Respected thoughts

Last night, we broke our 24-day no drinking streak by going to the Spandau Brauhaus for a St. Patrick's Day event. This had been on the schedule long before we decided to be abstinent, and the whole purpose was reducing alcohol consumption rather than completely cutting it out. As is often the case though, it was a fraught day at work. Wolfie's overran, meaning we had to meet up with everyone in the restaurant itself, while I had an argument with someone who accused me of using ChatGPT for writing and described my work as 'shit'. I was therefore not in the best of moods, so some drink and company turned out to be wise.

There was music provided by Clover, a folk band clearly containing Germans, but specialising in Irish folk and rock music. I wondered just what trajectory gets someone there, but they were rather good, even if I didn't know that many of the songs. The acoustics were such that the lyrics were unknown - I didn't even know what language they were sung in - and the place was packed with joyous people. The banjo player played while walking around the top balcony area where we were seated, while a few of the elder patrons were doing country dancing at the top of the stairs, which didn't seem wise.

There were six in our party including us, and it was great chatting to some of our neighbours. I spent much of the evening chatting Germany and politics with one of the other gay couples who live on our floor. The stout that the brewery had brewed specially for the event was ordered by the pitcher and we ended up having five. It was a very fruity, cherry flavour, with what must have been quite a high alcohol content. It was quite delicious, as was the fish and chips. These weren't really in the British style - the cone of chips were those folded over ones that are popular here - while the fish was fish nuggets rather than one long piece. It was served with a salad and a pot of green parsley-based mayo, which made for odd mushy peas.

We left at around 9:30pm, making our way back home via the big Kaufland. We ended up going to bed quite early, after midnight, as the evening was pretty much done and although I have a little sore head today, it hasn't been too bad.

Aside from this, my taxes seem to be motoring on now, so hopefully I can get the permanent residence sorted out too. The work situation is uncertain on account of yesterday's unpleasantness, but I don't think that will resolve itself until next week at the earliest. I've been feeling very down of late, so I really need my forthcoming holiday. Therefore, I might as well just enjoy the next four days off, during which I have booked a small weekend break to a country I have never visited before. It'll be great to see another new place, my first since 2022, and I am very much looking forward to it, even if Wolfie won't be there this time. He needs to study for an exam while his cough has become rather hacky and unpleasant again. Still, we have plans for Easter too, and we won't be apart for long.