Monday, August 29, 2005
What? A Title? WTF4?
Proof that growing up doesn't mean you have to leave your 2nd grade sense of humor behind.
A couple of the guys went out to a club til 530am this weekend. I did not attend. Sounded like they had a good time. It sounds like nightlife here in Hannover is, if not wild, then long-lasting. I have been told over and over again how frequently people will stay out til dawn. I'm going to have to build up my tolerance.
I got my first haircut from an italian today. He gave me the same basic cut as most barbers, but he did a damned fine job. He cut my hair three times. THREE TIMES! Maybe its just cause I've been going to the cheapest barbers all my life, but this haircut cost even less than they did at home and it was still a hell of a lot better. He even busted out the sweet-ass straight razor to perfect the hair on the back of my neck. I gave him a 2 euro tip.
I took some photos this weekend, got some back that I had developed. I need to bring the negatives back in to have a few pictures printed. The few that I really liked. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. One time this week, I'd like to go straight home after work. that would be marvelous. Whoa...stream of conciousness.
I bought some CDs this weekend. I bought the new Gorillaz CD, the new Jamiroquai CD and the new Wir Sind Helden CD. As soon as I get settled in a new apartment, I plan on learning about this podCasting crap and making radio shows. When I do, I'll probably play some of the Wir Sind Helden (as well as the others) if you are interested in hearing it.
I helped two of the girls in the trainee pool with me move this weekend. Me and three other guys helped them. The girls rented a van and we drove it all over Hannover picking up crap from one persons apartment and taking it somewhere else. Basically, I realized how much I want to move. I am very excited to have my own apartment with my own couch and a bed and maybe even a TV and stuff. That would be great.
My head hurts. I'm out.
A couple of the guys went out to a club til 530am this weekend. I did not attend. Sounded like they had a good time. It sounds like nightlife here in Hannover is, if not wild, then long-lasting. I have been told over and over again how frequently people will stay out til dawn. I'm going to have to build up my tolerance.
I got my first haircut from an italian today. He gave me the same basic cut as most barbers, but he did a damned fine job. He cut my hair three times. THREE TIMES! Maybe its just cause I've been going to the cheapest barbers all my life, but this haircut cost even less than they did at home and it was still a hell of a lot better. He even busted out the sweet-ass straight razor to perfect the hair on the back of my neck. I gave him a 2 euro tip.
I took some photos this weekend, got some back that I had developed. I need to bring the negatives back in to have a few pictures printed. The few that I really liked. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow. One time this week, I'd like to go straight home after work. that would be marvelous. Whoa...stream of conciousness.
I bought some CDs this weekend. I bought the new Gorillaz CD, the new Jamiroquai CD and the new Wir Sind Helden CD. As soon as I get settled in a new apartment, I plan on learning about this podCasting crap and making radio shows. When I do, I'll probably play some of the Wir Sind Helden (as well as the others) if you are interested in hearing it.
I helped two of the girls in the trainee pool with me move this weekend. Me and three other guys helped them. The girls rented a van and we drove it all over Hannover picking up crap from one persons apartment and taking it somewhere else. Basically, I realized how much I want to move. I am very excited to have my own apartment with my own couch and a bed and maybe even a TV and stuff. That would be great.
My head hurts. I'm out.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Old thoughts and fresh pics
I read this in the news and it made me angry.
http://www.forbes.com/business/2005/08/24/coke-schools-cutbacks-cx_tvr_0824coke.html?partner=rss
[edit: AHHHH Thats bullshit! The link doesn't seem to work anymore. I just read the story a few days ago. Basically it said that Coke and Pepsi were pulling their pop machines out of elementary or middle schools or something because people were whining about the unhealthy kids in America and blaming the soda companies that peddle their wares in schools. If kids knew enough about their health and about moderation, selling soda in schools wouldn't be profitable for Pepsi and Coke and there would be no problem. But people in the US seem to have no idea what it means to be healthy and children don't seem to understand that they shouldn't drink whatever they want whenever they want. Damned, spoiled brats.]
Capitalism would fix this problem on its own if students were smart enough not to buy so much junk food. Why children aren't that smart? I blame the parents.
I replaced all the cables for all of my electronics so that I don't have to buy adapters. WOOHOO! I bought all three cables for cheaper than i could have purchased one of the adapters. WTF? I guess its good that everything runs on 120-240V, 50-60Hz.
I took a few pictures for people to see of Germany and of my apartment and so on and so forth and on and on and on.
So this is my apartment living room/dining room/bedroom.
This is my "kitchen"
And my beautiful bathroom.
This is the view out of my door to my balcony. I live on the second floor. Here in Europe, they call the second floor the first floor. The first american floor is the ground floor here, or Erdetage or something like that.
These are from my balcony. I can see a few trees, the street, and another apartment complex...YAY!
The front of my building looks like this...
Based on a schedule I haven't quite figured out yet, there is a farmers market about 50 yards from my front door. They drive these portable stands to the parking lot and sell their fresh meats, vegetables, flowers and eggs. Theres also a bakery right next door to my place that I like to stop at on my way to work. I've been trying a new danish every day so far.
This is my train stop. (It is what appears to be a typical Hannover summer day. Its chilly, sunny and cloudy and rainy and nice. The weather seriously changed polar opposites every 4 minutes on my trip to the internet cafe. It was sunny, then there were HUGE storm clouds overhead and it poured, then it was sunny again, und so wieder.)
Hannover is full of Fussgangerzones (big pedestrian streets, which I have talked about before.)
The main train station is GLORIOUS! Right outside the main trainstation, between it and the next station, Kröpke, there is a huge subground shopping area. Completely different stores than are above ground.
There's a beach volleyball tournament this weekend, which cracks me up because it feels like November here. So I took a picture.
Then I ordered a brat. Apparently I ordered the Adkins version without even knowing it.
Matt, I apologize ex post facto for the immense number of images, but you're going to have to learn to deal with it. You're a CS, I'm sure you can find a way to not load the thumbnails until you want to see them.
http://www.forbes.com/business/2005/08/24/coke-schools-cutbacks-cx_tvr_0824coke.html?partner=rss
[edit: AHHHH Thats bullshit! The link doesn't seem to work anymore. I just read the story a few days ago. Basically it said that Coke and Pepsi were pulling their pop machines out of elementary or middle schools or something because people were whining about the unhealthy kids in America and blaming the soda companies that peddle their wares in schools. If kids knew enough about their health and about moderation, selling soda in schools wouldn't be profitable for Pepsi and Coke and there would be no problem. But people in the US seem to have no idea what it means to be healthy and children don't seem to understand that they shouldn't drink whatever they want whenever they want. Damned, spoiled brats.]
Capitalism would fix this problem on its own if students were smart enough not to buy so much junk food. Why children aren't that smart? I blame the parents.
I replaced all the cables for all of my electronics so that I don't have to buy adapters. WOOHOO! I bought all three cables for cheaper than i could have purchased one of the adapters. WTF? I guess its good that everything runs on 120-240V, 50-60Hz.
I took a few pictures for people to see of Germany and of my apartment and so on and so forth and on and on and on.
So this is my apartment living room/dining room/bedroom.
This is my "kitchen"
And my beautiful bathroom.
This is the view out of my door to my balcony. I live on the second floor. Here in Europe, they call the second floor the first floor. The first american floor is the ground floor here, or Erdetage or something like that.
These are from my balcony. I can see a few trees, the street, and another apartment complex...YAY!
The front of my building looks like this...
Based on a schedule I haven't quite figured out yet, there is a farmers market about 50 yards from my front door. They drive these portable stands to the parking lot and sell their fresh meats, vegetables, flowers and eggs. Theres also a bakery right next door to my place that I like to stop at on my way to work. I've been trying a new danish every day so far.
This is my train stop. (It is what appears to be a typical Hannover summer day. Its chilly, sunny and cloudy and rainy and nice. The weather seriously changed polar opposites every 4 minutes on my trip to the internet cafe. It was sunny, then there were HUGE storm clouds overhead and it poured, then it was sunny again, und so wieder.)
Hannover is full of Fussgangerzones (big pedestrian streets, which I have talked about before.)
The main train station is GLORIOUS! Right outside the main trainstation, between it and the next station, Kröpke, there is a huge subground shopping area. Completely different stores than are above ground.
There's a beach volleyball tournament this weekend, which cracks me up because it feels like November here. So I took a picture.
Then I ordered a brat. Apparently I ordered the Adkins version without even knowing it.
Matt, I apologize ex post facto for the immense number of images, but you're going to have to learn to deal with it. You're a CS, I'm sure you can find a way to not load the thumbnails until you want to see them.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
sleep, shower, ride train, work, ride train, internet cafe, ride train, struggle to have energy to make dinner, repeat
Its Alex's and my ten month anniversary! :) Thanks for 10 wonderful months sweetheart.
I got two mails, one from my Alex and one from Nicki! Thanks!
My brother Kurts birthday is today.
I got two mails, one from my Alex and one from Nicki! Thanks!
My brother Kurts birthday is today.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
It's Germany, what can you do?
I'm starting to adjust to German keyboards, but I've also found the way to quickly switch between German and American formats. This is troublesome because it is a keycombination that I sometimes hit by accident. I have only replaced one key in my mind and that's the y key. It sits where the Z sits on an american keyboard. I haven't memorized the new location for z yet, so when I type, y's are y's, but z's are also y's. For example: (Unedited sentence following)
You and I both like to go to the yoo and when we do we like to yell at the yoo animals.
Also I'm having trouble with the shifted punctuation keys. It makes it more difficult to make those AIM smiley faces that I have always been so opposed to but used frugally anyway. Instead of my punctuation marks, there are ö and ä and ü. It sucks when entering web addresses. But enough complaining, I am in Germany.
Things I love about Germany:
- Beer
- I like that there are people out on the Fussgangerzone, all the time! (walkways, like big malls but outdoors and several blocks in size. Really nothing comparable in the states.)
- German language, I want to learn the language and the best way is to be totally immersed in it
- Hannover, its a really cool city. I'm still learning where to buy everything since I can't just go to walmart and just buy EVERYTHING! (We do have a walmart but its no different than any of the other supermarkets here)
- Conti, My job is going to be challenging and I'm going to be learning a lot. I also work with really cool, intelligent people.
Things I would change about Germany:
- Alex would be here with me
- My friends and family would be able to visit me as often as they would like, cheaply/free of charge
- I wouldn't have blown up my power converter the other day and tripped the breaker in my apartment.
- When renting an apartment, it would come with at least floors and a kitchen. In Germany, when you rent an apartment, sometimes they previous renter will even take the floor with them. That's right, they tear up the hardwood floors and take it with them!
Overall, I'm so freakin happy to have this opportunity to come to Germany at least for a short time. I miss you all and I can't wait to talk to you again and to go out and have a beer.
Tschüss
Kyle
You and I both like to go to the yoo and when we do we like to yell at the yoo animals.
Also I'm having trouble with the shifted punctuation keys. It makes it more difficult to make those AIM smiley faces that I have always been so opposed to but used frugally anyway. Instead of my punctuation marks, there are ö and ä and ü. It sucks when entering web addresses. But enough complaining, I am in Germany.
Things I love about Germany:
- Beer
- I like that there are people out on the Fussgangerzone, all the time! (walkways, like big malls but outdoors and several blocks in size. Really nothing comparable in the states.)
- German language, I want to learn the language and the best way is to be totally immersed in it
- Hannover, its a really cool city. I'm still learning where to buy everything since I can't just go to walmart and just buy EVERYTHING! (We do have a walmart but its no different than any of the other supermarkets here)
- Conti, My job is going to be challenging and I'm going to be learning a lot. I also work with really cool, intelligent people.
Things I would change about Germany:
- Alex would be here with me
- My friends and family would be able to visit me as often as they would like, cheaply/free of charge
- I wouldn't have blown up my power converter the other day and tripped the breaker in my apartment.
- When renting an apartment, it would come with at least floors and a kitchen. In Germany, when you rent an apartment, sometimes they previous renter will even take the floor with them. That's right, they tear up the hardwood floors and take it with them!
Overall, I'm so freakin happy to have this opportunity to come to Germany at least for a short time. I miss you all and I can't wait to talk to you again and to go out and have a beer.
Tschüss
Kyle
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Everyday there is more to learn
Today, I learned that tires conduct electricity. They have to. So you don't blow your ass up at the gas station. Apparently Ford or someone had this problem once. A guy got out of his car, all charged up from his trip, put the nozzle of the gas thing into his car, lit a spark and started a fire/blew some shit up. Anyway, I'm tired as hell from work. I wish I had interweb in my apartment, but I don't so that's all you get in this medium today. As always, feel free to leave messages.
Out
Out
Monday, August 15, 2005
Deutsche Address
My current address is:
Kyle Schroeder
Plz 46 Guerickestrasse 8
30655 Hannover
Germany
My coworkers are very German...Meika, Klaus, Wolfgang, Sabina...
Smoking in EVERY SINGLE public place sucks ass.
Out.
Kyle Schroeder
Plz 46 Guerickestrasse 8
30655 Hannover
Germany
My coworkers are very German...Meika, Klaus, Wolfgang, Sabina...
Smoking in EVERY SINGLE public place sucks ass.
Out.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
My mom is dirty.
My mom told me this joke:
A Cajun walks into a bar with a pet alligator by his side. He puts thealligator up on the bar. He turns to the astonished patrons. "I'll makeyou a deal. I'll open this alligator's mouth and place my balls inside.Then the gator will close his mouth for one full minute. Then he'll openhis mouth and I'll remove my unit unscathed. In return for witnessing thisspectacle, each of you will buy me a drink." The crowd murmured theirapproval. The Cajun stood up on the bar,dropped his trousers, and placed hismember and related parts into the alligator's open mouth. The gatorclosed his mouth as the assembly gasped. After a minute, the man grabbeda beer bottle and smacked the alligator hard on the top of its head. Thegator opened his mouth and the man removed his genitals, unscathed aspromised. The patrons cheered and the first of his free drinks was delivered. The man stood up again and made another offer. "I'll pay anyone $100who's willing to give it a try." A hush fell over the crowd. After a while, a hand went up in the back ofthe bar. A Blonde woman timidly spoke up... "I'll try it! Just don't hit me sohard with the beer bottle!"
A Cajun walks into a bar with a pet alligator by his side. He puts thealligator up on the bar. He turns to the astonished patrons. "I'll makeyou a deal. I'll open this alligator's mouth and place my balls inside.Then the gator will close his mouth for one full minute. Then he'll openhis mouth and I'll remove my unit unscathed. In return for witnessing thisspectacle, each of you will buy me a drink." The crowd murmured theirapproval. The Cajun stood up on the bar,dropped his trousers, and placed hismember and related parts into the alligator's open mouth. The gatorclosed his mouth as the assembly gasped. After a minute, the man grabbeda beer bottle and smacked the alligator hard on the top of its head. Thegator opened his mouth and the man removed his genitals, unscathed aspromised. The patrons cheered and the first of his free drinks was delivered. The man stood up again and made another offer. "I'll pay anyone $100who's willing to give it a try." A hush fell over the crowd. After a while, a hand went up in the back ofthe bar. A Blonde woman timidly spoke up... "I'll try it! Just don't hit me sohard with the beer bottle!"
Saturday, August 13, 2005
From the other side of the pond.
Damn, it's a big pond. The language thing isn't killin me yet, I seem to be ok, but sometimes it still drives me a little nuts that I can't carry on a conversation beyond the level of a kindergartener. I changed the time of the post to reflect local time. Which also sucks. The times I seem to be able to call home to talk to my Alex, I can't because everyone's in bed. But I guess that doesn't matter anyway because I haven't figured out a way that actually works to call anyway. BAH! So if you're reading this Alex, I have tried several times to call, but I haven't found a way that works yet. I tried payphones but they don't work. I miss you a lot.
I need to get internet access in my tiny ass apartment. It really blows not having the interweb. It makes me feel bad for all the times I badmouthed dialup because right now, I'd kill for any access in my apartment. Anyway, miss all you guys, leave me a nice message if you read my blog, please.
Kyle
I need to get internet access in my tiny ass apartment. It really blows not having the interweb. It makes me feel bad for all the times I badmouthed dialup because right now, I'd kill for any access in my apartment. Anyway, miss all you guys, leave me a nice message if you read my blog, please.
Kyle
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Sweet
Alex came home from Russia on Friday. I got to pick her up from the airport. I was very excited about that. We went to her house and I got to see all kinds of pictures and stuff from her trip. It was awesome. She bought a bunch of those nesting dolls for people, it was pretty cool. She got me a present too. I love it. Thanks babe!
It should keep me warm during the cold european winter.
Expect more frequent blog pictures when posting pictures doesn't take 45 minutes. Thank you dail-up.
Out.
It should keep me warm during the cold european winter.
Expect more frequent blog pictures when posting pictures doesn't take 45 minutes. Thank you dail-up.
Out.
Friday, August 05, 2005
YES!!
Alex comes back to Russia today and I get to pick her up from the airport!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Rushing through life...
Me: i'm ready to start working and start making some money
Me: my dad and i talked about investments today and i got all excited
Me: i can't wait to have money to invest in things
Stu: yeah
Stu: You'll be tired of work soon enough.
Stu: and instead of investing, you'll take a nap.
I'm in one of those moods...the same one I've been fighting all my life...the one where I can't wait to get to the next stage of my life. What's the rush?
Me: my dad and i talked about investments today and i got all excited
Me: i can't wait to have money to invest in things
Stu: yeah
Stu: You'll be tired of work soon enough.
Stu: and instead of investing, you'll take a nap.
I'm in one of those moods...the same one I've been fighting all my life...the one where I can't wait to get to the next stage of my life. What's the rush?
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Nostalgia covered in Dust
Guess how ridiculously young I looked when I was wee. How old do you think I am in this photomograph?
I have forgotten how much life I have lived so far. That makes me sad.
