I’ve been so bad about blogging….

I’ve been so bad about blogging lately. I guess life’s kind of gotten in the way.
In short, I’m still currently with eBay – but I don’t know for how long. The company attempted to solve the situation with the coworker who is no longer a co-worker. (YEAY). It means we’re going to be even shorter staffed until September when they hire someone to replace them but… at least the work is getting done -and getting done right. I’m having to do overtime – but at least it’s expected and anticipated as the day goes on – and not dropped on me at 5:30 pm just before I leave. In that way, it’s an improvement.
Let’s see – Oh – Wednesday (June 4) was apparently the German “national day to be an asshole” anytime you see fit. I was in a great mood because it’s been sunny here for 3.5 weeks straight (yeah, knock me over) and in the 70’s and low 80’s. It’s just been beautiful, and a pleasure to go outside, ride my bike or walk. Heck, I’ve eaten my fair share of outdoors meals too – got to love the cafe, the umbrellas, and the pond at the office for that.
For the natives, however, it’s hot. My neighbor has been grumbling that it’s too sunny, too dry, and too hot. (for me, it’s just nice – but then I like to bake like a lizard on a rock in this warm weather…). It’s making me giggle – until Wednesday that is. You see, I came into contact with 4 complete assholes – doing rude stuff that well, even for here it’s considered rude and/or uncouth – and it was directed (in most cases) at me in some manner. I was like ok “what’s your issue” most of the time – but then, i guess it’s because they’re cranky because it’s “too hot”. (frigging complainers – wait until you experience over 100 degree temperatures for weeks at a time!) So what were they?
a) I’m riding my bike and have to merge into a round about. There’s no cars coming – and I merge in – then suddenly, there’s a new mercades behind me. I only have to go to the first street – so I pop in there and hop back onto the bike path as quickly as I can. The guy rolls down his electric passenger window, slows down and yells at me crap about having to merge into the round about (mind you i was RIDING IN THE GUTTER!). He was basically pissed that he had to slow down instead of blasting around it… god forbid, (asshole!).
b) I’m on the train into berlin, and holding onto the center pole between two doors. It’s rush hour, and there’s 4 of us where this is the only place we can get on/get off the train. Guy gets on, talking to his colleague. He holds on to the center pole, then decides to face her, and leans his complete back and body up against the pole (up his spine) crushing our hands, which we’re quickly removing saying OUCH! He looks at us, says “oh, excuse me” and then proceeds to do it again. We have to ride the train, hoping to not fall on the people next to us. (Asshole!!)
c) Headed home – have to take 2 trains back. It’s warm in the trains, and all the windows are open. I’m under one of them, sitting. Some girl from all the way on the other side of the train comes walking up closing the windows over all the other passengers (not just hers) the whole train car. Why? because it’s too noisy underground (it’s 2 stops and you’re in motion most of the time) . I was like get over yourself and re-opened the window over me – since she was clear at the other end of the train. Sure, it’s loud, but better to deal with 5 minutes of loud, than 30 minutes of hot, stinky, sweaty people (who won’t re-open a window if their life depended on it.) (RUDE!)
d) Second train home – i’m chatting on my cell phone with a box of dunkin donuts next to me. It’s a full car, so when some people get on, I politely move the box to my lap and keep chatting on the phone. Drunk teenager guy sits down next to me and starts making lewd comments in english (the other party can hear them) like suck my d**k, baby, don’t you wanna F**K, and so on. I replied with shut the fuck up – (does he talk to his mom like that?), and he continues on. I finally, rather than hanging up with the person I was talking to, step over the guy and move – finding another place further up the train. On his way out, he’s like walking past and trying to grab me. I shot him a bird.. but what an ASSHOLE!! (Is it any wonder I dislike 99% of German men?)
Tomorrow – pictures!
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Trying to get a New Apartment? Yeah Right.

Things I can tell you about moving to Germany and renting an apartment – now that I’ve done it… a comparison. Warning – complaint ahead – mostly due to cultural differences that maybe someone can clear up for why this is…..

*** First some background – in the USA, you only need to give 1 month of notice before moving, at most two. When you get your deposit back – they give it back within the month after you move – at most 3 months if you are getting it back. If not, they must provide you a letter for why they are keeping it. In Most states, the renter does not need to repaint, recarpet, or do any improvements to the apartment (in fact if you paint a different color wall – they will fine you!). There are no wires allowed to hang from the celings or anywhere else. Likewise, in the bathroom – a working toilet, bathing facilities and sink must be provided and in the kitchen, there must be a stove, refrigerator, and working sink. This is an “unfurnished apartment”. ***

In Germany….

a) You have to give 3 months notice before you move out. This has to be given by the 3rd or the 5th of the month before you move. This means if you hate the place, you’re stuck there for at least 3 months.

b) Unfurnished apartments have no lights (open wires from the celings), no kitchen (not even a sink, refrigerator, or stove), and the bathroom doesn’t have to have facilities for bathing – a sink and toilet are the only thing necessary.

c) You have to repaint the flat before you move – and maybe replace the carpets. At your own expense. The owner/landlord doesn’t expect that there is normal wear and tear on the place – or that they should have to do anything but collect your rent, do some paperwork, and just profit.

d) Don’t plan on getting your deposit back the month you move out either. Landlords here can hold your deposit – after you’ve moved – for 6 months to a 1 year after you’ve moved out.

e) If you do plan to move out – and find a new place – plan on 3 months rent (as a deposit) and your first month’s rent being how much you pay just to get in. In the case of a 600 Eur a month apartment, you have to come up with 2400 eur – just to move in…. that doesn’t count moving expenses (like renting a truck), repainting/ recarpeting the old apartment, or anything like that.

Ok folks, you’ve been warned. Welcome to Germany, you’ve found a flat, don’t ever move.

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Anti Facism Demonstration by Communists?

Where to start… to try and make this clear – now that I understand what was going on and why I got strange looks – let me see ….
Teltow. It’s a small town – 1 street maybe 1000 people – if that. It’s tiny – and located between Berlin and Potsdam. It’s a bedroom community – where nothing really happens – even on the weekend – past 10 pm. Everything is closed after 6pm on most nights, and it’s just dead – you rarely see anyone on the streets.
That being said, May 17, as I rode my bike home from work, I saw this huge massive police force out – blocking the one main street. We’re talking completely closed off to vehicles – with police police police – in green vests, and a few in riot gear.
Line of Police
I thought there must have been a huge bad accident or something – because people go racing up and down the street all the time. Thing is that they were letting pedestrians and bikers through – so as I rode up the street (thinking to rubberneck and maybe snap a few pictures) I discovered the street was just closed – for seemingly no reason – and there was just a huge police force, and really no people. I was like what the heck? Weird.
Line of Police 2
Anyhow, I went home, sat out a 20 minute rain shower and started walking the dog, smartly taking the camera with me. As I rounded the corner, I start hearing people shouting chants and angry things in German – and realize it must be some kind of a protest march that these guys were covering for. So, I head up to the main street to see what’s going on. (After all, March 17 – to me – is any one of a possible 3 holidays – it is the Norwegian Independence day, Equality for gays/lesbians and against homophobia, and the global freedom of information day.)
So, I get down there and start taking pictures of the protest – as follows:
Anti-Facism March
Day 69: Anti-Facism March (1)
Anti-Facism March (2)
Anti-Facism March (3)
Now here’s the thing – the whole time I’m taking pictures, I’m reading the signs and they read “anti-facism” and stuff. (Oh – and I’m getting funny looks – really funny looks from the police who are appearing ready to come at me at any second – to which I keep saying “tourist tourist”) Anyhow, the protest signs – they appear to be being put on by the communist party of Potsdam, Babelsburg and Brandenburg.
To say the least – I’m puzzled. Really Puzzled.
Why are the communist party protesting against facism in tiny Teltow? What am I missing here? Shouldn’t they be in Berlin or Potsdam or something?
Well, after I get to work and start asking questions of the Germans I work with, here’s the explanation.
Apparently, there’s a facist /nazi clothing shop in Teltow (No, really – I didn’t know this either) under the name of something or other nordic blah blah. And these folks were protesting it.
As if that weren’t odd enough – the people protesting are not only communist – but are part of a movement of “anti germans” which have a history of riots and mob violence. You can read more about it here:

Anti-German (Modern communist)

So, this would explain the police being out en masse.

Also from Michael – the translation of that banner in the last picture is “do you know your neighobor? They could be a nazi!”

I’m feeling a little dumb now – a) because I didn’t understand there was a Nazi shop in town, b) because I stood at the protest (ok me and about 2 other people) going what the heck? while taking pictures and c) I’m sure to someone, it looked like I supported the anti-facism (which I do) AND the communists with a history of riots and violence (which I don’t).
Amusingly – they are pro-USA and anti Germans… go figure.
Live, Learn, and well, I guess this is one experience that now that I understand how much I’ve been missing – and be amused.
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