Well it's coming up to christmas and I booked a month off work to fly home. I flew on the 14th of december and got in for about 10pm; going pretty much straight to bed. I had not told Heather the date I was coming home and had booked a ticket for the PCWorld staff party the next night.
on the 15th I finally got my haircut. 5months of growth had formed a bit of a mop on my head and was time to shed it. By the afternoon I was getting anxious and thought that Heather had clocked on to me turning up at the meal. So I decided to catch her leaving work instead. I arrived 20minutes before they closed as that was the closest bus. One of my old colleagues was showing another 2 his new car outside, I said hello and was stood talking when Heather peeked out the door. I dived so fast behind some trolleys left outside the shop and waited for her to get closer.
Just as I dived out she walked round the car, but managed to give her a big hug from behind before she saw me.
Turned out to go better than I had planned as I didn't have to stand in the cold for 20min and got to talk to some of the people. The staff night itself was crap: the camp DJ played a very poor selection, there was a good singer who preformed however was interrupted on occasions by the mic static of the DJ. I didn't drink, and I didn't have much fun; until I got home obviously.
Went out in Lytham a couple of times with old college friends and went to blackpool with Heather. Other than that did a bit of work for uni next year and nothing much else.
Christmas day I went to Heather's for lunch; had beef and a nice time seeing her family again. Got socks, chocolate, ipod, hobnobs, drink, deoderant, the usuals.
Bought myself a xbox 360 and plan to get a 40" samsung in the next couple of weeks. Other than that its nice to be out of that tiny room in Germany and back with friends, family and Heather, who I can't seem to get to go home :>
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Home vs Augsburg
Not posted in a while, hurt my leg pretty badly and just not had the effort or anything to say in general. Nothing's changed so here's some random lists
advantages:
Erm, thats all i can think of right now, I'll add something if I can think of anything. Also Christmas is approaching and I'm looking forward to it more than I have this millennium; most probably due to coming home to friends, family and heather.
Not sure if I've mentioned this is a previous post, but Heather doesn't actually know which day I'm coming back - which has been fun to bug her with the last couple of months. Hopefully she'll let her guard down and I can sneak up on her somewhere.
Wishing you all a happy xmas!
advantages:
| Augsburg | England |
|
|
Erm, thats all i can think of right now, I'll add something if I can think of anything. Also Christmas is approaching and I'm looking forward to it more than I have this millennium; most probably due to coming home to friends, family and heather.
Not sure if I've mentioned this is a previous post, but Heather doesn't actually know which day I'm coming back - which has been fun to bug her with the last couple of months. Hopefully she'll let her guard down and I can sneak up on her somewhere.
Wishing you all a happy xmas!
Friday, 26 October 2007
backstage concert
18th
Tonight I went to see sonic syndicate, Dark tranquility, Soilwork and Caliban. It was at backstage in Munich, near the main station, I arrived about 7.30 after a 30min walk from the stop.
The first band was a warm up which seemed like the copy-cat, usual style that these bands have, of the ones they're supporting; 2nd song a crowd surfer decided to crash into the back of my head with his. After 30min, dark tranquility came on; a band which I'd heard a couple of songs from, then searched on youtube a few days before.
They were amazing, monochromatic stains is probably my new favorite song, their melodic music really appeals to me, although the singing is not to everyone's taste, much like my favourite soilwork song stabbing the drama. The place was packed full, with a little pit that i was in the middle of :D
After their 45min set Soilwork came out to a large roar. The crowd got quite rough and a massive circular pit the width of the room started to their 3rd song. I fell infront of about 15 people, who preceeded to pile over me, I landed on my leg wrong and pulled my hamstring which really hurt. And ended up leaving before Caliban came on, who I wasn't too bothered about anyway. I then continued to stagger back to the trainstation and got a train home for 11. I got some funny looks from some old ladies on the train as I was in a soilwork Tshirt and drumming on my legs to a song in my head as I was deaf to everything else.
When I got back in Augsburg I got a kabab from the local shop, god they are so much nicer over here (sorry Amet's of Lytham)
Current hobnob situation: 1/6 left, situation is worsening!
Its also getting dark by 6 now, which is great as its also freezing so snow is coming and that can only mean 1 thing: Gluhwein!
Tonight I went to see sonic syndicate, Dark tranquility, Soilwork and Caliban. It was at backstage in Munich, near the main station, I arrived about 7.30 after a 30min walk from the stop.
The first band was a warm up which seemed like the copy-cat, usual style that these bands have, of the ones they're supporting; 2nd song a crowd surfer decided to crash into the back of my head with his. After 30min, dark tranquility came on; a band which I'd heard a couple of songs from, then searched on youtube a few days before.
They were amazing, monochromatic stains is probably my new favorite song, their melodic music really appeals to me, although the singing is not to everyone's taste, much like my favourite soilwork song stabbing the drama. The place was packed full, with a little pit that i was in the middle of :D
After their 45min set Soilwork came out to a large roar. The crowd got quite rough and a massive circular pit the width of the room started to their 3rd song. I fell infront of about 15 people, who preceeded to pile over me, I landed on my leg wrong and pulled my hamstring which really hurt. And ended up leaving before Caliban came on, who I wasn't too bothered about anyway. I then continued to stagger back to the trainstation and got a train home for 11. I got some funny looks from some old ladies on the train as I was in a soilwork Tshirt and drumming on my legs to a song in my head as I was deaf to everything else.
When I got back in Augsburg I got a kabab from the local shop, god they are so much nicer over here (sorry Amet's of Lytham)
Current hobnob situation: 1/6 left, situation is worsening!
Its also getting dark by 6 now, which is great as its also freezing so snow is coming and that can only mean 1 thing: Gluhwein!
longboarding adventure!
well on the monday after my dad left, so the 8th, I decided to give skating a try. I got the tram in the morning, getting a few puzzled looks; then decided I would skate home the way suggested to me by an Australian student, who cycled to work and back each day.
I started off down the main road outside work, in the opposite direction to the tram, which actually takes a route in the shape of a backwards C to get home. I was wobbling, which I later found out was because I was stood in the middle, not the front of the board; pushing was inefficient and tiring; and I couldn't foot-break properly to slow myself down. As I found out all too well on my first slope, where the road goes down under the autobahn (motorway). On the way back up, while pushing the board; my foot got sucked in by the back wheel which is exposed. I ended up flying forwards, landing on my face, and burning skin off my elbow and fingers. It was great, I've not bled like that for a couple of years and brought back the memories of my BMX.
I sat down while I regained focus in my eyes and then continued home. It took about 35min, where the tram takes 30; not bad. Would of beaten it without that sit down :D
current hobnob situation: 3/6 left dunno how 3 are going to last till xmas:D
juice: 5/6 left
I started off down the main road outside work, in the opposite direction to the tram, which actually takes a route in the shape of a backwards C to get home. I was wobbling, which I later found out was because I was stood in the middle, not the front of the board; pushing was inefficient and tiring; and I couldn't foot-break properly to slow myself down. As I found out all too well on my first slope, where the road goes down under the autobahn (motorway). On the way back up, while pushing the board; my foot got sucked in by the back wheel which is exposed. I ended up flying forwards, landing on my face, and burning skin off my elbow and fingers. It was great, I've not bled like that for a couple of years and brought back the memories of my BMX.
I sat down while I regained focus in my eyes and then continued home. It took about 35min, where the tram takes 30; not bad. Would of beaten it without that sit down :D
current hobnob situation: 3/6 left dunno how 3 are going to last till xmas:D
juice: 5/6 left
The Octoberfest 2
3rd sept
Today was a public holiday in Augsburg. Meaning 2 things, I had the day off work and everyone in the south of Germany was going to the beer festival.
I got to the main train station for about 9 and had to wait 30min for the next train as the 1 on the website somehow managed to disappear. Once the train came, it was a 2 tier regional express, although I was about the 20th person on the platform I was 1 of the last to squeeze through the doors, it was packed and with every turn over points or breaking of the train it felt like it was going to derail. It of course didn't and I arrived in the main train station in Munich in about 1/2 the time that it would of normally taken and the driver didn't dare stop on the way in case more tried to board the already overcrowded train.
I met up with my dad and Jane along with 1 of my dad's old colleagues at the end of the platform. This week I walked, as the underground would of been packed. We made our way to the Augustina tent (my favourite brewery) and searched the beergarden for some seats as it was such a nice day. We didn't find anything so moved inside where we got 4 next to each other. It was cheaper for me this week, as my dad seemed to automatically pick up the tab, which is always nice. There was a band playing, but the music wasn't as good as the first time round. I mostly just spoke to the 3 with me about the last week and plans for the end of the week.
Early afternoon I got a text from Dagmar who was also in Munich, shee ended up joining us for supposedly '1 drink' however her father ordered about 4 rounds in all. They thought my dad was really nice and didn't expect an englshman to be in laderhosen.
My dad and co left about 5, but i stayed till about 9 I think with Dagmar, her dad and step mum. On the way to the trainstation, her father was telling me about how he recognised my dad from when he worked in Munich, although didn't know where from and what decade, hehe.
I got the S8 train to the main station and ended up getting lost trying to find my train. I just missed it and had to wait 55minutes for the next. I didn't mind and got talking to some German teenagers about random stuff.
Today was a public holiday in Augsburg. Meaning 2 things, I had the day off work and everyone in the south of Germany was going to the beer festival.
I got to the main train station for about 9 and had to wait 30min for the next train as the 1 on the website somehow managed to disappear. Once the train came, it was a 2 tier regional express, although I was about the 20th person on the platform I was 1 of the last to squeeze through the doors, it was packed and with every turn over points or breaking of the train it felt like it was going to derail. It of course didn't and I arrived in the main train station in Munich in about 1/2 the time that it would of normally taken and the driver didn't dare stop on the way in case more tried to board the already overcrowded train.
I met up with my dad and Jane along with 1 of my dad's old colleagues at the end of the platform. This week I walked, as the underground would of been packed. We made our way to the Augustina tent (my favourite brewery) and searched the beergarden for some seats as it was such a nice day. We didn't find anything so moved inside where we got 4 next to each other. It was cheaper for me this week, as my dad seemed to automatically pick up the tab, which is always nice. There was a band playing, but the music wasn't as good as the first time round. I mostly just spoke to the 3 with me about the last week and plans for the end of the week.
Early afternoon I got a text from Dagmar who was also in Munich, shee ended up joining us for supposedly '1 drink' however her father ordered about 4 rounds in all. They thought my dad was really nice and didn't expect an englshman to be in laderhosen.
My dad and co left about 5, but i stayed till about 9 I think with Dagmar, her dad and step mum. On the way to the trainstation, her father was telling me about how he recognised my dad from when he worked in Munich, although didn't know where from and what decade, hehe.
I got the S8 train to the main station and ended up getting lost trying to find my train. I just missed it and had to wait 55minutes for the next. I didn't mind and got talking to some German teenagers about random stuff.
Saturday, 29 September 2007
The Octoberfest 1
Sorry for being lazy just not found the effort to post in a while:
27th sept:
I took the day off work and went to get drunk!
The day started about 7.30; I had a shower and some cereal to get something in me; only then to be invited to have a beer, weisswurst(beravian traditional sausage) and a Brezen (big pretzel) in Svens room.
Dagmar, a friend of Sen I had met on my 1st night out, got the train to Munich with us where we met up a girl called Marrion; who studys at Augsburg uni. We got the underground to the festival and arrived to find it was pretty much empty.
We got a table straight away and got our true 'breakfast.' We talked and laughedwith me 1/2 asleep. Around 12 things picked up, a band started playing and the place filled with people.
The brewery that owned the tent was called Spata, a local company. I didn't like the beer too much, but after the first 2 or 3 it started to go down a little easier (think i had 4.5 in total).
We were joined the the table by 2 americans that were engineers on a nuclear sub; 4 local Germans, 2 siblings with their father and a friend; 2 German girls in Dirndels and 4 crazy dutch guys over the night. Bearing in mind this is a 8 person table with us stood on the benches it was a little overpopulated.
We were there from about 9 till 8 and was the best thing I've done since getting here.
29th+30th
My dad and Jane arrived in the mini for the week; bringing me presents :D
My longboard I'd ordered to commute on came; 6 packs of hobnobs, oh how i missed hobnobs; 6 cordial bottles and a full circle of my favourite cheese, 5 counties.
We went out for a couple of meals and on the Saturday went round the city: an art museum, the fuggerie (world's first social housing), the botanical gardens and some nice beergardens.
27th sept:
I took the day off work and went to get drunk!
The day started about 7.30; I had a shower and some cereal to get something in me; only then to be invited to have a beer, weisswurst(beravian traditional sausage) and a Brezen (big pretzel) in Svens room.
Dagmar, a friend of Sen I had met on my 1st night out, got the train to Munich with us where we met up a girl called Marrion; who studys at Augsburg uni. We got the underground to the festival and arrived to find it was pretty much empty.
We got a table straight away and got our true 'breakfast.' We talked and laughedwith me 1/2 asleep. Around 12 things picked up, a band started playing and the place filled with people.
The brewery that owned the tent was called Spata, a local company. I didn't like the beer too much, but after the first 2 or 3 it started to go down a little easier (think i had 4.5 in total).
We were joined the the table by 2 americans that were engineers on a nuclear sub; 4 local Germans, 2 siblings with their father and a friend; 2 German girls in Dirndels and 4 crazy dutch guys over the night. Bearing in mind this is a 8 person table with us stood on the benches it was a little overpopulated.
We were there from about 9 till 8 and was the best thing I've done since getting here.
29th+30th
My dad and Jane arrived in the mini for the week; bringing me presents :D
My longboard I'd ordered to commute on came; 6 packs of hobnobs, oh how i missed hobnobs; 6 cordial bottles and a full circle of my favourite cheese, 5 counties.
We went out for a couple of meals and on the Saturday went round the city: an art museum, the fuggerie (world's first social housing), the botanical gardens and some nice beergardens.
Friday, 14 September 2007
night out
on Wednesday the 12th some of the law students, who are friend's of Sven finished some tough exams. The 14th is also Sven's birthday. As such, a joint party was organised yesterday evening; I worked from 8.30 till 6 then left the house to go out at about 8.
We began in a californian-style cocktail bar, which was ok. People arrived over the next 2hours, totalling 35. The Weissbeer I had wasn't very nice, the music was crap but I didn't mind as I spent the best part of 4 hours talking German. Discussing my last couple of weeks to the one's I had been out with to sundeck some weeks before, as well as german law and school system along with other topics which happened to arise. It was good practice and everyone is really nice, I met lots of new people who seemed very enthusiastic about taking me out with them the next time and getting me to join some kiddy facebook-style thing.
Andrew and Sarah must of felt a bit left out not knowing the language, they had the odd introduction in English but mostly just spoke amongst themselves. I felt a bit caught in the middle, wanting to practice German but not shut them out. Mid evening a questionnaire from a couple of the marketting students was passed round and I got to show how dire my German literacy skills are infront of 10 people. I needed a push, but then I guess it was for the best. We had a laugh and I learnt a new German word 'durchfall' who's literal translation is 'fall through.' Wack it in leo.org. Andrew and Sarah left about 11 but I stayed to talk and was having fun other than the horrible drink and bad music. At 12 we set off to a club; my first real German club. I've forgotten the name but it was in a cellar on the 'posh street' of Augsburg - Maximilian strasse.
The music only got worse from there on: Starting off with some African bongo sort of dance music, then to some french rap, finishing with German hiphop. I stood still and didn't dance to anything and generally didn't enjoy it. Stayed there till 2, then they moved on to yum club, a place at the end of my road which I have heard only bad things about. It took everyone an hour to stumble a 10min walk. I decided that was enough as I had work in the morning but the others stayed till 4.
This morning I woke up about 8, stood up thinking to myself 'hey, I actually feel alright, ready to work' sat back down; then woke up at 11. Got in for 12, had some 'breakfast' in the canteen then worked till about now (6ish.) Think I'll just have a quiet night doing nothing today.
We began in a californian-style cocktail bar, which was ok. People arrived over the next 2hours, totalling 35. The Weissbeer I had wasn't very nice, the music was crap but I didn't mind as I spent the best part of 4 hours talking German. Discussing my last couple of weeks to the one's I had been out with to sundeck some weeks before, as well as german law and school system along with other topics which happened to arise. It was good practice and everyone is really nice, I met lots of new people who seemed very enthusiastic about taking me out with them the next time and getting me to join some kiddy facebook-style thing.
Andrew and Sarah must of felt a bit left out not knowing the language, they had the odd introduction in English but mostly just spoke amongst themselves. I felt a bit caught in the middle, wanting to practice German but not shut them out. Mid evening a questionnaire from a couple of the marketting students was passed round and I got to show how dire my German literacy skills are infront of 10 people. I needed a push, but then I guess it was for the best. We had a laugh and I learnt a new German word 'durchfall' who's literal translation is 'fall through.' Wack it in leo.org. Andrew and Sarah left about 11 but I stayed to talk and was having fun other than the horrible drink and bad music. At 12 we set off to a club; my first real German club. I've forgotten the name but it was in a cellar on the 'posh street' of Augsburg - Maximilian strasse.
The music only got worse from there on: Starting off with some African bongo sort of dance music, then to some french rap, finishing with German hiphop. I stood still and didn't dance to anything and generally didn't enjoy it. Stayed there till 2, then they moved on to yum club, a place at the end of my road which I have heard only bad things about. It took everyone an hour to stumble a 10min walk. I decided that was enough as I had work in the morning but the others stayed till 4.
This morning I woke up about 8, stood up thinking to myself 'hey, I actually feel alright, ready to work' sat back down; then woke up at 11. Got in for 12, had some 'breakfast' in the canteen then worked till about now (6ish.) Think I'll just have a quiet night doing nothing today.
Monday, 10 September 2007
5's company
Well its been a while since I sat down and wrote. Last couple of weeks have been uneventful, days blending into the next. There are now 5 UCLAN students all together: me, Sarah, Andy, Damian and some Lithuanian who's name I can't remember.
26th of august i took everyone bar Damian to FSC to sign contracts. Everything went ok, except the Lithuanian who had arrived too late to go and register/get a bank account and everything. Useless.
This weekend however something memorable happened. Friday night, after work I went to a place called "poolcity" with Andy, Sarah, Damian and a guy called 'Sib' who was a student from Brazil who stayed out here 7 years ago. We stayed there till about 10, then moved onto the local beer festival going on at the moment; where I had been warned to stay clear of. (Sven had said the people from the rough parts of the city went there).
We saw things like "fish on a stick" however never actually saw anyone eating one there and then, they all took them home. After there Andy+Sarah went home to bed. The 3 of us, that were left went to a bar called peaches, which had 2 floors and was a weird mix of: pizzas, cocktails and motorbikes. After that we went to an Irish bar called Murphy's where we had some chips and sat and talked. Both really nice guys and want to spend alot of time with them this year. Finally got in about 1.30 and fell asleep watching mission impossible 3.
Saturday, woke up about 1pm. Was invited to Sib's house. He lives near the university, so got the same tram as I would for work early afternoon with Damo. We rented a film called sunshine. Some futuristic thing that turned a bit religious and american for my liking. Then played all night on the xbox on burnout, COD, Quake and table tenis, some I did well in. Got the last nightbus home at 3.30, didn't feel that late and had had a fun weekend, completely forgetting to email Heather.
Sunday was a typical lazy day, got up quite late and just played a bit of WoW as I hadn't in a while. Evening when Heather got home from work I got it though, which wasn't a nice close to the weekend. Also finally tidied all my room, after the cleaners had moaned at all the stuff on the floor, etc. Looks bigger now, have bed by the window and desk by the door, more me, although I'm sure it will all move around again soon when it comes to tidying again.
Work is getting better, not sending me to slep much, I'm getting a grasp for what I'm doing, although most of my day seems to be spent scratching my head thinking of the solutions to the problems I'm giving myself.
26th of august i took everyone bar Damian to FSC to sign contracts. Everything went ok, except the Lithuanian who had arrived too late to go and register/get a bank account and everything. Useless.
This weekend however something memorable happened. Friday night, after work I went to a place called "poolcity" with Andy, Sarah, Damian and a guy called 'Sib' who was a student from Brazil who stayed out here 7 years ago. We stayed there till about 10, then moved onto the local beer festival going on at the moment; where I had been warned to stay clear of. (Sven had said the people from the rough parts of the city went there).
We saw things like "fish on a stick" however never actually saw anyone eating one there and then, they all took them home. After there Andy+Sarah went home to bed. The 3 of us, that were left went to a bar called peaches, which had 2 floors and was a weird mix of: pizzas, cocktails and motorbikes. After that we went to an Irish bar called Murphy's where we had some chips and sat and talked. Both really nice guys and want to spend alot of time with them this year. Finally got in about 1.30 and fell asleep watching mission impossible 3.
Saturday, woke up about 1pm. Was invited to Sib's house. He lives near the university, so got the same tram as I would for work early afternoon with Damo. We rented a film called sunshine. Some futuristic thing that turned a bit religious and american for my liking. Then played all night on the xbox on burnout, COD, Quake and table tenis, some I did well in. Got the last nightbus home at 3.30, didn't feel that late and had had a fun weekend, completely forgetting to email Heather.
Sunday was a typical lazy day, got up quite late and just played a bit of WoW as I hadn't in a while. Evening when Heather got home from work I got it though, which wasn't a nice close to the weekend. Also finally tidied all my room, after the cleaners had moaned at all the stuff on the floor, etc. Looks bigger now, have bed by the window and desk by the door, more me, although I'm sure it will all move around again soon when it comes to tidying again.
Work is getting better, not sending me to slep much, I'm getting a grasp for what I'm doing, although most of my day seems to be spent scratching my head thinking of the solutions to the problems I'm giving myself.
The UCLAN tradition:
Not posted in a while: end of august(ish)
After being here almost a month, its coming to the time for the rest of the students to arrive, it's not felt that long I suppose, already 1/12 of the way there. On Wednesday Andrew and Sarah arrived, on the Thursday I received yet more stuff as Sam left on Friday morning. My small room now has 3 toasters, kettles 2 irons and boards(which won't get much use). From the boxes of things we were given I kept a oven, some tuba wear, a desk fan, some tins and some 2.1 speakers. Most of which I had been considering buying anyway.
Thursday I got a letter from the bank, with a 36euro bill in it, oops. I'd signed up for the gym and forgotten I didn't put anything in the account when I opened it. Down to 60Euros now, with 20 on my work food card. Will have to think about if I can survive a week on 40Euros.
Never managed to talk to my dad before or on his birthday, but I got an email from Jane about maybe talking on Sunday night. Starting to get a bit homesick, well at least I think I am, no feeling too well, always tired and not sleeping well; but I'm sure it'll settle down. Heather seems to be lasting alright though, she's been going out and I've not had to come home to "I miss you" all the time.
My first live project is almost complete, only a couple more features to go; been reading into CSS today, which is rather boring imo, but apparently its going to be a core part of my placement, so. Bernhard and Francois (the french guy who sits next to me) are both having a long weekend and are off today. I've also ran out of things to create for it on my own. So I brought in another 2 books from home and I sat indulged in one of those all day. I've managed to earn an additional 7 hours of overtime already, but I didn't get in till 10 today so I think that has been damaged.
As for food this week, I've had a range of things, sausage and mash with sauerkraut for the first time in years; pasta with a variety of healthy but nice tasting sauces, corbon bleu, then very well cooked toast with cheese or jam in the evenings (if I don't say so myself). Also had a pizza with all sorts of veg all over it, but it was pizza, something I'd not had in weeks and actually tasted nice, where a would usually brush it aside.
As I thought with Sarah and Andy's arrival, I got asked quite a few obvious questions and after drawing a map and explaining exactly where to go and what to take with them, I came home the next day to find they hadn't gone because they'd read somewhere you needed something from Siemens, sigh. Oh on that point apparently I'm not allowed to say Siemens: it's Fujitsu Siemens computers I work for, some European partnership heh.
Had a couple of invites to the October fest already. My dad and Jane are coming over in the mini, Sven has said I'd be welcome with his friends when they go and Shelley, an old school/college friend said she was coming over with some uni friends for it sometime. But as my phone doesn't work can't get in touch. Should be fun, although secretly I'm more looking forward to fashing, which is where almost all of Bavaria dresses up for the day and there's lots of partying and fun. Most of Bavaria it seems, except Augsburg. Will have to get a train to Munich on the day I think, now to find a funny-looking costume.
After being here almost a month, its coming to the time for the rest of the students to arrive, it's not felt that long I suppose, already 1/12 of the way there. On Wednesday Andrew and Sarah arrived, on the Thursday I received yet more stuff as Sam left on Friday morning. My small room now has 3 toasters, kettles 2 irons and boards(which won't get much use). From the boxes of things we were given I kept a oven, some tuba wear, a desk fan, some tins and some 2.1 speakers. Most of which I had been considering buying anyway.
Thursday I got a letter from the bank, with a 36euro bill in it, oops. I'd signed up for the gym and forgotten I didn't put anything in the account when I opened it. Down to 60Euros now, with 20 on my work food card. Will have to think about if I can survive a week on 40Euros.
Never managed to talk to my dad before or on his birthday, but I got an email from Jane about maybe talking on Sunday night. Starting to get a bit homesick, well at least I think I am, no feeling too well, always tired and not sleeping well; but I'm sure it'll settle down. Heather seems to be lasting alright though, she's been going out and I've not had to come home to "I miss you" all the time.
My first live project is almost complete, only a couple more features to go; been reading into CSS today, which is rather boring imo, but apparently its going to be a core part of my placement, so. Bernhard and Francois (the french guy who sits next to me) are both having a long weekend and are off today. I've also ran out of things to create for it on my own. So I brought in another 2 books from home and I sat indulged in one of those all day. I've managed to earn an additional 7 hours of overtime already, but I didn't get in till 10 today so I think that has been damaged.
As for food this week, I've had a range of things, sausage and mash with sauerkraut for the first time in years; pasta with a variety of healthy but nice tasting sauces, corbon bleu, then very well cooked toast with cheese or jam in the evenings (if I don't say so myself). Also had a pizza with all sorts of veg all over it, but it was pizza, something I'd not had in weeks and actually tasted nice, where a would usually brush it aside.
As I thought with Sarah and Andy's arrival, I got asked quite a few obvious questions and after drawing a map and explaining exactly where to go and what to take with them, I came home the next day to find they hadn't gone because they'd read somewhere you needed something from Siemens, sigh. Oh on that point apparently I'm not allowed to say Siemens: it's Fujitsu Siemens computers I work for, some European partnership heh.
Had a couple of invites to the October fest already. My dad and Jane are coming over in the mini, Sven has said I'd be welcome with his friends when they go and Shelley, an old school/college friend said she was coming over with some uni friends for it sometime. But as my phone doesn't work can't get in touch. Should be fun, although secretly I'm more looking forward to fashing, which is where almost all of Bavaria dresses up for the day and there's lots of partying and fun. Most of Bavaria it seems, except Augsburg. Will have to get a train to Munich on the day I think, now to find a funny-looking costume.
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Exploration
The last week or so has been alright, I seem to get more and more worn down at work. Finished the ASP.NET book and was given my 1st real project to start. A logging system for all the errors and messages that get sent when a user comes across a bug/problem. I had to build a database with set fields, make a UI and then collate all the information and run queries on it.
Last night was my first real night out in Germany. I was out till 2 and had a nice, eventful evening. We started at a place called sundeck. basically the top level of a multistory car park that had been turned into a beach-themed bar. On the way up we got in a lift intended for 4 people/300KGs but we squeezed 6 of us, weighing about 460KGs in total in. The lift took use to floor 4.5 basically, and got stuck. we were in there about 15min, really small and hot; with one of the girls hammering the alarm bell even after the guy had said he was getting help, I was just laughing through most of it. We finally got out, and the guy who worked there seemed very angry, you could see his face change as he counted the number of people getting out.
I drank 3 leters (6 glasses) of Weißbier and a weird pork chop in a burger bun, which made me ill later on. Another 1 of Sven's friends joined us later, and we all stayed there about 2hours. On the way down, we all burst into laughter at a sign that had been put up "Aufzüg zur zeit außer Betrieb - lift is out of order at the moment" only to then see the angry worker sat in an office glaring at us. Outside we also saw a cyclist get "clothes-lined" by a car barrier that had come down. He then pulled up and asked if we wanted a fight because we found it funny.
Next we headed to powwow coffee bar, which is open till 2. Being Ryan's last night out, he got lots of lady love by which point I had had enough to drink to begin speaking German without hesitating. Had 3 more Becks there, which wasn't the best idea on an empty stomach, so feeling it today.
Anyway it was fun and hope they invite me out again in the future. Today I felt pretty ill, didn't get up till 1pm, didn't feel like eating. Took some tablets and laid down some more. Ryan then moved pretty much all his room into mine, as he is leaving tomorrow morning. I gained a 2nd toast+kettle, desk fan, TV, oven, plates and bowls, tins, cans and washingup/laundry stuff. Room is such a mess, will have to spend tomorrow night cleaning and organising.
Tried getting my mac to work, but its still running really slowly. will have to format it, buy some RAM and start over I think.
Got my webcam working and saw Heather tonight :) just caught up on stuff as I had not sat down and chatted for a while. Friday is my dad's birthday, hope I can sort out some VoIP either by messenger or skype. Feeling quite optimistic about the year if it stays like this.
Last night was my first real night out in Germany. I was out till 2 and had a nice, eventful evening. We started at a place called sundeck. basically the top level of a multistory car park that had been turned into a beach-themed bar. On the way up we got in a lift intended for 4 people/300KGs but we squeezed 6 of us, weighing about 460KGs in total in. The lift took use to floor 4.5 basically, and got stuck. we were in there about 15min, really small and hot; with one of the girls hammering the alarm bell even after the guy had said he was getting help, I was just laughing through most of it. We finally got out, and the guy who worked there seemed very angry, you could see his face change as he counted the number of people getting out.
I drank 3 leters (6 glasses) of Weißbier and a weird pork chop in a burger bun, which made me ill later on. Another 1 of Sven's friends joined us later, and we all stayed there about 2hours. On the way down, we all burst into laughter at a sign that had been put up "Aufzüg zur zeit außer Betrieb - lift is out of order at the moment" only to then see the angry worker sat in an office glaring at us. Outside we also saw a cyclist get "clothes-lined" by a car barrier that had come down. He then pulled up and asked if we wanted a fight because we found it funny.
Next we headed to powwow coffee bar, which is open till 2. Being Ryan's last night out, he got lots of lady love by which point I had had enough to drink to begin speaking German without hesitating. Had 3 more Becks there, which wasn't the best idea on an empty stomach, so feeling it today.
Anyway it was fun and hope they invite me out again in the future. Today I felt pretty ill, didn't get up till 1pm, didn't feel like eating. Took some tablets and laid down some more. Ryan then moved pretty much all his room into mine, as he is leaving tomorrow morning. I gained a 2nd toast+kettle, desk fan, TV, oven, plates and bowls, tins, cans and washingup/laundry stuff. Room is such a mess, will have to spend tomorrow night cleaning and organising.
Tried getting my mac to work, but its still running really slowly. will have to format it, buy some RAM and start over I think.
Got my webcam working and saw Heather tonight :) just caught up on stuff as I had not sat down and chatted for a while. Friday is my dad's birthday, hope I can sort out some VoIP either by messenger or skype. Feeling quite optimistic about the year if it stays like this.
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
the working week
Most of this last week has been spent reading a "ASP.NET 2.0 in 24hours" book which i bought before coming over. Alot of the chapters I had been doing with Bernhard (my team leader) and the rest were easy-to-follow examples.
Most nights I just listened to music and watched the odd film. Nothing special. Weekend came around quickly, and again was uneventfull. I wrote a handwritten letter to Heather and some postcards, but by the time i went to find the postoffice it was shut and is on sundays too. Bummer.
Wednesday the 9th (today) Was a bankholiday, meaning no work. but also meaning all the shops were shut. Most of the morning it rained anyway. Still without the internet I went out with Ryan (My neighbour, UCLAN student) to the pow wow coffee shop. They had free wifi and we had some pizza wraps and drinks. Talked for a while, but convo soon dried up, I also fellt a little bad as I spent most of the time on MSN talking.
After this we were contemplating playing pool. We returned to the appartments and managed to drag Sam and Ant out (The 2 other UCLAN students) and went to a poolhall in a bowling alley. Wasn't too expensive and had a little tournement, which was fun, and nice to get out the house for something other than work.
In the evening the 3 of them were leaving for the local gym, I joined them. Only costs 16 Euros a month and you can go as much as you like. Could hardly make 10 reps of benching 30Kg, fellt so weak; will get easier if I keep it up though I'm sure. After a couple of hour we walked most of the way into town and found a kabab shop. Had a really nice chicken 1 with proper salad. Reminded me of Amet's in Lytham back at home. By the time I got in at 10ish Sven had arrived home and turned on his router again. The internet again atlast.
Most nights I just listened to music and watched the odd film. Nothing special. Weekend came around quickly, and again was uneventfull. I wrote a handwritten letter to Heather and some postcards, but by the time i went to find the postoffice it was shut and is on sundays too. Bummer.
Wednesday the 9th (today) Was a bankholiday, meaning no work. but also meaning all the shops were shut. Most of the morning it rained anyway. Still without the internet I went out with Ryan (My neighbour, UCLAN student) to the pow wow coffee shop. They had free wifi and we had some pizza wraps and drinks. Talked for a while, but convo soon dried up, I also fellt a little bad as I spent most of the time on MSN talking.
After this we were contemplating playing pool. We returned to the appartments and managed to drag Sam and Ant out (The 2 other UCLAN students) and went to a poolhall in a bowling alley. Wasn't too expensive and had a little tournement, which was fun, and nice to get out the house for something other than work.
In the evening the 3 of them were leaving for the local gym, I joined them. Only costs 16 Euros a month and you can go as much as you like. Could hardly make 10 reps of benching 30Kg, fellt so weak; will get easier if I keep it up though I'm sure. After a couple of hour we walked most of the way into town and found a kabab shop. Had a really nice chicken 1 with proper salad. Reminded me of Amet's in Lytham back at home. By the time I got in at 10ish Sven had arrived home and turned on his router again. The internet again atlast.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Life alone
31st of July
The day before my contract starts; Tried cooking a pasta sauce, but fruit flies were all over the peppers, which put me straight of, along with the fact the hob is crap. Ended up having cerial.
And so living alone begins, but atleast I have things to do, left the house for 8.15. First off i went to the council offices to sort out my residency permit. Had to wait 25minutes to be seen but it was painless, signed twice and got my tax form too.
Next on the list was my bank problems, went into Duetsche Bank and tried the ATM, still didn't work. I opened a German acount for my salery, the staff were nice, only needed my passport; signed another 4 forms.
After the bank I went to get a tram to my offices at Siemens, sorted out a monthly student pass for 28Euros! (~£20) which works all over the city; shame it starts 1st of august though, so cost me 4.50 euros there and back today alone.
Once at Siemens i met the HR lady that had sorted things out for me, Cornilia. She was welcoming and really pleased to meet me, think I'll be really happy here. Got an ugly picture on my pass, but think i made a good impression by getting my tax form and trampass sorted myself.
When I got in I played WoW for a bit and pigged out on sweets, self-soothing i guess, can only hope it doesn't turn back into a habit.
1st August - first day
Woke up at 6.45, showered and ate, then me and Ryan headed in for 9. I was introduced to the .NET framework, having done no Object Orientated Programming before, they were very understanding and patient. A new Pc arrived for me, but the monitor setup wasn't working, took all morning to install Visio, Visual studio '05 and get a 2 port graphics card for the dual display. I read my paper and just talked while it installed, noone minded or cared; very relaxed environment.
That night I watched the transporter and killed Gruul on WoW for the first time. Also got an email from Heather, she seems to be coping and is happier, and has started drawing which had a good effect on me. A good day all round, things are looking up.
2nd day
Today i worked 8-6 without tiring myself atall. Got stuck in wih some VB.NET, building a list which has different properties and output options. Then at 3pm, when my boss left I got on with a task he'd set, making a calender that prints out the selected date in a lable, then you can enter a memo with that date and add it to a list, which you can soft-print in a message box and manipulate. the syntax seems easy and I'm sure i'll pick it up soon enough. Although this is all 'owned' by siemens so I'm not allowed to talk about it. :P
Spoke to Ryan on the tram home, his room is worse than mine, his boss doesn't talk much and the people he came out with arn't the most talkative. Think I've got it good, and I'm pretty happy, other than the fact Heather's a 2hour flight away.
The day before my contract starts; Tried cooking a pasta sauce, but fruit flies were all over the peppers, which put me straight of, along with the fact the hob is crap. Ended up having cerial.
And so living alone begins, but atleast I have things to do, left the house for 8.15. First off i went to the council offices to sort out my residency permit. Had to wait 25minutes to be seen but it was painless, signed twice and got my tax form too.
Next on the list was my bank problems, went into Duetsche Bank and tried the ATM, still didn't work. I opened a German acount for my salery, the staff were nice, only needed my passport; signed another 4 forms.
After the bank I went to get a tram to my offices at Siemens, sorted out a monthly student pass for 28Euros! (~£20) which works all over the city; shame it starts 1st of august though, so cost me 4.50 euros there and back today alone.
Once at Siemens i met the HR lady that had sorted things out for me, Cornilia. She was welcoming and really pleased to meet me, think I'll be really happy here. Got an ugly picture on my pass, but think i made a good impression by getting my tax form and trampass sorted myself.
When I got in I played WoW for a bit and pigged out on sweets, self-soothing i guess, can only hope it doesn't turn back into a habit.
1st August - first day
Woke up at 6.45, showered and ate, then me and Ryan headed in for 9. I was introduced to the .NET framework, having done no Object Orientated Programming before, they were very understanding and patient. A new Pc arrived for me, but the monitor setup wasn't working, took all morning to install Visio, Visual studio '05 and get a 2 port graphics card for the dual display. I read my paper and just talked while it installed, noone minded or cared; very relaxed environment.
That night I watched the transporter and killed Gruul on WoW for the first time. Also got an email from Heather, she seems to be coping and is happier, and has started drawing which had a good effect on me. A good day all round, things are looking up.
2nd day
Today i worked 8-6 without tiring myself atall. Got stuck in wih some VB.NET, building a list which has different properties and output options. Then at 3pm, when my boss left I got on with a task he'd set, making a calender that prints out the selected date in a lable, then you can enter a memo with that date and add it to a list, which you can soft-print in a message box and manipulate. the syntax seems easy and I'm sure i'll pick it up soon enough. Although this is all 'owned' by siemens so I'm not allowed to talk about it. :P
Spoke to Ryan on the tram home, his room is worse than mine, his boss doesn't talk much and the people he came out with arn't the most talkative. Think I've got it good, and I'm pretty happy, other than the fact Heather's a 2hour flight away.
A Week with Heather
25th-30th July
3pm on the Wednesday we set off from West Bank, car loaded with my clothes and possessions. The legroom in the back was adequate, after the A4 had given in the Friday before; we were in a A6 estate. All the boxes and bags still only just fit in, not sure how it'll be on the return next august. The Ferry was alright, tacky bingo and a small room; but i slept alright, until 5am GMT that is when the wake-up call sounded.
The 26th was a day of travelling, me and Heather slept(she'll kill me for that pic) through most of it. We drove through the Netherlands, arriving in Augsburg at 17.50CE, 10 minutes earlier than predicted. We moved the stuff into my room, and i met Sam, a student living downstairs. Later meeting up with my dad and stepmum for food, I had kässespätzle, a cheesy pasta mix, at a Hassen Brau pub.
Friday the 27th was my first day in Augsburg, we went shopping in town, and saw some of the city. Heather bought gifts for people back home and we bought some bags from a nice shop. Met up with my dad and Jane to eat again; This time I had Kaiserschmarrn, an Austrian dish which is baked pancakes, raisins and lots of caster sugar. That night i had some problems with my new macmini, got a bit annoyed, only a computer. Also met the guy opposite me, Sven a German Law student and 2 others that are at Siemens, Sam from the night before and Ryan, who I'd been talking to in emails for a couple of months.
The weekend comes round already and with it a trip I had been looking forward to for months. On a mountain near Füssen, Neuschwanstein, a castle built for Koinig Ludwig II. (my new favourite picture - of the 2 most beautiful things in the world, imo anyway) I also got to see Heather in a dress, which is a rare sight, and she really suited it.
We got up early and headed for the main train station to buy tickets for the train. It took about 2.5 hours to get to Füssen. the views from the train were very picturesque, they were also punctual, clean and cheap, making it a nice change from England.
The path up to the castle was also really nice, although Heather didn't share that opinion, in flipflops with her bad joints. However in my opinion the walk was well worth it. Outside we got a nice picture together, which was taken by a friendly tourist. Queues to get inside however were 150 minutes, so we decided against it.
Behind the castle there is a nice view from Marienbrücke; which is where the 1st picture from this section was taken. We spent about 10minutes there then headed down. Heather bought some more stuff, including a mouse mat which is sat on my desk at work now, a nice reminder.
We got in about 6, and Sven invited me and Heather to go to a coffee bar he liked. Music was weird, I had a local bear which was ok. Sven met an old friend, but I was annoyed at the fact my Abbey card had stopped working. I thought money would be the thing i was least likely to get annoyed at, but it's no good if you can't get at it. Tried 3 different banks, nothing.
Didn't sleep much that night.
Sunday 29th.
A lazy day, just how I like them, I got up at 10 and headed into town to find a ATM to try. tried a different 1, and the 1 i had used on Friday. Nothing.
Heather sent most of the day led in bed while i rang the bank and my dad trying to sort it out. Sven showed his true good nature, offering me a loan; which I refused as I hate borrowing. the twits in the abbey call centre said there's no problem yet when i then tried at the bank again nothing happened, I organise for my dad to come via my flat on his way home. He gave me 370Euros, the weight was lifted, I have never loved him more. We sit down to watch Meet the Fockers, and have a nice night in.
Monday morning we go back into Augsburg, as my week with Heather draws to a close. She gets some sweets from the gummy bear shop for some colleagues, before packing and getting ready. Just after 12 noon we set off again for the main train station; now being able to buy my return ticket. Just before the train to the airport arrives Heather's phone dies, meaning no way in getting in touch with her lift in Manchester.
The train journey was uneventful, played a couple of games of worms while Heather slept for most of it. Once we got in the airport and to the terminal we met a 30min check in queue. After getting her ticket we sat and ate, as Heather was lightheaded and we'd had no breakfast.
"Goodbye" never seemed harder to say, I was feeling lonely by the time she got to the handlugage scanner 15meters away. However I found a copy of the times in the newsagents, which was a nice comfort on the train home. I typed home without even realising there. Germany was only glorified more by the paper, problem after problem, like a man being refused planning permission for his eco house being non-eco because of scaring off mice; along with Brown brown-nosing. That night a single bed has never felt so big.
3pm on the Wednesday we set off from West Bank, car loaded with my clothes and possessions. The legroom in the back was adequate, after the A4 had given in the Friday before; we were in a A6 estate. All the boxes and bags still only just fit in, not sure how it'll be on the return next august. The Ferry was alright, tacky bingo and a small room; but i slept alright, until 5am GMT that is when the wake-up call sounded.
The 26th was a day of travelling, me and Heather slept(she'll kill me for that pic) through most of it. We drove through the Netherlands, arriving in Augsburg at 17.50CE, 10 minutes earlier than predicted. We moved the stuff into my room, and i met Sam, a student living downstairs. Later meeting up with my dad and stepmum for food, I had kässespätzle, a cheesy pasta mix, at a Hassen Brau pub.
Friday the 27th was my first day in Augsburg, we went shopping in town, and saw some of the city. Heather bought gifts for people back home and we bought some bags from a nice shop. Met up with my dad and Jane to eat again; This time I had Kaiserschmarrn, an Austrian dish which is baked pancakes, raisins and lots of caster sugar. That night i had some problems with my new macmini, got a bit annoyed, only a computer. Also met the guy opposite me, Sven a German Law student and 2 others that are at Siemens, Sam from the night before and Ryan, who I'd been talking to in emails for a couple of months.
The weekend comes round already and with it a trip I had been looking forward to for months. On a mountain near Füssen, Neuschwanstein, a castle built for Koinig Ludwig II. (my new favourite picture - of the 2 most beautiful things in the world, imo anyway) I also got to see Heather in a dress, which is a rare sight, and she really suited it.
We got up early and headed for the main train station to buy tickets for the train. It took about 2.5 hours to get to Füssen. the views from the train were very picturesque, they were also punctual, clean and cheap, making it a nice change from England.
The path up to the castle was also really nice, although Heather didn't share that opinion, in flipflops with her bad joints. However in my opinion the walk was well worth it. Outside we got a nice picture together, which was taken by a friendly tourist. Queues to get inside however were 150 minutes, so we decided against it.
Behind the castle there is a nice view from Marienbrücke; which is where the 1st picture from this section was taken. We spent about 10minutes there then headed down. Heather bought some more stuff, including a mouse mat which is sat on my desk at work now, a nice reminder.
We got in about 6, and Sven invited me and Heather to go to a coffee bar he liked. Music was weird, I had a local bear which was ok. Sven met an old friend, but I was annoyed at the fact my Abbey card had stopped working. I thought money would be the thing i was least likely to get annoyed at, but it's no good if you can't get at it. Tried 3 different banks, nothing.
Didn't sleep much that night.
Sunday 29th.
A lazy day, just how I like them, I got up at 10 and headed into town to find a ATM to try. tried a different 1, and the 1 i had used on Friday. Nothing.
Heather sent most of the day led in bed while i rang the bank and my dad trying to sort it out. Sven showed his true good nature, offering me a loan; which I refused as I hate borrowing. the twits in the abbey call centre said there's no problem yet when i then tried at the bank again nothing happened, I organise for my dad to come via my flat on his way home. He gave me 370Euros, the weight was lifted, I have never loved him more. We sit down to watch Meet the Fockers, and have a nice night in.
Monday morning we go back into Augsburg, as my week with Heather draws to a close. She gets some sweets from the gummy bear shop for some colleagues, before packing and getting ready. Just after 12 noon we set off again for the main train station; now being able to buy my return ticket. Just before the train to the airport arrives Heather's phone dies, meaning no way in getting in touch with her lift in Manchester.
The train journey was uneventful, played a couple of games of worms while Heather slept for most of it. Once we got in the airport and to the terminal we met a 30min check in queue. After getting her ticket we sat and ate, as Heather was lightheaded and we'd had no breakfast.
"Goodbye" never seemed harder to say, I was feeling lonely by the time she got to the handlugage scanner 15meters away. However I found a copy of the times in the newsagents, which was a nice comfort on the train home. I typed home without even realising there. Germany was only glorified more by the paper, problem after problem, like a man being refused planning permission for his eco house being non-eco because of scaring off mice; along with Brown brown-nosing. That night a single bed has never felt so big.
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