Miriam & I have had a week — the good, the bad, & even a little ugly in a few choice moments.
The progeny, on the other hand, has done swimmingly. She’s already walking, albeit full toddle most of the time, and her talking makes sense, but only to other babies.
This time of year is really amazing, if you pay attention, because some people are ready for the holidays while others? Not so much.
Look around you while others are rushing round to & fro. Watch how people behave when they’re stressed.
If I’m candid, I’m exactly the same. I was furious at the Mahag guy (that’s our local VW dealer) today, & Miriam was there to try putting Humpty Dumpty back together again after he fell from the wall.
I went full tantrum, because they reminded us repeatedly of ‘our appointment’ via text. When I arrived, they suddenly acted as if they knew nothing of us & our new Autoschlüssel (key change). Oh well.
I tried rolling with the punches, so I just did some work while sitting next to a burbling brook of a baby playing next to me.
There was another 1/2 hour before it appeared anyone was interested in helping, but when they did? It was excellent service. Really.
Good job, Mahag. Thanks.
I got home, made lunch for all of us, as Miriam was in the office all morning & we NEEDED sustenance. After that, I announced that the new key didn’t even work.
I’d figured out on my way home that although the key itself was right, the remote control function that opens & closes/locks the car was non functioning. Huh…ok.
Turns out that I had a typical expat-related misunderstanding, where I told the guy I knew our spare key didn’t work, & he said to me that there was something wrong with the electrical system – that the new key wouldn’t work.
My German is good when I’m not stressed out. It’s also good when I’m not talking to Bavarians. Sometimes I think northern Germany would be easier speaking/comprehending-wise.
So here we are. We had an appointment for after Epiphany, but they heard me cursing & spitting in the background, so apparently we’ll be dealt with first thing Monday morning.
Ok, I was a jerk. To the Mahag guy & to my wife. I was nice to the baby, but if that’s the low bar I set? Being nice to babies.
Even Jeff Goldblum’s nice to babies, & he’s the worst person I know. Sara knows what he did.
Be nicer to people while they’re Xmas shopping – whether alongside you or if you’re a Spätshopper (late shopper) & you still need just a few more gifts.
Do as I say, not as I do.
