call me maybe

The Infinite Jukebox

infinite jukebox

Do you ever get fixated on a song and listen to it over and over again…especially when you’re at work…and all your friends probably know about your embarrassing song obsession from seeing it in their Spotify feeds? I’m definitely guilty of that—especially with super-poppy or ridiculous songs. Like Beyonce’sВ “Countdown.” Or Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” (Like, ever.) Or Ellie Goulding’s “Anything Could Happen.”

So I was really amused—and wowed—when I stumbled upon The Infinite Jukebox, a project developed by Paul Lamere, a director at a music intelligence company in Somerville, MA. Its tagline pretty much says it all: “For when your favorite song just isn’t long enough.”

The program basically analyzes a song beat by beat. Then it figures out other places within it that sound very similar, where it can jump to. The result: The song can play forever in a seamless loop.

Even cooler: the Jukebox creates a pretty, color-coded diagram for each song. Every color block represents a beat and its timbre. The arcs show the different places where that beat can jump. So, as you listen, you can follow the path your endless tune takes.

Listeners can submit the music they want to hear. I loved how most of them fell into the pop/ridiculous realm: R. Kelly’s “Ignition (remix),” Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” And, of course, one of my favorites: “Call Me Maybe.”

What are you going to put on an infinite loop?

(Bottom three images viaВ Paul Lamere‘s blog, Music Machinery)

So Ready for the Weekend! (So Call Me, Maybe?)

Happy Friday! I know what you’re thinking: “How many ‘Call Me Maybe’ videos is this girl going to post?” But this one is worth watching, I promise–and the perfect way to top off the work week! YouTuber Steve KardynalВ donned a bikini and a cheap women’s wig, went onto Chatroulette and lip synced “Call Me Maybe” to unsuspecting users. The results are hilarious–and totally gave me the warm-fuzzies.

Enjoy your weekend! Got any fun plans? I’m going to a few ballet classes, as usual, and dim sum on Sunday. (Yum!)

Olympics Ridiculousness

olympics

When I was watching the parade of nations on Friday, I couldn’t get over how incredibly attractive all the Olympians were. Beach volleyball players, runners, tennis players, divers, weight lifters, judo athletes, shooters–everyone, men and women alike, from every single country, was super good-looking. One of my friends even posed this question on Facebook: “Is it me or did the flag bearers have to pass a hot or not test to walk?”

Apparently, the athletes also find each other wildly appealing, as ESPN reported in a crazy/hilarious story about the debauchery that goes on within the Olympic Village. The place basically “turns into a frat party with a very nice gene pool,” according to one athlete.В When they’re not hyper-focused on their events, the Olympians are celebrating (i.e. drinking) like maniacs, prowling for hook-ups and engaging in lots and lots of sex. (None other than Ryan Lochte estimated that 70-75% of athletes hook-up during the Games.)

My favorite line from the article:

On the way to practice fields, “the girls are in skimpy panties and bras, the dudes in underwear, so you see what everybody is working with from the jump,” says Breaux Greer, an American javelin thrower. “Even if their face is a 7, their body is a 20.”В

And even more Olympics ridiculousness that I’m loving right now: the U.S. swim team’s take on “Call Me Maybe.” Almost more fun than the Games, themselves!

(Image via Pinterest)