So I'm going to write a new blog right now while I'm on the radio simply because I can. Not too much has been new with me, I'm afraid, but I'll try my best to keep you entertained, anyhow. 

Do any of you truly understand how thrilling it is to be allowed to finally work in a country that is not your own after such a long, difficult struggle? Sure, it's easy to say, "Oh, I know how hard that must be," because several people have said it to me. Yet, when they get here and realise that it's much more difficult than it sounds, they're less than enthused. It's still amazing to me that I actually got it, but anyway, I'll move on before I bore you to death with that theme. 

There's a friend of mine who's moved here recently and had to go to the foreign office to get work papers in order, though her struggle would be much easier than mind since she had a company willing to say she worked for them. Apparently, the foreign office has been on strike since 29 September, and well, that's not fun. We went up there at 6:30 AM to be greeted by a line all the way out the door. They weren't serving anyone, and they weren't giving out appointments; they did mention, however, that they were serving the first 25 people, but we'd never manage it because people were showing up at 3 AM and waiting until they opened at 7. Shannon, being the New Yorker that she is, decided to go at 10 PM (!!!) and wait for NINE hours to get in. I went to wait with her, and I have to tell you, I have never been so cold in my life. It was fine for the first hour or two, but since the foreign office is very, very close to the river, the temperature dropped precipitously very fast. 

There was a nice cop who kept coming by every two hours to check on us and make sure we hadn't been murdered; I felt kinda bad for him, though. The first time he came by, it was only Shannon. The second time it was both of us. The third it was us and some African dude. All I could hear him thinking was that line from South Park where Cartman says, "They are increasing at a rate of seven hippies per hour. At this rate, they will take over the world in only three days." 

He eventually didn't come by anymore after we started multiplying ridiculously and when they finally opened the gates, we were first in line . . . only to find out we had waited nine hours for nothing. The first 25 people being served were only students. It would have been nice if they would have, oh, I don't know, TOLD US THAT!!!! 

Outside of that, my friend Erin is moving here in exactly three days. I still can't believe how fast time has passed; it seems like yesterday it was the end of June and she was telling me how she wanted to move here. Back then, the months passed by incredibly slowly, and I wondered if I would ever see the day get here. Now, as I sit admist a thousand boxes that have to go down to the basement to make room for her, it's slowly starting to sink in. And you know what, I think it's awesome. Life isn't easy, but we were never promised that, anyway. Besides, no one ever wants to read a life story about someone who had it easy. 

October 2nd, 2008. It was a day I thought I would never see and was beginning to still wonder it as I waited outside the door to room 328 of the Ausländerbehörde. I had been there roughly five minutes late due to several annoying goings-on that slowed me down. When I knocked on the door and went in, a very ancient looking lady glared at me accusingly and said, "Who are you?!?!?!" as if I walked in there with a gun and told her to get her hands up. I told her just who I was, to which she responded, "Well, go outside and wait! I'm not ready for you!"

     I waited outside . . . and waited  . . . and waited. Forty-five minutes I waited. Finally, she came outside and said, "Who are you?!?!?!" in the same condescending tone. I told her again who I was. "You're 50 minutes late!" she yelled in my face. "That's cause I've been standing outside for 45 of those minutes where you TOLD ME TO!" I yelled back. I was done taking her crap, and I just wanted to get my permit and get out of there. She gave me over to someone else who was very nice and handed me my shiny new work permit. 

     I still don't think it's sunk in even though I stare at it regularly. I have actually attained work rights in Germany after two long years of struggle. Two long years of running, of fearing that the next month would be my last in the country I love. But it was not to be so. Even when everyone else told me it was impossible, God said, "Just sit back and watch this . . ."

     Some of you make think, "So what? It's a work permit. And you're American. They have to give you one." Well, no, they didn't. I had skills, sure, but they were in so many different areas, they looked at me as fickle. My degree is impressive, sure, but only 2 years and not in a profession that warrants the freelance visa I was requesting. I had no job offers . . . I had nothing waiting on me that guaranteed I wouldn't be a burden on their economy. There were so many different reasons besides the ones I've mentioned that they could have said no . . . but they didn't. And I don't care what you want to call it or what you think about it, it was simply one of those God things. 

     While I won't rant about politics and who's better than the other, I'm getting increasingly annoyed by those of you who do. I always encourage people to dig deep in their search for information for any presidential candidate. I want them to make an educated, informed decision with the ability to stand up for their decision if need be. With that said, I'm entirely sick of people with their underwear in a bunch over this. Yes, economies all over the world are in a crisis, times are tought, blah blah blah. Some want change, some want more of the same. But if I see one more anti-so and so group on facebook on either side, I think I'm gonna barf. If you think someone is a better candidate, argue the position respectably. You calling me an idiot because I'm not voting for your candidate is not going to make me change my mind. If you want to do that, you have to make a good point . . .and you thinking I'm an idiot is not making a very good one. I'm also sick of people telling me who to vote for. "Vote for so-and-so!" they scream on both sides of the spectrum. As most of you know, I'm a moderate and have been switching back and forth in undecidedness for quite some time. The reason for this is because I find BOTH candidates inadequate and severely lacking. Yet, I'm bombarded by, "Vote for *insert name here*!" Why? Because you say so? Because he wants change? Because he wants more of the same? Give me a reason! And frankly, I don't like you pushing your political opinion on me. This is getting way out of hand. The same goes by people who act so shocked and appalled by politics, yet are the regular finger pointing name callers acting like blood thirsty vampires on a feeding frenzy. Calm down! Take some tranquilizers and just chill . . . please . . . for the love of all that is holy it is no reason to have a freakout session and hold a rally just because someone is one percentage point ahead!

     Outside of that, things are going better here. I've got several jobs to last me for the moment, and most of you have seen my numerous broadcasting posts. It's one of the most rewarding jobs, I think, but unfortunately the only one that doesn't pay, which is quite annoying. Party934.com is actually hosted on a couple of terrestrial stations around the New York, one in Miami I think, and the other in the Hudson valley in NY (you can check the website for more specific details.) It's great, and I love getting music out around the world (and me having my voice heard isn't that bad, either.) 

     I'm also finally close to finishing the book . . . the final version. After more re-writes than I can count, it's finally getting where I want it. The finally page count I'm estimating somewhere around 350 pages, and that's just book one. Yes, it's a mutha of a book. I can't wait for all of you to read it!

     I'm sure there's more I wanted to say here, but frankly, I'm quite bored and have the pressing urge to finish this book. Quite sleepy, too . . .