New Found Glory's 'Sugar Coated' Covers

New Found Glory covers a slew of songs ranging from Go West's King of Wishful Thinking to Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer.

If you don't take them at all seriously (and you shouldn't since they're power-pop) their covers aren't that bad. Take a listen to NFG cover "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake. Warning: Song(s) will get stuck in your head!!!



myspace here

procrastination time!

Stare at the four small spots in the center of the picture for 30 seconds, then close your eyes and tilt your head back and wait... What do you see?

'AuDs and SLPs' Continue with Winning Ways; Roll with Another Win

Count it as 3 consecutive wins in a row. 'AuD and SLPs' (3-1) unleashed an onslaught of offense to win 17-4 against 'Jasta II' (0-4). Stacy (2-0) notched another win by going 6 full innings to complete her second complete game in as many tries. Mid-season acquisitions Dan and Avery payed off with major dividends as they both drove in a big bulk of the runs scored.

AuDies and Speechies consistently picked each other up after a handful of defensive miscues. Additional help came from plays working in their favor. Notably, the ump failed to call the 'in-field fly rule' resulting in a defensive double play for the AuDs and SLPs eliminating any possible threat by 'Jasta II' in the bottom of the 5th. Collectively, everything seemed to click for UW SPHSC Dept's Unofficial team on Sunday.

Gary 'Skip' had nothing but praise about the team's current vibe: "We field, we hit, we help each other out, we laugh together, we cheer for one another. In short, this team gels and that's all that I could hope for." When asked about the upcoming game against 'The Boom Sticks' (4-0), Gary knows it won't be a walk in a park: "I've heard The Boom Sticks have dominated with some serious thump...I've noticed they've won some 'laughers'...you know, by some major lopsidedness. I give them credit, because credit is due...but hey, we've come into our own as of late and looked very strong today. No doubt, next weekend is gonna be a good game. Stay tuned. A-U-D S-L-P!!!"

Out and About: M's Game 4/25

Ah, grabbed a 'dog , garlic fries, and a cold one. Colin and I went to our first of many M's game this year on Friday 4/25. Finally meet up with Eric (Mr. MIA). In his defense, he's been super busy with his Audiology Shtick. We sat in the bleachers in left field basically above the beer garden. A's defeated the M's 4-3. I left happy, since Huston Street, the A's closer, is on my fantasy baseball team. In other words, I racked up some 'fantasy points'.

Out and About: Discovery Park

My buddy Pascal is in town. We jogged around a Discovery Park trial a couple of times (~6 miles total). The route was relatively mild. It consisted of some dirt paths and subtle inclines. In addition, some paved roads cropped up as well. The weather made for perfect running conditions. How about that, a nice sunny day in Seattle! It's always a learning experience listening/jogging with the running guru himself.

Like Whoa...

Yea, it's kinda like that...woe is me.

Michael Winslow "Man of 10,000 Sound Effects"

Haha, blast from the past! You may remember this guy from 'Spaceballs.'



More hilarity ensues here

'AuDs and SLPs' Rally in Final Frame; Catcher Injured - Pulled from Game

'AuDs and SLPs' (2-1) won their second straight game scoring 4 runs in the bottom half of the 6th inning to win 4-3 against The Husky Saxes (?-?). Muddy conditions made for loose footing and occasional slips affecting both team's play. Despite field conditions, newcomer starting pitcher Stacy (1-0) dazzled as she hurled her first complete game victory. Good 'D' backed Stacy allowing the 'Saxes only to score 3 runs over 6 innings. During the top half of the first inning, catcher Jenny was immediately removed from the game after directly taking a foul ball. Teammates helped Jenny off the field to seek medical attention up the street. 'AuDs and SLPs' debated whether or not to continue the game. Ultimately, they decided to march on. A somber mood hovered over the team throughout the game. The Husky Saxas graciously lent 'AuDs and SLPs' an extra player as to adhere to the "guy/girl batting rule." After the game, the team "brought it in" and dedicated the victory to Jenny as the team shouted "Facilitation by Communication!" Coach Gary chimed in on the foul ball taken by Jenny: "Jenny showed some serious guts walking the hit off. All we can hope is that she has a speedy recovery. No Doubt, this win was for Jenny."

Out and About: Kent 'Burbs and Capital Hill

On Saturday, Colin and I joined the BBQ for Chad's 26th Birthday in Kent, WA. Hey, people actually ate my Spam Musubi (or what guests referred to as Spam Rolls). Hurrah for processed meat! Made sure to play some Rock Band and fiddle with Nerf toys. Oh, I forgot how much I like ice cream cake! Yum.

Later that night, I cruised on by Seattle's Capital Hill district to Lindsey and Lindsay's (classmates) - Lindse(a)y Squared - 23rd birthday party. Drinks and fun. Man, I felt like I was in college again! *Sigh*, back to the reality of another week of school. Until next weekend...

Softball Tips

Here are some YouTube vids that might be useful. I've picked up some good techniques from them. Some of them are baseball drills, however they pretty much correlate to softball. Enjoy! I know, some of it is cheesy.

Throwing
Fielding in Infield
Fielding Fly Balls
Fielding in Outfield
Hitting "Leading with your Hands"
Hitting "Avoiding Hip Sliding"

Movie: Young at Heart

Colin and I saw the heart warming documentary of the drama and comedy that transpires from a performing singing cover-band troupe of 70+ year-olds. Their covers range from "I Wanna Be Sedated" by The Ramones to "Dancing in the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen. Check out Colin's Blog for the official critique of Young at Heart.

Oh yea, Regal Cinemas Downtown presented the film free of charge (vouchers needed).

Ethiopian Jazz

Ethiopian Jazz. An unfamiliar genre for possibly a few - including myself. I admit, I never really heard it until Colin (roommate) told me the 2005 comedy-drama Broken Flowers featuring Bill Murray showcased some 'E Jazz.' Take a listen. My impressions? The unique combination of melodic middle-eastern-like vocals mixed with festive jazz horns and simple percussive meters makes this music exotically lucid and flowing. Some may find classic tracks featuring quirky organ riffs that hint at both 70s funk and lounge musak - those songs are more so Americanized and easier to grasp first hand.

Mahmoud Ahmed - an Ethiopian Jazz Great

Colin, Whatcha Eating?

Bagel + Cream Cheese + Pan-Fried Spam + Sausage Patty = Spacreambausage

Solid 'D' and Clutch Hitting lands AuDies and Speechies' First Win

AuDies and Speechies (1-1) capitalized on Rookies of the Year's (?-1) late inning defensive errors by executing timely hits to ultimately pull ahead and win the game 7-5. Southpaw prospect Eric Hoover went the distance notching his first complete game victory by stymieing batters using his crafty "decibel" pitch. Defense backed Hoover up on key situations to help minimize damage and avoid any big innings for the 'RoYs'. 'AuDs and SLPs' up and down the line-up consistently sprayed hits throughout the game to slowly but surely stay in the game early and eventually finish the 'Rooks' off in the closing frames.

Team Captain Gary Miyasaki, acknowledged last week's (4/7) deflating blow-out 15-5 loss to Big Boys and Girls (1-?), however had a definite positive up-beat feeling after 4/13's game. "Yea this team is progressing. We're gonna take one game at a time. Everybody is contributing. We've got a good mix of speed, power, 'D,' guts and looks. Ya know, were all about having fun - I think that's what is gonna land us more victories. A-U-D S-L-P!!!"

Out and About: 1st Year's "Kegger"

First year UW Speechies definitely know how to throw a bomb-ass house partay. Reminded me of my college days (in a very good way!). Eric and I represented the UW AuDies (ya know, to keep it real). Fun fun fun...maybe too much fun.

Is Hot in Hurrr

Hurr, as in Seattle. Hot, I mean relatively. It almost feels like California!!! Colin and I's BBQing friendly front porch (sorry for the shotty panaramic) needs more of this weather. We've yet to break it in. I think we just need a month or so more. In the meantime...it's a few degrees away from this:

"Guest Book"

"Hey Gary, I checked out your blog the other day..." "Wha? Really? I had no idea!" Given this, I decided to create a guest book, however for some reason blogger.com doesn't offer one directly. Boo-urns. Anywho, this posting represents roundabout way of creating one. Feel free to give me a shout-out or holla through posting a comment or two. So yea, this is more or less a guest book. Love to hear from ya!

One of Gary's All Time Fav Albums

Bill Evans Trio's Moon Beams, recorded in 1962, is a collection of cooler than cool jazz ballads. It features 8 tracks of reflective melancholy using just piano, drums, and bass. To note, this album marked one of the first albums of many put out by the trio. Below is a live rendition of "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" - the first track off of Moon Beams. The recording is from a Rome concert in 1979 (a year before Bill Evan's death).

1/2 dumb and 1/2 cool

Heeey kids,

Tired of ordinary brushing sounds of of your toothbrush? Dying for 2 minutes of entertainment while you polish of your pearly whites? Hasbro makes Tooth Tunes - a toothbrushes that plays 2 minute snippets (ideal length to brush) of select teeny bop songs by sending sound vibrations that travel up to the inner ear. Like, what? Basically sound is transmitted from the toothbrush --> vibrates the teeth --> transmits it to the jawbone --> up to the inner ear. No surprise here for my audiology readers (if any). Let's just hope the sugar coated tunes don't cause any musical cavities. Har har. The only selections I found included Hannah Montana and The Jonas Brothers. Obviously, this is geared for the kiddos. Hell, I'd bite once they get Soulja Boy bumping through it.

Can We Go Back! Music Videos:

Rick Astley "Never Gonna Give You Up"

Oh Snap! I Rick Roll'd Ya!

On Gary's Playlist As He Types...

Hmm...not sure if this is a guilty pleasure, however I stumbled across Cobra Starship on the web. I'm digging them. Their sound combines (not necessarily in this order) electro-pop, 80s synth, indie-rock, power-pop and hip-hop. "Kiss My Sass" off their Fall '07 release ¡Viva La Cobra! is currently stuck in my head. Check out the youtube clip below (note: audio only).

UW IM Softball: "AuDies and Speechies" Game 1

This Spring Quarter, I am playing on the unofficial UW Speech and Hearing Department's co-rec IM softball team. Gee, we got a defensive workout today! By the end of the game, our play began to take shape - a sign of great things to come.

We Lost 15-5.

I went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI.

"On three. A-U-D S-L-P! One, two, three..."

I Want This!!!

OK, geeking out on you all. ThinkGeek.com offers the T-Qualizer Shirt. It features a battery operated band equalizer that actually responds to low to high sound frequencies.

check out this youtube clip:



Gary could bring sexy back with the T-Qualizer Shirt! Oooh yea!

Birthday Day 2 of 2

Celebrated my 27th birthday with my Seattle-area friends and classmates. We went to the family-style Italian restaurant Buca di Beppo. Yep, this Asian wasn't craving rice, but pasta, garlic bread, and cheese for his birthday. hehe. Anywho, the food and company made for an excellent time. Thanks for everyone who came out! Later, the remaining of us went to Jillian's to shoot some pool. I forgot how much I suck at it.

Check out pics here:

Gary's 27th Birthday

Birthday Day 1 of 2

Eep! Spotted a gray hair today on my 27th birthday! Birthday festivities are tomorrow so my actual day-of-birth was low key. Thanks Colin (roommate) for cooking up some bomb-ass steaks. Wrapped the day up by playing Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core on PSP. I know, geeky stuff. Roth, you've got me hooked! "PSP" is the new "Lost*" for me this quarter.*

*last quarter I watched 71 episodes in 5 weeks.

Gym 4/2

Intervals and strength training today. Sprains and strains are typical injuries that you imagine runners will suffer. However, nipple chafing? Yea, irritation of my right nipple recently developed due to constant fabric-to-skin rubbing during jogging. To help reduce blisters on my toes, I currently apply Body Glide - a deodorant-stick-like runner's recommended lubricant that helps reduce friction. Naturally, to help reduce nipple chafing or "jogger's nipple" I will need to start applying this stuff on my chest. Hmm lube on nipples. *Cue Mental Picture.*

Camera Phone Randomness: Spring Quarter Begins

Another Quarter. Bleh. Felt lethargic today in class (particularly my brain) - taking two weeks off from school will do that. To fill in down time between classes, Ryan (Filipino, left hand), Lisa (Japanese, right hand) and I (Japanese/Filipino, center hand) compared skin complexion. Truly you can see that my skin is the halfway point between them...haha.

It's refreshing to take a class outside of the basement-area of the Speech and Hearing Department. The class actually requires us to walk across the UW quad. By doing so, we get to witness actual civilization and some eye candy...hehe. I stopped to snap a pic of the cherry blossoms on the way to Statistics.

I must admit, I was fairly bored today in Educational Psych as the prof droned on about his statistical philosophies. I envisioned something like this happening in class...yea, don't ask why.