techgirl

The Butterfly Effect…

Have you ever wondered how you ended up where you are right now? I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately. I feel like I’ve been wandering around with no real direction, and those of you who know me well know that I have a hard time finishing things…. I’ll get bored with something and just drop it, turn my attention to something else.

I’ve been treating life like a smorgasbord, sampling a bit here and there of the possible lives, careers, and futures the world has to offer, but never really settling on anything. I’ve dabbled in real estate, theatre, computers, web design, advertising, teaching. After Shawn died I went back to school, in an impractical field with the stated goal of teaching college, but my ulterior motive was finding something to do that gave me health insurance and direction after his death. › Continue reading

Golf License?

I’ve said before that everything in Germany takes 3 weeks and a stamp. Well, apparently everything also takes a license.

Now, in the US, many places require a fishing license to go fishing. Fine. You go to the local Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, or whatever, fill out the form, pay a fee, and get a license — a permit, if you will.

Not in Germany.

In Germany you have to get an ACTUAL fishing license — the kind where you take lessons and an exam, just like a driver’s license! Here’s more information about it. Wow… just… wow.

I tell you that to tell you this: I found out today that you have to have a license to play golf! It’s called a Platzreife, and you must pass not only a written test (24 out of 30 questions, only given in German) but a skill test as well — putting and chipping, etc — and then play a round of 18 holes with a pro, with a score of 108 strokes or less.

In case you’re wondering whether I’ve lost my mind and decided to pick up a hobby…. Today in one of the English courses I teach, a participant gave a presentation about golf, and mentioned it when talking about the differences between golfing in the US and Germany. I was astounded!

So Jon, Lisa, if you plan to play while you’re here, bring a handicap card from the country club, if you’ve got one handy. They won’t let you play otherwise!

Let it snow…

I sit here in my living room, watching the first snow of the season through the window. Yes, that’s right… the ides of October and it’s snowing. It’s averaging 10˚ below average here right now — that’s about 18˚ lower to you and me. So hurrah for an early winter (sigh). › Continue reading

Wasting my time lately…

So the REAL reason I haven’t been getting any writing done…

My mind has been boggling at the average stupidity of the internet. Some of this is mildly NSFW, by the way.

http://www.yousuckatcraigslist.com

http://lovelylisting.com

http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com

http://failblog.org

http://thatwillbuffout.com

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com

I think I can feel my IQ falling as we speak…

Hunger Strike

We’ve been going through some issues with Siggy’s food. The brand we had been feeding him, Pedigree German Shepard, isn’t readily available near our new apartment (it would involve two subway trains and a bus), and since we’re just down the street from Hundemaxx (a great pet supply store!) we decided to get him a better-quality brand that was nearby. › Continue reading