Have you ever got obsessed with something? Anything? We acquired a new obsession. – When we drive home from the hospital in the evening, we are passing close to a dozen petrol stations. During the past week, we started to check out the price of petrol at each of these stations. It is absolutely incredible to see how petrol prices fluctuate. We have seen prices for E10 petrol between 140 and 149 cents, at the same station, on the one day. These 9 cent means, we figured out, a difference of almost 50 euro per months, on the basis that we drive 300 kmh/day on about 6l of petrol. – We have become obsessed with the price of petrol.

We also have loads of time to talk during these long drives. Today we commented on the fact that sometimes it is hard to see that Pádraig is making progress. Then, days merge into each other and timelines vanish: where we are, how got there, what the future hold. On the way back, at exactly 120 km/h to safe petrol, we got into this mood and while we were talking, we realized that some of the progress Pádraig is making becomes part of this time warp we have been living in for the past months. It was only when we were talking to we realized how much more relaxed Pádraig is now, the sudden, uncontrolled movements have disappeared over time, and he has become much more himself again. Still in a coma, but communicating and reacting in his own way.

This afternoon, Pádraig had a visit from his German family and his room got a bit crowded. A male nurse came in, looked at us in horror and asked what we were all doing in there. They had, in their generosity, allowed three people in at a time – now we were five. I assume he was right, but there is enough room , we were not in the way, and we all had traveled a long way to see Pádraig. So we left for a break, and when we came back we found Pádraig positioned in his bed by a true artist. What the nurse had done was done with such care and attention to detail, it was hard to believe. We made friends again:), and thanked him for taking such good care of Pádraig. He said that this was the reason he had chosen his profession, he wanted to care for people. He had brushed Pádraig’s teeth with a soft tooth brush, and his cheeks and tongue with a special suction swab. His lips and face were covered in soothing cream.

Today’s German Music Tip
Die Ärzte, Rebell (1998)
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Straßenunterhaltung (“Street Maintenance” or “Street Entertainment” – take your pick:) – seen on a Hamburg City Council truck.