Shopping

Not often I put shopping as the title, but today I did. At least a little. Shopping I mean.

But first I went to the bank. Am planning a little sorta practical joke (will tell you later in the odd case the person affected will read this), with the intention of exchanging two used 20-franc bills to new ones. Turns out the bank doesn't have new bills! Interesting, had to ask whether it actually was a bank. And yes, still is. Only at Christmas they get new bills. They suggested the National bank, but since I thought it was overdoing it for a measly 40 francs, I asked her to find the best bills she could. And she did. So now I have two almost unused 20-franc bills. Good so.

Happened to pass H&M, and since I hold a few shares there, thought I pop in. Two colourful tops and a more conservative sweater.

Then I went to the Zürich tourist office, located at the main train station. Funny, having been here almost 10 years I never set foot in the tourist office. Very friendly, very helpful. And fluent in English. I really don't know why I speak English still as a first choice, but I do. Even though I can very well get along in German. Can't teach old dogs new tricks I suppose.

Stopped by the pharmacy to look for an epicondylitis bandage. 58 francs. Decided to think about it. Besides, don't want a skin coloured one. Do they come in purple?

Wednesday, so it was market day in the main station. Passed by my fav cheese stand (with the goodlooking guy) and bought both Alpkäse and a soft brie-type cheese. Yum.

Then on to Jumbo to look for geraniums. Not yet available, only some early sad-looking flowers. But bought a flower pot (guess the colour) and a dust thingie. My cleaning lady has been asking for it for some time now. Too bad she has resigned. Not 'cause of me mind you, but health reasons. Too bad, I like her a lot. Anyway, these last few times here she'll have a brand new dust thingie.

Lastly, I stopped to buy something for the little ones, but couldn't find what I wanted so ended up with only fresh cat grass.

PS. Hurray, had to change the setting, so now I can type new paragraph by using enter again (why the setting changed in the first place? No idea.).

Laughing matter

Today on the tram there was a group of people in the back, laughing very heartily and very loud. At first everybody around them started to smile, 'cause it's kinda contagious. But when they kept on laughing on and on, it started to irritate me a bit. It was really quite loud. When I was exiting I was given a card about winning a holiday in Fribourg. Apparently it's a laugh to go there. Hmmm.

Translate

Google blogspot has a new gadget, so should you for any reason prefer to read the blog in another than the English language, there is a dropdown box at the bottom of the page, where you can choose any of some 50 languages. Just thought I'd let you know.

A Quest in Zürich

I was told from a semi-trustworthy source that Richard Quest was walking around in Niederdorf, Zürich, today! If this is true I wish I had known. This is an English journalist working for CNN who is as sharp as the sharpest knife in your drawer. I used to follow his blog, before he took to drugs. Assume he has dried out by now, and am eager to read about what he was doing in Zürich.

Self diagnosis

I have epicondylitis. This without having played tennis since I was, well very very young. First I thought it was my shoulder problem coming back, but after googling I realized it's epicondylitis. It's irritating and hurts, but since google said there is no cure, it's no point in going to the doctor. Since I don't wanna pop pills all the time, I'm thinking of getting an epicondylitis bandage. Will look funny and generate questions, but probably better than having pain just lifting a glass (insert joke here).

Antsy

Yesterday I was showering a plant, and to my utter disgust found an ants nest in the bottom of the pot. Tiny little ants (which I had seen creeping about the table filled with plants, without understanding where they came from), and even more yikey, ants eggs. Little yellow thingies, crawling around in the pot. I flushed them all about, showered the pot, and hopefully there shall be no story to be continued. Mind you, I flushed a long time, having the flash of big creepy-crawly ants coming out at night to haunt me.

My bucket list

Official inauguration of the summer

Zigarettenblümchen/Cuphea

I was googling for flowers, since the weather is now picking up and it's time to plant flowers on the balcony. Imagine my delight when I found this plant on Coop. On sale! A cigarette plant! Mind you, I have a feeling it might not generate ciggies, but still. The colour fits, and the name certainly does.

Everything is relative

The more observant reader of the blog (haha, doubt there is anybody who has read everything I wrote since I started November 2005), has noticed that I do not have a label called "family". There is a reason for it. The reason is that my immediate family is very small. In fact, only one person in addition to myself. To the day 9 years ago my Mum passed away. And I don't think I exaggerate when I say part of me died with her. This is good and bad. No doubt, the bad things I don't even have to go into, one day you'll be there yourself, but the good thing is that you realize that not every little setback or negative thing in life is all that. If for example somebody tells you that they don't really like you, like the other day, it's ok. I can deal with that, especially since it is somebody I don't care about that much. It would be much more troublesome if it was a person really close to me. It is also helpful when it comes to little problems. Ok, so I sometimes get really upset momentarily if I don't feel I get treated correctly, but now I can put it into perspective, which wasn't always the case before. An example: I get a bank statement, saying they have deducted the equivalent of about 45 francs from my account for delivery services. Now, I got my credit card sent to me last year, thus no need for a delivery charge. I wrote a very nice message back, and the reply was that they made a mistake and would pay me back within 2-3 days. That was about 18 days ago. But see, I don't get upset about these little things, I write a nice message (ok, somewhat ironic/sarcastic) back stating the fact that I am still waiting for the reimbursement. I know, you cannot really compare death to bank statements, but it's how you react to various things in life. Some things are important, some are less so.

Shame cushion

Introducing a new word, well two if you are picky, but it basically means when you're sitting on the couch, watching a tv show that makes you squirm and be embarrassed on the peoples behalf, so much that you wanna hide your face behind a cushion. I find that I feel this more and more with the shows nowadays. Good thing I have many cushions!

I am a hate object

As I can remember it happened twice in my earlier life that I was told I wasn't liked. Once was back in my early career, when the girls in the office took a dislike to me, since I thought it was more important to answer the phone in the reception during lunchtime, rather than talking about baking and knitting. Stupid me thought it could be a customer. Second time was later in my career when my boss told me everybody hated me. I think it might have had something to do with me going to his boss, asking for more challenges and given an opportunity to work abroad. Outside the reach of the jealous manager. Third time was yesterday. I was told I put people down, and that I am an unhappy person. I was also informed that my blog is negative about others, and all about people who did me wrong. I went back to read some of the items I wrote (which I very rarely do, since once I've written about it, it's out of my mind), and have to say I don't agree. First of all, it would be very boring to only write about everything that is good and happy, second of all, no life is all fantastic. There are always things to dislike and that upsets you. And why wouldn't I write about it? It's my blog and your prerogative to read it. It made me think of the old days, when people used to live closer together and in crowds. Back then you knew everything about everybody else, their weaknesses and strengths, their most private habits and still, nobody said anything. People were respected for who they were, and forgiven for what they weren't. Nobody losing face, and a life in harmony. That was of course before all the self-help books and therapists... PS. Sorry for the lack of paragraphs, blogspot has updated to a "better" version.

Clean windows

Twice a year I have the windows done, and thanks to the new steam-cleaner they are now spotless. Really good investment. Now I'm just waiting for a tall person to visit, so that I can get help to clean the two windows that do not open from the outside, withing risking falling out.

Hello Grandma

I may make a bit of fun with ze Swiss once in a while, but I do like the oldfashioned way about them. They haven't joined the 21th century, they like to keep on doing things like it was done before I and even you were born. I appreciate that really. Yesterday I got a gift, homemade strawberry jam, presented like Grandma used to do, and today I got a bottle of homemade schnapps, where the bottle used to hold something else I'm sure.

May ze Swiss always stay like they are. I wouldn't want them any other way.

Drinks drinks drinks

I dunno know. People say I drink a lot, and that might be true, but what is a resilient person like myself to do when a table like this is presented?,

As I am brought up to be polite, I do what is expected. I drink. And eat! It was a delish dinner served with my faves, so wasn't exactly a chore. A Saturday evening, just like I like it.

Losing my image

Had a lovely couple over for dinner tonight, but I'm afraid I'm losing my reputation. All night we agreed on everything, being equally indignant over things that aren't right, over youngsters who do not know how to behave, and how some people are just plain stupid. In the end I tried to bring up religion and politics, which are two topics that for sure get people going. Usually. This time it turned out that both of them were atheists like myself, and none of them took the bait on politics. Actually, I think if I would have pushed it, it would've turned out that we share the same beliefs there too. This is a couple who have been together for 35 years and according to them never fought. Not sure I believe that, but after tonight maybe I am. Now I gotta come up with a topic for the next encounter that will get them going. Ideas anyone?

Handcuffs

Since I moved into my new place, I have become a real home lover. I much rather have people over than go out to see them in the city. If I didn't have to go food shopping once in a while, I probably wouldn't go out at all. I know, there is internetshopping, but let's not go there.

I was thinking about punishment in this context. There are certain crimes where you instead of going to prison get like an electronic handcuff, but on the foot (footcuff?) and you are supposed never to leave your home. They keep track of you.

Now I just have to think about an appropriate crime to commit, 'cause to me it wouldn't be a punishment to stay in all the time. It would be a pleasure!

Language combo

It is said that there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers, but I felt a bit ignorant today when I asked a friend about languages. Friend comes from Taiwan, and I realized I don't know if they speak English there.

Not that she doesn't, but her father is visiting, and we will meet while he's here so had to ask. Turns out not only does he speak both English and Chinese, but also Spanish? I got so startled, I forgot to ask why.

Has Taiwan once been a colony to Spain, a class that I missed in school? Nah, don't think so.

Anyway, must remember to ask next time.

Coupling up

Oh, ain't it sweet with a loving couple (sorry, took a break there to vomit), but as a matter of fact, they do fit together. At least on this pic:).

All creatures great and small

For some reason I got to think of "All creatures great and small", and to my delight found many episodes on youtube.

These are based on books I remember reading when I was little.

It is based in the 1930's Yorkshire and the main figure is a vet called Herriot. He works with the choleric Siegfried Farnon and his irresponsible brother Tristan.

It is a real feel-good series with a good insight to how it was in the days before I was born. And of course the love for animals.

Can recommend.

Where is the trust?

I was going from friends in the outskirts of Zürich today to visit another city friend. Friend from first place gave me an alternative route (other than the one I had planned) and showed me exactly how to walk. It shortened the route with about 20 mins so I was up for it.

First friend went thru the route twice, like I didn't get it the first time. But ok he knows me, even though calling me "a goldfish on land" when it comes to sense of direction was a bit much I thought.

Then I arrived to city friends place early, and the first thing after I explained the shortened route was "and you found my place directly?".

Hmm. I might not be the best map-reader in the world, but I have actually lived in Zürich more than 9 years. Gimme a li'l bit of credit please!

The fact that I surprised myself is of no importance here.

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.

Getting older

When I'm watching television I sometimes react to that the people I see have gotten so old. Like known faces. How did that happen I think.

Personally, I look the same as I always did. Except for perhaps in the morning!

First birthday

My little kittens are 1 years old today!

They have started to be a bit picky with the food they like. Zina sometimes walks away from the food just served, 'cause it's the cheapo stuff she doesn't like. But today they get only the expensive, exclusive de-luxe cat food. Just like they deserve, my little sweethearts!

Spring is here

Outside "my" house.

Tip-top boat

Back where it belongs at my anchor place. And yes, there was a mussel colony underneath the boat, enough to feed a smaller nation. They also fixed the ladder in the back, which was a bit unstable.

Not only that, the extremely attractive and helpful guy was the one who I talked to today. He even fixed a few things I hadn't even noticed were broken. Ok, so they ain't cheap, but it certainly helps when they are as nice as him.

Sugar scrub

When my cousin was here over Easter she gave me a tin of something saying 'wild strawberry' on the label. Had to ask whether it was edible. It was not. It was a "sugar scrub".

I had no idea what that meant, so in the late evening after bottles of vino getting prepared for bed, I decided to try it out, thinking it was some kind of hand lotion.

It was not.

Ended up with sugar all over my hands, having to wash it off. Apparently it is meant to scrub your body rid of I-don't-know-what, dead cells or something.

Not sure why a good-smelling "lotion" should be wasted like that. What's wrong with a normal shower?

WTF!

So to speak. Am not happy with new neighbour at all. Not in the house mind you, but a new shop has just opened across the street on the corner. Renting erotic films!

All other shops which opened there have closed within weeks, so hopefully the same will happen to this one. I refuse to see my nice hoods turning into Langstrasse!

Boat tidy-up

First boat ride of this year, and I never tire of the view. Also, managed to pick the day with the best weather this year.

Was taking the boat to the dockyard, where it will rid of about 10,000 mussels I'm sure. Managed to park all by myself (!), but the kind guys at the yachting company were nice enough to tie it up for me. Still haven't learned the knots...

Humpy

Was in town today, and saw more than just people.

Easter dinner

It was a nice evening, but even if I try, I cannot say that they are party people. Ok, so not everybody is alike, at least not alike me ;). Their loss.

The dessert wasn't a hit (never again will I do a dessert that takes 2 hours to make, and people don't like), but the rest went down very well. I should stick to what I know to cook. Lesson learned.

But all in all I think it was a nice evening, and the guests who hadn't been here before oh'd and ah'd over my apartment. Good so.

Easter dinner

Hosting a dinner tonight. Originally we were gonna be six people, but it first grew to seven and now we are eight. I cannot remember when I cooked for eight people the last time, but gotta admit, I love having the whole day to plan and cook.

Ok, so I have bought all the food already of course, but just love polishing the table, setting it, prepare a parade of all the glasses we'll be using. Realized that I do not have eight of the same of all, but don't care.

I so look fw to the evening!

Happy Easter

Prime tower

I dunno why it's taken me so long, but tonight I finally made it.

The Prime tower was built over years just down the road from where I live, and is to date as I understand it the tallest building in Switzerland.

I like it. I think it is a modern addition to the skyline of Zürich, much unlike the ugly Migros building with its really ugly orange sign. Except for the puke-green colour in the elevator, which btw goes so fast your ears get blocked!

Glad wrap - not so glad anymore

When I was a little girl I learned from my Mum that Glad wrap was the only brand worth using. All the others were just crap and didn't unfold as expected.

It was one of those rare occasions when I listened to my Mum, and since I have always used Glad wrap.

Some 4-5 years ago I noticed that the quality got worse (reckon they got a new "product developer"), but since I was used to it I continued to buy it.

Until recently, when all of a sudden Coop didn't have it anymore, so bought another brand. I hate to say it, but it was even worse.

How difficult can it be to produce a plastic wrapping that doesn't tangle and just unfolds like it should?

Leggy

Had some friends over for coffee/wine this afternoon. Were sitting on the balcony. Friend 1 asks "Annika, what are you wearing?". Just had my some 20-year-old shorts on...comfy and loose since I gained some weight. Friend 2 on the other hand "girl, you still got the legs!".

Much more like friend 2.

Leprosy?

I dunno what it is, but I have gotten some spots on my left arm. Could it be sun allergy? Never had before, but is weird. Looks funny though, when you try to take a pic of your own arm, and it ends up looking thick like a thigh.

But I got plenty of those little spots. Could it be leprosy?

Migros shit

After I dropped my big glass form (full of chicken wings) on the floor, I bought another type of form from Migros. It was on sale.

I now understand the reason, since it's shit. How long did I have it? Perhaps 4 months or so. And now it looks like this.

I will bring it back to their customer desk to prove a point. I don't have the receipt, so do not expect money back but no way am I wasting a Züri-Sack for this shit.

Cool runnings

For some reason I thought of Cool runnings, and lo and behold, some kind soul put the whole movie up on youtube.

I do not cry often irl, but gotta admit when Mary gets blind in the 'Little house on the prairie' and when the Jamaican boys carry their sleigh onto the goal line in 'Cool runnings', then it is hard to keep the tears back.

I think it's the underdog theme that makes it. Identification. We all want to make it one way or another.

Personally I want to win the euromillion. Just have to start playing.

Forgetful or ignorant?

I have a friend who accuses me of never listening to her. It's because something she mentioned in passing, and I had forgotten. She brings it up again, and I remember.

It reminds me of two people. One was the Indian guy who lived with me at my last place, and he told me upfront that he was forgetful. I understood what he meant when he almost put fire to the kitchen (having forgotten he put oil in a pan).

The other person it reminds me of, is somebody who could say in a conversation "well, don't you remember on August 21, 2007, when you said this?". And honestly, I could not. I do not keep track of what I said when and where.

Perhaps it's like my Mum said when I was young and paid no attention to what people were wearing, "you are just ignorant". I think she was probably right, since fashion has never interested me.

However, I do want to listen to my friends but at the same time, I do not want to keep track of what they said and when. Life goes on, and nobody is perfect. Present company excluded of course :).

Oven

I have a fairly new oven, it's only 2,5 years old. As long as I have lived in my fab apartment. And only today I realized that it doesn't distribute heat evenly. Isn't that something you should expect from a modern oven?

Boat day

Went down to check on my boat today, with the intention of taking it for a spin. For several reasons it didn't happen, and I ended up cleaning it instead. It's funny, in the front it has a pipe where water can run out but after the winter it is always clogged up with wet leaves and blocked. Which means that water is contained in the front, and it is very dirty.

So scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. Then I sat down sweating, even though I was in my bikini. Not a pretty sight after enjoying loadsa food in the winter, and not having the stamina to go on diet. Well actually, I did start but finished after a day or so.

My boat is placed in the middle of Zürich, so there is the odd tourist (many actually) taking photos. I might end up on a porn sight for men enjoying fat people. Oh the embarrasment!

Strawberries

Summertime

As usual my aunt reminded me that this weekend we are going to summertime. And I dunno, wasn't very drunk when I got home on Friday evening but had it in my head, and changed all my clocks.

But what the hell, I am usually before my time anyway, so the fact that I was one hour ahead for a day was just fun.

Then I was checking the weather for the coming week, and it looks great. Up to 20°, obviously more in the sun, and I'm thinking boat.

Already have the foetus of a tan, having sat on the balcony in the sun.

Yes, this is gonna be a great summer!

AA dinner

Dinners have gone from talking to people to show each other various youtube-clips. Well, perhaps not entirely but a wee bit much if you ask me.

Otherwise delish food, lasagne and chocolate cake and I got to take leftovers with me!

Birdie nam-nam

Shot a glance at the cats, they were playing with a toy I didn't recognize. OMG! It was a bird! A real one.

Turns out the poor birdie had flown into my balcony door (signs of feathers) and probably died then and there. Then of course the cats found it, and they are currently very disappointed with me, taking it away from them.

Sorry, didn't take a pic, had to remove it right away, before the cats got hold of it again and before I got squeamish. It's now resting together with a bunch of cigarette butts in a trash can. There are worse ways to end your days.

Beef

I have a little beef with my neighbours. Got very upset when they didn't tell me about their break-in (flat underneath me), since it kinda affects me too, and then when they didn't tell me that the police caught the guy.

So time to act. Yesterday I went downstairs offering my newly baked cinnamon rolls, inviting them to dinner. Short notice, so only one of them could make it.

That's fine, not everybody is as flexible as I am. But again I got irritated when he called 10 minutes after he was invited, saying he was gonna be late. Food was ready to be served, and on the table. "I was in a meeting, and I couldn't get out of it". Yeah right. It's not like he works for REGA saving lives.

Then I asked why he and his flatmate rents a fairly decent and quite expensive apartment with a huge terrace, which they never use. "What's it to you?" was the answer. And yes, he's right. None of my business, except for that I'm an owner of my apartment, and would prefer somebody who cares.

I much rather come home, seeing chairs and a table on this big terrace, like there is life, rather than seeing a sad christmas tree still hanging in one of the many windows still.

I think if you do not care where you live, live somewhere cheaper and save your money!

Plants

Spring is definitely here, so went to Coop bauhaus in order to pick up geraniums for the balcony. Only there was no flower market anymore. So bought a rosemary, since the one I tried to plant hasn't shown any signs of life yet.

Then I read on the Jumbo website that they have young geraniums for 1,50 only. Since I'm all for bargains, I ran there (well, took the bus). It was just that these young geraniums didn't show any flowers yet, and I am not taking a chance that they will come up with a faulty colour like red. So have to bide my time, and pay more when the real ones are available.

In the meantime I'm enjoying a hyacinth.

And I got a raspberry plant! Never had that before, but if they give off raspberries I'm all set for the drinks in summer. Bacardi razz, freshly grown raspberries and crushed ice. Cannot wait!

Yum

A bit of cooking and baking day.