the soupmenu

First there was Generation X….A bunch of smart kids with a slacker look who would always throw a fuss about wearing a suit instead of the flannel. They were around during the creation of the internet. They were the ones coding html in notepad and defining pixels on image maps. They entered into the business world and started to question things, yet at the end of the day they would calm down the aggression and put on a shirt and tie.

After this generation, came a new generation. Somehow this generation, my generation, does not have an official name. This generation ? has sprung into the slightly-softened workplace and shaken things up. Generation X still had to abide by traditional business rules as their paychecks still had to be signed by babyboomers. Yet, this new generation has played by different rules. This generation has created their own viable, profitable, and intelligent companies that are growing in both profits and respect.

This generation believes in a different workplace. IRC chats, tiki bars, and song and dance are all part of the workday…

Lip Dub – Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger from amandalynferri on Vimeo

In this new world, it does not matter how many power ties you have, it does not matter how large your office is, or how often you take a client out for a round of golf. This new generation believes in simply proving itself. The ‘office space’ of yesteryear is gone. This generation realizes that happy people are the key to any true success. Everyone knows about the perks of the googleplex, but places like Digg, Last.fm, Facebook and countless companies founded, managed, and operated by these 25 yr olds have the mentality that the workplace can be something different. It can be relaxed, it can be pleasant to be at, and it can be a place for fun. I’m not talking about company picnics and casual Friday, I am speaking about a workplace where people can just be themselves.

The goal used to be about creating a profitable business to provide jobs for the community. Now the goal is to create a family of motivated people to create products that have a positive impact upon life. This new generation is succeeding at it’s goal and proving itself. It’s what we’ve done our whole lives.

Babyboomer – ‘you kids’ve got it easy’

Gen ? – ‘Well if life is this easy, let us show you what we can do with it’.

Perhaps change the world for the better.

There’s one set of things that you realize when you move away from your home. There’s another set of observations realized when you come back. These secondary observations can blindside you. While all worked up about going home, I really didn’t think I would learn anything. I mean I know my own home right?? so nothing should surprise me…Not quite.America is huge. Everything IS big. Everything is spread out. Parking lots are as big as European cities, malls could be military bases, and everyone has their own enormous half acre lot.

American’s are fat. Sure, there are big people everywhere, but Americans really have reached a new level and truly define the phrase ‘morbidly obese’. I know why they are this way (which is an entire different blog post), but I just wish they would travel a bit more so they can realize the danger and perhaps start being more healthy.

But perhaps the biggest thing…

Everything is easy in America. I’m not saying this because it is my home and it’s what I’m used to. The fact stands that still today America is the easiest place to have a comfortable life for anyone. All it takes is good work ethic and avoidance of credit card debt and lotto tickets. Built upon hard work, vast resources, and a stable and encouraging government, it is quite simple for anyone to get a basic job and life a comfortable life consisting of variety at the supermarket, cable television, and the freedom to see the world with a little bit of savings. This is not the case for most of the world, yet American’s believe it is.

I know most of the world realizes these things. But as an American, it took me 5 months in somewhat second world country to find out the extent of these truths.

I awake from my half-drunk slumber fresh from a night of getting forcefully removed from my favorite bar for destruction of property.

Still full from yesterday’s lunch, I jump into my SUV and mash on the gas pedal to swerve to the head of the pack. I flex my outstretched wrist up and down to feel the natural lift of air while the AC cools my swollen feet.

I speed past every themed restaurant imaginable as I blast the music of the non-military-related band named ‘The Killers’. Stoplights provide for relaxing minutes of piecing together the actions of the previous night while staring out the sunroof.

Upon arrival to the strip mall, I sip away at my Starbucks passion fruit shaken iced tea as the miraculous bodies of trust fund sorority girls float past me. Endless numbers rush by as they reject the hot Florida sun in favor for the even cover and attractive color of a fluorescent tan.

A slight thought of concern emerges in my head then disappears instantly. The gentle breeze blows by as I look up and squint into the sky as I wonder to myself how the season finale of Heroes will end.