I wanted to start off 2013 with some sort of shrinky, reflective wisdom, but it seems I doled out all my good New Year’s stuff last year in this post. I maintain my position that resolutions are for suckers and regret is at best a wasteful way to spend one’s time.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have an agenda for the coming year, and by that I mean goals beyond the rigours of my current wifestyle. Personally, I think gazing at snow-pillowed peaks all day is a perfectly acceptable aspiration. Trouble is, it doesn’t pay the bills and, if I’m completely honest, it’s not exactly what I want to do with my life. Which brings me to goal number 1: finding a way to support myself—financially, sure—but more important, finding that ‘something’ that supports my spirit.

Naturally, I have other goals—whipping my middle-aged arse into better shape, making serious efforts at improving my French, but I can’t even gather the energy to think about facing that one, so back to goal number 1. Continue reading “The Year of Living Illogically” »

Oh dear Finders I hope the holiday was kind to you. I took my own advice and ate all kinds of things I say are good for me (medical expertise aside)…

But the tale today is about what I didn’t eat: poultry. Neil and I planned a very quiet Christmas at home, lots of lounging in fleece and flannel, biding our time until the Downton Abbey Christmas special aired. And can I just say the DA writers are trying to kill me, talk about thickening the plot. I’ll say no more for fear of the collective screaming and covering of eyes that have yet to see Season 3.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand—birds. We thought while a turkey was overkill for dinner for deux, a roast chicken seemed just the thing for our first Swissmas. We set off to the grocery store, and, as with every purchase here in the land of luxury, we carefully checked the prices before making any commitments. Continue reading “Where the Streets are Paved with Poultry” »

Cripes, every time I turn around it’s Christmas. I was so busy moving that I almost forgot about the holidays. I like Christmas, mostly because it’s completely normal to eat and drink everything in the house at once and wear pajamas all day long, also known as any day of the week in my little world.

Here it is December 24th and I’m just getting around to putting up the tree …

Sweet Jaysus, I’m exhausted. I had to open the box AND hang the bauble. I needed a big glass of Chardonnay and a load of chocolates to recover. Oh I know some of you out there have a house strewn with enough lights to power Vegas, and you’re thinking that’s it? That’s the best you can do for decoration?

Sure, I’ll grant you it’s a bit on the minimalist side (just how I like it), but it is a fine example of NovaScotian Crystal, the only mouth blown, hand-cut crystal made in Canada, and a gift from my lovely in-laws; an upscale version of Charlie’s Brown’s tree fit for any Swiss banker or a Canadian gal sponging off her better two-thirds.

My scaled back holidays (and all my other days) are not for everyone, and I would love to see my family and friends, but it’s not so bad being far removed from all the madness. Back in the day, I always worked Christmas, the busiest time of year for the malls and mental health. It’s a rough time for a lot of people and for what it’s worth, I’ll offer you my professional holiday survival advice, the exact same advice I give every year. Continue reading “Merry Swissmas” »

Well mes amis, I am reborn, delivered from the depths into this new life. No heels at ungodly hours. No parents hootin’ and hollerin’ at youngsters all hours of the day. No hipster crashing about the apartment next door like an inebriated elephant. While certainly we have some stompers above us, the situation is markedly improved. Be advised, these are early days, so I reserve the right to freak out at the slightest deterioration.

I fit in the shower (trust me, not always has this been the case), the washer and dryer fit in the bathroom, the kitchen feels enormous (by European standards) and the heating is sufficient to defrost the icy pontoons found at the end of each of my legs.

We even have this intercom/phone/buzzer thingy—how it works is anyone’s guess. I do know that it functions not only as the ringer for the main door of the building, but also as our apartment doorbell. Well, I know that now. Continue reading “A Womb with a View” »

And … I’m back. Well, I have to say that was probably one of the smoothest moves I’ve ever experienced, and it only took 5 days, my nerves. By the time the movers came on Monday for the big stuff, everything we could carry back and forth in our French blue bubble putt-putt was tucked away in the new digs (more to come on that). One more move and I think I get the lifetime achievement award.

Frankly, I found it hard to stay on task. Normally, I try not to focus too much on bad news in the world, but there’s not a child therapist on the planet who could have looked past the latest American tragedy. I watched it unfold until I saw reporters sticking microphones in front of traumatized kids and moms detailing their children’s mental illness histories (with identifying pictures) online, predicting them to be the mass murderers of the future. Fearing my head was going to explode, I had to look away.

Hearing big talk about mental health makes this lapsed psychiatrist happy, but I have too much first hand knowledge about kids witnessing and committing murder, and I simply could not believe what I was seeing in the aftermath. Oh, the media, don’t get me started. And the damage the internet can do, well, there’s no point of even going there. So I won’t.

Instead, I decided to seek out some good news. Sure, atrocities are everywhere you look—America, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, or wherever you happen to find yourself, but it’s not all murder and mayhem out there.

Take a break from the news and have a look at this. Warm fuzzies guaranteed.

So, a little while ago, something called The Economist Intelligence Unit (don’t ask me) revealed the “best” countries for a child to be born in next year. Number 1? Switzerland. Sweet Jaysus, not only do I have to move again, now I have to have a baby sometime in 2013. Canada was #9, so my fellow Canucks, you all better get yourselves knocked up ASAP.

The analysis was based on a quality of life index that includes factors like crime, job security and, of course, wealth. And there’s no denying it: the Swiss are rich. The cost of living is as high as the Alps, but so are the salaries. The tax structure here is kind to the super-rich, which probably explains why Shania Twain lives up the street from us (no, I haven’t seen her taking out the trash yet). Continue reading “Total Net Birth” »

Incredibly (or maybe predictably is the right word), I find myself packing up my belongings yet again. I’m up to my very high arse with all things moving this week, so if I were you I wouldn’t expect the usual level of brilliance you find here three times a week.

Ah yes, a fresh start to this Switzerland stage of my mid-life mayhem, that’s just what the doctor ordered. Bring it on I say. I’m tired of being tired and it’s time to get back to bitching and moaning about French grammar instead of my unruly voisins.

And, just as I suspected, I am indeed the centre of the universe. Taking a cue from me, Mother Nature herself has decided to start anew with the first snowfall of the year here. She blustered into town, a giant windbag motivated solely by her own selfish needs. Hmm, reminds me of someone.

On the whole, I am not a lover of winter. The perpetually cold hands and feet, the slip-sliding around, the down-filled layers, plus, I look ridiculous in a wool toque. But there’s something magical about a sparkling white world, especially in this corner of it.

I was trudging home from the gym when I paused to take in this scene. It’s the same walk I always take, but it was so silent and serene; the light was different, the smell was different, anything unsightly was hidden from view. To me, it was a perfect moment.

Looks peaceful doesn’t it? Maybe it’s a sign of things to come. I hope so. I’m counting on this being the storm before the calm.

I wonder if I’ll always associate Switzerland with sleeplessness? I hope not. Of course I might also associate it with paperwork. We’re up to our eyes yet again, although I can’t say I’m finding signing this new lease particularly challenging.

We get the keys to our new home on December 13. I want to say, “Only 6 more sleeps!”, but that would make me a liar. “Only 6 more nights of grinding frustration thanks to the 3 neighbours sent by Satan to torment me!” is far more accurate. And in the further interest of accuracy, the real culprit is the building. While ignorant heel-wearing, partying until 4 a.m. and screaming at your spouse and children all day are not necessarily admirable behaviours, if the walls weren’t made of paper, things would’ve been better. Continue reading “The Peace Price” »

A while back I asked you to send me photos of the blook from wherever it happened to find itself. I had a grand time watching it travel around the world like that garden gnome on TV, everywhere from St. Pierre et Miquelon to Paris to Memphis to Morocco. And now I have yet another exotic locale to add to the list: Corsica!

Folks who have read the book will know that I love asses, by that I mean donkeys, and that I used to live across the street from a lively character named Jean-Claude. And here now are two of my favourite creatures, together at last…

JC and Anouch, the Corsican donkey. She’s taking a well-deserved break from her job as head wood carrier for the village.

Clearly, she thinks it hilaaaarious, a right hee-haw. I’ve never been to Corsica, but now I might have to head out there to greet my devoted fan. Gotta love that JC. Anyone else got one for me?

And speaking of books and hilarity, here’s a website for a bookseller that must be seen. It’s a one-stop shopping place for the wackiest books you’ve never heard of, like How to Live in Your Van and Love It, How to Make Love While Conscious and the classic C is for Chafing. Someday I’ll find myself there, I just know it.

I don’t tend to make many purchases, what with being funemployed and all, but with talk of a small book royalty cheque in the air, I decided I deserved an ‘I published a book and a few people (suckers) bought it’ present. I love receiving gifts from me. I’m always so impressed with how kind I am, plus I always seem to get exactly what I want.

This particular cadeau was inspired by two things. One: the women of Europe. God love them, each and every one. What I’ve learned from over two years of watching them is how they refuse to let their age define anything about them, particularly how they dress. Sure, when I see a gal in her 70′s sporting red leather pants, obvious breast implants and waist-length blonde hair extensions (true story), I admit something has gone amiss. Continue reading “Sweet Boot of Youth” »