Flight of the Conchords - Stick Around

Bad Case of LSS: Faith No More covers Poker Face

Lady Gaga tweets: "Faith no more covered poker face. I can now die a happy woman. Such a huge fan."

Karma Pays Up for Sandara

A few years back Sandara was the epitome of kabaduyan. For example: am i in or out?; mama and papa; hero angeles. yuck.

But maybe god said she had suffered enough. Look how she transformed to a pretty korean girl group pop star.

The Scientific Way of Building a Running Mix

For those like me who are very hardheaded and anti-social, earphones and mp3 players are necessary partners during workout sessions. I don't make playlists for specific purposes like this. I just play an album i feel like listening to. The advantages are, well aside from gym buddies/fellow runners not bothering to talk to you, you choose the music/artist unlike canned gym sounds (akon, jai ho and Flo-rida), it would go on until you press stop, and you wouldn't have to deal with fellows watching tv full blast (makes you think twice why they go to the gym in the first place). The disadvantages however are a lot, you are confined to one artist, the beats per minute (bpm) vary extremely and randomly, the playlist does not run long enough for those long sessions which means you have to listen to the some songs twice, and lastly, because of the second reason, you may get tired of the songs or the artist prematurely. The only exception to all these, in my experience is...Lady Gaga. Haha.

Now that I'm re-emerging from my recovering period post-injury and after reading a few running books i've picked up in a Booksale spree, I've decided to take on a training plan and at the same time do this as scientifically as possible in order to prevent more injuries. After all, I am only 24 and it would be extremely embarassing if i look like i already have arthritis at this age. For years, I have been a pampered athlete, with a good coach always at my side to tell me what I'm doing wrong, whether it's my form, technique, or whatever. I get the reinforcement when needed. Now, it would take time for me to get used to being independent.

Aside from buying the ultimate training companion, which is another story, I figured I should incorporate my ipod in my development. Athough my nike+ toy increased in accuracy after a a few tries in calibration, maybe I could do more with it like thing is to play music at a certain bpm rate for "propulsion".

As much as a geek I am, I pretty much treated this task as a mystery-solving scooby doo adventure. Getting ready to play mixes in podrunner.com gets tiring at one point, although they do cook up some nice tracks.

The first task is to find the ideal bpm, and this chart which I got in run2r.com (run2rhythm) proved to be quite useful:

10 min/km	9 min/km	8 min/km	7 min/km	6 min/k	5 min/km	4 min/km
16 min/mile	14 min/mile	12 min/mile	10 min/mile	9 min/mile	8 min/mile	6 min/mile
150bpm	153bpm	156bpm	160bpm	163bpm	166bpm	171bpm

As for me, I found these suggested rates too fast for my taste. Most of my trance/techno collection are way too slow (130-150) but anyway, i chose to keep a range instead, and scavenge my mp3s for songs matching the range. One can find out the song's bpms in database sites like bpmdatabase.com or if you have much time to spare, you can check the bpm of your current mp3 collection using downloadable applications or an online tool. The iTunes BPM software (Mac) is especially helpful because you just tap your mousepad to the beat and click the set button to embed the data automatically in your mp3 file, much like when you edit the mp3 file info via command+i.

Funny thing though, I didn't know it would take me hours just to build a playlist which is only 1.5 hours long (and i'm even 4 minutes short) notwithstanding the comprehensive mp3 collection I have eating up my hard disk space. And now, realizing that it's just much too tedious, I would have to go back to playing albums during runs/workouts instead and bringing along a watch. But on the other hand, it was a nice exercise because through this I discovered non-dance music that I can play for runs, like for example, Led Zeppelin and The Ramones.

So here's my own mix, arranged from slowest to fastest (150-165 bpm):

• Jason Mraz - Make It Mine
• The Killers - Mr. Brightside
• Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
• Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
• Massive Attack - Tear Drop
• The Killers - Spaceman
• Toni Basil - Mickey (Yes! Mickey!)
• The Cure - Just Like Heaven
• Fatboy Slim - The Rockafeller Skank
• Jason Mraz - I Melt With You
• The Cure - A Forest
• Offspring - Come Out and Play
• Devo - Whip It (Haha!)
• Michale Sembello - Maniac (more Haha!)
• Led Zeppelin - Dyer Maker
• Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
• U2 - Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
• The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated
• Led Zeppelin - Black Dog

Til the next useless project. I shall use the playlist while running Botak (10k) on May 10 and see what happens.:D

Nostalgia Time - Sugar Ray

Mark Mcgrath was one of my schoolgirl crushes. He turned host in 2005 or so for a dating show/reality show. I bought 14:59 during the time when cds costed so much, I had a sony discman with which i played originals only until learned how to burn a cd. For some reason, no particular moments are brought to mind, just that i replayed and replayed the songs during alone time. I was that kind of kid at one point. :P

Lady Gaga Performs in American Idol

I swear if she comes to Manila, i'll get the 5k seats.
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American Idol, Charts Go Gaga for Lady

E! Online – American Idol, Charts Go Gaga for Lady(E! Online)

David Jenison David Jenison – Thu Apr 2, 2:58 pm ET

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Forget Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. Last night's American Idol was owned by Lady Gaga .

The NYC electro-popster electrified the stage last night with "Poker Face"—and then celebrated this morning with her second straight No. 1, becoming the first female artist in nearly a decade to land her debut singles atop the Hot 100.

The spitfire, pants-eschewing singer, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, previously spent three weeks at No. 1 in January with "Just Dance."

Christina Aguilera was the last artist to accomplish this feat with her first two singles, "Genie in a Bottle" and "What a Girl Wants" back in 1999.

Among female artists over the past quarter century, only four scored successive No. 1s with their debut singles. Tiffany ("I Think We're Alone Now" and "Could've Been"), Mariah Carey (who incredibly scored five straight chart-toppers before 1991's "Can't Let Go" peaked at No. 2), Xtina and now Gaga.

In other Hot 100 news, Hannah Montana's "Let's Get Crazy" is the week's top debut at No. 57 followed by a No. 87 debut for her Taylor Swift cowritten "You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home." Swift's own Hannah Montana: The Movie song "Crazier" also cracked the chart at No. 72, giving the soundtrack three debuts for the week.

As for Miley Cyrus, the Disney star also claims the No. 8 spot with "The Climb," giving the Hannah Montana star three Hot 100 singles between her two personas.

··· THEY SAID WHAT? Get today's most commented stories now at www.eonline.com

(Source: news.yahoo.com)

Ministry of Sound - The Annual 2009

Rating: 5/5 stars

Category: Music
Genre: Dance & DJ
Artist: Various Artists
If there is any indication that ria is now in finals mode, it is that she has discovered and listened to new albums and cannot wait to write a review about it.

And just because I have time before i sprint the last hours before Tax2 Finals start, here's another one of those reviews that you don't really read...or need.

One of my latest acquisitions is this album, courtesy of the most handsome pirate I met (*ubo).

Like I always say, I recommend upbeat music for boring study sessions. In theory, they are distracting because either (1) you think of partying and getting drunk (2) it would remind you that you are a lawstudent who contents oneself with listening to these music during study hours rather than go out and actually dance to them in a proper dancefloor with a proper alcoholic drink, and not starbucks coffee(3) if its singable, it will force you to sing (4) if it is sensual, it will make your mind wander, period.

So this one is all of the above. But on the bright side, it keeps me awake and studying and that's all that matters. And it's 2.6 hours non-stop. Can you feel the beat?

Favorite Tracks: Dream On, Raindrops.

Bad Case of LSS - Lady Gaga - Lovegame

Lady Gaga again. :D

Lady Gaga - The Fame

Rating: 4/5 stars

Category:	Music
Genre:	Pop
Artist:	Lady Gaga

Don't you just love her...she's unreal. My favorite LSS. :D Danceable pop is the genre...but that's just according to me. A good companion for a gym session or a boring study session, like all music i own. You've heard Just Dance and Pppoker Face (mamamamahh), or maybe Lovegame too. Wait 'til you hear Paparazzi and Starstruck. Will keep you singing just one line (each) for at least 3 days.

And in line with that...what exaclty is a "disco stick" and a "cherry cherry boom boom"?

PS: Lady Gaga's AOL Live Session is worthwhile.

Cool Music Video - Up Dharma Down - Taya

featuring light streak photography. Cool!

Bad Case of LSS - Jonas Brothers - Burnin' Up

ahmm slipin into the laahhvuuuh
and ahm tryn to keep from goooin undaaah
beybeh whoo turnd the temprechur hahhterr
coz ahmm burnin up burnin up for youuu beybeh

Daft Punk - Alive 2007

Rating: 5/5 stars

Category:	Music
Genre:	Dance & DJ
Artist:	Daft Punk

My boring study sessions are spruced up by pick-me-up-electronica (kunyari nalang party mode :-/). My latest favorite is this live album recorded in 2007, the 2nd of the duo (first one was in 1997). I don't know why i just heard of it recently.

There's a bonus cd where there is a video of the encore. But you can find that in you tube.

My favorite track: Touch It/Technologic.

This is a must-have. Promise. Daft Punk knows how to work the live audience. This won the Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album for 2009. And c'mon! Daft Punk, hands down nostalgic.

Bad Case of LSS - Jai Ho

Bad Case of LSS - Flo Rida - Right Round

Bad Case of LSS - Lady Gaga - Poker Face

Eheads: The Final Set, Installment 2

Marcus Adoro. Gotta love Marcus! What a character.

Hello Kitty

His Huwag Mo Nang Itanong performance was really my favorite. I have replayed this video so many times now.

I thought he messed up the lyrics again, but after replaying and replaying, kumpleto naman pala. Patawa lang.

Some QQs:
"Chika ang inabot ko..."
"Pag-uwi ko sa bahay, ibaba ang yong kilay, ayoko ng kilay mo."



Reminded me of this video i found, of him singing Pare Ko in Saguijo after the first show.
"Kailangan lang ay, ang iyong pakikiramay. Okay na ay okay na." Hahaha.




Shirt hunting. We were surrounded by a variety of fan shirts that night. Got a little bit jealous at some point. Hehe. And i had to find one out of obligation because of a promise to my siblings and my concert companions. Raimund designed the shirts from team manila (chismis lang), that's prime memorabilia. Have to get that by some device. It might take a while though.

Slo Mo


Eheads Manila
(It's Maroon!)


Team Manila

But there were other interesting shirts, although unofficial:

(1) 3.7.09 shirt from noytee, which i ordered in a heartbeat because ely has one. daw. haha.

(2) names shirt from damnitclothing. just because it was simple.

They're quite expensive for the kind of shirt - regular round neck. Oh well. Comes with awesomeness i guess.

Now this reminds me of the 7sins t-shirt design project i started a couple of years ago. 3rd year na ako, 1 sin palang nagagawa ko. Hahaha.

Eheads: The Final Set

I'm not much of a concert person because i haven't been following any particular band or artist since boyzone, nor do i enjoy mosh-pitting with the JJs or standing for hours without airconditioning (arte, hihi), but this one takes the prize of best show i've ever been to (second is lion king, hehehe). Admittedly, im not that big a fan but it was a real treat to have watched it and to have sung along to songs i grew up to (and still know surprisingly).

My favorite parts of the show:
- marcus' concise reggae version of huwag mo nang itanong (di ko sasabihin sa yo)
- acoustic minsan (yes, im so up diliman)
- acoustic pare ko (the soundtrack of my life, appropriate for all occassions haha)
- grandiose ang huling el bimbo finale (sabi na eh!)

Thanks to charlito for bringing me along and getting good tickets where i was not trampled on by rowdy fans. Although by the 2nd encore my personal space was invaded and my ear was shouted at by this random die-hard girl.

Why was "Para sa Masa" not on the set list? Oh yeah, tickets were not so masa.

My camera tried its best. haha. We were standing right beside the control booth (?).
I took a few more low quality pics and videos. Next time nalang videos. Haha.

Walang group hug pero may akbay...pwede na rin. :)

Britney's Clever Song

I swear, Britney is getting more and more interesting the longer she stay's in business. The second wave is even better, starting with that video which inspired me to get fit asap (haha), now this so-called controversial song.

"If you seek Amy"...
Now say it again.
Faster.
Get it?
It's not even that subtle, but somehow I find it clever. hehe.
"...All of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy."

Certainly not about a girl named Amy. Too crass for Philippine radio.
Five stars? hehe.