Killepitsch #killepitsch

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Hey there.  Hell when  was the last time that I did a blog  post?

 

Stuff going on right now? Reading up on DFT and planning more out for my project. I basically am dissecting the data output from the quantum calculations, so far for simple systems, but then I will be looking at larger systems, and more importantly, periodic systems that represent the bulk phase of substances, and their surfaces. When considering these types of systems the data output is of course far more complicated.

 

This week has also been some what quiet as my boss is on paternity leave as his wife recently gave birth. He should be in next week but we shall see.

Otherwise we have now started properly flat hunting. However, I fear that for this month and the pay I am owed from December, I will be over taxed. Hopefully the best case is a normal taxation, worst case the emergency tax will bee applied. This is awkward as we will be wanting to pay agency fees and put down a deposit on a flat. This is also not helped by the fact that we are also stilled owed our deposit on our old flat in the UK. Fucking cunts!

Today however has been good. Feel properly at home in Bochum now that we have found an excellent hairdressers and so myself and my wife got hair cuts. Even better for my wife they cut it  exactly in a way that in the UK they often refrained from doing. Also it was really cheap! It is amazing what a good haircut will do.

Also today we found the local comic store. OMFG! So many collectable figures I have to get!

Otherwise just feeling a bit down as our friend in Hamburg is still having a tough time there with work, rentals, relationship stuff and getting taxed too much. It really sucks.

 

So now for the main event. Killepitsch. What is it?

From Killepitsch.de

The Killepitsch Story
A true story of a real
Düsseldorf specialty.

Once upon a time ...

"A genuine Düsseldorf specialty." The story of a real old town resident, with Hans Müller Schlösser, creator of the unforgettable "Schneider Wibbel" and Willi Busch, the old master of traditional customs:

It happened during the last war. The two old friends were huddled in air raid shelter on again, as they did so often, whilst the bombs rained down outside. "I say," Willi said, "If this goes on, they'll kill us too!" "But not as long as the two of us have quietly left something alcoholic to drink," said Hans. "We can not drink what we have not got," replied Willy. "How can you say that - you brew your own, do not you?" retorted Hans. "I can not," Willi said, "We're not allowed to. But I'll tell you one thing, Hans. If we get through this without getting killed, I'll brew something for you, a real lip- smacker. That will be some drink, I tell you. And I'll tell you what, we'll call it "Killepitsch".

This is the origin of the name "Killepitsch", but it was not a specialty yet. Not until 1955, when the small, well-stocked "Et Kabüffke" town bar opened in Flinger Strasse in the heart of the old. Hans came upon his friend Willi on the opening night. "Hey, Willy, what came of the idea Killepitsch is I bet you've forgotten all about it!" he taunted him. "No," said Willi. "I had not forgotten - it's been ready for ages Here it is -. Cheers Mmm, it smells delicious, like a garden herb, strong, not too vague, not too bitter And it must be good for the digestion -. It slips down a treat! "

And then this has been the reaction of many in Dusseldorf since. The old town and "Killepitsch" belong together. Try it for yourself and see! - Killepitsch - 42% alcohol.

 

OK. What is it like?

It looks like a syrupy, dark brown/red. The packaging is quite neat, obviously being marketed to a younger crowd these days and of course has quite the goth vibe to it.

Smell wise it is similar to Jagermeister. But without being so obnoxious, not being so heady with the anise smell. So this smells less like awful medicine.

Flavour wise, it is initially a sweet anise, that if you neck it, doesn't give you a rough shudder that Jager gives me. Otherwise it has hints of mint, coffee, molasses, orange peel, Angostura bitters, and even hints of Vimto of all things. It is difficult to pin down but it is far more pleasant to sip compared to the more well known, and renowned Jagermeister.

So cocktail ideas? I can see this being a good substitute for bitters in a Mojito or anything else which calls upon bitters. Perhaps also in a cafe coretto.

 

So stay tuned for my cocktail experiment with this liquor.

 

 

Weekend

So after graduation on the Friday Sam and myself attempted to organise friends to meetup during the day on the Saturday and on the Sunday. It was good to have a walk about Manchester and meet up with Alan before we went to fetch Sam who was just having her hair cut (as some of you may have seen the awesome result). Soon after we headed for coffee and had a chance to see Mel and Johnny before they headed off to a friends party. In the evening we then went to SocioRehab for a redux on mine and Sam's first date. Of course it was a little noisy there, but the cocktails were good, so long as you can remember what you like since there were no menus at all!

On the Sunday we had the pleasure of meeting up with Gillian and Aidan and Alan for coffee and cake in Kro Bar, before seeing Sam's brother playing at Trof that evening. Sam's brother, Daniel, is amazing at guitar, technically brilliant. But then most of the people performing that night (open mic night) were all good.

Well now we're back in Leamington. I guess I am lucky to have seen who I did, and I am grateful that some people can seem to make time to meetup, even for just a coffee. It's just a shame that even with plenty of notice that even an entire graduation weekend is a problem to sort anything out for, let alone the handfasting. I guess I can take a hint that either myself, Sam or both are not worth the consideration. I mean next time we were planning to be up in Manchester next would be for Sam's birthday, it now seems to not be worth the effort.

"A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."  ~Grace Pulpit

How true.

London and stuff!

So as you may or may not be aware myself and Sam took a trip down to London to see Alec Empire and Modulate on the Friday. Arriving in the afternoon we made our way to Dan's work in the BBC offices near Euston and dopped off our bags before going for a walk about London. Later we then headed up to Camden and found Stacey and made our way to the venue, Underworld. As we lurked about there we met some of Stacey's friends from the big electronic pooch (Cyberdog) and soon enough were joined by Geoff and Rhys after their own journey down from the 'norf'.

The gig was really great, with this being the first I had seen Modulate live since Geoff played in TV21 about 2 years ago. I wasn't too bothered by the band up first, but Modulate really did get the night going, or course 'Skullfuck' being the song that just energised the crowd. Following them, Alec Empire was as expected and still excellent live, playing a large amount of new material, adding a new twist to 'On Fire' to make it very funky, and ending the night with some old ATR since it was the 1st of May. Of course myself and Sam are not really built for being amongst the pile of punks there flipping out to the ATR tracks. However, it was great to hear it live since I never had the chance to see ATR live and had been a fan since 1998.

After the gig, and with Dan now with us, we went for a walk about Soho, and ended up in Leicester square at the Hagan Daas ice cream palor (epic!)

The next day. after a good nights sleep at Dan's place we went looking for food and got shown Muswell Hill. I have to say it seemed like a great area to live in. We had a vey nice brunch and then headed into the city centre, ending up in Covent Garden after a good walk up and down fleet street and a walk round a few shops, and trading in Sam's empty makeup for some listicks, visiting Coco de Mer, and then goign for cake with Dan and Stacey.

The rest of the afternoon was something more of stroll about the centre of London and ending up in Hamley's (the giant toy store of doom!!!).

The afternoon turned to evening and we then headed in the direction of Shoreditch where we had dinner, wine and sat outside under some heaters in the evening air. The food was quite great, including chicken wings and roasted sweet potatoes. THe next stop on the list was The Last Days of Decadence, a great cocktail bar themed around the days of prohibition. A good time was had here as we order drinks that either took ages to make or the bar staff didn't remember how to make.

This weekened was a rather quieter affair with myself and Sam meeting up for drinks with James and his friends and then going out for a meal at Prezzo on Saturday and playing Zertz some more (I am just about getting my eye in with this game).