Everything is better with alcohol

Yesterday my neighbours went on holiday, and as always I have their key during their absence 'cause I look after their apartment. Just before they left they checked the mailbox and it couldn't be opened, so they called me to say that they called the police and would I be available to assist.

I wasn't yesterday, but said I would be today. Unfortunately I got only a few minutes warning before they came, so I hadn't done myself up very nicely, and isn't it typical? Two very handsome, prime examples of men in uniform showed up, and I started to sweat profusely. Sexy, huh?

They fiddled around with the key for a few minutes, sprayed the keyhole with alcohol and now the key works better than before, it was always a bit tricky with their mailbox.

So you see, alcohol makes everything better!

And a reflection, if the same thing happened to me I wouldn't immediately think of a conspiracy theory and call the police, I would've called a friend with tools. And another reflection, I feel lucky to live in a country where the police can spend time on such minor issues. Makes me feel safe.

Different kinds of intelligence

It's not like I take pleasure in watching people fail, but yesterday I had to laugh. Flatmate may be superintelligent and working with things I understand nothing of, but he's certainly not that skilled in practical matters. Such as cleaning, cooking and seeing what needs to be done.

Yesterday he came home, having done groceryshopping, and was looking up a recipe on the net. Thing was, he got most of the ingredients wrong. But seriously, I dunno how anybody can mistake iceberg salad for cabbage :).

So tonight, to be on the safe side, I am cooking.

Me a mosquito?

Ok, so now I know why all Japanese people are so skinny. They eat with chopsticks! I used mine today, and with the meat and veggies it was ok, but the sauce with rice was a bit more tricky. First of all it takes a long time to eat and second, the sauce is very difficult to scoop up. A great diet coming to think of it.

Then I learned what my name means in Japanese. Well sorta. Turns out that European names are difficult to direct translate, so they take syllables and translate them one by one.

My name means "safety" "two" and either "fruit" (gosh, I hope not durian) or "mosquito". Hmmm.

Dark matters

Gosh, I really don't know where the time goes. It flies apparently, and the blog has been sorely neglected the last few weeks.

I have worked with the oldies, I have taken up sports again after the winter where I was slightly lazy (and gained 2 kg's!), I have had dinner parties and been hanging with friends.

And yesterday I got a new flatmate, after the other one moved out last week. The new one seems very friendly and easygoing, and I hope we can develop a nice relationship.

Yesterday evening we talked and got to know each other a little. Turns out that our respective careers are extremely different, I hardly understood anything he was telling me, but it was something about finding dark matter (CERN-like) in the universe. Personally I enjoy sunshine more ;).

He brought me a very nice gift, guess where he comes from?

Respect in da house

Today I had the pleasure of scaring the shit outta my flatmate.

I have a painting since many years with a frame that I never liked, and today was the day I was gonna change that. So flatmate and I dissembled the painting, separating it from the frame. And the glass broke. A little piece in one corner broke off, but no point in saving it so I brought a plastic bag to put the remains in.

Only it wouldn't fit, one piece of glass was too big, and he was too scared to break it in smaller pieces. He looked at me, helplessly, and I decided it was time for action. So I took my flip-flop-clad foot, put it down the plastic bag and crushed it! You should've seen his face, haha.

I am pretty sure he has a newfound respect for me.

Pipe-rinsing

Since a couple of weeks the water in the kitchen hasn't drained properly, and every time the dishwasher was running it collected dirty water in the sink. Yikes.

We've tried everything from cleaning the bit you can reach, pumping to various kinds of cleaning products (avoid, avoid, no good for environment, but when desperate...). Anyway, I had to give in and call a professional.

And professional he was, bringing the heavy artillery with hoses, pump and all sorts of gadgets. Loud they were too, but after an hour or so my pipes were as good as new. Apparently you're supposed to do this every 4-5 years and I've been living here 6.5.

But he gave me a good tip. Instead of trying the useless products on the market, boil several liters of water and splash it down the sink, all in one go. That will clean out fat and things stuck. I shall do this now and then.

But for now, I have a pristine sink with pipes as clean as a whistle.

Domestic elegance

I'm very pleased with my new curtains. Out with the old and dirty, and in with fresh and modern.

Curtains

Some 4-5 years ago I spent three hours together with a nice neighbour, putting together cheapo paper-like curtains from Ikea for one of my windows in the living room. They are now done. Dirty and not very practical, since they cannot be folded and put out of the way when cleaning windows.

So today I ordered new ones. I love the fabric, and think it's gonna look gorgeous and elegant. At least I hope so.

IFO

It's not very often I have a sofa swinging by my window. Just saying.

The 70's are back

Last time in Ikea I saw a lamp that appealed to me, and so today I went there again in order to purchase. I wanna move the current lamp from the living room to the guest room, which doesn't have a ceiling lamp, and have a new one in the area where I spend most of my time.

I had read up on the website but seemingly not enough. I read that the LED to be connected to the lamp had to be bought separately, so I thought great, I can choose. Not.

I cannot believe the LED to be incorporated in the lamp only came in orange and green. What was Ikea thinking!

So we went through the whole warehouse passing the cash counter without a single item. Not often that happens I'm sure. But not to worry Ikea, I spent a minor fortune in your food shop, and now that I'm thinking about it, didn't show my family card. Somebody should teach the shop assistants to ask for it.

Think before do

Sometimes I could slap myself for being stupid. Today in the nice afternoon sun I was cleaning my balcony. Took out all the stuff from the "wintergarden", which is the corridor part of the balcony under a roof, hoovered and showered everything with my hose connected from the bathroom. Which btw works excellent.

Then I noticed that there were yellow spots in the white roof. I have no idea where they came from, pollen? And why in spots? So I started to hose them down too. But I didn't do it from the outside moving myself towards the balcony door while doing it, so I ended up having a shower myself. Including yellow drips. Yikes!

Paint in a corner

It's amazing what difference one liter of paint can make. Until now they two catshelves have been painted in this silver grey, as well as my own ladder and the cats ladder, and now also a bit of a wall. And I'm not done. I did the mistake of not taping the walls, using only a sheet of paper as protection, and some of the colour "travelled" to the sides. But that will be fixed by painting the sides as well, using tape.

The reason I didn't use tape was that the white paint very easily comes off with the tape (experience from when I painted the bedroom wall).

Anyway, I think it does make a difference, gives a bit of depth to that corner. And the only reason I decided to paint it, is that the balcony door is almost always open and makes that bit of wall quite dirty with the stuff coming in from outside. Only, that depth reason sounds nicer :).

Ladder

A productive day. Amongst other things I had an idea when I was looking through the Ikea catalogue, and so decided to paint my ladder. The ladder was made by a company, that employs people who otherwise have difficulties getting a job. About ten years ago I saw a picture of a ladder, went to this company and asked them if they could make one for me. We had a lengthy discussion about the design (I remember even being asked if I wanted a drinkholder attached to it!), and then they went to work.

It took almost two months for them, but in the end they delivered a very sturdy ladder, that I have used a lot. And yes, I paid more than I would've in Ikea, but I got my own design, and I believe, better quality.

But it's always bothered me a bit that it was wood-coloured. I'm not big on wood. I like steel, shiny things and of course purple. However, I have enough purple in my home so when I realized there was paint left from the cat-shelves I decided to match the ladder.

I think it looks great, now on the balcony to dry with the door closed, so no nosy little furry ones can check it out. And I'm very pleased with the metal untouched by paint whatshammacallit thingies on the side, that took almost as long to cover as to paint the whole ladder.

Lamp

I was in Ikea today, and I'm thinking of replacing my lamp in the living room with something new and bigger. Moving the old one into the guest room, and get a new lift to my "library". I say "library" 'cause that's what it was called on the original plan to the flat. However, now it's used for tv watching, or at least meant to be, only I don't. Never mind, a new lamp would bring new aura to the room I think. Thoughts?

It was only water

To live in a house with only four apartments is sometimes a bit of a balancing act. On one hand, you want to be helpful and have a good relationship, on the other hand, you don't wanna intrude and make them feel like you keep watch on them.

On my balcony I have a pipe. It comes from above and goes down below, and through that runs water. It has never bothered me, until today.

Because it's so hot, even though we were down to 35°C today, I most of the time keep the balcony door closed. The cats don't wanna go out anyway in this heat. But today it was open, and I noticed this sound. The water was running heavily through that pipe. So I figured somebody upstairs was home and was having a bath, or watering plants on the terrace.

But like after an hour I realized something was wrong. Nobody takes that long a shower, or water the plants for that amount of time. So I went upstairs ringing the door. Nobody home.

Here I panicked a bit, thinking omg they left a tap on and now we're gonna have a flood in the whole house. Left a message with the tenant.

Fortunately he called back quickly, explaining that they'd had a problem with the hose connecting to the tap on the terrace, and that it had been "fixed". Seemingly not. But he took care of it and was very thankful that I'd contacted him.

Guess I managed the balance right this time.

A free salad

Was visiting the neighbours this evening in order to make sure I knew about what is to be watered and cared about when they are away. They have planted quite a lot of veggies, which is great.

I also took the opportunity to ask (ok not seriously) about what crime I can commit in order to get a punishment of having a footcuff and forced to be at home at all times. Only because neighbour is a judge. And I should've known, she being Swiss and all. She took my question seriously and I was informed that in Switzerland, for example, if you have committed a murder and been in jail for like 15 years, you can get one of those.

Ok, so I guess I have to put that idea on the shelf. But at least I got a free salad ;) !

Me gardening?

Today a neighbour rang my door with a sheepish look, and I knew exactly what she was gonna say. The fact that she was also holding her key, was a big tip-off.

But I don't mind looking after their flat for a couple of weeks. After all, I have a vested interest that "my" house is being kept safe.

Nobody of us here would be happy to see an overflowing mailbox or a flat where no lights come on for weeks (timers people is the shit!).

But then she asked "would you mind looking after the garden as well?" And my mind was raising, she cannot possibly mean that she expect me to tend to the garden which would take weeks to do! Luckily she didn't. Phewww!

No, she meant that could I please water the plants, vegetables and flowers once in a while when needed. No problem. Especially since they have salad, which I am welcome to help myself to. Excellent! There are few things I like better than free food.

Better late than never

There are a couple of things I tend to push forward, I know they've gotta be done but I seem to always find an excuse. But today I did them both, and feel really good about myself.

The first one is to scrub the toilet and the sink, and I don't mean just pouring liquid down the bowl and do a quick to-and-fro with the brush, but really scrubbing the whole thing.

The second one is to do admin stuff. I used to excel in it, and I still do, but I don't like it much anymore. There were papers all over the place, invitations (cancer fund and old peoples home), this pension stuff I've been collecting for ze Swiss citizenship thingie including some extremely boring broschures which I tried to read but gave up on, something about my telly not working anymore unless I do whatsit (still there 'cause I never watch telly and couldn't be arsed to read it), an offer to buy solar cells to I guess get cheaper electricity in the future (saved it to be discussed at the next GV), an expired "free candles" voucher, copies to be sent to my insurance company due to my poor health lately, and I dunno what. And this was only the last maybe three weeks.

What wasn't there were bills. They I always take care of immediately, or at least within the next few days. Unfortunately not all are electronic yet, but I don't like being in debt, so that's a priority with me.

And tomorrow is a busy day. Lots to do. And among other things I will do something I never thought I would. If it goes through I'll let you know. Maybe ;).

Bagless rocks

Today I was gonna hoover, with two furry monsters it's needed at least once a week. Hoovering is not as satisfying as mopping the floor, but nevertheless I do it.

And I gotta say, the bagless I got some years ago is probably the best investment since my flat. I would've been ruined from buying bags, both from me losing hair but more so the kitties.

Last time I hoovered the machine stopped, and I realized it was full and emptied it. Today it stopped for no reason, and I took both filters out and cleaned them (from about half a kg of cathair!) and was ready to go again. No go. Dead as the Norwegian blue parrot. As in no longer with us. Like gone to the pastures. Deceased. Gone to see its maker. It's ceased to be, it's a goner.

So I took comfort in that a friend was visiting this evening, it's his job to repair things in my home, but whaddayaknow, all of a sudden the hoover was humming again like a bird. Guess it was just resting.

Treat

The last week I've been looking after the neighbours flat, picking up the mail and making sure everything was all right. For me it's not a chore, it's something I like to do for several reasons. First, it's nice to live in a house with so few people that you know all of them, and second, I like to keep it secure here where I live. Making sure the mailbox is emptied on a regular basis is one of the things, and also having lights go on with the help of timers is another. Plus the fact that knowing that somebody is there if something bad would happen.

As a thank you when they came back today they brought me chocolate, a kinda chocolate I remember from my childhood. My grandfather used to hide a chocolate bar in the kitchen drawer, and when we arrived I used to open the drawer to check it was there. But in those days kids (even including me) were well brought up, so I didn't say anything. Probably the grown-ups knew, but didn't tell.

It was only after a while my grandpa said to me "Annika, I bought something for you, it's in the kitchen drawer", and I ran there and got the treat.

Funny that, how a small token can bring you back x years in time and make you feel like a child again.