Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Torpedo Entenhausen 5 - Megalomaniacs Herne 3

I've only been blogging victories for Torpedo Entenhausen, as they are much more fun. In reality we are safely in mid-table, far from the disappointment of finishing last (there is no relegation from the second division of the spare time league) and far from the disaster of promotion.

Wemser and Werner, a couple of Torpedo old-timers, returned to the team last week. We played a few matches together when I started almost 2 years ago, and they commented how I have improved my game. I scored one goal, set up two, and ran around a lot before succumbing to cramp in the final minutes. As the substitutes were also knackered, I was told to stand in front of the defence for the final minutes to preserve our precious lead.

I got to select and organise the team for the last two matches, as our captain, organiser and last-ditch defender was on holiday. Those 'wasted' months of playing football manager games were quite useful. Pick your 14 players, send them a text message, choose a formation, learn that the full-back is down with flu, choose another formation. Enter the transfer market by asking Werner to ask his mate whether he fancies a game.

I also got to greet the referee and opposition and win the coin toss by default. While I was winning the coin toss the rest of the team decided which positions to play. I don't think I'm ready for complete control of team affairs yet, and luckily the real captain will be back next week.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Bewerbungsmappe

This is the German word for a folder containing documents for a job application. Apparently there is no equivalent in English, as

In the US, when you apply for a job, you send a one or two-page resume and a letter. You don't send all the other crap unless they ask for it.


I have found all my old 'A' level certificates, and am off to a copy shop to get copies for my Bewerbungsmappe. I'm finding all of this rather tricky. My psychologist reminds me that every new thing will be difficult. Every step towards getting a job is hard, and I find myself blocking myself.

The process of buying a Bewerbungsmappe took about an hour. It started with me writing down what I was going to buy, where I was going to buy it, and when. I planned a cup of coffee and a sticky raisin bun as a reward for a successful purchase. Everything about this mission was carefully planned.

I then walked into the stationary shop, found the shelf with Bewerbungsmappen, and bought three. It took less than a minute. If I had to do it again it would be very easy. A Bewerbungsmappe is just a piece of folded cardboard with a clip inside and "B E W E R B U N G" on the front. Buying one is no more difficult than buying a ring-binder, or a hole puncher.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Juggling in Lüneburg


I really like this photo. I was juggling two clubs in my left hand (the top and bottom one in the picture) while swinging the third club (the middle one) like a cowboy swings a lasso in my right hand. If you time it right, the swinging club doesn't hit the other two clubs as they go up and down. Thanks to Florian B. in Lüneburg for taking the picture, and Philip D. in Bochum for teaching me the trick.