Soccer, (Fussball) The World’s Favorite Sport

I was at my boys soccer tournament today. It was great! I spent most of my time yelling and walking the field with the other dads (and moms). Here in Germany they take their soccer serious. We started at 13:00 and ended at 16:30. Three and a half hours of pure soccer excitement. My boys played four games throughout the day and it was so exciting, painful and fulfilling. They won one, lost one and tied for two.

My oldest, Emanuel is very good. The coach had him play in all four games without pulling him. He played two different positions. He did great! They asked us if he could play in a higher league. Sadly, he has music lessons at the same time of the F league. The times change after winter though. So next summer he’ll be in with the big boys. (can you tell I’m proud)

My little one, Alexander played well too. He is only four, so our expectations are within reason. He is playing as well as his older brother at that age though and is learning fast.

Overall it was a nice day and great sport for my sons.

All Hail Soccer!

Go Lindheim !

e-Bay exploits continued

Well, I took the honorable high road and informed him again that I would send the transformer for the cost of shipping. Guess what; no response. I guess he believes that not answering is the same as a convenient memory wipe of the seller, that would be my memory. Or what little I have left. Well I'm not playing.

So, I'll now send a nice long mail to e-Bay and let them do what ever they do to this kind of person. Sure, I could re-post, write the other bidders, but would that be fair. What happened to ethics, honesty and straight business?

The beat goes on and I'll keep you all in the loop.

Come back soon and enjoy my pain :-)

Chris

e-Bay Exploits and Surprises

I have been using e-Bay since its inception and find it one of the best inventions on the planet.

I have now reached 179 items sold and have lost count of all the things I’ve purchased. I have worked hard to maintain my %100 satisfaction rating and am surprised at the gall of some folks.

I have been selling my High-end audio kit lately (with my kids- it’s in danger) and decided to sell it one piece at a time. The whole set is five pieces with two speakers extra. Some of it is from The US and is 120 volts. I recently put a piece in e-Bay with a clear description, and of course included the fact that the piece is from the US and is 120 volt - 60 Hz. I was very happy with the progress and some of the bidders double checked about the voltage. Living in Germany the German power infrastructure is all 220 volt. I did mention to all asking bidders that I have a step-down transformer that changes the voltage to fit the German system.

Well, low and behold, the last bidder and winner of the piece drops me a note, after his very high bid, asking if the piece is 120 volt. I of course answer quickly, that as mentioned in the sales blurb, yes, the piece is from the US and is 120v. The guy answers with “Oh, then I don’t want it.” I, being friendly and careful of my incredible e-Bay status of %100 satisfied transactions, inform him that I do have a transformer, and if he pays shipping, I’ll throw it in. The turd writes back rudely, “I don’t want it.” (like I tried to cheat him)

So, what do you do?

Turn him in to e-Bay and wait forever for my money and let them beat him up
Give up and re-post the piece
Verbally abuse this guy and then let e-Bay kick his rear
Nothing

Jazz and trains, what more can you ask for

In Maintal - Bischofheim they were celebrating the 150th year of their train depot. I took the boys and we had a blast. They had lots of steam engines and modern trains and all were accessible. And best of all there was Jazz. The Barrelhouse Jazz Band was there and they were great! Jazz, blues and swing, they played it all. Good fun and good music.

Chris