Tintin

I couldn't belive it. For some reason yesterday I made a reference to Tintin. A ficture figure that everybody have heard of. Except the crowd visiting me. How is that possible? Didn't all of them have a childhood? Or parents reading to them? Or have they ever read a book themselves?

A big mystery.

International womens day

Today it is international womens day. And despite it being 2015 women are still to a large extent discriminated in the world. It's a disgrace if you ask me.

In the 90's when I was in the middle of my career I employed a guy from Romania, and he told me that in Romania on this particular day every woman got half a day off from work plus they were given flowers and sweets.

Nice. So 364.5 days a year the same women got to cook, clean, wash, take care of kids and do everything else to make a home function, but this day they got a rose and some chocolate to make up for it. I tell'ya, it makes me angry.

And still today, women in certain countries get raped, and then blamed for having sex outside their (probably forced) marriage, and sometimes even executed for it.

I remember the early 90's when the top dog of the company I then worked for, a large corporation with 130.000 employees, and this particular manager was making a tour trying to mix with me and other people who made the company successful, with the message that he was like us. Except for that he was making a helluva lot more money than all of us.

 He was sitting next to me, and I asked him why there were so few women in leadership positions, and he responded like I was a kid, saying "these things take time".

Well he was right in a way, since nothing much has happened since, but it's only because we choose to. There are too many woman in rich Western countries who do not claw their way up. I'm not saying the men are not to blame, 'cause they are, but I like to see more women standing up for themselves, rather than focusing on how they look and to please everybody around them.

I know, I have chosen to quit the rat race, and may not have so much credibility anymore, but when I was still racing, I was doing it fiercely. More women should do that.

Mafia?

On Monday this week I went to the airport to see a few friends. They had a few hours transit time, and I hadn't seen them in a long time. So long, that one of them remarked "you have lost weight, you look good". Music to my ears.

Anyway, we were having a few drinks and I told them about my new potential friend, the Sicilian. I may have exaggerated a wee bit, and done it a bit loudly, since a guy at the next table remarked "not all Sicilians are mafia you know". Haha.

I didn't believe for a minute.

I'm not a racist but

You know what people say, "I'm not a racist but..." and then comes all the reasons why they really are. "They are not like us", unclear what the "us" is. They are this or that, meaning I don't understand them. And so forth.

Today I had to laugh at myself. Was meeting up with a friend, and was telling her about my struggles with ze Swiss authorities, and how my home country is too efficient in comparison. She was saying, "I know what you mean, I heard the same from my country". What? She's from Romania, and I was wondering what the empirical stats were. Two people? I mean, how many are there really wanting to be citizens of the country of Dracula?

But then I got it. Romania is nowadays a member of EU, and is therefore an entrance into a better world than where many people come from.

I guess I'm a product of my world, where I come from and how I grew up. It doesn't mean I should be ignorant. In my world as long as you are honest, decent and nice you are a good person. But I think if I'd have grown up in a world full of hate, war and dictators I would have another view. And I do believe that hunger beats morals.

I'm trying to be a better person than I was yesterday. I hope it'll be easier than losing weight!

I'm a reader

I love books. So much that I'm walking and reading. Books, not with my nose in an ipad or smartphone. Paper books. I read while having a dump on the toilet. I read when travelling whether it is on a bus, tram, train and an aeroplane. I read while waiting in a queue in a store or at an ATM. I read while sitting in a restaurant waiting for my order to be delivered (ok, only when I'm on my own, I'm not antisocial). I read in bed before going to sleep. And I can spend hours in a book shop, unlike in a clothes shop where I seem to get backpain after five minutes for some reason.

So today was a day of joy. I got sent a package from my aunt. With four books!

It took the good part of the afternoon to finish the "analphabet who could count". And I still have three to go! It's a joyous time.

Nose-touching

I watched a show on television showing Maori people from New Zealand greeting each other by touching noses twice. Like rubbing their nose to the other person. Twice. It made me think that the normal greeting here in Switzerland with the kiss-kiss-kiss on the cheeks aren't too bad.

But more and more I'm getting into the way of how the husband of a friend of mine does it. Not. He is more happy with just saying hello or stretching it to shaking hands. I like it. Or, if I haven't seen the person in a long time, I give them a hug.

This kinda fake kissing and nose-rubbing ain't for me.

Great Britain and...huh?

One of the discussions tonight was about the Great Britain, the Commonwealth and the UK, and which country belongs to which union. I found a the explanation right here. You any wiser now?

Ze German is joking

Was out tonight with a German. A German who thinks of moving back to Germany, "because it's nice when they understand my jokes". HAHAHAHAHA! A German joke?

Bomb shelter

I was watching a tv show about crimes, and the issue of bomb shelters came up. It reminded me that we actually have one in our house. A house with four apartments in Switzerland, probably one of the least war-inflicted countries on earth. If you ask me it's because all major criminals in the world have a bank account here.

Nevertheless, we have a bomb shelter in case the big enemy decides to strike an attack on Zürich. One of the tenants in the house (not me) has a basement utility room, with a door that can resist a bomb (or so I'm thinking, it's pretty thick). That basement room also has folding beds and a toilet. Mind you, it also has a window, so not sure how much the thick door will help.

So if the big war will hit, there shall be at least seven adults and two children sharing a room of 12 m2. I think if there wasn't a war before there will be one pretty quickly!

Alt for Norge

Haha, this is a funny show about Americans who are coming to Norway to find their roots. 90% of it is in English, the rest is easily understood.

First episode you'll find here, where you will learn about the strange habits of the Norwegians.

Entailed estate

Tonight I watched a program from my home country, being stunned over how old-fashioned it is. Entailed estate is like in Downton Abbey when only a son can inherit a house and a piece of land, and let the land being farmed by tenants, paying a rent to the owner.

In most countries around the world this old-fashioned law has been changed since decades, yet in my home country it still exists. Shame on them! But I guess a country who still favours a king who cannot spell, or hold a speech even after 40 years of PR training, it's of no use expecting them to be clever.

Never mind, that the tenants have done all the investments in the house, the land and have been there for generations, the politicians still vote for the "master", the owner of the land, to raise the rent with whatever he pleases. Like nearly 50%. Fat lot of good this extra money is gonna do him, being like 95.

Yet at the same time not choosing to let the farmers buy him out, but rather let houses and land fall to pieces.

Glad I left. And no, I'm not looking fw to any comments about it being the same in Switzerland!

Art

They say that the beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, which I happen to think is very true. I have seen some art in museums, and I cannot say I like "the scream" by Munch (how difficult can it be painting a face with an open mouth?), "la Guernica" by Picasso (just disturbing with nothing to rest the eyes on) or the self portrait by van Gogh (ugly guy, I'll say that). The sunflowers by the latter looks like something made by a student in 5th grade. Horrible.

Yet these paintings, if sold at all, go for millions and millions of money. It is unbelievable.

I myself prefer to have art on the wall that means something to me. Most of my paintings are either memories from where I lived or visited, or made or given to me by somebody I know.

Ok, so it would be nice to own a valuable painting but all I would do is to sell it and pocket the money.

I really don't get it. And yet still I do. It's all about the money. Again.

But really? How many people really do like these paintings? Not many is my educated guess.

Happy I was born where I was

I have now watched two documentaries about life as a woman in Iran. It is difficult to understand the totally different circumstances under which we live.

The first one was about women who "get married" to a man for a pre-set period of time, say 2-6 months. Of course with the blessing of an "Imam", a so called spiritual leader of the Islamic community. The woman in question was 17 and the man 65, and the Imam thought it was totally ok. Hello? 2013 is calling Iran. And the reason the woman agreed was that she got paid. Fortunately for her this particular woman disappeared before her time was up and took the money with her. Well done!

Unfortunately a lot of these women left with no choice turn to prostitution and drugs. No wonder!

The second documentary was about a man with four wives and a whopping twenty kids. It has a phenomenal opening scene, when you see the mother of the man, sitting on a mat, saying "my son likes pussy". "A lot". Indeed.

The husband compares wives to sheep, they may look the same but are slightly different. Or when wife number four cannot have children, "you're like a well, if no water comes, you dig a new one". Charming view!

And he hits the women and the kids, when they don't do what he wants. And not a little, he breaks fingers and bones, leaves them with a fist full of hair. When one the many kids made a slight dent on his moped he said "kids like that deserve to die". Other cultures, including mine, would call him an asshole. Actually, I'm pretty sure the Iranian women do too.

And even though the Mum of the man claims "I have five sons, and they are all stupid as sheep", it doesn't help much the women of today.

In the end the man takes a fifth wife. A virgin who believes that love will conquer all. Gosh, is she in for a rough awakening!

You know, rather than helping out here in Switzerland, with so called non-profit organizations, I would like to help them. But how?

Downton Abbey

Since I borrowed the series I've been glued to the telly. Never mind that it was nice boat weather and other things to do, I couldn't let go. Episode after episode, I was not moving from the sofa.

It shows everything we have today, but in a smaller way. It's like a society in miniature with all the different people, the classes, the intrigues, the joys and sorrows in every family. I especially like the old auntie who plays a role in every plot in the house, and yet somehow has a practical approach. And yes, I might identify.

Cannot wait for season 4!

Masterchef

I have been watching three seasons of US Masterchef, love the show, but since the fourth season isn't out yet I came across the first season of Australian Masterchef. And it struck me how different they are.

In the US every contestant says "I'm gonna win this" even though they are crap at cooking, in Australia they are more modest and more down to earth.

I think that if I had to leave Switzerland, Australia would be my next choice. I like the modesty, the less aggressive attitude to life, and in the show, more coaching than dissing approach.

I have been visiting both the US and Australia, and for living, down under would definitely be my choice. Warm welcoming people, and ok, it does help that they have a great climate and a charming accent, but still. I prefer the accepting, positive thinking to the more American fake openness.

Still, Switzerland wins so I'm staying.

Re-gifting

I am all for re-gifting, i.e. when you are given something you don't like, you give it on to somebody you think will appreciate it more.

I have been very open about my thinking of things given to me. I do not appreciate thingies, nowadays I can afford to buy what I like and enjoy. I don't want to be given dust collectors.

However, I do appreciate people giving me things, but more so consumables.

Now, on my last birthday, I was given a champange cooler. Or I guess white wine, prosecco, or whatever cooler. But the thing is, I think I used it once in one year. Getting very close to being a dust collector. Plus taking up space.

Tonight I had an idea. I have been meaning to get a big ashtray, filled with beach sand, to use for smokers. Very much included myself.

Why not turn it into a large ashtray?

Only problem now, where do I find beach sand in and around Zürich?

Tall Dutch

When I lived in Holland I felt really short. Not so strange, since the Dutch are the tallest people in the world. Made me think of why.

The only thing I can come up with is that they clean their dirty dishes with water and dishwasher liquid, but they don't rinse! They take the glasses, cutlery and plates straight out of the bubbly water and dry it!

Could it be something in dishwasher liquid that make people grow?

Graffiti

There is graffiti and there is graffiti. Noticed this art on a house in the hood the other day. Cool I think.

Easter lunch

Not all countries celebrate Easter when ze Swiss do, so today I was invited to another Easter lunch. It was really good food.

What I don't understand is when you have invested a good amount (and I mean a really good amount) of money into a fab Italian designer glass table, why cover it with a tablecloth? After all, the people who invited me were not 80 years of age.

Happy Easter