Catching up with Time and Time catching up with me...

I may have been watching a bit too much Doctor Who (thank you University of Bath VPN) but this almost on time (as if there's a timetable) Blog post features a fair bit of thinking about time. 

Semester 1 Report

So in my last blog  promised my regular reader that I was still alive and would post something more fun soon.    Well here it is dear reader.  It is action packed and features bullet points:  everyone's favourite form of punctuation.

Returns

So it's been a while (a month, in fact) since I've added to the number of words chosen at random floating around the internet so here's a quick update on the thrilling life I lead here in Germanyland.

• Expecting a get together on the first night back to be a quiet affair is silly, as is expecting to be able to leave without having a drink forced upon you.
• Leaving your work until the weekend you get back is a bad idea, which can only be partially relieved by actually reading what's expected.
• Its not constantly fun and games, so when it isn't look after people because they will look after you.  
• The second bottle of wine is NOT a good idea.  
• As previously mentioned, snow is not the end of the world.  
• Education here extends to beer:

• Contrary to popular belief, some academic work IS required.
• Visits home should be tea resupply first and fuzzy wuzzy feelings second.
• Being the only person in a Wales shirt in an Irish bar on the 2nd February looks set to be fun.
• The idea of some people leaving forever in a few short weeks will not stop being odd.

The bottom line is that it's great to be back, not because its always perfect and not because there's nothing for me at home, but because I know this year is going to go far too quickly and I fully plan to make the most of it.  

Political Animals Are Nocturnal

So in the time since my last blog update nothing of much importance whatsoever has happened anywhere at all.  So that's where I'm going to leave it.

Ha. You should be so lucky...

Die Fresher's Week

So, its been two weeks since I've written anything, which some of you may feel is not nearly a long enough gap, but despite that here goes. 

The First Month:

So the 3^rd of October marked 1 month since I moved to Konstanz.  Its been great fun, with great people, in a great place.  Here are a few of the things I've learned:

Bu·reauc·ra·cy

noun, plural bu·reauc·ra·cies.

1.government by many bureaus, administrators, and petty officials.

2.the body of officials and administrators, especially of a government or government department.

3.excessive multiplication of, and concentration of power in, administrative bureaus or administrators.

4.administration characterised by excessive red tape and routine.

 

Yes, I've got to that stage where I feel the need to write a blog post not only explaining the empire of the Beamte but also to recount my experiences with them, which hopefully will not turn into too much of a rant and might even serve to forward people yet to arrive in the Bundesländer.