Architecture in Helsinki
 (and we don’t mean the band*)
Edgy,
profound, functional. With just the right dose of whimsy, Finnish
architecture, like other Finnish creations (think Nokia and Iittala),
mirrors the country’s people. See why we think these Helsinki buildings
provide an arresting backdrop to one of the world’s most creative and
alluring cities. — Becca Hensley
STOP AND LOOK
TEMPPELIAUKION KIRKKO, THE ROCK CHURCH
Architects: Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen
Genre: Modern
Year completed: 1969
Why we love it: This
sacred space, blasted from a rocky outcrop and in the same part of town
as Olympic Stadium, is underground. Rocky walls make for splendid
acoustics, and the above-ground copper roof evokes an ancient tomb.  RAUTATIEASEMA, THE RAILWAY STATION
Architect: Eliel Saarinen
Genre: Art nouveau
Year completed: 1919
Why we love it: Covered
with pink granite and bedecked with a clock tower and statues that hold
lamps and guard the main entrance, it’s a fine example of the Finns’
rebellious take on art nouveau (an outlook heavily influenced by the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic).
EDUSKUNTATALO, PARLIAMENT HOUSE
Architect: Johan Sigfrid Sirén
Genre: 1920s classicism
Year completed: 1931
Why we love it: The
imposing building boasts 14 Corinthian columns and is composed of
all-Finnish materials. Philosophically, it represents the fusion of
art, architecture, craftsmanship, and industrial design. KULTTUURITALO, HOUSE OF CULTURE
Architect: Alvar Aalto
Genre: Modern
Year completed: 1958
Why we love it: Functional
but interpretive, this curving building alludes to the shapes of sound
and music. Its asymmetrical, free-flowing hall influenced the invention
of the wedge-shaped brick. KANSALLISKIRJASTO, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF FINLAND
Architects: Carl Ludvig Engel and Gustaf Nyström
Genre: Neoclassical
Year completed: 1845
Why we love it: This
grand structure’s lavish plan mimics the Baths of Diocletian in Rome.
The classical, temple-like facade is complemented by interior vaulted
halls and rooms. KIASMA, MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Architect: Steven Holl
Genre: Contemporary
Year completed: 1998
Why we love it: A
symphony of contradictions (soft curves meet angles, and heavy
materials meld with light ones), it’s an asymmetrical masterpiece
that’s the perfect home for modern art. FINLANDIA-TALO, FINLANDIA HALL
Architect: Alvar Aalto
Genre: Modern
Year completed: 1972
Why we love it: Rising
from the edge of Töölö Bay, this concert hall manifests the attention
to detail that defined Aalto, Finland’s best-known architect, who even
designed the light fixtures and furniture found within. *architecture in Helsinki (the band) > And the inspiration behind our headline. (The fact that AIH can be found on the iPods of several AW staffers
has nothing to do with this shameless plug. Really.) Based in
Australia, AIH is best described as, well, nothing you’ve ever really
heard (try happy electronica pop on acid), with an eclectic mix of
instruments including, but not limited to, a clarinet, a glockenspiel,
a tuba, and a trombone. (We probably should have mentioned they’re a
little … out there.) To date, AIH has released three albums (Fingers Crossed, In Case We Die, and Places Like This)
and toured with Belle & Sebastian, Yo La Tango, and Clap Your Hands
Say Yeah (all worth checking out). Note: The band has yet to perform in
Helsinki. — Anna Fialho
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LISTEN UP
What’s that You say? If the word on the street gets confusing when you’re traveling around the United States, it’s time to put the hosts of A Way with Words on the case. — Jenna Schnuer
THE CALLS START COMING IN when
things are sigogglin, the cackleberries are cracked, and the milk’s
gone blinky. That’s when Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett go to work.
No, they’re not refrigerator repairmen. They’re the hosts of A Way with Words (www.waywordradio.org),
a public-radio show during which Barnette and Barrett turn words upside
down and inside out in trying to figure out from whence they came, what
they mean, and how best to use them. “It’s Car Talk for
language. People call us about their questions and peeves and just
observations about language — things they’ve always wanted to know or
things they heard on television last night — and we help them get to
the bottom of it,” says Barrett. One
of the wordy duo’s favorite topics, which comes compliments of their
roots (Kentucky for Barnette and southern Missouri for Barrett), is
regionalisms, or words and sayings that spring up in a town, state, or
region and that leave visitors from elsewhere scratching their heads
and trying to figure out what the locals are talking about. “When we
look at the origins of words, [we see] that people are endlessly
creative and often exuberant with their language and with inventing
words and adopting words from the people around them,” says Barnette.
“I think you see that a whole lot with regionalisms. There’s something
really delicious about being able to take not a walking tour of America
but a talking tour.” DON’T GET LOST IN TRANSLATION
To prepare you for your next jaunt around America, here are some of Barnette’s and Barrett’s favorite regionalisms. Blinky
the Southwest
Definition: milk that’s gone sour Cack•le•ber•ries
the South
Definition: eggs Catty•wam•pus
Oklahoma and Texas
(regional synonyms: slanchwise, sigogglin, and antigogglin)
Definitions: 1. askew; 2. to lean Ho•sey
Massachusetts
Definition: to claim dibs Lar•rup•in’
Oklahoma and Texas
Definition: really, really good Mo•ded
California
Definition: to be tricked or had Spendy
the Northwest
Definition: expensive Stoled
area around the southern Ozark Mountains
Definition: past tense of steal Tump
the South
Definition: turn over
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 Fly (and Live) Fit When it comes time for healthy food, the Red Sox turn to Boston caterer Maggie Melanson, owner of Gimme the Skinny. Once 50 pounds heavier, this fitness aficionado has kept the weight off — and her energy soaring — through a sensible diet, a positive attitude, and lots of unconventional exercise. Her new book, Fly Fit ($11, HRD Press), chronicles her tips for travel fitness. She shares some secrets with us. — B.H.
Try a few different workouts at home to find out what you love. Do you want to walk in a new city? Swim in the hotel pool? Work out in your room? Drink a lot of water before, during, and after your flight. It keeps your mind sharp, your body hydrated, and your blood flowing. Delayed flight? Don’t grumble — see it as an opportunity. Don’t be afraid to take off your jacket, sit on the floor, and do some yoga stretches, or to go and climb the stairs. Also, walk and use a cart for your carry-on bags; that will allow you to burn more calories. Get up and move during business meetings. Do not sit still for eight to 10 hours. You need to move. Our bodies are made for movement. Employ the buddy system. Work out with a colleague while on the road. Forgo a sit-down lunch to explore a city on foot; run or hit the gym together early in the morning. The hotel concierge is your best friend. He or she can tell you the best places to run, walk, bike, and swim — and even where to stop for a midworkout coffee break. Pack healthy snacks in your carry-on. You never know when you’ll need them. Melanson’s Inspirations (and Necessities) TOP FIVE SONGS FOR BURNING CALORIES
“I Feel for You,” Chaka Khan
“Ain’t Nobody,” Chaka Khan
“The Song of the Heart,” Prince (Happy Feet soundtrack)
“Boogie Wonderland,” Brittany Murphy (Happy Feet soundtrack)
“Disco Inferno,” the Tramps BEST CITIES FOR WALKING
San Francisco: Walking those hills is just about all the workout you need.
Boston: My hometown has so much history, and you can see it all while walking.
New York: I get energized just walking the busy streets.
Washington, D.C.: The best walk here is through the monuments and by the Willard hotel. MUST-HAVE CARRY-ON ITEMS
My resistance band.
A little chocolate — like Hershey’s Kisses and M&M’s. (I wouldn’t leave home without a little chocolate; I eat some every single afternoon.)
My iPod, full of dance music (and relaxing music too).
Saline nasal spray. Really. I use this in-flight every single hour. It helps me ward off sinus headaches.
A small spiral notebook and a pen to record business ideas. MELANSON’S 10-MINUTE HOTEL ROOM WORKOUT  >CHILD’S POSE Starting from all fours on the floor, sit back on your bended knees. Push your buttocks toward the wall behind you and stretch your hands out in front of you on the floor, reaching with your fingertips as far forward as possible.
>25 JUMPING JACKS >15 COFFEE TABLES (FOR THE TRICEPS) Find a sturdy coffee table in your hotel room. If there isn’t one, use the edge of your bed. Sit on the edge of the table (or bed). Place your palms down, next to your hips. Extend your heels out in front of you to support your body. Holding on to the coffee table, lower your body to three inches above the floor. Now push yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat 15 times. >15 BICEPS CURLS Place the middle of a resistance band under both feet. Stand with your feet fl at on the floor and six inches apart. Hold the ends of the resistance band, one in each hand. Holding your elbows by your side at your waist and with your palms facing up, raise your hands to your shoulders. Hold for four seconds and then lower the band slowly. Repeat 15 times. >10 TO 15 PUSH-UPS
>10 TRICEPS EXTENSIONS Sit and place the middle of the resistance band under your buttocks. Hold the ends of the resistance band, one in each hand, and pull your hands up to your ears, elbows pointed out in front of you. Extend both arms over your head and hold for five seconds. Lower the band slowly, returning hands to ear level. Repeat 10 times. >25 CRUNCHES
>8 AWKWARD CHAIRS From a standing-straight position, squat down like you are about to sit on a chair. Lift your arms up over your head and hold for 15 seconds. Then return to a standing position, squeezing your buttocks as you come up and lowering your arms to your sides. Repeat eight times. Your quadriceps should begin to burn by the fourth or fifth repetition. +
Two more to try: >AN EXERCISE FOR WHEN YOU’RE WAITING FOR YOUR LUGGAGE Lean with your back straight against a wall and your heels about one foot from the wall. Slide down the wall, with your back still touching it, until you are in a seated position. (Your knees should be over your toes.) Hold this position for 30 seconds or for one minute if you are strong enough. This works your buttocks and quadriceps. Repeat five times. >AND ONE FOR WHEN YOU’RE IN YOUR RENTAL CAR, STUCK IN TRAFFIC Grasp the steering wheel at the nine and three o’clock positions. Push against it with as much force as possible and hold for a count of 10. Then pull it toward you and hold for another count of 10. Do a number of these exercises in succession. The first exercise works your shoulders, biceps, and chest; the second works your triceps, rear deltoids, and trapezii.
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FIX UP THE HOUSE
Improving Home Improvement(s) It
used to be that spring fever was all about romance and road trips. Now
you lust after power tools and lose sleep over your home’s annoying
little foibles. (When you end up in Home Depot for the third time in
three fine spring days, you’ll know what we’re talking about.) But you
can make all those home improvements a little easier this year with the
help of these new products. How easy? Well, you can cross window
washing right off your spring-cleaning list. — Tracy Staton  AIRFLOW REGISTER BOOSTER FAN >
Every house has a vent or two that behaves like a rebellious teenager
and refuses to perform like the rest of the system. AirFlow uses a
plug-in fan to pull extra warm or cool air out of weak registers.
Unlike a teen, AirFlow runs at the speed you select — and it’s
energy-efficient. $60. www.smarthome.com
ILLUSION MOVING ART FLAT-SCREEN-TV DISGUISE >
Your LCD television looked perfect at first, but now you’d like to
camouflage that dead gray screen. Illusion Moving Art frames your TV
like artwork, and at the flick of the remote, a giclée overlay — in the
print of your choice — scrolls down to cover the screen. Higher-end
versions tilt and swivel the TV for angled viewing. From $3,950. www.mediadecor.com IROBOT LOOJ >
Gutter cleaning is a thankless job. Sure, it prevents water damage and
insect infestation, but no one can admire your handiwork without a
ladder. So, make the job fun. The remote-controlled Looj motors through
gutter debris like it’s a mole digging a tunnel. $100 for basic model. www.irobot.com PILKINGTON ACTIV NEUTRAL SELF-CLEANING WINDOWS >
A nanotech film uses sunlight to break down soil, and it spreads
raindrops into a sheet of water so that dirt is swept away without
leaving spots. Plus, its solar-control coating keeps you cool without
blocking or coloring natural light. Prices vary depending on window
size and coating selection. www.pilkington.com REJUVENATE FLOOR RENEWER >
Think your tired, old flooring needs replacing? Maybe it doesn’t.
Rejuvenate’s floor-restoring system uses a polymer to fill scratches
and restore shine to hardwoods, ceramic tile, slate, marble, cork, and
more. Restoration kit includes applicators, stain remover, and
solutions. $19. www.rejuvenate.tv TOUCHLESS TRASHCAN >
Make spring-cleaning easier and more sanitary with this stainless steel
dustbin, which uses infrared sensors to activate an automatic lid. You
won’t have to touch the can until you empty the bag. Thirteen-gallon NX
model, $180. www.touchlesstrashcan.com
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