Versions: Mad World

I'm not a big fan of revivals, but sometimes, you do find some that actually work. Here's a good example -- I have three versions of 'Mad World.'

'Mad World' was originally sung by the British band, Tears for Fears in 1982 and was included in their debut LP, 'The Hurting,' which was released the following year. The song turned out to be their first international success, making it to the Top 40 between 1982-1983.



In 2001, a slower, ballad-like cover by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules was used in the movie, "Donnie Darko." The song was such a big hit that aside from being released in 2002 as part of the movie's soundtrack, the two had to release it as a single in 2003. This too became a big hit, being the Number One single over the Christmas Holiday in the UK. It's music video also became very popular in the word wide web, garnering over 13 million views in YouTube as of 2009.



Fast forward to 2009, 'Mad World' once again gained worldwide popularity when American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert sang the slow Gary Jules version on the Top 8 performance night featuring 'Songs From the Year They Were Born.' He again chose this as his encore for the May 19th season finale. As of this week's Billboard Hot 100, Adam Lambert is at last place, dropping from previous week's postion of 44.

On a personal note, I love this song for a variety of reasons and I'm very glad that because of these artists, I am able to enjoy it in different ways. I love the Tears for Fears version because being an 80's kid myself, hearing it really takes me back to my time. However, the lyrics of the song had more meaning to me when the slower Gary Jules version was featured in CSI's Season 6, Episode 2 "Room Service." Lastly, though I'm not a big Adam Lambert fan, I enjoyed his American Idol performance as I find it very haunting. To experience that from a reality show where hopefuls sing their hearts out for a shot in the mainstream, that was magical and it obviously worked for him.

*If you don't want to watch the videos, you may just listen to all three versions either below or through my Multiply Playlist.

Tears for Fears (1982)


Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules (2003)


Adam Lambert (2009)

Top 10 Fictitious Celebrity Email Addresses

I'm so stoked! I had a long day at work. I got home a bit later than usual, turned the laptop on and guess what I saw -- my beloved Rusher friends raving on Twitter about my entries for this week's Nokia/Ovi Mail promo for The Morning Rush Top 10! Can you believe that? My own peeers, sending me all these wonderful comments about my entries being "nice" and "great" and how "they rocked today's TMR." They're even hoping that I win the prize! Awwwww, it was really touching. And trust me, I'm talking about the popular-and-notorious-topic-and-entry-senders of the Top 10! I'm talking about boknoi, PurpleRose and sashapurse! Oh my gawd, right? Oh well, I guess in spite of my best efforts to reinvent myself from BadGirl`JeL to Abernathy™, at the end of day, I'm still one hell of a smart-ass bitch! LOL

Anyway, here are all the entries that I've sent for this week's topic, Top 10 Fictitious Celebrity Email Addresses. I'm not sure if I marked everything that was read on-air today. Also, take note of the 'email sets' as they are related with one another. Too bad though, Chico didn't read the other parts of the sets that did make it to the Top 10. Anyway, I'm hoping to get hold of today's recordings and of course, keeping my fingers crossed that I win the much coveted price, the very sleek Nokia2330 Classic. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy the bitchy fruits of my creative juices.


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Jennifer Aniston: *Top 10 Material*
ihatemrssmith@bitterexwives.com

Angelina Jolie:
harharhar@whogetstheguy.com

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Britney Spears:
oopsididitagain@againandagain.com

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Billy Ray Cyrus: *Top 10 Material*
mydaughtersarockstar@daddyhasbeens.com

Miley Cyrus:
daddysgirl@morepopularthandad.com

Trace Cyrus:
hitchinaride@imacyrustoo.com

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Paris Hilton: But of course, she deserves to have her own list! LOL

thatshot@couldvebeendiana.com
prettybutskanky@pornprincess.net *Top 10 Material*
icanbeanything@cozimahilton.org
mostoverratedcelebrity@guinnessworldrecords.com

* The last one is actually true! She made it to the world record as Most Overrated Person/Celebrity in 2007. Check out this TMZ article (among others) for more details.

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Manny Pacquiao:
nothingpersonalan@mannypacquiao.com.ph
youknow@pacman.net
afterKO@politiko.org

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EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR THE GUTIERREZ FAMILY:

For Ruffa Gutierrez:
miss-kumukutikutitap-world@gutierrezfamily.com
* In spite of the Ms. World title, she became popular with her 'Kumukutikutitap' advert first

For Richard Gutierrez:
salamatsamulawin@gutierrezfamily.com
* Probably his breakthrough role... as a bird LOL

For Raymond Gutierrez:
transparentcloset@gutierrezfamily.com
* In light of the 'gay' rumors

For Annabel Rama:
mamamahadera@gutierrezfamily.com
* 'Nuff said!

For Eddie Gutierrez:
mukhangtakuza@gutierrezfamily.com
* Due to the email address above

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Nora Aunor:
walanghimala@nunal.com

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Shia LaBeouf:
ShiaLaBeouf@oedipuscomplex.com

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Adam Lambert:
ImGaySoWhat@idol-runner-up.com

Clay Aiken:
TerritorialDiva@idol-runner-up.com

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Megan Fox:
HeyTalkAboutMe@publicity-hungry.net *Top 10 Material*
MayGoEitherWay@AJolieWannabe.com
GayagayaSiMegan@KSP.com.ph

* Just browsed through some of her photos and I think she's trying oh-so-hard to 'emulate' A Jolie's aura. She even has some sort of text tatooed on her back just like Angelina. Bitch! LOL

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Anne Heche:
crazyanne@wasbian.com

* wasbian = was lesbian

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Chris Pine and Audrina Patridge:
ChrisAndAudrina_ParangTubig@LangisKayaDiNagtagal.com

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Tom Cruise: *Top 10 Material*
WentCrazy@OprahsCouch.com

My Favorite Beach Photos - Anilao, Batangas

More beach photos!

I'm very thankful that even though I've only been to two beaches (I mean, now that I'm a grown-up), I was fortunate enough to see probably two of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines. As far as I've heard, both Bohol and Anilao are popular destinations for snorkeling and diving. I hope to see more in the future, especially the ones in Palawan and of course, my Mom's province, La Union. Maybe then, I'd be more daring to try new and exciting things like spelunking (that is, if I don't die on-the-spot becaue of claustrophobia) and we never know, perhaps even surfing! Yeah, right! LMFAO

Part 2: Anilao, Batangas

"Salubong"

"David and Goliath"

"The Perfect Rays"

"My View from the Deck"

"Looking Up"

"My Memory of Anilao"

My Favorite Beach Photos - Panglao Island, Bohol

I really didn't like going to the beach. That was until January this year when my partner, Millie, my best friends and I went on a five-day holiday in Bohol. Since then, I'm officially a convert.

Last month, four of us headed out to Anilao, Batangas this time, for a rather short, over-the-weekend double-date R&R.

If only Millie and I have more time and well, much more money, I can just imagine us going to the beach every chance we get and just swim and snorkel and sunbathe, and of course, take beautiful photos.

Here are some of my favorite beach photos that automatically takes me back to those wonderful places and moments every time I look at them...

Part 1: Panglao Island, Bohol

"Panglao Hangout"

"Floating Lamyaan"

"Japan! Japan! Underwater"

"My Memory of Panglao"

A Question, A Pet Peeve and Another Question

The question:
How come it's ok to say "Are you lesbian?" or "Are you a lesbian?" or "I am lesbian." or "I am a lesbian." but it's not grammatically correct to say "Are you a gay?" or "I am a gay."?

The pet peeve:
Hearing people say "I'll just get a coffee."

The other question:
How do you remind a close friend about the rules of past tense verbs? Did you got what I mean?

My Thoughts About Adam Lambert

I'm not an Adam Lambert fan.

I've been very vocal about this since the beginning of American Idol's 8th season. I admit to even mocking his shrieking banshee perfomances not once, nor twice throughout the competition. Though I am a Danny Gokey fan, I don't mind about other contestants. For me, it's all a matter of preference and Adam's style simply doesn't appeal to my taste. Nonetheless, I'm not blind, nor deaf. The man can undoubtedly sing his face off. He's a true performer and let's face it, his level of showmanship may well compete with that of mainstream artists, perhaps, he may even do better. His background in theatre obviously worked to his advantage, allowing him to make the most out of hair, make-up, costumes, lighting, sometimes even effects, and of course, the way he sets the mood of his performance through his larger-than-life gestures and poignant facial expressions.

American Idol is more than a singing competition. Through the years, the talent/reality show has evolved from a nationwide popularity contest to a worldwide phenomenon. Season after season, people all over the world have become more and more passionate about their Idols -- forming fan clubs, putting up fan sites, coining catchphrases to identify themselves or their Idol, probably even designing merchandise showing off who they proudly support. It's amazing, really, how even a country halfway across the globe can be so passionate about the show. With Season 8 probably having the most talented batch of contestants, fans were fiercer like never before, promoting their American Idol every chance they get, putting everything on hold to catch the earliest possible broadcast.

This evening, out of curiosity, I started looking up photos and videos of Adam Lambert and I was just appalled. I cannot believe how people will go out of their way to pull someone down. Yes, one's sexual orientation may affect one's decision to support someone or not, but nooooo, these people are not content by simply "not liking" him or supporting everyone else except him. They've decided to convince others to the same by launching a smear campaign against him. I was surprised at the effort these people put into faking photos and uploading them to popular sites just to defame someone, as if they don't have anything better to do. Define "faking photos"? Well, let's just say that they label practically anyone with eyeliner and Adam's trademark hairstyle as Adam Lambert. There was one photo with the title "ADAM LAMBERT WAS GAY EVEN AS A YOUNG BOY! PROOF!" showing two black-haired youngsters dressed like him kissing. As it turns out, Adam's hair was blonde until High School. They've also referred to certain drag queens who are way too covered with make-up and elaborate costumes to be recognized as Adam Lambert. Apparently, anyone gay, wearing a costume, a wig and all covered with over the top make-up or at least an eyeliner is Adam Lambert. How pathetic is that?

First off, Adam Lambert being gay or not is irrelevant. American Idol is, after all, a SINGING competition. Second, Adam Lambert has a life prior to American Idol. Do these people honestly think his family and friends do not know how he looked like when he was in High School? Third, American Idol is a TV show! It's meant for entertainment. I wonder how much better the world is if all these energy being put into destroying another person is being put into good use. Lastly, does he look like he cares? He doesn't.

As for him losing the title of American Idol, no comment. Honestly, it doesn't matter! With lots of people rooting for him and yes, even taking the time to diss him, he obviously has a bright career ahead of him.

A Couple of Funny Vids from Cracked.Com

Thanks to my friend, Chris for introducing me to Cracked.Com! Crazy website! Anyway, enjoy watching these funny videos. =)

The Easy Way to Make Your Cat Fun Again

The Easy Way to Make Your Cat Fun Again -- powered by Cracked.com

Why Having Wolverine's Claws Would Suck

Why Having Wolverine's Claws Would Suck -- powered by Cracked.com