NAME: 

Tom Tiainen. For many years I was called Tintti, it comes from my big interest in Tintin and from my last name which means “great tit” (the small bird). If I were an animal, that’s exactly what I’d be.

 

AGE:

I was born the same year that Kekkonen became president ;)

 

ABOUT TOM:

In my previous life, I was a teacher. For the past seven years, I’ve been able to choose my own projects. That has meant mostly visual arts, lots of gardening, plenty of childcare, a bit of construction work, and a small percentage of crazy things.

 

BEST AND WORST TRAVEL MEMORY:

My best memory is walking solo through France and Spain.

The worst? As a nine-year-old, I went on an expedition through Africa’s jungles (actually our backyard) and fell into a pee ditch behind our outhouse…

 

FAVORITE SONGS OF KAJ:

⁠Tough choice, but since I'm here, today's song has probably had the most meaning for me.

 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST AND LEAST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THE TRIP TO BASEL?

It’s mostly about doing something silly together with friends — I’m looking forward to everything! 

 

HIDDEN TALENT:

I’m really good at tying shoelaces. The bows come out even and nice. 

 

ARE YOU A MORNING OR EVENING PERSON?

I used to be very much an evening person. Nowadays, I’m mainly an afternoon person, precisely between 1:00 PM and 2:45 PM. 

 

WHEN TRAVELING, I AM ALWAYS THE ONE WHO…

...wants to know exactly where I am. I’ll always have a map with me — laminated, so it’s even sauna-proof. 

 

MOTTO FOR THE BASEL TRIP

The clock is ticking, now is the time!