i can't believe this actually happened

i got my work permit.

it took four months, five day-long trips to the immigration office, many more trips to other offices around town, and the intervention of the super-boss. but i got it. it's in my passport. i have named it "female jesus" and applied fragrances to it, because it is a girl.

so now i get paid. i just had a humorous talk with the financial guy at the hostel about how much i'm getting paid, in german:

me: so now i get paid for the months! the all of the months! damn.
financial guy: yes--although first you will have to pay four kinds of insurance.
me: ha ha! what.
financial guy: also, because you're working more than one job, you get the maximum income tax on your second job.
me:
financial guy: it's going to be 60% or so.
me: WHAT THE FUCK.
financial guy: they may pay some of it back to you in february if you file an application.
me: but i need to buy the foods now! the foods and the clothes, you see. they are the butterflies of the field.
financial guy:
me:
financial guy: you need to stop using idioms.

apparently germany is something of a welfare state. anyway, i'm legal now, and i have to go do a tour. will the female jesus be on the tour? yes. will other things? no.

contentedly,
jesse

p.s. HOLY FUCKING CRAP. FUCK. awesome.