As you should all know, I am rather obsessed with the Eurovision Song Contest. This was the reason I last visited Berlin, 2 years ago, and my addiction has also been fed with trips to Copenhagen, Stockholm (twice) and London (twice). As it is Eurovision "off-season" at the moment, my obsession is lying mostly dormant. Which is good news for the Berliners in my life, and also means I'm less likely to embarrass myself when meeting new people.

But Felix, a friend I know through the internet, who also happened to relocate to Berlin in the same week I did, discovered that a local gay club had a schlager (a terrible form of German music) night, and that one of the dance floors was dedicated to Eurovision. It didn't take long for me to cancel all my non-existent plans and eagerly await the event!

The night seemed to take forever to come around, but finally it was time. I began to prepare while home alone, dancing around the room to Eurovision classics while getting ready. I also started drinking before I left the house. This meant that by the time I arrived at the meeting place i.e. "that cafe bit in front of SchwuZ", I was on the verge of being tipsy. It was here I met Costas from Cyprus, another internet friend I could finally put a face to. We got some beers in and finally Felix arrived, with a friend he had dragged along. Nadi's friend Kaey joined us for a little while and I vaguely remember singing of No Angels and Ein bisschen Frieden. And I spilled some drinks. Sorry about that!

Anyways, soon it was time to head to the dancefloor! As soon as we got there, me, Costas and Felix were permanent fixtures for the night. And when "Out On My Own" (Netherlands 2001) was played, we were the only three people to remain on the dancefloor at all! The night is largely a blur, as usual with these type of things, the alcohol plus the excitement rather overwhelmed my memory. I can remember dancing with and talking to (read incoherently babbling at) many different people throughout the night, though the Tanzen Trinity of myself, Costas and Felix remained the most common line-up. I vaguely recall such horrors as "Shine" (Netherlands 2009) being played, but my constant badgering of the DJs meant that two songs by my favourite Swedish singer, Linda Bengtzing, were played, even though she never actually made it to Eurovision itself. I reckon that it was during these songs, "Hur svårt kan det va?" and "Jag ljuger så bra" that I did the damage to my calves that means I have been limping ever since! But it was worth it!

It was brilliant towards the end of the night to be able to dance to "Someday" (a song written by 4 people I'm proud to call my friends), without even having to request it! The night kinda whimpered out and at the second playing of "Nur die Liebe läßt uns leben" (Germany 1972) my energy had more or less evaporated. So we ended the night as any good night in that part of Kreuzberg should end - with Gerhard Schröeder-endorsed Currywurst (mit Pommes) from Curry 36. Who doesn't want a bit of German sausage at the end of a night out?

Also, NDR, the German TV channel had cameras there for a video-blog they were recording. I largely ignored the papa-papa-razzi, but the pesky things managed to capture myself and Felix for a second or two. You can see me at 3:18 on the link below, and also hear me shouting "LINDA" twice (showing my love for the aforementioned Bengtzing) and see me talking to Felix while he tries to dance at 3:45. Still waiting for my proper 15 minutes of fame, but it's a good start!

http://eurovision.ndr.de/media/escfolgezwei100.html