LOLCat of the Month

 

Basel Bild

So I promised some pictures of last week in Basel...it's always cold when I go to Basel, I think I need to go there in the summertime,I'm sure it's lovely with the trees all green and no slush or ice on the streets and no bise blowing.Then again, it's a truly lovely city in any weather...

 















And apparently lovely any time as well. Oh wait...you wanted Basel Foto not just Basel Bild...heh heh.

Here's the Rathaus or town hall just as the morning market out front was closing:

And a close up of the clock, because the Swiss have a bit of a thing about clocks (and watches and automatons and cows and....)

But I think my favorite place in Basel is in the Bahnhof, one of those early 20th century architectural odes to the mighty railway:

and housed within it's high ceilings is the infinitely entertaining, always tasty and without a doubt, odd, Bahnhof Bar.

 

Here one can quietly sip on a glass of wine or have a tasty and refreshing beer and people watch, 

marvel at some of the HUGE painting adorning its walls or just try to figure out what is happening in this picture? Artwork? Electrician's nightmare?

There are cats, eyeballs, blinking lights...EYEBALLS!!

Also to be had in the train station proper is the concoction known as the Asian poulet schnitzel sandwich, found only at the Migros stand and not to be missed!So after a lovely couple of days we said goodbye to wintry Basel and headed up to the flat in Gryon for the weekend where this was the view when I got up Saturday morning: 

Yeah, I love this country!

Canadian, eh?

So all my favorite bloggy friends have been posting about the Olympics and how good it feels to be Canadian, and I just had to jump on the bandwagon and put in my two cents. This is despite the fact that I missed the opening ceremonies and probably won't get to watch many events (cuz I'm really really bad at watching TV) I'm still pumped and hope we get a few medals and whup everybody's ass at hockey. I commented about how 'Oh Canada' can get me all teary and sentimental, but I have always thought that this song should be our national anthem:


'Tracing one warm line, through a land so wild and savage...'
This song is what Canada is about...there would be no Canada if some crazy guys 500 years ago hadn't wanted to find a shortcut to Asia (um and fur...there was some kind of demand for fur too, fuck you PETA).I think the spirit of those intrepid explorers, from Henry Hudson to David Thompson is embedded into each and every Canadian, it's in the air we breath and the landscape we cast our eyes upon. 
So Go Canucks!!!

 

Travelin'

Off to Basel with the Big G for a couple of nights...filet de perche, cordon bleu, tasty Asian scnitzel sammiches and the world's most interesting train station bar. I'll try to take some pictures too!

Travelogue

Thanks to the Vintage Ad Browser I have whittled away most of the morning and will now take you on a wonderful journey through time and space (no no no, this is not the Twilight Zone..or the Outer Limits). You will see many amazing sights and sites, bask in the sunshine of foreign locales, soak up exotic culture and travel via the finest and most luxurious trains, ships and cars available. 

* I've added a new feature so that each of the pictures will open up zoomed in a lightbox format if you want a closer look.

Planning Your Itinerary:

  

America!!! For only a dollar??!! Yes let's go!      

Canada too...because there's The Rockies and...

       

giant natives and ....ALASKA! (who knew?)

How To Get There: 

Fly or sail?

 
Not so sure about the Titanic...let's book a stateroom on the Olympic, k? 
All Aboard Kiddies!

 

In America we will be visiting some of the most famous places....

....and meeting fascinating new people!

Could this be any more exciting? Stay tuned for future travelogues...

All photos courtesy of the Vintage Ad Browser

Groundhog Day

I could blog about how teenagers never fail to amaze me in their ability to commit acts of extreme stupidity...

I could rant about how the state of parnoia currently infecting the citizens of certain nations has passed from interesting through funny to downright absurd, but I would need admin to help me devise new and wonderful expletives to use....

I could tell you a story that involves Facebook, an unnamed international school and the above elements that would have you shaking your head and wondering how the world has come to this....but again I would need admin's help and I'm ready to put the last week and all of its stupidity behind me.


So instead, I give you this:

*So that you won't have to go to all the trouble to sign in at youtube, I've posted the link from 24 heures ( a Swiss newspaper that isn't afraid of sex, sexuality or poking fun at such things) scroll down to the embedded video.

Enjoy!

Wednesday Wedding in Wintery Winnipeg

  Wonderful!

*I don't have any pics of the ceremony (it was short and sweet), all photos will be posted next summer after the 'big wedding'.

Track Back


Well, not really in the morning...noon to be exact!

Dreamy and Scattered

I'm a little overwhelmed these past few days. After so many months of regulated solitude, I'm finding life awfully busy these days.There's the 'getting the house' back in order to contend with and I manage to get a room a day done.This is not to say that Big G and The Max were utter slobs, in fact they did a very admirable job keeping house while maintaining an insane schedule of work, school, and travel.But there's stuff that needs to be done and done kinda the way I like it...because I'm picky that way.

Settling back into Swiss lifestyle hasn't been too difficult (I gained another kilo..grrrr) but there are adjustments that I have to think about; my mangled, strangled not even close to adequate French, driving (I didn't drive the whole time I was in exile), quiet Sundays where everything is closed, so you have to plan ahead for Sunday.

Then there's The Max...and school...and I alternate between hope and despair, as does Max on semi daily basis. Last spring he set the bar very very high for himself and insisted on taking the IB Diploma program, against the advice of most of the faculty at his school. At the time, I had thought it would turn out ok, because he's very bright, but lacks 'student skills' and it was my intent to work with him on those skills (how to write a proper paper, how to organize workload, etc). And then I was in exile...and Max had to contend with an insane commute as well as the demanding IB program. And he's not doing well, not academically, not emotionally and he's stressed. 

The ongoing visa application, new passport, wtf is up with schengen issue...yep, still hammering away at the bureaucratic brick wall and I'm not only crap at that kind of thing (because I have no patience) but it makes me both fearful and weary at the same time.

Oh...and Big G and I are flying to Manitoba on Saturday to get married! So I'm excited and worried (because there's bureaucrats involved and what if they don't let me back into Switz and OMG) and feeling all blissed out and frantic at the same time. The kittehs will be on their own for 4 days, The Max will go stay with a friend up in Bern (so he doesn't have to get up at 4 am to get on a number of trains to get to school) and I'm leaving the house again and I just got back and I don't want to go but I really really really want to get married and....

So you see how it is.

The wonderful Spot gave me an award the other day (yesterday??) and I'm not sure if I properly thanked her (um...Thank you Spot!) and I haven't had the available brain cells to do the 'award post'... yet.I haven't commented much lately, but I am reading all my favorite bloggy bloggers.So, it's me folks, not you and I promise I will return to better form shortly...just have to catch my breath a bit.

Must go pack now...

You Like Me...You Really, Really Like Me! (or at least some of you do)

So one of my favorite bloggers has bequeathed a couple of honours on me, because apparently reading my ramblings actually makes her smile sometimes.The fact that I can bring a smile to anyone's face at any given time makes me happyinthepants  kind of happy and to get some pinky hued bling to throw up on here is just icing on the cake.Apparently there are some rules/regulations/conventions to follow once you have received such honours and if you know anything about me, you know that rules and me are a bit of a bad mix.But I will attempt to be a good bloggy scout and play along.

 

This is the Happy Torch Award.To keep it lit one should:

a) List 10 things that make you happy

b)Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day

c)The 10 bloggers who receive this award are supposed to link back to this blog and create their own version of this.*(I just know this part is not going to work for me, but whatever) 

 

This is the Lemonade Stand Award.To keep it lit one should:

a) Put the logo on or within your blog

b)Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.

c)Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog. *(There was a whole bunch more to this but I'm starting to get cold sweats and a headache from all these rules)

Yaaay! Now for the fun part. Ten Things That Make Me Happy!

1.First place goes to da boys, Big G and The Max, whose presence in my life is not only a blessing beyond measure, but they do actually make me smile and laugh a lot.

2.My painted Swiss cow. I'm not one for being attached to 'things', but this 'objet' brings me such pleasure.One day I will blog about it (and other of its kind) at length.

3. Fresh cut flowers.It's an indulgent extravagance, but I love having fresh flowers in the house.

4. Kittehs. My kittehs in particular, and this lovely guy, Dante is most special to me, but really in a pinch, any kitteh will make me smile.

5.Grappa. I don't know if it's wise or politically correct to admit that liquor makes me happy, but feck it...Grappa makes me smile. 

6. The interwebs! Oh yes, you lovely, distracting, enriching, timewasting web of people, blogs, images ,funneh stuff and information, you make me verra verra happy every day!

7.Expensive, freshly laundered and ironed sheets on my bed.

8.My wonderful warm and cosy coyote trimmed slippers from Churchill, Manitoba.

9.Candlelight. We have candles lit on and around the table every evening meal. 

10. The Beatles. Can't help but feel giddy and happy when I hear the 4 moptops, and this song is a great example.

Now a list of 10 blogs that I do truly admire:

Bluepaintred - another Canuckian mommy blog who's life is as funny as any mom of three boys could be and writes about it.

Loveallthis - a design blog of sorts. This woman posts pictures of the most beautiful things. 

idleprimate - a fellow Pajiiban commentor and a very eloquent and thoughtful fellow in his own right. 

teabelly - another find through the Cannonball Read II, but with a Brit twist.

alternate1985- can't remember where or how I stumbled on this site, but 'shortround' is one of those caustic New Yorkers that always has an open eye.

blackheathbugle - I found so much to love and use with this blog while I was in Blackheath, and now it's like checking in on an old friend.

blaster- this is the great doc spender's blog, and I wish he'd write more often.

lovelylisting.com - For shits and giggles...the best of the worst of real estate listings.

learnsomethingeveryday - Because the web shouldn't be an utter waste of time. 

27bslash6 - David Thorne is an Australian misanthrope that is either a writer of great brilliance and imagination or the most irritating asshole you might ever cross paths with.

*Most of the above blogs do not 'follow' me, nor do I suspect they even know of my existence, so I exempt myself from passing on the torches to all but Spender and idleprimate...suck it up guys!

Santa Swiss Style

Santa Claus is a relatively new import into Switzerland, and like all things that are the result of culture creep, sometimes the final product goes a bit awry. For centuries, the Swiss version of the Christmas saint was, of course, St. Nicholas, and he looked something like this:

 A kindly looking gentleman in the tradition of Father Christmas, yes?

But then along came 'Santa', and I'm not sure if the steeply sloped roofs of the Vaudois houses prevents the reindeer from landing atop the tiles, or if the chimneys are too crooked, but Santa has a whole different modus operandi in modern Switzerland. I present to you, B & E Santa!

As you can see, Santa has no reindeer, no sleigh, but has developed a system of ropes, pulleys and ladders that are somehow in tune with the Alpinist dear to the Swiss' heart. Although there are no reindeer or elves, Santa mysteriously has cloned himself for the Swiss portion of his global gift giving journey and has been seen working in teams.

 Swiss Santa is so brazen that even shops open for business are no deterrent to his B&E antics:

                                                

Most troubling of all is Swiss Santa's seeming propensity for taking advantage of his new method of entry...the Peeping Santa:

Puts a whole new twist on 'He sees you when you're sleeping' doesn't it?

But all occupations have hazards and unfortunately, even Santa is not immune to the known dangers Alpine climbing:

 

When the snows have melted, and spring is blooming in the alps (meadows) the Swiss will rescue the corpses of last Christmas Eve and pray that Santa will be more careful next year.

Happy New Year's Eve everyone....I'll try and post tomorrow with some hangover cures and perhaps a resolution or two.

Track Back

Well this seems appropriate...and when you don't know what to listen to, there's always Steely Dan.

HOME AT LAST!

I made it everyone! Merry Christmas and may your Christmas be as happy and as filled with joy as my heart is right now! Later  taters!

When you wish upon a star...

(or the very BEST Christmas present ever!)

Way back in September, when I first encountered the Schengen troll and realized I would have to spend some time here in the UK, I thought I'd be home for Christmas, no problem. As the weeks dragged into months, I'd given up even wishing for such a thing, thinking it would only make me miserable to dwell on something that just wasn't going to happen.So I made plans to have Christmas vicariously with the Big G, the Max, Matthew, Adam and the kittehs with the help of a webcam and video stuff and was pretty pleased with my state of mind. I wasn't coming apart at the seams, I didn't snivel everytime I heard a sappy Christmas carol or looked at all the Christmas decorations around Blackheath.

Last Friday, the Big G flew over for the weekend (as he has diligently been doing every single weekend since I got here) and we had our usual lovely, perfect time together. As he was leaving Sunday night, I was a little more anxious than usual, because it would be 10 whole days until I saw him next, so he could spend Christmas at home.But there was something in the air...and on the ground and the runways,a snowstorm had closed the Geneva airport! I was thrilled, it meant a couple more days with my man and a few less days of being without him.On Monday, we strolled around Mayfair in London, window shopping all the posh jewelry shops, high end galleries and tippling a few pints in a cozy pub watching the weather alternate from snow to sleet to rain.It was romantic and magical and I was so damned happy just have him for an extra day or two.

When he left the flat this morning, I vowed to suck it up and not be sad or whinge about anything, because I'd had those couple of extra days and I wasn't going to get all ungrateful on my own ass.I settled into some serious (or frivolous) web surfing and when the phone rang a few hours later I knew it was the Big G letting me know he got home okay.But...(it gets better...sooooooooo much better) what he really had to tell me was a letter had arrived from the canton ( the local authority in Switzerland) stating that since we are going to be married in January, I can go stay with him (er...go home, but shhhhh) while awaiting my visa application to be processed.What does this all mean? It means I'm getting on a plane on Christmas Eve and going home! It is possible that the Schengen troll may have some issue with this, but as I now have a piece of paper from the government saying I can go to Switzerland, I think I can whack him over the head with it until he crawls back under his bridge. And what kind of heartless meanie would turn me back at the Geneva airport on Christmas Eve, with my fiance waiting in arrivals for me? Hopefully no kind at all. Somehow, someway, back in the early crisp autumn nights walking down Lee Park Road, I wished on the right star...I guess miracles need some time to be created.

.... I'll be posting from Switzerland next time!

Obligatory Seasonal Post

To make up for yesterday's heartwrenching, tear inducing post, I give you this and it will make you smile, I promise!

Experience Mobile Mobile from James Théophane Jnr on Vimeo.

Beautiful, eh? 

 

Last Minutes with ODEN
There was a guy I used to work with who had the most amazing dog, Buddy, and it wasn't just that he only had three legs, it was Buddy's insatiable zest for life and laughter that always pierced through whatever cloud of ennui that I was surrounded by. When Buddy finally had to go, I know it broke Cory's heart and it was a few months before we were in touch and he told me. I hope this video doesn't make you unbearably sad, but I hope it makes you cry, because then you'll know you're human. For Cory and Buddy.
Last Minutes with ODEN from phos pictures on Vimeo.

  Blue Monster

So I've been in a bit of blue funk of late. It might have something to do with the fact that it's pitch dark by 4 pm here in London (I'm beginning to think that London is actually further north than Edmonton latitudinally), that is, if the sun even makes an appearance from behind the clouds. Or it might be the impending season of jollity, joy, shopping and Santa that has me feeling like I should just stay in bed with the covers over my head. Not that I've been doing that. *ahem* The Cannonball Read II ? Oh, I've been reading up a storm, but since I don't have the gumption to fill out even a passport application these days, a review is, quite simply, beyond me.

In fact, I've been into 'that London' a few times in the last week or so.A friend of a friend came over for a week long visit and we met up, trudged around in the rain, went out to eat at the fabulously strange Hungarian restaurant in Soho and....went to see Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam!! It was sublime, he played so many of his old tunes (and some new ones, of course) and the Royal Albert Hall is most likely the most perfect concert venue in the world.

I'm getting some of my Xmas shopping done, little by little, although I will have to start sending it back with the Big G on Sunday nights now so that the presents will be under the tree in Switzerland.Last weekend I finally got CS4 and now I can start rebranding the Big G (minds out of the gutter y'all), although it's been a couple of years since I've done any serious graphic/design work and I'm predictably rusty. So what with that and the ongoing effort to improve my French I should be able to hand that blue monster a can of whuppass and cheer the fuck up.

Or I could just go back to bed....

He didn't play this last night, so I thought I'd track it down.

That is all.