Moscow

The boyfriend of a friendgirl of mine was in Moscow the other week. Working as I was told. While away his girlfriend was thinking of a present for him to show her love for him, so she bought him tickets for a concert she knew he would love. What did he buy for her? A mug with "Moscow" written on it. With the price tag still attached. Do I need to tell you he's German?

Down and feather

The winter jacket I bought some time ago has filling of down and feather. Can somebody explain the difference to me? Both are featherlike and soft, and since they keep out water and rain from the birds, it does the same job in my jacket. But what's the difference? I must have too much time on my hands spending time thinking about this...

German test

Today I had to endure a test of my German language skills. As you do. At first a section described a woman from Namibia who had met a Swiss man, married him and moved to Switzerland. It talked about how she was happy staying home minding the kids while her husband was working and providing the cash. On the question why she was staying home I answered (in my best German): "I have no idea. Perhaps she's just lazy?". Another section described an ad for a hotel. I was to write a complaint letter and demand my money back. I wrote that I really disliked the horrible kids who were making lots of noise in the morning, that the surfers and sailers spread their gear all over the place and that I was extremely unhappy with that the bar was not open 24/7. I think it was unfair that I didn't get extra points for a sense of humour! Anyway, they stated what I already knew. I am fairly good (actually they said good) in speaking, understanding and reading, but I suck at writing. This friggin German grammatics!! Good thing you readers understand English!

Live music

Nothing beats live music when it comes to fun. Jon Bon Jovi, Status Quo, Tina Turner, AC/DC, I just loooove it. Good fun tonight, exactly what I needed on a Monday evening.

Best before

Having a bit of pain in my arm lately, and all neighbours are rushing in to help so am now loaded with patches and creme that supposedly will help. Opened one of the packages with patches today and it looked a bit dodgy. Best before 04.2004. Hahahahaha!

Interior design

Ok, so next step is to get some pics up on the walls. I also decided to paint the outer of the fireplace silver gray. That'll stop it from looking slightly yellow from the smoke + it'll add a bit of feature to my already fab flat. And I got the sign-off from a trusted neighbour tonight. Always good to have a blessing.

Window-cleaning

It is great to have many windows when you have a fab view. However, there are times when I wish they weren't quite so many. Today I cleaned four windows and four balcony doors, and I've still just scratched the surface. Decided to only look out those windows, and leave the rest for now.

I met Imeldas Mum

Tonight I was entertained with the story of an English company that measured ones feet and how the shoes were fantastic. Lasted like 20 years. What can I say? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

No duck, no nuts

When I invite people over for dinner I usually ask them what they do not eat, rather than the opposite. Last time I did they answered "no duck, no nuts".

And now all I can think about is cooking duck, which I've never done in my life and also how I can work some nuts into the menu. Funny that.

It's like when you ask somebody not to think about the colour blue, and you can be sure exactly what they will think about. Blue.

Balcony door

So repair man showed up at 9.30 and the work that was supposed to take 3-4 hours has now been extended to at least 6-7 hours. He's muttering to himself, swearing over colleagues who gave him the wrong information and in general talking a lot of switzedütch that I do not understand. It was something about waterproof this and glue that and lots of other things that really do not interest me.

It's a good thing it's 10°C and sunshine today since I am currently without balcony doors!

Ultra modern lamp

This shopping thing is continuing. Today I bought a fab lamp that goes in colour with the other lamp I bought some time ago. Pink-green-blue lights that dim. It's like a feature that lits up the room. I am happy. Not quite so happy with the price tag but who cares? It's only money.

Missed out opportunity

Ok, just to make it clear for anybody who wants to bring me sweets or any food with carbohydrates (A, never ever keep that lasagna to yourself again!). I am off the diet. I got tired of eating only fat and protein. Boring, boring, boring. I don't mind eating veggies and meat but occasionally I crave sweets. Never mind carbs as in potatoes, pasta or rice, but sweets I cannot really live without. So today I went to the bakery and bought a chocolate cake. Skipped breakfast and had schoggi at about 2 in the afternoon as the first meal today. Ok, had I known that the older gentleman had diabetes I might have chosen a different menu, but I was ignorant. As I so often am. The Levis 30/30 just have to wait another year or two...

Back to normal

So after having interesting discussions all afternoon with a distinguished gentlemen, everything went back to normal. Well I say normal, but really...

So what was planned to be a quick drink turned into perhaps we should eat something, cooking, eating, drinking some more, and dissecting relationships, men, women, people. Everybody who were not there really. Like I said, back to normal.

And tomorrow morning I have to get up at the crack of dawn since the people who are gonna fix my balcony doors from the break-in attempt have finally after 3 months decided to show up!

James Dean

I had an acquaintance over for afternoon coffee today. We have known each other for almost 8 years, but never been close. He's quite a bit older than me, a fine gentleman who I have always had a lot of respect for. He's the only one in Switzerland that I am fine calling "Sie". Today he told me a story that was hard to believe. He's in the auto business and many, many moons ago he worked with this guy named Rolf. Rolf decided to pursue his future in America and wanted my friend to join. However, my friend chose to stay and Rolf ended up the US of A being an auto mechanic working for James Dean. My friend told me Rolf was in the same car as James Dean when he crashed. I was a bit skeptical. I sounded like when I was living in Denmark and my landlord told me his ex-wife had had an affair with Sean Connery. Hmmm. Then he proceeded to tell me that Rolf was badly hurt after the car crash (where James Dean died) and that he hurt his head so badly he never recovered. Which is probably why he married 9 times! All told by my friend. After googling the story (which seems to be true!!!) I am happy that my friend told me they lost contact, since this Rolf guy ended up stabbing one of his wives 14 times. The things you get to hear on a perfectly normal Wednesday!

Compulsive washer

After a discussion with neighbours some time ago I was told to always do the wash or run the dishwasher after 22.00 (and before 6.00), alternatively on Sundays. This is because it is cheaper with electricity these times. Fair enough. Now I've become a compulsive washer. Is it after 10pm? What can I wash? Is the dishwasher full enough to run? Funny that. And then I checked my electricity bill that I got when moving out from my previous place. For 10 months I paid a whopping 150 francs. And this when I always washed daytime. Frankly, I shouldn't be arsed about this, but guess who's washing right this minute?

Shopping - again

First I found a nice-coloured top and then I ran into the bargain of the year while looking for a spring jacket. 80 francs (formerly 249) for a leather jacket! As the cash clerk said: "good price". Indeed.

Fasnacht in Zürich

Fasnacht is another one of these festivities that occur every so often in Zürich. Even though I lived here for more than 7 years I cannot keep track. So today when taking a long walk into town was when I realized there was another party. Unfortunately we had to leave early since I was there with the neighbour with the baby. I blame the baby, really. Anyway, nothing was prohibiting me from going back there in the evening to listen to some fab guggenmusik. I mean, really you have to see it to believe it. These bands usually have 15-20 members, and each band dress with a theme, like the band with the bird costume that blocked the pathway to my boat, being pissed at 1.30 in the afternoon. But most of the bands are playing, parading, having fun. And some of them are pretty good like Ladykillers who I heard tonight. I know, it might be tacky but I don't care, I love it!

Spring has arrived!

Finally, finally, finally spring is here. I know it might be one or two set-backs later on, but today is a lovely day. Sun is shining from a clear blue sky and I can once again see the mountains from my windows.

To give is better than to get

Had dinner for friends tonight, and one of them had birthday. I cannot tell you how fun it is when you really hit it off, giving a present that gets so appreciated. I really think she's gonna have the husband sleep on the sofa tonight and the radio/cd-player I got her will be next to her on the pillow.

I love you guys. Let's have more of these nights!

Smug

Hahahahahahahaha! The cleaning lady who "got stolen" from me never showed up. She was sick, and then sick again so the neighbours fired her before she started. Cannot help but feeling smug. And on Tuesday the other neighbours cleaning lady is coming to my place for an interview. I may have lost the battle but I won the war!