Ultimate Madonna

Due to be released Sept 28 worldwide is Madonna's latest greatest hits compilation, a celebration of over 26 years of Madonna's music. Not sure if we can get it here in Malaysia on that exact date, but I will surely be visiting the stores on that day!

Recently, the track listings for the CD and DVD compilations were officially announced. See side bar for information.


Celebration CD - The 'Ultimate' Collection

The double CD package will feature 36 songs, including 2 new songs, from her 27-years career. It is interesting to note that song selections were heavily skewed towards the earlier part of her career. Of the 34 old songs, 20 were selected from the first 8 years (1983 - 1990) of her career. Songs post-1991, which covers 18 years, were severely under-represented. Only 6 songs from the 1991-2000 period, while 8 songs from the 2001-2008 period made it to the collection. It is not particularly surprising as most fans (and even non-fans) identify with her earlier songs more when she was at her peak back then in the 80s.
career.

Apart from the two new songs, the remaining 34 songs have either previously been released in her studio albums or soundtracks or greatest hits compilations. It seems that all the old songs featured in the compilations were in versions that have been previously released before. It's a shame as they could have included some remixed versions, but I guess they wanted to preserve the original "flavour" or "essence" of her songs. So for those loyal fans like me who owned all of her previous albums, there's nothing really much to look forward to.



In my opinion, all songs are big Madonna hits worthy in the 'ultimate' compilation, with the exception of Miles Away which I think do not deserve to be there given that there were many better and more deserving "trademark" hits that were absent (Deeper and Deeper, This Used to Be My Playground, I'll Remember).


Celebration - Video Collection DVD

Whatever that the CD lacks, the DVD pretty much makes up for it. This video collection DVD appears to be a lot more comprehensive with 47 of Madonna's music videos, which includes 27 previously unreleased videos!! It appears that the videos will be arranged in chronological order.
I am certainly looking forward to the saucy, sinful and previously unreleased and previously banned (from being aired on MTV) videos like Justify My Love, Erotica and What It Feels Like For A Girl. I just hope they don't get banned in Malaysia, though... fingers crossed!!!

I'm also glad they've included the videos for True Blue, Live To Tell, Who's That Girl, Deeper and Deeper, I'll Remember, I Want You and You'll See. Now I don't have to go to You Tube to watch them!

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Notably absent from both the CD and DVD compilations were American Life and This Used To Be My Playground. For American Life, I think the original uncensored/unedited version of the video was one of her best work. Tried YouTubing American Life, and couldn't find the orginal video. And I certainly do not understand the rationale for excluding This Used To Be My Playground which was a #1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, and Top 10 in charts across the world.

Both the CD and DVD packages are indeed quite THE COMPREHENSIVE and ULTIMATE collection of Madonna's best. All the videos in the DVD will certainly showcase the artistic genius and evolution of pop's cultural icon. No one does it better than Madonna.

Sinners in the Gym

I was not surprised to see this notice posted in the men's locker room of a gym in Manila. But I was surprised that it has come to a point that they really needed to remind people to behave! LOL!

"Sexual advances towards any member or staff are strictly prohibited."

A Pinoy Meet-Up

There was a sudden surge in Filipino-related activities the past week. Aside from my Manila trip, I was also pleasantly surprised with an email from a reader of this blog, RMC who hailed from Alabang (south of Metro Manila), just before I flew to Manila. He was in KL for a working visit. Apparently, he chanced upon my blog while trying to find out about PLU community and information in KL. He couldn't remember exactly how he landed upon my blog... I mean it's not that my blog is a popular site to read about KL gay information, but I bet that he probably clicked on my link from Tricia's PLU guide blog. LOL!

Anyway, I am glad that RMC wrote, and after a couple of email exchanges, we decided to meet in Midvalley (where else!) last Sunday. Thanks to RMC for a great leisurely afternoon and conversation. Hope you have a safe trip back, and see you again soon.

Pinoy Boys Withdrawal Symptoms

As Tricia aptly puts it, I'm currently showing Pinoy Boys Withdrawal Symptoms. I wasn't sure it was Monday blues or was it that headache, but I decided to call in sick. One thing for sure, I'm missing all the good looking pinoy boys. Yes, it's been a little over a year since our holiday to Manila (read about it here and here), but my recent trip to Manila certainly brought back all the good memories.

Like I have said before, pinoy boys are the the best looking boys... well at least for me lah. If you can imagine, every corner of the street you'd find at least a few good looking edible boys. Very high edibility factor indeed. One morning in the Manila gym, I noted that of the 12 male floor staff that I could see from where I stood, 11 are edibly gorgeous or cute or hunky or pleasant looking. Even the instructors were hunky. Now where can you get such high percentage of edible gym staff/instructors in our local gym?

I could go on and on ... here are a few pictures of attractive pinoy models. You can find equivalent edible boys even in the streets.

SSSLLUURRRPP!

*******

I contacted Neil, one of the boys we met (and whom Sindy couldn't stop kissing ~ LOL!) during our last trip. He wasn't from Manila, but fortunately, he was around at that time. We met up in the Greenbelt Makati for dinner, and proceeded to the clubbing area in Malate. It was the eve of a public holiday (Remembrance of the Death of Ninoy Aquino), so it was fairly crowded that night. But we didn't go in to any of the gay clubs as Neil could not stand the smoke, but we did explore the surrounding clubs/pubs. We ended up in a not-so-smokey pub with a live band. There were many Westerners and Koreans in pub. (It appears that many Koreans have made the Philippines their home - don't know why)

O Bar, Malate

A show at Bed, Malate

On our walk back, we were offered massage services from a group of very edible boys. Must be hustlers, but Neil cautioned that these money boys often take advantage of people.

*******

The next day, I made my mandatory visit to a Bench/ shop. I must have spent over an hour there... choosing the shirts, trying them on, choosing again... oh my... I like! And they all come in small Filipino sizes (people there tend to wear fitting clothes). I love them all! Almost felt like a crazy guy there.... In the end, I bought 7 shirts/t-shirts, two underwears, a shoe bag and a be bench/model search 2007 DVD (oh the models... yum!).... all for an affordable RM330.

Urghs~ actually.... I ran out of time as I had a flight to catch. I had wanted to buy even more, and I didn't even have a chance to go to Folded and Hung shop. Damn!

p/s: I am still googling for images of pinoy boys/models/actors on the internet, and am watching the model search DVD again and again.... OMG! I can't stop!

The Guy With Yellow T-Shirt

OMG!!!! I can't stop stalking this guy in facebook! LOLs!

It all started on a Friday evening, two weeks ago. Late dinner at a Bangsar mamak, and there he was... in his yellow t-shirt that really showed off his hunky-licious chest.... his cute boyish face.... standing there on the pedestrian pavement, looking in to find a table for him and his friend. Naturally, I couldn't stop staring at that piece of delicious meat ... I was salivating all over, almost wanted to gobble him up right there and then!

Then, a few days ago, while browsing through a friend's friend's friend's list, I came across that familiar face again... that face I wanted to rape with my lips and tongue so badly... LOLs~

I clicked on the thumbnail, and THANK GOD, Jesus and Mary, Lord Shiva, Kuan Yin etc etc ... his profile is open to the public... unrestricted! And ever since then, I can't stop clicking on his photos, analysing his profile, and even remembering his date of birth! OMG! I don't even remember some of my sisters birthday! (shame on me!)

I've been checking his profile every day, sometimes several times a day!!!! .... just to get a dose of his good looks and bods .... *yum*yum* somehow it's therapeutic.... a great way to destress indeed. I wonder if Facebook as a function or a tool whereby it allows the profile owner to check who has been checking their profile.... then I'm dead!

Hmm... perhaps I should start downloading his pics~~

Gorgeous

As I swiped my card to enter the gym, there he was.... standing there, smiling at me. He's got the most beautiful eyes and eye brows, the sexiest lips ... He must have one of the most "handsome-st" face in the world. And he looked smart in his collared t-shirt and vest .... his strong arms with a folder in his hand.

I could not get my eyes off him, as he continued to smile at me. I smiled back, feeling a little shy... blushing as I moved a few slow steps forward.... a little lost. I should be rushing as the next class was gonna start soon, but yet, I could not peel myself away from his good looks. He had the Filipino good looks, but I can't be sure.

I wanna go over and hug him and kiss him.... on his cheeks, his lips ... I want to smell him in his manly cologne. I want him to tease me, and to hold me in his strong arms, and sweep me off my feet and take me away to land far far away and make love to me. I want him so badly. I wanna be with him forever and ever.

I knew it was all a little far-fetched. I could never be with him. Hence, I took out my phone and tried to take a picture of him. I had to look around to make sure no one was watching. My hands were trembling. I was feeling flushed all over from the intense infatuation. Damn! Blur! The picture was blurry! Urghs~ This stupid phone!

I moved a little closer to him, but I have to be discreet. People will think I'm crazy, but I just got to do this. He's just too gorgeous to pass this photo opportunity ~

Click!

Celebration

I feel I am obliged to help promote Madonna's new single "Celebration". LOL! It's from her greatest hits album (her last from Warner Music after more than 25 years) soon to be released.

Click on this link to go to Madonna's official website which has complete preview of the song for a limited time. Click on the play button at the bottom of the page (just above "Enter Madonna.com"), not the one in the big box.

http://www.madonna.com/