Turning 40 has turned out to be a flabbergasting experience. Many thanks to all of you. I've been showered with well wishes and presents. Especially Toño spared neither trouble nor expense to make this day very special for me. I can really strongly recommend to turn forty. It should happen more often.
Tomorrow, I will fly to Bornholm to board a vessel. The next couple of weeks I will spent sailing in the Baltic Sea. Stabilization tests are scheduled, i.e. the ship will rock 'n' roll on purpose. I hope that at least my stomach will maintain an even keel.
This morning I was woken by a lovely tune sung by Pedro Infante:
Besides of being showered with loads of stuff, Toño managed to bring home behind my back such as a painting, fine wine and sweets, a huge bunch of roses and a tender poem.
By the way, our kitchen is lacking Maraschino, Madeira, Sherry and juvenile Port.
One of my father's favourites is pear bread or Birrewegge as we call it. This is a typical product for long and cold winters, because it's mainly made of dried fruits.
However, it happens that my father's birthday is in July. We brought him a dozen bottles of Moscato d'Asti, but what I really wanted to make is Birrewegge. Well, I did it a few weeks later. But looking at the weather it's not so off season any more.
Everything starts with a contradiction. The dough is a shortcrust yeast version. This is quite a contradiction. One is not supposed to knead a shortcrust dough and it has to rest in the cold. On the other hand, a yeast dough has to be kneaded until the hands really hurt and it has to rest at a warm sport. I decided to start with rubbing butter into the plain flour and continued like it is a yeast dough. The ingredients for the dough are: 1 kg flour, 350 g butter, 3 dl water, 15 g salt, 60 g yeast and 1 egg.
On the previous day, I already put 1 kg of dried pears into a bowl and added to bottles of wine. Toño chose a Petit Verdot by Enrique Mendoza.
The other dried ingredients (125 g pears, 125 g figs, 125 g sultanas, 1 lemon (zest and juice), 125 g walnuts) are finely chopped and blended with the pears and the wine. Add about 5 spoons of calvados or apple pomace.
The right seasoning is very important. In Switzerland, you can buy ready-made Birrewegge condiment. If you want to mix it yourself, use 25 g of cinnamon, 5 g cloves, nutmeg and ginger.
Flatten the dough. Add sufficient filling and roll it tight. Make tiny wholes with a fork all over it and paint it with egg. Bake them at 180°C/356°F for about 45 to 60 minutes.
Enjoy it with Moscato d'Asti or some cheese for desert.
Last year, we had a Coitus Interruptus. This year, we will have not even have the chance to get undressed. Also the third date this year for the official crossing of the lake of Zürich has far too nasty weather and too low water temperatures.
We completed our Martha Stuart like weekend by making 8 kg of elderberry jam.
If you are prone to catch a cold, I highly recommend to make some elderberry jam now. Make it part of your breakfast routine and you will be save. Elderberry jam is probably the most delicious preventive measure mother nature has kindly given to mankind.
In due course I will turn 40. The church was the first who dared to congratulate me. I call this memento mori. Whatever, I'm not used to celebrate birthdays but I'm used to indulge myself for the occasion.
I can't remember my tenth birthday. For my twentieth, I made a spring-break trip to Florida. For my thirtieth, I bought myself a IWC Mark XII. And I also found myself something for my fortieth - a huge dough bowl to satisfy my baking urges:
It really big, i.e. 37 cm/14.6 in wide and 17 cm/6.7 in deep. You can knead a dough with both hands in it.
I could not wait until my birthday to use it. The first things I made with it were a Swiss and a Russian plaited loaf.
Smørrebrød is fine, but we had the desire for an alternative. Right next to our hotel in Korsør there was this Chinese.
It's hard to get in. The steps are rather steep. We should have taken this as a warning, spun on our heels and run for Yding Skovhøj.
The restaurant offered à la carte or Mongolian barbecue and Chinese buffet* à discreción. We went for the later combination. While I was waiting for my choice being barbecued the Mongolian way, I rested on a railing. It was hard to get off that thing. It was covered with a greasy layer, which impressed with glutinous qualities.
One could also hardly avoid to be exposed to the exhausts of the barbecuing. Although, I had hung my shirt next to the open window all night, I could turn Toño's stomach topsy-turvy by just bringing it in his vicinity when I came back home.
I had left the place hardly ten minutes, when my body commanded me to the loo to get my intestines drained with a vengeance. This was just the beginning of a rather restless night.
* which included French Fries, a dish I considered being of Belgian origin - just another hint for a fast run.
Within the last couple of days, we had all kind of weather besides of a hailstorm (touch wood). There is not much else to do here than working, cursing the weather and eating some smørrebrød three times per day.
However, in the narrow alleys of this small town, I spotted lots of these mirror devices in front of the windows:
People in Korsør seem to like checking the street without leaving the house.
I've been wandering the surface of mother Earth for almost forty years, but until this weekend I've failed to notice that there are plants for which just blossoming is not enough. They have blossoms within blossoms.
I have no idea how this one is called. It's humble yet beautiuful.
Well this one is a bougainvillea. A plant which has a special spot in my heart anyway.
I reckon that I'm one of few Swiss working in the navy business. Not the easiest thing to do from an inland country with no domestic market whatsoever. Who was I to know:
I almost missed it. How could I. Many thanks Odi, for reminding me. runfunk.fm is back!
runfunk.fm is a radio station that broadcasts only a month per year. It's the frequent reminder how dried up the airwaves actually are. Or do you know any other station that dares to broadcast "Besame Mucho" for an entire hour?
Tune your Radio to runfunk.fm now. This year, it will last only until 1st September. Bad reception? Stream it!
The allegeably waterproof cycling shoes Shimano SH-W101 are neigther waterproof nor water-repellent. Twice, last evening and this morning, I got wet feet after only 10 minutes. I will have a word with Pete today.
While I'm at cycling and water: Zürich's cycling routes are not only patchy but also far from waterproof.
Again, Switzerland has not finished dinner or how is it to explain that we are again exposed to this overwhelming flow of rain. Whatever the reason is, it's a bad thing to go to the cycle dealer in this weather.
There is the ancient outdoor saying that there is no bad weather, there is only bad equipment. This is true with one exception. There are no waterproof cycling shoes.
Well obviously, things have changed dramatically, as my cycle dealer of trust claims:
Finally, a shoe for extreme weather cycling. Waterproof polyurethane-coated leather upper features a high-top neoprene ankle cover to help keep foot warm by shutting out mud and water. Cup-molded EVA backed inner sole and Texon mid-sole assure a rigid yet comfortable cradle for the foot.
My caring employer should hire my cycle dealer of trust, because he's the best sales man I know. Last time, I brought a bike for maintenance, I left with two new bikes. This time, with new boots and pedals.
Mr.Mac claims that I've more money than sense, because I wear wifebeaters by Hanro. I reckon there will a lot more rain be needed to prove him wrong in this case.
Toño and I are far from being zealots, but it is just natural for us to to adhere más o menos to the principles of Slow Food. Food just tastes better that way. However, Toño goes even a step further. He also practices Slow Book.
You can call it trivia, but we had bought the identical book* some months before we met at Katalin's swimming class for the first time. We also both had started reading Tolstoy's War and Peace in the restored original version at the same time (August 2004) , which was just before we copped off. Well, I finished this epic in prose about the insignificance of individuals somewhere over Asia on November 27, 2005 and Toño did it last night:
Toño's next book project will be "Matto regiert" by Friedrich Glauser. He can keep going there for a while. I have got Glauser's oeuvre. He happens to be my favorite Swiss writer. Maybe Toño's soon in some years as well.
* With one difference: Toño's copy has an inscription by the translator (in both Russian and German).
My colleague Gerd took this picture of me when I dared to step into Admiral Grace Hopper's footsteps by debugging on a navy vessel:
Though, I would never call myself software engineer since (I think it was) Michèle Roten wrote that male software engineering students have the worst sex life of all people populating a campus (female journalism students are supposed to have the best).
Yes, it's a Kenwood KMT076 in brushed titanium. Although it comes with the bare essential accessories to only half the price of my titanium bike, I was told that "we have other priorities".
Sometimes you just have to do it. I mean following your urges. I don't mean the shopping of underwear for more than 500$ like we did this afternoon. I refer to something even lower on the Maslow hierarchy, such as Food.
I took charge of the grocery shopping today.
I took full liberties by deciding that I desperately need some really fresh Russian Salad. Well, I did compromise by having entrecôte on the side.
The last couple of weeks have been marvellous. Since Prince released "Planet Earth", being on it has been become so much more enjoyable.
Planet Earth did not take me by storm, but it enchanted me completely since they* arrived at my weekend residence. It's versatile like this summer which makes it the perfectly matching soundtrack of the season.
* I pre-ordered more than one copy. You might call me impatient.
There are loads of these videos out there. When did this Daft Hands movement start? Do I have to paint my fingers now with words and try to memorize the steps, when I can hardly tell left from right?
It has been a long time since the last serious business trip (not counted the sleepovers). But now I'm again parted from by deriously beloved Toño. Actually, I'm totally surrounded by Vikings. Blond, tall and blue eyed folks everywhere.
The view might be great here in Korsør, but the weather has its strengths too. I was almost blown off the vessel today. And my touch pad refused to work in the rain. I hope the tide will change.
Today's France Soir ran a mock obituary on its front page, telling that the Tour de France has died yesterday "at age 104, after a long illness". Le Tour had been the only sport event I was actually interested in. Seems like a long time ago. For me the obituary is real. May Le Tour rest in peace.
On Sylv's request a brief review of Armistead Maupin's new book Michael Tolliver Lives, which I took on our trip to California
Was it page turner? All books by Maupin were so far. It took me less than two weeks to read all six books of the Tales of the City series. Well, the book is quite thin and Maupin writes not that complex. It took about a couple of days to read it.
Was I laughing out loud? No, I wasn't or I can't remember. However the characters were a lot and quite often during the many sex scenes.
Do I recommend it? I'm not quite sure if this book was really necessary. Of course, it was nice to read what Michael is up to and how life had treated him over the last 20 years. But I think that was it. What I really like about Tales of the City are all these preposterous coincidences the characters were exposed to. I missed those. If you haven't read Tales of the City, then it's a definite No! There is no point in doing so. However, if you read them, you don't insist on preposterous coincidences and you don't mind people chuckling or doing worse while having sex you might give it a try.
I'm one of those schmucks who read while sitting on the loo. The appropriate printing matter for these occasions are trash mags. However this morning there was nothing else at hand but The New Yorker. And so I had to learn between first coffee and breakfast smoothie how ignorant I actually am. I basically know but can not quite tell the difference between a meteoroid, meteorite and meteor. The New Yorker gave some hints but I had to look it up:
meteoroid A solid body, moving in space, that is smaller than an asteroid and at least as large as a speck of dust.
meteorite A stony or metallic mass of matter that has fallen to the earth's surface from outer space.
meteor A bright trail or streak that appears in the sky when a meteoroid is heated to incandescence by friction with the earth's atmosphere. Also called falling star, meteor burst; Also called shooting star.
Sometimes Toño packs me a lunch bag. Like today, when he made ma a marvelously fruity version. Besides of a peach and banana, I've got these fruity pastries by Sprüngli:
They are delicious yet anything but healthy...
Talking about health... mine seems anyway in peril. I will have to do some job related sailing in August and September. As usual, to get on a navy vessel, you need a clearance. In this case, they even asked, who is to inform in case of my decease. Nice prospect. However, I hope not to share the fate of the lady on Zappa's Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch.
Yesterday, Hugo Reitzel presented the last truly Swiss gherkin on my brother's farm to the world media.
Harvest has started and the production line is steaming up. It takes about three weeks for the gherkins to ripe in the glass and develop its genuine flavour. They should hit the shelf right after the Swiss National Day. Be ready for a patriotic experience of the rather sour kind.
Summer is almost a month old and I haven't reviewed Migros' Summer Yogurt Collection. Enough of this procrastination. First I will review the yogurts and then iron the laundry.
Migros made it kind of easy for themselves or they are just running out of ideas. Two of the yogurts are recycled!
Pêche Melba was part of the Spring Collection 2006. Peaches and raspberries are actually summery delights and it makes much more sense to present them now. However, the yogurt was such a disgrace that I will not buy it again.
Kiwi & Gooseberry was part of the Summer Collection 2005 and I still think it's the perfect summer yogurt that gives great cross-grained acidulous pleasure.
The new one is Redcurrant, which is also a member of the big gooseberry family. It lacks a bit the complexity of the Kiwi & Gooseberry version, however, it is still a worthy member of this year's Summer Yogurt Collection.
On our trip to California and back we flew Business (one leg a complimentary upgrade and the other against tons of miles). Why this is so important? Well, life is too short to drink mediocre wine like one has to do in coach. To our surprise, the Maître de Cabine brought us an envelope with an accompanied bottle of Bordeaux. It was the present of our neighbours, which we had asked to take care of our plants. A really nice way to say thank you for this honour.
Back to the main thread. I used to go to the cinema at least once per week. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. I have even difficulties to remember the last film I saw in a cinema. Flying business for almost an entire day gave me the opportunity to catch up a bit. This is what I saw on my personal screen:
Shooter
A glumly macho thriller full of action clichés, probably written by a script robot. Although I have a crush on Mark Wahlberg since his days as an undies model, I'm happy not to have wasted any money at the box office.
Die Herbstzeitlosen (autumn crocuses)
A swiss version of Cocoon that does not use aliens but the rejuvenating power fine lingerie to energize some seniors with youthful vigour. I really enjoyed it (and shed some tears).
300
The carnage at the Battle of Thermopylae is brilliantly choreographed and rendered with battleship-gray skies and copper fields (The New Yorker). But there is neither something called a plot nor any characterization. The dialogues are a complete disgrace. Quite a waste.
Azul oscuro casi negro (English title: Dark Blue Almost Blueack)
The absolute opposite of 300. Touching, surprising, unusual and intriguing. I absolutely loved it. The film is about making the most of it when life takes us in unexpected directions.
The Lookout
A tick further than making the most of it, this small-scale thriller is about turning a handicap into an advantage. Unfortunately, I have no idea how it ends. They switched off the entertainment system, before it happened. Never mind, I forget anyway the ending of both films and books. All I know is that I want to see more of the leading actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who looks a bit like a smarter version of Keanu Reeves.
Yes, our holidays in sunny California are over. We're back in the mild Swiss climate.
Our home base was South Central Los Angeles. Yes, it's exactly the place travel guides recommend not to visit. Although, I was the only pinchegüero in sight, I never felt uncomfortable in any way. Toño's relatives took perfectly care of me. I have not the slightest idea, why the gringos make such a fuss about their neighbours from the south. The Mexicans I met set a shining example of taking care of each other and holding together as a family. IMHO you can't wish more upright, decent and hard working citizens.
4th of July Volleyball tournament in South Central LA.
Well the main purpose of our visit, the Quinceañera took place at Desert Hot Springs, which is close to the famous Palm Springs. It set the antipode to our Siberia trip. The thermometer read up to 113°F/45°C. We covered a range of 175°F/97°C and 19 time zones in less than a six months.
The Quinceañera itself was a blast. The unbelievable part was that I spent more time on the dance floor than Toño. There were about 350 people. Many of whom Toño has not seen for years. He is still the better dancer, but he had to catch up a lot with his family.
We also went to Las Vegas to see an uncle and niece of Toño and to Hollywood to meet with a friend from Mexico D.F. who is a director of photography to dine in a house which ones belonged to Charlie Chaplin. You see, there was no time for any sightseeing left.
We're off to our holidays - sorry, vacations - in sunny California. Actually, it's visiting relatives of Toño. We're invited to a Quinceañera.
Yes. I've got Armistead Maupin's brand spanking new book with me, but we will not go to San Francisco to let our hair down. Our destinations will be Los Angeles to celebrate 4th of July, Palm Springs for the Quinceañera and maybe Las Vegas.
We will be back in a fortnight. See you then. Behave and don't do anything we would not do.
My sister Marlene learned one of the oldest trades of mankind. She just completed her three-year apprenticeship as miller with the best marks of the year.
Because Marlene was the best, she was awarded with a scholarship to study mill technology at university. However, she wants to give herself two years to gain more experience. One should not start to study before one is 50.
No, it's not all gloom and doom, there are things that cheer me up. Of course, my deriously beloved Toño tops the list. He and the nasty weather made it possible to have a double pleasure of a special kind in one day. Yesterday, I enjoyed both a Bürli by Buchmann for lunch and a Bürli by Gold for dinner.
The ones not living in the vicinity of the center of the known and unknown universe (exactly, it's Zürich) might think What is this weirdo talking about?. Let me explain: There are duopoly constellations in this world, e.g. think Pepsi vs Coca-Cola in soft drink market or Airbus vs Boeing in commercial jet aircraft market. Here in Zürich we have Buchmann and Gold in the Bürli market. Actually since 1910, when Gold joined the market one year after Buchmann.
A Bürli is a bread roll with a very hard crust. If you eat a good Bürli, your jaw hurts and there are bread crumbs all over the place. It also helps if they are made in a wood-fired oven. The higher temperature gives the extraordinary taste.
On the left, you can see a Bürli by Buchmann, which my caring employer sells in our canteen. I'm a late luncher and there is always the danger that they are sold out. Due to the nasty weather, less people take a salad for lunch, which increases my changes for a lunch with Bürli.
On the right, you can see a Bürli by Gold. Toño suggested to drop by at the Sternen Grill* for some sausages with Bürli. We went for both Cervelat and Bratwurst, which gave me three Bürli in one day!
Which one is better? For me, it's the Gold, it's texture is unbeatable and the jaw hurts a tiny bit bit more. Would I select the right one in a Pepsi Challenge? I think so.
* Paris has the Eiffel Tower, London the Queen, San Franzisco the Golden Gate Bridge and Zürich the Sternen Grill. It's a place where you can come in swimming attire or directly from the opera, nobody raises an eyebrow. However, the legend is that if you asked for knife and fork, the sausage chef points over the river and says the Baur au Lac is over there.
This week I'm somehow trading water when trying to keep up my unflappable self in the face of adversity. Everything starts with taking a shower early in the morning.
This week we had major discussions about monder. According to Alicia (Toño's fabulously charming boss), you can't say that your are blanching and peeling a tomato. It's called monder a tomato.
Obviously, monder is French, the Lingua Franca of cooking. And being a graduate of the famous École Hôtelière de Lausanne, Alicia has to know this.
So how does one monder? It's quite easy. You even may do this at home. Just keep your kiddos away from the boiling water and the sharp knife.
Step 1: Get rid off the stalk of the tomato.
Step 2: Cut a small cross with the point of a knife
Step 3: Plunge the tomato in ebullient water and leave it there for about 30 seconds (which is the time it takes until you can observe that the skin is detaching from the flesh).
Step 4: Put the tomato in ice water.
Step 5: Now peeling is easy like taking candy from a baby.
Why all this effort? Well, I just wanted to make some Roulade Estiva.
