So it's been a while since my last update. I'm sure you're all thinking this is because of my incessant partying, and that I have spent every night since my arrival dancing until the early hours of the morning and getting up to all kinds of insalubrious (ooh big word!) activities. Sadly, that isn't really the case. In fact, on what is my 2 week anniversary of landing in Berlin, I can honestly claim to have only gone "out" (i.e. to places other than Silver Future - the most local gay bar) four times. That's right, gentle reader - 4 times in 14 days! Don't worry, I'm not ill - just being sensible for once in my life. And as I have reported on the first 3 nights out on this blog already - that leaves just one night. And as that was more remarkable for a couple of big - and enjoyable - coincidences, and an epic train journey, rather than for the vodka shots, there is not much else to report there.

So although I'm in serious danger of McDonalds on Hermannplatz taking out a restraining order on me (it's *always* open - which isn't good for my waistline!), and I have been to the most depressing Irish bar ever to watch the football on Saturday (watching Torres and co with 2 German men and no-one else isn't exactly exhilarating stuff), and that I had my first trip to the Dentist (thankfully I got to stay in the waiting room!); consider this my first sensible (false friend alert!) post.

When you get a room in Germany, that's exactly it, you get a *room*. I bought the sofa bed off the Scottish girl, Lynn, who was vacating my room, but other than that I had nothing but the clothes on my back (and in my suitcase). But finally, my room is furnished, and here is my personal creation story:

On the seventh day (i.e. last Tuesday, yes I'm lazy), I enlisted the help of a Swedish God - known as IKEA. Despite spending several hours selecting Lots of Things for my room, time escaped and trolleys were abandoned at the checkout (poor IKEA staff who had to put Lots of Things back!). I grabbed only the essential-est item - my lamp - and lugged it back home on the train. So on the seventh day IKEA said "Let there be light", and after a small amount of building, there was. And it was good, as I could now see things after sun down.

On the eighth day (last Wednesday), it was the Second Coming of IKEA. This went much more smoothly, and re-acquiring Lots of Things for the trolley proved quite pain-free. With the help of a taxi, I brought Lots of Things home. Lack of screwdrivers meant that on the eighth day IKEA only said "Let there be darkness", and after draping my curtains over the giant windows and then trapping them there, there was. And it was good, as I could now not see things at sunrise.

On the ninth day (Thursday - hope you've got the hang of this now!) construction began. Thanks to 2 screwdrivers and a steak knife found by Nadi, a little red table and a wardrobe came into existence, as well as a big table, with red legs. It's not very sturdy, but hey - it was cheap and therefore good. Now my room had Some Things. Also, I tested my new mattress. Good, yes.

On the tenth day (Friday) I rested. This was the most enjoyable day. The only task I attempted was to name my plant (yes I got my very own plant, so now am a Proper Grown Up With Reponsibilities). I failed in this task, as the urge to name it after a member of No Angels came into stark conflict with my gut feeling that my plant is male.

On the eleventh day (Saturday) I rested again. Since the previous day had been so successful. Still no plant name, but otherwise good.

On the twelfth day (Sunday) I began to build my bed. Due to inadequate tools, I soon gave up, and rested (on the sofa bed, obvi).

On the thirteenth day (Monday) I bought a cheap screwdriver with the right shape, and finished making my bed. I then slept in it, and it was good.

On the fourteenth day (Tuesday) I uploaded some photos, so you can all see that it is good, too.

Hope you enjoyed my story, I promise to have some adventures soon to give more gossip, hopefully beginning with karaoke on Wednesday and Hello Saferide concert on Thursday (I bought tickets and am über excited!). Or perhaps the Irish pub will be more fun tonight, as I venture there again to watch Liverpool - Leeds in the Carling Cup. Doubt it.

My to-do list still has major items unaddressed, such as registering in Berlin (did most of it yesterday but ran into troubles, and therefore need to return to the Bürgeramt today!) and finding a job (that can wait til tomorrow I reckon), but my life in Berlin is now furnished.

Laters :)