Unfortunately, I haven't been whale watching....it's just very windy at the moment. Almost comically windy- I'm waiting for my closed and locked glass door to come crashing open and a little bird to be blown inside, chirping hysterically while struggling furiously against the gale. Or something along those lines; I think I've been watching too many "severe weather" videos on the Weather Channel website. As many of you may know, I'm slightly obsessed with severe weather and one of my weekend hobbies is to tune into the meteorological hijinks going on around this crazy planet of ours. I just can't seem to help myself, even though I know it's a big fat waste of my time. But come on, thunder snow?! Just try and tell me that isn't fascinating and semi-apocalyptic. I think it's high time we got Dennis Quaid to revive his role from the blockbuster hit The Day After Tomorrow, because as my brother so aptly put it when I mentioned this to him on the phone last night, "Well Bri, if anyone can save the world, it's Dennis Quaid." Ah, I knew we shared more than just genetics, my genius brother.
I could blather on all day about my love of severe weather and movies featuring it as a precursor to the end of the world, but I'll move on. I'm currently listening to this live recording of Adele, courtesy of NPR.org. If you haven't listened to her, START. I love her voice, and after listening to her live, she seems to be pretty sassy as well. I'm trying to figure out how I can temporarily switch my iTunes to the German version, because her new album is already for sale here in Germany, but won't come out in the US until later in the month. My iTunes is currently (and illegally) set to the US version, because most of the time I prefer having the option of purchasing American entertainment, rather than German. Nothing against German entertainment- having American iTunes makes me feel like I'm not quite as out of the US pop-culture loop as I actually, in reality, am.
Speaking of American versus German culture, this American has decided to stay in Germany another year. I think most of my frequent readers are already aware of that fact, but who doesn't love making a blog announcement? To be honest, it was more about job security and lack of employment opportunities in the US than being so in love with Germany that I never want to leave...but I'm happy with my decision. At least, most of the time. Yesterday's shenanigans with the ever mind-boggling German banking system made me question both my sanity and decision to stay in this country.
So, I lost my EC card, which is essentially the German variety of debit card. Yes, I know this was ridiculous and irresponsible, but I think the fact I've made it this far in my adult life without losing something like a debit card is the thing to really focus on here. I discovered it was missing on Wednesday night, after not having used it for a week because I was stuck at home sick. After searching my apartment, various purses/bags, and calling the last place I remembered using it, I concluded that it was time to admit defeat and order a new one. That part worked out fine- the teller at the bank was incredibly helpful and spoke English, and made me feel much better about the whole situation. But THEN. I asked if I could make a cash withdrawal so that I would have some money to live on until my new card arrived next week. Response: NOPE! The trick bitch bank branch (accidental alliteration right there!) I was at only allows cash withdrawals until 2 PM. What the hell? People magically stop needing cash after 2 PM? Gimme a break. However, the friendly bank teller assured me that the branch near school was open until 4 PM on Fridays, and would still be giving out cash until then. Cheered by this fact, I planned to just go there the following day. So yesterday arrives, I hightail it out of work at 3:30 and walk as fast as my little legs would carry me over to the bank. Walking into the foyer/ATM area outside the bank, I was hopeful and looking forward to the prospect of having some cash for the weekend. I walk up to the bank entrance door, give it a hearty push and.....nothing. I jiggled the door....nothing. I jiggled the door more forcefully and gave it a little kick for good measure...nothing. The stupid place was CLOSED. I looked at the opening hours posted to the right of the door, and discovered that they'd been closed for a good two hours. So, not only had I left work early and hustled over for no reason, but I'd been TRICKED by the lady at the other bank. Bitches, one and all. My frustration level being extremely high, I decided to give the door another forceful jiggle/kick and mutter obscenities under my breath. I undertook this enterprise right as another customer walked in...and upon witnessing my door related fury, walked right back out again.
Thus, I am spending the weekend with about 3 bucks and a simmering rage at the German banking system in general. Good thing I decided to stay another year.
