Generational Divides

Because I was born between 1980 and 2000 (1982 to be exact), I am part of what demographers label the “Millennials”. Other labels given to people born during this period include the Internet Generation, Echo Boomers, Nexters, Generation Y, Nintendo Generation, and the Digital Generation.

Like all generations, we have a completely new perspective, a different set of values, new experiences and an extremely distinctive work ethic. In my opinion, the generation gap between the older Millennials just entering the work force and the Boomers already entrenched in the work force is the largest it’s ever been. The divider will grow even larger as the younger Millennials begin to enter the work force in 10 years. Hell, I already notice significant differences between myself and younger members of the Millennials.

Over the next week, I will post my thoughts on this topic. Tomorrow is part 1 where I’ll discuss the technological differences.

Suddenly I Don't See

Hillary Clinton is selecting her presidential campaign song via vote on her website. I'd link to it, but I don't want to make you puke.

Anyway, the current front runner is "Suddenly I See"by KT Tunstall. Are people not listening to the lyrics? The first refrain of the song goes like this:

Her face is a map of the world
Is a map of the world
You can see she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
And everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm

Well there you have it. Hillary is a beautiful girl that will calm and captivate us by her silver pool of light.

Another song in the top 5, "Every little thing she does is magic" by the Police, is equally absurd. Because remember, every little thing Hillary does is magic, everything she does just turns me on, even though my life before was tragic, now I know my love for her goes on...

Uh huh. I can envision the commercials already. Please excuse me while I go puke.

Pacha Barcelona

Pacha, "World's Most Popular Discoteca", recently held a special "Music and Show Festival" that included 100 gogo dancers and 8 live performances throughout the night. Yes, 100 gogo dancers. Normally, I save the partying for the weekends, but I could not pass on this opportunity. Pacha was extreemly busy even though it was held on a Wednesday night.

Just when you think you've seen it all, Barcelona finds someway to surprise you. As far as nightlife is concerned, it's unique parties like this that I'll miss most.

Sea Side Running

Just got back from my daily mediterranean sea side run. I start at Marbella beach and run until the end of Barceloneta. Along the way, I stop at the beach side gym area and get some pushups, pullups and other resistance stuff in.

What an amazing way to start off the day.

Ads in Europe

Advertisements in Europe are notorious for being more "edgy" than those in the U.S. I don't pretend to be a lawyer, but I'm fairly certain that the ad below, plastered all over Barcelona, would never make it past the lawyers in the U.S. Honestly, what is Kellog's trying to portray? Then again, perhaps I'm just an overly sensitive American. I'll let you decide.

Ibiza???

Ibiza solo 65 euro con Vueling
Julio 11-16th...
Interesado?? Diga mi pronto! chrisrako@gmail.com

Ibiza only 65 euro w/ Vueling
Interested? Tell me ASAP!!! chrisrako@gmail.com
July 11th-16th

The Real Windows to the Soul

Pretty random post, but this is the type of stuff I find intriguing.

As the old saying goes, "the eyes are the windows to the soul". True, yet I think an persons personal space (room/house/apartment, etc) create a much more vibrant and detailed image. Honestly, what’s better than going over to someone’s house and looking at their stuff (or lack their of)? Nothing. Whether you realize it or not, you directly or indirectly send a message with every item in your house. The stuff that people put on bulletin boards and their refrigerator is especially interesting.

What does your stuff say about you?

Motos and Music in Barcelona

Two interesting facts that I recently read in the BCNinside magazine.

First, all street musicians are required to have a license to play. In order to obtain a license, the musician must perform in front of city hall to prove their "musical merit"! Musicians caught performing without a license face fines and instrument confiscation. Ouch!

Second, 410,000 journeys a day are completed via moto in Barcelona. According to the magazine, this equates to roughly 67% of all city transport! This seems a bit high and I'm skeptical, so I would be interested to see the data behind those statistics. My guess is they really mean 67% of all street transportation, not including transportation via the metro. Either way, it's a huge number that is clearly evident by walking the streets of Barcelona.

What else....it's another sunny day here in BCN meaning another day at the beach. DJ Sammy Jo and Ladytron from NYC are at Razz tonight. I'll be there with a large group of friends. Shoot me an email if you'll be there too...perhaps we can meet up.

A Much Needed Update

A combination of things has caused me to not update with any meaningful content recently. First, I'm a bit bored of sharing my daily happenings and assume that many of you are tired of hearing of them as well. Going forward, I think that I'll post more random thoughts or otherwise interesting activities and events. Second, I've been busy having way too much fun. What has kept me busy?

• Mom, cousin and family friend (Debbie) visit
  
• Spanish studying (sloooowly)
  
• Beach and other summer craziness. Summer is here and in full force.
  
• Parties. There is no lack of them and often too many to choose from. This past week I was at two particularly crazy parties on the rooftop of Hotel Axel in the center of Barcelona.
• I currently have friends in from Rome and NYC and have been extremely busy playing host all night and day.
  

Later this month I'll be heading to Marrakech Morocco with a big group of friends. I'm also planning a visit to NYC the 14th-20th of August. Feel free to email me if you have any tips or suggestions for either cities.

That's about it for now, although more to come soon...

The Naked Man of Barcelona

NowAvailable: Naked Man of Barcelona Magnet!

Buy Now!

If you're lucky enough to live in Barcelona, you will no doubt see and become familiar with the famous naked man of the city. If you're very lucky, like my mother, you might see him up close (and personal?) while on vacation.

Mr. Dong, as we'll call him going forward is an older guy who blissfully walks throughout the city nude. Well, not quite. He "wears" tattoo underwear. Mr Dong also sports a Prince Albert on his massive penis (dong). I honeslty believe that he must attach some type weight to his penis while around the house as a dong that size while soft is simply not natural.

Think of the problems that walking around naked would create. For starters, you don't have any pockets to put your everyday items in. Mr. Big Dong solves this by strapping a small pouch around his wrist.

As you can see below, he happened to see a friend as I was taking a photo of him. His friend is weaning a pink skirt and white leggings. More proof that people become friends with others that are similar to themselves. In this case, extremely strange.

This man must be one the most photographed people in the city. Yet he must walk around clothed sometimes, no? I would bet that people don't recognize him clothed.

I could go on and on, but I'll let the photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!

More Photos

Such an amazing time! I already miss you...

Photos

Two quick photos from my mothers amazing 9 day visit. More photos, along with a recap to come soon.

Left to right: Debbie, Mom, Jose, Me, Jeff, Keyan

Left to right: Michael, Me, Mom, Debbie

Pounds & Politics

The British Pound and the Euro are simpling killing the U.S Dollar. Right now it takes 2 dollars to receive 1 pound. Ouch. The last time the exchange rate imbalance was this bad was back in 1981.

Between the exchange rate and current political environment, it has to be one of the most difficult times for a U.S citizen to be living in Europe.

Yet somehow I cope. Maybe it's the beach or the weather or the lack of a job or maybe it's all of the travel. Yes, somehow I cope. ;)

LED Pixel Room in Fire London

I've posted about it before, but here's a video of the LED room in Fire (all 15,000 of them). I've never experienced anything else like it. Q loco! Pixels on Fire

Fire A:M Orange Later London

In previous posts I've tried to describe the experience of being on a world famous club like Fire in London. A:M, Orange are Later are just some of the parties hosted in Fire. There is something special about this place. At this point I've been to nearly every "super disco" in every major city in Europe yet Fire holds a special place in my heart. It sucks you in and makes it nearly impossible to escape. Hours fly by like minutes.

The following video will give you the best idea of what it's like without actually having to go to London. Warning: If you're at work, don't watch this...you'll have issues concentrating afterwards. Also don't watch it if you don't want to see hot shirtless guys dancing and kissing.

Video of Fire London

Video of the new LEDs in Fire London

London

The trip notables include an unusually warm weekend (75F), eating Persian food for the first time and visiting my favorite inexpensive curry restaurant in London, Chop Chop, which is located right outside the Kings Cross tube station.

The parties included A:M @ Fire, Shadow Lounge, DTPM @ Fabric with Orange @ Fire ending an extremely fun, crazy and exhausting weekend. DTPM was especially amazing as David Ghetta was the guest DJ. It was closest that I've come to a religious experience outside a church.

It was also my first time seeing the new LED dance room in Fire. 15,000 flashing LEDs create an incredible effect that leaves you speechless (and a bit disoriented).


Will London call for what would be the fourth time in 6 months? Perhaps in July. Next up: Marrakesh at the end of May.

Back in Barcelona

I would have enjoyed a few more days in London, but that wishful thinking was quickly alleviated by the gracious welcome that Barcelona provided: 25 degree weather (75F).

Yes, it is that time of the year when one would find it difficult to count the number of boobs and washboard stomaches you see while relaxing along the amazing beaches in Barcelona. I just hope this lasts during my Mothers visit later this week.

Life as a Spaniard

I almost pissed my pants from laughing as I read this post entitled "A day in the life of a Spaniard"

Yes, I know that it evokes stereotypes, some which are more true than others. It's also pretty evident that it describes a young male Spainard.

Last Post before London

Oh life!
Live it fully, abundantly.
Do not look back, do not look at others,
follow that flame which burns inside yourself.
Dare, take risks, and there is nothing you will regret.
- Shanti

London Tomorrow

I leave for London tomorrow with Jose and Keyan. Please email me or leave a comment if you know of anything exciting happening over the weekend or want to meet up. Photos from my last trip to London can be viewed here.

Quick Weekend Recap

Metro, Danceteria, Pacha and Souvenir all contributed to an extremely crazy weekend here in Barcelona. The fact that I had five young, crazy and very dirty visitors staying at my apartment didn't help either. I'd post photos if they were not so incriminating.

Next up --> London! I'll be there this Thursday through Monday.

Barcelona Photos

Yesterday I captured these photos near my house around the Poble Nou barrio of Barcelona.

The Adaptation Effect

Have you ever noticed how we all become used to our regular circumstances, state, situation, whatever you want to call and and thus take it granted! Regardless of how extraordinary something is, it eventually becomes the ordinary. Even worse, the more used to a circumstance we become, the more our attention turns to what's wrong with it.

For example, when I got my new car I was enamored by it. I always wanted to drive it, I kept it perfectly clean, got the oil changed every 3,000 miles and always kept it crazy clean. It was such a special car that I was very thankful to own. That all didn't list very long. I got used to it. It became the norm. Because it's human nature, I can guarantee this occurs for almost everything you're surrounded by, both material and non-material. Your house, car, job, jewelry, body, and even your significant other.

A book that I'm currently reading notes, "It's a vicious cycle. At first we feel thrilled and blessed -- then we start to adapt, but remain somewhat pleased -- later, as we completely adapt, we take the situation for granted with little notice or thought -- and finally dissatisfaction creeps in, as our attention begins to focus more on the lacks and shortcomings the situation affords."

The book recommends counting our blessing on a regular basis. Well, right, but there must be something else...something more

So my friends...how do you counter this tendency? Do you have any recommendations or tips? I have my own ideas that I’ll share in another post.

Otro

Cava Rosado is amazing.

People that are clueless of nonverbal signs are doomed. Get a clue.

The ability to proficiently engage in small talk is important. More than you think.

Life is good.

I'm coming home July 31st. The ticket is bought, which is why my visa bill is over 1,000. Loving it.

Madrid Orgullo

I could not leave Spain without going to Madrid's infamous Orgullo (Pride), so I just booked my final trip (I swear this time). I arrive on June 28th and return to Barcelona on July 3rd. I'll be there with a lot of friends so I'm looking forward to it.

I do not know where I'm staying, so if you live in Madrid and would be willing to host me or know of any inexpensive hotels/hostels, please email me at chrisrako@gmail.com. Thanks!