Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Most legendary WW2 fighters

Thanks to the movie "Battle of Britain", all the Airfix and Rewell scale models, and the Finnish editions of Commando comics, the only time I didn't sleep through history classes at school was during the courses about the World War II. And the most fascinating parts of the war were definitely the daredevilish air battles.













5. Messerschmitt Me163 Komet
I saw one of these at the Luftwaffe Museum near Berlin. It was small, ugly, ridiculous... and revolutionary! Rocket engine made it fast, but it was also unreliable and vulnerable. And what the hell was that tiny propeller in the tip of the nose for?














4. North American P-51 Mustang
One of the best planes of the war. It was faster and more agile than Messerschmitt Me 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190, and far superior to Mitsubishi Zero.












3. Messerchmitt Me-262
One of the first jet fighters, it was the fastest and most modern fighter of its time. Joined the air battles in May 1944, too late to make a difference.











2. Supermarine Spitfire
A war hero like no other, a genuine stuff for legends. I must have built dozens of Spitfire scale models as a kid.














1. De Havilland Mosquito
Because of the shortage of aluminium in the wartime this plane was built of plywood, thus light as a mosquito, and lightning fast too. It was used as a fighter and a pathfinder, as well as a light bomber.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Greatest comic book heroes

Why were comic books always more interesting to us kids than schoolbooks? Could it be that we just couldn't identify with the real-life heroes like Churchill, Einstein, or Gagarin?

























5. Charlie Brown
Now there was a cartoon character you could really identify with.


























4. Marv
New age, new values, new moral, new heroes... and a whole new kind of artwork.



























3. Batman
Ok, guys, hands up everyone who had a toy Batmobile as a kid. I know, it was the best!

























2. Asterix
Brilliant humour for children and grown-ups alike. Uderzo is a master illustrator, and René Goscinny was a genius.

























1. Tarzan
Great story, great characters, great location. My top five Tarzan artists: 1. Russ Manning, 2. Joe Kubert, 3. Burne Hogarth, 4. Ruben Moreira, 5. The rest of them.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Greatest tourist attractions made by nature

Mother nature must be the greatest architect. Just take a look at these incredible achievements!























5. Uluru
It's a sacred place for the aboriginals and an amazing sight in a sunset when the colour of the rock changes its tone.























4. Grand Canyon
I've only seen it from the plane, but it was still impressive. Like a huge wound on the surface of the Earth.
























3. The Alps
Because these mountains are younger, they're also more dramatic than the Andies and Himalaya. With breathtakingly beautiful valleys.





















2. Amazonas
There's still some places here where no civilized man has stepped his foot in. Good.




















1. Ngorongoro
It's a collapsed volcano top in Serengeti National Park, where there odds of spotting the "Big 5" on a same day are extremely high. My childhood dream-come-true.

Greatest tourist attractions made by man

These sights are old, older, and ancient. But I just couldn't include newer attractions like Taj Mahal, Statue of Liberty, or the Eiffel Tower, impressive as they are. I guess what they need is some patina.













5. Ancient Rome
Colosseum, Pantheon, Forum Romanum... the centre of Rome is like a big outdoor museum, full of incredible sights. And don't forget all the small details, like lampposts, faucets and door knobs!












4. Pyramids of Giza
Well, after all these are the only remaining monuments of the original seven wonders.













3. The Great Wall of China
I can't wait to go to the moon and find out if the Great Wall is really visible from there!













2. City of Angkor
You can spend a whole day here, going from monument to monument. It's a great adventure.















1. Machu Picchu, Peru
It's not so much the buildings themselves than the surroundings. The location is 2430 meters above sea level, hidden between the magnificient Andies.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

John Lennon's best songs
















5. Imagine
4. Girl
3. Norwegian wood
2. In my life
1. Strawberry fields forever

Paul McCartney's best songs
















5. Blackbird
4. For no one
3. Michelle
2. Hey Jude
1. Here, there and everywhere

George Harrison's best songs
















5. I me mine
4. Here comes the sun
3. Taxman
2. While my guitar gently weeps
1. Something

Ringo Starr's best songs
















5. Octopus's garden
4. –
3. –
2. –
1. –

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Top 5 movie posters

Best movies are art and movie posters should be too. And good movie deserves a good poster. Unfortunately great poster doesn't always mean a great movie...


5. In the mood for love
by Wong Kar-Wai, Hong Kong–France 2000






























4. Breakfast at Tiffany's
by Blake Edwards, USA 1961































3. Thirst
by Park Chan-Wook, Korea 2009































2. Vertigo
by Alfred Hitchcock, USA 1958






























1. Walk the line
by James Mangold, USA 2005























World's best beaches

These are the best – and also most famous – beaches I've been at. Still looking for that perfect one...

5. Bondi Beach, Australia
Very nice and relaxed atmosphere under the dangerously hot Australian sun. But where were all the surfers? I didn't see any.

4. Cannes, France
You can choose between the public beach and more upscale parts, where you can rent a sunbed and enjoy some pretty good service.

3. Santa Monica Beach, USA
Hang around with bodybuilders, skateboarders, supermodels, gangbangers, bums, and freaks. You won't be bored.

2. Cobacabana – Ipanema, Brazil
This is more than just a beach, it's a second home for locals. Literally.

1. China Beach, Vietnam
Fantastic beach by the lovely city of Danang. Clear water, clean sand, beautiful scenery. Night swim was a special treat.

The most incredible sea creatures


It's said that we know moon better than our own oceans. Here are some creatures that are not product of science fiction. They actually exist. And what else is still down there to be found?




















5. The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni)
Largest found specimens have been 12-14 meters long, weighting about 500 kilos. So monsters actually DO exist!



















4. Sepia (Sepia)
These highly intelligent cuttlefish have a sophisticated system to communicate with each other by changing their colour. What would they say if they could talk our language? Stop polluting the oceans?




















3. Anglerfish (Lophiiformes)
They have a lure attached to their head, to attract smaller preradors near enough to catch. Some anglerfish can even switch light into the lure. I'd say these fish are better fishers than most fishermen.


















2. Horseshoe crab (Limulus poluphemus)
These living fossils have changed very little in the past 445 million years. I guess they got it right on the first time.

























1. Sea horse (Hippocampus)
These are absolutely charming little animals, with there horse-shape head and tiny wings in the back, moving shyly and awkwardly forward in upright position. Like things from another planet.

World's Greatest Sportsmen

This kind of lists have already been made several times by more and less credible columnists, and most of the times it's gone wrong. It's usually been topped by either Ali or Pele, but neither of them belongs there. Ali was a great athlete and even greater cultural and political figure, but he isn't even the best boxer of all time. Sugar Ray Robinson is. And Pele just happened to be a part of some of the greatest football teams world has ever seen. He wouldn't be mentioned as the best football player ever had he played for Zimbabwe, Mongolia, or Finland.
















5. Michael Jordan
The only team sport player in the list (see introduction). Although he was part of the great team in Chicago, but was also a dominant player in NBA. Failing in baseball is a minus.

















4. Usain Bolt
World's fastest man by far. And I have a sneaky feeling we haven't seen everything yet.

















3. Nadia Comaneci
First woman to score a perfect 10 points in gymnastics, in Montreal Olympics 1976.

















2. Paavo Nurmi
Won 9 Olympic gold medals, and would have probably won some more, but was declared a professonal just before 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, and disallowed to participate.

















1. Sugar Ray Robinson
The greatest sportsman in the hardest sport. Case closed.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Best electric guitar players of all time

Finally a list I actually know something about. I've been trying to learn to play guitar for my entire life, so at least I know it's difficult. Hats off for those who can really master their instrument!

5. Tom Morello
Great riff-maker, and always looking for something new. Re-invented electric guitar. Live performance pure AD-HD. Check out yourself: Cochise

4. Jimmy Page
He has created more killer riffs than anyone else in the planet. Also happened to be a part of the greatest rock band on the face of the Earth. Check out yourself: Led Zeppelin Greatest Hits

3. Steve Ray Vaughan
Picked up where Albert King and Muddy Waters left off. Unfortunately no-one picked up after SRV. Check out yourself: Texas Flood.

2. Steve Vai
Controversial choice? Not really. This guy can do anything with his ax, thanks to the Academy of Insanely Precise Playing, also known as the Frank Zappa Band. Check out yourself: Tender Surrender

1. Jimi Hendrix
This is a no-brainer, but how could anyone disagree? The guy was just so brilliant. Contrary to the consensus, he's best moment was not All alone the watchtower. It was Hey Joe. Check it out yourself.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Most delicious chicken dishes















Chicken are great animals, nice, beautiful, friendly, although not that smart. Dogs are said to be man's best friends, but I've taste both and prefer chicken. Below are some good ideas how to treat those birds with respect.


5. Chicken vindaloo


Ingredients:

2 t whole cumin seeds

2-3 hot, dried red chili peppers

1 t black peppercorns

1 t cardamom seeds (take seeds out of the pods)

3-inch stick of cinnamon

1 1/2 t whole black mustard seeds

1 t whole fenugreek seeds (if available)

5 T white wine vinegar 1 1/2 to 2 t salt

1 t light brown sugar

10 T vegetable oil

2 medium onions, peeled and sliced into fine half-rings

1 1/3 c water (or broth/stock)

2 lb boneless lamb (or pork or beef) shoulder meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

1-inch cube of fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 small, whole head of garlic, with all the cloves separated and peeled 1 T ground coriander

1/2 t ground tumeric


Preparation:

1. Grind cumin seeds, red chilies, peppercorns, cardamom seeds, cinnamon, black mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds in a coffee- grinder or other spice grinder. Put the ground spices in a bowl. Add the vinegar, salt, and sugar. Mix and set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a wide, heavy pot over a medium flame. Put in the onions. Fry, stirring frequently, until the onions turn brown and crisp. Remove the onions with a slotted spoon and put them into the container of an electric blender or food processor. (Turn the heat off.) Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to the blender and puree the onions. Add this puree to the ground spices in the bowl. (This is the vindaloo paste). It may be made ahead of time and frozen.)

3. Dry off the meat cubes with a paper towel and remove large pieces of fat, if any.

4. Put the ginger and garlic into the container of an electric blender or food processor. Add 2 to 3 Tablespoons of water and blend until you have a smooth paste.

5. Heat the oil remaining in the pot once again over a medium-high flame. When hot, put in the lamb cubes, a few at a time, and brown them lightly on all sides. Remove each batch with a slotted spoon and keep in a bowl. Do all the lamb this way. No put the ginger-garlic paste into the same pot. Turn down the heat to medium. Stir the paste for a few seconds. Add the coriander and tumeric. Stir for another few seconds. Add the meat, any juices that may have accumulated as well as the vindaloo paste and 1 cup water (or stock). Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer gently for an hour or until meat is tender. Stir a few times during this cooking period.



4. Buffalo chicken wings


Ingredients:

12 chicken wings, split and tips discarded

3 tablespoons butter, divided

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

3 teaspoons hot pepper sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing


Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 9x13 inch baking dish in preheated oven. Coat chicken with flour, shake off excess and place in dish.

3. Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Turn pieces and bake uncovered for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside when thickest pieces are cut in the center. Drain on paper toweling.

4. In a small bowl combine the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, vinegar, pepper sauce and salt and mix until well blended. Add chicken and toss until evenly coated with mixture. Serve with blue cheese salad dressing.



3. Chicken noodle soup


Ingredients:

4 cups chicken stock, home made or store bought

3/4 cup diced onion

3/4 cup diced celery

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 ounces dried egg noodles, cooked to al dente

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Lemon halves, for serving


Preparation:

Bring stock to boil for 2 minutes in a large, non-reactive stockpot with lid on, over high heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Lower heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Add noodles and cook 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and add herbs and salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with lemon halves and add squeeze of lemon juice if desired.



2. Yakitori


Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts

1 medium negi

1 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp sake

3 tbsp mirin

3 tbsp soy sauce

bamboo skewers (soaked in water to prevent burning)


Preparation:

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Cut negi into 1 inch lengths. Skewer the chicken and negi in alternating order. To make teriyaki sauce, mix sugar, sake, mirin, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Grill the skewered chicken over hot coals, basting with teriyaki sauce until the chicken is cooked.



1. Chicken red curry – Gaeng Phet Gai


Ingredients:

500g skinless, boneless chicken (in bite sized pieces)

2 tablespoons red curry paste

2 tablespoon Palm sugar

5-6 Fresh Kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces

400 ml (1 can) Coconut milk

227g (1 can) Sliced Bamboo Shoots

2 tablespoon of Thai fish sauce

Handful of Thai Sweet Basil

2 Thai Red Chillies


Preparation:

1. Cut the chicken up into smallish bite size pieces (Tip: try and use breast or leg meat). Thinly slice the bamboo shoots (if not already sliced).

2. Pour 1 cup of coconut milk into a wok. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Add the curry paste and stir until red oil comes to the surface. Add the chicken and sauté until it turns white and is cooked through.

3. Add the remaining coconut milk, follow with the bamboo shoots and lime leaves. Season with fish sauce, sugar, and salt and bring back to a boil.

4. Garnish with Thai basil and chopped Thai red chilli. Serve with lots of fragrant Thai jasmine rice.