Am watching a cooking show, which made me think of the time I was in Rome many, many years ago. 'Cause one of the judges in the show features in this.
My friend who I travelled with had a friend who knew some people, and there was a party, and of course we were invited. There were we, innocent tourists (and back then gorgeous blondes:), invited to the high-flyers in Rome. I remember a fancy home with cushions to sit on in a big living room. I also remember somebody asking me "do you smoke?", and I, naive as I was, said "yes, would you like one?", offering a cigarette. Only later I realized they didn't refer to tobacco only.
Was talking to this guy, who mentioned that his uncle had a restaurant in my home country. Immediately I thought oh yes, probably a pizzeria in a suburb somewhere. Turned out his relative was the manager of probably the most famous restaurant back home.
And now I'm watching this relative of his being a judge in a cooking show. I wonder what happened to the "smoking" guy?
Monday, October 28, 2013
Kebab
I'm a sucker for kebab, but there are kebab's and kebab's and I still have to find a good place to buy it. Nevertheless, after having donated half a liter of blood today, I thought I give myself a treat and so went to the place I always go to. I really have to stop. Since the change of owners, they have degraded into a cheapo place. I'm not talking about money, but the way they prepare it.
Four hours later I could still feel the raw onion taste in my mouth. Not good.
But luckily enough I was invited to the neighbours tonight, for a good glass of wine. Or two. Thing is I cannot stay there very long, with their two kids being around and very loud. But cunning as I am, I go for a smoke now and then, and being a friendly couple, one of them always comes with me. Then a real conversation can take place, not involving children.
Anyway, they are going away for some time on holiday, and I have to feed their killing fish. The fish that kills anything else coming into the aquarium. I'm thinking to introduce "it" (fish still doesn't have a name, even though one kid said "Wanda") to my cats. There's a thought!
Four hours later I could still feel the raw onion taste in my mouth. Not good.
But luckily enough I was invited to the neighbours tonight, for a good glass of wine. Or two. Thing is I cannot stay there very long, with their two kids being around and very loud. But cunning as I am, I go for a smoke now and then, and being a friendly couple, one of them always comes with me. Then a real conversation can take place, not involving children.
Anyway, they are going away for some time on holiday, and I have to feed their killing fish. The fish that kills anything else coming into the aquarium. I'm thinking to introduce "it" (fish still doesn't have a name, even though one kid said "Wanda") to my cats. There's a thought!
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Vtx
Some time ago Orange sent me a letter, informing me that a company called vtx had taken over the internet connection that I pay for. Ok, so vtx had always been the provider, but through Orange, and Orange sent me the bill. Now all of a sudden I get bills from two providers, one from vtx for the connection and one from Orange for the mobile phone consumption.
Irritating, but nothing I cannot live with. Except for that vtx insists on sending me information in French! I mean, it's annoying enough to get it in German, but in French?
And if that wasn't enough, now they're telling me they gonna shut off my internet connection for a whopping 8 hours on Tuesday! What is the world coming to?
I better see a discount on my next bill!
Irritating, but nothing I cannot live with. Except for that vtx insists on sending me information in French! I mean, it's annoying enough to get it in German, but in French?
And if that wasn't enough, now they're telling me they gonna shut off my internet connection for a whopping 8 hours on Tuesday! What is the world coming to?
I better see a discount on my next bill!
Vandalism
Friggin vandals! Our house has been attacked. These people should be rolled in tar and feathers, and be forced to walk around the city wearing a sign around their neck saying "I'm a vandal, I damage other peoples houses"!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Alt for Norge
Haha, this is a funny show about Americans who are coming to Norway to find their roots. 90% of it is in English, the rest is easily understood.
First episode you'll find here, where you will learn about the strange habits of the Norwegians.
First episode you'll find here, where you will learn about the strange habits of the Norwegians.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Dinner in alcoholic sauce
Was invited to friends tonight for a late b-day dinner. And I brought a friend, who they hadn't met before. It's always interesting to see how new people interact with each other.
But as expected it all went fine, and they got along well together. Some old stories, some new stories and all in all a very pleasant evening.
Dinner was delish with meat in an alco-sauce and baked rosmarin potatoes, just as I like it.
And pics will be added as soon as friend can be arsed to send them. Don't hold your breath, since this is a guy who responded to my long email with the words "I'll be there". Men!
On the other hand I am inclined to forgive him, since he brought a whole wagon filled with boxes of my fav wine. Men!
Can't live with them, can't shoot'm!
But as expected it all went fine, and they got along well together. Some old stories, some new stories and all in all a very pleasant evening.
Dinner was delish with meat in an alco-sauce and baked rosmarin potatoes, just as I like it.
And pics will be added as soon as friend can be arsed to send them. Don't hold your breath, since this is a guy who responded to my long email with the words "I'll be there". Men!
On the other hand I am inclined to forgive him, since he brought a whole wagon filled with boxes of my fav wine. Men!
Can't live with them, can't shoot'm!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
B-day
Had a couple of friends over for dinner tonight. Always nice. Except for that one of them called a few hours before ETA saying she couldn't make it. She has a kid, and somehow the partner wouldn't be there in time. What could I say other than trying to be sympathetic? Although I by no means meant it. Kids are a nuisance. Period.
Ok, I understand that people want to procreate (not really, but studies has shown that it is so, and who am I to say otherwise without any scientific reasons?), and here I forgot what the point I was trying to make was.
So my friend and I went on enjoying herring, salmon and whatsit to go with, obviously some wine and good conversation.
After a while, I was happy to receive a message that the cancellation was cancelled, and she, the mother, was coming after all. And bringing a cake! A cake she told me on the phone she made, and I didn't believe, but turned out to be delish.
And a cake that enters my place, stays in my place. Just so that you know.
Ok, I understand that people want to procreate (not really, but studies has shown that it is so, and who am I to say otherwise without any scientific reasons?), and here I forgot what the point I was trying to make was.
So my friend and I went on enjoying herring, salmon and whatsit to go with, obviously some wine and good conversation.
After a while, I was happy to receive a message that the cancellation was cancelled, and she, the mother, was coming after all. And bringing a cake! A cake she told me on the phone she made, and I didn't believe, but turned out to be delish.
And a cake that enters my place, stays in my place. Just so that you know.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Gossip
Haha, I gotta laugh. I live in a house with four flats, and a twin house above that kinda belongs with us. Six families. A small community.
Yesterday I got a visit from one of them, and in the course of the conversation was asked about my volunteering job. I guess it was because I asked this neighbour to print out the document my computer couldn't read, and they read it before delivering it to me. No big deal. I have no secrets.
And then today I was visited by another neighbour, who asked the same question. Rumours are flying around quickly in this house.
Turned out my volunteering maybe two Saturdays a month for like three hours each time has gone into working full-time in an old peoples home.
After four years they don't know me at all. Me working full-time for no money? HAHAHAHAHA.
Yesterday I got a visit from one of them, and in the course of the conversation was asked about my volunteering job. I guess it was because I asked this neighbour to print out the document my computer couldn't read, and they read it before delivering it to me. No big deal. I have no secrets.
And then today I was visited by another neighbour, who asked the same question. Rumours are flying around quickly in this house.
Turned out my volunteering maybe two Saturdays a month for like three hours each time has gone into working full-time in an old peoples home.
After four years they don't know me at all. Me working full-time for no money? HAHAHAHAHA.
Volunteering
This volunteering business got me thinking of when I was in the middle of my (paying) career. We had a meeting and the manager was talking about a project in Germany. "I need a volunteer, Annika?". "Yes", I said, responding to my name. "Ok", he said, "it's settled then. You're leaving Monday".
Ah ok. Turned out to be the most boring project I have ever done. They wanted to ensure quality in some documents, one of these business plan dittos that nobody ever reads and will rest safely on somebodys shelf for eternity. And ze Germans are very careful, very precise and went through every line of text with a loupe.
I had big problems hiding my frequent yawns, and my feeble attempts to speed up the process didn't go down well.
I cannot remember anything else from these maybe three days I spent there, but a safe assumption is I went out for a few drinks in the evening.
Ah ok. Turned out to be the most boring project I have ever done. They wanted to ensure quality in some documents, one of these business plan dittos that nobody ever reads and will rest safely on somebodys shelf for eternity. And ze Germans are very careful, very precise and went through every line of text with a loupe.
I had big problems hiding my frequent yawns, and my feeble attempts to speed up the process didn't go down well.
I cannot remember anything else from these maybe three days I spent there, but a safe assumption is I went out for a few drinks in the evening.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Cafe co-worker
Yes, it is a fast lane to get promoted from assistant to co-worker in my new business career. If I'm not careful I might be manager soon!
Today I got there early, 'cause I wanted to prepare everything myself to see if I remembered the stuff I was taught, and since my co-worker was late, I had the time to do just that.
It went fine, even though we had very few customers today. Maybe because the weather was fantastic, 21° and sunshine. But I worked with a woman who was nice and interesting, and we had a good conversation while waiting on existing customers and waiting for new ones.
And I have now properly learned which mugs are used for Ovomaltine and which ones for tea. Progress my friends.
Today I got there early, 'cause I wanted to prepare everything myself to see if I remembered the stuff I was taught, and since my co-worker was late, I had the time to do just that.
It went fine, even though we had very few customers today. Maybe because the weather was fantastic, 21° and sunshine. But I worked with a woman who was nice and interesting, and we had a good conversation while waiting on existing customers and waiting for new ones.
And I have now properly learned which mugs are used for Ovomaltine and which ones for tea. Progress my friends.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Fishy
Had a friend over for dinner tonight. He's been ambivalent towards eating fish "I don't like when it smells like fish". Huh?
So thought I had to convince him, it's nothing like converting people to my beliefs.
It didn't start out great when serving the dish. "What is that green thingy?". "Parsley" I responded, saying that also dill would work. "I like dill a lot" he said. Fantastic. Thinking there is a lot to be said for politeness.
But after him finishing two full plates of the dish, I think I can conclude that he did like it after all.
Another convert to Annika's temple of food.
So thought I had to convince him, it's nothing like converting people to my beliefs.
It didn't start out great when serving the dish. "What is that green thingy?". "Parsley" I responded, saying that also dill would work. "I like dill a lot" he said. Fantastic. Thinking there is a lot to be said for politeness.
But after him finishing two full plates of the dish, I think I can conclude that he did like it after all.
Another convert to Annika's temple of food.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
System restore
Sometimes I just hate technology. A while ago I couldn't open any of my files, like Excel or Word, but didn't think much about it, since I seldom need to. Today I got a file sent to me, and all of a sudden it presented a problem.
Talked to my guru who this time couldn't help me. Did system restore. Twice. Didn't help.
The issue is that when I try to open a file the friggin computer gives me three choices like buy new licenses, activate your current ones and something I cannot remember. I mean, who keeps a "key" to activate, probably consisting of some 30 letters and numbers for years? I don't.
And last time I tried to contact Dell I ended up talking to both England and South Africa. I know, it's Microsoft who administers the Office programs, but I don't expect them to be any better on customer service. But I'm also too cheap to buy licenses that I already paid for.
Catch 22?
Talked to my guru who this time couldn't help me. Did system restore. Twice. Didn't help.
The issue is that when I try to open a file the friggin computer gives me three choices like buy new licenses, activate your current ones and something I cannot remember. I mean, who keeps a "key" to activate, probably consisting of some 30 letters and numbers for years? I don't.
And last time I tried to contact Dell I ended up talking to both England and South Africa. I know, it's Microsoft who administers the Office programs, but I don't expect them to be any better on customer service. But I'm also too cheap to buy licenses that I already paid for.
Catch 22?
Monday, October 14, 2013
Chartreuse
Haha, I was just talking a friend and had to laugh when she mentioned chartreuse. She has bought some chairs in that colour, but I have a completely different memory of that.
It's a liquor, that I once got extremely drunk on. Haven't touched the stuff since.
It's a liquor, that I once got extremely drunk on. Haven't touched the stuff since.
Take the money and run
I have to admit I'm a little bit addicted to watching various seasons of the biggest loser. I think it's the challenges they are up for, the thought process and finally the transformation of their bodies that catch me.
But today when watching one episode where two participants were offered to trade 10K dollars for a pound, which is a little bit less than half a kg, at the weekly weigh-in, I was screaming at the screen "take the friggin money and run"! The woman did, the man didn't. Just goes to show.
And it reminded me of when I got options in my company. Half-time through the given period, we were given the choice of cashing 50% of it in or wait until the end time. I cashed it in. And as luck would have it, I lived in another country than when the options were issued and so the cheque breezed through, without passing go. Or the evil payroll system.
At the end time of the options the company no longer had the cash to pay anything.
Conclusion: take the money and run.
But today when watching one episode where two participants were offered to trade 10K dollars for a pound, which is a little bit less than half a kg, at the weekly weigh-in, I was screaming at the screen "take the friggin money and run"! The woman did, the man didn't. Just goes to show.
And it reminded me of when I got options in my company. Half-time through the given period, we were given the choice of cashing 50% of it in or wait until the end time. I cashed it in. And as luck would have it, I lived in another country than when the options were issued and so the cheque breezed through, without passing go. Or the evil payroll system.
At the end time of the options the company no longer had the cash to pay anything.
Conclusion: take the money and run.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Walking on sunshine
Yes, that's what it felt like today. Amazing, middle of October and "Walking on sunshine".
And this only 10 minutes with the bus from where I live. Green land, farms and fields. Yes, it's nice to visit.
And this only 10 minutes with the bus from where I live. Green land, farms and fields. Yes, it's nice to visit.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Twice in one week
Today I went to Ikea again, but a different one, one I hadn't been to before. And I beat my own record, shopped for a whopping 3.80 francs! Four flower pots. Guess the colour.
Yeah ok, some herring and candy in the food shop too, I do admit.
But this time a friend was splashing out. One table and six chairs. Good thing I don't have to assemble it.
And amazingly enough the restaurant was almost full, at 7pm on a Friday evening. Don't people have anything better to do?
Yeah ok, some herring and candy in the food shop too, I do admit.
But this time a friend was splashing out. One table and six chairs. Good thing I don't have to assemble it.
And amazingly enough the restaurant was almost full, at 7pm on a Friday evening. Don't people have anything better to do?
Friday, October 11, 2013
Ignore the kid
I met with a kid today, and really, I don't get the point. They cannot walk, not speak, they scream and yet demands attention at all times. Plus if you leave them alone for one second, they break something.
This particular one was screaming while sitting next to me in the back seat of a car (yes, I was denied the front seat since it was full of baby paraphernalia), and screaming, tears running. I ignored. And whaddayaknow, a few minutes later she stopped. I bet it was because I ignored her, and didn't care. I knew she was fed and changed, and didn't have a reason whatsoever to scream.
Later I thought what the hell, let's give it a go, so that I can at least seem to be half-interested (and after having a song-book shoved in my face by the mother), I decided to teach her some songs including the appropriate movements. But I gotta tell you, itsy bitsy spider doesn't do it for me anymore.
Nah, I'll wait until she grows up. Then I'll teach her a thing or two. She already seemed to be interested in my cig pack and my glass of wine. There's hope yet.
This particular one was screaming while sitting next to me in the back seat of a car (yes, I was denied the front seat since it was full of baby paraphernalia), and screaming, tears running. I ignored. And whaddayaknow, a few minutes later she stopped. I bet it was because I ignored her, and didn't care. I knew she was fed and changed, and didn't have a reason whatsoever to scream.
Later I thought what the hell, let's give it a go, so that I can at least seem to be half-interested (and after having a song-book shoved in my face by the mother), I decided to teach her some songs including the appropriate movements. But I gotta tell you, itsy bitsy spider doesn't do it for me anymore.
Nah, I'll wait until she grows up. Then I'll teach her a thing or two. She already seemed to be interested in my cig pack and my glass of wine. There's hope yet.
Sponge fingers
I have some crazy friends, but the other day it was explained why for one of them. Her Mum, who I met while visiting Zürich, sent me cookies all the way from Australia. I mean, think about it, how crazy is not that?
But strangely enough they survived with all of them in one piece. And delish they are!
But strangely enough they survived with all of them in one piece. And delish they are!
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Everybody wins
Was in Ikea today. I'm guessing I wasn't their best customer. I bought two candles, one pack of napkins and two flower pots, all for 7 francs something. Was especially satisfied with the pots, purple of course. 95 rappen each. A bargain.
Ikea in Switzerland celebrates 40 years in the country and had sent an invitation, so I participated in the lottery "everybody wins", where the top price was 25K worth of Ikea stuff, and I won. A small blue plastic Ikea bag. Ah well, better than nothing I guess.
Mind you, I was spending a lot more in the "Schwedenshop", the shop where they sell food. But as somebody in the restaurant (yes had lunch there too) had left a voucher worth 2 francs, I nicked it and used it, it wasn't too bad for what I got.
So a friend of mine got to enjoy a Swedish dinner including lots of marinated herring tonight. Yum!
Ikea in Switzerland celebrates 40 years in the country and had sent an invitation, so I participated in the lottery "everybody wins", where the top price was 25K worth of Ikea stuff, and I won. A small blue plastic Ikea bag. Ah well, better than nothing I guess.
Mind you, I was spending a lot more in the "Schwedenshop", the shop where they sell food. But as somebody in the restaurant (yes had lunch there too) had left a voucher worth 2 francs, I nicked it and used it, it wasn't too bad for what I got.
So a friend of mine got to enjoy a Swedish dinner including lots of marinated herring tonight. Yum!
Monday, October 07, 2013
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