"What are your 10 most favorite songs?"
When I was asked this question last night I was caught off guard; I simply had not expected that question. This is one of those questions that I can usually answer immediately, so not surprisingly, I asked for a pen, intending simply to jot the list down.
As time was short, I ended up taking the challenge home with me, and before going to bed, sat down at my kitchen table and wrote. I quickly realized two things: the longer I thought about it, the more difficult the task would be, and second, there would be no way I could rank the songs.
What makes these my favorites? The common thing is that they ALL grabbed me right from the first listen, wherever or whenever that first listen took place. I am certainly not surprised that half of the songs come from the 80s, and sort of understand why none of the songs come from after I turned 30; my appreciation for music started early and the influences are obvious.
With the exception of Bruce, I have seen all of the artists at some point in my lifetime, though not necessarily the complete band line ups that did the original songs. What I do find to be very cool is that all of the artists (those that are still living, at least) still continue to make music.
A few of you who know me (and my CD collection) might question a few of my selections, but can also appreciate that this is a list of 10 and not 100 songs. You can also understand why it is so difficult to actually rank them. Fortunately, they all make for a good soundtrack regardless of the order in which they are listened to.
So, what are the songs? Here you go -
1) Joy Divison - Love Will Tear Us Apart
2) Joe Jackson - Steppin' Out
3) The Clash - London Calling
4) The Mission UK - Wasteland
5) The Bouncing Souls - Gone
6) The Alarm - Strength
7) Love Spit Love - Fall on Tears
8) The Wonderstuff - Sing the Absurd
9) The Who - Baba O'Riley
10) Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Further commentary is unnecessary. As indicated, any time you may have spent in my dorm room or apartment through the years, as well countless hours driving around with me lets you know why these are the songs. Tim, particularly, would likely be able to guess at least half of these songs as being on my list. Of course, that is what happens who you commandeer a stereo for so long, eh?
At any rate, there you have it. 8 songs from Britain, 2 from Jersey. Favorite songs of a guy from Texas who lives in Germany. Makes sense.
keep the faith
bryan
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Ein Unbefristet Bryan
Three years ago, I went off to the Ordnungsamt to get my visa extended. That little escapade went relatively ok, despite some nervousness on my part. In the end, I was granted an extension through the 1st of August, 2012.
A couple of months ago, around the last day of May, I received a letter in the mail from my friendly civil servant inviting me to an appointment for today at the Ordnungsamt. Now, I did not bother to open this letter until a few weeks after receipt. I knew my visa was valid up til the beginning of August, so after confirming the appointment date, I did not review the letter again until the first of July.
As usual, there were a few forms to fill out, and as well a few documents to be completed by my employer. I tend to procrastinate at the best of times (you should see when I do my taxes each year), but this time it sort of worked out in my favor. Sure, when I received the initial letter, I was not aware that my employment situation was going to change so quickly, but once I had been informed of my transfer, I got cracking on compiling all the appropriate docs.
I first identified all of the things that required external support. Namely, a document that required a signature from my landlord and a letter of confirmation from my employer (complete with company stamp) regarding my employment. My landlord and I agreed to meet up in mid-July, and my new company stepped up and delivered stamped letters in a matter of days.
Feeling a bit encouraged by my progress (hey! this is pretty easy!), I checked the list for the outstanding things I would need to get. Pay stubs was also pretty easy, and a new biometrisch photo was just a phone call (for an appointment at the local photo studio) away. On a Friday afternoon, my last working day with the previous company, I phoned the studio and arranged for an appointment the following morning at 12.30. I then went out for a nice dinner, ate way too much, drank a fair amount, and managed to become violently ill upon returning home late that night.
Alas, the days of being able to puke (kotzen is the German term, in case you are asked at the next cook out or cocktail party) and look fresh and recovered the following day are faint faint memories for me. After I turned 30, unfortunate nights out at the pub that resulted in a sicky usually meant that the following day, my eyes would be puffed up little slits, my face would be red, and I generally appeared more frightening than usual. At the time (though these moments were somewhat infrequent), it was not uncommon for someone (ie..my boss, etc) to ask the question, "What the fuck has happened to you?"
Well, turning 40 has made this experience even worse. Fortunately, those times are ever more infrequent (usually just the night before I begin Christmas holidays). However, the particular Friday evening was (at least up until the moment I was wrecking my bathroom) quite a pleasant evening. That said, I was full of food and bevvie, and through it all enduring the stress of having suddenly changed jobs.
As I cleaned up late that Friday night, I refused to look at myself in the mirror, and desperately hoped for a miracle for the following morning. I stayed in bed as long as possible, and even put a bag of frozen peas (purchased just in case this ever happens) on my eyes to take away some of the swelling.
I woke up around 10.30 that Saturday morning, showered and shaved, and decided that it was as good as it could get. I grabbed my backpack, and headed to the photo studio.
The photographer told me to mop off my face (to remove the perspiration), then snapped a few pictures, then told me to wait a couple of minutes; he would have the photos ready quickly.
Indeed, 10 minutes later he brought me the finished product, and commented that he had "removed the red from my face" during the development. Thus, I looked only scary, as opposed to sunburned and scary. I paid my 10 Euro and put my photos in my little pile of stuff for my Ordnungsamt visit.
Later in the afternoon, I stumbled upon a birthday party, and ended up spending the next 8 hours in the pub, which resulted in me repeating Friday night's performance, only less the pleasant food and company. Damn.
Not surprisingly, I took it easy on Sunday, then headed off to Bochum early Monday morning for my first day with the new company. I met a few colleagues, many of which commented on my suntan.
Damn.
As indicated in the previous post, I have experienced a rather hectic past two weeks getting things sorted out as a new employee. Meanwhile, I met up with my landlord, who signed my needed document, and I found myself getting closer and closer to appointment day.
I reviewed the outstanding items, and found two left that concerned me. One, was a document that would show that I had paid into the social security system for the past 60 months. The second was a document or something to prove that I had completed an Integrationskurs. From my last visit three years ago, I understood that I only had to demonstrate my ability in the language. This started to give me some worrying moments.
Upon my arrival in Germany, I went out of my way to take private classes and learn the language as quickly and competently as possible. True, I stopped my private classes almost two years ago, but my level has reached (in my opinion, as well as many others) an acceptable level. I would not say that I am fluent, and I still constantly get comments about my accent, but I can certainly hold my own. Furthermore, I know loads of expats living in Germany who can't speak a bloody word of German, and they have lived here much longer than I have.
That said, I was not really interested in having to discuss this with the civil servant who would be making the decision on my visa extension. I actually panicked just a wee bit as I thought about having to possibly explain that two weeks before I was to extend my visa I had changed jobs. Though I feel more than able to discuss these topics individually in German, the added bonus of having to explain it while under pressure of sitting in a government office.
I may have expressed this sentiment once or twice before, but any dealings with the civil service for me are very stressful encounters. I compare it to sitting in the Principal's office taking a bollocking for something that I may or may not have done. For me, because I am pessimistic, I usually immediately feel guilty for no reason whatsoever, which comes across in my actions and words. Thus, the situation (at least in my head) explodes out of proportion to a point where the person I am dealing starts wondering just what the hell is wrong with me. "Nice suntan, were you recently on holiday?"
Nope. Just in the pub.
With all of these thoughts on the brain, I strolled over to the pub one afternoon and ran into an Australian friend of mine. I remembered that he had recently extended his visa, so asked him about the two documents and what had been his experience.
He went on to tell me that no one had bothered with him about the Integrationskurs, and he also pointed out that he spoke very little German. Though comforting, I was not 100% convinced. Fortunately, he did confirm that there was a little office off of Zeil where one could go and get a statement indicating that they had paid 5 years into social security.
I spent a few more days making sure that I had all of my documentation together, then planned this past Monday morning to slip off to the local office to get the SS statement. It turned out to be one of the most pleasant experiences I have had with a civil service office. The lady smiled the whole time, took my SS number, clicked a button, then handed me two sheets of paper from the printer. No charge.
Another quick trip to the local photocopy shop across the street from my house, and I had a full copy of the original forms and docs; this was a request from the Ordnungsamt to bring a set of copies to the appointment.
In the end, I elected to just "wing" it when it came to discussing any integration course. I felt confident enough to converse with anyone about any topic, in German, to demonstrate my command of the language, and why I wanted to extend my visa.
With my documentation complete Tuesday evening, I did a final check that I had everything prepared, then set out clothes for this morning's appointment. Then, I went to the pub.
Sure, I had not slept well the past few nights, my mind somewhat antsy about this (important) appointment. A few beers (ONLY a few beers) can help in these matters, but I really just needed a bit of quiet time. Fortunately, I found just that, and had a very relaxing, charming evening, and went to bed with a bit of weary heart, but not too much anxiety about Wednesday morning.
I popped up this morning, had a couple of coffees, showered, then headed off for my appointment which began at 9.30.
In the Ordnungsamt, I walked through the maze of corridors to the office where I was to meet with Frau H. I knocked on the door promptly at 9.30, peeked my head in, and found three people sitting at their desks. Furthermore, I realized that it was the same office I had been to three years ago, and the lady who had helped me at the time was not the friendliest of folks (back then). I announced my presence, and then she responded by asking if I really had an appointment. Gulp.
"Ja," I responded.
OK, please wait in the hall for a couple of minutes and I will call you when I am ready.
So, I skulked in the hallway for about 10 minutes, somewhat concerned as to why I had a sheet of paper confirming an appointment with her, yet she did not seem to be aware of it.
She opened the door, called me, and I sat down and pulled out my stuff.
Sweat is not an option for me, it comes pouring out of me whether I want it to or not.
Frau H. pulled up my file in the computer and she quickly checked that all my documents were present. She left the room to make copies of a few things (never mind I had copies right there), then returned and asked me about my German study.
Panic.
I briefly explained that I had had private classes for almost three years, and went on to mention that I spoke German daily in the work place, as well as good portion of my personal life. I considered pulling out a Learn KrimiDeutsch book that happened to be in my backpack (they have these little novellas that are really short crime novels. In each chapter, you have to do some basic grammar stuff (like underline all the verbs, etc) and it is quite a cool way to continue self study of the language) but decided that might not be so appropriate, so just shut my mouth.
Apparently my explanation was satisfactory, so we proceeded to the next step, which is when she said, "OK, we normally expect a German resident to take some sort of language course," (shit! Panic!) "but as of 2011, the requirement has slightly changed. Now the applicant must provide proof of completing your education. Do you have a college degree?"
I knew the answer to this question, and quickly confirmed.
"Good, in order to issue your visa, I just need to have a copy of your Diploma."
"No problem, I can email you that within an hour."
Suddenly, Frau H's mood softened, and she actually almost smiled when she wrote her email address down for me.
Then, she proceeded to process the rest of the things in the computer. Once, she paused and asked me how tall I was, and I momentarily blanked, actually started stuttering (6 feet is not the correct answer in a country that uses the metric system), and feebly pointed to the application, where I had actually written down the correct answer when I looked it up last weekend on the Internet.
"Cool," she said, as she moved on the next field she had to fill in.
As a few things started coming off the printer, she asked me if I wanted the guidebook for the new electronic Aufenthaltstitel in German or in English. I indicated that I preferred it in German, and she gave a bit of a satisfactory look as she slid a pamphlet across the desk.
She took my bank card and processed the fee, then explained that my resident card would be available in about 4-5 weeks; I would be alerted by mail.
And that was it. Bryan action - email my college diploma to the German Ordnungsamt (ironic that my Alma mater, the one I raved about last month, helps me earn my right to stay in the country, eh?)
Germany action - issue a permanent resident card to me. Open ended or unlimited or indefinite is the meaning of Unbefristet.
Thus, I am now fully able to live, work, and do whatever (within reason) in this country. For as long as I like. It's what 5 years living in a country will get you. It is not so much about staying, but more about the ability to not have to leave. Maybe not so easy for everyone to understand, but it makes a bit of sense to me.
I bid the woman thanks, and headed out on the street where I paused for a moment and just enjoyed the sunshine, as a resident, before heading off to work.
Today was a pretty good day.
Later, I am sure that a couple of people will ask me about my experience from this morning, as they had seen how anxious I was in the past days.
"Nothing to it."
see you out there
bryan
A couple of months ago, around the last day of May, I received a letter in the mail from my friendly civil servant inviting me to an appointment for today at the Ordnungsamt. Now, I did not bother to open this letter until a few weeks after receipt. I knew my visa was valid up til the beginning of August, so after confirming the appointment date, I did not review the letter again until the first of July.
As usual, there were a few forms to fill out, and as well a few documents to be completed by my employer. I tend to procrastinate at the best of times (you should see when I do my taxes each year), but this time it sort of worked out in my favor. Sure, when I received the initial letter, I was not aware that my employment situation was going to change so quickly, but once I had been informed of my transfer, I got cracking on compiling all the appropriate docs.
I first identified all of the things that required external support. Namely, a document that required a signature from my landlord and a letter of confirmation from my employer (complete with company stamp) regarding my employment. My landlord and I agreed to meet up in mid-July, and my new company stepped up and delivered stamped letters in a matter of days.
Feeling a bit encouraged by my progress (hey! this is pretty easy!), I checked the list for the outstanding things I would need to get. Pay stubs was also pretty easy, and a new biometrisch photo was just a phone call (for an appointment at the local photo studio) away. On a Friday afternoon, my last working day with the previous company, I phoned the studio and arranged for an appointment the following morning at 12.30. I then went out for a nice dinner, ate way too much, drank a fair amount, and managed to become violently ill upon returning home late that night.
Alas, the days of being able to puke (kotzen is the German term, in case you are asked at the next cook out or cocktail party) and look fresh and recovered the following day are faint faint memories for me. After I turned 30, unfortunate nights out at the pub that resulted in a sicky usually meant that the following day, my eyes would be puffed up little slits, my face would be red, and I generally appeared more frightening than usual. At the time (though these moments were somewhat infrequent), it was not uncommon for someone (ie..my boss, etc) to ask the question, "What the fuck has happened to you?"
Well, turning 40 has made this experience even worse. Fortunately, those times are ever more infrequent (usually just the night before I begin Christmas holidays). However, the particular Friday evening was (at least up until the moment I was wrecking my bathroom) quite a pleasant evening. That said, I was full of food and bevvie, and through it all enduring the stress of having suddenly changed jobs.
As I cleaned up late that Friday night, I refused to look at myself in the mirror, and desperately hoped for a miracle for the following morning. I stayed in bed as long as possible, and even put a bag of frozen peas (purchased just in case this ever happens) on my eyes to take away some of the swelling.
I woke up around 10.30 that Saturday morning, showered and shaved, and decided that it was as good as it could get. I grabbed my backpack, and headed to the photo studio.
The photographer told me to mop off my face (to remove the perspiration), then snapped a few pictures, then told me to wait a couple of minutes; he would have the photos ready quickly.
Indeed, 10 minutes later he brought me the finished product, and commented that he had "removed the red from my face" during the development. Thus, I looked only scary, as opposed to sunburned and scary. I paid my 10 Euro and put my photos in my little pile of stuff for my Ordnungsamt visit.
Later in the afternoon, I stumbled upon a birthday party, and ended up spending the next 8 hours in the pub, which resulted in me repeating Friday night's performance, only less the pleasant food and company. Damn.
Not surprisingly, I took it easy on Sunday, then headed off to Bochum early Monday morning for my first day with the new company. I met a few colleagues, many of which commented on my suntan.
Damn.
As indicated in the previous post, I have experienced a rather hectic past two weeks getting things sorted out as a new employee. Meanwhile, I met up with my landlord, who signed my needed document, and I found myself getting closer and closer to appointment day.
I reviewed the outstanding items, and found two left that concerned me. One, was a document that would show that I had paid into the social security system for the past 60 months. The second was a document or something to prove that I had completed an Integrationskurs. From my last visit three years ago, I understood that I only had to demonstrate my ability in the language. This started to give me some worrying moments.
Upon my arrival in Germany, I went out of my way to take private classes and learn the language as quickly and competently as possible. True, I stopped my private classes almost two years ago, but my level has reached (in my opinion, as well as many others) an acceptable level. I would not say that I am fluent, and I still constantly get comments about my accent, but I can certainly hold my own. Furthermore, I know loads of expats living in Germany who can't speak a bloody word of German, and they have lived here much longer than I have.
That said, I was not really interested in having to discuss this with the civil servant who would be making the decision on my visa extension. I actually panicked just a wee bit as I thought about having to possibly explain that two weeks before I was to extend my visa I had changed jobs. Though I feel more than able to discuss these topics individually in German, the added bonus of having to explain it while under pressure of sitting in a government office.
I may have expressed this sentiment once or twice before, but any dealings with the civil service for me are very stressful encounters. I compare it to sitting in the Principal's office taking a bollocking for something that I may or may not have done. For me, because I am pessimistic, I usually immediately feel guilty for no reason whatsoever, which comes across in my actions and words. Thus, the situation (at least in my head) explodes out of proportion to a point where the person I am dealing starts wondering just what the hell is wrong with me. "Nice suntan, were you recently on holiday?"
Nope. Just in the pub.
With all of these thoughts on the brain, I strolled over to the pub one afternoon and ran into an Australian friend of mine. I remembered that he had recently extended his visa, so asked him about the two documents and what had been his experience.
He went on to tell me that no one had bothered with him about the Integrationskurs, and he also pointed out that he spoke very little German. Though comforting, I was not 100% convinced. Fortunately, he did confirm that there was a little office off of Zeil where one could go and get a statement indicating that they had paid 5 years into social security.
I spent a few more days making sure that I had all of my documentation together, then planned this past Monday morning to slip off to the local office to get the SS statement. It turned out to be one of the most pleasant experiences I have had with a civil service office. The lady smiled the whole time, took my SS number, clicked a button, then handed me two sheets of paper from the printer. No charge.
Another quick trip to the local photocopy shop across the street from my house, and I had a full copy of the original forms and docs; this was a request from the Ordnungsamt to bring a set of copies to the appointment.
In the end, I elected to just "wing" it when it came to discussing any integration course. I felt confident enough to converse with anyone about any topic, in German, to demonstrate my command of the language, and why I wanted to extend my visa.
With my documentation complete Tuesday evening, I did a final check that I had everything prepared, then set out clothes for this morning's appointment. Then, I went to the pub.
Sure, I had not slept well the past few nights, my mind somewhat antsy about this (important) appointment. A few beers (ONLY a few beers) can help in these matters, but I really just needed a bit of quiet time. Fortunately, I found just that, and had a very relaxing, charming evening, and went to bed with a bit of weary heart, but not too much anxiety about Wednesday morning.
I popped up this morning, had a couple of coffees, showered, then headed off for my appointment which began at 9.30.
In the Ordnungsamt, I walked through the maze of corridors to the office where I was to meet with Frau H. I knocked on the door promptly at 9.30, peeked my head in, and found three people sitting at their desks. Furthermore, I realized that it was the same office I had been to three years ago, and the lady who had helped me at the time was not the friendliest of folks (back then). I announced my presence, and then she responded by asking if I really had an appointment. Gulp.
"Ja," I responded.
OK, please wait in the hall for a couple of minutes and I will call you when I am ready.
So, I skulked in the hallway for about 10 minutes, somewhat concerned as to why I had a sheet of paper confirming an appointment with her, yet she did not seem to be aware of it.
She opened the door, called me, and I sat down and pulled out my stuff.
Sweat is not an option for me, it comes pouring out of me whether I want it to or not.
Frau H. pulled up my file in the computer and she quickly checked that all my documents were present. She left the room to make copies of a few things (never mind I had copies right there), then returned and asked me about my German study.
Panic.
I briefly explained that I had had private classes for almost three years, and went on to mention that I spoke German daily in the work place, as well as good portion of my personal life. I considered pulling out a Learn KrimiDeutsch book that happened to be in my backpack (they have these little novellas that are really short crime novels. In each chapter, you have to do some basic grammar stuff (like underline all the verbs, etc) and it is quite a cool way to continue self study of the language) but decided that might not be so appropriate, so just shut my mouth.
Apparently my explanation was satisfactory, so we proceeded to the next step, which is when she said, "OK, we normally expect a German resident to take some sort of language course," (shit! Panic!) "but as of 2011, the requirement has slightly changed. Now the applicant must provide proof of completing your education. Do you have a college degree?"
I knew the answer to this question, and quickly confirmed.
"Good, in order to issue your visa, I just need to have a copy of your Diploma."
"No problem, I can email you that within an hour."
Suddenly, Frau H's mood softened, and she actually almost smiled when she wrote her email address down for me.
Then, she proceeded to process the rest of the things in the computer. Once, she paused and asked me how tall I was, and I momentarily blanked, actually started stuttering (6 feet is not the correct answer in a country that uses the metric system), and feebly pointed to the application, where I had actually written down the correct answer when I looked it up last weekend on the Internet.
"Cool," she said, as she moved on the next field she had to fill in.
As a few things started coming off the printer, she asked me if I wanted the guidebook for the new electronic Aufenthaltstitel in German or in English. I indicated that I preferred it in German, and she gave a bit of a satisfactory look as she slid a pamphlet across the desk.
She took my bank card and processed the fee, then explained that my resident card would be available in about 4-5 weeks; I would be alerted by mail.
And that was it. Bryan action - email my college diploma to the German Ordnungsamt (ironic that my Alma mater, the one I raved about last month, helps me earn my right to stay in the country, eh?)
Germany action - issue a permanent resident card to me. Open ended or unlimited or indefinite is the meaning of Unbefristet.
Thus, I am now fully able to live, work, and do whatever (within reason) in this country. For as long as I like. It's what 5 years living in a country will get you. It is not so much about staying, but more about the ability to not have to leave. Maybe not so easy for everyone to understand, but it makes a bit of sense to me.
I bid the woman thanks, and headed out on the street where I paused for a moment and just enjoyed the sunshine, as a resident, before heading off to work.
Today was a pretty good day.
Later, I am sure that a couple of people will ask me about my experience from this morning, as they had seen how anxious I was in the past days.
"Nothing to it."
see you out there
bryan
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