The Google John Legend Duet of 'Ordinary People'

Evan pinged me the video on YouTube! Someone filmed it. The Audio doesn't do the duet justice. You had to be there in person. It was AMAZING!

The Day In Music: An Idol & A Legend

An Idol

Before work, I went to Target to pick up Katharine McPhee's new self-titled album. I listened to it last week on Vh1.com. I really liked my first listen. There are some VERY solid tracks on this album. I'm impressed. Her album is ready for my car, the clubs, and a concert. Check out her new single, 'Over It.' I also really like 'Open Toes' and 'Dangerous.'

A Legend

John Legend stopped by Google for a stunning impromptu performance. He played the piano and sang his heart out. He made it really intimate and answered a lot of questions. It reminded me of those performances on Vh1 Storytellers back in the day.

I really want to go get his new album that came out in October. A Googler, by the name of Brian, was ballsy enough to ask for a duet for 'Ordinary People.' John was game and they both belted out to their hearts content. Brian performed the song at Google Idol during our Summer Picnic. So he thought since John was playing that he would sing a duet. It was brilliant. I hope someone recorded it and puts it on YouTube.

From John Legend a...

I'll Be Your Dreamboy

I'm feeling better. And as such, Alex and I went to see Dreamgirls this afternoon.

It was fun. Ya, Beyonce can't act... and Jennifer Hudson can sing. I REALLY enjoyed the music. But seriously... they didn't need a song every 20 seconds.

During random points of the movie I felt the need to do random hand/arm gestures like they did in the movie. Alex called me super gay. It didn't matter cause there were like 6 people in the theater. Haha.

The Sucky Part

About:

* Being Single
* Living Alone
* Being Away from Family

Is that when you're sick, you pretty much on you're own. I mean co-workers and friends always ask if they can do anything. Nai was especially sweet on Thursday offering to pick me up food and medicine after I left work early.

The other 99% of the time, I enjoy my independence. But ya, it is a sucky feeling when you're sick. :/

The Wii Blink: Download Me!

The Nintendo Wii is really cool. That's why people are still fighting for it at your local big box retailer.

I just downloaded two channels, the News Channel & The Internet Channel. The console is smart enough to 'blink' at me when there are cool updates. That's how I know to download something. I walk home and my Wii is blinking. We have a good relationship like that.

THE NEWS CHANNEL

What a brilliant innovation this is. You can read the news in two different ways. By Section, like Sports or Business, or by scanning the maps of the globe. Hover over London and you'll see news stories taking place in London. Very Very Cool. I think I'll be reading more news from my couch.

THE INTERNET CHANNEL

Surfing the internet with a on-screen keyboard is not the best, however, bringing the internet to my TV is pretty cool. I mean, reading email on my screen isn't interesting... watching YouTube videos are, however. Watching online media on my TV should scare a few companies... namely Cable companies.

Catch & Release... A Year Later

So this weekend, the Jennifer Garner/Kevin Smith Dark Romantic Comedy, "Catch and Release" finally hits theaters.

I saw it over a year ago in LA (Nov, '05) during a private screening. I think they shelved it for PR reasons and finally decided to release it. The early buzz is good. I know that Ebert & Roeper are giving it two thumbs up. I think it's very fun. Definitely worth seeing. Here is what I had to say about it a year ago:

That private screening of the Jennifer Garner film, called "Catch and Release" was surprisingly good. I'm not really a fan of hers, but it was a nice departure. At the last second, as we were leaving the film, they pulled me and my buddy Jonathan for the "after movie focus group". That was pretty fun, coming from a person who studied marketing in the past. The best thing about this film: Kevin Smith. Hands down.

Recovery / Celebration

I'm sipping my hot Tazo Chai Tea, hoping for my body to heal over this painful cold I have. Our whole office seems to have something. I've been sick the past couple of weeks, but it blew up on Monday. I would take a day off, but I feel as If I have way too many prior commitments to give up on.

Today I led my team meeting. It was to theme of American Idol. Oh yes... American Idol. :)

After work, we went to celebrate with Mo, who will be heading to our Ann Arbor Office. We ate dinner at the Sonoma Chicken Coop. It was awesome. It's quick serve and super cheap. I will most def go back. There were like 25 things on the menu I wanted to try. When there, we ran into Brian B., one of the old temps I used to work with. Such a small world...

Afterward, I went to Tin's place to check our her digs. We live like 3 blocks from each other... and yet I've never seen the inside of the Townhouse she lives in.

Group Shot @ Sonoma Chicken Coop in Downtown San Jose, CA

Heroes

Yesterday Nai and I cranked out the last 3 episodes of Heroes we hadn't yet watched. The past couple months, We'd just watch two episodes every so often. Now we're all caught up. Tonight, Heroes comes back on and I'm kinda excited. It's such a nerdy show, but after dedicating so much time to it, I figure I'll stay with it. There is so much going on with that show... so many tiny things you have to observe.

Thai Fusion & Gelato

I had a pretty tough workout with Nai tonight. I wasn't on my game. Oh wells, It's been a long week.

After working out and laundry at Google, I met up with Alex for Dinner.

We went to Castro St. in Downtown Mountain View to try one of the new places that popped up (and there are plenty). This time was '3 - TA.'

It's a Thai-French fusion (although it's called 'New World Fusion' on the outside) restaurant. I have to agree with most of the yelp-ers... the service was a bit un-even. Not sure why our Jasmine rice came out 7 minutes after our entree. The presentation was nice though. Alex and I both got the same entree. It was a Mango Chicken dish... grilled chicken, mango, snap peas, etc. The entree was a bit cold. The decor of the place was really nice. The bar area was also cool. The staff felt a little pushy but I'm sure this will all be worked out... since it's a new restaurant and all. For the prices, I would only go if I was in the mood. The superior 'real thai' restaurant next door, Amarin, is more of a place I would crave more.

Maybe we'll just go for drinks next time. Those were cheap.

After, I went to get a small portion of Gelato at Gelato Classico. I love that place. It's always such a treat. I got half Rum Raisin and half White Chocolate Decadanza. Yummy.

It's Official

Hillary's In.... and She's In To Win. Will It Be Hillary or Barack in 2008? Or Neither?

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/video/

Dinner & A Movie

This was an unbelievably long week even though it was 'short' because of MLK day. I wanted to go to dinner. So I told Nai I've been wanting to try Pluto's in Downtown Palo Alto. It's a quick serve restaurant in which you can get out under $10. It was really good for the money. I like the decor. The patrons were yuppie Palo Alto kiddies, but don't let that distract you.

Later on in the night, I met up with Elizabeth and Alex to see 'The Queen' at Cine arts in Palo Alto. The movie was really good. The acting was great. It felt super real and a great depiction of how a country felt during the tragedy of Princess Diana's death.

My Favorite American Idol Moment: Wookie Woman

So the 4 hours of American Idol that have aired this week have been highly entertaining. This has to be my single favorite moment. I'm glad the person on YouTube agreed with me in describing this as the 'Wookie Woman.' She totally sounds like Chewie from Star Wars! Simon's Face is pretty priceless. Enjoy!

Lang Lang Piano Concert in SF

On Tuesday, a bunch of Googlers trekked to San Francisco to see world famous pianist, Lang Lang. The first half was a bit of a snooze (mainly traditional music). However, the second half was AMAZING. I can't believe fingers could move that fast. I'm also surprised he didn't get whiplash. Haha. I love seeing culture rich performances in such a wonderful arts city like San Francisco. It was held at Davies Symphony Hall right near Civic Center.

Going out to see live music with co-workers on a work night was a great experience. I felt like a grown-up. It was weird. I felt like it was an out of body experience.

Pictured Left to Right: Will, Michael, Hikaro (Kenji's Wife), Kenji, Adam, Steph, Lisa, Leah, Danny, Nai, Brian & Katherine

1 Night Only

It's that wonderful day that happens annually in Hollywood. It's the Golden Globes!

These award show nights make me miss living in LA. It's one of the few times the 'Glitz and Glam' Hollywood is known for comes alive. Most other days it's just crappy traffic and smog.

It's super cold. After a long day at work on my day off, I went to Whole Foods to get some dinner. It's super pricey, but I managed to get a good meal for under $10.

• Small Chicken Noodle Soup (Although It's Not Small) - $3.99
• Customized Salad from the Bar (Baby Greens, Dried Cranberries, Blue Cheese Crumbles, Carrots & Balsamic Vinegar) - $1.68
• Fresh Bread - $0.99

I wanted hot soup because it has been so cold. Now all I need is a boy to keep me warm.

I need you to keep me warm...

It's really cold outside in the South Bay. The Silicon Valley was about 1 degree off from all times lows.

Extremes in both the summer and winter are really weird. Well, on the bright side, I do like having seasons.

I did get a few things done today.

• Drove "Fluffy" (Alex's Car) to Valley Fair Mall to do a little browsing. I didn't find very much. I did end up getting a pair of Jeans at the Levi's Store.
• Got my car back from detailing... after last night's car disaster. All is well. "Silver" as Alex has named my car, is back in good shape.
• Went to Target to get some things. I got a new black comforter for my bed. I needed a little change up. I can't stand things in my bedroom for very long. A little change is always good.
  

My car will never be the same.

My car is like 6 years old. Never once did it get tainted like it did tonight.

I don't think I'll ever forget what just happened... and all I can do is just laugh.

Thanks Alex. :P

Alex and I swapped cars for the time being. He's getting my car detailed tomorrow. Oh man...

I'm Back

I've ignored by blogger. I'm back now :)