Abgenommen oder Zugenommen

Have I lost weight or gained weight? You decide!

Colloquial Translation of the Video

Okay, yes. I am Michael and I am here in Berlin. And it is Saturday afternoon. It is about 5:30 PM. Outside the sky is cloudy and it is a little wet. And in this particular room it is a bit dark because I would like to make a good - or better video.

So, Yeah. We are here; and we have an issue today to discuss. The issue is a problem that we need to solve. Here, listen up.

On the Saturday before last, as you well know, we had a very nice escape – a small excursion – to Kollwitz Street, Kollwitz Plaza, the Kollwitz Water Tower, and the Kollwitz Saturday Market – and so on. And for that I of course made videos.

In the Kollwitz videos, many, many people had noticed, “Michael, you have put on weight! You have put on so many pounds. What’s going on? What have you been eating in Berlin? Ice cream? Pork? Beef? Cheese? More ice cream? Heavy cream? What’s going on?”

But I answered, “No. I have in fact lost almost 15 pounds in the past year.

Okay, now, over here, there are other people. Other people had seen my other video from the above rooftop, from the terrace: my tour of Berlin. And these particular people said that I have lost a lot of weight and that I look like a Hollywood movie star. So now we have a problem that we must solve. Have I gained weight or have I lost weight?

And I have the solution here with me!

Here is my jacket – my winter jacket. It is April, but I still need my winter jacket. And in the pockets of my winter jacket - I have my winter hat. In the other pocket I have my cotton carrying bag – my shopping bag, for going shopping. And I now have here alcohol – hand alcohol – sanitizer for my hands. And now for my outer coat that’s all what’s in the pockets..

But now I have an inner jacket. I wear an inner jacket almost always because there is almost always wind in Berlin. And in the pockets we have my FPP2 (smart-alecky said) face mask. Now in Berlin there is a law that all people in a shopping area or a store must wear this particular face mask.

And I also have my headphones. And my Po-Ponie, but I should more correctly call it it a wallet. I just like to say Po-Ponie instead. And my surgical mask for around the building and on the sidewalk.

And now the inner jacket is on the floor, and I now have in my pants pocket a ball point pen . . . and Ohhhh! A candy bar. But this candy bar . . . Mmmmm! Ritter Sport Marzipan. So good! I should not keep it so close to my legs because it could melt.

And of course my cell phone. And I also have many Kleenex due to my spring allergies. And finally I have my small change Euro coins in one pocket, and my larger value coins in the other pocket.

So that’s it, and we have here ------ I lost weight! I am – Yes – thinner than I was, and yes, I am - I feel not so overweight as I was. I am very happy about that, and I hope to lose 15 more pounds, and then I will remain happy.

So, yes, we have found a solution to the conflict. I have lost weight, but not so much as I would want. But at least I am much better than I was.
Have a nice weekend, and I’ll see you next time. This is Michael saying good-bye.