I’ve been very lucky to spend time with so many of them and meet a few newbies. Call me a douchebag, but I love Dallas and always have. I guess growing up in El Lay has pre-disposed me to douchebaggery.

Below is my July itinerary. I typically have things set up wherein if an opportunity presents itself to do something fun or if I just get an itch to do something else, I can make that happen pretty easily. Barcelona is Home but July misses Barcelona all together

July

5-7 London

7-11 Glasgow

11-12 London

12-15 Paris

15-16 Brussels, Belgium

16-18 Amsterdam, Netherlands

18-19 Cologne, Germany

19-26 Prague, Czech Republic

26-29 Berlin, Germany

29-Aug 2 Budapest, Hungry

Heading to London today but not before we celebrate America’s birthday Dallas-style! There’s a lot going on with this shitbag President that makes America far less great. BUT!!! Never fear my friends. The ‘Merica I know WILL be back! One thing that will never go away are good friends. Today was a great day! This video proves it!

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Well....I didn’t make the London connection so I’m in Atlanta for the night. Exciting part is that I’m scheduled to fly out to Zurich, Switzerland tomorrow and that adds some excitement to the front end of the trip. Stay tuned...

Lordy Lord. I hadn’t been to Munich in 30 years. It was worth the wait. Had one of the best days I’ve ever had traveling. Met some great people and went bar hopping with my new bff from Canada of all people. Kevin...that giant bottle of Champagne we had at some condo at 4am yesterday still hurts. #whosideawasthat

A few random musings...

1. Everybody in Munich is drunk. Everybody. Not just beer either. There’s a great wine culture here too. Wanna go to a bar to get drunk? No need to. You can buy great beer 24 hours a day and carry your bottle on the street as you scope out places to vomit.

2. Apparently no one sleeps here. Munich makes Barcelona look like a sleepy little beach town. It’s 5am and I haven’t gone to sleep yet. Walking around you’d think it was 10pm. I just walked into the train station. There’s an outdoor disco here and it’s packed.

Here’s a montage of my 24+ hours in Munich. Old people can hit the mute button to avoid the music. Off to Amsterdam in a few hours. Jesus take the Wheel.

I didn’t feel like going all the way to Amsterdam. I got off the train in Cologne. \240I went out to get a quick beer before settling in early. That didn’t happen. Things got awfully gay.

I went to Düsseldorf on a whim. It’s only about a 35 minute train ride from Cologne. If I had to choose one or the other I’d take Cologne, but that’s like choosing between Team Jacob and Team Edward so why bother?

What made Düsseldorf funl was a group of chaps I met where I stayed. We did some sightseeing and had a good meal while watching France best Belgium in the World Cup.

Here are some photo highlights.

In an hour or so I’m off to London with a planned 4 hour layover in Brussels so I can grab some dinner there and have a look around. I guess Trump and I arrive in London the same day. I’m going to do anything possibly to get close to the giant inflatable Trump Baby balloon the London city council approved to fly during his visit. I must see it.

I definitely need to come back and spend some time in Brussels. Trump might be here because I saw Air Force One parked at the airport. He’s such an asshole.

Enough time to catch part of a musical festival that looked like Cocoon: The Musical, but it was in a fun setting and everyone was having a blast.

Now I’m eating fries and watching the World Cup. Cheers!!

I realize I’m prone to hyperbole at times. Most of us are. Not this time though. I have had one of the most fascinating, hilarious, inspiring days of my life today.

Sooooo, you may have heard. President Trump is in the UK. Brits don care for him much over here. There’s a complicated dual reality going on with England’s Brexit and public outcry against it. Basically, now that it’s passed they’re voting on whether to do a full Brexit or ‘Brexit Light’, but that’s an entirely different journal all together.

Brits and angry people everywhere descended on London today. I have NEVER seen anything like it. All streets through the West End, Piccadilly, SoHo, Trafalgar Square and beyond were shut down completely. It’s like the whole city decided to take a half day off to express their outrage over the trump presidency. It wasn’t anti-American at all. They love America here and they’re pissed that the America that they have known since the 1940’s seems to have disappeared. The energy and passion was \240unparalleled.

Ive never been more proud to be an American.

The signs had were displayed were creative, obscene, funny, inappropriate, thought-provoking, passionate and bat-shit crazy. Below is a video montage of the 40 or so best.

If you are at all offended by foul language or the vagina...this may not be a video you want to see. God Bless America and God Bless the UK and the international community who came out to show the world why we need an America that leads by example again.

Another great day in London. Evenings in London in the summer are amazing. Perfect temperature around 72. Everyone just hangs out outside. There are so many little music festivals and pop up art, music and theatre.

I started my day with no specific plan. Just wanted to walk around. Found a cool coffee shop by the Globe Theatre and fit some wok done. Spent a few hours at the Tate Modern Museum and was blown away by the works there. Then took a route across the Thames and found my way to St. Paul’s cathedral where I attended a 5pm Evensong. Was fortunate to be able to sit up with the choir which was an amazing experience. Simply unbelievable music in an amazing venue.

Met a new friend Ellie and happened on a music festival and some cool mingling spots. The piece de resistance was an outdoor concert in River Park by a group of Madonas. No, not the holy kind. The naughty kind. It was so fun and as usual...everyone was just in a great mood.

Just brilliant. Today was a cloudless 82° day and the whole city was outside.

I met some friends I’ve met a few nights ago and watch the World Cup which was exciting you and then sort of a blowout. It would’ve been great England been in but I’m glad the French one. It’s 11 o’clock at night and the French fans are still going crazy. The video below is a compilation of pictures I took as the French suddenly took over Trafalgar Square. Magic.

I didn’t realize I hadn’t journaled in a week. I guess because I’m still in London. I had a few work meetings and it just started making sense to spend some more time in the UK.

Lots of walking and museum visiting. There’s so much going on in London in the summertime. The weather has been unseasonably warm so evenings are quite vibrant everywhere.

I was soooooo happy to see my dear friend Emily Barlow’s mom and her partner, Cindy and Jane for a few pints this week. Jane rescued my suitcase when I had to abandon it after breaking my arm last time and they brought it to me. I have clean underpants now.

Which is great, because, as you can see by this poster at the Underbelly Festival, Aliens have taken most of mine. It’s a real problem here.

The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Natural History Museums were on the schedule this week. The Natural History Museum provided a particularly realistic prehistoric atmosphere by providing no air conditioning throughout the joint. I wanted to shoot myself.

The highlights of most days involve festivals or events that I happen upon quite by accident. Friday was the ultimate experience by accident. I stumbled into a massive group karaoke on the Thames. A live band played music and had it synced to the lyrics on a giant screen. It was surreal. Everyone was having the best time. We were all looking around asking ‘is this really happening’? Here’s a clip of what I mean.

Isn’t that amazing?!?! Every song from ABBA to Fleetwood Mac to Sinatra was the same way. Just incredible energy. I’m not sure who the lady was I zoomed in on as pictured above but she was everything. She won the day.

An observation...I used to think that the British accent is what made the British seem so friendly and welcoming. I attributed it to the sound of what was said. One thing I’ve come to realize is that it isn’t the accent at all. It’s great and all, don’t get me wrong. However, I’ve come to realize that it’s the dialect and vernacular, the choice of words that is so appealing over here. I was walking into a cathedral and the Monseigneur noticed a guy in a tank top walking in. Rather than say “hey you can’t come in here like that” he simply said, “perhaps you would be more comfortable with this, sir” and respectfully put a prayer shawl over this shoulders. I’ve noted dozens of examples of this. Our choice of words is important. It states who we are and what we think of others. I think we can all benefit from rethinking our choice of words.

Wanting to see other parts of the city I stayed in Shepard’s Bush a few nights and now I’m in Greenwich.

Above is Canary Wharf.

Above is the Cutty Sark in Greenwich

On the way to shepherds Bush I went through an area pictured above called Canary wharf. It was really beautiful. I had never heard of before. Totally reminded me of Chicago. I’ve spent a lot of time there working on my laptop outside and enjoying some of the food trucks.

Here’s a little compilation of pics I took that are particularly vibrant and colorful. Turn your phone sideways for the full effect. \240Cheers!

Isn’t this street art coo?l London does that well. Today was a wildly productive and informative inspiring day. I had heard Google has a campus in London that is a hybrid startup/creative/collaborative/group-think environment. I’ve been needing a little collaboration and a better routine to stay productive. They offered a Digital Nomad Workshop today and I registered and attended. (A digital nomad is a person that works remotely on the road, usually while traveling. That’s what I am now) It was earth-shatteringly fantastic. I learned a ton and made some great contacts. (Merlin from Shoreditch, you’re my new favorite person) Tomirrow I go to my official orientation which I’m stoked about. There are campuses in Madrid and Paris as well. A few more too I think. Anyway, it was motivating and inspiring and I can’t wait to go back tomorrow.

Shoreditch is a really cool and creative Borough. Lots of collaborative work spaces and art. Very New York/SF. Below are a few pics of the area.

The picture above really moved me. Not the shot, necessarily, but what was going on. These two helpers were walking around with carts of \240necessities for the homeless. Hot coffee, basic first aid and reminders as to the resources that are available to them I wanted to find out more and what else they carried. . I started a conversation with one of them and I’m going by their offices to learn about what they do. This might be an avenue for outreach for me as I travel.

I shit you not. I just climbed a tree with a bottle of $5 wine (no glass, which rhymes with no class) and I’m watching outstanding opera. #ilovemylifenow

July is coming to the end and the end of my London visit is in sight. I’ll probably head to Berlin then Prague by the weekend. We shall see.

Staying in London for an extended period of time was a fantastic idea. I really only did it because I had some work meetings but then I discovered and applied to the Google Business Campus and have worked there a bunch.

My diet has been great and I’ve worked out 8 consecutive days. Considering I’m climbing out of a 2 year period of not working out at all, I feel fantastic. For the fat shamers out there, please note I lost 10 lbs in July. (BAM!)

Below is a cool garden I found near Paddington Station where I left for Oxford.

James, one of the staff members at Google Campus, highly encouraged me to spend a day in Oxford, his hometown. Oxford is about an hour west north west of London by train. Safe to say I owe James one because Oxford is unbelievable.

Oxford University is a part of oxford like the University of Texas is a part of Austin. It’s kind of all over the place \240James recommended seeing the Pitt Rivers Museum and that was my only real target in Oxford except for strolling through the University.

The Pitt River’s museum is one of the coolest museums I have ever seen. Here’s the scoop. Rivers was an anthropologist who inherited a shit ton of money from his uncle. His real name wasn’t Pitt Rivers. That was his uncle‘s name who left in the money and he adopted it which I’m told was a rather common thing to do in the upper echelon of society. He was a self-described explorer and traveled the world for years collecting cool stuff. He gathered about 40,000 items and offered half of it to Oxford university if they built a special museum to house it. This is the museum they built.

The cool thing about how they laid it out was that they didn’t do it geographically. \240 \240They did it by item. So there’s a whole gathering of guns from every country, spears from every country, toiletry items from every country, masks, clothes, globes, you name it.

There is no collection like this in the world. There can’t be. If you ever go to Oxford this place is a must.

Right now I’m sitting near the castle which I’m going to go check out shortly. It’s about 4 PM here in Oxford on Tuesday. Connected to the rivers museum is the Museum History and Science which was just perfect.

Then I just took a long walk through Oxford Park which runs through the University which was just beautiful. On the way back to civilization I stumbled upon an old cemetery wherein I spent a little time meditating and just soaking it all in. It’s amazing how peaceful it is being around death. I guess I’ve always felt that way, but the cemetery was quite special.

I also lucked into a organ recital at a famous church who’s name I’ll add later. Just beautiful.

Below are a few more pics from the day and what a day it was

I had heard about the elusive heavy plants crossing the street for years. My dad used to tell me stories about them as a kid. I waited about 3 hours to see them slowly move across the street but it wasn’t in the cards so I finally left. \240(I made all that up)

This is sooooooooo Oxford University. Lol

A scotch egg. A peeled hard boiled egg rolled in sausage and deep friend. Mmmmm

This is everything. So great.

Why in the hell didn’t I do this sooner? Brighton is a really lively city with a lot going on. It sort of reminded me of Coney Island. With a huge pier and lots of awful carnival food. So great!!

Pretty cool, huh? I loved it. I would have stayed the night but I already had a place back in London. I’m gonna go back tho. Pretty at night too. Below you’ll see some street art that I walked by with some inspirational messages. I love that kinda stuff.

I’m BACK!!! After a few weeks off from journaling, and a week of the flu and a few other challenges I’m back at it. I’m off to Amsterdam. I’m riding an overnight bus now.

If I had a baby...

Amsterdam is nothing like I expected. It isn’t filthy, drug-filled and full of riff-raff and hookers. (Though I’m not going to rest until I find 3 out of 4)

Right now I’m sitting in an amazing green space in the Museum Quarter. Probably my favorite green space I’ve seen so far. Museums everywhere and a great vibe. Beautiful day here. Party sunny and about 76.

Originally I was going to spend 4-5 days here but I had to turn it into a 12 hour connection on my way to Berlin instead. I have two bank cards and some mail I had sent there so I needed to get there pretty quick. I leave tonight at 11pm for another overnight trip.

Oh, another thing...they love pot here. Marijuana. It’s everywhere. Space Cake. People get high on cake. They need Space Cake at the Karelia Deli.

It’s about 10:30pm here in Amsterdam and I’m catching an 11:15 overnighter to Berlin. I’m very excited about Berlin. Here’s the tentative schedule.

22-24 Berlin

24-29 Prague, Czech Republic

30-2 Zadar, Croatia

September

2-5 Trojir, Croatia

5-8 Hvar, Croatia

8-11 Makarska, Croatia

11-14 Split, Croatia

14-24 Budapest, Hungry

24-Oct 1 Athens

I tend to quote FDR, LBJ and Reagan more but on Wednesday I channeled my inner Jack Kennedy. I’m sorry Munich. You’re no longer my favorite city in Germany. Berlin Just passed you. Munich is amazing. Berlin is perfect. Artsy, realistic, liberal, naughty, edgy. Unapologetic and accepting.

Berlin does not hide behind the atrocities of itsNazi past; rather it embraces its history as a reminder that if we’re not careful, it can happen again. For example, the memorial to the holocaust isn’t called the Holocaust Museum. It’s called the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. BAM. They’re not bashful here. I’ll post about my experience at the Memorial later. I’ve tried twice but it’s hard going back to that afternoon and I want to give it justice.

There have been three occasions on this trip that have brought me to tears in wonderful ways. They were the Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the #dumptump rally in London (for very different reasons) and then standing on the very spot where Ronald Reagan challenged Gorbachev to “Tear Down That Wall!”

I stood at the base of the Brandenburg Gate in awe of what REAL leadership can do. Reagan, nearly single-handedly, dismantled the former Soviet Union and forced the re-unification of Germany.

America is still America. When this fuck-nut is out of office the world will see that shinning city on a hill once again. It’s clouded by lies, deception and fraud right now, but she is still there. God Bless America!!

There is a section of the Berlin Wall that is still intact. Artist were commissioned to memorialize their creativity on It. Below are a few pictures and the video below is a compilation of what inspired me. So cool.

This is the first visual one sees as one begins to tour the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin. Primo Levi was an Italian Jewish chemist and writer. Most notably, he survived Aushwitz. His quote sets the tone to the Memorial. There are very few photos of death. Few images of the death camps, the gas chambers, mass shootings and the conditions of the camps. Instead the museum takes the position that by remembering what life was like before, during and after the mass extinction, we humanize the experience as a reminder that it happened once, and we must never let it happen again.

I’ve been to Dachau, I’ve studied the Holocast, I’ve spoken to survivors. No previous experience numbs you to the horrors once they confront you again in this type of memorial. I’ve given up trying to understand. My mind can’t process it.

The Memorial’s exterior consists of 2,711 concrete slabs arranged, as you can see, in a grid pattern sloping up and down. It’s appearance is purposely cold, harsh yet dramatic. The information center and exhibit are below ground. You can actually see the bottom side of each slab underground.

You can see some of this indentations at the top of the picture above. The people you see in the background are six individuals whose lives are chronicled at various points in the exhibit. It is heartbreaking, infuriating and painful joining their life journeys and inevitable fate as the exhibition proceeds.

After staring at in hearing about Mr. Levi’s quote and the reason for its inclusion One is slowly escorted through a timeline of major moments leading up to during and those which finally ended the killing. I’m not here to recap all of the events that took place but I will save it I learned a great deal about what led up to the Holocaust, how Hitler disguised his true intentions of the extinction of the Jewish race and the events that led to the evil implementation of Hitler’s plans.

(MORE SOON...)

Prague is a fantastic city. The tourist portion of the city is a bit overwhelming, albeit stunningly beautiful. I spent the last few days walking and investigating the lesser traveled areas. Here’s an office building I found with living green walls incorporated into the skin. So cool.

I went to a public pool and took a walking route to get there. Google maps doesn’t show topography and before I knew it I was scaling a small mountain to get there. All I could do was crack up the whole time.

I was rewarded with the stunning view of the city most people don’t get to see so it was well worth it. Here’s a pic. It doesn’t do justice but it was beautiful.

The next few pics are from the famous Charles Bridge which crosses the Vitava River connecting the Old Town to the Castle. Must have been 20-25 monuments in total. Here are a few...

Upon walking up to the castle I was able to witness a cool little changing of the guard ceremony. Simple but beautiful. Here it is.