Talk to me

I am one of these people (and I am sure this won't surprise you...), who usually walks around with a face that is generally interpreted as: STAY AWAY and DO NOT TALK TO ME!*

This is partly because my face seems naturally inclined to send out this message and partly because I usually do want to be left alone.

Nevertheless, on the few occasions that I have been to the US, I have always been very positively surprised by people's willingness to engage in friendly small-talk with complete strangers at any (or at least most) given opportunity. It's nice and also makes waiting at the check out queue or the bus stop more pleasant. I think part of the problem is that over here, I always expect people to have an ulterior motive when they approach me, which makes me very suspicious.

During the last few days, I have been trying to be more smiley when interacting with people and it turns out that having a friendly chat at my local sandwich shop or with the receptionist where I live, really cheers me up. So, I will definitely try to keep this up.**




* I would like to add that I do have an 'events-face', too, which comes in handy when I am working.
**Well, not during the morning rush hour - that would be too much to ask...

Pearls before swine

I discovered this comic strip in the daily metro. And after initial hesitation, I find it hilarious!
Check it out here.

Not half full, nor half empty - but always overflowing

That's the state of my laundry basket. Why, oh why?
Some might say that I need to do my laundry more often.
And I guess they would have a point...

Watching people watch telly

Who would have thought that this could be so entertaining? I certainly didn't!
I stumbled on this programme by coincidence: Gogglebox on Channel 4 and my initial thought was: who would want to watch this?

The programme shows a number of people watching telly. It's the same people watching telly each week and you get to witness their banter and shouting at the TV. That's it. Sounds pretty daft, but it is really rather funny. Or at least I think so.

When technology is too clever for you (or rather me)

Spring forward, fall back.

After years of confusion (twice a year, to be precise), I have finally managed to remember that clocks are moved forward in spring, and backwards in the autumn. All prepared, I went about changing the time on my smartphone. I noticed that it was set on automated time setting, and wouldn't let me change the time. So, I unticked the automated setting, changed the time by an hour and set my alarm accordingly.

I'm sure you can guess what happened...

The bloody phone went forward by another hour anyway, which meant, that the alarm went off an hour early! Well, I guess that's still better than oversleeping. And I really appreciated the 'additional' 60 minutes I was able to spend in bed!

Remember Easter 2004?

I don't. Nor do I remember Easter 1985, 1997 or 2009. Easter doesn't tend to be a memorable event. At least not in my life.

Easter 2013 though will probably stick with me for a while. As the Easter when it snowed.
How ironic that we moved to summer time this weekend!

A seaside MUST

When you go to the English seaside, Fish 'n Chips are kind of a must. Well, you may indulge in battered goodness anywhere and anytime really. That's what I think, anyway. :-)

While I do love Brighton, I have to say that it has much more charm on a sunny and warm day. Or at least a sunny OR a warm day. But despite it being late March, it was still (or again) freezing cold. And rainy and grey. Which tends to make everything look a bit dreary and grey.

It also makes you want to spend more time indoors...
We found this lovely bar/restaurant, called Bohemia, near the Lanes and the seafront. Their Cafe Mocha comes with a cube of chocolate that you dunk into the espresso with milk for it to melt away (or alternatively suck it straight off the stick). We were really lucky to get one of the tables on their first floor 'The Library' with views onto the street. The tables in the window were really what caught our eye in the first place!

Bohemia spreads out over three floors, including a roof terrace, which surely must be lovely during the summer. They offer anything from breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner to Jazz nights, cocktails and DJs.

part of The Library on the first floor

hmmmmmmmmmmmm....