Tuba Mirum

I have a job!

It is a wonderful job. If I weren't scared of jumping to conclusions, I would call it the perfect job. I am the newest employee at CDC (Compact Disc Center). CDC is a somewhat high-end CD store in the city center, Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany. The store is cozy and well furnished, wood, good acoustics. It is one of two CD stores in Freiburg that has a classical collection. CDC also boasts a terrific jazz selection, and of course, pop/rock and all that one might expect in a CD store. It is, by all acounts, the most reputable and knowledgeable CD store in Freiburg. I could not be happier to work there. I'm learning things like: new artists, dealing with distributors (both globally and nationally), what comes out when, why some CDs can be sold for 1/3 of what other CDs can be sold for, how to disarm a security-alarmed CD, why it is actually important to know the years in which CDs come out and names of lead singers, and how to deal with customers who hum "Summertime," but insist the song they are humming is in fact "St. Louis Blues." I also now come fully stocked with an arsenal of "would you like a bag with that" variations in German.

I do not have an apartment.

It is not wonderful. There are a couple picturesque possibilities that are slim possibilities at a picturesque best. They are on the outskirts of Freiburg: quiet, river-hugging/mountain-hugged bike rides away from the city center, full of healing, fresh air, layout and space to hope for. The problem is, I'm one of thousands looking for apartments right now, and these apartments are one of hundreds available. The numbers do not work out in my favor. But I can hope and dream, at least until Tuesday morning, when I find out about these two.

I do have distractions

and must use them, so as not to become too perturbed. I recently discovered the public library here and its surprisingly plentiful music collection. I have an endless supply of Mozart and Bach. I'm learning a lot. I also have a 'killer-bunnies' like card game called 'Zombies.' The goal is to encounter 'monsters' (humans), and eat their brains. The more brains you have eaten, the more experienced of a zombie you are and the better chances you have of conquering the next monster. The more weapons you have, the better off you are as well. Weapons range from various limbs of previously killed monsters, to cooking utensils, to postboxes, to -if you're lucky- the ability to use your own intestines as badgering tools.

I have five keys,

none of which belong to me; thank you friends who let me stay at your places :).

I ALSO HAVE MY VERY FIRST TRUMPET.

I bought it two weeks ago. I unfortunately can't practice much because I do not have my own space, but I get to look at it a lot. I love it.

This is the view from Joanna's balcony. Sleeping station number 1. Small, but lovely. No lack of sunlight.

These are residencies under bridges on the Dreisam (river in Freiburg), for which I have not yet applied.
Awesome Art.
The red building on the left is the Historisches Kaufhaus (Historic Market Place). It hosts classical concerts. Nick and I attended one on Friday evening. The performers were a cellist and a piano player, the repertoire was Schumann, Grieg, Blake, and Popper, and the performance was stellar.
Actual table shots of 'Zombies.' Ike, Greta, and Anjuli, I think of you everytime I play.



Art in Denzlingen, a peripheral town of Freiburg, in which I do not have an apartment.


Regional train from Freiburg, heading to Waldkirch. I rode this train every (not every) Wednesday last year on my way to Gutach, where I taught English.

On an ending note; Congrats Dad!! My dad ran his first marathon yesterday (Sat, Oct. 1) and killed it. 31st overall, 4th in his age group. 3:37:30 time. WOW! Go dad.

Hope all is well :).

Love, smiles, and thoughts,

Ben.