Udo Lindenberg

I am working to improve my German in preparation for an upcoming trip. One of the pleasures of this task is finding out about German-language singers. I'd rather improve my vocabulary by learning songs than any other way. (This may result in some rather idiosyncratic language on my part, but I'm sure no one will mind.) Former favorites were Herbert Grönemeyer and 2ruamwohnung. Now I have discovered Udo Lindenberg and was able to get his most recent CD. My favorite song is Eigentlich bin ich ganz anders, loosely translated as Actually I'm Quite Different. Another favorite is Der Greis ist heiss (The Geezer is Hot). I am 2 years older than Lindenberg, but I have to admit I find him a little comical with his broad-brimmed hat pulled down to his nose.

Mobility, extended families, and the American dream

A few nights ago I took my husband out for a birthday dinner at a nice French restaurant in a neighboring town. One strange and noteworthy part of this meal was how courteous and friendly the other diners were (unlike in my town, where everyone seems to be indifferent if not downright hostile to others). We were in a small room with a birthday party--grandmother and grandfather, their two children, and the three grandchildren. I felt a little sad for myself, wondering what it would be like to spend one's entire childhood in the same town, near enough to family members that a child could drop in on a grandfather or a cousin. Although this is the quintessential Norman Rockwell American childhood, I wonder how many of us grew up this way, and I wonder if it is as comforting and happy as it seems to someone like me. Although I certainly have plenty of relatives, most of them were almost as mobile as my family, so we saw each other about once every three or four years.

When choosing internet security questions, I never pick any of the ones related to "your high school." Not only am I in complete ignorance of the street addresses of any of the four high schools I attended, how would I remember which one I was thinking of when I provided my correct answer? I dislike this question almost as much as "your favorite pet." Isn't that a little bit like asking someone who their favorite child is? Do people really have favorite pets?