Nov 15, 2011

Road Music: Complete Track listings

The 'Road Music' playlist so far
Enjoy the Complete Tracklistings on this YouTube Playlist:
Alternatively you can find it here on Spotify - Travel trigger Songs

VIDEO: Loz in Transit Trigger songs

Home Music: Songs to be happy to (First impressions, Last show)
- 'At your Funeral' by Saves the Day
- 'War all of the Time' by Thursday

Songs to be happy to ( Last time, First lines)
- 'Juicy' by the the Notorious B.I.G
- 'Mama said knock you out' by LL Cool J

Songs to be happy to (Not Sad New Year)
- 'Jet Black New Year' by Thursday
- 'I'm So Ronery' by Kim Jong-il (Team America: World Police)

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (Sports songs)
- 'Lovely Day' by Bill Withers
- 'Banquet' by Bloc Party
- 'Promiscuity' by Manu Chao

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (Christmas songs)
- 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues
- 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' by Bing Crosby

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (WWE UK Tour, November 2011)
- 'Cult of Personality' by Living Colour (CM Punk's new Entrance theme)
- 'This Fire Burn by Killswitch Engage (CM Punk's old Entrance theme)

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (UFC 138)
- 'Mad World' by Gary Jules
- 'Bebot' by The Black Eyed Peas

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (EuroBasket edition)
- 'Manu Key' by Quai 54 (Feat. Booba, 16ar, Zoxea, Oxmo, Dany Dan)
- 'Celebrate Basketball' (Eurobasket 2011 Lithuanian version) by Marijonas, Mantas, Mia

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (in Portugese)
- 'Danza Kuduro' by Don Omar & Lucenzo
- 'Anna Julia' by Los Hermanos
- 'Garota de Ipanema' by Joao Gilberto e Caetano Veloso
- 'País Tropical' (Live Rock in Rio 2010) by Ivete Sangalo

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (in Español)
- 'Qué mierda ser yo' by Avenue Q
- 'Me gustas tu' by Manu Chao

Road Music: Friends, Laura and Monica
- Laura Bean Record Release Party @ Bassy Cowboy Club Berlin
- 'Strong Oak Tree' by My Baby Will
- 'Desire' by My Baby Will

Road Music: My farewell Soundtrack
- 'Rock It' by Little Red
- 'Big Jet Plane' by Angus and Julia Stone
- 'Home' by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

Road Music: Away Anthems
- 'Se Viene el Estallido' by La Bersuit
- 'O Bella Ciao' by Giorgio Gaber

Road music: Calella, First Resort
- 'This Must Be The Place' by Talking Heads
- 'Holiday' by The Get Up Kids (live)

Road Music: Live. Forever
- 'On your own' by James Yuill
- 'Nora' by Marina Gallardo

Road Music: Songs in Espanol
- 'Malaguena Salerosa' by Chingon
- 'La Camisa Negra' by Juanes

Road Music: Life on the Road
- 'Bitter Strings' by The Jealous Sound
- 'The Road' by Tenacious D

Soundtrack for Trigger posts
Trigger: Germany Revisited, Impressions of Köln
- Runnin' (Jay Dee remix) by The Pharcyde
Trigger: Living Island Adventures in Estonia
- 'Born To Be Wild' by Steppenwolf
Trigger: "A moment in time" Panevėžys, Lithuania (2011 m. Rugsėjo 7)
- 'This is the moment' by David Hasselhoff (Jekyll & Hyde)
Trigger: Egotripping II - England, on the road again
- 'On the Road Again' by Canned Heat
Trigger: Crazy Times in Holland, Day 185 - Day 195
- 'Crazy Days Loca People (What the f**k)' by Sak Noel
Trigger: "One hell of a night" Rotterdam, Netherlands (Juli 26, 2011)
- 'Soundtrack 2 My Life' by KiD CuDi
- 'What a great night' by Hilltop Hoods
Trigger: "Qualidade de Vida" in Casa dos Gauchos, Porto
- 'Good Life' by Kanye West
Trigger: The impressions of Porto
- 'Bad Boys for life' by P Diddy
Trigger: Ego Tripping in Portugal - Sintra, Obidos, Ericeria, Coimbra
- 'Road Trippin' by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Trigger: A Memento year - The first 100 days
- 'Sonata for Viola da Gamba No. 1 in G' by Bach

Nov 13, 2011

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (WWE UK Tour, November 2011)

mick foley, have a nice day, smiley face
Have a nice day!
Wrestling themes are 'Songs to be happy to' by nature. They are designed to condition audiences into a mood, chosen to suit the wrestler's persona and orientation as hero (face) or villain (heel).

I originally wanted to choose one song from each show I watched, WWE Smackdown in Birmingham and WWE Raw in Nottingham. Dedicating it to the surprise appearances from each event, the unexpected return of Hardcore legend Mick Foley and 'Diesel' Kevin Nash.
- Listen to Mick Foley's Entrance theme
- Listen to Kevin Nash' Entrance theme

Instead I've decided to go for the Entrance themes of the Raw Nottingham headliner, CM Punk. His original and current themes capture two different kinds of happiness.

CM Punk's current theme evokes a feeling of naive bliss, the type of childlike joy one gets when immersed in a comic book or feel when meeting a star one admires:

VIDEO: 'Cult of Personality' by Living Colour (CM Punk's new Entrance theme)


His original theme on the other hand embodies a more mature exhilaration. Its like when you're in a nightclub surrounded by stunning women, overwhelmed by pleasure but tempered by adult concerns of doubt, frustration and guilt. Where, cloaked by the loud music you let out a euphoric primal scream. Uh... but maybe that's just me?

VIDEO: 'This Fire Burn by Killswitch Engage (CM Punk's old Entrance theme)


This distinction between the two kinds of happiness is interestingly mirrored in the two wrestling fan types - Marks and Smarks (Smart Marks)
What is your definition of a Mark and a Smark?
A mark is someone who enjoys the show for what it is. They are able to suspend their disbelief and watch wrestling for what goes on [onscreen and they don't care] what goes on backstage. A pure mark is unaware of the scripted nature of the program and believes that wrestling is a legitimate competition.

A smart mark (Smark) is someone who is aware of the staged nature of the show but can still suspend their disbelief to a certain extent...

A smark is someone who thinks they know everything about the business. They tend to put down marks and others who can suspend their disbelief while watching the show. Smarks tend to nit-pick and question every decision a wrestling company makes...
- My collection of Wrestling experiences featured in my 'Memento Year' exhibition
- Find the entire 'Road Music' Track listings here
- Read a glossary of Pro Wrestling definitions here
- Marking out to wrestling, Comics and Comedy in England

Nov 11, 2011

Coolspotting: Nerding out in England - Comics, CosPlay, Video Games and Wrestling

nintendisco, london
'Nintendisco' @93 Feet East, London
Day 272 - Nintendisco (London)
- '93 Feet East' in Shoreditch, where I celebrated my birthday with great friends
- Nintendisco was celebrating its own birthday, turning one
- Participated in the SNES StreetFighter II tournament, Losing a tight one in the 3rd round playing as T-Hawk against Guile.
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london, comics, expo, excel
London Comic Con @ExCel Arena, London 
Day 274 - London MCM Expo (London)
- The ExCel arena was simultaneously hosting a Comic Convention and casting 'Britain's Next Top Model'. Beauty and the Geek.
- Saw an opening during the morning rush and snuck in. Notables include sampling the new Streetfighter games and sitting ringisde for UK Indy Wrestling fed, FWA (Frontier Wrestling Alliance)
- Nabbed a "StreetFighter UK Fight Club" tshirt that was being thrown into the crowd.

The night was capped of by the finals of Euro Cosplay 2011
- Personal fave in competition: Inquisitor Lord Hector Rex from Warhammer 40K, Lithuania
- Personal fave in the crowd: Dudley from StreetFighter IV
- The 2011 winner: Skeksil Chamberlin from Dark Crystal, England

Go to the official London MCM Expo page
Go to FoxyChan81's Flickr album - Euro Cosplay 2011

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ufc 138, chris leben, mark munoz, birmingham
UFC 138 @LG Arena, Birmingham
Day 279 to Day 281 - UFC 138 (Birmingham)
- Rashad Evans and Ross Pearson in-store signing, Dudley (near Birmingham). Got a photocard and my flatcap signed.
- UFC 138 weigh-ins. Befriended a former Arena security guard in the queue, with his connects we got to sit in the gated area alongisde Fight Club members, press and fighter entourage.
- Accessed the members-only line to meet Ross Pearson and Octagon girls Arianny and Chandella. The lock: Security guard asks "Are you a member?". The password: "Yes".
- The Birmingham hostel was full of Fight fans from around Europe. I was offered half-priced tickets but it was still too rich for my blood.
- Unbeknownst to me UFC President Dana White had tweeted they would be handing out free tickets to the show at a designated location. Seeing dozens of burly tattooed men, clutching their mobiles spiked my curiosity. I was at the right place at the right time.
- I sat next to fans who paid £160 for their seats. After winning his undercard bout, Michihiro Omigawa and his trainer sat behind us with their fam.

Find UFC 138 Results here. Find UFC 138 weigh-in highlights.

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wwe, smackdown, birmingham
WWE Smackdown @LG Arena, Birmingham
Day 283 - WWE Smackdown (Birmingham)
- After making an unexpected return to WWE, prodigal son Mick Foley graced Birmingham with his presence
- Three grown men were in full costume beside me, Papa Shango, Sgt Slaughter and someone I couldn't identify. When I inquired, he declared he was Razor Ramon. He told me Security confiscated his toothpick.

Find pictures of WWE Smackdown in Birmingham here

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cm punk, wwe raw, nottingham
CM Punk in Nottingham, England
Day 285 - WWE Raw (Nottingham)
Betraying his fan favorite persona onscreen, CM Punk is notoriously prickly to his admirers. This was on display in Nottingham. His in-store signing before the night's show was hurried and perfunctory. I also witnessed this animated exchange as fans gathered around the departing tour buses after the show:
FAN: Can you sign my shirt?
CM PUNK: (taunting) Throw it over the fence.
FAN: (unsure) Are you going to sign it?
CM PUNK: Where's your pen?
FAN: (pleading with others) Does anyone here have a pen?
CM PUNK: You want me to sign your shirt but you don't even have a pen. You're not very smart are you? You're a douchebag!
- Kliqster Kevin Nash makes a surprise appearance, teaming with 'Awesome Truth' in a six-man tag against Cena, Ryder and Kingston
- 3 kids in front of me persisted with their puzzling chant of "We pee on you!"

Find pictures of WWE Raw in Nottingham here

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mick foley, stand up comedy, uk
Mick Foley UK Comedy Tour 2011 @Glee Club, Nottingham
Day 286 - Mick Foley: UK Comedy Tour 2011 (Nottingham)- I spent the night visiting the Comedy clubs of Nottingham. Visiting my second venue that evening, I happily stumbled onto Mick Foley's sold out Comedy show. Missed out on the performance but was able to meet the man after the show and get my flatcap signed.

Find the official page of 'Mick Foley: Stand Up UK Tour 2011'

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Nerds Gone Wild!
I often get asked why I like wrestling, my standard response is that it speaks to me intellectually. I enjoy the charisma, psychology and manipulation. Experiencing the show live, I realised I'd overlooked its obvious appeal - watching wrestling makes me feel like a kid again. For maximum enjoyment you need to completely buy into it. Its about surrendering, not being jaded or acting self conscious. The same goes for the fantasy in comics, the roleplaying found in Cosplay or the immersion in Video games. Considering my travels have largely been in pursuit of happiness it was a pleasant epiphany.

awesome truth, wwe, miz, r-truth
'Awesome Truth: The Miz and R-Truth in Nottingham
Its been a fun few weeks marking out to all these cult pursuits. During the show in Nottingham, heels Miz and R-Truth delivered a wrestling promo that encapsulates the feeling:
After manipulating the audience with a microphone sketch, 'Awesome Truth' admonishes the crowd

MIZ: You're all puppets! And we are the puppet masters
R-TRUTH: (singing catchphrase) That's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...
MIZ: (singing) ...and Iiit's Aaaaaaawesoome!
The Kids are Alright
- Coolspotting in Frankfurt and Barcelona
- Coolspotting: Subculture in the South of Spain
- Coolspotting in Netherlands
- Coolspotting in Netherlands Pt II
- Coolspotting: Nerding out in England - Comics, CosPlay, Video Games and Wrestling
- Coolspotting in Berlin
- Coolspotting in Istanbul
- Coolspotting in Sydney
- Coolspotting in Melbourne

Read more Wrestling posts:
- Road Music: Songs to be happy to (UFC 138)
- Road Music: Songs to be happy to (WWE UK Tour, November 2011)
- Coolspotting: Nerding out in England - Comics, CosPlay, Video Games and Wrestling
- Pro Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts in South America

Nov 5, 2011

Road Music: Songs to be happy to (UFC 138)

One of the fun parts about watching an MMA card is listening to each combatant's choice of motivational "Fight Music". I was fortunate enough to score tickets to 'UFC 138' in Birmingham, England.

chris lebe, mark munoz, crippler, filipino, brimingham, ufc 138
The following songs were the respective Entrance Themes for Chris 'The Crippler' Leben and Mark 'The Filipino Wrecking Machine' Muñoz who featured in the Main Event.

VIDEO: 'Mad World' by Gary Jules


VIDEO: 'Bebot' by The Black Eyed Peas


- Find the entire 'Road Music' Track listings here

Oct 30, 2011

Other people's stories - Tales of: Love

Welcome to my second installment of 'Other People's Stories'. Whilst I might not always be creating interesting experiences, I've had the benefit of meeting people with fascinating stories. In this edition I will be presenting stories of 'Love'.

'Love' is personal, complicated and inspiring, the foundation for some of the world's greatest stories and art. Personally when it comes to affairs of the heart I try to remain as neutral as possible when dealing with other people's relationships.
Human chemistry isn't an exact science and ultimately they will be the ones dealing with the consequences of the choices they make.

lisbon, wedding, bollywood Canadian S*
I hung out with Canadian S* and her sister in the early stages of my Lisboa experience. On their final night we hit the Docas party district where we were joined by an Australian ladyfriend they had traveled with after meeting in Sevilla. When I had met S* she mentioned befriending a server in a restaurant she had been frequenting, he also joined us. Mistakenly expecting a Portugese fellow I found the "friend" was actually a fellow Indian making a life in Portugal, the two were inseparable that evening,

We partied the night away, the Gentleman later joining us in our hostel. We all exchanged details, life went on. Months later via online chat, S* inquired about her companion in Portugal as I remained in Lisboa for a few weeks after they had departed. When I asked why, she explained that she had been "thinking about him and was pondering a return". I had nothing to report and gave her my best wishes but quietly thought it was impulsive and admirable.

Months later my Facebook news stream presented photos of their colourful wedding in Lisbon.
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martin vunk, estonia football
Turkish H*
I rallied the 2 other guests staying in my Tartu Hostel for an evening of quiet drinks around town, the charming and down-to-earth Turkish H* being one of them. The perfunctory question "What brings you here?" was trotted out, it was quickly apparent she didn't have a typical story.

Month earlier the Estonian Football team were present at an Istanbul Hotel where she was performing some traditional music with her band. The team had been in Turkey playing an exhibition football match, H* spotted Estonian Midfielder Martin Vunk from across the room and fell in love.

Her infatuation brought her to Tartu, where Vunk had grown up and presumably "walked the very same streets". She had been in the Capital of Tallinn days earlier, waiting outside the Football grounds in freezing temperatures hoping to connect with him. She never got to meet Martin but was able to hand-deliver a letter via one of his teammates. She didn't get a response (yet).
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beer googles, germany, drunkDrunken German
I was in the company of two students from America and Germany, they were visiting from Finland where they were studying. We were in the common room of our Tallinn hostel in deep conversation. It was approaching dawn when a drunk German (1 of a group of 12) joined us after a big night on the town:
Me: How was your night dude?
DG: I was talking to this girl...
Me: Cool!
DG: I have a girlfriend though, I've been with her for a year. I've never had a girlfriend for this long before. I've had 41 girlfriends and they've never lasted more than a week or a few nights...
Me: Oh!

DG: I was talking to this girl for 2 hours. We were getting along real well. I could talk to her so easily like I can when I'm with my girlfriend.

My friends were trying to separate us because they said she was ugly.
(crosstalk by the girls)
I'm really drunk!
I told her that if this is really true love then we should spend the night together - but y'know - no sex.

Me: W-w-wait, who mentioned the "true love" part. You or her?!
DG: Umm... I did. (pause) Yeeah you're right. It is kinda gay!
- Other people's stories - Tales of: Adventure
- Other people's stories - Tales of: Love
- Other people's stories - Tales of: Living the Dream
- Other people's stories - Tales of: Living in the moment

Oct 26, 2011

Bill Hicks' tribute night in Tartu, Estonia. "What's the point?"

bill hicks, comedy estonia
'Bill Hicks' tribute night in Tartu, Estonia
In Tartu, I enjoyed the Bill Hicks' Movie night hosted by 'Comedy Estonia'. In addition I was able to spend some time with co-founder Louis Zezeran after the gig as I had met him through mutual Comedy friends prior to my yearlong trip. We discussed the importance of "finding purpose", as it informed his decision to unexpectedly make a life in the country after Eurotripping in 2006.

A recurring theme of my time in Estonia has been "What's your point?".
Even before setting foot in the country, I was questioned by an Estonian "You're constantly meeting people, half you won't ever see again. What's the point?". After meeting many travelers in Tallinn who've been on the road indefinitely, some for as long as 16 years it's a question I've been pondering. Also due to my circular way of thinking and meandering way of speaking, people often interject, "Uhh, What's your point?".

Bill Hicks offers his take.

VIDEO: Bill Hicks - The Ride

Bill Hicks Lines, Revelations (1993)
Is there a point to all of this ? Let's find a point. Is there a point to my act? I would say there is. I have to.

The world is like a ride at an amusement park. And when you choose to go on it, you think that it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. And the ride goes up and down and round and round. It has thrills and chills, and it's very brightly coloured, and it's very loud and it's fun, for a while.

Some people have been on the ride for a long time, and they begin to question - is this real, or is this just a ride? And other people have remembered, and they come back to us. They say 'Hey! Don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because, this is just a ride.' And we...kill those people. Ha ha ha. 'Shut him up! We have a lot invested in this ride. SHUT HIM UP! Look at my furrows of worry. Look at my big bank account and family. This just has to be real.'

It's just a ride. But we always kill those good guys who try and tell us that, you ever notice that? And let the demons run amok. But it doesn't matter because: it's just a ride. And we can change it anytime we want. It's only a choice. No effort, no work, no job, no savings, and money. A choice, right now, between fear and love. The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourselves off.

The eyes of love, instead, see all of us as one. Here's what you can do to change the world, right now, to a better ride. Take all that money that we spend on weapons and defence each year, and instead spend it feeding, clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would many times over, not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace.

A question answered with a quote: Latvia + Estonia edition

My compilation of quotes have traditionally been dedicated from one place, this new set is the first I've collected over two Countries since my maiden 'QAwaQ'.

The Baltic experience has been memorable for its incredible hospitality. My time in Latvia has been particularly unique in that its been entirely defined by CouchSurfing, it became a mission to make it 100% CS after completing consecutive days early on. Though CS has been a familiar theme in my travels, its still quite a novelty for me. If I had to describe Latvia in a word, I'd call it "neighbourly".

One quibble though, in the many conversations I've had about happiness we've all seemingly nominated "Ice Cream" as the analog for nirvana. In Latvia the "No eating" signs are depicted by Ice Cream being crossed out. What a bummer!

Find the collection of quotables here:
- A question answered with a quote: German + Italian edition
- A question answered with a quote: Spain edition
- A question answered with a quote: Portugal edition
- A question answered with a quote: Holland Edition
- A question answered with a quote: UK Edition
- A question answered with a quote: Lithuania Edition
- A question answered with a quote: Latvia + Estonia edition
- A question answered with a quote: England edition
- A question answered with a quote: Germany Revisited edition
- A question answered with a quote: Turkey edition
- Listen to my Podcast inspired by AQAwaQ: Lets's Get Real podcast

With that I present to you 'A question answered with a quote: Latvia + Estonia edition'

Use simple constructions

I like this moment where there is this gap of "why?" between someone

People are clever, People are good

I would say I'm in trouble

Once you get the ice cream you lose the passion for it

- Satisfaction isn't the greatest motivator
- I think "changes" are more memorable

You can forget facts but you can't forget understanding

You're illusion could be my reality

There are two sides to one truth

- We are the architects of our own lives
- You can simulate sex but you can't simulate stories

- I believe you meet everyone twice but you don't always know it
- We all have our missions

Happy people don't look at their watch

Let's see

- Without the tears of goodbye there wouldn't be the smiles of hello
- Scars decorate a man

Come on! We will remember it

There are things you can never put in frames

If it's cactus. All good

- Destiny is so rude
- You must go to the battlefield and Fight!


(after giving girl advice) When I'm in a relationship, I'm an expert.
When I'm not in one, I know nothing all over again.