265/356: Karting with the department.

I have been karting, I have been karting with a company, I have been karting at the place we went to but I have never done it with this team.

I chose to post about this contrary to the new cheese I tried the same evening. I just feel like it is more exciting to talk about gokarting than about a different kind of cheese. Especially considering the amount of food I have tried over the last few months.

We had 10min warm up, 10min qualification and 15min race. I think we were 11 people all together and some of them have done quite some karting so I didn't expect to be very good. After the warm up I was in 5th place and didn't expect to get much better. I was wrong though. Somehow I managed to get the fastest time in the qualifying which made sure that I was able to start the race from first place. That was a surprise, I never thought I would achieve that. What was unsetteling was the fact though that I didn't really know what I did better in the lap that  I was so fast. I felt that it was a fast lap, but I didn't know what exactly I did different.

Knowing that the race would be hard to finish in first place I tried to resign myself to not expect too much. I failed though. So once the race started in was "in the zone". It started off well and I was able to put quite a distance between myself and the guy following me in second place. All went well until I had to start laping the slowest one's. the guy behind me wasn't very patient and didn't want to wait for me to pass the one in front so he tried to pass me with brute force.. which went very wrong. He crashed into me, turned me himself and me in a corner. So as it happend, we got overtaken by quite a few people.

I was a bit angry at that, I could have finished in first and he in second, had he been a little more patient. Oh well, as any real racer knows, this is how races can turn out ;). I still managed to end up in third place somehow. The whole thing was a lot of fun and I can't wait to have another go at it.

264/356: Kung Fu Burger

After a hearty workout I decided to treat myself.

So I went to try a burger place I have never been to. I went to try Kung Fu Burger. The special thing about that place, as the name suggests, is the fact that it looks like a Chinese restaurant. The whole interior is very traditional, or at least what we Europeans consider traditional Chinese.

They only server burgers though and not that many. If I remember the menu correctly there are like six or seven different ones. I took the standard burger with cheese and fries. So a cheese burger. It looked really great (didn't take a picture) and tasted really well. There was a good sized piece of meat in it and the fries were really tasty. If I had to nitpick though I would say that the whole thing was a little too salty. Still, miles better than all the other burgers I have had in Bern so far.

I only took one picture because I always feel silly taking pictures at restaurants. Too many teens taking pictures of their food. Also it was quite dark and I didn't want to disturbe the other guests with the flash.

263/356: Danup Stracciadictive Joghurt Drink

Not much to see here

On Sunday I tried the Danup Stracciadictive joghurt drink. It was small, it was gone in a breeze, it tasted like melted stracciatela ice cream. So you can say it was quite pleasant.

262/356: Hollyfood Take Away

Off we go to a few exciting firsts.

Starting seven days off more than just trying new food is the Hollyfood Take Away. It is a sandwich place that I walk past nearly every day. I heard really good things about it but never bothered to go in. It's one of those places that are kind of like Subway. You can pick your own sauce and stuff you want to put in. I decided to go for falafel, tartar sauce and all the salads (and things like that).

I have to say I really liked it. Also it seems I am not the only one. I went there around noon on Saturday and there was a queue. Just the chicken looks a bit funky ;). Will go there again if I don't know what to have for lunch/dinner. I am glad that after a week of just trying new food at home I at least got to try a new take away.

An interesting week ahead!

260/261/356: Nature Addict Granola Bar And Zweifel Chips Grilled Burger

I have to catch up a few days so I will do two firsts in one post.

Last Thursday I had the Nature Addict granola. It was alright for what it is. I guess it is more a workout supplement than a sweet treat. On the night I had it, I was more looking for a sweet treat though.

On Friday then I had something very weird. Grilled Burger flavored potato chips. Weirdly enough they kinda got the taste right. I am not sure what I should think about them but I have to admit I liked them better than not. I had a poker game going on at my place and none of my friends seemed to like them. I am not sure if I would buy them again but they kept me coming back all evening.

259/356: Mild Chili Dressing

Yes yes, it's a food week, again. But next week will be exciting.. finally.

Last week was one of those where I wasn't really sick but didn't feel all that well as well. You know, the feeling when you are just brushing by something. I would like to use that as an excuse that it was a pure food trying week.

On Wednesday it was Kabuki Mild Chili Dressing aaaand it was really good. I have used it with salad and with little pieces of mixed vegetables and both times I really enjoyed it. Will probably get it again.

Otherwise, not much to say about this one.

258/35: Beertasting Episode; I Can't Read The Label

I had another beer... aaand and I am not sure about the name.

I think it is Chodovar but don't quote me on that. I admit I just grabbed it at the liquor store without thinking much about it. As always, I judge the beer by the label. It was a good beer but nothing too exciting. Probably won't have this one again.

257/356: Tofu

My first time cooking with Tofu.

For a long time I avoided eating Tofu because I was convinced that I didn't like it. But then I ate it a few times, I don't know when it started, and I had to admit that it's not that bad. But I have never cooked with it. I changed that last Monday. 

I went to the supermarket to pick up some kind of Tofu. There were at least three or four different one's and because I didn't really have a plan what I would make for dinner, I bought the one that looked like it needed the least effort. Also it's from this Karma line of foods that Coop introduced a few months back and I generally like those products. 

So how was it? Well nothing to write home about to be honest. Not much taste on itself. I used some of my Okonomiyaki sauce though and that was the perfect fit. 

256/356: 100 days to go

My, my how time flies.

Today was the 256th day of my project. That means I have just a hundred days to go. It is crazy to think that I have managed to do something new every single day for the last 256 days. I realize a lot of times the new thing wasn't very exciting but I still take a lot good things away from it this far.

Although it is a bit exhausting to think about what I could do every single day, I live life very aware. Even on days that I have already done something new, I will pick different things than I am used to. It has made me more spontaneous and more adventures. I would also say that I have met people and made many experiences that I wouldn't have if I didn't start the project. I am glad for meeting every one of them and for making each of those experiences. It really enriched my last 256 days. I look forward to the last 100 days and wonder what they will bring.

For the 256th day itself I got food delivered to my place. This is the first time since I moved to Bern that I have done that. I live in the middle of the city so it is very easy to go out and just grab something. Also I live above a restaurant, right next to a pizzeria and within throwing distance of a Thai take away. So not that many reasons to get food delivered. And if I am honest, I feel a bit weird ordering food when I live just above a restaurant. Still, I got try new things right?

I ordered at a sushi place but since a workmate had just got food poisoning from sushi the other day I decided to go for a cooked meal. The food itself was really good but they took over 75 minutes to deliver the food and when the delivery guy thought he was at my place.. well he wasn't so I had to wait even longer for him to find the right place. But I guess the most important is that I got the food in the end and that it was good.

255/356: Beertasting; Aare Amber

Give more beer. 

Aare Amber it was this time around. I have had it in the fridge for a while but never got around to drink it. It is a good beer but I hadn't missed out on much by waiting to drink it for a while. 

254/356: Dat Bar

I went to a new bar.

Thing is, I don't know what it is called. I met up with a friend to hand something over and to have  a fast drink and I didn't really pay attention to which one it was. It was a decent bar for a drink after work but nothing special. Still, I got the first thing for the day day done.

253/356: Cooking

Mushrooms!!

So, instead of just consuming something new, I decided to cook something new. I don't know what you would call it in English. I don't even know if it has a specific name so I will just tell what it was. Essentially different types of mushrooms cooked in a cream sauce.

Cooking myself usually turns out pretty well but this one was so delicious I ate so much that I regretted it afterwards. One of those; "I will drag myself to the couch and open the top button of the jeans" moments.

Definitively something I will cook again. It was good as well as easy and fast to make. Oh and pretty cheap as well. Mushrooms are really cheap!

252/356: Moccalino And NiceT IceTea

More food and drink, huzzah!

For this day I tried a new ice tea and a new type of chocolate. Well I don't know if they are new, but I have never had them before. I am a little lazy right now so I won't write in detail about the experience. They were both nice though. The chocolate more so than the ice tea.

251/356: Eve Fruit Spritzer

And on we go with the drinks.

It's on of those weeks *sigh*. But there is more exciting stuff coming next week. It is all planned.

"Eve; Fruit Spritzer" After the one yesterday where I wasn't sure if I was the target audience, here I know I am not. Still, why not try it anyhow. I did and it tasted, well, like any other flavored water out there. For a few years these seem to be really trendy. I think the idea is to sell something sugared but make it seem healthy. I can assure you. It is not. It's just a soda with a little less color and sugar.

250/356: Qcumber Sparling Water

This one was weird.

I got a few new food and drinks last Monday but I will only post about one. why this one? because it was definitely the strangest one. I tried a "Qucumber". When I got it, I wasn't sure what it was and now that I had it, I am still not sure what it is trying to be. Is it water? Is it juice? Is it a soda?

It is slightly sweet water with a hint of cucumber. Really weird if you ask me. Who ever came up with this idea and who is supposed to be the target audience? If I am asking myself this, I am probably not it. To be totally honest with you though, it wasn't unpleasant. Not something that I would pick again, it's just too weird, but you never know.

249/356: Beertasting: Sudwerk; Pacific Pioneer

Back to the good old beer.

It was one of those, let's get a new beer Sunday's. I just picked on of the refrigerated one's because I was planning on having it quite soon after I got home. I got the "Sudwerk; Pacific Pioneer". It is a swiss micro brewery which I have never heard of. Once I got home I noticed that it was a dark ale. I didn't feel like that on that day but I had it anyway.

What can I see.. I like my beers with more fizz. There were practically no bubbles at all and I have to say I missed them. Also it was quite strong in taste. Me and the beer, we didn't hit it off so don't need to see each other again.

248/356: Rocky Patel Cigar

Just in the last post I mentioned how I stopped to smoke.

But sometimes I get weak and get a craving for a tobacco product. To keep it classy I then opt for a cigar. I have always enjoyed the process of smoking so a nice cigar every 6 months or so helps me satisfy exactly that craving.

Since I have no idea what makes a good cigar, I went to a specialist shop and let the guy help me out. I ended up with a Rocky Patel Vintage 1999. Or Something like that. He told it was a rather mild cigar and turns out he was right. I really liked it. Also the first time that I cut the cigar with a cuter that is made for that purpose. The last few times I had to improvise and that turn out that well. I am glad I bought it because it really does work better than scissors or a knife.

I am glad though that I did remember to close the door to my bed room before I started smoking it. The smell does get a little intense.

247/356: Stimorol Chewing Gum

Chewing gum is one of my favorite past times.

Ever since I have stopped smoking some two years ago, I got in the habit of chewing a lot of gum at work. Due to that it was only a matter of time before I would try a new gum. Saw this one in the grocery shop while getting some lunch and decided to grab it.

They promise 40 minutes of taste, I am not sure if it is 40 minutes but they do seem to last longer than I am use from other brands/types. They are a bit weird though. They have a dry center that feels like sand when you first bit into it. I am not a big fan of that I have to say. It feels a bit weird.

246/356 Restaurant Giardino @ Hotel Allegro

An accidental first.

My dad was in Bern for a business meeting and invited me to the hotel after the meeting to have a few beers. When I arrived at the hotel (to which I have never been to). It turned out that the dinner which all the meeting attendees where at, hadn't finished yet. But since one of them had already left there was a seat open. My dad then invited me to join them. The plan was just to sit there and converse with them. I didn't look to eat anything because I had just had dinner at home. Well nope told the waiters and they brought something for my seat anyway... soooo I had a second dinner.

So not only was I at the Hotel the first time but I also had dinner at the restaurant Giardino as well. I am glad that I did join in on the meal though because it was really good.

245/356: Sponser Protein Drink

More energy please!

After my renewed desire to work out more again, thanks to this, I needed to to something for my energy level. I usually work out right after work and haven't seen anything significant since lunch. I can't workout on a full stomach but if it has been too long and I just completed work, it is difficult to get through the program I set myself.

On a whim I decided to see if I can get a protein drink at the sports shop on the way home. Indeed they had one; "Sponser; Protein Drink". I had the Vanilla one just before workout because I felt like I needed the energy. It tasted really good and I will probably get some more. Right now I just finished today's workout and I am having the chocolate one right at this moment. It is unusual for me to say this, considering my love for chocolate, but I actually prefer the vanilla one.

Today I had it after the workout because on a Sunday I can make sure that I workout at the best time. After I had something too eat but not to early to be tired because my stomach is still working.

244/356: Buying Yarn

Who would have thought I would ever do this?

Being impressed by a friends skills at knitting I expressed my wish to get something done for myself. I was lucky enough to get my wish heard and for that reason I got to go pick the yarn of my choice. Essentially it was about the colors that would be used.

This was on Tuesday, yesterday on Friday I already got the finished product.. and I couldn't be happier. I got a pair of socks and they look just awesome. These will be worn regularly on weekend mornings when I am too lazy to get dressed and just want to lounge about. I already used them today!

244/356: Harissa

After an exciting but exhausting weekend I opted to go for an easy first.

I went to the "foreign foods" shelf at the supermarket and just picked something. Since I like spicy food I picked "Harissa". On the packaging it is labeled as spicy. Well, it is good. I can tell you that. Spicy? well I don't know about that. Maybe a little bit?

It does taste really good though if you mix it with mayonnaise. A very interesting taste combination.

243/356: Brothers Couch

So technically it was early Monday morning when this first happened but since I had not gone to bed since Sunday morning, I consider it to be day 243.

This year I decided to head to my brothers place to watch the Superbowl (even though the Steelers didn't manage to do anything this year). Since he lives close to Zurich and it's about on and a half hours to get home, I decided to crash on his couch. This is the first for this day. I never watched the Superbowl over at this place but I thought sleeping on his couch would also make for a good blog entry as well.

How was it to sleep on the couch? actually pretty good I have to admit. it is big and comfy and had more pillows that I could wish for. This is the first time I slept on a couch since I ended my trip and it was nice but I did miss my bed a little. For that reason I didn't linger long on Monday morning but headed home as soon as I woke.

242/356: Hotel Bristol Zürich

Last Saturday was the first time I stayed in a Hotel in the middle of Zurich. 

I have stayed at a hotel at the airport a few times but never in the city itself. I was in Zurich for a Show on Saturday evening and decided to make a whole weekend out of it because of a few reason. The first reason was that I went with friend and she has never been shown around Zurich. So I decided to incorporate that into the weekend. The second reason was, that I was going to head to my brothers to watch the Superbowl on Sunday. 

I stayed at the Hotel Bristol which is very close to the main train station. This was also the reason I picked it. Everything in the city is within walking distance from the hotel. I really liked it for the location and the price was quite fair as well. Otherwise it is nothing to write home about. It was clean and the staff was friendly but nothing special.

Anyhow, if you are looking for a cheapish Hotel in the middle of the city, I can really recommend it. 

241/356: Paying It Forward

A good one!

Last friday I got to do something I have wanted to do for a while. I went to Starbucks to get a coffee for myself on the way to work. Because there was nobody else in the queue I decided to anonymously pay for the next person. Any person, no matter who they are. So I paid for myself and a left a little more than a regular coffee would cost.

The cashier was a little confused but smiled when he understood. I didn't stay long to talk about why I was doing it, so I never got to here his opinion. He asked if I wanted to leave a message but since I felt like I should do it fast before the next person comes (I didn't want them to know I did it) I said no and went to grab my coffee. I left before the next person appeared so I have no idea who got the free coffee but I hope it made their day. It sure made my day. I can't explain why but it felt really good for the rest of the day.

I should do more of these. I don't know if I would have done this if not for my project so I am happy that I am doing the project. This was the second random act of kindness I have done and they both made me feel really good so I am already thinking about what I could do next. I think I have an idea.. hmmm...

240/356: Bruno's And Baked Goods

Bruno's salad sauce, the best there is, but now in italian.

I had two new things on this day.. one was the italian dressing from Bruno's and then some bread that I have never had. Sadly I waited so long to post about it that I forgot what the bread was called. Anyhow that was good. I am a little disappointed by the dressing though. Their french one is still the best by far.. and I can only recommend you that one. Probably one of the best things I have ever tasted.