Hairy

Since my two little ones moved in with me, the amount of hair flying around has around quadrupled, if not more. Since my cleaning lady is only coming every two weeks, I am forced to hoover the week in between. Myself!

The fact that my bed is full of cat hair doesn't bother me at all. On the contrary, it is cozy when one or both of them join me sleeping there.

But recently I realized that also the guest bed was full of cat hair. Very full. So now I had to go and buy a new cover, so that they can get all hairy on that. Then when guests are expected I will make up the bed just before.

Beautiful shiny, black, furry cover. Fits with the colour scheme in the guest room.

Ms House

In 2010 I had a shoulder operation. In 2011 this friend of mine had a hip operation. None of our "conditions" could be explained, no doctor could give a reason why we had these issues.

Nevertheless, we both recovered and when I met up with my friend tonight she was, as usual, walking around in high heels, but with a cane I didn't expect. (Yes, of course we did the joke of Ms House, her limping around with a cane in high heels).

She so reminds me of myself, 10-15 years ago. A mobile phone stuck to my ear, and always dragging a bag on wheels behind. Except for the heels, stopped wearing those in the...well, let's say, long before...when I realized they were hurting my feet...and may I add...my foot fetichist still thinks I have the best...anyway...

You know, when I see these people still in the middle of their career, being "important" and always online, I am almost getting religious. It is soooo fantastic not being a part of it anymore.

One day I'll tell you about my career. And yes, I know, haven't spoken about it before on this blog but now may be the time. Watch out!

Of course, in my days it was an oldfashioned mobile phone, not a blackberry or an iphone. And I never felt the need to keep it in front of me while having dinner with five friends.

Shove the diet

So tonight I was meeting up with friends. It's a bit weird. We all met thru this woman, who moved back to England some years ago. Every time she's in town, she sets up a dinner date, and we all show up. Same people every time, and although we all live here (in and around Zürich), we never meet other times. I am now about to change that, since these are funny people.

We had dinner in a restaurant, and I took a break from my semi-strict diet. Want to point out that I didn't have all these dishes, the wienerschnitzel was mine. Fries exchanged for coleslaw. It was delish!

And then I had my fav dessert (after Toblerone mousse), an Irish coffee. Not a good diet day, but good fun.

But gotta say I'm a bit disappointed. People going home early, stating "I gotta work tomorrow". So? I remember going directly to the office from a night out. What is wrong with the youngsters of today? No stamina whatsoever.

Cravings

Meeting up with some friends tomorrow in a restaurant. This is a bit tricky, since I try to adhere to a diet. Well, some sort of it anyway. So far I have avoided carbs as in potatoes, rice or pasta. Only eaten protein as in chicken and meat, as well as salad and soup. And fat like in bacon, eggs and cheese (well maybe not eggs but still).

Had some fruit as well, which is "not allowed", but I figure it's better than sweets and I gotta have something to keep me going.

Anyway, the place we are going to serve a really good wienerschnitzel. Oh gad, am I hungry! A wienerschnitzel with salad on the side. Yes, that's what I'll have.

Shirt

Hahahaha! I have a shelf full of plants, all sprouting from my two main plants, originating from my Grandmother who has been dead since I was 5.

Not hahaha 'cause I never got to know her, but I was cleaning off that table, showering all the plants, and out of a pile of photos I keep underneath that shelf fell out three photos.

It was from when I was in the middle of my career, and posing with 30 other people (mostly suits!) at some conference or other. Might have been London, Lisbon and some other place I cannot remember.

The funny thing was I had that blue/turquoise shirt that I still wear! Nothing like waiting for 20 years until the fashion comes back!

Fun in Zürich

My place was hopping yesterday. Not my home, mind you, but my fav outgoing place.

Had so much fun I went back today for the afternoon concert, not only to enjoy the band but also laughing at the middle-aged women (no, I was not one of them!) doing a quite violent twist.

And since it's the last day this particular band plays, I am going back tonight!

GPS

If there is somebody in this world who needs a GPS, it is me. I have no clue where I am most of the time.

When I go by public transportation I get spit out at a station, and from there I can usually navigate, but the concept of north, east, west, and south is for me alien. Ok, so I know that the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west, but what if the sun is not shining?

These days most of my friends have iphones. Meaning they can get most information by the press of a button, and also inform me when the last tram goes.

Like yesterday. I was told my last tram went before midnight, so decided to stay for a while but get the other tram that goes to my place a bit later. Turns out my tram went after all.

Or I could just do like tonight, looking out the window of my fav bar and see when the tram passes. Then time it to be at the stop about 10 mins later. Like we did before internet existed.

Mum's

I have never in my life had a person that I could trust completely, except for my Mum. My Mum was exceptional, she was social, open to new things, kind and always appreciating what I did. Ok, after I was 15 (had a puberty period between 13 and 15 which wasn't...well, nice).

I miss that. It was fantastic knowing that somebody always got your back. Even if you screwed up. Not that I did, but if I had.

When she passed away, the person who knew me best and for the longest time, she took a piece of me with her.

Still today, after quite a few years, I get mad when people complain about their Mum's. They should feel lucky about still having one I think.

Questionnaire

Hurray, I got a questionnaire. It's from the Swiss authorities, and it is compulsory to answer. No worries, I would've anyway. First, because I love giving feedback, and second, because ze Swiss knows everything about me anyway so no new information needed.

And, it's only 3% who are asked. I feel selected :).

And it was all on internet! Which is exclamation mark-warning when being in Switzerland. I was only failing on one question. Misread how many people who lives in my household. Thought it meant except for me, so put in 0 which wasn't accepted. Then I read the question again, said including me. Oh.

But now it's done, and I am not even Swiss! Well, yet...

Sunset

Sunset in Zürich.

A great loss

Today the world has lost a good person. And far too early. It's not like he was famous or anything, but he was a genuinly nice person.

It is not fair, life is not fair.

And I'm very sad.

Alco?

You know, I still haven't had a day without alcohol this year! Oh dear, am I becoming an alcoholic?

Had brunch today with a few friends here at home, and instead of just coffee we started with Prosecco, then went on with something sweet bubbly and when all was said and done, we moved on with the house wine.

And tonight I'm going out.

This is going to be a great year!

Ze reasonable Swiss

Last year my cousin was visiting Zürich. With a rental car he was driving 66 km/h on a 60-road. Got caught. In all kindness the police deducted 3 km's and sent him a ticket of 40 francs for the remaining 3 km's. Of course after tracing him thru the rental car agency.

I just wonder what the cost was for tracing him and producing the ticket? A wild guess is that it was more than 40 francs.

It's a mystery why Switzerland is a rich country.

Cheesy

I thought it would be best to start off the year with a big bang. After all, didn't want cat piss to be the memory of Jan 1, 2012.

So went for a few drinks. And to celebrate I ordered a cheese plate. Just didn't expect to get all the same cheese and nothing else.

Good and bad things

The good thing about the new year is that I have already been abroad, so feel I've done my quota for 2012 (had to pass thru bit of Germany, in order to get back to Switzerland and home).

Bad thing is that friends male cat pissed on my clothes.

The only way is up from here on.

Thingamajig

Look at the thingamajig in the foreground of the pic. This is a typical object you buy for somebody who has everything.

It's got a name in German consisting of 38 letters ("Eierschalensollbruchstellenverursacher"!) and I bet you can never guess what the function is.

It cracks eggs! You put the bottom on top of a boiled egg, then lift the round bit up, let it go, and it falls down, creates a bang and cracks the egg.

It cracks me up!

Donkeys

Some Swiss people are, how shall I put it, a tad introvert and prefer living out in the woods.

One of the guests yesterday lives in a "village" on a mountain top including five people, two donkeys and one pony.

This led to a number of jokes being made including donkeys, which I shan't mention here. Partly 'cause you had to be there, and partly 'cause I cannot remember most of them :), but it had a lot to do with the looks of people and their intelligence.

Old

Most of the things in the village I was visiting is very, very old. Here's a wall that is approx 400 years of age, and it's an indoor wall!

Had the privilege of seeing one of these old houses, which was renovated and modern inside, but with the twist of keeping old details like the wall. As well as the whole building structure coming to think of it.

Very charming!

Fire

My friend had arranged a smoking place outdoors.

And as usual most of the people ended up there.

Food, food and more food

Ended last year with a tablegrill with lotsa fab food. It was anything from lamb, pork, chicken, bacon, scallops, shrimps, fish to vegetables and salad. I really stuffed myself, not thinking twice about the diet that will soon start (but not before I finish the chocolate mousse leftover I got to take with me!).

A very nice evening together with good friends!