Panic at Dior!

The new collection from the house of Dior, presented the past 4th of July in Paris Fashion Week was just a big, big, disappointment. All we could see in the runway was models with a mixture of pastel colors with geometrical (asymmetrical) prints that ended with some obnoxious round/cubic/conical hats. All of these, of course, in again soft pastel colors.

But I think the shyness of the two designers after the show and the lack of applause spoke for itself. No one, but John Galliano, can do what Galliano does. The temporary designers from Dior tried to imitate his pompous, magnificent, awe-inspiring collections. All they got was a bunch of models with cones on their heads. They failed miserably.

New Beginnings

My new life in college is about to start, and all this issues about growing up, being an adult, being mature, come to my mind. Why would I now begin to be a grown up, I’ve been living alone in a foreign country since I was sixteen so the “leaving the family” is not extra-points for me. I can’t think of college as that big of a change, all the “growing up” that you do I’ve already done it. I’m 18 and can take perfect care of myself since I was 16, but does that allow me now to take responsability for my actions, be able to vote and drive? I mean, the day before my birthday I was 17 and I think I didn’t change that much in 24 hours (yes, I know 18 is just an age that we need to set for practical and bourocratic reasons). And I wonder if in a year or two or in my graduation will I finally be an adult(?). What about in 10 years, will I be an adult then? What defines when you are finally grown up? Because I’m thinking you never really do, and that being a grown up is just another bourocratic settlements used for practical means, as much as is being overage or officially educated (a.k.a graduated).

Lykke Li’s concert

On the 5th of April, the Swedish singer, Lykke Li, delighted us with her performance in the Astra Kulturhaus in Warschauerstrasse. The concert started with the opening singer Sarah Blasko and her melodic songs performed with an electric guitar, keyboards and a ukulele, and a voice that could resemble that of the band Cocorosie. After watching Blasko perform anda 20 minute break, Lykke Li finally appeared on the stage. She performed singles like Little Bit, Dance Dance Dance, Get Some (single from her new album Wounded Rhymes), Paris Blue, Until We Bleed and Unrequited Love. She was dressed all in black, matching the decoration of the stage with black curtains. Her appearance definitely matched the tone of her new album, darker and maybe more mature, contrasting with the innocent girl she showed in her debut album, Youth Novel.

The show, in general,  was a great mix of voice, rhythm and appearance from the singer, and the fervor of the audience. As a result, it was a fantastic evening that  raised appreciation for Lykke Li and her music.

 

A Walk Through The Park

Finally the sun is shining after 4pm (though can’t get rid of the -5ºC)

View from the S-Bahn, Friedrichshain, Berlin

Berlin’s Flea Markets!

One great attraction of Berlin is the infinite amount of flea markets; places where you can find many objects at many prices. After living here for almost two years, I have found myself a regular visitor to several markets on my free mornings.

- Boxahegener Platz, Friedrichshain

On Saturdays, this neighborhood square is filled with stands of fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat, fish and any other food you need to fill up your fridge. On Sundays, the market stops being a food market, and starts selling any imaginable object, as long as is old and second-hand. There is a great range of clothing; from H&M to leather jackets from the 80s. They also have a quite interesting stand with old military clothing. Furthermore, you can find several street artists pieces made with their own stands.

- Winterfeldtplatz, Schöneberg

Wednesday mornings finds this square invaded with stands and people looking for home accessories, organic fruits and vegetables at great prices and my favorite attraction, a fantastic grilled fish and a brötchen. In this market there are also several stands with meals from different countries like Africa, Greece, Turkey or France (great cheese selection!) On Saturdays, it’s even bigger and better!

- Hackescher Markt, Mitte

Every Thursday and Saturday morning another flea market is set up in Hackescher Markt, right outside the S-Bahn entrance. The two stands to look for are, luckily for us, one next to the other, so you won’t miss them. One sells traditional homemade pasta: tortellini (and tortelloni, (which are basically just bigger), ravioli, agnolotti, spaghetti, gnocchi, etc. I must say the spinach agnolotti is delicious, even for those who detest spinache. The second stand is a marvelous “candy shop”, where you can find 50 cm or longer licorice strings, in any color and flavor.  Watch out for the juice stand, select any fruit they have and they will squeeze it and put it in a bottle for you to drink.

“Amor” egoísta, “Amor” hipócrita

Noticias viejas: La gente es increíblemente egoísta. Ellos son lo primero ante todo, entre tu y ellos, ellos irán siempre delante. Pero, ¡ATENCIÓN!, no todos son egoístas de la misma manera; los hay que son honestos y admiten que lo son y siguen con su vida siéndolo. Y los hay que lo son, no lo admiten y encima van de buenos. Para ser mas exacto, los hay egoístas o hipócritas. Y siendo honesta, prefiero la verdad fea a una tarta envenenada.

Aquellos pertenecientes a la segunda categoría,  dirán que te quieren, que son felices con solo verte sonreír y que haces su mundo mejor… ¿Pero que pasa cuando esa persona que clama quererte; solo te hace sufrir? ¿Si te quieren tanto porque no dejan de hacerte sufrir? Incluso si eso pusiese fin a su felicidad. Porque, ¿qué clase de felicidad es cuando depende del dolor de otros? Es una felicidad egoísta. Es una persona egoísta. Peor, es una persona hipócrita.

Y qué hacer cuando se refugian en su victimismo y ellos mismos reconocen cuan daño están causando: proclamarán sentirse “mal” y comprender el mal que hacen. (Dije que iban de buenos, no?)  Pero sin hacer NADA, faltaría más! Por que prefieren seguir viviendo en la mierda moral. Porque es más fácil ser egoístamente “feliz” y joder a los demás que cambiarse a sí mismo y mejorar.

Por mí, se pueden ahogar en su mierda moral.

The Gaslight Anthem

Friday night at the Columbia Halle (Berlin), after three supporting bands ranging from folk to indie-rock, Brian (vocals/guitar), Alex (bass), Ben (drums) and Alex (Guitar) made their appearance on stage. All the audience starts jumping, singing, and moshing when the first beat started. Finally, the Gaslight Anthem! Two hours of fantastic music followed, in which the band as well as the audience were full of energy and rhythm. They played songs like Great Expectations or American Slang. By the end of the show, the audience was so excited that the band was “forced” two play three more extra songs to fulfill the wishes of the dancing crowd.

Originated in New Jersey, Brian & Co. released their first album Sink or Swim in 2007 which was well received in the indie music market. However, it was with their second album The ’59 Sound released in 2008 when they started gaining international recognition. With this album, in 2009 they were a support band for Bruce Springsteen and later on, Springsteen himself joined the band on stage during the performance of their song The ’59 Sound. The Gaslight Anthem is a mix of alternaitve rock, folk punk and punk rock, to get more information about their music and history look up their sites http://gaslightanthem.com and http://www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem