vote early, vote often

Last night was the Eurovision Finals. Unfortunately, there wasn’t quite as much spectacle as in the semifinals (although there was a British man who rapped a terrible rip-off of ‘Parent’s Just Don’t Understand’), nor was the music much improved. I was hoping for a Bosnia and Hercegovinan, Croatian, or FYROMian victory, which would mean that I might be able to watch the finals live next year (this year’s winner hosts next year’s contest). Maybe if Croatia actually had the promised donkey they would have fared better.

As it was, the scary Finnish monsters won in a landslide. The T.a.t.U-reminisced Russia song finished second and the Bosnians were third.

People vote by text message with the votes being aggregated and announced by country. It was interesting to see what was popular in various parts of Europe. Everyone liked the scary monsters & the songs of their neighboring countries. Most places gave a surprising number of points to the terrible Irish entry, a song entitled ‘Every Song is a Cry for Love’ that was both boring and painfully cheesy and earnest. The Nordic countries all liked the Bosnian song.

Only one more year until I get to watch it all over again.

And in other election news, the people of Montenegro are heading to the polls today to decide if they want to remain in union with Serbia. The polls I have seen show an outcome within the margin of error. Interesting times.

The only beer I like to drink here is made in Montenegro. For that selfish, silly reason, I am hoping that they stay together. Yes I am lame, forming my decision about an entire people's self-determination based on my own need for good beer.