Moron

How was I supposed to know I have to apply for a tax card in order to get paid by my orchestra?*

After all, I've never had a job in my life.

Somehow I have managed to buy a flat, get a job, naturalize my car and survive negotiations with Deutsche Telekom, but I think I shall advertise for a German husband or father or someone to steady my tottering progress through the bureaucratic wilderness.

*UPDATE:  turns out, the orchestral management sent me a nice helpful letter explaining all this, but I only read the bits about the fee, how much time I could take off, and the jolly ending welcoming me to the orchestra.  Tsk.