Street Music on an Autumn Day

Unfortunately I did not really understand what the name of the band is?

"Formattia Djormi/Jormo???" Anybody with a better ear?-its at the very end of the video-

I'm sure they would appreciate a record/CD contract too, I'd be happy to be the agent/producer, maybe THATS my true destiny, not being scientist.....!!!!

BTW, when they are not being filmed they have more of a genuine gypsy-folk selection, which I prefer over the "classics" they played for me here, but since they did me the favour to pose, I won't complain. ;-)

....this is "Radio Redundancy"...this is...

A short entry about listening to radio, normally, German radio tends to be pretty good. Every state has several, usually high-qualiy public radio stations (think of NPR/PBS, just one for every state of the US). However, poor me here in Hamburg, I am living off an inherited boombox, which only seems to be able to get ONE SINGLE radio station without static noise: "Radio Energy". Unfortunately this radio station is a great example of what could be summarized as falsely understood Americanisms in Germany, as it has the annoying habit of trying to do what people think is "modern broadcasting", which means: every minute of programming is constantly interrupted by their jingle: "Radio Energy: The BEST Radio Station for the BEST city". I remember this WAS exactly the same jingle before I left.

Obviously, some things do not change, even when they're suck really badly, I wonder who, with a sane mind, can listen to this???? A few weeks ago, short after my arrival, when I had just missed the "Gossip" Concert, they obviously had declared "heavy cross" (at the time my favorite song on the album) to a "local hit", resulting them playing it literally EVERY 10 minutes (NOT exaggerating!) and on top of that to prove how knowledgeable they are, they always announced the song as "Beth Ditto with Heavy Cross", OK that IS the name of the singer, but isn't it a band? At least on the album it says "Gossip"??? But what does little Thomas know, compared to the ultimate hipsters of "ENERGY"??? The repeated association with REALLY dumb and annoying programming ruins the song for me. In the morning, when I'm rather sensible (early hours are not for me) they have the "Toastshow" and the jingle "The toastshow with Max and Matze" repeats in 35-seconds intervals ad infinitum: "The toastshow with Max and Matze-blablahblah-The toastshow with Max and Matze-blablahblah-The toastshow with Max and Matze-blablahblah-The toastshow with Max and Matze-blablahblah-The toastshow with Max and Matze-blablahblah-The TOASTSHOW with Max and Matze-blablahblah-The toastshow with Max and Matze-blablahblah--The toastshow with Max and Matze-blablahblah--blablahblah--blablahblah--blablahblah--blablahblaaaah-Max and Matze-blaaablahblaah"-interspersed are fragments of "Heavy Cross by Beth Ditto" and some embarrassingly rudimentary news-flashes (hey, don't get me wrong! usually Germany has great news programming, some of the best in the world!!).

Hard to stand at 8am. Now I do not use the boombox-radio anymore, but rather listen to "Deutschlandfunk"over the internet (!) from my laptop (!!), which I also have done from San Diego sometimes, its kind of humorous how some things repeat themselves.... But, honestly, I have NO IDEA, why this fucking radio seems unable to receive anything more than one radio station!!! And, Dude, I have the goddamn BROADCASTING tower straight view from my balcony?????

Anyway, lets not talk about it anymore. Radio Energy is the worst radio station on air anywhere I have lived so far. Actually, looking back in my blog you will find these were the very people taking a picture of me at the "Disco Boys" concert. No wonder I had a fishy feeling about these people! Had I known, I might have "explained myself" to them.....and given my regards to "Max and Matze".

Urban Impressions

Wandering around the city on a sunday afternoon I discover an art gallery in a "rediscovered" office building, and take some scenic pictures of "urban wilderness" on the way:

The "Frappant" Building , possibly one of the most disastrous architectural failures of the Hamburg 70's, has -through its sheer massive presence- defined the "right" and the "wrong" side of the Altona Railway Station, as you can guess from the paint and the graffiti, life has re-conquered it -kind of. Check out the "dripping" paint close to the very top....

Some squatting artists have taken over the empty building and established a Gallery in the 7th floor.

Getting there opens some unexpected views:

.....I love the little white deer behind the weeds.....

"urban wildlife" ;-)

on the former parking deck (2nd Floor)

Personally, I think there is some pretty good stuff here! Look at the dog (or Hyena?) in the back

More Deer (is it drinking?)

Finally in 7th floor there actually IS an art gallery

"Fenster mit Zimmer"

"Window with a Room"

Is the title of the exhibition....

some exhibits came with the building

(Unemployment Office Hamburg)

Unfortunately I did not take pictures of the real exhibits, sorry , guess I was more impressed by the whole thing altogether, life is art anyway, no?

This is next Saturday, I will go there and report, so check back on the blog from time to time!Of course I have no idea WHO or WHAT "The Great Big Waber" IS?????

One last one:

No Fish (yet)!

Maybe I'll bring some next time....

Little things.

Yesterday night the lab went out to celebrate Alex' (My tech) birthday. Of course I am going too. We go to Einstein's where they have that good Mojito Happy hour special. :-)

We are having a good time and lough a lot. Its 6 of us: Alex, Florian, Monsi, Julia, Alex and Sebastian. All the techs (Julia/Alex) and graduate students (the rest). I do get home around 1:30, I call Hui on Skype. Nice to be able to have a goodnight chat around the globe. I love the internet (unnecessary to say, look what I'm doing) ;-)))

I am having thoughts about "socializing with employees", but I decide to not let that get to me. I want to act myself and not assume a stupid artificial Boss-attitude. Sorry, if this is wrong, so be it. In my "carreer", I made so many mistakes (such as being a postdoc in a lab that is not along my interests (cancer research) and obviously did not make me happy for 9 years! Logically without significant output.

Surprisingly despite of the Mojitos, getting up in the morning is easy today. I decide to stop by the "Bezirksamt" (its on the way to work anyhow) to pick up my German ID card ("Personalausweis"), I applied 2 1/2 weeks ago they told me it takes about two weeks. If I don't pick it up within a certain time period it will be "sent back and destroyed". Don't want that to happen. Of course they are closed all friday. Old rule: Never visit a German office without checking the hours. But as the sky is blue and the sun is coming out I am in a good mood and small things such as office hours do not bother me. I ask the guy at the entrance about the procedure. "Will I be notified, when I can pick it up?" Surprisingly he doesn't know (WHO should, if not he?), and becomes a bit defensive, probably because he expects me to get annoyed. But I'm in this easy mood where nothing can get to me. So I am very polite and friendly. Sometimes I can enjoy consciously acting against the expectations. (you remember "Der Himmel über Berlin"?) Unfortunately this mood is kind of rare and usually out of reach when it would be needed most. There is "Cafe Allaf" across the street down the road. Being up early I have my favourite drive-by (bicycle!) breakfast: a "Mettbrötchen" and coffee. The "Mettbrötchen" is a typical Hamburg -thing and will probably gross out the average non-local eater: its a roll with ground pork (raw) on butter, topped with a few chopped onions. Very basic and I love it. Together with coffee (milk, no sugar) its one of my favourite early morning breakfast things. YEAH! I'm strange.

Its strange how little things can make you feel good.

I love living in a city. A busy, crowded European city with PEOPLE on the steets and cafes and public transportations and riding a bike, not only in the sun as today, but even in the wind and puring rain. It makes me feel alive.

I feel very much at ease with myself. I am glad to be out of my old Lab at Salk.

I only realize this now that I am gone, just how bad l felt there. And how much I enjoy to be appreciated professionally. Don't get me wrong, people in my old lab were nice and liked me too, but there were too many things going on "underneath". And somehow, I never felt anyone (some exceptions apply, especially towards the end of my time) appreciating my work.

Hey I'm a scientist. Still! And I am enjoying it! And I'm alive. Very much. And no, I'm not on drugs, just feeling good! ;-))

Schanzenfest 2.0

Ok, I was a lazy blogger lately.

but as I expected, my life here got more busy and less time is left for blogging. Some of you wrote me mails, if I witnessed the "unrest -again" at the "Schanzenfest" Indeed I was at the fest, but not at the streetfights, sorry. But I can give you some impressions of what happened nevertheless.

OK: last saturday:My bicycle needs some minor repairs, so I take it to go out to the next bike store, which are plenty:

-its Hamburg after all-

When I ride through the "Schanze", I am surprised: all the streets are packed with people, and a big fleamarket is taking place, together with food stands and DJs playing music in the streets..... Its very nice! And I had no idea, or I would have come earlier! here some initial impressions:

No, the smoke is NOT from burning barricades or tires or cop cars. Its from the turkish food vendors preparing Köfte and Adana Kebap. ;-)

So my plans with fixing my bicycle quickly change towards wandering the fest/flea market. Its not as much fun alone, especially when it comes to drinking beer in the streets

(YES!!! its EUROPE!!!)

so I am texting a few people to see if anyone is up for it. Alex, my tech is replying and we arrange to meet at the S-Bahn station. Also Manuela is interested in coming, she has to accomodate her kids first though. I met Manuela at the institute outing about a week ago and we stayed in loose contact. She's a tech working in the "clincal half" of the institute, has three girls and is originally from Portugal. She's fun. I am glad she's coming.

While waiting, I am browsing the stands. A guy pushing a cart walks next to me in one of the side streets, he's just getting started. I decide to be his first customer, which he appreciates: "Danke! Da mach ich mir auch gleich eins auf" "Thank you! I'll have one for myself as well!" Thats the right attitude! ;-)

When the others arrive, we have more beer and some crepes. In front of the "Rote Flora"is a political stage, people giving speeches about gentrification and the likes. I kind of sympathize with that part, but I do not see how anything they say will change a thing.

On the stage is a big poster, it says:"Schwarze Blöcke statt Runde Tische"="Black Blocks instead of Round Tables", which refers to announced talks between the city and the local inhabitants. As I am mentioning the "Black Blocks":

After a while a rather strange band is starting to play. At the end of the performance, a group of people in black Jackets, some with motorcycle helmets enters the crowd through the stage. Immediately the disappear between the people. I just saw it from afar: "Hey, have you seen?Entry of the Black Block"...I am commenting to Alex and Manuela. Some guys we see late have a special gear: face mask (like in the OP, at the hospital, however in black and with steel SPIKES(!) guess its from a sextoy-store in St Pauli. Manuela makes faces as the guys pass us by, they do not look friendly and obviously believe to be the coolest guys in the world. I do not take pictures, don't think they would like that. And do not want my canmera trashed, because som weirdo thinks I am an undercover-guy taking pictures for the police. A -pretty drunk- woman (middle -aged) starts yelling indiscriminately at the crowd:

"WHATS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE? YOU ARE SO LAME! YOU DON'T DESERVE THIS"

I guess she's dissappointed that the whole thing is so peaceful. However depite of her efforts the evening stays peaceful and after dinner and some hanging out in the "Dual Bar" (Dual being a German Record player-HiFi Company from the 60's into the 80's, at about 1 am we decide to head home. Up to then I am convinced nothing will happen, however when I'm home I can see a helicopter circling the area... (well actually THAT brings back memories of my first year in San Diego, when a PB party was ended by the police using maze spray and a Helicopter circled the area, advising people to "go home now" and "The party is over" In Hamburg, however, the "party" is still ongoing. I do not go bak for observation, sorry to disappoint you guys! But in the motrning I am reading online that the cool guys from the "Block" have tossed a heavy concrete sidewalk plate ito a policecar-window, which agitated the cops enough to move their entire 2000 people waiting forces into the "Schanze" and end the party. I found a video in YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0WO4wa28cg

Because nobody at the party witnessed the policecar-stone-action, everybody is rather confused/angry about the police marching in so vehementtly.The end of the video with the water cannons is pretty much the same what I have seen the first time, so the "tradition" is kept alive. But personally I don't like the "Black Block Guys", essentially they ruined a nice party to get their piece of action. :-(

A Saturday at the Grand "Dockville Festival"

..I really like the "Non-Established since 1910" ;-)))) (...that one may be a bit hard to get for non-Germans...)

outside on the dike, the beer is cheaper, and across the street is the campground for far-travelled-hardcore- festival-freaks!

cranes and industrial views dominate the scenery at Dockville and contrast nicely with the blue sky

Saturday, its the main day of the "Dockville Festival" Its expensive, but what the heck! I am going!

Ina, our "Bachelor Student" from the lab will go as well and we can meet up, I have her cellphone number ("Handy" in German: in case you guys do not know, yes, in Germany we have our own english words! And we made them up all ourselves!

I am leaving home after shopping around 1 pm. The iPhone is my guide: "Alte Schleuse" is the destination, its in the middle of the harbour (say, in the middle of nowhere!), I have to cross the river, which takes me through the "old Elb-tunnel"

A tunnel built in 1910, also an important historic landmark. I have been here before, but only for "exploratory" reasons and not recently. I take my bicycle down the elevator. since its a festival I am not the only one. On the other side I am surprised by the complete absence of any signs to guide the way. iPhone be thank I cannot get lost. The harbor is the second biggest Container-landing-site in Europe (after Rotterdam) and thats also what this area looks like. Impressive cranes and cargo containers piled into four-story-high towers; I have to think: somewhere here should be my furniture! I hope someone knows. The whole south-of-the-river part of town is largely "terra incognita" to people in Hamburg. Everybody knows its there and that it provides a good part of the city's wealth, but actually GO THERE? NAH! No surprise subculture expands there (not sure if this is still "sub"culture though, probably not.)

Indeed, as I could have guessed from the map, its far to "Dockville" after crossing numerous bridges made for trucks and cars but not for bicycles, passing strange dwellings made largely from brick. There are actually PEOPLE living here!! between piles of containers and canals where freighter ships pass by. The center of this Out-of-Hamburg quarter is the suburb of Wilhelmsburg, recently featured as the home of small-time-criminals in the "Madboy" movie I wrote about before in one of the earlier entries. Some say, Wilhemsburg is the "next big thing" in Hamburg, but its too far, so I personally bet on St. Georg (just mentioned on the side...)

When I arrive its 5 to 2pm (=55 minutes ride, uff). The Festival is, as festivals are: several stages on a big level field, in this case set between industry -style buildings and cranes with gates outside, to keep the non-paying spectators away. I pay my 40 Euros (Fuck!) and get a wristband. After locking my bike (story to come) I am heading in. I manage to get a timetable. Don't know any band except for "Turbonegro" from Scandinavia, but they played yesterday; OK, I have seen "Element of Crime" before (more about them later) I can hear some promising sound from the "Tent-stage" The band playing there is German, and actually, I like them very much. The name is:

"Malakoff Kowalski".

You can even find them on iTunes (!), in case this little video doesn't impress you. I'm not a good bootlegger, I guess. My camera microphone was overwhelmed too. :-(

After a while the sun and the beer do their job and I feel kind of heavy. I put myself to rest in the shade outside. Ina (the bachelor student) sends an SMS they will be coming but only later. No problem. After a while I wander around to explore. there is an "experimental" building "The Horn". Its supposed to be shaped like a horn (the musical instrument) and has all kind of little drum-and percussion tools inside for people to make noise with. People have fun and create some-not always- "funky" rhythm).

Later Nina arrives and she has the summer student with her. the girls want to head to the Tequila-Bar first. Its hot and I am tired already. Tequila would not be my first choice. But I am invited and cannot say no, obviously. The biggest act tonight is "MGMT" They play on the main stage at 11pm, and its their only show in Germany. I do not know them. (I had listened a bit on iTunes yesterday, not bad, but nothing really new and interesting) Ina explains "they sound a bit like "XgkhgfX XhgjhgX" (forgot, sorry , but I didn't know them either.) the only band I know tonight are "Element of Crime" Nina likes them but will listen only to the first few songs because "my mother likes them" Ah well. I in fact do own a CD from them. It was a gift(Fact!). Actually I haven't listened to the CD often. Anyway, since I know them, I decide to watch them and then head back. The singer is a kind-of-celebrity from his book "Herr Lehmann" which describes life of a thirty-something in Berlin before the fall of the wall. OK , thats my generation, nothing for Ina. Later on, during some talking of the girls, I overhear that Ina is BORN in 1986(!!!!!) Shit!!!! Shitshit!!!

I am starting to search my memories, which doesn't make it better: 1986? 1986? Hey,

that was probably roundabout the year I actually listened to this very band (Element of Crime) at an open air festival in Berlin at the "Waldbuehne" (NOT kidding, I can call witnesses!!) (there was also Iggy Pop and Siouxsie and the Banshees.) Now that I think of it all the memories all come back, it was a pretty wild, fun and rather unhealthy (as they used to be) long weekend in West Berlin) And YES, the Wall was still standing!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! I am a freak! I am Methusalem!

So now here I am at the "Dockville Festival" with some Kids in their early days of nightlife, who like to booze up with tequila to get into the night-out-mood. I find myself contemplating about age and in mind I start fraternizing with every grey-haired guy I am seeing (which are, as I realize, frighteningly few.... ).

Well, there are crossroads in life: Looking back there used to be these old "Rocker Guys" (mostly men in fact!) who had this "seasoned heroic look" (Kind of "Keith -Richardsy"characters (to be polite, one could also say: fucked up old drunks): wrinkly, grey unshaved faces, weathered by too many years of Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, cowboy boots, heavy silver rings, leather bands and the likes) Being a teenager they seemed kind of impressive to me. Something like: "The Respected Elders"

Now I am asking myself: Is this the path I'm on????? or should I rather stay in the age group I belong in, and spend the nights in mellow Cocktail Lounges and Jazzbars or meet for dinner with the few friends who still do not have kids????

Do I become a Weirdo? Am I out of place?

Anyway. Despite of having had about 4 beers in the course of the afternoon/evening, I decide not to try and bum a cigarette, (my typical urge after having more that 2-3 beers and being in the messy mode) as I feel I don't want to ask those kids for such an expensive gift that I for sure can better afford myself than they can from the little money they have.... better anyway, maybe I finally stop smoking completely again now.....

Well, back to the story. When Element of Crime start to play, I try to get a beer , the bar guy skips me three times (!) for cute girls with cute boobs and a low hanging top. I remember the summer student's friend mentioned something like "Its easy to get drinks fast, just pull down your top a bit and look into the barkeepers eyes.

HELL!!!

I still remember the ONE TIME I tried such a strategy (just the looking-in-the-eye part of course) on a bar woman..... I DID NOT GET ANYTHING TO DRINK AT ALL!!! In fact I had to ask a friend to get me that beer. Yes, its true!! This is NOT a fictional story, though its many years back and probably covered by the "young-and-stupid-waiver". It also goes in the category *most embarrassing memories*. Of course, I haven't tried it since. Although...., Maybe now, as the "seasoned rocker guy"....? No, rather not!!!

STILL: ITS NOT FAIR!!!

After being skipped three times I get pissed off and , since "Element of Crime" do not sound too wild and exciting either (in fact rater lame) I send a short SMS to Ina , who is lost in the crowd. "I think I don't like "Element of Crime" that much either, I'm heading home now, see you!"

So, thirsty as I am I am heading out. Just to find the entrance area FLOODED with bicycles. DAMN, how could I forget, I am in GERMANY!!

those of you who have witnessed my post-surgery problems in FINDING things, have a feel for what THIS means for me.... it takes me goddamn 45 minutes (!!) to find my bike (it has a light/neon green lock! Thanks to the foresight of Susanne from the institute!!!)

The way home (its a warm midsummer night) almost makes me regret my decision to leave.

But only almost. Hamburg is Beautiful, no?

talking about crossroads........maybe I should call up Ina's mother and see, if she wants to go for a beer?

;-)

The Daily Ride To Work

Here is my dear "trusty old bicycle" (Don't have a name for it yet, any suggestions?) My own , more fancy bike is still travelling the world in a dark container, across the vast Atlantic Ocean, giving my beloved couch some company....

As you know, I have lived in Hamburg before. This week, while biking to work I realize, its curious, how memories re-emerge, as if the body, not the brain, was the organ of memory....

In my first time in Hamburg, every morning , biking to work, I had a project going on: to find the prettiest way to work! (NOT the shortest or the one costing least effort, or even the fastest!)

Straight from my house there is still room for improvement beauty-of scenery-wise, although it could be worse (you can see, general elections are coming up in fall: Hey, I can vote again!):

at the end of "Bundesstrasse" the route is from my temporary place merges with my old project, so without thinking my body takes my bike down the old path into the park, its still nice, especially the part along the canal:

, here's a view from the little bridge down the canal:

... next my favorite spot of the trip:

Back in the days I often made a little "meditative stop" right here sitting on the little wooden pier, still looks inviting, no? maybe I'll catch up on that tradition..

Some roads and intersections cannot be avoided:

Further on are four little cross streets of an older residential project called "Falkenried" , my favourite one is #2 (I tried them all back then.) This is my personal number 1 for the flowers:

...around the corner of "Falkenried #2" is also the little "hole-in the-wall" italian place from lunch the entry the other day (Puttanesca!) Still closed of course: they specialize on lunch Back then it used to be a little turkish place:

....and then a school, the clock is still very much in my memory, it says: "Die Zeit eilt" (=tempus fugit, time flies) which seems to remind me, after philandering around pretty places: after all you'r on the way to WORK, Thomas. Move your butt!

These schools make me say, American schools look like prison camps. (sorry, Yolanda)

..and then, finally, the entrance to the UKE Hospital area (and the natural end of "project pretty path")

..last,but not least: my "cute little institute":

well, the meditative resting place was nice too, no? ;-)

Enough for today, more soon! I need to DO something in order to have something to write about. Blogging is a strange thin, it kind of cahnges your perception, you should try yourself!