Welcome back to a new episode of Book Vs. Movie! This week, we are talking about the book/movie Mudbound which was written by Hillary Jordan (her debut novel) and directed by Dee Rees (Pariah, Bessie) who also co-wrote the adapted screenplay. The Margos are not too ashamed to admit that this particular story and film gave us a big case of the sads. However, we are so in love with the writing, storytelling and acting here that we had a very hard time figuring out which we liked better.
To find out, click on the link below!
In this show they discuss:
The sad, intense story of each character in Mudbound
Welcome back to a new episode of Book Vs. Movie! This week, we are talking about the book/movieMudboundwhich was written byHillary Jordan(her debut novel) and directed byDee Rees(Pariah,Bessie) who also co-wrote the adapted screenplay. The Margos are not too ashamed to admit that this particular story and film gave us a big case of the sads. However, we are so in love with the writing, storytelling and acting here that we had a very hard time figuring out which we liked better.
To find out, click on the link below!
In this show they discuss:
The sad, intense story of each character inMudbound
“This is What We Came For” Playlist (50 Minute-Ride)
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
Sorry for the delay everyone. I did not realize how much time has gone by but between work (two jobs,) turning my hobbies into paying gigs (two podcasts) and travel– I have been terrible about keeping up my playlists. When I began teaching I would make the point to create a new one each week. Over time it has turned into maybe once per month that I can curate a new set of tunes that I feel good about.
One of my big lessons in teaching fitness is that quality trumps novelty anytime. Sure some people can churn out new and different with an almost alarming frequency but are they creating anything good? If the list is contains only 20% good tunes—then who cares if it is all new?
Many of my old playlists (I keep them all on file cards like some kind of a spin maniac) embarrass the hell out of me. I am so much more thoughtful now as to what my students want to hear which is a variety of styles. By getting out of my own iPod and looking at other places to gain new music I have learned how amazing Pink, OneRepublic, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake really are. That 80s music (no matter how it makes me) is not everyone’s favorite genre. How amazing and inclusive it is to have all kinds of music represented in one hour and that produces happy students.
So today is a collection I have been trotting lately out that has been getting lots of praise. Let me know what you think in the comments below!
This is What We Came For:Calvin Harris with Rhianna
Welcome to the Brooklyn Fit Chick playlist Calvin! It only took you shading Taylor Swift on Instagram to get my attention! (Not really—you make great music and I should have included you ages ago.
Kid Icarus: Sam Roberts Band
Second songs on my playlist are sometimes the toughest one for me to figure out. They need to gain on the energy from the starter and help set the mood for the workout. The Sam Roberts Band has lost of great tunes of you are not aware of them. Check them out!
Uprising:Muse
This song is a uniter not a divider. Everyone loves banging their heads along to this one!
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing:Scissor Sisters
This is my absolute top song for when I am in a bad mood. Elton John co-wrote which adds to its overall awesomeness.
No More Drama:Mary J Bloge
Everyone is powerless to this magical power ballad. I have seen straight white boys cheer along to it!
Tongue Tied:Group Love
I like the overall “boppiness” of this tune and yes, I did make that word up on the fly. You like?
Monkey Wrench: Foo Fighters
It would not be a Brooklyn Fit Chick ride without my beloved Foos.
Ride:twenty one pilots
I really enjoy this band but can someone please explain to me why they use all lower case letters in their names? (Coughs) affected (coughs, coughs.)
Keep the Car Running: Arcade Fire
This is one of the best songs to sprint to so why is it only 3 ½ minutes? Work on that Arcade Fire peeps!
Sexy Back:Justin Timberlake
A blast from the past and cannot believe it took me so damn long to bring it back.
Creep:TLC
Supposedly Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez (“Turn on channel 5—she’s burning the house down!”) hated this song as it seems to promote people cheating on one another. Thankfully they talked her into releasing it as it is the dopest jam.
Baby, You’re the World to Me:David Gray
Can someone please tell me what happened to David Gray? I miss hearing him on the radio!
Simple Man:Lynrd Skynrd
Never have three guitars dueling it out have sounded so down, dirty and amazing.
That’s it for me this time. What are your new favorite tunes you think I should check out?
As I write this post it has been exactly a week since we lost David Bowie and just a few days since AlanRickman took his acting genius to the big stage in the sky. These are sad days my friends but I refuse to let that stop me from putting a little nostalgia into my playlists to show these amazing artists the respect they are due.
So today I have just one song featuring one of my faves by Bowie and the incomparable Freddie Mercury (who should also still be with us, dammit!)
Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always. So be sure to post them in the comments below!
Thanks!
Best Look Lately:Dear Rouge
If you are looking for a fun, upbeat song to begin your workout—this one by Dear Rouge (a married duo from Alberta) will do very nicely.
Ch-Check it Out: Beasite Boys
Adam MCA Yauch is gone too! (Life is most unfair, is it not?)
Pumped Up Kicks:Foster the People
Here we have another peppy tune that people always seem to enjoy when I play it in class.
Synthetica:Metric
I am an American on a mission to get this Canadian band the recognition they deserve. Buy their music, people!
Ghosts:Ladytron
If you are not familiar with Ladytron they are a rock, new wave, synth, techno, alternative band from Liverpool that does tons of remixes for big stars all the time. Listen to them!
The Pit:Silversun Pickups
I love this band for their hard charging music that is perfect for doing fast intervals and sprints.
Get the Party Started:P!nk
This song has that “everyone in the room is immediately on board” kind of quality to it. In other words—it is always a winner.
Tell Me Baby:Red Hot Chili Pepper
I use this song for high intensity drills (HIIT) because the Peppers music is perfect for that sort of thing,
Under Pressure: Queen & David Bowie
They should BOTH still be with us, dammit!
Family Affair:Mary J. Blige
This number by Mary J. Blige is another “room winner” that gets everyone in a good mood.
Stronger:Kanye West
I like to finish with a big climb and Kanye, though just a tad egotistical, knows how to create a beat that will keep you motivated.
I and Love and You:The Avett Brothers
For the cool down music The Avett Brothers always do nicely. Why they didn’t just name this one “Brooklyn Take Me In” confounds me but “I and Love and You” is kind of memorable. I guess…
That’s it for me this time. Now go out there get your workout in!
Its midsummer when I type this and I am in the mood to listen to good tunes that motivate me to work out indoors (the “summuh” heat in New York City is off the charts!) So today I collected music that will take you through a 50-minunte interval workout for either the treadmill or elliptical that will keep you in the mood to move.
Be sure to keep hydrated while you workout and as always—send me your favorite song suggestions!
Good Feeling:Flo Rida
I was not too familiar with Flo Rida before so let me know tell you what I have learned about him. He’s 6’3”, grew up in Carol City, Florida, attempted college twice before deciding to make his rap dreams come true and is a WWE fan. You’re welcome!
The 60s vibe is just so infectious and catchy. What a talent! RIP AW
Uprising: Muse
As much as I love listening to this band on my iPod everyone tells me you have to see Muse live in order to really appreciate them. So who is taking me to the show?
Walk:Foo Fighters
If you are wondering where the band name comes from—WW2 pilots would call UFO’s “Foo Fighters” because they did not know what else to call them and not look crazy. Got it?
Also—warning about playing this song in class as the volume goes CRAZY HIGH in the middle section. Still totally awesome but be aware of that.
Waterfalls: TLC
My favorite thing in the world is to tell my students to sing along to the chorus of Waterfalls because really what is more fun than that?
Please Don’t Leave Me:P!nk
This is one of the sweetest and saddest songs about thanking someone for loving you that I have ever heard.
Tell Me Baby: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Some people complain that they can’t tell one Red Hot Chili Peppers tunes from another one but I don’t care. If music is good—who cares if it is repetitive?
Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High:Arctic Monkeys
I think we have all had friends like this…or is it just me?
Feel Good Inc: Gorillaz
This song is fun to play when I want to incorporate sprints into the mix.
Pumped Up Kicks: Foster the People
If you listen to the lyrics of Pumped Up Kicks are pretty violent but the beat is so boppy and fun that no one ever seems to notice or care.
No More Drama:Mary J. Blige
I usually use this song for a slow climb and it’s another care where if you don’t feel the need to sing along you are officially a monster.
I Feel Love:Blue Man Group
True story—my friends Claudine & Keith would play this song over and over and over again for their eldest daughter when she was a baby because no other sound would soothe her.
Stay:Rhianna featuring Mikky Ekko
Patti Smith performs a lovely version of this song in her live shows.
That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.
It might seem by the title of this week’s playlist that I was celebrating the arrival of 2014 and therefore it is special for the New Year’s holiday. No! The first track (one of U2’s best IMHO) just happens to be an excellent song to start off a class. The beat is strong, consistent and helps everyone get into the mood to ride. Therefore–you can use this playlist any time of year for a kick ass workout.
New Year’s Day:U2
Great warm-up song that can be played any time of year. Really!
Welcome to Paradise:Green Day
I always like to think of this song as THE perfect second tune to play in a spin class as it ramps up the energy and gets everyone in a good mood.
Gettin’ Jiggy With It:Will Smith
Is there anyone more charming and likable than Will Smith?
But if You Close Your Eyes: Pompeii
This could be my new favorite band as they write some of the best songs for working out and getting motivated to move.
No More Drama: Mary J. Blige
I have talked about this tune before but it truly is fantastic for hills and climbs.
Modern Love:David Bowie
I like to do strength intervals here with 15-seconds of hard work and 30-second rests in between.
Feeling Good: The Sheepdogs
This is another song I have talked about before but it is just too damn catchy for words!
Times Like These: Foo Fighters
One of my students recently told me “every time I hear the Foo Fighters– I feel like doing sprints.” The Foos know how to get people excited!
White Rabbit: Jefferson Airplane
“Remember what the door mouse said …feed your head!”
The Hardest Button to Push: The White Stripes
Bump, bump, bump—I love the beat of this song.
Ghosts:Ladytron
My students climb to this with gradually increasing resistance with the last minute being the toughest part. I tell them to work at their top level until they hear the gong. If you listen to this song you will know what I mean.
The Impression I Get:The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
I am not sure what a “bosstone” is but I do love this 90s tune.
That’s the Way:Led Zeppelin
Throwing in a little Zep gives me the happies.
That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.
Today’s playlist honors everything I love about the Thanksgiving holiday—mainly as a day to remember to be thankful, joyous and celebrate your friends & family. I put this list together with the hope it makes people feel happy. So pass the turkey and the white wine this way as we take a look at my top Thanksgiving-inspired tunes.
I included a photo of my favorite Thanksgiving movie above Planes, Trains and Automobiles but let me be clear—the music from that film is the WORST. Really the most terrible, awful, synthesizer-dependent soundtrack of all time!
Let the Day Begin:The Call
I love to begin with sweet & lovely song and it seems to get the ride off in a happy mood. This one always puts the class in a good mood.
Walking on Sunshine: Katrina & the Waves
This tune makes everyone bop their heads along to the beat. It also has one of those “damn, ain’t it great to be alive?” moods to it.
Thank You (Fallentin Be Mice Self):Sly & the Family Stone
The formal “thank you” songs begin here and it is super funk-ay.
Black Friday: Steely Dan
Because the crazy shopping begins on Friday (or on Thursday evening for some of those retail freaks out there.)
Hey Ya: Outkast
If there was ever song created to make people smile and feel good—this is the one.
What a Wonderful World: Joey Ramone
This is probably my favorite version of one of my favorite songs of all time.
Praise You: Fatboy Slim
Praise, celebration, fun times! This song has it and a catchy beat that I like to use for climbs.
Family Affair: Mary J. Blige
Let’s celebrate like a functional family, people! (They do exist—right?)
I Want to Celebrate: Rare Earth
I use this one for sprint and high intensity intervals.
I Thank You: ZZ Top
There is something wrong with you if you can’t have a little fun with this my boys with the beards. Very naughty and nice at the same time!
Friends: Led Zeppelin
One of the nice things about being the teacher is that I can put together any playlist I want. And that means I can include this little gem from Led Zeppelin 3.
Lovely Day: Bill Withers
The man holds the last note for over a minute people! What is better than that? (Sorry but no video is available of this tune!!!)
It’s a Good Day: Peggy Lee
Not sure why this song has been stuck in my head lately but I figured this was a good of a time as any to include it in my class.
Thank You: Dido
What is Dido up to these days? I really loved this album.
Thank You: Tory Amos
This is such a cool version of another favorite Led Zeppelin tune.
That’s all I have today folks. Please, please know about some of your favorite songs. I am always looking for good tunes!
Brooklyn Fit Chick New Year’s Day 2013 Extravaganza!!!!
Today we celebrate 2013 with a new attitude, new goals, a new favorite word and my new theme songs!
(Me & Mah Boo Working on Our 2013 Goals)
Hello 2013!!
As my friend (and brilliant author) Jennifer Gilmore(Jennifer’s amazon.com page) said so well today: “Goodbye 2012—don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out!”
Don’t get me wrong—I am not bitter about 2012 but it has been a particularly rough year for my close friends and family. I mean like terrible diseases, hurricanes, robbery, divorce, bankruptcy, multiple surgeries, layoffs and ass hats for clients kind of activity happening in a mere 12 months and would try the patience of Gandhi.
So long 2012—we have had our fun times too and met some super-cool new people but I am more than happy to send you off to a faded memory.
Last night, the biggest party night of the year, I was in bed with a head cold thinking of my New Years resolutions (photo above) and the word I kept coming back to was “finished.” I want to spend 2013 finishing things I have started. Trying that business plan competition one more time until I get the “just right” idea, putting together the standing bike stand so I can ride at home (I bought the damn thing last Christmas!), learning how to properly use my podcast equipment so I can get that out there (two years on my resolutions list) and all of the other things I overlook in my apartment that I know need to get done and yet I turn a blind eye to it.
Enough—it’s time to finish what I started! So that is my word and challenge for 2013. If I knew how to needlepoint I would frame the word “finish” and put it over my desk. (My birthday is March 29th if any of my crafty friends out there need an idea on what to get me!)
In the meantime I am putting it on my wipe board, taking a picture and printing it out. I am going to remind myself every single damn day that when I finish what I start—the accomplishment I feel is incredible.
Now on to the new “theme songs…”
Here are my 2013 theme songs to get me over any personal/professional/family B.S. in the coming months:
“No More Drama” Mary J. Blige: I resolve to fly above the fray when the drama levels cranks up in my life. “No more tears. No more pain. No more drama in my life.” Indeed.
“I Love Myself Today” Bif Naked: If you are not aware of this song or the totally amaze-balls Bif Naked then start off with this song. “I’ve had enough. Spit-shine my soul. I’m gonna get up. And out. And out of control!!” Yup.
“I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” Scissor Sisters: On my darkest days I will make sure to put on this tune and remember that it next-to-impossible to dance and cry at the same time. “So I’ll play along when I hear that special song. I’m gonna be the one who gets right!”
So enough about me—what about YOU? What will your “one word” focus be? What will be your theme songs? Let’s do this whole 2013 thing as a team!
Together we can accomplish anything!
Ox Ox,
BFC
Brooklyn Fit Chick
Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)
