Eurovision + more

Its a Saturday evening and I'm watching on German television the 54th annual Eurovision contest. For those who are not familiar with EV, think of it as a glorified, four hour long American Idol in horrendous outfits and choreography designed by your Aunt Gertrude. Not to mention the linguistic variety. Sadly, Germany is only fourth from the bottom. At the first though of spending my Saturday evening watching EV, I laughed. However, as it turns out, I'm having eye problems this evening and I'm wearing my five year old glasses so going out wasn't much of an option. As I'm eating dinner and watching Eurovision, I couldn't help but begin to enjoy the kitch and campiness of it all. The music wasn't all bad even though the themes are (love, pain, tonight is the night) redundant. My favourite part of the evening still goes to American singer, Oscar Loya, representing Germany and his choice for pants. My retinas are still burning. I can't find a picture but the shiny pants certainly got my vote. The Norwegian star who is my age and sings about "when I was young...." is certainly going to win...but he was the favourite to begin with. Eurovision cracks me up. Where else can you get so much kitsch? My next job will be teaching English to the Eurovision hosts and contestants.

You can watch the Norway song here.

My time in Aachen is most likely coming t a close. My special foreigners tax status will be ending at the end of July and although I've ben offered a slight raise and contract extension, I'll probably move on. Where to is still in the air, but time will tell. I'm hoping to stay in Germany but that might not be possible.

As a worker in Germany May and June are perhaps my favourite months. Not only is the weather much more enjoyable as the Spring begins to set in, there are also four public holidays in six weeks. FOUR! May 1st-"Tag der Arbeit" their version of Labour Day (May Day), May 21st "Christi Himmelfahrt" which I think is something to do with Ascension Day, June 1st is "Pfingsten" is Pentecost and June 11th (only in North-Rhein Westfalen) is "Fröh Leichnam" which the best I can come up with is "Happy cadaver day." Sadly, no more holidays until October (Day of German unity) and if it lands on a Saturday (which it does) too bad...no holidays for you. I'm doing a bit of traveling during this time, of course. I'm off to France and perhaps to visit some friends in Dresden in June. If thery'e not available, I'll go somewhere else.

If I can't stay in Germany, I'm going to be quite sad. I enjoy the finer German things in life. Good bread, good healthcare, good coffee and speaking/listening to German. My next job will have to do something with German(y) for sure.