Its just that simple

I decide that I would join the ranks of good, law-abiding Germans today and pay the controversial "TV, Radio and Other Random Forms of Media Entertainment" Tax. The common belief here is that public radio and tv should be well-funded and provide good, quality programming. And that is true here. The quality of TV and Radio is well enjoyed by the public and the quality seems to be good. You can, of course supplement your television needs with satellite and cable however that is not necessary. Just by plugging your tv in, you can get something like ten channels. The downside is that the German government, or rather its independent entity the (and I'm not making this up) "Gebühreneinzugszentrale" (I have no idea what this means, I just call it GEZ) collects a whopping €17,95 per tv and €5,00 per Radio and even computers that can download the webcasts! I mean, bah! Thats quite expensive. I guess they can do things like randomly check your house to see if you are lying on your little census like form. Somehow they got my name (my landlord no doubt, bah!) and have sent me two letters requesting that I send them the information. Even though my landlord owns the tv, I pay the tax on it. Tell me how this works.

I have become quite the pro at parallel parking. I have one of the company cars this week because half of the English department has left already. So I get to keep it and drive all over creation this week. Its nice. Tomorrow...laundry! The street that I live on is rather busy so parking is a pain but I have learned how to fit that little Twingo in to some seriously tight spots. Pretty soon you´ll see me whipping around in a mini. Ugh, I miss my Corolla!

I am going home in just a few days!