Being Musically-Inclined and Manipulating Musical Chairs

‘Music can soothe the savage beast.’

I spent most of my second flight home last night (from Dubai to Singapore) listening to music albums. I focused on the British #1 hits of the years 1980-2010. I caught some shut-eye whilst I was at it, and the collections looped to allow repetition. I now have a knowledgeable compendium of new performers and their smash hits. I am now on a first-name relationship with Bruno Mars, B.o.B. (aka Bobby Ray), DJ David Aguetta, Paramore (with Hayley Williams) and Cee Lo Green. Rap-artist and songwriter, B.0.B. would be in Singapore on 3 August to perform an-hour’s concert at the Hard Rock Hotel on Sentosa Island. His song ‘Airplane (featuring Hayley William and Eminem) was a hit.

Touch-screen monitors make it easier to manipulate the menu of entertainment systems. The competitive edge that airlines bring to the business of in-fight entertainment includes latest film releases, wider selection (and more episodes) of television hits, music, radio, games and news. Certainly, having Internet access onboard empowers the digital denizens who are independent in their search for intellectual self-gratification.

Thanks to Yasser of UAE for recommending this link of musical duo, Karmin Covers. They both appeared on The Ellen Show – a platform for many new stars including Clarice Pempangco – and their YouTube video (of a cover song by Chris Brown) garnered over-26 million views! Amy can rap and play the guitar very well; that’s her fiancé, Nick playing the keyboards and box.

It has been Day 10 of the Tour. For the TDF-challenged, aka Tour De France, here is a good source of education. There was lots of drama in the last ten days including thrill and dangerous spills. A French TV van was banned after it threw riders off the road.

You Rock!

Spectators: ‘Go Natascha – you rock!

Natascha Badmann: [punches fist in the air and continues running marathon] ‘Thanks guys!’

The above was a scene from one of the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in the mid-2000’s. That is the power of suggestion and encouragement. Even professionals and world champions need it to bolster their flagging confidence and performance.

Ironman ‘Voices’ Mike Riley and Whit Raymond begin their announcements when the transition areas opens before dawn, till the last participants crosses the line the music is playing. Music fills the air, muting some doubts, pre-race anxiety, and the residual sleepiness of race supporters and family. When I am not in a trance-like state during the race, I recall a few songs that stir and spur my spirit. Here is a sample of songs that rock when you are in the finisher’s chute completing your run, or making a u-turn:

Avril Lavigne: What the Hell

Katy Perry: Firework

Cheryl Cole: Fight For This Love

Black-Eyed Peas: Bom Bom Pow

Black-Eyed Peas: I Got A Feeling

Madonna: 4 Minutes

ACDC: You Shook Me All Night Long

ACDC: Highway to Hell

Linkin Park: Numb

Songs are like mantra; at least, that’s what the chorus do to us – incite in us a sense of positivism through the lyrics and melody. What are you favourite iPod songs? Which songs or pieces of music rock you on?

Music or No Music While Running?

Runner’s World magazine, recently, did a piece on the pros and cons of running with music. They interviewed two runners who each gave either their support or not, for using music-providing devices while running. While I was running yesterday, I decided to list my preferences for running WITHOUT music.

1)    I am a creature of habit, so music does not factor high in my training equation unless it is running on a treadmill or riding a stationary-bike.

2)    Spartan training is absent of the niceties of modern day technology. It is just I, the sound of my footfalls, and the lovely scenery that keeps me company.

3)    The sound of my footsteps indicates to me if I am landing heavily, getting fatigued, or losing my form.

4)    The sound of footsteps is a metronome of sorts, and allows me to moderate my pace (as I mainly run alone).

5)    I am attuned to the sound of my breathing. If I breathe too hard, or am panting, I am exceeding my lactate threshold.

6)    Without music, I can focus on other things: other runners, the seaside scenery, background sounds, my heartrate, and my internal state.

7)    Competition events disallow the use of iPods and other digital music devices, so train according to racing conditions.