Customer cards

Normally I'm against all these so called "customer cards", which means you have to be a member of their company, but I have to admit I have changed a bit due to greed I guess. It started when I bought my fabulous (and extremely expensive bed), learning that I could get an 8% discount if I registered as a customer and got a card. Did it, and since then I had some gifts and also some quite attractive offers.

Thinking about it, I as well have Coop and Migros cards, which from Migros gives me about 5 francs vouchers every two months, and in Coop you can sometimes pay with points instead of cash. This appeals to me.

When I bought my sofa from Ikea some years ago I also registered with an Ikea family card. This to me is not my M.O. since traditional families is not my thing, but the discount did made me do it. Since then I was invited to the launch of the new catalogue (which I didn't get at the time), but I got some delicious chocolate cake, and that was enough for me.

A few months ago Ikea asked for people who wanted to live more green, and at the spur of the moment I applied, but my application was kinda weird. I am already living as green as possible (within my limits) and so said that maybe somebody else could learn more from the experience than I. Anyway, today I got an email back saying that unfortunately I wasn't chosen, (28 people out of 700+ were) but I have some gifts they would like me to have as a thank you for applying.

This time they also told me what it was, and even though I'm not overwhelmed, I appreciate their willingness to thank me for applying. And that "KOPPLA Mehrfachsteckdose" I can certainly use.

Money money money

In my life I have always saved money. I grew up in a family, not poor, not rich, we had everything we needed but there was no luxury. I learned at a very young age to save if I wanted something. And I thank my parents for that lesson, 'cause that's why I can live the life I do now.

In my youth there were few if any credit cards, so my motto has always been "save first, spend later". Unlike today I understand, where people overspend left, right and center.

So I had to laugh today. Since about eight? years I have changed to a conservative bank. I have had many banks in many countries in my life, where the advisors have been dead wrong and cost me a lot of money. I have also had a family member giving me advice what shares, funds and whatsit to buy, but since some years I have taken over responsibility for my own finances completely. Which I probably should've done earlier.

Had a meeting with my bank today. It wasn't because I requested it, it was because they called me and my new "advisor" wanted to meet with me. Ok, fine with me, I could waste an hour if that's what they wanted.

I have no secrets when it comes to my finances, so were completely open. But here comes the laughing bit. No, I don't want any financial advice, 'cause every time I trust somebody else it turns out to be a bad idea. Every time I trust my instinct, it has always given a better return. And no, I don't need to hear your background and about your career, done it, been there and so forth. And I really question why there were two of you? The bank I have chosen to care for my money should not waste their time on a small time investor like me.

The problem is, I cannot think of another bank which would be better, and if I have to spend/waste an hour a year telling them about my investment strategy, I think I can live with that.

PS. They gave me a whole folder with papers about my finances (like I can't see that on internet banking whenever I want) to be stored and hopefully forgotten about. And another tree died.

Non-EU

I have lived in two countries that have chosen not to join EU. Of course, I have lived long enough to remember the time when there was no EU, and every time you travelled it was duty-free heaven. Cheap booze and cheap tobacco, what could be better than that? Plus I remember the time when you could order a seat in the back of the plane, a smoking seat. Those were the times!

Personally I like the idea of EU, having a union makes fighting against each other more difficult, and a world without wars would be utopia. Will never happen, but the forming of EU is a start, just like the federation of the American states.

However, I do like the duty-free bit. And I had forgotten I'm sorry to say, since I used to travel myself a lot and had a never-ending supply of stuff, that when I came to Switzerland a pack of ciggies cost around 5 francs, and now it's up to 8. Almost to the limit where I cringe every time I have to pay. So to my delight I realized I have neighbours who travel! I dunno what took me so long. Maybe because I'm used to rely on me and myself only.

The last couple of weeks I had packs from Tenerife for 3.50 a pack, and from oh-I-dunno-where-he-was for 5.20 a pack. Maybe not so good in my strive to reduce, but heckuvalot better for my purse. Money over health?

More blood

So finally the blood donating people woke up, and realized that I volunteered to donate three times a year instead of two, so tomorrow I'm off again.

Every time you have to answer an extensive form with questions (I'm surrounded by forms these days), but they are not personalized. Which I think would be very easy to do nowadays. Like the question if I was born outside of Europe, which I now have answered 22 times. I'm toying with the idea of ticking the yes box once to see what they say.

Or if I spent any time between 1980 and 1996 anywhere in the Great Britain (guess it has to do with mad cow). Or if I had growth hormones before 1986. 22 times people I have answered that.

But there is one question that always makes me laugh, and I believe it's my German that is not up to scratch. It asks if I've been in a risk situation with "Sexuelle Kontakte unter Männern seit 1977". To me it reads like have I been under a man since 1977? Yes I have I can reveal. But I'm pretty sure that's not what the question is about. Or is it :) ?

Sport: cleaning

Lately I have been doing my own cleaning. I know, it sounds weird, but one of the things I always thought was worth it, was to buy cleaning help. I hated to clean. Washing, ironing, cooking, all the stuff that needs to be done, was never an issue for me, but cleaning was. It felt like a chore.

But no longer! I have discovered that cleaning is a sport. You move, you sweat, it's not something you particularly look forward to, but you feel so much better afterwards. And I know it's been done properly, when I've done it myself.

It's amazing it took me this many years to find that out.

Swiss VI

So I sent in all the gazillions of papers and forms, asked of me by ze Swiss authorities, in order to process my application for citizenship.

Today I got a letter, confirming that they have received my request, and that they are happy that I have decided to apply. Ha! Pretty sure that's not the case.

I was asked to fill in yet another form, one that I hadn't seen before, and which was attached to the letter. Simply confirming stuff that I already had given them. Yes, I'm single, no I still don't have any kids since last week, and my parents had no Swiss citizenship.

I was informed that if I didn't return this form within 3 months, they would not consider my application. Like I would spend several hundred francs on ordering all the necessary forms, and they hey, I think I decide not to apply after all?

But I am even more determined now to play their game. Throw as many forms at me as you can, I'll deal with them all.

The meaning of life

Had some friends over for dinner tonight, raclette yeah, it's autumn and time for cheese again. Fab. And it got a bit late, since we got into a discussion about the reason why we are here on earth. And it turned out to be different for all three of us. Not having anything to do with 42.

One of us had love as a first, being in a relationship and getting to be appreciated as a person was first on her list, me on the other hand had self worth, standing up for yourself, trying to be the best person you can be, and surprisingly enough the third one of us meant that buying only the best things would make you happy. In his case it was a Korean rice-cooker. He's a man and I rest my case.

That smoking thing

I know I'm sticking my neck out here, not really being devoted to stop smoking, but I am making baby steps towards a healthier life.

Let's not be fooled here, I loooove smoking, I love my cigarettes, I love the feeling they are giving me, but I am not stupid. I realize they are essentially bad for me. However, I do also believe that it's not as bad as it's made out to be, since a lot of smokers get to be 80, 90 or even older.

That said, I believe that smoking less than I currently do would be a good thing. I have started to change my behaviour a little bit, like when I'm sitting in front of my computer, moving the cig pack away so that I have to stand up in order to reach it. And when I go food shopping almost every day, I leave the ciggies back home.

It was funny, I met with a friend the other day, and he had gone to psycho therapy, in order to learn to change his behaviour, and he had been told the exact same thing. Change your behaviour with little things. I call it common sense, some people need therapy.

Ah well, I make no promises, other than that I will try. And that's not a bad thing.

Mixed feelings about becoming super fit

I went to have a riding lesson again today, and I felt really professional wearing the gear I got some weeks ago. And I have to admit, that having real riding boots made a difference. Before my feet were all over the place in the straps, but now I sat very firm and got a better balance.

And I'm glad to say my tail bone gave me no problems, not even when galloping.

But now I have to think hard. I was planning on having lessons in a group of four, but the only one still available is on Fridays at 19.30. Normally I do something completely different then (you guess!).

Every week from January to June on Friday evening. I am tempted, and of course it would be good for me, breaking some habits and do something more healthy.

I also appreciate the teacher, even if she's very upfront and into "telling the truth". There is absolutely no smooth-talking there. It's "we have to build up your fitness level continuing with the private lessons this year" (hey, I've been training all of this year, but agreed, riding is something else and even though my leg strength is getting better and better with the spin bike thingie, I still sweat like a pig after just half an hour). I keep on referring to my age, using it as a defense tool, but she's having none of that. "One in the class of four is 65, so quit whining". Ok, she didn't say it exactly like that, but to me it sounded just like that.

However, in the classes next year there is another teacher, so maybe she's nicer :) ? Don't think so.

It's a humbling experience not being the best in your field (haha, I sound like I always was).

Right now I'm leaning towards signing up, even though those group lessons are 50 minutes long, and not 30 minutes like now. Oh dear!

Natural beauty

I saw a talkshow some time ago, where somebody claimed that people spend 3.5 years of their time taking care of their body, like showering, clipping nails, shaving and the likes. That sounds a lot to me. I haven't calculated how much per day that would be, but I'm sure it doesn't apply to myself.

I'm the type of person who doesn't like to shower, much less take a bath, which is why I chose not to have a bathtub. I do it as quickly as possible, dry myself off, apply body lotion, deodorant and mascara, and am out of the bathroom in 10 minutes. I'm not particularly fond of massage, but I do clip my nails when neccessary.

I believe it's called natural beauty ;).

Administration in Zürich

If I would guess where administrators would be top in the world, I would say Switzerland. I mean, they absolutely adore paper forms, official stamps and whatever paperwork makes normal people miserable. But I would be wrong.

Let's look at a few examples. When I applied as a volunteer worker for Pfarrer Sieber, they were enthusiastic at first, but then I never heard back. When I applied to be a volunteer for the city of Zürich, I had to send two emails in order to get an answer. When I wanted to take riding lessons, I equally had to send severals mails before I got heard.

After I gave blood last time early May, I sent them a mail saying that I can stretch to give three times a year, instead of only two, and got confirmation that they would update their system. Now, five and a half months later I haven't heard beep.

And these are all organizations who one way or another get my money. I really don't understand.

Tropical Zürich

We've been having a fantastic autumn here in Zürich, maybe to make up for the rainy June, but really. It's been like over 20° and sunny almost every day.

However, when I today checked out the weather for the coming week I saw something surprising: a tropical rainstorm called Gonzalo is expected mid next week. A tropical rainstorm in Zürich? That global warming thingie is really heating up, so to speak.

This will be exciting!

Life from above

In my bedroom I have wardrobes. This is no revelation, but since I have in-door cats I constantly think of ways to entertain them. And as most people know, cats love to look at life from above.

Today a friend of mine brought a gift. Which is funny, since I only mentioned it to him a few days ago, but he's an animal-lover so had spent time to create a ladder.

My cats have as of yet not seen the new addition, but I guess tonight will be a night of discovery. What won't I do for my furry ones?

Getting there

This weight-loss thingie is a whole science. It's not only eat healthy and less, and do sports, but other aspects come into the equation after some time. Like I learned the last few days. I ate more than normal a few days ago, and lost 500 grams! Fantastic. But I realized that saga wouldn't last long.

So I've learned that changing your training is also important, like if you do the same sports in the morning every day, then change to do it in the middle of the day or in the evening instead. Or change what you're doing, 'cause the body adjusts and after a while you see no result even if you're moving every day.

What a bummer! I would've been happy continuing with the spin bike half an hour every morning (watching an episode of Biggest loser, feeling very thin, 'cause they are really obese), but now I've gotta change!

So far I've got a spin bike, some light weights, and a stepper. Plus my own body weight. I have to come up with new ways of training. Unfortunately youtube only provides you with very boring zumba classes. Otherwise that would be something that appeals to me.

But apart from an anorexic period way back, I haven't weighed this little since I was in my teens! Pat on back. And truly, I don't need to lose anymore, but it's become a challenge now. Especially since I have spent so much blog space talking about it :).

Goodbye and RIP

So I went to my second funeral here in Switzerland today. It wasn't as much a funeral, it was a ceremony by the grave where the urn was lowered into the ground. People gathered, the priest was talking, there were flowers and it wasn't too sad. Maybe because I kept the distance a bit, since I wasn't near family, and that I have a bit of a problem with death. Well, who doesn't? But I have especially bad memories from death, funerals and saying goodbye.

We declined going to the church and the dinner afterwards, felt it was too much, since I'm an atheist, and that god thingie doesn't do it for me, but it felt good to have been there. We left a card, and my friend spoke to the brother, and so we made our presence known. Which was good, since nobody else knew who we were.

There were many people there. She lived alone like me, had four cats, and a quite active social life. And she was appreciated. A friend of hers held a speech by the grave, talking about a bird with a broken wing, who managed to get away from a cat, flying up to sit on top of a tree, saving her life for a little while, and enjoying, but at the same time knowing the cat would still get her eventually.

A beautiful analogy for somebody who truly loved animals. She will be missed.

In a better place?

I had lunch with the Zürich "Krebsliga" (cancer fund) today. I have developed a good relationship with them, and try to support them best I can. Next year I will walk with them, something I learned today, every year two breast cancer women arrange a walk, supported by the "Krebsliga", all dressed in pink. As it so happens I have a sporty outfit in pink.

We also had a serious talk, as always when we meet. We share a common history, having lost both our parents too early, and I told him about an acquaintance/friend of mine who has cancer for the second time and it has spread. Last time I talked to her two weeks ago she was at home unable to get out of bed, but didn't want me to visit.

Which was fine, I understand when you want to be alone. I know that she had cancer that has spread, and that she didn't want treatment anymore. She said to me last time we met "Annika, you don't know how it is, I've been sick for ten years, and I don't want any more treatment". And she was right, I don't know.

Today, when telling the story to my friend in the "Krebsliga" he informed me that they provide free adjustable beds to terminally ill people, and I got a leaflet. I thought, maybe this is something a dying person can use?

So when visited tonight by a friend, who also knows this person, we called her and left a message. When we didn't get an answer, we decided to write a card to say we were thinking about her and the likes. At the same time I googled her name and address and got directed to a site for Stadt Zürich. Ok, I thought, she probably worked there before.

Turned out to be an official site for funerals. She is dead. I spoke to her two weeks ago. It feels wrong. She was a good person. Trustworthy, kind and a cat-lover. She had four. I wonder what will happen to them now.

So tomorrow we are going to the funeral. It feels like the least I can do, even if we were not close friends, she was a person I respected. And she was only 55 years old.

My tail bone - a national disaster?

I was out walking today for five hours! Ok, we did not walk the whole time, it did include a fabulous lunch with fish soup at the Viadukt area in Zürich (can recommend), and a few stops having some wine but still. It was a long day in the sun, fabulous weather and not even the whiny kid could get my mood down.

So we had a stroll at the Limmat, talking about this and that, and just enjoying. When we sat down I remarked that I still have some problems, but it's getting much better. My friend responded "oh yeah, I forgot about that". To which I didn't say anything, but afterwards thought: wouldn't it be really strange if a friend of mine went around thinking about my tail bone?

Just a thought :).

Presents

I have really good friends. Today I got my second birthday present, and that even before my birthday is here. But I love it. They give me things that I want and was planning on getting anyway. This time it was books. A friend of mine visited my home country, and got me some literature in my mother tongue. Very much appreciated.

I think also my neighbours, who's flat I'm looking after whenever they go on holiday, have gotten it. Last time it was like "well, what can we bring you back from Tenerife?". Oh gosh, please not another souvenir. I've been to Tenerife several times myself and really do not want anything from there. But dutyfree cigarettes...yes please.

Anything that can be consumed is appreciated. The rest I can get myself. Except for the riding boots of course, I will very much enjoy them.

Bubo bubo et vespa vulgaris

Every weekday I'm watching this quiz show, and I just love it when people you don't expect pull a rabbit out of their hat. Not literally of course, but today there was a question about what an Eurasian eagle-owl is called in latin, and the guy answered, like it was nothing, "bubo bubo".

If I were on the show, which btw will never happen, I'm much more comfortable screaming out the answer in front of my computer screen, but if I were, I wish the question would be "what is a wasp called in latin?". I would know the answer in my sleep. Vespa vulgaris. I don't remember where I learned it, and why, but I did.

The queen of useless knowledge? I dunno know, but I do know lots of stuff. And most of it is of no use to me. Wish I knew next weeks euromillion numbers instead. That would really be impressive!

Date Sunday

Had another date today. He seemed to be a nice person, and we took a stroll through town, talking easily and finding out things about each other.

My thoughts were that we may be good friends, and that he was fairly open and easy to talk to, but when we parted he said he needed to think about where to go next. Huh? What's to think about I thought, but fair enough. I have no stress in getting to know somebody more, who isn't interested. But I had to laugh about that he didn't even ask if I was interested, just took it for granted. Men!

Riding gear

Went shopping for riding gear today. I needed a helmet (as well as a healed tail bone), so that I don't have to borrow a dirty, god-knows-what-with-possibly-lice-in-it helmet I previously used. Had one when I was young(er), which unfortunately I threw away.

I also needed riding boots, or at least "chaps". That's what I learned they are called. These are thingies you use on your legs, if you don't have proper long boots, in order to prevent the leather straps to turn your inner legs to blue. Which happened to me all three times I took riding lessons so far.

Good thing I had a friend with me today. For two reasons actually. First, I didn't wanna splash out too much money on a helmet, since I don't plan on being professional, and so went for the 59 francs one. It fit, and felt great. But when I asked my friend if I looked good in it, he responded that nobody ever looks good in a helmet. Fair point.

Then we came to the cashier, and it turned out to be 119 francs. Twice the price. Not ok. My friend stepped in, and told them that if they advertise 59 francs, 59 francs it is. After some discussions, and "I have to call the manager" they offered me 20% off. I wasn't sure, but my friend told me to take it. After all, it was a great fit and he thought it would be safer than buying a cheaper one. Fair enough, even though I would've been happier with 59 francs. However, I melted a bit when I got free plastic bag. One of those that lasts a long time, and that had very pretty pictures of all kinds of animals on it. I know, I'm a cheap date.

Then I bought some "chaps", which to my great delight only fitted in small! And even they were not tight! When have I ever bought something in small since I was like 13? These days I seem to be happy for the smallest (haha) things.

And then the second reason I was happy my friend was with me. I was trying on some boots which would fit with the "chaps", but wasn't sure. I was thinking I could get something cheaper in a shoe store, and I don't need to look all that when taking riding lessons. He then said "stop now. I'm buying you these as an early birthday present!". I nearly kissed him then and there. But being me, of course I didn't.

In the evening we had dinner at my place and I was parading around in my new gear!

Picture memory

Some weeks ago I placed an order for wine to be delivered. I do that a couple of times a year, and then I'm stocked up and have enough both for my own consumption and for friends. Easy and convenient.

Today I got a letter from the supplier, giving me a voucher for 15 francs. Great I thought, and put it in the pile for future use.

But something stuck in my mind, when I see something in writing it tends to stay with me. And a few hours later I realized what it was. There was an end date to the voucher. Picked up the letter again and got it confirmed. Only valid for two weeks.

So now I placed an order again, no way I was gonna let 15 francs pass me by, good thing I cleaned out my basement so there is space enough!

Every life is worth saving

Or is it? I don't have any experience with war, other than what I've read or heard in history lessons or through the media, but I'm pretty sure that 99.9% of the population would agree with me that the world would've been better if Hitler, Pol Pot, Mugabe, Idi Amin, Kim Jong-Il and the likes hadn't been born.

How many Bill Gates's, Richard Branson's, Stephen Hawking's, Nelson Mandela's (my personal fav's), Mother Teresa's and Desmond Tutu's have been killed through wars?

Nobody knows of course, since a life taken cannot be judged by those still living.

Sometimes when I walk through a graveyard, I see stones with names and the age they were when they died, and my mind goes to why. Especially if they were young when they passed. Who would they have been if they had still lived?

Here in Switzerland there is a political party called SVP, who hates everything foreign and everybody who wasn't born here is not welcome. Personally, I wanna ship them all to North Korea, which I believe is a regime that would suit them like hand in glove.

Now I just have to send in my application for Swiss citizenship, then I'll take SVP on :).

But what I wanted to say with this blog item was to ask if there is any proof anywhere that wars do work? Do they accomplish anything in the end? Ok, so Saddam and what's-his-name in Afghanistan were killed by America, but did it get better? Did the world benefit from World War I and II?

My belief is that it didn't. And that Israeli and Palestinian thing that's been going on forever, is it making life better for the people there? Absolutely not.

Religion and power hunger, that's the problem if you ask me. And food for thought, very few women are involved in these fights.

Over and out from an atheist.

The plank

Read about the plank and tried it yesterday. It is said that a normalfit person could do one minute, and to my surprise so could I. Also read that the record is four and a half hours. Why anybody would do that is beyond me.

And for the other record, it's not me on the pic. Yet :).

Posture

You know, it may not have been such a bad thing to hurt my tail bone, 'cause it forces me to sit up straight, I kinda sit with my butt hanging out a bit, not that it's much hanging out anymore :), and my back looking like I have a straightjacket or similar.

A posture like a stateswoman. Yes, that's me these days. Who would've thought?

Mystery III

So finally the mystery is solved. Turned out to be somebody who lives at the same street, but had placed the order under the wrong street number.

The supplier called me, they had located the guy who happened to be on holiday, so said they would pick up the boxes on Friday. Fine with me.

But today they called again, this time on my landline and it took me a while to understand how they got my home number, until, me being a bit of an idiot early in the morning, I realized that I'm in the phone book on my address (slapping myself once again!). Anyway, this time they once again excused themselves, and told me that they didn't have any delivery to Zürich on Friday, so would it be ok to come on Wednesday in a week?

Compliant as I am (!) I agreed, and when she told me there should be a bottle of wine for me as a thank you, I gracefully accepted.

Who said that age doesn't make you a better person?

aka Bridget Jones

I'm feeling like Bridget Jones these days. I am weighing in every morning, and even though I don't put it in a diary, I remember what I weighed the day before. Just as well, since she used to put in units of alcohol in her diary, and that wouldn't read well on my blog :).

Anyway, two days ago I hit the magic number. The number I've been striving for, and which is 5 kg's more than I weighed when I was like 16 or 17. Back then I was superfit.

And I think the reason I struggled the last few months is probably because I've been building muscles, replacing the fat and everybody knows muscles weigh more than fat. At least that's what I've been telling myself.

But now I want more. I want to be the person I was when I was in my teens. Not mentally of course, and I have no wish to be that young anymore, but physically it would be nice.

However, I realize it's gonna be a battle, 'cause I don't wanna give up my life completely. I still wanna enjoy food and sweets. And of course my beloved wine. But I do sports more, so let's see where I end up. I have given myself to the end of the year.

PS. A friend of mine went on holiday for two weeks, enjoyed it, had loads of good food in France, and drinks, came back and had gained 200 grams. Sometimes I really hate men! Personally, I think he shits like an elephant!

Mystery II

So the mystery with the boxes delivered to our house is not yet solved. I sent an email to the website I found with the names, and got an answer back saying they had no outstanding deliveries, signed by a person with another name. When I answered stating the names, asking if I had the right email address, I got a really rude reply, so gave up trying that road.

Today I emailed the supplier, who answered that they were very grateful (finally a nice person!) and would come back to me when they had located the person who placed the order.

Mind you, I could've just kept the 48 kg (!) delivery for myself, but I'm just not that kind of person.

Postergirl

I was working again today in my coffee bar, and was happy to see a new sign put up. It corresponds very much more with who I'm associating myself with, than just serving coffee and cookies.

What I didn't know was that they took a pic of me for the poster!

Championship in memory

I had no idea there was a world championchip in memory. These guys (and I say guys, since I saw few women around...maybe they are busy with more important stuff?) are amazing. They can remember the order of cards in a deck, and they memorize gazillions of numbers in a row.

It seems to be a small "sport" with no money in it, but if you ask me, these guys should be hugely rewarded, as supposed to the men who kick a ball around and are paid astronomical amounts. Can you tell that football doesn't interest me?

Seriously, these guys are clever and I'm sure every google and facebook company out there, are already offering employment. If not, they should be.

Atheist god 1-0

Today my door rang unexpectedly and when I asked who it was, I got a rant in Switzedütch, so I told them I'll come downstairs to talk to them in person.

They, an elderly man and a woman, started out by stating that a lot of people are now unhappy with the possible change of government. So I told them that I unfortunately cannot vote, thinking that would put them off. Added that everybody in this house is a foreigner, so they wouldn't get any ideas about harassing somebody else, even if it isn't true.

Then out comes the broschure about god. Oh dear. Not sure what the government has to do with a god, but I assured them that the beautiful country we live in wasn't created by some imaginary god, but by nature itself. And that I'm an atheist, and no thanks, you can keep your leaflet.

They were nice about it though, thanked me for a nice chat, and off they went. I actually don't think they were Jehovas, seeing the name of their printed paper, maybe Salvation Army or something?

It made me think, some of these organizations have people going around trying to convert people. What are their success rate? My guess is 0.

Mystery I

A few days ago there was a delivery to our house. I saw the boxes at the entrance coming back home, and didn't think twice about it. All of us order stuff from the internet now and then.

But when it was there a day later I looked at the labels, and didn't recognize the names. But just at the same time we had new tenants moving in, and even though their first names didn't match, I thought maybe it belonged to them anyway. And when asking the owner of the flat, he thought so too.

Now the boxes have been there for like three days, and so I googled and found a couple with those names, living in Zürich but in a completely other area.

Discussed it with my neighbour today, and we are lost. We cannot understand why somebody would place an order to our address.

Anyway, I first rang the possible owners of the boxes and didn't get an answer. Now an email is out there, but I didn't reveal what the contents were, I want them to identify it first, before giving it to them.

But how weird is that? I mean, it's a computerized name tag, the supplier name is on the boxes, why order it to an address where you don't live?

I can reveal as much, that if we don't find the owners of these boxes, there shall be a party in this house :).

I wanna sink my teeth into something

Today I went to have my teeth cleaned. I use the same clinic since about ten years, and the dental hygienist is fabulous. No pain, ok, it's not pleasant, but she does the work, is always gentle, praises me for having good mouth hygiene, and now I have white teeth again. Well, white might be a bit of an exaggeration, but still, very much improved.

However, since I was there last time (for that awful root canal) the owner has sold the practice, he was retiring, and now it's a new owner. I remember seeing some cliche written on the door.

Before there was always somebody greeting you in the reception, no I was met by nobody. And my hygienist asked if I had filled in the form. "What form" I asked, since I've been a client for like ten years. Turns out new clinic has another system, another everything, and from what I understood the new leadership wasn't all that. So I made sure that she'd let me know if she moves. 'Cause then I'm gonna move with her.

Anyway, when leaving I got the form, and it had all kinds of question regarding my full medical history. Excuse me? You do my teeth, I pay you and the rest is none of your business. Besides, I have already given you permission to get my data from the previous owner.

Nah, these chains are not all that. But as long as my hygienist is still there, I'm gonna be a customer. And I would appreciate a personal greeting next time, rather than hearing the personnel chatting about personal things next door.

Sad boat

I was closing up my boat for the season today. Even though people were sitting outdoors, enjoying dinner tonight, it has become a wee bit too cold for cruising the lake.

One problem I had previous years was that water was always forming a small pool on the right (left when looking at pic) side, so today I put a chair under the cover to prevent it. Will it work? I dunno.

Swiss accuracy

I had a hose installed, going from my shower to the balcony, which I described in a previous blog item. So instead of paying 4,000 francs which the architect asked when building the house, I ended up paying less than 100 francs.

To my help in assembling this hose I had my previous landlord. He bought everything, he put it all together and made it work. He was driving around, getting all the equipment, and put in the hours.

He was very accurate, and presented me with the bills, which I paid. Of course. But there was one piece that wasn't fitting, so he took it back.

Yesterday I found an envelope in my mail-box, containing all the receipts and two francs in cash. That's what he got back from returning the piece that didn't work.

I don't wanna know how much it cost to drive to the shop, returning the piece, but as it actually was only 1.95, I sent him a text saying I owe him 5 rappen, and I would like to return it promptly.

You gotta love ze Swiss. Very accurate, very precise and just adorable.

Pergola man

Had another date tonight. We were supposed to meet under the pergola at Bürkliplatz, which is the place in Zürich where the ferries are anchoring. I was there on time, walked around, saw a guy who I thought was the one, walked up to him to ask "are you H?". He wasn't.

A pergola I understand is a secluded place with a roof over, we used to have one in the garden when I lived abroad. I wasn't sure where that was, so called him. He had given me his number. He was there he said, under the pergola, so walked around again and couldn't shake the feeling that the guy I had asked was the one (sitting there with his phone). So I asked again "are you sure you're not H?". He still wasn't.

Eventually I phoned again (quite irritated) and he was on the other side, claiming that the real Bürkliplatz was where he was. If he would've said the old dancing place I would've known.

Anyway, he was quite ok. Perhaps not my type exactly, but ok to spend an evening with. I was quite clear though, that any horizontal surfing would not be happening.

And even though he had a sense of humour, it wasn't my kind of humour. And I frown upon having hands on my thigh when not invited.

Nevertheless, even though not all of the people I meet are gonna be lifetime friends, they all have interesting stories and I like being out there. I believe it's called living the life.

In the jungle

Yesterday was a full day. I was invited first to a cruise on the lake, where I learned that Eritrea has nine different languages. Not sure it's a valuable knowledge for me, but still, interesting.

After that we had a private showing of the Masoala-Halle in Zürich zoo. I've been there before but never learned as much as yesterday. We saw a chameleon, you know this tiny insect/whatever that can change colour, but not as I thought 'cause they wanna blend in and avoid predators, but because of their mood. How cool is that? It'd be mind-blowing to think if people could do the same ;).

We saw bats and lemurs, flying and climbing the top of the hall (and it's large!), bamboo trees that in the Masoala hall grows up to 20 centimeters a day (I wonder what they do when they reach the top), and in Madagascar where they come from can grow more than a meter a day!!!

We were informed of the travellers tree, where those in need got water.

We learned that they have a cacao tree (which must be my favourite tree ever), from which they manufactured actual pralines and sold for 200 francs a piece in order to raise money to save the rain forest. All of them sold out, but on the other hand it was only 32 pieces and some guy spent 100 hours doing them.

We saw a tiny little red bird, which I think had something to do with picking bugs out from something, not sure, I lost the guide a bit there.

We looked in wonder at the huge banana trees, and went bananas when we didn't see any :).

The most interesting bit was when we were allowed off-track, where the public normally cannot access, and went trekking in the jungle. I was quietly humming "in the jungle, the mighty jungle..." while crossing stone tracks and tiny, hanging bridges entirely made of rope and wood. A beautiful waterfall. Unfortunately the pic quality is a bit blurry, probably from me shaking a bit.

The day ended with an interesting dinner, where I was sitting across from a biker, who showed me pics of him and the Hells Angels "manager" in Amsterdam. Surprising. He told me he was part of another biker group, and when I asked him what they do in their club besides riding motorcycles, he shrugged his (quiet fat) shoulders and remarked "oh you know, trafficking, drugs and prostitution and such". Then he smiled really sweetly and I realized he was having me on. Which I do believe, 'cause he's not the type, knowing what he does for a living.

Then I got a ride home with somebody who turns out to run her own cleaning company. Very valuable contact, since my cleaning help is no longer available.

All in all, a very interesting day.

Sore tail

You know I hurt my tailbone at the last riding lesson, and unfortunately it's still hurting. I was talking to a friend and he told me that he suffered the same injury many years ago. I asked him how long it took to heal, and he answered four years.

Four years! Turns out he meant one week, but there is a certain sense of humour I less appreciate.

But now it's been five days and it's gotten a little better, but I still cannot sit properly on a chair. I bet it looks a bit funny with me sitting with half the bum hanging out, but I don't care. Pain is so not my thing.