens of curious onlookers are standing on the quay, possibly hoping to get a glimpse of the vessel's owner, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
There's probably little chance of that.
In July of last year, the Daily Express reported that Abramovich, whose enormous wealth came from the Russian oil business, was parting company with his second wife Irina.

The breakdown of their 15-year marriage was described at the time as the world's most expensive divorce. According to the newspaper, the tycoon's former spouse received not only a tidy sum of money, country estates, and other properties, but also the keys to the 5,317 GT Pelorus.

Back from Boston

A few weeks ago, Yvette and I went to Boston where I had a meeting. We did the Freedom Trail, including the Bunker Hill monument. Here is Yvette in front of John Hancock's grave, where she just might be a cousin of one of our founding fathers.

Sex and the City Movie

While waiting for another movie at the Kinopalatsi theatre, Yvette and I noticed that the Sex and the City movie let out. The theatre has 461 seats, and people just kept streaming out. We figured out of about 300 people that came out, about 20 were men, all except one was in tow of a woman's arm.

What's Up?

I know it's been over a month since I have posted, and I apologize. Lots has been happening, so I'll give an update in bullet form.

• New web page at the University of Helsinki created. New publications since coming to Helsinki have been included on the CV page.
  
• Been to the southernmost inhabited island in Finland, featuring the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries (built in 1906).
  
• Went with Gil and Merja to a baroque french horn concert at the Sibelius Academy, and discovered the wonderful Italian restaurant Benjam's Bistro.
  
• Been to Boston for the American Meteorological Society Publications Commission Meeting. Took Yvette with me, who relished the fact that her ancestors may be related to John Hancock. Did the Freedom Trail with her, got to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument: 294 steps.
  
• Am invited to the American Embassy for an Independence Day celebration.
  
• Am still working on my book, to be published by the American Meteorological Society. Still no title for it, even though it is 70% written.
  
• Discovered two great restaurants in Helsinki: Azoros, and Savu.