Huge bug

Very exciting afternoon today. A huge bug got into my fireplace through the chimney (no way to get out mate!), and the cats discovered it. They have now spent hours tracking it, trying to catch it, and just lying around to watch it.

Since I don't have a man in my house to be a bug-catcher, I am happy with my two girls.

Lamp closure

After some "negotiation", i.e. gentle pursuation from my part I finally got the confirmation I wanted.

"Dear Mrs,

Thank you for your feedback.

After consultation with my colleagues again, we are happy to inform you that we will reimburse the cots you had in full.

Enclosed you will find our credit note. In the next few days, we will credit the value to your´s credit card.

We apologize for any convenience you were caused by this occurrence.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us."

Think they might have meant costs. Anyway, I am so glad I didn't respond what first got in my head (imagine the language here) when I got the first response, but rather waited and finetuned my answer. I simply asked whether she herself would accept to pay in advance for a product, then have to pay extra when it didn't work. I am now being reimbursed with 185 euros, which was the extra cost I had for the faulty delivery.

A decent company, not many of those around these days!

Fresh yeast

Found it! Fresh yeast. But I still don't get the measurements, what's up with the 42 g? What's wrong with an even number like 50?

Yeast and butter

It's always strange in a new country to find out the different types of food. Not that Switzerland is new to me, but I never baked here before.

The other week when I was baking cinnamon rolls I found out that yeast only comes dry. Not fresh that I was used to. And it comes in the measure of 7 grams per bag. 3 bags in one plastic cover. 21 g all in all. Many recipes have 25 grams needed. What's up with the 7 grams? Do Swiss people bake with 7 grams of yeast only?

And I bought two different kinds, thinking one of them was fresh. Not. So for 21 grams of the one kind I paid 90 rappen, and for the other 21 grams I paid 2.30. They were both dry. How weird is that?

A bit the same with butter. Where I come from the measurements are printed on the cover. 500 grams of butter are clearly marked each 100 gram. Here not. First of all butter seldom comes in more than 200 grams per box, and after you have used some of it, you have to guess how much 50 grams is (if that's what you need for the recipe).

I am not, repeat not, buying a weight machine! But clearly ze Swiss need to be educated on this topic.

As good as it gets

Was watching this movie (again!) and am still laughing about it. One of my favs.

Made me think of the time I was travelling around Europe with two guys. One was a colleague, and one was his friend. No romantic bullshit, but three people together 24/7 was an experience. Not that we fought or anything, but sharing a car, a tent, sometimes we splashed out on a hotel room, and the whole time together for three whole weeks was interesting.

As I remember we covered 11 countries and some 3,500 kilometers in those weeks. Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Yugoslavia (when it still existed), Italy, Sweden, Luxemburg, France, Liechtenstein, Belgium and the Netherlands.

My friend drove most of the time, I drove perhaps 1,000 kilometers and the third guy only a bit, since both of us realized he was a shitty driver.

But looking back it was good fun, and I wouldn't have it undone. It was a different Europe back then, and easy to get around. Even though some of the countries on our journey were not very well developed back then.

I'll see if I can dig up some photos from the trip.

Day 7

5 days out of 7, not too bad I must say for a hmmm-hmmm-year-old.

Not losing my religion

For the afternoon concert today in my fav place, I had invited a couple that I know. It's not exactly their type of place, but they did enjoy the singing at that my party so thought, what the hell, one time they can do it.

Thing is, I've been to their church three times to make them happy, and I thought they'd enjoy my place once more. But alas no.

So next year when I once again get invited to their church, I can with a good conscience say no.

Day 5

Somehow missed day 4, but then on day 5 I met up with some friends. One is always on her phone (although not answering my messages) and the other one is a person who claims he doesn't like my place.

I am flying

When my computer died I thought of all the data I lost (yes I know, but it was a conscious choice to let it go, it's something refreshing about starting up new), and realized not everything is lost.

I have some friends who have never deleted anything in their lives, and probably have several back-ups too.

Here's some pics from a very special flying trip over the Pacific Ocean.

I met Lassie

Where I come from the expression "I met Lassie" means that you are name-dropping. You are for example telling a friend of a famous person you have seen, or spotted. It could also mean that somebody told you that they have seen somebody remotely famous. It is seen as being somewhat pathetic. Like you don't have your own life.

Which reminds me, I saw this guy this afternoon with two cats. Only the cats were not real, even though they were moving. Like Tamagotchi. How sad is it not to bring two fake cats with you to a bar? And cuddle them!

Anyway, I am sorry to say that some of my family members are "I met Lassie" people, but there you are. Cannot choose them, cannot get rid of them. And, if I think about it, they do have other qualities. Better ones.

Lassie.

Lamp update

If you followed the blog you know that I finally got my new fab lamp up, and that I'm very happy with it.

You also know that I'm not happy having to deal with the admin of it all. But I did.

So sent the lamp back in the package it came in. Then separately I sent the additional cost I had, attaching the postage bill, the electrician I had to get here, and the VAT bills I had to pay twice. It all came to almost the cost of the lamp in the first place, but I don't care. You send me a faulty product, you gonna have to pay for it.

Today they called me, telling me that they had received the lamp and the bills, except for the invoice for the electrician. Interesting, since I sent all four bills in the same envelope as a registered letter.

I still haven't revealed the name of the supplier, but believe you me, if they do not pay me back, I will not only post their name here but I will spam their website.

And yes, I have now sent a scanned copy of the bill they lost.

The battle is on.

Old?

You know it's funny, but when you get older you tend to think more about your youth. What happened then, what formed you to be the person you are today, and how you got there.

Luckily, I still haven't sank to the level where I go to a shop and buy movies like "Hair" (which btw I never seen in my life) and Grease (which I have seen, but it was many moons ago).

Or as somebody phrased it yesterday, "you may have an old body, but you have a young spirit". Hmmm.

Day 3 cont'd

So there were the two of us enjoying the music, and I said that if she (the singer) would go professional, I would administer her fanclub. No problem whatsoever.

My friend then stated that she would be the manager, and I would have to report to her. What!?! I so do think so. Me reporting to somebody? Nah, ain't gonna happen.

Mind you, perhaps we should've talked to the singer before fighting about being in the entourage.

But no way would I report to somebody! Just wanted to make that clear :).

Day 3

So since old person cannot take going out anymore (haha, you just wait!) we decided to enjoy the afternoon concert instead. And got rewarded with some good ol' rock'n'roll. Yessss!

But I had to translate for ze Swiss. Waiter: "would you like your water with gas?". She: "yes, I would like a water but without gas". Me: "he said gas, not glass".

Some shopping again

A brand new steamcleaner and an iron. Bought the iron not only 'cause it's got a fab colour, but because my current one is broken since about 6 years. It has a hole in it, since somebody who wasn't me dropped it on the floor, and it leaks water.

Steamcleaner is for the windows, and I'm told it gets a better result than just manually washing. Will let you know.

Day 2

Gosh, think I am getting a bit, how shall I put it?, a bit oooh-nooo old! Went out again tonight and even though it was fun, all I could think about was to go home, have a bite to eat and cuddle with my cats.

This is indeed so not good news.

Day 1

The Zürich painting

Finally I have gotten the gift from my birthday up on the wall, where it belongs. Fab pic of Zürich in the old days. Now I can look at it every day.

There was a discussion where other people thought it may not be displayed at the optimal place, but let's face it, how many paintings do you look at when visiting others? My thoughts were that I want it where I can see it on a daily basis.

And here it is.

Being a good hostess

Part of being a good hostess is to prepare as much as you can before the guests arrive, so that you can "entertain" by the time they are arriving.

I dunno if I'm a good hostess, but I try to be.

Today I am busy preparing pancakes, to be served with a lukewarm raspberry jam and whipped cream. A special treatment for somebody who will visit and help me put up a picture.

Electricity reduction

Am pretty proud of myself. Got the yearly reconciliation from the electricity company, and have managed to reduce my usage from 2,196 kWh to 2,026 compared to last year. That is a 7.5% reduction.

Not entirely sure how I did it, but always running washing and dishwasher machines on low tarif probably helps. However, I am using more light in the living room, even though I'm not home, to prevent evil burglars from bursting in. I should really get a reduction from the insurance company too!

Stamina needed

Next week a good friend of mine will be singing with the band all week in my fav place. So look forward. It'll be busy for me, having to go out every day.

But I will find the strengh somewhere, it'll be like the old days!

Jealousy is a sickness?

I don't get it. I know this couple, who I see on regular basis, maybe once every second month. Tonight only the man came to see me, and to pick up a few things I had that were theirs.

He stayed for a drink, maybe 45 mins or an hour, and was just wrapping up to go home when he got a phone call. It was her, demanding him to come home.

I really don't get it. Either join him, she was welcome too, or leave him to have a chat with me. What is wrong with this woman?

My eighth own home

Now we're talking. My eighth own home was in Copenhagen, in a good area. Found an old house, where the attic was being renovated housing two bachelor flats. It was really expensive, but since I knew it was gonna be 90 m2 with top quality furniture, I signed the contract.

Well, first of all I lived in a flat on the ground floor the first couple of months, since the flat was still being built. Then I moved, while it was still a building site, but since I was going to Australia for three weeks I thought it was perfect. It was gonna be done when I got back.

Ha! Was not. Landlord had chosen to renovate the other one and get some more rent in, so nothing had happened while I was away. Had to live in building dust for quite some time. Then I found out the way the Danish calculate square meters. It includes "your" part of the stairs and common areas. Living space was only 60 m2.

You live and you learn. But I liked it, even though it was 104 steps and no elevator up to my flat. Fabulous view and that's where I met a friend. She had the other attic flat. I rang her door one Friday evening after coming home from work, and we ended up going out until pretty darn late. Been friends ever since. Good memories there, M, don't you think?

My seventh own home

When my two years were up on the assignment in Utrecht, my boss called me and pleaded "please, hear me out before you say no". He knew I wasn't fond of the north.

But he managed to persuade me by promoting me, giving me my own country. Well, that's stretching it a bit, but humour me.

This was and is a very expensive country, and I was on a local contract, which meant I had to pay for accommodation myself. Ouch.

So got a second-hand apartment, albeit in a good area of Oslo, but cost at least half an arm and part of a leg, for a really shitty place. It was furnished with left-over cheapo stuff. That's when I bought one of the very comfortable armchairs I still have, so I at least could sit somewhere in the flat.

And it was one of these old places that no matter how much you cleaned, it still looked dirty. Yikes.

I sorted out their finance business, trained the assistent I inherited, so that she could take over (fab job done there E!) and I could move on. Not a day too early if you ask me.

Too cold, too boring, too friggin expensive. Saying me, who ended up in Zürich which lately was chosen the most expensive city in the world.

Life works in mysterious ways.

The sweetest

Figured you wanna see the new background pic on my computer.

Shopping spree

Bought a new frying pan today. Couldn't find a purple one, so had to settle for a blue Jamie Oliver pan. The old ones only lasted like 9 years, so this better be a quality one.

Happened to pass the towel rack, and of course couldn't resist. It's for the boat. Season coming up soon!

My sixth own home

Well, I guess my sixth own home wasn't really my own. About five years earlier I had decided that I wanted to move abroad. I felt there was more to see in the world, than the little country I happened to be born in.

And people from my home country are very, how can I put it politely?, diplomatic. Another word is scared to stand out, to do anything that other people don't do, and to think it's important how you look to others. That doesn't suit me, so I wanted to move.

I was lucky. Well, let's say I pushed luck a little by being very annoying to my bosses and more or less forcing them to give me an assignment in another country. They caved in, and sent me for a 2-week project in the Netherlands.

I loved it! Cannot say I played a major role in getting the deal we finally signed (500 people from the IT company owned by the Dutch railways), but I was there. And I got invited to the celebration party, which really pissed off my current manager back home big time. He made me fly back at 7 in the morning, and even though I had people from the Dutch project, much higher in hierarchy than my manager, asking me to stay, I did fly back. Went straight from the party to sleeping half an hour on the plastic chairs at Schiphol before boarding the plane.

Anyway, after a few months I was asked to move to Utrecht and be part of the finance team for a couple of years. I took me less than a second to decide.

Ended up living in a house that the company rented for an American, who had gone home earlier than planned. Three floors, three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and two bathrooms. Paid by the company. At the same time I was renting out my flat back home. To the same company.

Never say I'm not business-minded.

Irish coffee

Saw a show on telly the other day, talking about all the glasses that people have hidden in drawers and never use. Made me realize I am one of those.

So when friend visited the other day I made Irish coffee! In glasses made therefore, and with a long spoon doubling as a straw. Never mind it was in the middle of the day.

And made a cheese cake, which to be honest needs some...well, something more. Wasn't perfect. But at least I tried.

And the coffee was delish!

Excitement

Zina and Zetti are also very excited about all the new things in the flat.

My new fab lamp

If you think I put it up myself, you were wrong.

Very happy with the outcome...even though I am still dealing with the admin.

Lusol

Not entirely sure, but think Lusol is a Swiss brand. Nevertheless, it's great to finally have a decent set of cutlery.

Pyjama pants

I am actually considering buying new pyjama pants. Am pretty disappointed, think I only had those for about 10 years.

Turning into a house wife

I did it! I baked for the first time in eons. Apart from the fact that I couldn't find any baking forms and only dried yeast in the shop, I have to say, they are delicious. Now I only have to work on the presentation (and find the forms).

But I learned what yeast is in German (Hefe) and what I call pearl sugar (not sure about the English word) is in German called "Hagelzucker" meaning hail sugar. Very fitting.

Yum!

New computer!

Blogging from my new computer! Spent the afternoon downloading stuff I need and configuring the pc. One thing that struck me is that the cables are always too short, so you need a connecting cable, which means there are snakes everywhere.

Same with my ironer. Unless you stand exactly next to the outlet where you plug it in, an extra cable is needed. I really don't get it.

But computer is ok, screen is smaller than before which is a minus, so is the colour, stripy purple, but it's silent and quick.

Got a real scare when unpacking the pc, brown-black cover!!!, but turned out it was interchangeable. Phew!

Kitchen clean-up

Some people might find it a bit sad to stay in on a Saturday evening to clean a kitchen cupboard, but in fact, I used to always stay home on Saturdays back when I was busier than now. Ok back then I was also out most other evenings.

Nevertheless, feel good about myself. Yesterday I cleaned the cutlery drawer, which btw wasn't very dirty, to make place for my fab new set. All handwashed before (I AM really getting old!).

Today I cleaned out the cupboard where I keep dry food. That one hasn't been organized since I moved in. Now all small stuff is collected on a plate, and messy stuff like flour and sugar neatly placed in a plastic box on a towel. Much easier to take out and clean instead of spreading powder all over the place.

Next thing you know I'll be making cinnamon rolls like a real housewife!

No Swiss

Today I went to the Kreisburo to enquire about getting a Swiss passport. In August I have been here for 10 years. Turns out it's the wrong place to go to, but they did provide me with an informational broschure.

Turns out you have to be here for 12 years, not 10, before you can apply.

But this is Switzerland, and everything is up for negotiation. Like my friend, who had a question on her taxes and so called her local authorities for advice. They told her, since she was one of the high-paying tax people in the village, to interprete the rules in her favour. You gotta love a country when even taxes are up for discussion.

So maybe, if I dress up nicely, go there, hat in hand, they will look favourably on a too early application? Worth trying.

Bargain

Normally I do not read any advertising sent to me. I bin it. But I guess having a bit of time on my hands, made me glance at some offers.

So today I bought a 70-piece cutlery set, and I am very happy. Have actually been thinking a long time about getting a decent set, so that I can get rid of all the different cheapo Ikea cutlery I have used most of my life.

And what made me most happy was the price, it was set down from a whopping 399 francs to 149! Which maybe in itself is not fantastically cheap, but for the quality and the number of pieces, yes. Feel very happy with myself right now.

UPS sucks (or possibly Dell)

I am so irritated with Dell. I received two emails, one saying delivery date was the 6th of March, the next one saying 5th of March. Fine.

Just got home and found a note in my letterbox, saying UPS was here and I was not.

What!?! Means I could've had my new computer, and spent the weekend configuring it. IF THEY WOULD HAVE FRIGGIN TOLD ME!

29th of Feb

A friend of mine had a baby yesterday, how cool is that to have birthday only every fourth year!

Ok, so for a kid maybe not, lack of presents and what-have-you, even though I'm pretty certain the parents will see to it anyway, but when he's older, not having to experience the every year aging (I know, the logic is a bit iffy but still) is great.

Anyway, congrats! And thanks for being on another continent (no baby-sitting required) ;).

On a first name basis!

There is this woman I met about 5 years ago, she handles some stuff for me and I pay her for the services.

She is Swiss, and therefore very formal, but after all these years I think I have finally charmed her. Sent her an email, saying please call me Annika, and today when visiting me, she finally did. For nationalities that don't understand, this is a big step for ze Swiss, who like to call people by their last name even though they have known each other for a long time.

Anyway, she had told her partner about it, and he had laughed heartily, so at the spur of the moment I decided to include them in my circle of friends and invited them for dinner.

Not the first time I work hard to get to know ze Swiss, but so worth it! Once you're in, you're in for life. And my life is here.

Spring!

On my balcony 20 degrees and sunshine, me in shorts and a top, ciggies and a glass of white on the table, feet up and a book in my hand.

Life is goooood!

A nice day

A friend of mine was visiting today, and I find it quite amazing that whenever we meet we have long conversations that are interesting. There is never a shortage of topics.

And today she brought a steam-cleaner (I just have to get one myself!), so now the balcony floor is immaculate. One can almost eat directly off it.

I was told it can also be used for window-cleaning, which I'm sure my cleaning lady will appreciate.

Going shopping for one soon.

But then my balcony door wouldn't close properly, so went to fetch my neighbour. And sure enough, he fixed it in no time. And over a glass of wine we talked about raising children. A topic both of us are experts in, him with his 4 kids and I who remember what it was like being one.

We both agreed that children need borders and rules, and to learn what is right and wrong. Pretty common sense if you ask me, but both of us have seen the opposite. No wonder so many young ones grow up to become criminals these days, if they have been taught that everything is allowed!

Tzatziki

Went to dinner tonight at the restaurant where the Greek chef now resides. It was a surprise.

So after the starter was served, I asked to see the chef. There was a lot of confusion among the staff, and my date felt sorry for them (wimp!) and said, "just say Annika is here". Fortunately they didn't hear him.

After reminding them that I wanted to see the chef immediately, he came around the corner. Imagine the relief of the staff when they saw us hugging.

The tzatziki was so good I ordered a portion to go. Just too bad oil spilled out of the package on my fab winter jacket. But I bet nobody will notice, and that it's good for another 8 years at least.

Leap day

I have a friend who is really oldfashioned. Apparently on the 29th of February, which only happens every 4th year, a woman can propose to a man, and he asked me if I planned to.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

First of all, I don't see the point of marrying at all. For me who is not religious, I don't understand the concept. To have a piece of paper to show others that you belong with somebody? I think it's really weak if you are not strong enough to stand up for yourself, and care what others think.

Second, most western countries have laws that give children the same rights as when you're not married. Ok, having children is another issue and not one that interests me anyway.

Third, if you want to be part of a relationship it's a good thing. Just as it is if you do not.

And to say that women can only propose if it's leap day, well, that's just oldfashioned and plainly stupid! I wonder if friend would prefer to see me in a burka?

My fifth own home

My fifth own home was really my own. I bought it. At the time I had little savings, but a great career in front of me and a good relationship with the bank. In my job I was responsible for the bank contacts.

So I called my Mum to ask if my parents could help. My Mum was a wise woman, but the breadwinner in the family was my Dad. At this point in time I had quite an infected relationship with him. However, my Mum told me that if I wanted help, I had to talk to my Dad. Ouch.

But I swallowed my pride and called him, and presented him with this opportunity of investing in an apartment, and that I would pay him back with interest. I got the money, which was about 25% of the price. The rest the bank generously provided. Well, generously and generously, on part of the loan I had to pay an interest rate of a whopping 16%. Thanks R for the advice, I have never forgotten!

The apartment was great though. Small with just a tiny hall, a bathroom you had to back into and walk out from, a long but narrow kitchen and a living room where I slept. I did however have a walk-in-closet!

I was on the top floor of a 5 floor building. No lift, no balcony, but a garden I shared with 25 neighbours, and with a washing room in the cellar.

It was a lot of fun in that building, and loadsa parties in the garden in the summer. I ended up being a member of the board, and we renovated all the pipes in the building. Because we did, people didn't have access to showers and toilets for weeks, so we invested in a sauna, two showers and two toilets in the basement, which I think to the day they still appreciate.

I wonder who lives there today, and if they still have the cupboard fronts I had painted into a light purple(!), the floor in the kitchen and how I designed the tiny bathroom at the pipe change.

My fourth own home

After about 5 years it was time to move on. I had a brand new education, and not only did I graduate top of my class, I was also the first one to land a job. I was goal-oriented and had chosen two fields that seemed interesting to me. Or at least the best paid (at this point in my life I was tired of being poor). Those were the medical industry and the quite new IT industry.

So the moving truck went up north to the capital. My boyfriend at the time lived in suburbia, but had an assignment in Melbourne so his flat was empty. There I stayed for a couple of months, until he came back and because I'm the typical "can manage on my own"-person, I had seen to that I had found a flat of my own by then.

Another suburb, horrible now when I think back. One of these places it took half an hour with the train from the city to get back to.

It was reasonably big with 2 bedrooms, but grey, plastic and really boring. It was a place where the police came to regularly to pick up the drunk guy next door. I lived on the 5th floor, in a 7 floor building.

Just now thinking back, probably the most horrible place I ever lived in. But hey, I survived, and after 3 years I moved on.

Lamp update

So today I went to the post office to send the defect lamp back to Germany, and even though I chose to send the package "economy" it still cost 45 francs. The electrician cost 161 francs plus that I paid Swiss VAT twice, which was about 20 francs each time.

I will expect reimbursement of these costs, I don't care that they will lose money. They took my order and sent me a bad product. Now I just wonder how long this will take...

Horror experience

Am very happy about having borrowed a computer from neighbour, but every time I start it up it shows a gigantic pic of a baby on the screen!

The screen is much bigger than I'm used to, and it's scary with this image of a baby in mega-format. But I don't wanna disrupt or add to his files too much, so won't download a cutie pic of my own little furry ones. Too bad, would be a much nicer experience.

Energy vs inner peace

I have a friend who is full of energy, and needs a channel. On the other hand, she feels she lacks inner peace.

I wish we could swap some of that. I have inner peace, but not a lot of energy.

Sometimes I wish I had a project again, like when I bought my apartment. It took a lot of energy and time, but in a positive way. So even though I'm dreadfully happy (strange expression!) in my place, a part of me wish it was still underway. Weird, ain't it?

Back online!

What a terrible trauma I had the last few days! My computer just died from one second to the other.

I have no idea what is going on in the world anymore, and I missed all my shows on internet tv.

Good thing I remembered that neighbour works for HP, and might have a spare computer at home! So now I'm on an HP with a huge screen, but with none of my settings, a new keyboard where y and z have changed places and no favorite links. But at least I'm online! Even though the pc sounds like a tractor on diesel.

New computer is ordered (purple Dell of course), and it'll take two weeks to deliver. I really don't understand why it has to take forever, but eventually I will have my purple computer. Can't wait!

Yes, partytime!

But hey, some of us were in the mood to party, even though the "belly" was drinking water. Only, I wasn't pleased when one of my cats (scaredy-cats as they are) was showing her whiskers around the corner and pregnant woman went "I cannot be around cats! They have diseases!". Excuse me! My cats hardly go on the balcony, and they are cleaner than I am!

Hmm. Think I'll invite belly back when kid is 14.

Nice manners

What can I say? Not all parties I arrange are appreciated.

Monday looking up

Things are looking up. Not bad for a Monday I'll say!

Monday blues

It's a boring Monday, so I thought I'll just throw a little party. Now busy preparing, will look a whole lot better once food and drinks are in place.

Pancakes

Sometimes I just get a craving for pancakes, and luckily I have a pan that makes them all equal size. Looks quite professional actually.

Thick skin

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?

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

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

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

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

My second own home

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

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

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

Nice dinner yesterday. Not often you get homemade sushi.

My first home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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!!!

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

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!