There are times in this land, when I still get caught out and infuriated by the over organised and officious manner of the place.
For example, I went into the T.Com shop the other day, where I got my mobile phone from. They call mobile phones 'handy's' here. Handy? why? because it's 'to hand', ie. in your pocket when you need it. I've always found it a very amusing appropriaion of English.
I wanted to cancel my contract because I'm leaving, simple, right? you tell them, and then a month later they cut you off? WRONG. Even though I have had the phone for 2 years which was the original contract I signed up for, now, because I didn't give 3 months notice to terminate, I have to have the phone for 6 more months. That is nuts. I'm sure it's all in the contract, but did I read that? ERRRR...NOOOO, something to do with it being in German, and me arriving in here 2 years ago and not speaking any German. All the Sausagelanders probably read their contracts in detail. This is, after all a nation where examining any kind of paperwork is a major pastime. Checking supermarket reciepts immediately after clearing the checkout is virtually a national sport.
Pah! to the phone company. I might just close my bank account so they can't have my money, ha! wow - I am so clever.
Oh, this reminds me of the on-going histoire with the GEZ...It's a long one so I might have to make a seperate post.
mobile phones - there is no escape.
Monday 24 September 2007
moving again
Only one week to go!, well, less in fact. We have got a flat to go to in Spitalfields, London, and we are driving over in the fast car on Sunday. Now all that is left to do is pack. I'm using the oppourtunity to chuck out LOADS of stuff. It's very refreshing. It's also rather shocking the amount of 'crap' we keep in our lives. I have kept all sorts of rubbish, I mean, can keeping the instructions for every piece of Ikea furniture I have ever built, really be justified? I suppose the number of times I've moved in the last few years, it could almost be considered sensible. I counted the other day, and since 2004 I have moved 6 times.
On Saturday we had another curry night, 10 people came round, and we had, Beef Madras, Chicken Vindaloo, Tandoori Chicken, Prawn Jalfreizi, Onion Bhajis, Dal, and Rogan Josh. Not to mention loads of Popadoms, and naan bread. Everyone seamed to enjoy it except E, who is Czech, and can be excused from liking curry on account of the fact that it is not her national dish. We rounded the night of by rolling into town and saying goodbye to a couple of bars.
I can't believe we are going so soon, it's all happened so fast.
On Saturday we had another curry night, 10 people came round, and we had, Beef Madras, Chicken Vindaloo, Tandoori Chicken, Prawn Jalfreizi, Onion Bhajis, Dal, and Rogan Josh. Not to mention loads of Popadoms, and naan bread. Everyone seamed to enjoy it except E, who is Czech, and can be excused from liking curry on account of the fact that it is not her national dish. We rounded the night of by rolling into town and saying goodbye to a couple of bars.
I can't believe we are going so soon, it's all happened so fast.
Wednesday 19 September 2007
BLIMEY!
it has been AGES since I wrote. Does that mean my life is boring? well, it could, but actually I've been quite busy, I went to London for a bit, and gave in to the lure of Toni and Guy, getting my harcut buy a Japanese stylist was about as close at I could get to my previous oriental haircut. I was not dissapointed.
A week in Cyprus was another of my adventures, where Mr V and I were able to lounge around in the gorgeous sunshine, as well as do some diving and eat loads of yummy mediterrean food. We went back the same hotel as we went to in May. I am never quite sure about doing that kind of thing, after all, there are so many different place to go in the world, why go back to the same one twice? In fact it was better this time than last time, so I guess that somewhat dispells my theory that going back again could be a bit mundane. I would probably go back there again as well, so I am truly converted, or perhaps just getting older and turning into a creature of habit (heaven forbid).
Now, with my tan fading fast, it is time to address the fact that we REALLY ARE MOVING BACK TO ENGLAND. Secretly, I am quite excited at the idea, and can think of several reasons why, although I have to play it down, as Mr V is really not happy about going back at all. The big reason for me is that I can get some proper work there. Since April I have lived in a kind of limbo, not getting a job, but wanting one, and trying to make a start on this small business of mine ( which has, to say the least, been sporadic and slow) Now I feel like I have some purpose and oppourtunity ahead. It's a kind of relief. I'm also looking forward to seeing all my old friends at home, most of whom are either pregnant or with babies and small children, so stuck here I'm missing all the fun. I am not looking forward to the extremely high cost of living and the nightmare public transport network though, and I feel perhaps it will not be long before we attempt a bid for freedom abroad again. It is strange how I get frustrated with not being settled, and yet, when the oppourtunity presents it's self, I get bored and want to move on. My mother always said I could never be amused as a child for more than about 20 minutes, before I got fed up and wanted to do something else.
A week in Cyprus was another of my adventures, where Mr V and I were able to lounge around in the gorgeous sunshine, as well as do some diving and eat loads of yummy mediterrean food. We went back the same hotel as we went to in May. I am never quite sure about doing that kind of thing, after all, there are so many different place to go in the world, why go back to the same one twice? In fact it was better this time than last time, so I guess that somewhat dispells my theory that going back again could be a bit mundane. I would probably go back there again as well, so I am truly converted, or perhaps just getting older and turning into a creature of habit (heaven forbid).
Now, with my tan fading fast, it is time to address the fact that we REALLY ARE MOVING BACK TO ENGLAND. Secretly, I am quite excited at the idea, and can think of several reasons why, although I have to play it down, as Mr V is really not happy about going back at all. The big reason for me is that I can get some proper work there. Since April I have lived in a kind of limbo, not getting a job, but wanting one, and trying to make a start on this small business of mine ( which has, to say the least, been sporadic and slow) Now I feel like I have some purpose and oppourtunity ahead. It's a kind of relief. I'm also looking forward to seeing all my old friends at home, most of whom are either pregnant or with babies and small children, so stuck here I'm missing all the fun. I am not looking forward to the extremely high cost of living and the nightmare public transport network though, and I feel perhaps it will not be long before we attempt a bid for freedom abroad again. It is strange how I get frustrated with not being settled, and yet, when the oppourtunity presents it's self, I get bored and want to move on. My mother always said I could never be amused as a child for more than about 20 minutes, before I got fed up and wanted to do something else.
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