I moved to Berlin over three months ago. It was not a complete and total change — I had been visiting several times a year for the past four years to see my partner, Kat. Still, 6-8 weeks at a time is different than forever.
Saying goodbye to my family and friends was tough (understatement). Being reunited with my beloved Kathi is incredible (understatement). For those who subscribe to the Long Distance Relationship subreddit (I imagine that is not a large cross-section of my nonexistent readership) you would know this is referred to as “closing the gap.”
Being apart from my family and friends as I build a new life here — complete with new family and friends — I have had some people suggest I ought to write a blog. I cannot produce any specific evidence here but trust me, this isn’t just some self-aggrandizing mission. I know I am a white man under 35 so blogging and podcasting are some of my greatest risk factors, but I hope that whoever ends up reading this will appreciate the updates.
The transition has been rocky. Not relationship-wise (that is stronger than ever), but because of German bureaucracy — specifically Berlin bureaucracy. I can bore you all with the details in a separate post, but suffice it to say it has been a stressful couple of months of emails back and forth with a lawyer and more than a bit of uncertainty on how I will end up staying permanently.
But this month, to mark the start of Spooky Season, I am recently funemployed (by choice) and embarking on a three-month, intensive language course. Learning German these past four years I have seen how it has changed me. There is an alphabet soup in my head that can now produce not just English-based flubs but German ones as well. Learning a new language as an adult is an interesting exercise. As Rick Ford (Jason Statham) said in the movie “Spy” he makes a habit of doing things people say he can’t do including “taking up piano at a late age.” Now of course no one said I could not do it, but as a person in their late 20s with the language skills of a pre-teen I often find myself relating to that quote.
I recently saw Real Estate in concert. It was the first time I had seen them in 10 years, and a dozen or so since they had played benefit shows in back-to-back years to raise money for our family’s cancer research foundation (the Nick Currey Fund). It was a great, full-circle moment being able to say hello to them and thank them for what they did for my family (shout out to Susan and Matt McBrayer for making the connection). I felt like that update was a good note to start my blog off on. Seeing people from my hometown of Ridgewood in far-flung places. I have flung myself far, but want to stay connected to all of you who I have known in the places closer to home.
Odds & ends
I am attempting to start a Podcast Club. A. because I love podcasts and spend more time than I care to admit listening and B. because I believe I have a better chance of succeeding in forming a club that requires less attention than a book. Let me know if you’re interested non-existent reader.
After quitting my job I was allowed to keep my work laptop (too expensive to ship home) this means I can play my beloved “Spore” once more (Mac no longer supported the gaming format).
In honor of my funemployment I am also attempting to best my high score on the Kim Possible inspired flash-game “Bueno Rufus.” I recently learned it only has 948 likes and I am hoping I can marshal my readership to get it over 1,000. Let’s see what we can do gang.
Pictures from the show
Below are Real Estate members Martin Courtney and Alex Bleeker
I would like to join the podcast club.