DPG Spring Conference in Regensburg

So I'm sat in bed with a rather lovely headache as my dear wife brings me tea and medicated beverages. Of course this headache is all part of the post-conference cold I got. Yay!

So what can I say about the week (yeah long conference)? Well Regensburg is a very beautiful city, and what with the light snow we had there, even more so. The cathedral and the historical town all give it a feeling, for me, of it being much like York and Verona. I can also now say I am not a fan of Bavarian food. Far too heavy and fatty. But we did find a good bar that was not a Brauhaus, and a great little Italian cafe, and a excellent Thai restaurant.

Now for the conference, which is the German Physical Chemistry meeting. So a lot of the science focuses on surface science, material science, and the simulation of these systems with Density Functional Theory. The stand out talks for me were the one on Metal Organic Frameworks, and one on the use of big data to search for novel materials using machine learning. For the latter I got to speak to the presenter, who was very excited that I brought up the topic of Bader type analysis/Atoms in Molecules/Quantum Chemical Topology and if he was using it for his method - somehting that they have just started and something that I have a bit of knowledge on having done my PhD in one of the groups in the world which are experts on AIM/QCT.

So yeah a good conference, nice new contacts, learnt my modifications of a DFT program are now in the official version, and well a nice city to have visited.

Oh and Sam has a new lovely hair cut - this being the same hairdressers that serve us both drinks (yeah I get to sit there as she cuts a cut and a colour, it's a good time for reading a book) and they also gave me a free hair product to try out with spiking my hair.

Wow... 6 months in Germany...

So since the last update you have seen quite a few pictures of my cats. Which means that they too are now living in Germany. Of course we are enjoying our flat a lot, and often have to look after our landlord's cat as they go on holiday to the coast quite often.

Work wise things are improving a lot now, as I feel like I am actually contributing in a meaningful way, even if that is trawling through computer code for density functional theory calculations, and trying to find a way to hack it to do what I want. On the work front I also have a conference in Berlin and one in Lugano, Switzerland to go to, and the latter one in on neural networks, so I will also be getting to chance to meetup with my PhD supervisor.

On the more social aspect of things, I now have a gaming group almost ready, and we have also been out to the local goth/rock club a couple of times with some new friends. I have really missed going out to dance, and have a few drinks, and the club here is great.

Also I have now been co-hosting Darker Days Radio for over a year, which is great. We are soon to begin season 4 and we have big things planned, and some cool interviews lined up.

I'm sure that the is more to talk about, but for now,

 

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Killepitsch #killepitsch

See the full gallery on Posterous

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.

 

 

2011 and going forward

    So it’s 2012 and idiots across the world will now be counting down to their ‘doom’ on the 21st of December. So before I go into a round up of the year that has been lets follow up my last post of my first week in Germany.
 
    Life in Germany is steadily getting better. Shopping for food is substantially easier now we know where to go to do it. This has meant that I have got back into making stir fry meals, pasta dishes and similar things. It feels good to once more be consuming a healthy balance of things.
    This last week has also seen our friend, James, who works at Big Point as a games designer, visiting, and spending our time watching plenty of movies. Buy a new TV and blu ray player when we got here was has made a big difference. We now also have all of Sam’s DVD collection and are over half way through watching all of Angel.
    Also on the subject of food we have finally found one place that does a decent brunch called Mandragora. Inside is dark like an old pub back in the UK. While outside are gurning gargoyles. So far it has been great, with a crazy selection of pancakes to eat.
 
    So onto the year in review.
 
    January:
    January saw a very cold winter with lots and lots of snow and myself and my wife in the flat with our two young kittens. I look at their pictures and it is hard to imagine them ever being that small.
    Also had a good time celebrating my birthday with my fellow Capricorn, and musical alchemist, Mark. We’re the same age (his birthday being the day after) and we share a lot of the same interests. Plus his girlfriend is the awesome Anna, aka Aiko273, who has photographed my wife. These are two people I am really greatful for making friends with.
 
    February:
    February is always special as it is the month in which I celebrate my marriage. Of course with the kittens this meant getting away was out of the question. Plus we really couldn’t afford it what with getting the kittens and paying for their medical care. It feels sad each time we cannot go back to Venice but then we did have the cats to think about, who have been a great addition to our lives.
 
    March:
    Seems a dead month. Roleplay wise we were close to finishing the Changeling chronicle, and had played a one shot of Fading Suns, and were preparing Exalted.
 
    April:
    April saw me join the Darker Days Radio team. Initially as a guest I am now a co-host, adding to the insightful thoughts of Mark and Mike.
    April also saw me start my first foray into freelance writing for games, in this case for David Hill and Filamena Young’s project, Amaranthine. I still need to run it at some point :(  . It was a good start at doing some writing and I hope to do some more again.
    Also April marks me being with Sam for 4 years.
 
    May:
    Saw a few good things. A paper being practically finished. More Darker Days podcasts. Running Exalted for a larger group of players. And also buying the Asus Transformer.
    If there is one piece of technology that has changed my life, the Asus Transformer is it. Fucking hell has it been worth it. Not only for being a web device. Not just for being an ereader. But it actually does make it easier for working on certain things. It makes life less cluttered. It also comes with a stupid amount of free storage space on the web! Hell i use the thing during games. It is just such a joy to use. I really want the new one, but that is just greedy.
    Also played on Mass effect and thought it was a pile of crap.
 
    June:
    We went to see the weird film, Rubber, at a showing that took place in the mausoleum of Warwick St Mary’s church.

I also played on LA Noire until I just couldn’t stand the constant killings of women and the misogyny.

We also got back some awesome photos from Anna from a photoshoot myself and Sam did back a few months before (I just can’t remember when.... sigh. It involved visiting and staying over in London which is always fun).

 

July:

OK this was a weird month. I had got back info on some funding. I didn’t get it. And so began my mad panic to get further funding and applying for jobs. I applied to Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, a job in Italy, another in France, and also one in Bochum. The one in Bochum would become very important.

 

August:

On the 10th I flew out to Bochum, and well the rest is history. I got the job on the spot.

The week before involved Sam being photographed by Anna again. This basically meant me sitting around reading a paper or two for my interview, and then having a good chat with Mark. Plus the two took us to an excellent Turkish restaurant.

I also had the pleasure of reviewing the new, revised edition, of Unhallowed Metropolis. A great game, which I can pick up the new copy in print form as it was in the local gaming store here in Bochum.

With the job sorted, and forms being filled out, I had to start working out how to end my Exalted chronicle early. This is always a shame but has to be done.

Also my most recent paper was submitted and off in referee limbo.

 

September:

Birthday time month as Sam turned 26. Last year was quite a big party. For her birthday we had a smaller gathering, and lots of cake. The cake was a theme cake, with Harley Quinn on it. It was awesome and the start of an obsession with our local cakery and their fine foods.

Also September saw us getting the cats mega vaccinated ready for shipping them over to Germany (April time) and also me going to a conference in Barcelona. It was quite amazing, and a shame that I did not bring Sam, but then the conference meal was only for people there on business.

 

October:

So the slow march to packing began.

I got back my paper with referee questions to answer and changes to be made. But it was all OK and sent back.

 

November:

Saw the start of the end as roleplay was wrapped up, packing continued, and we had our leaving party. The party was a sort of late Halloween with a computer game theme and lots of cocktails.

Mark and Anna also came to visit us on last time before we left the UK.

The hardest thing this month was saying good bye to our cats as they were sent up to Sam’s mother’s place to stay until we were ready for them to be flown over. It was a really hard day saying good bye to them.

 

So that brings us all the way up to the most recent posts.

 

Looking back it doesn’t look like the most exciting of years, but then I think 2011 was really the year of doing little extravagant as money issues were still present and we also had to think of our cats. I honestly wouldn’t change the year though as I think as years go it has been a year of normalization, with new standards being set in place and new status quos. The main thing is that Sam and I our more settled with our balance of life, with her not working and writing, and me having a job. We have just found a better way forward which means less drama and stress.

Overall i am really positive about this year. I already feel renewed and ready to tackle my job head on and a push forward with things for gaming. The podcast has been a great addition to my life, and I really hope to be more creative this year with regard to my writing.

 

If there is anything I miss? My old gaming group, and brunch at Corleone’s in Leamington. I feel the last year involved making many good friends, friend who I wish I had spent more time with.

 

First few days of the new job

So loving my new job. I know it has really been 2 days there but the thing is I can make more immediate contributions. Right now I just have to get familiar with the code, since the methods it is based upon I know inside out (shit I get asked to review papers on the subject as I am an "expert" on it). So instead the challenges are more related to the applications of the methods. It just feels like it will be less of an uphill battle.

Add to that I will be getting a decent wage for which my previous experience counts for a lot. So I being paid what I am worth. This means finally I can save money, while paying off the credit card, and in the next 10 months, finish paying off my loan to the bank.

This is weird. I have never been in such a scenario. Even better it looks like renting over here will actually give you good value (seriously our flat here is as big as our old one but we are paying less and bills are included).

Other plus', I feel like my work drive has been renewed, plus I like the atmosphere of living here. Not worked out what is different. Maybe it is the cheap, but excellent food.

Add to this I have a conference in Berlin at the end of March, and I can take my wife with me. So basically we just have to pay for her train ticket. :D

To finish off we now have almost everything ready for Venice for our 3 year anniversary. And well being married is great, and in Germany you get a tax break for it :D

Packing for Germany - 1 month to go. #germany #moving #life #chungkuo #davidwingrove #rpg

So there are now about 5 boxes of books. 1 of them is just RPG books. It weighs a freaking ton. I've basically downsized what I am taking with me to Germany to a few books while the rest goes into storage at the mother-in-laws, so if I really need something she can post it out to me (or we can ship whole boxes even). So I plan to take with me;

NWoD Core
Vampire the Requiem
Mage the Awakening
Cthulhu Tech
Geist the Sin-Eaters.

The last two I can ditch if I need more space/weight.

Thank god I have a lot of books in pdf format.

I'm doing the same with clothes as well. Plus we have unboxed 99% of all DVDs and put them into 5 big wallets (and I mean big) so that we have stuff to watch. But again we might have to downsize some and get the rest posted out or even ripped to a hard drive.

Moving sucks, but then it does me we are getting rid of a lot of crap (which we did when we moved from Manchester), which means welcome to an even more minimalist life style. Thank fuck for digital I say.

Oh, reading wise, the first of the prequels to the original Chung Kuo series by David Wingrove is great, but makes the world we live in look quite fragile.