Agony

I've been a bit in agony over what to serve for dinner tonight. Am having two girls over this evening, and they are usually a bit more picky than men. Oh, wait a minute, these two are not, so decided on the following. Caesar salad for starter, something I've never done before but how difficult can it be? Salad, some parmesan and bacon. I was searching forever for bread croutons in the store. Didn't find it by the bread, not by the crackers but next to the salad dressing! Isn't that a funny place to have'm? For main it'll be chicken once again. This time wings in the oven. To that, some jasmin rice and a vegetable mix, fried with chili. At least if "perfumed rice" is what I think it is, there was no jasmin in the shop. For dessert these lovely chocolate biscuits with cognac taste. Unfortunately, or luckily, they only come in packs of two, and I need three. Meaning I get one extra for tomorrow. Bad for the diet. Good for me. I think it'll be a very nice evening.

Black or white

I have two stages when I get drunk. I either get really aggressive, or I love the whole world. Grey is just not my colour. When I emailed my friend in Cape Town the other day I got an answer containing gazillions of links of "must-sees" about game parks, day tours, things to do and see like islands, mountains, penguins, beaches and wine lands. I kinda like the penguins, beaches and wine lands. Possibly combined. Then I had a conversation with Bro today, who unfortunately had talked to a friend who had said "if you're in South Africa you MUST go to the Krugerpark". Conversation: Him: "a friend told me we just have to see the Krugerpark". Me: "well if you need to see the big 5 why don't you visit a zoo?" Him: "yeah that's the same". Me: "yes it is". Before I realized he was being ironic. Well it is the same isn't it? A rhino is a rhino is a rhino. So is a tiger, buffalo, elephant and leopard. Anyway. So this evening was one of those when I felt mellow and in love with the world. Sent an sms to Bro saying if you really, really want it I will come with you to the Krugerpark. I am so going to regret this. First a 6 hour flight to Dubai, staying for 2 nights. Then a 9 hour flight to Cape Town, staying for 15 days. In the middle of all this another domestic flight to see animals which I've already seen in Zürich zoo. And all I wanted was a holiday. I seriously have to consider my drinking habits!

Conscience-programs

For the moment, while it's still cold and dark outside and not so attractive to go out all the time, I have gotten into social conscience programs on tv. I have watched the suicides I wrote about before. I have seen a program about Spanish stray dogs that are adopted by naive Scandinavian people. The dogs are born and bred in a kennel in southern Spain under awful circumstances, being issued false EU dog passports, transported up north with up to 30 dogs in a van and sold to people who think they help. Unfortunately these dogs have not had necessary shots, and many of them have for example "leishmania" (not sure how it's spelled). All that Scandinavia needs is a carrier like the sand fly, which used to exist only in underdeveloped countries, but have now spread as far north as Germany and will probably make its entrance into Scandinavia soon. Then this disease will spread to human beings. It can kill. I saw the interview with bishop Richard Williamson from the "catholic" group SSPX, who is now under investigation after an interview in Swedish television. He belongs to a group who has been banned by the Vatican church, and a group that is highly conservative. However, the group denies the views of good ol' Richard, who claims the holocaust has been made up and that "there were no gas chambers". Interestingly enough the Vatican church lifted their ban a few days after the interview was aired. Yeah, the Vatican is really with the times... Also watched a program about low-income people who live in poor condition in western Europe, in a house with cochroaches, leaking pipes, mould, in complete misery going on 10 years without the society, the building-owner or anybody else doing anything about it. Until it was shown on tv! Another program was about a foundation who's aim was to give the profit to research, but where too much of the money ended up in the heirs pockets. Big surprise. NOT. You see! I'm not just into dr House and West Wing...

UBS and Credit Suisse

I have chosen the wrong career, that's for sure. Here in Switzerland there has been many discussions lately about the bonus programs that corporations have, banks in particular. UBS for example have reduced their 16 billion francs bonuses last year to "only" 2 billion this year. This after having received support in form av cash from the government. Their average salary according to SF1 a couple of days ago is 297,000 swissies. Average!?! Credit Suisse is less modest with an average salary of 337,000 swissies. Fuckin' robbers are what they are. Good thing I moved my business away from these greedy bastards. Third on the list was Baloise, an insurance company, with 142K and fourth Novartis with 115. Why a global crisis? Anyone?

Understanding engineers

Understanding Engineers - One Two engineering students were walking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want." The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fitted you anyway." --------------------------------------------------- Understanding Engineers - Two To the optimist, the glass is half-full. To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. --------------------------------------------------- Understanding Engineers - Three A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers. The engineer fumed, "What's with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!" The doctor chimed in, "I don't know, but I've never seen such inept golf!" The priest said, "Here comes the green-keeper. Let's have a word with him." He said, "Hello George, what's wrong with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?" The green-keeper replied, "Oh, yes. That's a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime." The group fell silent for a moment. The priest said, "That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight."The doctor said, "Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there's anything he can do for them." The engineer said, "Why can't they play at night?" ------------------------------------------------- Understanding Engineers - Four What is the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers? Mechanical engineers build weapons. Civil engineers build targets. -------------------------------------------------- Understanding Engineers - Five The graduate with a science degree asks, "Why does it work?" The graduate with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work?" The graduate with an accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost?" The graduate with an arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that?" ---------------------------------------------------- Understanding Engineers - Six Three engineering students were gathered together discussing who must have designed the human body. One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints." Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections." The last one said, "No, actually it had to have been a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?" --------------------------------------------------- Understanding Engineers - Seven Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet. ------------------------------------------ Understanding Engineers - Eight An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess. "He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me I'll turn back into a beautiful princess and stay with you for one week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do ANYTHING you want." Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look, I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool!”

Over the moon

We all know those cute little computer symbols called "emoticons", where> :) or :-) means a smile and> :( or :-( means a frown.> Well, how about some "assicons?" > Here we go: (_!_) a regular ass (__!__) a fat ass (!) a tight ass (_*_) a sore ass {_!_} a swishy ass (_o_) an ass that's been around (_x_) kiss my ass (_X_) leave my ass alone (_zzz_) a tired ass (_o^^o_) a wise ass (_E=mc2_) a smart ass (_?_) Dumb Ass And finally, .oo*"""**oo.oo*""*oo..oo*" "*o.o*" "*o..o" 'o" "o o o *o .o o 'o o o o.o o oo \o/ oo --0-- oo. /o\ oo o oo o oo o oooo o oooo. oo oo'ooo. .oo. oooo ""oo,, ,,oO-'Oo, ,,,,,oo"oo. """""" oo """"" o'o oo o'o oo o 'o o o* o o oo o oo o o o o oo o oo o o You have just been moooooned.

Men!

This evening I skyped my cousin, and although he was online he wasn't picking up. A follow-up sms saying "who needs enemies when you're having relatives like this" rendered the following email: NINE WORDS WOMEN USE (1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up. (2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house. (3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine. (4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It! (5) Loud Sigh: This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.) (6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake. (7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever'). (8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU! (9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3. Haha, I only said he's my cousin. I didn't say he was stupid. And I guess having been married for (what feels like) half a century helps.

Retirement is not an excuse for being ignorant

Just talked my aunt through getting on Skype. Her delight when she managed to log on (to the id her daughter set up for her) screaming "I can see you!" was fun. She hasn't yet gotten to when she can turn on her camera for me to see her, and to get the speakers on, but it's a matter of time. And of course she sms's since years.

My doctor

There are things I am not wild about in Switzerland, but overall it's a country of my taste. That's why I've chosen to stay here. One thing is the healthcare system. I come from a country where the healthcare is so called managed by the government. By experience I know that unless you're on your deathbed you won't get help anytime soon. A whole day waiting to get a minor injury like a broken arm tended to is no exception, or a hip replacement operation can take 2 years waiting time. Here when I call the doctor or a clinic if I need an x-ray or mammography, they ask when I would like to come. Usually I get an appointment the day after. When I needed an operation some years ago they went out of their way to get me a time like 2 weeks after I raised the question. Diagnosed, operated on and recovered within a month. And yes, it's privatized here and it cost a bit of money for the insurance, but hey, the taxes are low. If I were American I would say "god bless privatization" but since I'm not I'm just grateful that Switzerland is a sensible country. At least in some cases... PS. Just discovered that my house doctor has email and can now communicate the status of my blood pressure without having to actually go there. Next step is to skype with the doctor...

Skypeing

Was skypeing last night with a friend in the UK. I have never been visiting him so I made him walk around his house showing me how he lives. Nice btw, with not a carpet in sight. When showing me the bathroom he pointed out that nowadays (after the lecture I gave him here in Zürich) he sits down to pee. Mind you, I wasn't so pleased when I heard he always thinks of me while doing his toilet business... PS. If you haven't registered yet I can recommend Skype where calls computer-to-computer are completely free of charge.

Multi-function

Ab-und-zu-man

Met a woman tonight who said she was from Latvia. I asked Riga? She said not many people knew the capitol of her country. Well, I could agree with her since most people are stupid. Anyway, she was there with her man, escaping the two kids and asking me if I had a man. I said occasionally I do. I call him an ab-und-zu-man. She looked at me longingly, like that was exactly what she wanted. What can I say? I have it all. My freedom. And an ab-und-zu-man. What else could one possibly want?

Liftwaffe

Sometimes I can be so silly, and laugh at a small joke for hours. Like Liftwaffe. It's when there are lots of Germans in the ski slopes, and you have to watch out for Liftwaffe. Hilarious! For those of you not quite familiar with history, here's the link: Luftwaffe

My new best friend

I have a new best friend. Sorry you other guys, but this one is it. The man works for a whiteware producer, and is in charge of returned goods. Goods that doesn't work when delivered, and goods that have a scratch or a minor flaw. These appliances are repaired but cannot be sold again to list price, so are offered to others. I am happy to announce that I'm one of them. The discount varies between 30% and 70%, and I'm happy to inform you that I have received a whopping 68% discount on the whole package including my food-center (American-style fridge and freezer), two ovens with steam-functions and microwave facility, ceramic stove, washing machine that feels how much wash you have and adjusts the program thereafter and a dishwasher with extra tools to accommodate lots and lots of wine glasses. So ok, I have to pay 7,6% Swiss VAT on top + about 30 CHF per item in recycling charge, but still, it's an extremely good deal. And it comes with 2 years guarantee. Mind you, I do have some contacts in this company...

Mad cows

and another one and another two

Men can multitask!

Nothing wrong with Migros underwear

I don't know why, but foot-fetischist guy thinks there is something wrong with Migros underwear. Not that he has ever bought any. I like'm.

Austria is a weird country

Much as I am for cultural diversity, once in a while I come across a person which I take an instant dislike to and I tend to judge the whole country based on them. Right now Austria is that country. I always had a vague view of Austria as being "gemütlich", nice and friendly people before I got to know this person. Lots of wienerschnitzel, sing-along-music, cozy little bars, old-fashioned and poor cousins to Switzerland and Germany. I think that picture is changing to be more in line with Fritzl now. Sad, ain't it? Which makes me think of what people judge Scandinavia on? I hope it would be more Ikea, Lego, ABBA, ball-bearings, Nokia and Ericsson, GPS (tom-tom's) and the likes. Not judged on me. Don't think that would be very good...

Inauguration

Watched the inauguration speech by Obama live on CNN. It was good. It was about hope but also about responsibility. Civil duty. And with a message to leaders around the globe saying something like "you will be remembered for what you built, not for what you destroyed". Wise words. It was interesting to see the performance by some known artists before the speech, particularly Yo-yo Ma since he was also performing in "West Wing". I think West Wing set America's direction before it happened in reality. There are so many similarities. And what a career move Obama's speechwriter has made. 27 years old only! A mere baby, or perhaps more a babe... Mind you, they could've skipped the poet. For the first time in a long time I am hopeful for the future, even though I do not live, nor do I ever intend to, in America. But whether we like it or not America has still an influence on the rest of the world. Let's hope Obama will be able to bring good to the world!

Suicide is painless

...was a song once in the tv series Mash if I remember correctly. Saw a program tonight on people committing suicide, very interesting indeed. The point was that the internet today is available with complete guides as how to kill yourself, and many suicides are apparently done on an impulse. Luckily only 10% of the people trying to kill themselves "succeed", the rest are cries for help. They interviewed a guy who had given advice to a 23-year-old who did kill himself, and it was apparent that this guy didn't completely understand what he had done. In his eyes he didn't have any responsibility. And this was debated. Anyway, one of the guides holds a poem that gives food for thought. Razors pain you; Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause cramp; Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live. - Dorothy Parker.

VD

Had a moment today when I thought it would be a good idea to rent out the guest room again. Think my thoughts went in the direction of well, if I'm gonna get some extra money by renting out I might as well do it before I move. Or something. Anyway, found an eye-doctor on the net who was looking for a room, and thought that he can't be too stupid, being a doctor and all. Completely aware of that you on the net can say anything, but I thought it'd be worth a shot. He responded immediately in English, but with a nick on the mail saying VD. Hmmm. A "doctor" who refers to himself as VD, not sure. Just as well I didn't hear from him again.

Profundity

I don't know where to start, but I feel the end is near. Jeez, at this point in time that feels like a really profound saying! Ok so I had a few drinks, starting at the Spanish tapas bar with Sangria, then on to the Mexican place with the Margueritas (same as yesterday actually and there were still no bacon in the Ceasar salad), after that on to the local place for a Baileys, ending up saying hello to the people in my place with a glass of white wine. Then they insisted on buying me an extra round and that's why I ended up like this. On the way to be very, very drunk. Zzzz...

Trainer Todd

I am trying to get into my bikini in March, but I will never get as desperate as getting myself a private "trainer Todd" as one of my friends. After all, I'm not 20 anymore and it would be sad if I was a "good-looking" as one. That's one of the many benefits of getting older, you're not supposed to look so good anymore. You are not expected to. It is relaxing, because when you do make an effort you are richly rewarded. I cannot understand youngsters (or anybody for that matter) who spend loads of time making themselves "pretty". What's the point? You just raise expectations, and people are not looking to your personality, just at your looks. Your boobs, your butt, your face, your body. Why would anybody want that? It's beyond me. So even though I would like to lose a few kg's to feel better, I'm not going to bend over. It's me, take it or leave it babes.

97

Realized when I got home and checked my hi-tech calendar hanging on the fridge that I forgot to call my friend yesterday. He turned 97, a very respectable age. So just spent nearly an hour on the phone with him. My first question as always is "are you still right in the head?", to which the answer was yes. Then we went thru his physical problems, which are mainly his legs. He has a bit of trouble walking. Which didn't prevent him from driving the car today. He knows I think he should have given up driving years ago (like 25 of them) so it gives him great pleasure to inform me about this. But I had to give in when he told me that his "girlfriend", a woman of 80+ is a bit poorly and he had to drive to get her to his place. To drink coffee I was told. Guess that's what older people do, didn't actually push for details. He celebrated his birthday with "his boy" who is around 75 and his daughter. The great grandchild got her driving license just. We had a slight argument when determining just how many generations they were, I said 4, he said 3, but it turned out he didn't count himself. Then we discussed the domestic issues like the alcoholic that was living across from him (who renovated the kitchen, as supposed to the man who lived there before who always said he'd do it when he retired then promptly died just after retirement), and now the apartment has been sold to a younger couple (when I asked if "younger" meant less than 80 he laughed), and across the street this older woman has moved out to a retirement home (then died also) and it's unknown yet who will move in. These types of discussions. We then moved on to discussing current issues like Fritzl in Austria and how the hell it could happen, Obama (we like him both!) and what we can expect, thugs in business in general, and everything else in between. I took the opportunity of asking him about a dish I made which we discussed last time, and he told me what I did wrong. I now know how to perfect it. Only three years to go until he gets 100 years old. You go old man!

Glasses and cutlery

This winter has been depressing. Never in my 6+ years here in Zürich have I experienced such a cold winter. Mind you, I have experienced too many of them up north but not here. The reason I know this is that I yesterday had filled up the dishwasher with cutlery and plates before the upper shelf for glasses (wine ditto if you didn't get it) was even half full. Sad indeed.

Follow-up

Yes, I decided to keep this blog as is. Not transform it, not change it, not end it, just to keep on going. I feel that I am not ready to share more than I already am, and I'm not willing to specialize the blog. Probably because I don't have anything that I am passionate about. Sounds sad, but that's the way it is. Well, apart from being really into my new flat, and to continue to love partying I don't really care enough to blog about only one thing. I hate fashion-blogs, techie-blogs, white-trash-blogs, food-blogs, garden-blogs and whatever-blogs. I don't want to be one of them. This blog is there for me first and foremost. When I have readers I am happy, and it's fun with the comments, but I write for me. To get things off my (rather big actually:) chest, to rant, to get anger off me, and in general share what I want. Ok with you?

Spelling

I really look down on people who cannot spell. I know this is dangerous to write when you have a blog, and I'm sure some picky people (hello Australia!) will be able to point me to countless spelling mistakes and grammatical errors that I've made, so in prophylactic defense I just wanna say that my blog is not written in my mother tongue. And can you tell I'm not good with criticism :)? At least not when directed to me. Anyway. For some reason I was thinking about when I applied for a job here in Switzerland I didn't want. Circumstances just demanded that I did. And of course my cv was perfect. It stated exactly my background, my experiences, the works. Except for one detail. I wrote that I had worked on a transition project with Nederlaandse Spoorwegen. Which was extremely embarrassing when the Dutch (!) interviewer pointed out that it is the Nederlandse Spoorwegen. I had an 'a' too much. And wasn't it friggin typical that the guy who interviewed me was from Holland?

PS. Pic shows gift from contract signing the NS deal. I like very much not having to receive another glass statue or something useless. This is cool!

Carpentry

So today I had lesson number umpteenth in what is needed to be chosen when buying a new apartment. The entrance door I've already chosen (medium break-in-safe) but the colour of the door on the outside will be chosen by the builder. Clever, since all doors should match. However, I was free to choose a colour of my own on the inside. Agreed to have the same colour as the builder as long as it was neutral greyish. There was talk about them choosing yellow (yuk!) and if so I will have the same white on the inside of my entrance door as on the other doors in the flat. The stairs outside the apartment will be grey stone with black and white spots in them, quite tasteful actually. The choice on walls was limited, but I chose the plain and elegant one. Much to my delight all the other 3 flats have chosen the other one, which had more of a farmer-feeling to me. White of course. I flatly refused to have any other colour on the walls, which they suggested. No way. No green, no blue, no pink, no brown, nothing other than white, white, white for me. If I want colour I have plenty of paintings. We also discussed doors on the closets (for jackets and other stuff, as well as Putz-Peters own closet). How big the doors should be, which way they will open, if I wanted hangers or shelves. We're talking details here. All doors in the apartment will be painted white, which means they can be repainted as supposed to the other sort which cannot. Meaning if damage is done to a door it can be repaired instead of having to buy a new one. Except for inside the closets, where it will be articificial material. Handles on doors was another topic (pointy-style like I've chosen for the bathrooms). Then there was thingies beneath the window, not quite sure but it wasn't like shelves where you can put flowers, it was mainly for something else. White that too, but artificial material which will not be damaged by water. The main issue though is that this freezing cold is putting the building work on hold. They cannot work without heating the house up, so the question is now whether they do just that or delay the project. Needless to say I opted for the heating, as if I had some influence! Keep your fingers crossed.

Important conversation

Bro called today. Him: "You're difficult to get hold of. I tried four times!". Me: "So what did you want that is so important?". Him: "Nothing special". Men and communication!

Carbohydrates

A downside when you try to get into a bikini in March is that you sorely miss the carbohydrates. Coming home after a night in town craving food is not quite the same as when you live a normal life. It's a matter of "jeez, I could eat a horse vs I shouldn't". Very difficult choice indeed. Or like Bro said, "well, you could wear a burkini". Haha. Not.

I'm feeling like a man

Thank somebody he's gone

Bush and his stupidity (just a sample).

I had a clown for breakfast

I have been quite a long time in Switzerland but I still learn new things, especially sayings. Today I learned that if you're funny you say that you had a clown for breakfast. Huh? Personally I think that a German with a sense of humour is just as rare as eating a clown...but that's me. Also, if you say that you had Tarzan for breakfast you have behaved macho. You Jane, me Tarzan kind-of-thing. No wonder Germans are hard to understand... PS. Does it work in Swiss German?

Alopex lagopus

I have inherited a fur-coat. Now when I moved to Switzerland I never thought I would have use of it, but clever as I am I decided to keep it. It turned out to be a very good decision indeed, considering the Arctic cold that has grasped Europe for the moment. The issue is that everybody is laughing about my coat, thinking it is fake and not fashionable. Well hey. I'm the one who's not freezing my behind off, and if you can afford to buy a new fur coat fashionable every year, be my guest. In fact, none of my friends actually do have one. They have for example compared me to this creature, but heck if I mind. Again, I'm not the one freezing... And FYI, the fur is made of alopex lagopus (the blue version obviously) and I wear it proudly!

I love pink

Sunrise has an ad in the papers right now about a Samsung mobile phone with the headline "I love pink" (actually the phone looks more like purple on the ad, but never mind) where the functionalities are listed. It's mexapixel here and bluetooth there, but the most interesting one is "female-oriented functions". I so wonder what they are? What are women using a mobile phone for that men are not? I cannot come up with a single thing. It's funny that in all other countries I know it's not PC to direct anything to a particular group since it can be deemed discriminate. Only here in Switzerland do you see job ads stating "preferrably women" when searching for secretaries and the likes, or "native-speaking only" when they look for Swiss people (and not us nasty foreigners!). It's a lot to be said for the positive sides of ze Swiss, but forward-looking and modern is not one of them.

Mixed messages

2009 has begun

Guess I've always been a bit backwards, since I did not drink alcohol yesterday. Which means I'm in really good shape today, and starting my year with Ice-wine, a local delicacy from a village outside Zürich. It is light red, and is best drunk cold. Got a really cool bottle too, tall, thin, classy. A bit like I will be beginning March after having started a diet today. Well, maybe apart from tall and classy...