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Mad Hatter goes adventuring in the Finnish woods


Mad Hatter

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Mmm, I love the smell of a new year and new challenges. So shiny and full of promises... ;) This year's resolution - stop bailing on challenges. :P 

 

I've let this first challenge be inspired by Finnish folklore as I'll be moving there in March! Disclaimer, I know nothing about Finnish folklore except what I just read on wikipedia. :D  

 

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Dance like Näkki aka Do all the things! 

Spoiler

Näkki

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
 
"Vetehinen" redirects here. For the WW II submarine, see Finnish submarine Vetehinen.
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In Finnish mythology, a Näkki (Estonian: Näkk) is a Neck, a shapeshifting water spirit who usually appears in human form, that resides in murky pools, wells, docks, piers and under bridges that cross rivers.

He is principally known for pulling young children into the depths, if they lean over bridge railings, docks or otherwise look into water surfaces to see their own reflection and touch the water. Näkki is a fine example of a spirit enlisted by parents to guide children away from unsafe practices.

According to Nordic mythology, during Midsummer's night, Näkki rises from the water to dance in the middle of the celebrating people.

It is also said that although Näkki is very beautiful from the front, his backside is hairy and extremely ugly. Other stories tell that a Näkki is an ugly "fishman" which can at will turn itself into a beautiful woman who either is extremely voluptuous or has three breasts or alternatively into a silvery fish, horse or a hound, which are only ways to lure his unwary prey to the water. Näkki is also called Vetehinen or Vesihiisi (water fey, see Hiisi).

  • Dance to one song every day. Because I love it and this will become a habit. ;) 
  • Do all the things! I've signed up for unlimited classes at my studio and I need to take at least 3 pole, hoop, contortion, acro or dance classes/week to make it worthwhile. Shouldn't be too hard as it's going to be so much fun! :D Classes don't start until the 16th though, so until then I'll have to do my own practices.

 

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Wake Antero Vipunen aka Learn all the things!

Spoiler

Antero Vipunen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
 

Antero Vipunen is a giant who appears in Finnish mythology and Kalevala folk poetry. He is buried underground and possesses very valuable spells and knowledge.

The god-hero Väinämöinen has a spell with three words or luotes missing. In order to obtain them, he goes to wake up the sleeping Vipunen by pushing sharp stakes into his grave and through his mouth and stomach. Väinämöinen hits Vipunen in the stomach so hard that he gives up the luotes to get rid of the stomach ache.

  • Study Finnish daily for at least 5 accumulated hours/week.
  • Practice programming and/or read relevant work for my new field for 5 hours/week.

 

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Don't let Ajatar find me aka Don't crash and burn

Spoiler

Ajatar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
 
For the black metal musical group, see Ajattara (band).

In Finnish folklore, Ajatar (also spelled Aiatar, Ajattaro or Ajattara) is a spirit [1] known as "Devil of the Woods". It is an evil female spirit that manifests as a snake or dragon. Ajatar is said to be the mother of the devil. She spreads disease and pestilence, any that look at her become ill, and she suckles serpents. Ajatar is related to the Lithuanian Aitvaras and the Estonian Äi, Äijo or Äijattar. She is in some ways similar to Babylonian Tiamat, dragon mother of the gods and goddesses.

The word "ajatar" is possibly derived from the verb ajattaa, "to make pursue", of Finnish word ajaa, "to pursue" (also: "to drive").

Also Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren pictured Ajatar in her book Ronia the Robber's Daughter. In the book they were dangerous flying creatures with women's heads.

  • Take self care seriously. I have a lot do and a lot to learn and a lot of training to look forward to, but January is not an easy month to do all the things in. Daily self care will be vital!
  • Eat enough food! I'm going to get my butt kicked in class and I'll need all the energy I can get. To make things simple I'm just going to track whether I eat a proper dinner every day.

 

So excited about this I'm going to start straight away. :) Wheeee!

  • Like 14
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oooooooooooooh I love love love this! Plus we will learn bits of Finnish as well, how cool!

 

*rubbing hands gleefully and hopping up and down in excitement*

 

Let's not bail challenges anymore together :cheerful:

ALL the Pole, yayyyyyy

Level 18 Wood-Elf Assassin

 

battle log: counting the good things

current challenge: something, nothing, all the things

previous challenges: 25242322212019181716, 151413121110987654, 321

 

How cool is it that the same God who created mountains and oceans and galaxies looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too

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7 minutes ago, lucky fire dragon said:

oooooooooooooh I love love love this! Plus we will learn bits of Finnish as well, how cool!

 

*rubbing hands gleefully and hopping up and down in excitement*

 

Let's not bail challenges anymore together :cheerful:

ALL the Pole, yayyyyyy

 

I'm in, no bailing this year!

 

5 minutes ago, RogueLibrarian said:

 

Maybe consider incorporating them in some way too.

 

Hmmm, no. :P They embody the two things I hate about metal - growling and an inhuman bpm. Not to say all metal is like that, but if it is I just can't cope.

  • Like 1
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YAS IN!

dude, I was thinking about how wonderful all your challenge set-ups are. another nice one!

 

ps, sorry I call everyone dude all the time it's just the way I am these days.

  • Like 4

2014! #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 2015! #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 | 2016! #13 | #14 | #15 | #16 | #17 | #18 | #19 | #20 | #21 | #22 | #23 | 2017! #24 | #25 | #26 | #27 | #28 | #29 | #30 | #31 | #32 | #33 | 2018! #34 | #35 | #36 | #37v1 | #37v2 | 2019! #38 | #39 | #40reference materials | academy battle log

 

mermaid ninja assassin. on a motorcycle. with swords. and knitting needles. and kittens.

 

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19 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

So you really don't want them to find you, right? Motivating.

 

Exactly. 

 

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19 hours ago, annyshay said:

Yay Hatter!!!  Here for adventures. :)

 

:D

 

7 hours ago, LouCarJo said:

I read  Wake Antero Vipunen as wakkey Antero Vipunen (because clearly that's how Finnish is pronounced in my mind) and wondered what the translation was from Finnish.  Then I realised...  Here to learn!

 

Clearly! :D Well here's a fun fact for you. Even though the Finnish alphabet includes the letter W it's not used except for in very few new loanwords and foreign names. Same for the letters B, C, F, G, Q, X, Z and Å. So basically they don't use a third of their letters! No wonder it all sounds the same. :D 

 

5 hours ago, zenLara said:

Following because all of this sounds so amazing!

 

Awesome!

 

3 hours ago, Asa Pond said:

Oooh Mythology! Love it. :) Here to follow!

 

Yay!

 

24 minutes ago, karinajean said:

YAS IN!

dude, I was thinking about how wonderful all your challenge set-ups are. another nice one!

 

ps, sorry I call everyone dude all the time it's just the way I am these days.

 

It's cool dude.

 

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While my challenges might look wonderfully set up my track record has been appalling! :P Not this year though. This year I'm going to be like yooooouuuuu! 

 

16 minutes ago, Darth Yoga said:

I've had to try super hard to break a nearly lifelong "dude" habit. My partner really, really hates being addressed as "dude". 

 

Even when you're whispering it softly in your partner's ear? :P 

  • Like 3
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ALL THE CLASSES!!! 

Raptron, alot assassin

67666564636261605958 575655545352515049484746454443424140393837363534333231302928272625242322212019181716151413121110987 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

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Hi there! Following along. 

Gargoyle Ranger | Level 49

2022 challenges:  49 (current)

2015-2021 challenges: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 || 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 || 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 || 43 | 44 | 45 | | 46 | 4748 ||

 

My epic quest | MEATBALL WARS

You don't get better at anything unless you start doing it.

Being alive is heckn swell. 

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I've decided that since you're learning Finnish, I'm gonna start learning Irish - especially since one of our goals is to move to Ireland.

 

Learn all the words!

  • Like 3

Assassin

**Challenges**

Current Challenge: Black Daiquiri is Wonder Woman

Battle Log: Black Daiquiri battles the pink robots

Previous: 1514 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 76 | 5 | 4 | 321

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Oh, I love that you're learning all about the place!!!! What a great challenge idea, I LOVE IT! (And the art!!! OMG LOVE) Especially in for self care when doing all the things! Things! Recovery!! ALL!!!! :D 

  • Like 1
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9 hours ago, black_daquiri said:

Psh. But I will be able to! ^_^

:D 

 

1 hour ago, RedStone said:

Oh, I love that you're learning all about the place!!!! What a great challenge idea, I LOVE IT! (And the art!!! OMG LOVE) Especially in for self care when doing all the things! Things! Recovery!! ALL!!!! :D 

Nah I'm not going to learn ALL the things, most things I'll leave as a surprise. :) 

 

1 hour ago, Elastigirl said:

Can't wait to hear about all the fun classes.

Can't wait to get started!

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18 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

Clearly! :D Well here's a fun fact for you. Even though the Finnish alphabet includes the letter W it's not used except for in very few new loanwords and foreign names. Same for the letters B, C, F, G, Q, X, Z and Å. So basically they don't use a third of their letters! No wonder it all sounds the same. :D 

 

Is that why all Finns (and by all Finns I mean all Finns I've ever been exposed to, which is basically limited to Finnish F1 drivers) sound quite monotone when speaking English?  (Only kidding - not meaning to offend anyone ;-)).  Interesting about the letters.  I'm now reading about it on wikipedia :-)

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