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Last posts

Those Old Vinyl Records

Mónica Boixeda Budapester

Would you like change the look of your home? Do you think your living room seems a bit impersonal? The furniture is nice, but it’s the same as in many other homes (Ikea?)… You want to give it a bit of originality and, above all, a personal touch. If the modern design objects are too expensive, you can browse through the flea market or antique shops, which feature furniture and everyday objects from the 70s and 80s. If you´re a fan of music, you will probably have a modern mp3, but…. don’t you agree that one of those old record players always stands out. Perhaps you disagree, but don’t you think that the image of a vinyl record spinning around the deck doesn’t look great? Playing a vinyl record is almost a ritual: you take it out from its sleeve, you clean the dust off, you check that it is not scratched, you put it on the deck and… the music begins to sound! Are wondering why you should buy a record-player if you don’t have any vinyl records? Surely you have some stored away and if you are very young you can look on your grandparents’ shelves or cupboards. Fortunately, there are still many vinyl record collectors and therefore there is a wide and varied vinyl’s market. You will find the 33 RPM (the LP) and those of 45 R.PM. with only one or two songs on each side. Anyway vinyl records are still used by professional dj – the famous 12 inch singles. You’ll also find other objects from the past such as telephones, tape recorders, lighting... read more

Insomnia, the worst enemy of the new century

Mónica Boixeda Sevillian

The hectic pace of life we lead is not good. Nor is it a secret that the modern societies live plunged in a deep stress. The bad habits such as overwork, drinking caffeine in excess, inactivity, poor nutrition, bad health or personal problems are just some of the causes that may cause one of the greatest scourges of the twenty-first century: insomnia. Increasingly, there are more and more people who spend sleepless nights due to insomnia. This can occur in multiple ways: those who do not get to sleep at bedtime, those who wake up multiple times throughout the night and can not sleep again and those who wake up too early. Anyway, the three are translated into the same thing: a lack of sleep. Over the time, insomnia can cause serious health problems. Irritability, depression, lack of concentration and chronic fatigue are the most common consequences. Generally, an adult needs between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. Although the sleep patterns vary with each person, it is important to sleep well. In extreme cases, we recommend a visit to a specialist. The treatment for insomnia can be simple if one knows the cause that provokes it. Once the cause is eradicated, the insomnia goes away. Nonetheless, you can always resort to improving your daily habits and avoiding bad ones. There are several remedies to relieve insomnia and bypassing the sleeping pills. Following these simple guidelines, the quality of your sleep will surely improve: Create a “sleep routine”: try to get up and go to bed at the same time every day, so your body gets used... read more

Xcèntric Festival – Anti Popcorn Cinema

Mónica Boixeda Barcelonian

As it is being usual, The Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona, the CCCB, is once again organizing its most creative, experimental and risky film festival, the Xcèntric: a film contest that is quite different to more conventional systems, ideal for people who love a more personal cinema that it’s hard to watch on any other theatres. In this ninth edition, that started last December and will go on until June, the visitor can watch movies with a very clear purpose: to be able to watch great works that are otherwise impossible to watch in any other place. Special sessions This year, Xcèntric premieres a brand new space to promote local authors and creators who move between cinema, assays and experimental documentary. Former students who participated in the past Aula Xcèntric ( a kind of seminar class) will exhibit their own films this year. If you decide to go, you can’t miss the special sessions of this Festival, just like the one prepared for Sunday 31st , called “Tropical Modernity. The Cinema of Dominique González-Foerster”. This acclaimed French artist has exhibited her work in prestigious places such as Documenta of Kassel, Venice and Sao Paolo Biennals or TheTate Modern in London, but it’s barely been seen on screen. Indeed, this is your chance to discover her. Other creators whose works can be seen at Xcèntric are: Pier Paolo Pasolini, Takashi Ito, Fred Worden, Matthias Müller, Sara MacLean, Ben Russell and The Lumière Brothers. All screenings will be in their original versions with Catalan subtitles on Wednesdays and Sundays. If you have already booked your stay on Apartments in Barcelona, come... read more