Nokia 5800 Sauna Edition!

I’m a day late on this post but check it out! Leave it to the Finns to adapt everything for use in the sauna! The Nokia 5800 Sauna Edition!

“Sauna” Trailer

 

There’s a new horror film out that focuses on redemption and, of all things, the sauna. The official synopsis:

“Year 1595 – the long and brutal war is finally over. Brothers Knut and Erik – who are part of the commission marking the border between Finland and Russia – commit a terrible sin as they leave a young girl to die a horrible death. As the commission crosses the uncharted swamp, the girl returns to haunt them, her face pouring endless filth.

Weary men find solace from the nameless village and find a sauna – the sauna where all sins are washed away. Seeking forgiveness, the brothers step in…”

Sins washing away in a sauna. While this is probably a fun horror flick, that’s also interesting concept. I wouldn’t say that sins can be washed away, but in my experience I can definitely see things more clearly after a great sauna. Things settle, stress dissovles and often you’re able to see situations in a new light which helps you to work through them and move on. It’s my first choice if I really need to unwind, hands down.

Let’s hope this movie doesn’t do to saunas what Jaws did for the ocean!

Into One’s Bones

I love this article and feel an instant kinship with this woman’s husband. He too, it a sauna fanatic. It happens so easily! It’s hard to think of other things I crave as much as the well being I experience from a few solid rounds in the sauna. And she’s right, sauna culture is far more prevalent than most people realize in Minnesota. My favorite quote from the article is, “ As I learned more about the Finnish culture in my own neighborhood, it became clear to me that saunas are not luxury, rather they are a staple of life in a cold climate. The pleasure of immersing one’s body in extreme heat after the Minnesota cold gets into one’s bones is hard to extol highly enough.” So true.

I was just talking with the author of saunatimes on the bench the other night about spreading sauna culture. We both think that more people should get to experience the health and wellness associated with saunas but the Finns are quiet folks. Saunas are so much a part of their lives that they wouldn’t even consider promoting it. I on the other hand really enjoy turning people on to new things, so I started this blog. Anyway, great article. Check it out!

Sauna Business Opportunity

Bastu-Badtunne Specialisten is coming to the U.S. in search of distributors. Here’s the article about it. Beautiful sauna, no?

The Great Sauna Escape

“Games? Taking a sauna is no game!” That’s true, but I found this strange little flash game online. I haven’t had time to beat it yet, but will most likely push aside some important work to do so soon enough. You have to escape before the temp hits 210 degrees, which would be enough to make me want to hit the snow bank. Who thought of this? “Hmmm, there are plenty of games with wizards and warlocks….  I’ve got it! You’re trapped in a sauna! I’ll call it Sauna Escape!”

Indiana Jones in the Sauna?

Here’s an odd one: Harrison Ford in a japanese sauna beer commercial.

“Apparently, this is fun.”

Ha! Tom Yohansmeyer over at Gadling.com just can’t imagine why someone would ever sit in a sauna. Although it’s difficult, I guess I can see how people might think sitting in a 180+ degree room until you can’t take it, and then jumping in the lake might be construed as a bit odd. The frustrating thing about this short article though, is that Mr. Yohansmeyer wouldn’t even try it. That’s a little annoying to me personally. Having a strong opinion about something you’ve never done just seems silly. It’s too bad he won’t get a little adventurous and see what three rounds feels like. It’s beyond explanation, really. 

Anyway, I posted the link because the video is quite pleasant. Beautiful scenery and interesting narration about Finnish customs (Yohansmeyer is not the narrator in the film). The video talks a lot about shacks and cabins (the difference between the two will be discussed in another post) and it reminds of my hometown, International Falls, on beautiful Rainy Lake. Everyone seems to have a weekend getaway. It’s what many of them (me included) look forward to all week, more weeks than not. I really like the Finnish custom of the rowboat at the cabin. It’s hard to imagine something more simple and pleasing than going to a cabin to do nothing but take saunas and mosy about the lake in a rowboat. Pure bliss.

“U Know U Wanna Sauna.”

I didn’t realize that Thunder Bay has such an active Finnish culture. It’s been far too long since I’ve jumped into a frozen lake. Perhaps it’s time to remedy that.

Saunas and Silence

Here’s a wonderful article about cabin life in Finland.

Enjoy!

Saunas and Forgetfullness

Man. It never fails. I can’t seem to go more than two or three saunas with out forgetting to do something. For awhile I was getting my sauna fix at a local health club. I had to buy a new padlock four times because I would just forget it there. Yup. Four times. Here you go, have eight more bucks. I just didn’t learn. I would try all sorts of different mnemonic devices and whatnot to try and remember it. Useless.

I just got back from four great rounds at my friend Glenn’s house and forgot my towel. Here’s the thing, I went back because I somehow remembered that I had forgotten my trunks. They were sitting right underneath my big orange towel but nope, didn’t have a clue. Left it. 

I’m just so incredibly relaxed after a good sauna that the minutia in my life is of no consequence whatsoever. The only things on the front burner are things that really matter. I had a great conversation with Glenn, left a thoughtful voicemail for my girlfriend (who is out of town) on the drive home, and now can’t wait to fall into the most profound sleep I’ve come to know. Simple things.

ps- If anyone can get padlocks for wholesale, I’d be interested.