Asparagus

What is it with asparagus that makes the pee stink like hell? I was at a do this evening, and sandwiches was served. Had one with asparagus on it, and now my bathroom is stinking.

On one hand, isn't it good that the kidneys get refreshed and rid of all the junk I put into my body? But on the other hand, can this really be healthy?

Besides, I put much less junk into my body these days, and eat almost exclusively homemade food (obviously except for chocolate when served).

Explanation anyone?

Summertime

I totally messed up today. I was prepared, and had already adjusted all my clocks yesterday. However, in the wrong direction. I saw an article in the paper, and obviously read it the wrong way.

So this morning I thought I was an early bird at 7.30 am, which is pretty unusual for me, but it turned out to be 9.30, which is far more normal.

First I noticed when my mobile phone wanted to make an update, which I accepted, and I thought it got it wrong. Then I logged on to my computer, which also had it wrong. Or so I thought.

Then I tried the telly, which didn't work. Surprising. Something about a cable not connecting, which goes to show I never watch telly. Might have been faulty for months. Then I checked my automatically updated weather thingie, which showed yesterdays time. So much for automatic.

For a little while there I was confused, until I realized that the computer and phone were right, and that I got it wrong.

Note this people, 'cause it doesn't happen often :).

This sporting thingie

This losing weight business has a definite downside. I am used to drinking some wine in the evening, and I'm known for not being much affected by it. And I agree, I enjoy drinking wine but I don't enjoy getting drunk. I like the buzz the alcohol is giving me. The creativity (yes, sometimes I'm writing a lot of things on a note pad which in the morning seems...well...less interesting) and the feeling it's giving me. But that's it. I'm not into any other drugs than alcohol and nicotine. And when I had enough I go to bed.

And this is what bothers me. Before the new healthy me I used to go to bed pretty late. I've always been an evening/night person and horrible in the morning (you talk to me in the morning, and I'm considering striking you from my friends list!). But now it's changed. Not my wine consumption in the evening, but the time I go to bed. All of a sudden I feel the impact of the alco and decide I want no more.

This needs to change. It's a fifty-fifty if I downsize my wine consumption or stop doing sports!

Bad taste

I have a couple of neighbours who think it is tasteful to put a ring of dead leaves on their door. A circle of something that I'm sure was once alive and kicking, but now is just a sad ring of deceased greenery.

Why? If it was Christmas, I would guess they wanted to spread a bit of Christmas cheer, but since it's March, I have no idea why.

Otherwise they are nice, so I don't want to confront them, but why oh why?

Cold shoes

I was discussing my new sporty shoes with a friend of mine, and when I complained that it takes time to walk them in, he suggested I put them in the freezer. Like a housewifey tip from a man. Yeah right!

But later that evening after a few drinks I thought why not try? Then I forgot all about it, and got quite a surprise when I opened the freezer again after a few days. Had to laugh at myself.

However, somehow it seemed to have worked. I really dunno why, and maybe it's in my head, but today those shoes seemed more comfortable.

Gouda

I'm a sucker for cheese. I really love it. And one of my favourites is Gouda. I dunno if it's because I lived in Holland, but I think it's more because it reminds me of a cheese I often ate as a kid. It's mild, but has a distinct cheesy flavour.

The point is that I was buying it today, and just as I was picking up a triangle, I realized there was a package next to it with sliced Gouda. Which was cheaper than the triangular one. How can that be?

I mean, somebody has to slice the cheese, which means more cost. Ok, so a triangular one also needs to be sliced, but still, slicing it into perfect pieces must take a machine. So I guess a machine is cheaper than the labour of a person.

Yes I think this is the way the world is going. People will be obsolete, and machines will take over. I'm sure somebody has made a film about it already.

And I'm glad I was born when I was.

Toothache

The last couple of mornings I have woken up with toothache. That is not a good sign. I'm always very cautious about using toothpicks (sometimes I'm sure I'm annoying people after a dinner), and I'm of course brushing my teeth at least twice a day.

It's annoying. Painkillers help, but is not a longterm solution I know.

Pretty sure I'll have to visit my dentist soon. Scheisse.

Hit cookies

Had a friend over for dinner last night, and even though he's really skinny, he indulged in my cookies. I think they are a hit.

Top in neon pink

I seem to be in a shopping mood lately, and today I bought a sports top. First I looked at bras, finding out them costing like 80 francs. Duuuh! Luckily I found a tight sports top doing the same work for much less. I thought I'd get it in a discreet colour :).

Baking challenge

I had to redeem myself and make those cookies again. This time they came out perfect.

Fabulous weather

Today was boat-opening for the first time this season. A bit of cleaning, testing of engine (hurray, started at first try) and a picnic in the sun.

While in the city, I  decided to go shopping, triggered by that I need new shorts plus the fact that I had a voucher from last year and I wasn't sure when it expired.

Surprised myself by buying not only shorts, but also a top and a belt! I haven't had a belt since forever, I mean a belt that accentuates my newly discovered waist. How cool is that?

While on the go I also passed Dosenbach. I gotta say, lately I've been looking for some sort of power-walking shoes, since I just have winter and summer shoes, and found only ridiculously expensive footwear. No way am I paying between 100 and 200 francs for a pair of shoes!

But Dosenbach delivered again. A pair of perfectly normal walking shoes for the very moderate price of 17.90!

Early bird

I dunno know, but some things are changing in my life. For example, the last few days I've been going to bed early, getting out of the same early in the morning. Like today, I was doing my daily stepper session already at 9 am, and then I was cleaning and scrubbing my balcony so that's it's now in pristine condition.

But then I faded, and had a wee snooze on my oh-so-comfortable sofa. To be awaked by a cat having a whiff on my nose. Opened my eyes and looked straight into a cats ditto. Funny that. They can sleep up to 18 hours a day, but when I sleep, they are intent on waking me up.

Hmm, I have to teach'm to not walk all over me. Literally.

This kissing thing

I dunno, but I think this thing with parents kissing their kids on the mouth is a bit...I dunno know...strange. It seems to be a habit in America, but I feel a bit uncomfortable watching it. I have never kissed or been kissed on the mouth by my parents.

A kiss on the cheek, a hug, is totally ok. But kissing on the mouth is for me reserved for lust and love for a man.

I don't think I'm a prude, but this kissing on the mouth with kids seems wrong to me.

Zürich is fantastic

First day this year I was walking with bare feet and sandals.

Then queen of tact

I had to laugh about a comment about me not exactly being the queen of tact. And I agree, I'm not. I'm the one "telling the truth". My truth which is what counts :).

Like today, when I visited a friend and told him how exactly he should rearrange his furniture to optimize the space in his apartment.

So yes, hearing the truth is good, 'cause yesterday I showered all the plants on the dusty table and cleaned it too.

Revenge is sweet?

You know, it's hard to know where to draw the line. I like to think of myself as a person always telling the truth. But what is the truth really? My truth, or another persons truth?

Of course it matters what you talk about. Like today, I didn't much appreciate a friend asking "is that table really that dusty?". Yes it was, and there was a reason to. That in my mind was an unnecessary comment.

On the other hand, I have probably said something that hurt people too. But I'm getting better. I try to think about what's important in life, and in my world a dusty table isn't. I think next time I'm visiting this person I will check all the shelves and tables...drawing my finger along...hoping it's getting dusty!

Doubt it'll make me feel better though.

The fatter the better

It is very interesting to experience the reactions of my friends, knowing that I now eat healthier and exercise more, resulting in a weight loss. I don't know how many kilos I've lost, since I'm not a fan of scales, but it's gotta be some since my pants are now fitting and are even lose.

But the point I'm trying to make is, no man has noticed a difference. All women do, and comment on it. None of the men I know see a change in me.

Interesting. But since I didn't make the change for men, but for me, I do admit I feel much better. Healthier and more happy with myself.

Screw the men, what do they know anyway?

And for all the insecure women out there, men are stupid, they don't care about your weight, they care about how many times a week they can get screwed :).

One tough cookie

Gosh, sometimes I'm really stupid. Decided to make some cookies this evening, the same I did a couple of weeks ago. Piece of cake so to speak. Not.

I guess I was distracted by a tv show I was watching while doling out the cake mix. Way, way too big. When I checked the oven I was...surprised. Then I had to laugh. It all melted together. But even so, they end result tasted good.

Strong police force

Today when I went grocery shopping I was surprised to see three police vans outside the store, and at least seven policemen. What the heck?

Turned out to be two guys who had tried to nick two bottles of vodka. I don't think the police force in Zürich is short on resources.

A walk in the park

Today it was fantastic weather, 16°C and sunshine. I went walking with my dog friend. We walked for about an hour, then took a break and enjoyed some leftover pizza and yes, a wee glass of wine. While sitting there an acquaintance of his bicycled by, they talked for a bit and then he left.

We walked for another hour, then turned around and walked back (we had a car parked so needed to end up where we started). On the way back we stopped at the same place to enjoy another piece of food and another glass of wine, and lo and behold, the same guy bicycled by. This time he didn't stop, but laughed when he passed us. Pretty sure he was thinking we hadn't left.

And we saw plenty of ducks. As sweet as they look, the wife laying on eggs and the man hovering about, all I could think about is how good a crispy duck taste on a plate.

Pizza Saturday

After the kinda successful pizza creation last time I wanted to try it again. Today with a helper. And despite him being a big fan of cheese, his pieces were...how can I put it nicely...cheeseless.

Nevertheless, they tasted fine. We used all sorts of ingredients. Home-made dough, bought equivalent, fresh tomatoes, canned ditto, sundried tomatoes in olive oil, peperoni, ham, bacon, mozzarella, parmesan, chili and oregano. Guess what I'm gonna cook next time for my guests?

Einstein

I very seldom look myself in the mirror, you know the way you really look at yourself. But tonight I had to laugh at myself. I was doing my stepping thingie, and afterwards cleaning my face in the bathroom. I looked up in the mirror and faced....Albert Einstein. Haha. Sweaty hair everywhere standing out from my head, almost like a gloria.

If only I had his brain. You know, when he lived. I do not wish it now, since it probably is in a jar somewhere.

Electricity

You know how it is, bills seem to come in at a regular pace, always too often if you ask me. But today I think was a record, there were four bills for taxes, three bills for insurance, four bills for the flat and a few others including one that actually made me happy.

I have lowered my usage of electricity with 5.79% since last year! That ain't bad. I am not entirely sure how that happened, but I am quite cautious in the way I use electricity, obviously without being stupid. There are plenty of electrical devices always running, but I am proud of my little contribution to the environment.

Also, 44% of the electricity I use is after ten o'clock in the evening alternatively on Sundays when the electricity is cheaper. Good for my wallet. This includes washing machine, dishwasher and charging of various devices.

Pat on back for me.

Gantlokal

Today I went to the Zürich Gantlokal, which is an auction organized by the city of Zürich. They sell stuff that has been confiscated from bankrupt people. Today a Rolls Royce was sold for 4,000 francs, which one might think was pretty reasonable, but it looked like a piece of metal junk to me. Plus one couldn't drive with it.

Other than that, it was all sorts of stuff from 1 francs and up. Paintings, gold, watches, boxes with shoe soles (!), electronics and a helluva lot of wine. I wish I had known, since some of them were collection pieces, and one might have been able to re-sell it with a profit.

Anyway, now I know and I might actually go there again.

Dumbbells

I cannot believe I bought dumbbells! But I thought since I now do my stepping thing, pushups and situps I should add a little something to strengthen my arms. They are very weak, and I always felt a bit stupid not being able to open cans and jars without difficulty.

But when I got home I realized that each of them weighed not 0.9 kg as promised in the shop, but 450 grams each. 450 grams doesn't sound a lot, even though I checked the weight on my kitchen scale and found out it was actually 464 grams. I guess the straps were 14 grams. And they only came in pink, I'm guessing no man would ever be seen with such light dumbbells.

Anyway, used them tonight in my 25 minutes long stepping session lifting hands up and down, in and out, looking like I wanted to fly. Good thing nobody saw me. But I actually believe I will feel it tomorrow. A small step for me, but no giant leap for mankind.

Pizza virgin

Today I did a pizza for the first time. It wasn't perfect, but I have learned how to better it for next time. Make my own dough, skip the olive oil, add less cheese and top with the basil after it's been in the oven. Tasted fab though, and ironically it was cooked without salt :).

Salt of the earth

When I was a kid, children knew their place. I'm not saying that we were suppressed or abused, but we knew when to keep quiet and to let other people be the center of attention. And yes, I may have changed since I was a child before you comment.

But I draw the line at food. I was invited for dinner, and because it apparently is fatal for children to eat salt, four adults were served an otherwise delicious lasagna that tasted of....nothing. Just because one child was having a small slice.

Personally I think it's gone too far.

I have an old cousin who is above pension age, and he is still alive despite his father smoking in the car when he was little. I know loadsa older people who are healthy despite having had salt in their food. I even know people who smoke themselves that are still alive!

But I also know people with injuries, like sporting people! There are broken bones and arms, twisted ankles and split tendons.

So please, let us all have a little salt in our food. Life is too short not to enjoy.