Software something

I got a phone call yesterday on my land line. Except for a few close relatives and friends, nobody ever uses that line. This time it was a guy who spoke English, which is unusual here in Zürich.

He presented himself as a representative from a company called Software something I cannot remember. I asked him again, and he said he was calling from HQ, like that would impress me.

When asking what he was selling, he said the service is for free, but his company picked up downloads on my computer that were viral. And he asked if I could go online so that he could show me what I needed to correct.

I might be blonde, but I'm not that stupid. I politely declined, and hung up.

Entering hell

I was out walking with my neighbour today. She has two kids. One is six months old and pure delight, always smiling and gurgling and never making a fuss. She was with us.

It was perfect walking weather, or strolling rather, and we were talking about all and nothing. And being in awe of how much has changed since we both came to Switzerland. Buildings, construction work everywhere. The city expanding (I guess since the city is so small, there is no space left) into former suburbs. Ten years ago it was a field, and now buildings are rising everywhere. Flats and offices. New tram lines and improved infrastructure. It's exciting!

At the end of our walk we were to pick up the other kid, who is the opposite of delight. She was in the kindergarten, and I made the mistake of going in there. Hell on earth. People working there should have the bonuses bank CEO's get I tell you. Screaming unruly kids. What a nightmare!

I am so glad I have cats instead. Sweet, furry and above all, quiet. I am very happy about the choices I made in life.

Angry aunt

My aunt called me yesterday. She is my mothers sister. If there is one person missing my Mum more than me, it is her.

So we share a lot of memories, a lot of stories, but even if she was close with my Mum they are/were different. Very different. My aunt has a sharp tongue, she's not ducking and she's provocative, even at the age of 82. My Mum wasn't. She was kind, always the mediator, she would have been a fantastic diplomat. Some people would probably say I'm more like my aunt.

Anyway, yesterday she was telling me "I find it funny that a person of your age do not work". HA! This from a woman who quit working when she was 18. Told her my reasons, and she came back with "I had a husband to take care of".

I didn't know where to start. And despite her shortcomings, I kinda like her. And we're always having good conversations about the old times. Lots of laughing.

Last time I flew out to see her at her 80th birthday, I got yelled at. So I won't be doing that again. But I'm not angry. She's her, and I'm me. And being relatives we are stuck with each other. And that ain't too bad.

Dishwasher liquid dispenser

I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's the tiny tap next to the water tap in the kitchen, dispensing dishwasher liquid. So instead of always having a plastic bottle standing next to the water tap, I chose to have it built-in so to speak.

I use it a lot. Cleaning the ashtrays, the cat bowls and also my hands once in a while. I guess I press for a portion of liquid maybe 5 times a day.

And now it broke.

It's pissing me off, I lived in my new and shiny flat for less than 4 years, and already something broke.

So I had to get my invoices out, to find out where the thingie came from. Franke. Which I also realized when looking at it, but the brand Franke is almost invisible, kinda printed into the tap. Nevermind.

I emailed them. First they couldn't find the product No that I got from my invoice. Many, many emails later including pictures they have figured it out, and asked if I wanted to order a new one. Yes.

144 francs excluding VAT. I find that very, very expensive for something that only lasted 4 years, which I told them in the last email. Predictably I haven't heard from them since.

The least they could do is to pay for the freight. And apologize profusely. Is it gonna happen? Of course not.

My wee ones

Two years ago to the day. I still remember how cautious they were, and how Zina was sick in the car. Now, two years later they own the place. You know what they say, dogs have owners, cats have staff. It is true.

Even though I'd like to think I'm in charge, I am very tuned into the needs of my wee ones.

Ok, I'm pretty strict when it comes to feeding, but when they choose to cuddle up to me, I cannot resist. Belly-scratching is their favourite. The fact that cat-hairs are flying around the apartment, I don't care, I am happy to use the Dyson every time.

Zina&Zetti, I cannot imagine a life without you!

Silence, and nothing but silence

I dunno, but I think I have some weird friends. Not weird, as in so-weird-I-don't-understand-you, but still weird.

But yes, thinking again, so-weird-I-don't-understand-it weird. At least one of them.

She went to a course. Not sure it's a course, as much as a camp of some kind.

She went there, checked in, and for 10 days she didn't speak. Nor did one of the other 70 (weirdos), who were also there.

One day zero (yeah I know, but that's what they call it), they are allowed to speak and share basic information, like what's your name. My friend shared a room with another woman, and in 10 days she only knew her name and that she liked to sleep with the window open at night.

I dunno but 40 women and 30 men (whereof three good-looking ones, I asked!), checking into a camp for 10 days, and none of them were speaking? I put my reputation on the line here, saying that's not normal. It's convent-like behaviour. But hey, I guess it's better with meditation than medication.

I myself prefer alcohol.

Picture this. 70 people sitting at tables having breakfast, lunch and dinner and none of them speak. Ten days in a row. I'm thinking Amish.

But hey, my friend thinks it helped her getting through some bad stuff she experienced lately, and she seemed very happy tonight. I guess we're all different. I just think you all should be different like I am :).

Oh I googled and found this. Not sure this is where she went, but apparently they are not after the money. You can pay as much or little as you want. Guess what I would've paid?

Midsummer dinner

I am happy to report that my foreign friends liked my kinda midsummer food. Well, with foreign I mean one Swiss and one Italian. Maybe I'm the odd one out.

But it's nice when most of the food goes, and I don't have to eat left-overs for too long.

Fan gone

I'm getting hooked on this selling things business. Today I sold my fan, that I had for like ten years. The last three years it's been occupying space in the basement, not being used at all.

I asked 50 francs for it, got one answer offering 35, and finally got 40 since she thought it was in such good condition. And it was, working perfectly. Now I'm thinking about all the other stuff I could sell. Exciting!

Politics

I really do not follow Swiss news and in particular politics that I should. I admit, I am lazy.

Today while walking with my friend, she told me that Switzerland once again has said no to America's request for information about bank accounts, and I felt a bit stupid 'cause I didn't know enough to have an opinion.

Bank secrecy I guess is good, but not good if it means protecting money-laundering gangsters and mafia.

My friend didn't have an opinion either, she was more talking about how impressed she was about Switzerland saying no to the US "this tiny spot on the map standing up to the most powerful country in the world". And I must admit, I felt proud too, even if I wasn't sure about the issue. And not being a Swiss (yet).

This evening I asked my Swiss friend and she explained that the people in charge were not properly informed about the issue at hand, and therefore she was against it too. I love Switzerland! I really do. They are so clever. They don't trust anybody, and until there is sufficient information they are never gonna say yes.

I'm still not entirely sure about the laws, but I have a feeling that suspicion of money-laundering is not gonna sit well with ze Swiss.

They may be slow, ze Swiss, but they are thorough, and they do not make a decision until properly informed and very, very sure.

I like that very much.

Folding phones

I was out walking with my neighbour again today. She likes shopping and I'd like to think it rubs off on me. But no.

Was in the Orange shop, looking for a new phone. And no, I'm not planning to upgrade just yet, it was more like 'should-my-current-phone-that-i-had-forever-break-down kinda-shopping'. The only phone that was folding was a tiny one, with a microscopic display and an even smaller keyboard. Yes but I like a folding phone, so that I know when it's closed or not. Having the name "Annika" means that you are many times first in the name list, and I cannot tell you how many "pocket calls" I've had.

Anyway, I find it interesting that phone producers do not direct their commercials towards people who can pay. Ok, I understand that having the newest and hottest release of iPhone is appealing to youngsters, but hey, who's paying? Yes I know, the curling parents.

I like a proper folding phone, but as long as my current one is working, I am not changing. After all, it's only like 7-8 years old. And it works fine!

Shoes yet again

So tomorrow is pick-up day for shoes and clothes. A few weeks in advance you get plastic bags with labels cleverly saying "shoes" and "clothes" on them, and the day before pick-up you put the bags on the street for the organization to pick them up the next day. Preferably with shoes and/or clothes in them.

I left this afternoon, and wasn't sure when I was gonna get back (and if I would remember) so put my shoe-bag on the street before leaving.

Coming back just now, I first noticed a woman totally clad in black, going through the neighbours bags, and then when approaching "my" house that my bag was nowhere to be seen.

Ah well, I guess the shoes went to somebody needy.

39°C

F, it's been hot the last couple of days. I feel like one of these over-bread dogs, that no longer have a proper nose to breath through, gasping for air.

Today it was up to 39°C on my balcony. If you go out, and consequently move, you're sweating. The only relief comes when sitting completely still at home, no windows or doors open, and feet planted on the cold stone floor. Only that gets boring in the end.

So I thought rather than continue to complain, since we waited so long for summer this year, I'll make myself a frosty drink.

Real sweat Swiss strawberries, crushed ice and a forgotten bottle of Koskenkorva strawberry. Yummie!

Shoe guy

Continuing on the theme of today, shoes. Remember him? Turns out he has 12 pairs of these kinda shoes, and altogether around 20 pairs.

Earlier today I was asking another male friend of mine how many shoes he has. He said 15. But when probing it turned out to be more like 20.

So, me being a woman, now have 15 pairs of shoes. I'm never gonna be an Imelda Marcos!

But I wonder, is a peculiar interest in Japanese whiskey connected with these type of shoes? There must be a study somewhere!

More shoes

The shoe story reminded me of South Africa. Included in my 15 pair of shoes are 4 pairs of flip-flops. The most expensive ones I bought in Cape Town.

They are a pair of high-heel flip-flops (yes I know, sounds ridiculous), but more plateau than heel. I saw them on display in a window, fairly expensive, but at the time it seemed like a good idea.

When I was at the counter paying for them, I was snottily informed that the price was for one shoe! I was so flabbergasted I just paid up (double) and left the shop. Naturally I was identified as a stupid tourist (which I was) and taken advantage of.

Therefore I shall forever keep these shoes to remind me that also I, strange as it sounds, can make mistakes:).

Shoes

Today I cleaned my shoe cupboard, which was, to be perfectly honest, long overdue. Dirty, dusty and in dire need of organization.

I don't think I have many shoes, but nevertheless, was planning to give away some, since there is a shoe and clothes pick-up day next week.

I ended up filling a whole bag to give away! Interesting. I cannot understand where all these shoes came from.

So now I have some 15 pairs of shoes, including two pairs of party shoes that I hardly use, but since they are almost new, I decided to keep them.

Also, I found jogging shoes that I remember buying quite a few years ago (5-6 years?) with the intent of if not jogging, so power-walking. Haha. I think I used them once. But hey, I kept them, who knows? Maybe one day...

Fish lips

Had a friend over tonight for dinner, and finally, finally, finally we were able to eat on the balcony. Very hot today, up to 30°C. Very nice and relaxing out there.

So my friend told me he had a bike accident some time ago, where the helmet prevented him from a crushed skull, but not from a crushed lip. Luckily enough the incident took place just outside a doctors office. Neat!

For a while he walked around looking like this. And yes, he's still single :).

 

Pfizer

Although I have a great interest in money, I am not that interested in investments. I like my money to grow (who doesn't?), but I don't want to spend a lot of time contemplating about it. And it's not the money in itself, it's what you can do with it.

The other day I got a letter from my bank with an offer "bla-bla-bla-bla-bla, yes we think you should do it"-kinda information. Earlier, I left all these papers and decisions with my brother, and did what I was told, but these days he is less interested in helping me. Or busy occupying Bulgaria.

So I had to read the letter myself. It said my bank was strongly recommending the investment. Apparently Pfizer is selling off one of its pieces of business, involving medicine for animals and veterinary care. My interest immediately peaked. And seeing how people are richer and more inclined to invest in their pets (including me) I jumped at the offer. And so sent the letter of consent in.

Today I got another letter, saying the bank had changed its mind and now the offer is only valid until the 14th of this month, and maybe you should be a bit careful jumping on the ship.

First of all, I thought it was unprofessional of the bank. Second, I thought ok, I sent the consent letter in already and there is little chance I can reply and get my letter recognized in two days, so decided to go with the flow.

Was surprised when I got a call this afternoon, having a brand new bank advisor, who I haven't spoken to before, call me and ask me how I wanted to do.

In the end I decided to invest half of the shares in the animal business. Because I really do believe in the idea, I just don't know how this particular business is run. And lazy as I am, I can't be arsed to find out before it's too late.

Fingers crossed now.

Blondes have more fun

...or at least it doesn't show when you're getting old. A couple of months ago I noticed that my hair on the sides looked a bit silvery. Not grey mind you, but slightly more silvery shiny than the rest of my hair. Yes, I do prefer silver to grey.

Nobody has commented on it yet, probably because it's difficult to see when dry. Good so.

Then I started to sweat at night. Waking up, being very hot. Not hot like in it being 30°C outdoors, but nevertheless hot-hot.

When making an excruciating effort, say like turning around in bed, I started to sweat like a pig (do pigs sweat?).

Yes I do believe it's here. Welcome menopause. About friggin time!

I'm a Mammon type of person

So we were sitting on the balcony, sipping a drink and eating sweets, enjoying the summer when my friend remarked "so now the traffic starts". Yes, every afternoon there is an increase in vehicles, people going home from work or wherever they spent their day.

I remarked that I thank me every day for planning so well, that I do not have to be a part of them. She: "Aren't you thanking god?" Me: "No, I'm thanking myself, I'm more of a Mammon type".

To that she frowned, until I reminded her that in the last two months she's been on vacation in London and Piemonte, and is soon going to Ticino before being off to the Cote d'Azur outside Nice. Then I made her smile.

I think she might be a closet-Mammon-type.

Bird dramas

In two years my wee ones have gotten their little paws on one bird each, and today they raised their quota with 100%.

This morning, while I was sitting quietly in front of my computer, I suddenly saw something in the corner of my eye. Zetti, walking around proudly in the living room, with a tiny little bird in her mouth. Bitch!

Without panicking, well almost, I rushed to close all the doors to the other rooms. There shall be no half-dead birds in my bed. Then I had to chase her out on the balcony, make her drop her prey and quickly shove it into the neighbours garden. It was unfortunately dead.

Then, in the afternoon, while I was just expecting a guest, being busy preparing glasses and sweets in the kitchen, Zina rushed to the balcony. I was quick enough to close the balcony door, and got out there trying to get her to drop the birdie. Another very small one. Zina is more persistent than her sister, but eventually I succeeded. Turned out the birdie was still alive, but probably scared out of its wits, and with difficulties to get away. Finally it flew out from under the windows into the nearest tree. I was very relieved.

Just after, my guest arrived and after having duly admired the new sofa, we proceeded on to the balcony for our well-deserved drink. It was then she saw it. The wee bird who just got away, was again on the balcony, sitting in my plant, quivering. How stupid is that? You have just survived, escaping the enemy, then come back for more?

Fortunately my friend is much more bird-friendly than I, so she took the shivering wee one into her hands and released it into the garden. A few hours later it had disappeared, so I hope it survived. I'm thinking those were both baby birds, who still haven't learned how to behave in nature. Flying into my balcony, with two cats, how stupid is not that?

Dead pussy

I have an old friend who had a cat. He was always talking about it like it didn't matter. "The cat just moved in" and he was around and sometimes slept in the house.

After a while knowing him (the friend, not the cat), it turned out that the cat was like a family member "he sleeps in my bed" and was cared about more than my friend liked to admit.

Today he died. He lived 17 or 18 years with my friend. It's very sad.

I don't care what you people with kids think, pets can be just as loved and cared about. And thinking about earlier today, much, much, much easier to love :).

An early lunch

Had a friend over today with her Mum who was visiting from far away. I am always interested in meeting new people, and especially ones that are related to friends. I think it's because I'm curious about how others relate to their parents or relatives. Or it could simply be that I like people. Well, most people.

Anyway, the Mum was nice and friendly and easy to get along with. Exactly like I expected, after knowing her daughter quite a few years. And as it turned out, both like wine. And here was I, having prepared lemonade for them with ice and all, standing just there in the fridge waiting. But as a good hostess I had to comply and have a glass (or three) of wine with them. Poor me!

The third guest was less likable, but it did seem he was quite interested in the cat food. A persistent, and frankly, quite loud little monkey I think is an accurate description.

Nevertheless, he's welcome back. Oh, I'm so gonna regret I said that!

Blood

Funny, on Saturday I bought band-aids and today they came to use. I was quietly minding my own business, reading a book, and without realizing it scratched my chin. All of a sudden blood was dripping, and I couldn't understand why.

Turned out I had a spot of some kind, and even though no pain, I scratched too much and it started bleeding. Quite a bit actually.

First I put a big band-aid on, but it looked and felt too ridiculous, so to my delight I found these tiny square band-aids in on of the boxes I bought.

Still, I feel a bit funny walking around with it, although the cats don't seem to mind. I'm still the best belly-scratcher in the world if you ask them.

Marco! Marco!

Was having dinner with my neighbours tonight. There was a lot of talk about lavender. This because earlier in the week we had an offer to replace some lavender plants that died in winter. I won't go further into that, since it's not that interesting.

The food was good though, grill and coleslaw and salad.

 

And then there was Marco. Across the street there is an elderly couple who has a Marco. Several times a day they stand on the street across our house, shouting for Marco. When Marco doesn't come, they ring a bell. It is obvious that Marco doesn't like bells. I think Marco is clever.

 

But today I met Marco for the first time. I've only seen him before, running around, but today we got acquainted. I think Marco is lovely.

 

Hansaplast 20%

I had new shoes on today, going to the parade. Stupid me, never wear new shoes when there's a lot of walking ahead. And as my friend pointed out, I've done it before on the very same parade. Makes him think that I always buy new shoes. I don't.

Once a year I buy new summer shoes, since the quality of them I buy seem to be, well, not that lasting. Personally I think that 29 francs should buy you at least two summers.

So I went to Coop to buy some band-aids, and to my delight it was 20% off if you bought two. And so I did. Now I'm covered for the next two years at least.

Timing

You know, it's pretty funny with people who have kids. Actually not, but they change. When I say lunch-time I mean afternoon like 3 or 4pm, they mean 1 o'clock. Me, I'm lucky if I had breakfast then.

But flexible as I am, brunch it'll be at 2 o'clock. Nothing is like compromizing.

Ok, I didn't mean that, but still. It's worth making an effort for good friends. Even if they have kids.

Zürich pride

As usual, my friend who I see once a year, called me yesterday to remind me of the pride festival today. We went. And although it's very nice to see him, I think maybe the festival is no longer necessary. This year there were less costumes, less challenging people, less of everything. It was more like marching with normal people.

I'm not saying gays and lesbians are not normal, but I think they are now so accepted in the society, that there is no more need for provocation and demonstration.

For example this year Credit Suisse was the main sponsor of the parade. Can there be a more conservative sponsor? Or perhaps CS has just realized that gay people usually have a lot of money to spend? Yes, of course that's the reason.

Anyway, it was nice to catch up with my friend and the sun was shining.

 

PS. Hadn't seen him in a year. He: "you look good, Botox?". Me: "No, just normal fat".

Cash kinda girl

Yesterday a friend and I were talking about the benefits of having a travel card or not. I realized that mine is about to expire (why cannot SBB/ZVV send a reminder?), so went to the station to extend my card.

First they asked for a new photo, apparently the old one is deleted after 10 years (fair enough, even though the guy behind the desk admitted I did look almost the same :), but this I had anticipated, and so presented another but different old one. Turns out it wasn't valid, since a little furry one had put bite marks on it. As I explained to the cats at home, you do not bite the hand that feeds you!

8 francs later, using the photo machine at the station, I presented four fresh new photos to the guy, who had been nice enough to wait for me. Very nice Swiss guy giving service, he should be stuffed and shown in a museum!

Then it turned out my pay card didn't work! WTF? Then I remembered that there is a weekly limit (which I myself agreed to a long time ago), and that I had withdrawn a heap of money earlier in the week. At this point I felt myself starting to sweat, out of embarrassment. I hate to feel stupid. The guy was still nice "it has happened to me too", and not at all disturbed. I thanked him for his patience and told him I'd be back tomorrow. With cash!

Then I went on to the boat. Finally the nice weather is here, and I was so looking forward to a cruise. This was before I realized the water level was almost up to the bridge, and that the stream was far too strong for my little engine. Scheisse!

But every downside has an up. It's actually not too bad sitting in a boat in the middle of the city, enjoying the sun and sipping a drink. It's like I have my own little floating bar. For free!

Opening times

While walking to the park today I also discovered a bar not too far from my place, open from 6am to 4.30am every day, except for Fridays and Saturdays, when it's open from 6am to 5am. This is indeed useful information.

Park life

Finally summer is here, and I joined a friend going to a park today. Ok, she has two kids but one is a dream-baby, only sleeping and smiling, so I thought, how bad can it be?

And it actually wasn't. Sitting there in a park in the middle of Zürich, in the sun, sipping chilled wine, was very pleasant. And thrifty as I am, I brought my own. Very good thing, since I was told a glass is 9 francs!

Watching all the mothers (and the odd father) running after their kids on the playground. Haha, very nice watching other people work. My favourite pastime.

It was only when I decided to cool my feet in the fountain, and the 3,5 year-old came up to me, offering me a half-rotten cherry "for your cats" it got a bit ugly. I refused, telling her it wasn't proper cat-food and walked away. Then she screamed at the top of her lungs, "Annika, züruckkommen", Annika come back. No way.

Other than that, a very pleasant afternoon. And I got to see the new "Viadukt"-area in Zürich.

The strawberries are here!

I have been stupid enough to buy the strawberries from Spain, that are most of the time available in the food shops. They taste like nothing, and rot in a day.

Today, for the first time this year, there were Swiss/Italian strawberries in the shop, and they actually taste something. Sweet, real strawberry-taste and delicious. And I can recommend putting one of two in a glass of white wine. Gives the extra delish-strawberry taste.

Is summer finally here? Yes, there is hope yet.