Baking paper

I have a friend, who is, how-shall-I-put-it, a tiny bit more oldfashioned than I am. She saves baking paper after having used it once.

I am not a big consumer of baking paper but I think a roll costs less than 2 francs, and a roll for me lasts "forever".

But I have taken on saving wine wrapping paper/boxes. It can always be used for re-gifting. Gosh, I am really getting old!

As cool as I

Pretty cool attitude.

Skinny cats

After talking to some cat-owning friends I realized that I have been underfeeding my poor little cats! Yes, I know, they are thin but I always thought it is better to be on the skinny side, than be on a diet. Talking from experience.

But everybody else seems to give a whole bag of wet food per day per cat, and mine have always shared it. But to me they look healthy, and their fur is shiny, so maybe I am right here?

No matter what, they are still gorgeous!

Secret Santa

Christmas eve I gonna spend with some friends here at home. We are four nationalities, all bringing a dish from our native country. Will be very interesting.

We're also gonna do Secret Santa, i.e. buying presents for the other three and none over 10 francs. But you're not gonna know who receives your present, so you gotta buy something that fits everybody.

I did that today at the Christmas market at Zürich train station, and am very happy with my choices. And no, am not gonna reveal it here since there is an off chance some of the guests will be reading the blog.

But I'm very happy with what I bought, I would like to have all three presents myself!

The beauty is not in giving, it's in receiving!

Diplomacy

We are about to have the annual general meeting for our building association, and received the papers to prepare.

Met up with a neighbour tonight to compare notes. We agree on the points we want to bring forward at the meeting, and since I had made the notes it was agreed that I would write the email, cc'ing everybody in the house.

When my neighbour politely suggested that I would be diplomatic, we first paused, then laughed and hastily changed our minds, so now I will send him the points and he will compose the email. Besides, his German is better than mine.

A tiny age difference

Good to know I haven't lost it yet. Tonight I got spontanteously visited by two 17-year-olds. In that age you're not a kid anymore, and I enjoy talking to them, sticking in some sound advice without them noticing, and sharing experiences.

It's fun with young people. They have their whole life in front of them, and even though I don't anymore, I can so identify with their "problems" and "issues".

These particular two are gonna do just fine in life.

Party and hospital

Last time I was at a party where somebody had to go to hospital, was in the late 80's. A drunken guy slipped on a mat, hit the back of his skull on the floor, started bleeding like a pig and we called the ambulance.

When I offered to help the ambulance personnel to carry the stretcher down the stairs, they took one look at me and politely declined. Perhaps the guy wasn't the only one drunk at that party.

Didn't expect that to happen at tonights party. Really didn't, 'cause most of the guests were older than me. But perhaps this is it, we get older and don't go to hospital for the reasons I was used to, we go there for more serious issues.

I am here for my friends, waiting to help when they need it, not wanting to interfere or cause more stress than is already there. And more than a little bit worried.

Good morning

Our ability to speak Greek was put to the test tonight, but as soon as I heard "Calimera" I thought about a tiny creature with half an egg on his head. And so did my German friend.

Which led him to describe in too many details every cartoon he ever watched. They seemed to be many. I guess they didn't have much other fun in Germany back then :).

And this is the thing with age differences. Normally they don't mean a thing, at least if you're over 20 and under 80, but when it comes to things you grew up with, they do differ. Sometimes it's because culture, but mostly because you cannot refer to cartoons that were shown 10 years after you were a kid or teenager and were out partying, exploring the other sex and other then interesting things.

But who cares? When somebody young can cook like that, a lot is forgiven!

Masterchef Greece

Tonight I had my very own masterchef in my kitchen. It was a delight being on the other side, sipping a glass of wine, watching a pro cook, while resting my eyes on something delicious:).

Like a zoo

I like the fact that when I stand waiting at the nearest tram/bus-stop from where I live, there occasionally pass a llama or donkey. Just like that.

Death and food

Some friends over for dinner tonight. And whilst one normally would expect talk about life, men and injustices in the world we tonight ended up discussing death. Weird, but in a way nice to share experiences.

And the cats loved their presents!

6 years

Today I have blogged for 6 years exactly, and I dunno how many items I have written about having an opinion.

This is what I wrote exactly 6 years ago:

"Today was the day I created a blog
I know, I'm late. "Everybody" else is already on it. I guess it's the same way as I was late in getting a microwave back in the 80's. Perhaps I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat in trying new things.

So, why does everybody blog? A way to share things with your friends? A way to get published without cost? A kick of getting to see your words in print in public? Perhaps all of the above, and more. Who cares?

Anyway, now I'm here. And if you like what you read, let me know, and even more important, if you don't.

So today was the day I created a blog. Nothing other in particular has happened today. Here in Zürich it is cold and miserable, and a day for staying in, lighting candles and think about how happy I am for having a home that's warm and comfortable. Or a home at all for that matter.

Even here in Zürich, in one of the richest cities in the world, there are homeless people. Imagine that!

Guess I don't know where this is going, am as said new to blogging, so give me some space and I'll be back!!!"

And back I am. Many, many times.

Curling

Curling for most people means an obscure sport. You know, throwing some sort of bowl on the ice, sweeping it to make it go smoother and reach its goal.

Where I come from we refer to parents as curling ditto, when they do nothing but take care of everything for their kids.

If you never have to fight to get anywhere in life, how can you be expected to achieve anything? If everything is smooth sailing, and no struggle, then I think most youngsters will feel that this is life. Why go the extra mile?

I have the perfect example. One of my close friends spends most of his weekends helping his kids. And they are 33 and 35! Get my point?

Flatmate?

I have been toying with the idea of getting a flatmate. Somebody who works a lot and isn't there much. Think I can get quite a bit of money for the guest room including the guest bathroom.

But when browsing ads for people looking for rooms I do not find anybody that sounds suitable. I mean, somebody has a son coming to visit once a week (nooooo weeeey), another wants the room just for a short while (not worth it) and others are very specific with room size and not furnished.

Well, guess I'll keep on looking. Want somebody nice who doesn't cause any trouble or is overly untidy. Suppose I can put in my own ad. Worth thinking about.

Cat bed

Went I went shopping for my loved ones, I kinda thought they were gonna appreciate it. Were ever so offended when they refused to use it.

Until I realized it smelled funny, and wasn't familiar. So put a used top of mine in there, and voila, now it's Zettis favourite sleeping place.

Zina still prefers the cat tree.

All food is good

I don't understand people who doesn't like certain food. What's not to like?

I really want to send them all to a Robinson competition. Put them on a deserted island, and let them survive to whatever they can find or catch to eat during a month. That should teach'm!

Painting

Bit of a surprise this morning when I got a painting delivered. It's from friends who have moved continent in connection with my birthday party, and couldn't make it.

Thanks so much T and R!

Guineapig

I may have gone a little overboard fixing an apero for just two people, but she's my guineapig so have to try new flavours. They were ok'd.

If you're interested it was Feta cheese with some pickled thingies, marinated salmon with philadelphia cheese and wasabi, tomatoes with horseradish creme and Manchego (Spanish cheese) with tomato and olive oil.

Change is good for you

Since a day or so I have really bad back pain. So bad I had to twist and turn in my bed to find a semi-comfortable position. Had no idea where it came from, until I realized that I had spent quite a bit of time in front of my computer. Sitting on the right bar stool, with legs casually flung on the left stool, for too long.

When I started to walk like a 90-year-old, ok without a stick but still, I realized it was time for a change.

So now I have changed position, sitting on the left bar stool, with my legs casually flung on the right one.

Who said change is not good?

2 years ago

On the subject of kids...I do remember the day two years ago.

Today she got a Kinderegg from me, and the wise Mum gave her only the toy. Good, since she's...hmmm...comfortable. Wouldn't go as far as saying she's American-look-alike, but if she doesn't slim down soon, she'll be needing a diet pack next year.

Clever cats

Occasionally I worry about my cats. So ok, I worry a lot but one of the things I worried about was that they never get to go out. Only on the balcony. Always when I'm home, the balcony door is open and funnily enough they choose not to go out there very often.

Especially now, when it starts to get cold. Just now I found them both sitting in different windows looking out. Exactly what I'd do in this temperature.

Shopping

Did a little shopping round for my furry ones. Think this little cat-bed can be a hit, as well as the grey cushion, which actually was meant for me.

Pregnant

Bet I gotcha with the headline, right? But no, ain't me.

It's a friend of mine, who I actually thought was never gonna get around to produce any sprogs. Guess I was wrong, but have a suspicion on who was the pushy one on the subject in the relationship...

Here you can follow the progress of the pregnancy.

Onion philosophy

It is said that to get to know a person, is like peeling an onion. Layer after layer, and you get to know more and more.

I think this is bullshit.

'Cause if you peel and peel, not only do you get teary-eyed due to the strong stink, but you end up with nothing left.

I think it's the other way around. The older you get the more layers you put on, and eventually you end up with an impenetrable shell. I mean, look at teenagers and you can practically see through them. At least those of us who remember what it was like being one.

Being older means that you have more layers, and will never be boring to those who try to get to know you more. Am I right or am I right?

Sleeping beauties

Find the tail

Since a few weeks I have let my cats into the guest room. I really dunno why I didn't before, but think it was because I didn't want them to destroy the curtains.

After the first day, the novelty of the access wore off but sometimes they still use the room.

Basel

I find myself in the position that I must travel. Tomorrow I am to go all the way to Basel! Basel is the proud owner of two of the cantons in Switzerland, Basel-Land and Basel-Stadt. Fortunately I am to visit the latter.

Still, it's a two-hour trip away from safe Zürich. One way! If you don't see me blogging the next few days, pls let the (yummy) police know where to look for a corpse!

Corn

Have to admit, I had to google this word. Corn.

About 10 years ago I got this thingie on my foot. It is on the inside left, and it is a bit of hard skin. I immediately thought it was a wart, which I had twice before and one got burned when that was in fashion, and the other one got freezed. Both disappeared.

Anyway, went to the doc and she told me it wasn't a wart. So what was it then? Turned out to be a corn. She told me I must've been exposed to something hard on my foot, and developed this piece of hard skin to resist the repetition of rubbing against the same spot. Told her I hadn't.

But after a while I realized I had a pair of shoes, where a small piece of plastic was still stuck inside it, and that had caused the problem. That I still have.

It doesn't cause any pain, but I find myself often trying to remove the little piece of protruding skin on that particular spot. When removed, I forget about it for another couple of months, then I'm there again with my finger nails.

Guess there are bigger problems to worry about.

Stylish

Twice a day I clean the cat toilet, and since I think it has to be stylish I bought a, drum-roll please, purple brush set. And no, I don't use it for cleaning the actual toilet, but for the sand they spread around.

I don't think I can be accused of being cheap when it comes to my loved ones!

Waving

I wrote about it before, that when friends leave my place I wave. Waving in the window, or the door, was always a habit in my family.

Some of my friends have learned to wave back, some not. But what I thought about recently was more like that I now have to wave with a tense arm, not to show the shivering flesh where I think the biceps should've been. Or whatever muscle is located on the back of the arm.

So no, I don't have a problem with age. It's more like my body doesn't cooperate!

Pumpkin soup

For some reason I have always thought I didn't like pumpkin soup. Now I know for sure that I do. Thanks for the recipe!

Raclette season!

Went to the Expovina tonight, and we were both a little hungry so decided to go for something cheesy. Raclette! My gad, I have forgotten how much I love raclette. Not even the smell of burnt cheese put me off. I enjoyed every bite. And we ate on Panta Rhei, that newish glass boat I hadn't been on.

And then we went wine-tasting for a couple of hours. Should've taken somebody weighing more than 50 kg's with me, he got kinda drunk after two and a half glasses. No stamina whatsoever.

Considering how little you get in each glass, it's pathetic!

But all in all, a very nice evening and the good news is; ships are still there for another week!

Burger stink!

Today when I realized Burger King had opened an new place next to my fav bar, I almost jumped with joy (ok, so I was hungry!). Turned out it had been there for 3 months (shows how much I go out these days!), and time to check it out.

Ordered a Whopper meal with zero Coke. Was charged something like 1,50 more than the meal cost. Why? 'Cause zero Coke is more expensive. What? And I wasn't even informed! Zero Coke is more expensive than sugary Coke? I don't think so.

In the end I paid for a Whopper meal, and didn't take the beverage. If I remember correctly Burger King comes from the US of A, the land of the free (choice?). What an oxymoron!

Expovina

Just at the beginning of Zürichsee (the lake) about 7 ships are parking every year in November, being connected thru ramps, meaning you can enter one ship, then keep on walking to the next ship and so on.

And on the way there is winetasting. Everywhere!

Going there tomorrow. Cannot think of a better way to spend a Monday evening!

Blue boat

Took a stroll and checked on my boat today. Love the pic, especially since the blue reflection points exactly to where my boat is parked. Magic!

The evil witch

That's me. I want you to remember that. Ever since I got accused of being "soft" at my party (yes, and you know who you are, you have to make up for it big-time if you are ever to be invited again!), I have thought of a way to prove my witchiness.

Yes, I have become one of these women with too much time on her hands, keeping track of the neighbours. Ha! Today I found a football (!) and a shoebox (!) in our trash container. And please remember that you're only allowed to put paid-for Zürisäcke in there, otherwise the Swiss trash police will track you down and (hopefully) throw you in jail. Water and bread my friend!

Currently making sure it wasn't somebody in our house (pretty sure it wasn't but getting confirmation just the same), then I will KILL'm! Figuratively speaking of course.

Considering taking on my witch outfit, then stand in my window until I see one of the white trash next door, and shout "TRASH POLICE!". Bet that'll teach'm.

PS. Just got email from lawyer neighbour "Let's prosecute!". Yessss! My thoughts exactly.

Kebab contact

Was on my way to my bar for a quick drink the other night, and while passing a kebab stand somebody grabbed me. I did quite a violent whack to get rid of him, until I heard my name called. Turned out to be a couple of old colleagues. Hmmm.

So while I had just returned from a fab dinner, they were having a kebab. Perhaps their careers have spiralled a bit downwards?

Birthday dinner

On Friday I was invited to a birthday dinner by a friend who couldn't make it to my party. It was absolutely delish in a small restaurant, that was described as being romantic. I was almost afraid that my friend had turned hetero!

Anyway, with the bread served they had a fig butter that was fantastic. I gotta have to try this myself. Was told it was only butter, figs and balsamico dressing mixed. Yum!

Then we shared two starters with salad, goat cheese and other stuff. For main I had lamb with potato gratin. Can really recommend!

39.000%

Phoned my 99-year-old friend today. It's the perfect thing to do for somebody who has reached my age, in order to get some perspective.

He had his second stroke, and since then he's in a home. Told me his flat, where he lived for a whopping 67 (!) years, is now for sale. He told me the price they set, and when checking on the site, turns out he was right on spot. Even though he speaks slowly and with difficulty, he's still crystal clear in his head. Amazing!

The value of his flat has gone up 39.000% in the years he had it. I guess the conclusion is that property is a good investment. Now I just have to stay in my flat another 65 years and I'll be really rich!

Mouse mat

Got my delivery today. Nobody can say it ain't cute!

But I know there are people out there, not quite as keen on cats as

I, so post the pic of my old mouse mat too, so that you get something to comment on.

Minergy

Turns out the smoke and food smell problem was the minergy standard in our house. When neighbours upstairs switch on their fan, they suck air out of my apartment. The simple solution is for them to open a window or a balcony door when they use the fan, that apparently breaks the airing system.

Same problem I have when using the fireplace, and at the same time the kitchen fan without an open window. Then smoke comes into the flat, instead of slowly seeping out the chimney. Weird system, but if you know the problem it can easily be solved just by opening a window.

But I will still try out the electronic cigs.

Food and wine

Had a friend over for dinner tonight, and I can safely say both he and I enjoyed the food. Pretty proud of myself!

And we enjoyed it together with an Italian Casalferro from 2006, that he gave me on my birthday.

Yum is a good summary of the eve.

Electronic cig

Gotta give it to the construction manager, he's one clever bastard. He stopped by today to inspect the airing system, due to the fact that the neighbours upstairs feel smoke and food smell from my flat.

He brought me a sample of an electronic cig. Which to my surprise wasn't that bad. It looks like a real cig, but is a bit heavier, and contains a battery thingie in the "filter". It even looks like it lights up in the end when you drag (haha).

The only thing that makes me a bit wary, is that it's his wife who has the Swiss license to sell it here. Well, I ordered now and let's see where this leads...

Big brother is smelling you

Haha, last item was about neighbours and believe it or not, today something came up with the neighbours in the house.

I got a phone call from the building construction manager that he wants to come by tomorrow to check on something. Turns out the neighbours above have complained about smoke smell in the their little bathroom, and only there. And that they call tell what I have for dinner!

I remember them talking about hearing my telly sometimes, but only there, in the same little bathroom.

So it seems there is some piping not correctly done in the house from my flat to their bathroom. Very happy it's not the other way around!

I think it might have to do with me moving my computer from the table to the bar counter, then switching the kitchen fan on in the evenings when I sit there watching computer telly and smoking. On the other hand, neighbours claim it is only sometimes and for days they do not smell anything. And I'm home most of the evenings.

This is weird, and to be continued I'm sure.

PS. And it's nice to hear from the neighbour "So do not worry about your smoking habits and the fan."