Life in Zürich

Thick skin

2012-02-16T22:51:00.001+01:00

Had a couple of friends over tonight. One planned, and one who just stopped by. With the "friends" I have you don't need enemies.

One of them told me that I am to be taken in small doses, and therefore we can only meet when she feels strong. Personally, I think it says a lot more about her than it does about me, but I'm no Freud. But I have learned to somewhat ignore criticism, unless I feel it's directed at me as a person.

The second one told me that if I had put him in my testament, he would like to decline getting the lamp I just got.

I can assure you none of them needn't worry about my will.

Stylish?

2012-02-16T17:36:00.000+01:00

Talking about style, at Christmas I got napkins from a friend. Not exactly my colour! Now it's payback time, he's coming for dinner and the table is set.

Style change

2012-02-16T16:09:00.000+01:00

Was thinking of my earlier homes (and yes, many more to come!), and how both my interest in interior design, and my style have changed over the years. Quite dramatically to be honest.

When I was younger it was all about old charm, and of course the furniture one could afford. But I don't think it's defendable to have bought a beige sofa with brown flowers. Uggghhhh! I don't know what I was thinking.

And a kitchen table made of pine wood? With matching chairs? There really isn't anything to say, other than that I'm glad I have developed some style. Even if it isn't to everybody's liking. It's to my liking, and that's what counts.

Bloody lamp

2012-02-16T15:33:00.000+01:00

I'm really starting to regret I bought that lamp. Still think it is fab, but all the work that comes with it, makes me think twice about buying something on the net ever again.

Had an electrician over today, who informed me that the cables in the ceiling are fine, but that something within the lamp doesn't work. Had him phone the company I bought the lamp from to explain.

Now the following is going to happen.

1. I have to take the lamp apart again. Good thing it didn't take more than 2 (!!!) hours to put together.

2. They will send me a new lamp.

3. My friend and I will have to put the new lamp together and fasten it in the ceiling. Again.

4. I have to pack up the old lamp and send it back to the company I bought it from.

5. Upon receipt, they will reimburse me for the postage. Generous, ain't it? I requested that they'll reimburse me for the electrician too, and was told they will "think about it".

This lamp better be looking pretty darn good when connected!

My third own home

2012-02-16T15:21:00.000+01:00

When we broke up I was lucky enough to find a flat through contacts of the family (only time I got something through contacts!). It was in a city further up the coast, and since I had just started an education there, it was perfect.

It was a 2-room flat with a tiny hallway (but a mirror wall made it look bigger), a small toilet, kitchen, living room and bedroom. I had a fridge but no freezer, so in wintertime I used to freeze my icecream by hanging it out the window in a plastic bag.

I ended up living there for about 5 years, and had a very good time even though the town was pretty small. We danced a lot these days, and my love life was a movable feast. So many young goodlooking men, so little time!

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T10:24:00.002+01:00

My second own home

2012-02-13T20:23:00.001+01:00

When I was 19 going on 20 I met this guy. He was 6 years older than me, and we were on the same wavelength. Guess I've always been older in my head than what my passport was showing. Still am, if you ask me.

So I left my hometown. Mind you, not for him, but since I wanted to for many years already. My home town must have been the most boring city ever. Not sure it still is, but back then there was actually nothing to do. And to give an example, the local football team match was the highlight. And I hate football. Not hate it-hate it, but think it's boring as hell kinda hate it.

Moved to another city at the coast. We bought a flat together, think we paid the whopping price of about 1,500 francs. But of course we shared the bill. It was a chain house, and we had a cat. It was like playing family at an early age.

Needless to say it didn't last. We ended up selling the place after just a year. But in hindsight I have good memories of the guy, and it was fun as long as it lasted, even though I probably miss the cat more.

Auntie Annika

2012-02-13T20:15:00.000+01:00

Think I'd rather be an agony aunt, than just auntie Annika. But there you go, sometimes you don't have a choice.

And everybody who will address me like auntie from now on, will immediately go on my black list!

My first own home

2012-02-13T00:06:00.000+01:00

When I was 19 I moved away from my parents, well I think I was 18 just going on 19. And I bought a flat! Imagine that, buying a flat at that early age. Impressive, isn't it. Think I paid all of the equivalent of 450 francs for it!

It was a small 2-room apartment, and my parents had saved a little money for me which I got to pay for furniture. So had a sofa from Ikea (still have one, but not the same, that would be a bit too much), some old chairs inherited from god knows who, a cheapo bed and other necessities. My first own home. It was a good feeling.

Well, at least until I realized that no longer did toothpaste, toilet paper and food come for free. I had to pay it myself. What a shock!

But I recovered, and about a year later I sold it with 100% profit! Which as I recall it, I forgot to tell the tax man. And as far as I know that was the first and only time I did something illegal.

Japanese in Zürich

2012-02-12T23:43:00.000+01:00

Nice dinner yesterday. Not often you get homemade sushi.

My first home

2012-02-11T00:51:00.000+01:00

When I was born my parents lived in a 2 room flat, and for me that was the world. We lived there until I was 7 years old, and I still remember the exact lay-out. It was a long hallway, then the bedroom to the right, a walk-in-closet (wow, must have been one of the first of its kind) to the left, the kitchen straight ahead and the living room to the right after the bedroom. A small balcony.

The washing room was outside the building. Two humungous machines where we cooked sheets (90°) and washed normal clothes. You had to book the time, and washing usually took a whole day.

The supermarket was up the hill. In those days it seemed like it was a long walk, I think it might have taken a good 5 minutes to get there.

I think that the next time I visit my home town I will ring the door and ask to see the place again. I bet it'll feel a whole lot smaller than it did back then.

My home is where my hat is

2012-02-11T00:42:00.000+01:00

Had a friend over tonight, who is a bit twisted. She thinks that how you live, in which flat/house, reflects who you are. And unless you have a place that shows "you", you cannot invite people. She's not wrong, well not entirely, but there is a matter of age involved. Unless you are born into a millionaire family. Which most of us aren't.

Personally I like to think that my apartment reflects me. Now. But it took me a long time to get here.

For most people it takes time to get to where you want to be. Nothing is for free. You have to work hard for it. And you cannot compare yourself to others. Well I guess you can, but it won't do you any good. And people who like you won't care anyway.

In every place I lived I always entertained. Whether it was a small and shitty apartment, or the fab place I live in now. Friends are friends, wherever you are and wherever you live. At least I think so.

Light installations

2012-02-10T18:41:00.000+01:00

Am experimenting with light installations this week. First I put up the LED lights I used for the Christmas tree, and I cannot decide if it's cool or just outright tacky. Leaning towards tacky for the moment.

Then I got my new and fabulous lamp the other day. First it took ages to assemble, felt like 100's of these purple sticks. They had to be screwed on individually. When that was done, it was a matter of finding somebody to help plug it in. I say plug it in, but it was more difficult than that. Several cables hanging, screws to be well screwed in, thingies to be attached and whatsit.

First we tested if there was electricity with the help of a thingie. It wasn't. Then it was, since the lights in the rest of the flat went out. Just glad that the friend wasn't fried. Anyway, we then managed to put the actual lamp up, him on one ladder screwing and attaching, me on another ladder holding the lamp. And it was heavy!

So now the lamp is in place. Only there is no electricity! Why can't things just be a little bit easier?

Me the prostitute

2012-02-10T01:32:00.000+01:00

Guess I haven't told you about the time I was mistaken for a prostitute.

This was the time I was in the midst of my high-flying career. I was flying into Copenhagen for a meeting, and staying in one of the top business hotels with three restaurants. Was going for dinner when I ran into a colleague from the same office I usually worked in. We decided to have dinner together and catch up.

Afterwards we went for a night-cap in the bar, and while sitting there I got a matchbox thrown at my shoulder. It was meant to hit my colleague, thrown by one of his business associates, and I guess to tell him he hit the jackpot that night.

Gosh, were they surprised when they learned. And we later ended up working on the same project.

Go-go-girl

2012-02-09T01:45:00.000+01:00

When I was young all girls had a book. In this book you were supposed to write all sort of things. One of them was what you wanted to be when you were a grown-up.

A friend of mine wrote go-go-girl, and I wanted to write teacher but fell for the group pressure and also put go-go-girl in the book. Not entirely sure what it meant, but in todays world it would probably be something like a prostitute. A dancer of some sort, half naked.

Funnily enough I ended up being a teacher.

Double pay

2012-02-09T00:13:00.001+01:00

Sometimes my aunt buys films and books for me and send it through the post. I of course reimburse her, and last time I did I got logged out in the end of the transfer on internetbanking without getting a confirmation. So I logged in again and completed the transaction.

My aunt got back to me, saying I paid twice. Not a big issue, she's gonna send stuff to me again and we can just deduct the money, but I was irritated.

Today I logged on to the internetbank again, and saw that I had two transactions with the same reference number! That is the first time in all the years that I used internetbanking that something went wrong.

Decimal man from tonight thought it would be a good idea to claim the money (well one of the transactions) back, but I reckon they would just reverse the transaction and then I would have to pay my aunt once again.

But it's interesting. How can a computer system log the same transaction number twice without anybody reacting?

Pi guy

2012-02-08T23:30:00.001+01:00

Had pi guy over for dinner tonight, he has a teenager son with 7 hormones apparently. Not sure how many decimals though.

And he has betrayed us cat people. By getting a dog! Ok, so the dog is cute, black and white, but it ain't a cat. And he spoke more about the dog than the cat tonight. Hmmm.

But Zetti accepted his touch, perhaps because she couldn't get away, but still. He ain't a bad guy. Even though he has turned into an evil dog person.

Old movies

2012-02-06T23:37:00.000+01:00

I have a friend who is, how shall I put it?, a bit fascistic in his view on marriage. To him it is holy. To me it's a joke.

Turns out he likes old movies, so I took upon myself to remind him of some of my favourite films.

Gone with the wind, where Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) marries three men, but is only in love with one of them.

Casablanca, where Ilse (isn't that her name? played by Ingrid Bergman) has two men.

And finally Dr Zhivago (Omar Sharif), where he plays around with two women.

Next time I see him I think we'll have a conversation on exactly why he likes these movies.

Compact

2012-02-06T19:51:00.000+01:00

Previous item got me thinking about work, since some people use that as an excuse for not having time. I think it's more not taking time for what's important.

Anyway, made me think about my first job. I was 15, and got a job in a kiosk at a camping. I worked 8 weeks in the summer from either 8-15 or from 15-22. And for this I got the measly amount of about 2 francs an hour. No extra for working late hours, or that it was the weekend.

I had a moped that I was very proud of. It was a blue Compact, which was a bit trimmed by the previous owner and on a good day got up to 60 km/h. I passed almost all my male friends, who all had blue Push Dakotas. I drove to work with this moped.

Looked like this, and had the added advantage that a friend could ride between your legs (insert joke here).

I ended up working there for three summers, as well as working weekends when in school in a kiosk outside the sports arena. That included serving hot dogs and fries. I didn't walk into a Mc'Donalds until I was 35 years old after that horrifying experience! Can you imagine the smell after making french fries? Not only does your clothes and hair smell, it's like your whole body stinks. Ouch!

Friend or foe?

2012-02-06T18:56:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking about how friendship works, and come to the conclusion that a big portion of it is how it works over time.

I have never had trouble meeting people and be friends with them, but if you want a lasting friendship it needs work from both sides. And if that works over a longer period of time, say 5-10 years, it's no problem in losing touch over years, then come back.

Heard from a friend I haven't talked to in two years the other day. No problem, we know each other quite well since about 15 years, and she has two small kids, so no wonder she hasn't had the time. No hard feelings from my side.

But there are other people who I have invited numerous times, and almost never been invited back to. This is getting to me. And it's not only the no invitation back, it's the not keeping in touch that bothers me. Makes me feel a bit used to be honest.

And it's pretty simple if you ask me. A quick hit on skype, email or sms asking how I am goes a long way. But then again, I'm always been keen on feedback, good or bad. And every morning I log on to my blog, I get a smile on my face when I have a comment. Even though it's mostly opposing my opinion.

Flat

2012-02-03T23:51:00.000+01:00

A friend of mine has just bought an apartment. It is slightly bigger than mine, and with a different layout. Of course.

I have seen the planning, and obviously I have thoughts. Most of them good though. Although, entering the master bedroom through the bathroom I find a bit funny.

Ok, so if you live there, it is likely it's only you and perhaps a partner are going to the bedroom, but still. Isn't it a bit weird?

The interior chosen is not my style (except for the bar counter which I somehow seem to have influenced :), but I think it'll look fab when done.

I so look forward to the housewarming!

West Wing!!!

2012-02-03T23:04:00.001+01:00

Omg, I cannot believe it! Friend who visited tonight have never heard of West Wing! I don't how many exclamation marks I can put in here, but it'll never be enough. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a treat she has in front of her. And she's the typical person to appreciate a clever series like this. Smart and savvy. And fluent in English (which is not everybody here in ze Switzerland).

I so look forward to her feedback.

And yes, I'm watching this series for the about the 10th time! One wonders if it makes me 10 times more clever? Probably than most people...

Update

2012-02-01T19:15:00.000+01:00

Sorry for not having blogged much lately, but I can see from the visitors stats that you are still checking.

Well, what have I done lately? A bit slower pace than normal due to very cold weather. Ok, so there are worse places in the world, but minus degrees doesn't do it for me. Only go out when I really have to.

But last week I had a nice day with a friend, showing her Zürich, showing off my boat, and letting her experience my bar. I'm sure the latter was the highlight :).

And yesterday I got my lamp! It's gonna be a little while before you see it up, need some help with that, but it's gorgeous. I took a peek in the box. Guess the colour!

17% increase

2012-01-30T20:23:00.000+01:00

I have a beef with my bar, the one I'm usually going to. They raised the price of my wine with a whopping 17%. Just like that, in one go.

It's a bottle containing half a liter of white wine, and it used to cost 29 francs. This is an acceptable price for going out, listening to music and have fun for a few hours. 34 francs on the other hand, is steep I think.

I know, in a restaurant you pay more, but at home I pay 4.25 per bottle for my better house wine (well, not really, since I'm always buying when it's on sale, at least 20% discount I get. And it's 75 cl, not 50!).

I much rather go out when I have the feeling of not being ripped off.

Please duck

2012-01-29T00:50:00.002+01:00

Friends approved of the duck. Second time I did it, kinda trial for Easter. Nice eve, had the magnum bottle of red (Lemacchiole, Bolgheri rosso 2008) which I got at my birthday from this guy.

Extra plus, I got to speak my mother tongue a whole evening!

PS. My telly looks tiny at this distance. It's not, but friends suggested I put a picture up there instead, considering hos little I watch tv. I beg to differ. I now watch Mad men on dvd, and that is something I really do not want to miss! Gash, he's gorgeous!

AA meeting

2012-01-27T00:13:00.001+01:00

Unlike what you think reading the headline, it's a group of women with names both beginning and ending with an A. Well almost. We have tweaked it a li'l bit, but not much.

They are a twisted bunch of "girls" ranging from 30-50 years of age, but all with a dirty sense of humour. Except for me of course.

When I heard "she's always getting in late" they actually were talking about "she's always getting laid", and when they were discussing men in ties I heard men in tights (thinking why do they talk about ballet?).

Next thing I know I'll be needing a hearing aid. Or, on second thought, I'd probably be better off without one!

Scarf jinx

2012-01-26T23:57:00.000+01:00

A few months ago I was at a party. I forgot my scarf. Remembered while I was running for the bus. Well running is stretching it, but walking fast. Decided it wasn't important enough to go back.

So when I visited the same friend again, I got my scarf back. Or so I thought.

Wore it on the way back home, but when I was taking it on the next day I realized it was the wrong colour. Dark blue instead of my purple. Same material. Oh dear.

So it turned out I took her scarf (her favourite as it turned out, from the other 49 she has), instead of mine. Now we're meeting in February, so I am really looking forward to get my winterscarf back then.

Mad men

2012-01-22T21:50:00.000+01:00

Borrowed series 1-3 of Mad men today. Gosh, that is what a man should look like! The series itself is pretty good too, but even if it wasn't I would watch just to see him.

New flat

2012-01-22T21:44:00.000+01:00

Went to visit some people today who just moved into a brand new apartment. Not as fab as mine obviously, but pretty darn good. Albeit a quite different colour scheme, but at least they have one.

Now it just needs some lights, paintings and decoration and it'll be a very nice home.

And this one I've seen before.

Grandma's plants fit in nicely.

Me feeding friends

2012-01-21T00:16:00.000+01:00

Two cat owners and a man (sounds like a movie title!). I feel that perhaps he thought we were talking a tad too much about our furry loved ones, but once you start, it's difficult to stop.

And he kept on playing with Zina, so I think he was all right with it.

Raclette dinner and vino, whisky and sherry. Yes, a very nice evening with good friends.

Friends feeding me

2012-01-19T23:09:00.000+01:00

One of my friends doesn't cook, but that doesn't stop him from inviting me. We have dinner together every 3-4 weeks, once at my place, once at his.

And I gotta say he's inventive. He does a nice cheese plate, or something simple to cook. The point is not the food, and we always have a nice chat.

But now he met somebody who cooks. So tonight he was heating up a delish moussaka according to instructions.

And for dessert a sweet baklava. Yeah, I am now convinced my friends like me just as I am.

Heineken

2012-01-18T23:05:00.001+01:00

That reminds me, when I was working in Holland, I used to be referred to as Heineken. Not entirely sure how they went from Heineken to Annika, but with the throaty language it somehow worked.

And in those days we drank a lot of fleutjes, those tiny beers where they use glasses, dip them in a fluid of some kind including a dishwasher liquid, then turn them around while there is still fluid inside, then pour beer and serve. It's really tiny glasses, so not sure how much beer it actually contained.

It was a good time in Holland!

Winterthur

2012-01-18T22:53:00.002+01:00

Had to leave Zürich for a while today. 3 whole zones outside! 25 mins on the train, which is not that far, but I had actually never been there before other than passing thru.

Now I've seen not only the Bahnhof, but also an Italian restaurant and the soon to open Turmhaus center. It is still being refurbished, but I really liked the stone. Hope they will keep it.

And the previous tenant, right up my alley!

Misunderstanding

2012-01-18T22:43:00.000+01:00

When I left my flat this evening I ran into the neighbour. He was dressed in a jogging outfit, and I was dressed for success. Sorry, I meant I was dressed to go out. Typical. Living in a building with child-producing people and sports fanatics. I so wish I owned the building!

Anyway, while leaving the bar tonight my friend was putting on a hat/cap and somebody was saying goodbye ötzi. While I was thinking of ötzi, they actually meant ötzi.

Some friends

2012-01-18T00:04:00.001+01:00

I don't think my friends are helping much, when it comes to accomplish my goal weight. On the other hand, they may think I'm ok as I am.

Züricats

2012-01-17T18:01:00.000+01:00

Good news for all of you who don't particularly enjoy reading about my cats. I don't understand you, but since I think they deserve their own platform, I can now proudly present Züricats!

Miaow!

Poncho

2012-01-14T13:33:00.000+01:00

Got a delayed Christmas present today. My colours!

When I'm irritated

2012-01-13T23:06:00.000+01:00

Was watching telly, and for some reason I got to think of when I was irritated (not like I'm never irritated now, frequent readers of the blog should know that), but this particular time I was only 20 years old.

I had gotten a camera from my father. A brand new one. The only problem was that all the pictures came out grainy. Not matter what I did, the quality sucked. And in those days you had to go to a shop and get them developed. And pay for it! Not like these days, when you load them to your computer, then delete if not fine. At no cost.

So I wrote a letter (you know on paper, with an envelope and stamp and all!) to the company who had produced this camera. After like a week I got a nice letter back, with a voucher of about the equivalent of 30 francs. Like the pictures was gonna be better if I bought more film!

This triggered me to write another letter, saying I thought that the evening press would be mighty interested in the story, and that I wouldn't hesitate to contact them.

A few days later I got another letter, stating that I could go to the nearest shop (they had even researched which one was closest to where I lived, and this was long before google!) and pick out a new camera of my choice. At no cost to me.

See! It pays off to be irrited once in a while.

Hairy

2012-01-13T18:36:00.001+01:00

Since my two little ones moved in with me, the amount of hair flying around has around quadrupled, if not more. Since my cleaning lady is only coming every two weeks, I am forced to hoover the week in between. Myself!

The fact that my bed is full of cat hair doesn't bother me at all. On the contrary, it is cozy when one or both of them join me sleeping there.

But recently I realized that also the guest bed was full of cat hair. Very full. So now I had to go and buy a new cover, so that they can get all hairy on that. Then when guests are expected I will make up the bed just before.

Beautiful shiny, black, furry cover. Fits with the colour scheme in the guest room.

Ms House

2012-01-12T00:39:00.002+01:00

In 2010 I had a shoulder operation. In 2011 this friend of mine had a hip operation. None of our "conditions" could be explained, no doctor could give a reason why we had these issues.

Nevertheless, we both recovered and when I met up with my friend tonight she was, as usual, walking around in high heels, but with a cane I didn't expect. (Yes, of course we did the joke of Ms House, her limping around with a cane in high heels).

She so reminds me of myself, 10-15 years ago. A mobile phone stuck to my ear, and always dragging a bag on wheels behind. Except for the heels, stopped wearing those in the...well, let's say, long before...when I realized they were hurting my feet...and may I add...my foot fetichist still thinks I have the best...anyway...

You know, when I see these people still in the middle of their career, being "important" and always online, I am almost getting religious. It is soooo fantastic not being a part of it anymore.

One day I'll tell you about my career. And yes, I know, haven't spoken about it before on this blog but now may be the time. Watch out!

Of course, in my days it was an oldfashioned mobile phone, not a blackberry or an iphone. And I never felt the need to keep it in front of me while having dinner with five friends.

Shove the diet

2012-01-11T23:39:00.000+01:00

So tonight I was meeting up with friends. It's a bit weird. We all met thru this woman, who moved back to England some years ago. Every time she's in town, she sets up a dinner date, and we all show up. Same people every time, and although we all live here (in and around Zürich), we never meet other times. I am now about to change that, since these are funny people.

We had dinner in a restaurant, and I took a break from my semi-strict diet. Want to point out that I didn't have all these dishes, the wienerschnitzel was mine. Fries exchanged for coleslaw. It was delish!

And then I had my fav dessert (after Toblerone mousse), an Irish coffee. Not a good diet day, but good fun.

But gotta say I'm a bit disappointed. People going home early, stating "I gotta work tomorrow". So? I remember going directly to the office from a night out. What is wrong with the youngsters of today? No stamina whatsoever.

Cravings

2012-01-10T20:52:00.000+01:00

Meeting up with some friends tomorrow in a restaurant. This is a bit tricky, since I try to adhere to a diet. Well, some sort of it anyway. So far I have avoided carbs as in potatoes, rice or pasta. Only eaten protein as in chicken and meat, as well as salad and soup. And fat like in bacon, eggs and cheese (well maybe not eggs but still).

Had some fruit as well, which is "not allowed", but I figure it's better than sweets and I gotta have something to keep me going.

Anyway, the place we are going to serve a really good wienerschnitzel. Oh gad, am I hungry! A wienerschnitzel with salad on the side. Yes, that's what I'll have.

Shirt

2012-01-10T18:47:00.000+01:00

Hahahaha! I have a shelf full of plants, all sprouting from my two main plants, originating from my Grandmother who has been dead since I was 5.

Not hahaha 'cause I never got to know her, but I was cleaning off that table, showering all the plants, and out of a pile of photos I keep underneath that shelf fell out three photos.

It was from when I was in the middle of my career, and posing with 30 other people (mostly suits!) at some conference or other. Might have been London, Lisbon and some other place I cannot remember.

The funny thing was I had that blue/turquoise shirt that I still wear! Nothing like waiting for 20 years until the fashion comes back!

Fun in Zürich

2012-01-08T18:54:00.000+01:00

My place was hopping yesterday. Not my home, mind you, but my fav outgoing place.

Had so much fun I went back today for the afternoon concert, not only to enjoy the band but also laughing at the middle-aged women (no, I was not one of them!) doing a quite violent twist.

And since it's the last day this particular band plays, I am going back tonight!

GPS

2012-01-08T11:10:00.000+01:00

If there is somebody in this world who needs a GPS, it is me. I have no clue where I am most of the time.

When I go by public transportation I get spit out at a station, and from there I can usually navigate, but the concept of north, east, west, and south is for me alien. Ok, so I know that the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west, but what if the sun is not shining?

These days most of my friends have iphones. Meaning they can get most information by the press of a button, and also inform me when the last tram goes.

Like yesterday. I was told my last tram went before midnight, so decided to stay for a while but get the other tram that goes to my place a bit later. Turns out my tram went after all.

Or I could just do like tonight, looking out the window of my fav bar and see when the tram passes. Then time it to be at the stop about 10 mins later. Like we did before internet existed.

Mum's

2012-01-07T01:13:00.001+01:00

I have never in my life had a person that I could trust completely, except for my Mum. My Mum was exceptional, she was social, open to new things, kind and always appreciating what I did. Ok, after I was 15 (had a puberty period between 13 and 15 which wasn't...well, nice).

I miss that. It was fantastic knowing that somebody always got your back. Even if you screwed up. Not that I did, but if I had.

When she passed away, the person who knew me best and for the longest time, she took a piece of me with her.

Still today, after quite a few years, I get mad when people complain about their Mum's. They should feel lucky about still having one I think.

Questionnaire

2012-01-06T15:31:00.001+01:00

Hurray, I got a questionnaire. It's from the Swiss authorities, and it is compulsory to answer. No worries, I would've anyway. First, because I love giving feedback, and second, because ze Swiss knows everything about me anyway so no new information needed.

And, it's only 3% who are asked. I feel selected :).

And it was all on internet! Which is exclamation mark-warning when being in Switzerland. I was only failing on one question. Misread how many people who lives in my household. Thought it meant except for me, so put in 0 which wasn't accepted. Then I read the question again, said including me. Oh.

But now it's done, and I am not even Swiss! Well, yet...

Sunset

2012-01-03T17:37:00.000+01:00

Sunset in Zürich.

A great loss

2012-01-02T23:02:00.000+01:00

Today the world has lost a good person. And far too early. It's not like he was famous or anything, but he was a genuinly nice person.

It is not fair, life is not fair.

And I'm very sad.

Alco?

2012-01-02T17:52:00.000+01:00

You know, I still haven't had a day without alcohol this year! Oh dear, am I becoming an alcoholic?

Had brunch today with a few friends here at home, and instead of just coffee we started with Prosecco, then went on with something sweet bubbly and when all was said and done, we moved on with the house wine.

And tonight I'm going out.

This is going to be a great year!

Ze reasonable Swiss

2012-01-02T17:46:00.002+01:00

Last year my cousin was visiting Zürich. With a rental car he was driving 66 km/h on a 60-road. Got caught. In all kindness the police deducted 3 km's and sent him a ticket of 40 francs for the remaining 3 km's. Of course after tracing him thru the rental car agency.

I just wonder what the cost was for tracing him and producing the ticket? A wild guess is that it was more than 40 francs.

It's a mystery why Switzerland is a rich country.

Cheesy

2012-01-01T23:58:00.000+01:00

I thought it would be best to start off the year with a big bang. After all, didn't want cat piss to be the memory of Jan 1, 2012.

So went for a few drinks. And to celebrate I ordered a cheese plate. Just didn't expect to get all the same cheese and nothing else.

Good and bad things

2012-01-01T16:10:00.000+01:00

The good thing about the new year is that I have already been abroad, so feel I've done my quota for 2012 (had to pass thru bit of Germany, in order to get back to Switzerland and home).

Bad thing is that friends male cat pissed on my clothes.

The only way is up from here on.

Thingamajig

2012-01-01T14:15:00.004+01:00

Look at the thingamajig in the foreground of the pic. This is a typical object you buy for somebody who has everything.

It's got a name in German consisting of 38 letters ("Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher"!) and I bet you can never guess what the function is.

It cracks eggs! You put the bottom on top of a boiled egg, then lift the round bit up, let it go, and it falls down, creates a bang and cracks the egg.

It cracks me up!

Donkeys

2012-01-01T14:05:00.000+01:00

Some Swiss people are, how shall I put it, a tad introvert and prefer living out in the woods.

One of the guests yesterday lives in a "village" on a mountain top including five people, two donkeys and one pony.

This led to a number of jokes being made including donkeys, which I shan't mention here. Partly 'cause you had to be there, and partly 'cause I cannot remember most of them :), but it had a lot to do with the looks of people and their intelligence.

Old

2012-01-01T13:58:00.000+01:00

Most of the things in the village I was visiting is very, very old. Here's a wall that is approx 400 years of age, and it's an indoor wall!

Had the privilege of seeing one of these old houses, which was renovated and modern inside, but with the twist of keeping old details like the wall. As well as the whole building structure coming to think of it.

Very charming!

Fire

2012-01-01T13:50:00.000+01:00

My friend had arranged a smoking place outdoors.

And as usual most of the people ended up there.

Food, food and more food

2012-01-01T13:46:00.002+01:00

Ended last year with a tablegrill with lotsa fab food. It was anything from lamb, pork, chicken, bacon, scallops, shrimps, fish to vegetables and salad. I really stuffed myself, not thinking twice about the diet that will soon start (but not before I finish the chocolate mousse leftover I got to take with me!).

A very nice evening together with good friends!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T07:47:00.000+01:00

Hola

2011-12-30T23:29:00.000+01:00

Have some friends who moved to Spain. From Switzerland.

Personally I thought they'd be back in no-time, having done that journey myself. Meaning thinking of moving to Spain to retire. Until I spent only a measly three weeks there and then promptly decided it wasn't for me.

The language, the economy, the culture, the people. Except for the food, I must admit. The best in the world if you ask me. And the climate, not bad either, but all put into perspective, the food cannot make up for the rest.

But my friends seem to enjoy it. Nah, I dunno. I give them another year. Then they'll be back. 'Cause in the end they all think like me, right?

Slim

2011-12-30T23:22:00.000+01:00

Thank gad for surgery. Well, personally I don't need it, gorgeous as I am, but good that the opportunity exists for people who needs it.

Met a guy today, who I last saw in April, now being 50 kg's lighter. He's gone from being a fat blob to a hunk. Good for him!

Purple

2011-12-29T19:46:00.000+01:00

Came across a purple fur today, and couldn't resist. Of course I bought it 'cause of the cats. They like to bite, claw and play with it.

No locking

2011-12-28T22:19:00.000+01:00

After the break-in in the downstairs apartment again, one neighbour suggested that we'd always lock the main entrance door downstairs. Personally I don't think that the burglars would come in through the main door (when there are so many unprotected balcony doors), but I obliged.

Mind you, the door locks automatically, but there is an extra lock on the inside.

Anyway. This morning my cleaning lady rings the door, I buzz her in, but door doesn't open (of course not, it's locked twice!) and I had to run down the stairs in my very sexy pyjama to open.

We have now agreed that not extra-locking the door is a good idea.

Trash

2011-12-28T20:56:00.000+01:00

Since some time now we had the questionable pleasure of having the neighbours depositing their trash in our containers.

How it works in Zürich is that the city provides the containers for free, then every household pays some 50 plus francs per year as well as the Züri-Säcke (trash bags) for about 2 francs each (35-liter) for the service of getting the containers emptied.

I think that's reasonable and I like the idea of paying for usage, rather than a flat fee per flat (flat-flat, haha).

The point is that this neighbourhood house uses our container without asking permission. Today when I talked to the Zürich city official, I learned that we cannot really stop them (as long as they put their trash into the therefore designed and paid for bags). But what we can do is report them to the police for trespassing into our private property.

Tempting, very tempting.

But mature as I am, I have suggested to the others in our house that we put up a sign saying it's only for our address. Curious to what they will say now. And if they propose that we'll call the police, I'll be happy to do their bidding.

Men in uniform, mmmm!

Do's and don't's

2011-12-28T20:33:00.001+01:00

So tonight, apart from the to-be-mother only drinking water, there was lotsa talk about what one can do and don't when pregnant (if you're not yawning already I am!).

No bloody meat, no raw eggs (at this point I asked whether she usually downs a raw egg every morning...?), no cheese with raw milk (had to pull the wrapping out of the trash to show her the cheese I had on the apero!), certain kinds of fish not allowed and so forth, and so forth.

Told her that kids from the well you know earlier decades (no need to be specific here) still survived. I'm a prime example.

But of course they are not gonna be "like other parents". HAHAHAHAHA! Look fw to have a chat with them about curling some time soon.

Another one

2011-12-28T20:25:00.000+01:00

Oh dear. Another curling kid is about to see the light of day in my beloved building. Shame that I don't own it myself. Then I could control the people who lives in it.

A special restaurant

2011-12-27T23:02:00.000+01:00

Have been watching a lot of cooking shows lately, and that reminds me when I was Italy decades ago. An Italian friend took me to this restaurant. Well, if you didn't know it was there, you would've passed it. It was in the middle of an industrial area, not a place to visit unless you know where you were going. Just a steel door.

Anyway, the place was run by a very old lady, in her 80's I would think, and there was no menu. You ate what you were served. The wine was poured into kitchen glasses, and when my friend on my behalf asked to have an extra glass for the water on the side, she bluntly told him that I could use the same glass.

However, the restaurant was kinda famous and the food was delish. But a special experience I must admit.

Stop curling!

2011-12-26T21:40:00.000+01:00

OMG! You know, when I grew up kids had manners, in the sense that the parents were controlling them, and above all, not allowing them to do anything they wanted "because we love them". There were boundaries and do's and don't's.

I so wish it was the same today. Then I wouldn't have to put back the chairs in place, the blanket on the sofa and the cushions, the fresh oranges thrown on the floor and to nurture my poor ears, where there is still a screeching sound.

Curling parents. Don't like them, can't shoot'm.

Dead duck

2011-12-26T16:53:00.001+01:00

Having some friends over for dinner tonight, so have been preparing. The duck reminds me of Zetti, when she spreads her legs to be petted. Just like I used to do in my heyday.

Lotsa food

2011-12-25T01:55:00.006+01:00

There was enough of food, and I gently told them that whatever comes inside my doors stays there. And no, this is not an opportunity to bring your trash next time!

And as you can see I know no housewifes. Girls in the bar, and men in the kitchen. Just like it should be!

The Rectal band

2011-12-25T01:49:00.000+01:00

I really dunno when the conversation turned to the Rectal band, but at one point it did (which the gay guy didn't get, hahaha). Ok, so not everybody is totally fluent in ze English language. Turned out she was talking about the Ragdoll band. Oh.

That was much more funny than when they tried to make fun of me.

Secret Santa

2011-12-25T01:40:00.000+01:00

I got a lottery ticket (promised to send my friends a postcard from a foreign land when winning), a purple duck (which all my guests will see in the bathroom), green napkins (hmmm, same friend who gave it to me will be served dinner with these for the next...years), a head-massaging thingie (actually love those even though they look gross)

and some kind of oil that you are supposed to massage into your temples feeling energized, hmmm.

Swiss cookies

2011-12-25T01:17:00.000+01:00

This is what the Swiss do for Christmas. Cookies. I'm just missing one in the shape of a clock!

Merry Christmas all!

2011-12-23T19:58:00.001+01:00

I'm caving in and giving you something cute for Christmas. Not quite as cute as my cats of course, but still.

Enjoy the holiday with food, drink and friends. Just like I will.

Trusting fool

2011-12-23T17:39:00.001+01:00

Met a friend this afternoon, one of the selected few who have been chosen to celebrate Christmas eve with me. He was in charge of getting glühwein, and asked me to bring a liter home with me already today. Then I realized the bottle was still warm.

Now, what are the odds the bottle will still be there tomorrow? Mmmm, cheers.

Christmas cards

2011-12-22T18:45:00.000+01:00

Continuing on the subject, Pfister (pfucks-up) sent me a Christmas card telling me "Das für den Schweizer Detailhandel schwierige Jahr neigt sich dem Ende zu". Oh really! Well I friggin contributed to their profit!

But the point was I don't get why people still send paper Christmas cards. "Everybody" has a computer these days, what's wrong with electronic cards? I cannot throw away personal cards and letters, and am already stuck with "tons" of it in boxes in the basement. Somebody is one day getting the questionable pleasure of binning it. Won't be me, but I can tell you the cost for Zürisäcke will be considerable!

But people know me, so they are never expecting cards from me. You want a Christmas wish? Read the blog :).

My Pfister pfucks up bed

2011-12-22T18:31:00.001+01:00

So after the disastrous installation when the engine was faulty, but then repaired, I woke up one night from a "boom". Turned out a steel thingie at the bottom of the bed, which was supposed to keep the mattress in place even though it moves when adjusted, fell to the floor. Scared both me and the cats!

Again I had to phone customer service, having them telling me that it wasn't supposed to be screwed on. Then why are there screw holes one might ask? Anyway, today a guy came around and agreed on the problem after seeing it himself. He moved the under-whatsit, the thing on where the mattress lays, up towards the head to generate more space by the feet, and so now it should work.

And guess what? The bill promptly arrived, without Pfister checking that the bed actually worked. Surprise! And then the invoice didn't have an amount on it. Several pages of unintelligible numbers (and I'm pretty good with finance stuff!). Had to send them a long email, explaining I didn't expect all these inconveniences when I decided not to go to Ikea (where I would've paid a third of the cost), and of course ask for a proper bill.

What I didn't write to them, but should've, is that a gift voucher of a thousand will make me forget the inconveniences. Least they can do!

Peaceful

2011-12-22T18:13:00.000+01:00

There are few things as peaceful as watching a cat sleep. It's like they totally disconnect from the world, and just enjoy their snooze. Funnily enough, it doesn't matter how deep they sleep, when the cat food drawer is opened in the kitchen, they both materialize at my feet within seconds.

How weird is that?

A comedian next-door

2011-12-22T15:43:00.000+01:00

Neighbour is a real comedian, apropos us being burgled in the house again. "Should we call it the break-in or the break-up flat?". Haha. And he's Swiss!!!

Since we had two break-ins and two break-ups in two years in that flat.

80's cucumber

2011-12-22T15:29:00.001+01:00

A simple lunch with cucumbers sliced as they were in the 80's, but the guest was happy.

Catch-up and vino

2011-12-22T15:27:00.000+01:00

Last night got a bit blurry...

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

2011-12-21T17:14:00.001+01:00

Yeah, I think 60 large meatballs will be enough for 5 people on Christmas Eve, especially considering they are all bringing food.

Safety above all

2011-12-21T15:46:00.000+01:00

The neighbours downstairs had a break-in again. The second one in as many years! This time cash, clocks, computers and something-pads were stolen.

I've seen the break-in marks, and unlike me, they have standard doors that can easily be opened with the help of a simple screwdriver.

So now I've written a fairly sharp email to the agent who handles the apartment (owners live abroad), telling him to deal with the problem. This affects me too!

White white everywhere

2011-12-20T22:24:00.000+01:00

I wish for a white Christmas. NOT! But it was funny seeing Zetti exploring that white stuff.

My house wine

2011-12-19T22:31:00.002+01:00

Tonight there was the annual general meeting for our building association, the one where I ended up having to send the comments (despite my lack of diplomacy!) to the company which manages our finances.

So had prepared with some minor apero stuff, a bottle of wine and a carafe of ice water. Guess what was not touched in the end of the evening...!

What was especially funny was the neighbour, who showed up last Monday being mistaken about the date. He is normally the one who drinks one glass of Prosecco, and that's enough. He now wanted to know what wine I served him last week, and could he please have the name. He had at least three glasses tonight!

Ha! Another convert. And I gave him a bottle, against that I can deposit my dead plants in his what's-it for green stuff.

But wasn't happy about having to share the bill for lighting in the garage. Hey, I don't have a garage, why do I have to pay for it? It's like the roof, I don't use it, why having to share the cost?

And no, won't move despite the inconveniences of having to pay a bit extra.

Red

2011-12-18T01:40:00.000+01:00

Since I have grown old and decrepit, I have taken an interest in home design and keep on looking for inspiration. I really like the way she has chosen to have an accent colour. See, I even use the lingo!

In her case it's red, not like my purple, but it's cool. A theme is what is needed. Remember where you heard it first!

One Swiss!

2011-12-18T01:23:00.000+01:00

And it was interesting to be at a party in Switzerland with about 20 people and only one "real" Swiss. It was England, Peru, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, US and several more.

And we all have our stories how we ended up in Switzerland, and all of us like it here. Despite the language and bureaucrazy.

Food food everywhere!

2011-12-18T01:11:00.000+01:00

I cannot remember when I've been to a party with so many different kinds of food. Wherever you turned, there was food, food, food. The main course of the evening was a turkey. Well, actually two of them.

Sense of direction

2011-12-18T00:50:00.000+01:00

Well, I have none. Tonight I was invited to somebody who sent directions, and they went from, "and then you walk straight, following the road around, down the ramp, not the stairs, then you see a grey house" (well, all houses look the same colour in the dark, don't they?).

So I managed to almost end up in a church. Looked nice though, being all lit up.

Brunch

2011-12-17T13:50:00.000+01:00

Four men brunching. Love to invite new people, so that they can aw and ah over my apartment.

The cutest

2011-12-17T13:41:00.000+01:00

The cat ate the food

2011-12-17T00:38:00.002+01:00

Disappointed dog.

Body failure

2011-12-16T20:20:00.000+01:00

I always thought getting older was a good thing. Wiser, been-there-done-that-seen-that and so forth. But as it turns out, it's not always fab.

Like my body. It doesn't seem to cooperate as it used to. I mean, I was fine working all the time, travelling, being busy, and with no time to be sick. Now when I have time to enjoy, I seem to be sick-ish all the time.

Life is certainly not fair.

But down-below I am fit as a fiddle, which is good to know. One might ask to what use, but whaddayaknow...

Only, gyn doc recommended me to do a colonoscopy. After finding out exactly what it is, I am soooo not keen on that.

I think the drinking I can go along with (what, it's not wine?), but the poking up my ass is not something I would much like. I'm told I'd be under anesthetics, but still.

And I feel healthy again, so leave my ass alone. Bitte.

Blutwurst season!

2011-12-16T18:45:00.000+01:00

This my friends is gold on a plate. Absolutely love it! Blutwurst. There are few things I love more when it comes to food.

24 hours and no difference

2011-12-16T18:36:00.001+01:00

Since a few weeks I use a "24 hours slow release correction cream" for my face. Not sure entirely what it's supposed to do, but I certainly haven't noticed any difference. Am I beyond repair?

Nah, just think it confirms my belief that these expensive creams are just a rip-off, riding on some peoples low self esteem, thinking an expensive cream is what they need to make their life better.

And no, I didn't buy it, it was a present for somebody who thought I needed it. Seemingly.

Pear with cinnamon

2011-12-16T18:31:00.001+01:00

Popped into my place this afternoon, which was very nice since they served a free dessert. A pear drowned in glühwein, with a cinnamon creme. Yum!

But gotta say, afternoons is for oldies (yes I know, no need to point it out...but you gotta admit, I do look good for being...70!). I guess another way of saying it it's for retired's, unemployed and other losers in general.

Nevertheless fun.

Bed!

2011-12-15T15:54:00.002+01:00

I think I'll go to bed early tonight!

Breakfast?

2011-12-14T22:20:00.000+01:00

Was out having a few drinks with a friend tonight, and we ran into this guy. He was asking whether I would cook him breakfast tomorrow. Told him I'd be spreading my legs for somebody else, and had no time.

And I am. Going to the gyn doc.

And part of me wish I had a cyst the size of a melon, considering how much weight I have gained in the last few months. That would explain it.

Bad things

2011-12-14T18:38:00.000+01:00

Was talking to a (religious) friend the other day, and asked if she never did anything bad in her life. "Oh yes", she answered, "many bad things".

When asked to give an example, she told me about the time she took a walnut when she wasn't supposed to. She was a kid at the time.

I have a feeling I play in a different league, coming home drunk at the age of 13 the week before my confirmation.

A walnut? Hahahahahahaha.

Ze Germany is calling

2011-12-13T22:55:00.000+01:00

Today I got an email that surprised me. I did indeed recognize the name, but thought at first it was a virus.

Turned out to be my former flatmate, who disappeared into nowhere some 4 years ago and was never heard of again.

He somehow had thought about me, looked up my blog and sent me an update. Nice. Especially nice to hear he had pulled himself up by the bootstraps, and got his life together.

Would be nice if he came to visit.