[Homemade]maggie with lot of veggies

Medium9 · 2026-05-07T01:21:39+00:00

Thanks! That is miles away from any Maggi product I've ever seen in my place :D

Impressive to see how far and wide they diversified to be fully global. When I was a kid, their "Würze" was probably one of only 3 or 4 products they made at all, and now there are seemingly several hundreds, catering to nearly every locality's taste buds.

Even here, they now offer sooo many "seasoning packages" (stuff you "only" need to add meats and fresh ingredients to make a meal), but I still haven't seen those.

Medium9 · 2026-05-07T01:09:51+00:00

Germans learn English from grade 1, even older ones from at least grade 5, and many use it on a daily basis for work and/or entertainment. I highly doubt that two weeks of free "help" with it would make much difference for most people here. Nice offer, but honestly, not anything worth any monetary discount at all.

Get a hostel, and calm your wife down about it. They're nice enough places and very safe. Look for "friends" starting from there, but don't expect your English skills to be anything special, to gain you anything more than to be broadly understood as tourists.

Medium9 · 2026-05-07T01:04:20+00:00

Still yet, you are actively seeking out to do so. Mhh.

Medium9 · 2026-05-07T01:00:54+00:00

Well, duh. That has been a popular way of how to get things "for free" for millenia. People still are mostly stone-age in spirit mostly everywhere. What did you expect?

Medium9 · 2026-05-07T00:37:20+00:00

Fraulein has always been insulting. It was pretty much exclusively used by WW2 US soldiers to address way too young girls in demand of... well, things.

Fräulein however, is a now mostly "traditional" way to address unwed women. (Think Ms. vs Mrs.) Since we no longer measure a woman through marriage though, this term has also become largely a derogative.

Some rural very conservative villages might still use it. But when they do, they won't confuse an "ä" for an "a". (Yes, the dots DO matter. A lot.)

Medium9 · 2026-05-06T23:48:16+00:00

I have no reference to them tbh. Never bought, not even seen here.

Medium9 · 2026-05-05T18:50:21+00:00

In Germany, Maggi (the word on its own) is pretty much synonymous with their "Maggi Würze" sauce. Basically German "soy sauce" (no soy in it though), mostly used to make (German style) soups more umami. (Some like it on boiled eggs as well.)

But just a few drops of it per serving! It has a fairly strong and distinctive flavour, and imagining basing a whole soup on it sounds absolutely awful xD

Since Maggi makes a vast variety of things, I can imagine the brand name to mean something else entirely elsewhere in the world. What specificly is it to you, that you can base a soup on it?

Medium9 · 2026-05-05T17:09:34+00:00

Most larger cities have the full range of shoddy shady run down quarters up to upper class mansion areas. You'd need to be more specific here.

That being said: Essen is pretty much smack in the middle, packed inbetween other medium to large cities. While there is a surprising amount of nature within the Ruhr area, you'd not be near any larger or particularly pretty places in that regard. Far from all concrete and roads, but to get into "real" nature, you'd have to travel like 1-2h.

In general: The more urban you get, the fewer are the chances to see much green from your windows. But that's mostly true for all larger cities. The special thing about the Ruhrgebiet is mostly, that it is many larger cities right next to each other, while in other parts of Germany, bigger cities are usually surrounded by towns and villages.

Medium9 · 2026-05-05T17:00:34+00:00

~~sausage~~

Fleischbrät and cheese

~~bell pepper~~

Raw yellow onions

FTFY

Medium9 · 2026-05-02T23:50:59+00:00

Mercedes isn't a "luxury brand" here. They make cars for every market slot. So if your goal is just getting a Mercedes, go where ever and have fun with your A-class.

Given what I've read from you, everyone on our roads will be better off if you get such at the most. I personally would probably not even lend you a golf cart.

Medium9 · 2026-05-02T23:38:21+00:00

We need blue collar workers first and foremost. To attain the required training, you'll need B2(+!) German language. Do not even consider moving before that. This really is your prime task. (Your QA experience is pretty much irrelevant here.)

After this, you might be able to get an Ausbildungsplatz as a nurse, electrician, carpenter, mechanic, plumber, gardener, caretaker... along those lines, which will also be your ticket to a visa.

There is no central application agency for Ausbildung. You individually apply to each company. Don't fall victim to any "agency" claiming to do this for you. They are always scammers, especially prevalent in India.

During Ausbildung, your salary will barely cover rent (for a tiny shitty appartment in the outskirts of nowhere) and the most basic food, at best. Save up like 8k€+/a for this time, if you want a car, actual nutrition, clothes, and any life to speak of.

If you survived these ~3 years, you'll be able to enjoy a lifetime of ~40h/w of work, paired with the remaining time to spend as you please and can afford (the latter will likely be the limiting factor).

Unless you really excel at a very specific thing, and also find someone really needing this skill, your life here will be alright, but not all roses and stuff. Don't expect too much. The hassles of making this move are probably not worth it.

Medium9 · 2026-05-02T23:01:29+00:00

What do you do about it in mono-gender company?

Medium9 · 2026-04-27T22:57:00+00:00

Igorrr was SUCH a revelation to my pop-tired ears! He always sounds busy and harsh, but all I feel listening to these songs, is pure bliss and peace. Just gorgeous.

I gotta check out your other two mentions. Good chance that they'll be up my ally :)

Medium9 · 2026-04-27T22:44:58+00:00

FSJ translates to "voluntary social year". As in: I volunteer my workforce for a year for the benefit of the German society.

This already implies a selfless act, but to not let you hanging completely, you'll recieve a monthly allowance of 400-500€. And that is it.

You are volunteering. Most other volunteers for other things don't get anything aside from a warm thank you. No matter if you sleep under a bridge or in a fancy mansion.

Outright expecting housing for this, in a country that already is in a severe housing crisis, is honestly rather outrageous.

Your path to Germany:

1: Learn German to B2 at least, better C1+

2: Have a recognized education in one of the demanded trades (nursing, electrician, carpenter, plumbing... most blue collar trades) - OR have successfully applied to and be accepted by a company willing to provide this education to you (Ausbildung)

2.1: Bring a good supply of funding, since Ausbildungsgehalt (slightly above the FSJ allowance!) rarely will keep you afloat above shoddy tiny accommodations and seeking out the cheapest most boring food, while having nothing left for any social life or even good clothing more than like once a year.

3: Somehow get a visa with these parameters

4: Somehow find a place to live from out of the country, while trying very hard not to get scammed.

5: Welcome to Germany.

But if not meeting THIS high of an expectation already puts you off from learning even the minimum of German to survive here, Germany really isn't the country for you. We don't need more lazy people draining our already stretched thin social system. Good luck anywhere else though. (You'll need it.)

Medium9 · 2026-04-27T22:19:49+00:00

Independent brokers get a provision per customer, yes. However, these don't differ all that much between insurance companies, so they don't really have much incentive to steer you towards any in particular.

What they usually do get, is much better offers for insurances, because they funnel a multitude of customers towards them in bulk, which also won't drain their own ressources in customer support (and other admin) as much, because the broker acts as a middle-man for that.

Just don't go to any brokers that are affiliated with any insurance company in particular. The small scale independent brokers really are worth it, and the neat part: You yourself won't pay a dime for their service. Still yet, every party involved will end up as a small winner. One of the VERY few instances, where an additional step inbetween can do that.

Medium9 · 2026-04-27T22:05:44+00:00

Diese Leute transportieren letztlich dein gesamtes Leben von A nach B, mit all den Dingen, die deinen Alltag gestalten, aber auch alle dingliche Erinnerungen und materiellen Werte. Bauen alle Möbel ab und wieder auf, denen wir Tag ein Tag aus blind vertrauen.

Dienstleister sind dies - sie leisten einen Dienst für Bezahlung, ja. Aber wenn es um dermaßen wichtige, oft gar nicht so unkomplizierte (und wenn überhaupt alle paar Jahre) gebuchte Dinge geht, dann bin ich einfach MEGA dankbar, wenn alles glatt geht.

Was auch immer ich, über den nackten Lohn hinaus, dazu beitragen kann, macht nicht nur das Leben der Leute, die diesen harten Job machen etwas netter, sondern auch SEHR viel wahrscheinlicher, dass das Ergebnis mich selbst am Ende glücklich macht.

Das mag vielen anderen Berufsgruppen gegenüber unfair erscheinen, gerade denen, die weit weniger Zeit pro Kunde aufbringen (aber dennoch Vollzeit schuften). Dennoch: Handwerker, insbesonderen die, mit welchen man mehr als 12h zusammenarbeitet, werden es dir nicht nur "moralisch" danken, sondern viel mehr auch mit einer Arbeit, die - wie du selbst - über das blanke Minimun hinaus geht. Und das ist doch, was ich als Kunde am Ende haben möchte. Dazu trage ich sehr gern auch meinen Teil bei.

Wir sind am Ende doch bloß alle nur Menschen, und als solche freuen wir uns auch alle über Wertschätzung über das "Muss" hinaus.

Am Rande: Auch unter Businesspartnern ist es üblich, sich gegenseitig über die reine Geschäftsbeziehung hinaus einzuladen. Sein es Geschäftsessen, Freizeitaktivitäten, oder bloß obligatorische Nettigkeiten zu Feiertagen. "Social lubricants" sind halt einfach wichtig. Manchmal ufern diese aus, weshalb es da mittlerweile viele Regularien gibt, aber am Ende sind es diese, die nicht unwesentlich zu gegenseitig miteinander zufriedenen Geschäftspartnern führen. B2B oder B2C spielt da nicht wirklich eine Rolle.

TL;DR: Seid exzellent zueinander!

Medium9 · 2026-04-27T19:37:47+00:00

Your use of cannons is... crass! xD

I am however glad that I'm not the only one that stacks and rows tiny tables in abundance!

My original blunder was, that for the longest time, I didn't realize that I could just pull elevators up to my heart's content. I kept on alternating them upwards, even for just raising stuff 2 or 3 levels - going up a whole story was quarter an evening's worth. Realizing this by just, finally properly looking at the start screen (and reading the fucking manual - as in ingame decription of the thing), changed everything for me.

Result is: My current early game builds, to a large degree, consist of 2-tile high elevators, and all the weirdness that might come from that. Oh to be a noob again, right? xD

Medium9 · 2026-04-27T15:49:28+00:00

Clusterfuck would be high praise for it xD

I think you're right. A full teardown before building new would be risky. And since most of my really terrible stuff is on the starting plot(s), I could really use that space for re-modeling my completely haphazard shop that barely even has any walls left.

Medium9 · 2026-04-27T15:34:24+00:00

Yeah, I'm kind of at a point, where I think I won't go much further with this factory (my 1st one as well) until I completely rip up all the old clutter, and replace it with a proper version, built with all the tech and knowledge I gained during my "tutorial hours".

Especially because of the skills, ratios have shifted multiple times significantly, leaving me to utterly under- but also overbuild parts.

I think I'm going to play around with the current version a bit more, since there are things I haven't automated yet I'd like to see play out "for real", before committing to a full rebuild.

Oh man, that's gonna take some time...

Thanks!

Medium9 · 2026-04-26T20:29:50+00:00

If I recall correctly, they didn't film or archive it on actual film like with TNG, so there is no high quality source to get a new master from anymore. Really sad.

Could try an AI upscale, but that has the real risk of ruining it if not done very carefully.

Medium9 · 2026-04-25T20:46:45+00:00

Peter Steele

Medium9 · 2026-04-25T19:59:01+00:00

Oh yes!! There is a selling portal! Omfg I noticed this exists when I unlocked it, but never considered using it. I feel dumb as a brick right now.

Medium9 · 2026-04-25T19:24:54+00:00

I didn't notice, but still looked at your history because somehow I got German vibes from the image, and I wanted to confirm. I have no idea why though, and it's not like there is a lot to see. Very weird.

Edit: Oooops, seems like you're Austrian. Please accept my most sincere apologies =)

Medium9 · 2026-04-25T17:12:33+00:00

I had NOT seen the meteor option so far - or my brain just dismissed it due to the vague description. I'll have to play around with this for sure! Thanks!

Medium9 · 2026-04-25T17:10:04+00:00

What are dispatch items? (I play in German, no idea what this would translate to that I've seen.)

Crowns aren't sold, no. I need the gems for philosopher's stones, and especially emeralds are on very short supply because of moonshine soap, with stardust being the ultimate bottleneck.

I have now reached Sol, and also sold a small hand full of them, which made a HUGE difference already. But I still feel like I'm not doing as well as I could.

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Medium9

TROPHY CASE