Hippo-yawn

Yes, it's bedtime.

Hair and cooking - the nerdy way

Occasionally I am forced to leave my lovely flat, and of course it was for a party. You know one of these where you mingle and drift in and out of conversations. Two of them were quite disturbing. The first one was when the bald guy unzipped his shirt to show how much hair he has on his chest, and attempting to take off the shirt (I guess to show that he had hair on his back - yuk!) but which I managed to put a stop to. He also indicated his jeans. Jeez, the things you don't wanna know about people! The other thing was the man (American!) who told me his way of cooking. This involved an Excel sheet with columns of dinner courses and rows with the time to prepare them so that he could serve everything exactly on time. I really need to choose the people I mix with more carefully!

Queen witchbitch

I was assigned the epithet of witchbitch tonight, which I take pride in. And on the pic you will find my competitors. Just remember, I'm the queen witchbitch!

Repair cost

Yesterday (finally!) I got the estimate from the company that will repair the doors from the attempted break-in. 3,000 friggin francs for some idiots who didn't even manage to get in! Good thing I have insurance, who today "gladly accept to pay". Nice!

The sofa

Pretty comfy, but since it is IKEA it is starting to sag in the middle. After I fix the shelves, this might be my next project. Bro has requested a corner sofa that gives him space to put his feet up, but considering he's here very seldom (and less seldom going forward) I might not give him a say in this. Especially since I'm paying.

However, it's pretty comfortable as it is.

Furniture move

Friend of mine was visiting the other day and took some pics of the flat that turned out really well, and which I was promised to get copies of. I'm sure I will. Any year now.

In the meantime I took some pics myself. This is a new position of the chair, facing the fireplace.

It's funny that, I took gazillions of pics before the house was even built, but I haven't taken many after I moved in. Here is one.

Diet update

Been doing this LCHF diet for a week now and didn't think that I lost anymore than 1 kg or so, but today I discovered the trick. Just don't eat the whole day, then you will feel like a greyhound! Why didn't I try that before?

No need to leave the house...

Dinner at the neighbours. She's cooking. He's hmmm, idling. Looking happy. And who wouldn't be being served a dinner like this!

Travel? No thanks.

I am so happy that I was travelling a lot in the days when it was fun. Before 9/11 when first of all not too many people were travelling a lot, second that the security in airports were reasonable, and third when having access to the gold lounge still meant something. I remember the Copenhagen gold lounge where the staff (woman) was telling me how nice it was to see a business woman in the gold lounge. I thought nothing of it at the time, I just used to go into the smoking section, pour a glass of top red wine (except for if I was flying in the morning, wine in the morning doesn't taste good), bringing a plate of assorted snacks, and have a ciggie. Before I was flying off to another location to do whatever project I was assigned to at the time. And yes, as a business woman I was pretty much alone in doing that. It was me and 200 suits. Sad, isn't it? Nowadays it's a drag to fly. It's checking in 3 hours before the flight (as supposed to coming in about an hour before, checking in thru sliding your card thru a machine, go to the coffee shop for a caffeine hit, glide thru the passport and security before stepping onto the flight), being screened, having to take off your shoes and belt, and possibly being body-searched. Also, the aeroplanes are getting more "economic", meaning you squeeze more people into the same space. Unless you fly first or business of course, but who can privately afford to pay up to 5 times more than an economy ticket? Ryanair are planning to have flights with people standing up. How sad is that? Which is why I'm happy to stay in Zürich forever. I have no need to travel anymore. Done that, seen that, been there, didn't buy the t-shirt sorta thing. Truth be told, I don't even like to leave my fabulous flat. I love that I can stay in and just enjoy. Of course it helps to have neighbours who feel the same, and that we can party together, having just to roll up or down a flight of stairs to get home. Off to dinner with the neighbours now as a matter of fact, and with their permission I will take some photos.

Goodbye cleaning lady

Ok, so cleaning woman has been here for the 3rd time. Now she's a goner. Today she tried to fob me off signing for 3,40 hours, when she had only been here 3 hours. I know, because my neighbour told me when she arrived (neighbour gives key to her). And she still uses too much cleaning liquid for the floor, meaning I can see foot prints when walking on it. So for the "pleasure" of paying for three hours of cleaning I now have to mop my floor. How stupid does this woman think that I am? PS. Yes I know all of you told me to get rid of her earlier, but I believe in giving people a few chances. Here's my limit though.

Homeless

If I had enough money to live a good life and then some extra I would in one shape or form give it to charity. Not just give money, because I'd never feel sure they end up in the right place. Actually the last thing I want to do is to line some already fat cats pockets. No, I would give active support to somebody who needs it. Like the homeless. It's not like I do not care about kids, but they have so many already. I'd like to focus on the less fortunate in the world, like homeless. I am sincerely interested in how they ended up being homeless. I'm pretty certain noone is growing up having a childhood dream like "yes, I'm gonna be homeless when I grow up!". Many mornings I pass a woman standing outside Coop selling "Surprise". This is the newspaper the homeless sell to earn some extra money. Every morning I pass her thinking about how she ended up there. Next time I see her I will talk to her! That is my New Years resolution (so ok I'm a late starter but at least I promise!).

Babies babies everywhere

I cannot tell you how many babies there are around me. Too many doesn't really start to describe the magnitude. But I am relieved that the new Mummies are reasonable and healthy. They do not take the route of "no drinking, no smoking, no people, no noise, no fun" or whatever. They incorporate their new babies into their life. Excellent.

These babies are going to grow up being real people. Not over-protected. It doesn't mean that they are not loved, they are, but they are being brought up with real people. Not according to a book. I like this very much.

Like on the pic, she's a night-owl already knowing how to drink. I feel that in 20 years she and I will be good friends.

Palinka

Was msn'ing with a friend telling him that I planned to visit my Romanian neighbours. He told me not to ask for "Kalinka". That's like showing a bull a red blanket. But first I was all innocent and said "I've been there gazillions of time and they never offered me this". Then I went to the neighbours and told them of their reputation while they promptly hauled the bottle out from nowhere saying "you really want to try?". What could I say? Other than it's called Palinka and not Kalinka and it tastes like...strong. 65% strong. I think I might be a tad drunk...

Money-saving

Today was a day I saved some money. First I received confirmation that the bill I got for 1,140 francs was indeed only meant to be 240. This was for heating during last year in my old place, and they had already deducted 900 when paying back my deposit. Ok, so not really saving but still. Went shopping for a birthday present for a friend, and when got to the cashier they charged me only half the price. And I the idiot said "oh, it's half price" before I bit my tongue off. Not sure what she said, but it either was half off or she took responsibility and only charged me 50%. Excellent! Then at the main train station I walked behind a woman who dropped her wallet, I picked it up, shouted and gave it back to her. She was very grateful. Money saved. At least for her I assume. I really should go and buy a lottery ticket!

LCHF

New year, new intentions. I have given away all the fatty chocolate, and yesterday I was really good. Only eating healthy stuff (ok, maybe except the fries at lunch...but a good start). Today I googled some recipes on LCHF (Low Carb High Fat) and I must admit they sound delicious. Only one cannot eat a lot of carbs like in bread, pasta and stuff. And not chips. But on the other hand real butter, cream and fatty stuff is allowed. Let's see what this does to my gorgeous body, now slightly hidden in flab. I have a feeling eating real stuff instead of all these light products is healthier. Just remember what people looked like back in the 60's before all these unnatural food entered our supermarkets! Tonights dinner will be homemade hamburgers made of ground meat, real cream, egg yolks, salt, pepper, parsley and butter. That together with some leftover salad. Yummie!

Chubby

I'm watching through all Sex&the City again. Considering that I feel a little chubby after all the over-eating at Christmas and New Years I am happy that my new and fancy tv makes everybody look a bit fat. I know that you can reset the view on the telly, but prefer not to. Better to see all these fabulous people looking more like me bodywise. Clever huh?

Love ya guys!

Just wish I could see you more often!

Always a pleasure having you for dinner and company.

And as the "non-travelled American" one of you discovered that you've been in Zürich no less than 4 times. Good thing I have a guestbook!

Come back soon!

Impromptu party

As it turns out, the house I have moved into have people who like to party. Hand in glove some people would say.

First we were invited to the neighbours, but then we ended up at my place (would you like to see my new lamp? worked as an invitation...also the baby started to cry and I thought it would be a good time to leave). Anyway, the invitees asked not to be displayed here so I chose a pic where they're not.

Amateur painter

I have a friend who paints for fun. I actually think her paintings are pretty good. The top right one is my favourite.

Cat Mouse

I find it a tad strange to call a cat Mouse, but must admit she's a sweetie.