My effing back effing hurts

There is definitely a downside to having strong abs -- yesterday, while still lying in bed, I coughed and did something nasty to my lower back. Obviously I was in the wrong position for coughing...
Took two painkillers this morning, with almost zero effect, and now I'm wearing a heating plaster, which helps a bit.
Aaaaaargh I hate it when I can't move without pain. Am determined to overcome this, though, as quickly as possible.

I other news, Zarko just came by and brought me a box of Vranec and one of Temjanika. There's a wine fair going on on the main square, and Irene and I will go tomorrow -- we're meeting Sebastian (Austrian employee at [...]) and his wife Tanya for dinner at 7, and depending on the weather we'll visit Zarkos stand either before, just the two of us, or after, with Sebastian and Tanya. dickgloucester , I'm of course going to ask him whether he dispatches smaller quantities!

I would've had lunch with the director of the opera today but cancelled it. Boss had to go to Ohrid -- royally pissed-off, because they ordered him to participate in an Anti-Corruption Conference at the last minute -- and so I shouldn't be away from the office for too long, and also I can't really enjoy lunch if I'm barely able to sit without pain. So it's just going to be coffee (strictly work-related of course) with Alexandra, and afterwards a wee bit of shopping, and then back to work.

Yesterday's talk with the Minister of Culture was totally weird. Dislike at first sight (mutual I think), and she and her chief of staff, or whatever she is, were behaving like barely domesticated maenads towards my poor, beleaguered boss. OK, I'm exaggerating a bit here, but the eyelid-batting and repeated questions whether it really wasn't possible for him to accompany them on their visit to Austria was a bit much.
When we'd left the ministry, I said to boss, "What do these two slappers think you are? An escort service for sex-deprived ministers? I felt very protective of you in there!" -- he blushed and snickered like a schoolboy. *pets boss*

Tonight Spanish National Day reception, followed by Petra's birthday party. I'll get her a pretty scarf from my favourite scarf shop, because although I like her a lot, I don't yet know her all that well, but I know she wears scarves. So a scarf seems like a pretty good idea. There might be one for me as well. And shoes, brown shoes. And hopefully a brown handbag. And I need to check out the latest arrivals at Mango. Since I'll be using the Embassy car for going to the reception, I can just dump it all, wine included, into the booth, and Blerim will bring it up to my flat when he comes to pick me up. *iz spoilt bitch and loves every second of it*

ETA: Got one lovely, crimpled scarf for Petra. For myself: 3 scarves, 1 pair of faux-reptile, brown patent leather ankle boots, 1 pair brown shoes, 1 already-a-favourite skirt from Mango, 2 jumpers, ditto from Mango. Am lovingly contemplating new acquisitions.

When I got back to the Embassy, Vesna asked me whether we could talk for a few minutes. She asked me for a salary statement. Why, I asked. She had to get a loan. How much, I asked. Well, it wasn't for her but for Slavica (who doesn't have an official income, and Ile, her husband, has just a small income). Why, I asked. Because Slavica needs some dental surgery, which is rather expensive. Why, I asked, did none of the two sisters tell me? Because I have the money, don't need it right now, and would be happy to give Slavica a long-term, interest-free loan. So I'll give her € 4000 -- can you imagine how much interest they would have to pay the bank? Unnecessary, really. If Vesna and Slavica's fervent prayers on my behalf have any effect, Mr H should be mending his ways and grovelling on my doorstep any minute now. *giggles at thought*