Lucky Buckeye

Bloguffies:

So maybe I'm taking this blog over.  Maybe I don't give it back.  Maybe I enjoy "blogging."  Maybe its actually pronounced "logging" because the "B" is silent.  Maybe even if it was I would still say "blogging" because "b" is one of my favorite letters.  Maybe I'll get to the meat of this post...

In moving here, as we have previously alluded, there were many tasks that were necessary in order to work.  Well those were finally accomplished at the end of August as a previous blog post stated.  However, while I was able to sign the contract, one final piece of very important work remained unfulfilled.  Basically, I needed a Tax ID card.  Here's the skinny: once I registered our flat with the Buergeramt and all our our occupants, then the country of Germany was supposed to send us Tax ID numbers.  Well, big surprise, the only resident of this household to get a number was L Rizzy.  Since he hasn't quite attained working age, we were up a creek.  After several Google Translated emails, and a week or two, L Mama and I finally attained our Tax ID number.  This number is exceedingly important because it allows me to get a Tax ID card.  Without a Tax ID card, the income tax for us in Germany is "Class 6" and therefore about 58 percent.  With it, I am "Class 3" (or married with a child, and my wife does not work or makes less than me).  So the taxes drop to about 40%.  Obviously we need to be Class 3.

Way back when we first moved here the Human Resources department told me to go to Nordsplatz and get my "Lohnsteuerkarte" which was a Tax ID card.  When I arrived there, in severely broken English and charades, I was told that I needed the Tax ID number first, then I could apply for the "Lohnsteuerkarte" and after 30-50 days I would get the Tax ID card.  Then they laughed at me...

So after receiving the Tax ID number I returned to Nordsplatz... but no longer was I a broken foreigner without a guide.  No... this time I had a secret weapon.  Walking to the building from the tram something fell onto my shoulder.  The way our luck as been... bird droppings were not entirely out of the question.  But when I looked down I saw something glorious.  A Buckeye.  I looked up.  A buckeye tree.  I reached down and grabbed the Buckeye and stuffed it in my pocket.  I got into a 3 point stance and charged into Nordsplatz on the wings of Icarus.  We conversed.  I slammed out some amazing charades.  They stated thanks and I could expect my card in the mail.  I refused to yield.  I sat in the chair and stared at him.  He sensed a confidence in me that only could be buoyed by the large nut in my pants.  An epic stare down ensued.  Nostrils flared.  Brows were furrowed.  A single stream of blood rushed from my nose.  He was not messing that all that fury.  He turned to her computer in with a few quick movements printed out my Tax ID card and with that I was gone.  Upon returning home, after a small celebration, the Buckeye took it's rightful place upon two plush towels.  It will forever be our ambassador of "Kwan."  Turns out there are TONS of Buckeye trees all over Leipzig.  'Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss go Bucks.

The Lucky Buckeye

In all her glory

This weekend we have  our first visitor.  He is a friend of the esteemed Kevin Miller from college and he happens to live in Stuttgart.  He is driving over here to enjoy the Leipzig lifestyle.  Because we didn't want him to have to use our bar of soap we purchased some body wash from the Netto downstairs.  Turns out, body wash is called Dusch.  Who knew.

Yep... Dusch Gel

And finally a quote:
"I don't avoid confrontation, people should know that."
-David Coverdale