NOT BERLIN

It's not Berlin

[notberlin]

fresh mint

So, I was going back home from classes, minding my own business as usual, when I found a yellow paper of joy from Deutsche Post in my mailbox. It happily informed me that "Ihre Sendung ist da!" and I impatiently rushed to claim my package. What I was expecting was my new pair of sunglasses that I could've gone parading right away in this sunshine, but what had been delivered instead was my bike! Two days early!

A nice man helped me carry it to our backyard where I excitedly performed an ex-tempore bike assembly - followed by the realisation that since it was delivered early, I had not yet acquired a lock or a pump or anything else. That's all sorted out now, though.

But, without further introductions, the substitute for my beloved Jupiter Kombi, ladies and gents, here it is: Mifa. My new mini-klappfahrrad that I might end up loving even more (than my JK).

It's mint green and beautiful.

20 minutes later:

[notberlin]

I have been reading a lot about globalisation and its effects on marketing.

Which is interesting, because I don't know if there's any effect that globalisation has had on anything else that I would care this little about. 

Of all the interesting factors and viewpoints related to globalisation - marketing? Do I really give a toss? Well, I've had to, at least for the last couple of weeks. And until next wednesday.

But anyways, about those actual books, in order, top down:

Meh, Good, Meh, Excellent, Excellent, BS, Meh, Meh, Not bad, BS, BS. 

Stay away from BS's and Meh's, unless you want to read a lot about (obviously condescending) "mousetrapping" customers, vague sounding, pseudoscientific bloobedy bloo blaa marketing jargon and - the glue that holds it all together - making a MAD profit.

[notberlin]

FINALLY.

After years and years of waiting, you are on your way.

[notberlin]

Aaaaaaah, bad can soup, heated in the microwave: you are all I have. Uni is keeping me so busy I don't have time to buy groceries more than once a week. Just finished my radishes yesterday. I'm going to upgrade that soup a bit though with some lime, soy sauce and sriracha. Like it would make me forget. Never.

[notberlin]

Well, well, well, if it isn't a plane ticket.

(I have a return one too) 

[notberlin]

Sometimes I don't understand Germany. Or Germans. This is not meant as criticism; it is meant exactly as it is - that I don't always understand Germany, or Germans.

I can't say they always understand me, either.

Problems arise sometimes when I try to fill this gap between us and fail to do so. I ask questions and Germans don't even understand my question. Or I don't understand the answer.

I feel like I should go so much deeper, get down to the very basics of German culture. Hopes and dreams. Underlying assumptions, standards, expectations, goals. Values. Gather a whole fucking portfolio of examples I could provide when my motives are questioned: I feel like quite often I have to explain in detail why I am interested in a particular matter and why am I asking questions altogether. Ah yes, and: specifically state that my questions should not be seen as criticism but to gather more understanding of this society as a whole.

How does this society structure itself? Do you have to live abroad to understand how many things can be completely different? How small things can have a significant meaning? What do certain practices indicate about the whole society, its people and their values? 

Or am I the problem?

I don't know.

But I do know that: I am being vague and I am not going to provide you with any kind of an example. Not today. Instead, I'm going to watch some trashy TV to soothe my nerves.

[notberlin]

A beginning

I live in Germany, not in Berlin.

I have a bucketful of opinions and I'm pissed off a lot of the time.