PMN Log

Just arrived in Russia on the ferry from Helsinki. Great sight to begin the visit to the city.

I was searching for a flight home yesterday and was surprised when hipmunk found a direct flight between Helsinki and Dublin. When I saw it was offered by Norwegian Airlines, I headed to kayak.com as they offer a tool for looking up direct flights from any airport. In addition to the usual Aer Lingus schedule (Saturday and Tuesday), I saw that Norwegian offer direct flights on Friday and Monday which is much more sensible for a weekend break. I personally prefer this schedule and have already booked an extra trip with Norwegian. I wonder why the schedule planning team in Aer Lingus couldn’t have offered what the city break consumer wanted on the Dublin- Helsinki route?

I was just thinking about how it has been so long since I have heard a new album from the people around Nuspirit Helsinki and the Five Corners Quintet that I did a search on youtube. I found the above piece which sounds great. I’ll be looking to buy that album on my next music buying spree.

Santa’s Helsinki office counting the nights….

New version of Flickr iOS App copies Instagram.

Marissa Mayer is taking action on revitalising Yahoo with this update to the Flickr App. Is it soon enough? Let’s see but the app looks good!

Unlike Instagram, Flickr provides support for Twitter, in addition to Facebook, Tumblr, and email.

Smart move in expanding the reach of the to as many other portals as possible.

Photos taken in Helsinki during October 2012.

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Waiting for the tram before going shopping.

I saw those sausages in a supermarket yesterday and thought how similar they could be to the Irish kind. Not similar enough for my taste. The German Nürnberger kind are closer in taste. Luckily, those are easily available in Helsinki.

Even though I’ve been living outside Ireland too long to be suitable to have a vote myself, I still think that expatriates who have an Irish passport should be allowed to vote for around 7 years after they leave. That’s why the editorial in today’s Irish Times makes good sense.

Ireland is one of the few European countries that denies emigrants even a restricted vote in local and national elections. In situations of forced migration, that represents a double rejection. Some expatriates may resent being asked to help a society that failed them. If the Government wishes to value these citizens and establish a creative relationship with them, it could begin by extending the franchise.