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This is the first time in weeks that I feel I don't have so much to do that anything non-work-related is impossible. So I can do an LJ post, which is nice.
If, of course, I can think of something to say.
Erm.
Because that's the problem, really, when the days pass in a flurry of activity: of course things *did* happen, but it's hard to remember them through the hindsight-blur of hectic "OMG thisandthisandthis OMG andthenthere'sTHIS!!!"
Well, let's start with the driving lessons: I had to put them on hold, because instructor insisted that driving in the early hours of the morning, i.e. from shortly after 7 till about 8.30, wasn't possible anymore. So I said, sorry, but that's out of the question. I can't be away from work for 1,5 hours on top of all the out-of-office appointments etc. I already have. So we're going to start afresh in July, when there's absolutely nothing to do, and I can skive off without considerably increasing my stress level. Which means no independent trips to lovely places during spring, but that can't be helped. I've survived without a car for 45 years, I'll survive another 8 months.
Macedonian lessons are progressing very well indeed. About a week or so ago, I thought, well what the hell, and simply started speaking Macedonian at every occasion I got. It's far from perfect, and sometimes I feel like it takes me ages to find the word I'm looking for, but it works. What really bothers me is that my passive knowledge of the language is so much better than the active one, but that's pretty much the problem with all foreign languages except English. And the more I speak the better it gets, so no reason to be frustrated.
Tennis is going well, too. But, boy, do I need glasses. I'm becoming a bit short-sighted, and with a small object like a tennis ball that can get really, really annoying. Maybe I'll have time this weekend to go to the optician, have my eyes tested and select a frame. Or more like two or three, because I think that, if you have to wear glasses, you ought to make the best of it and use them as accessories.
Last Saturday I had lunch with the commander of the Austrian KFOR troops and his successor who will be taking over in January, and since they're such nice guys, I asked them where they get their boots from. I *crave* those boots. They very kindly told me it was an Austrian company called Steinadler, and lo and behold, they have those boots in size 38, and you can order them by internet! So I'll be proud owner of a pair quite soon.
Last Saturday was rather packed -- first the lunch with the soldiers, then to the gym to work it all off, because afterwards I'd invited the whole opera gang to dinner, before proceeding to the opera and watching Turandot. It wasn't bad at all, only the tenor ought to have been first tortured and then burned, preferably on stage. That would've served him right. Why they made him come over from Bulgaria is still a mystery to me. But the other singers were quite good, especially Turandot and Timur (who is very young and looked slightly ridiculous with his false grey beard).
This weekend should be interesting as well: First of all, I've decided to go blonde -- Saturday at 10 is D-Day. Not white-blonde, but something between lion and honey. With short hair, one fortunately doesn't need to consider possible damage by bleaching, and if I don't like the colour, it won't be bothering me for long.
On Saturday afternoon there's a Christmas Fair at the German Embassy -- think sausages, gingerbread and beer :-))
And on Sunday I'm invited to dinner at a German colleague's place.
I know it's becoming a bit annoying, but: Life is good :-))
If, of course, I can think of something to say.
Erm.
Because that's the problem, really, when the days pass in a flurry of activity: of course things *did* happen, but it's hard to remember them through the hindsight-blur of hectic "OMG thisandthisandthis OMG andthenthere'sTHIS!!!"
Well, let's start with the driving lessons: I had to put them on hold, because instructor insisted that driving in the early hours of the morning, i.e. from shortly after 7 till about 8.30, wasn't possible anymore. So I said, sorry, but that's out of the question. I can't be away from work for 1,5 hours on top of all the out-of-office appointments etc. I already have. So we're going to start afresh in July, when there's absolutely nothing to do, and I can skive off without considerably increasing my stress level. Which means no independent trips to lovely places during spring, but that can't be helped. I've survived without a car for 45 years, I'll survive another 8 months.
Macedonian lessons are progressing very well indeed. About a week or so ago, I thought, well what the hell, and simply started speaking Macedonian at every occasion I got. It's far from perfect, and sometimes I feel like it takes me ages to find the word I'm looking for, but it works. What really bothers me is that my passive knowledge of the language is so much better than the active one, but that's pretty much the problem with all foreign languages except English. And the more I speak the better it gets, so no reason to be frustrated.
Tennis is going well, too. But, boy, do I need glasses. I'm becoming a bit short-sighted, and with a small object like a tennis ball that can get really, really annoying. Maybe I'll have time this weekend to go to the optician, have my eyes tested and select a frame. Or more like two or three, because I think that, if you have to wear glasses, you ought to make the best of it and use them as accessories.
Last Saturday I had lunch with the commander of the Austrian KFOR troops and his successor who will be taking over in January, and since they're such nice guys, I asked them where they get their boots from. I *crave* those boots. They very kindly told me it was an Austrian company called Steinadler, and lo and behold, they have those boots in size 38, and you can order them by internet! So I'll be proud owner of a pair quite soon.
Last Saturday was rather packed -- first the lunch with the soldiers, then to the gym to work it all off, because afterwards I'd invited the whole opera gang to dinner, before proceeding to the opera and watching Turandot. It wasn't bad at all, only the tenor ought to have been first tortured and then burned, preferably on stage. That would've served him right. Why they made him come over from Bulgaria is still a mystery to me. But the other singers were quite good, especially Turandot and Timur (who is very young and looked slightly ridiculous with his false grey beard).
This weekend should be interesting as well: First of all, I've decided to go blonde -- Saturday at 10 is D-Day. Not white-blonde, but something between lion and honey. With short hair, one fortunately doesn't need to consider possible damage by bleaching, and if I don't like the colour, it won't be bothering me for long.
On Saturday afternoon there's a Christmas Fair at the German Embassy -- think sausages, gingerbread and beer :-))
And on Sunday I'm invited to dinner at a German colleague's place.
I know it's becoming a bit annoying, but: Life is good :-))
