Paranoid Android's Contender Program

Tough Breaks - May Enrollment.

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:13:45 -0500

Due to the high volume of interest for the May enrollment of Tough Breaks I am now accepting deposits to reserve your spot.

Email - ChristopherPinedo@gmail.com

Reserve your spot today!

The Creative Endeavor. Touring 2013. For booking contact:...

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:02:22 -0500

The Creative Endeavor.

Touring 2013.

For booking contact: Christopherpinedo@gmail.com

The rest is history.

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:18:35 -0500

Regiments are officially ready to be sent out. Tough Breaks will be a one of a kind experience. Not just for those enrolled but for me as well. I will be contacting everyone tomorrow with their personalized regiments and we will proceed to go over the details and expectations for the next 6 months.

Let’s make history.

When the going gets tough.

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:55:40 -0500

Tough Breaks is off the ground, and tuition’s are already in. I’m happy to have everyone who is already on board, and the May 15th enrollment is already looking promising. The goal of Tough Breaks isn’t for me to profit but to provide. The amount of time that I will be dedicating to making this program and those enrolled successful, will meet if not exceed expectation. I want to be able to provide a system of training not just physically but mentally for our community. A resource to help the creative endeavour, and stress the importance of originality and identity. A system of training for bboys and bgirls by bboys and bgirls. My objective is not to denounce other forms of training but to further develop our own unique methods that are specific to our unique art. Football players train like football players, boxers like boxers, runners like runners. Let’s make it so bboys and bgirls train like bboys and bgirls.

Having enrollment be open less than a week the class is more than half full. The individuals enrolled come from all over the US, both men and women, all types of backgrounds, ages, and skill levels. What I am more than pleased to read from those enrolled is their ambitions. No one the same as another, which shows the diversity and range of our dance on a different spectrum. No matter your ambition or final goal, once pursued aggressively with dedication an passion, all roads lead to success. I look forward to taking on these very diverse clients and helping them reach their goals.

Enrollment is open for another 8 days with only a few seats left. This is a chance to be apart of the future, the refinement and development of our owns schools of training and thought. For us, by us, just for you.

Enrollement ends February 14th,

enroll today.

Christopherpinedo@gmail.com

Next enrollment opens May 1st.

Enrollment.

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 15:26:00 -0500

Enrollment officially opens tomorrow. I understand the first of the month is not the most opportune time for everyone which is why enrollment will be open until February 14th, or until all seats are filled. I’ve have received a lot of emails inquiring about the exact time and process in which enrollment works. Enrollment will officially open at 12 am MST, Friday February 1st.

To be first to reserve your spot you’ll need to email Christopherpinedo@gmail.com and make a deposit using PayPal. Then your reservation will be held for February 1st until the rest of your payment has been completed. In the event that payment has not been completed on the 1st, deposits will be non-refundable.

The deposit of course will go towards your full payment and will not be an additional fee.

The next available date to be apart of the program will not be until May 15 2013, at which point the number of seats will be less and the price will vary. Those who sign on during the first season will have the lowest price in addition to it being a fixed price. Don’t miss the train or the training.

The official TOUGH BREAKS website should be up in the next few weeks which will link all previous works and future.

Tough Breaks, Open House.

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:22:44 -0500

This is the official open house for Tough Breaks!

Enrollment for “Tough Breaks” officially opens February 1st. Due to the amount of work and time that will be invested in each person enrolled for the program I will only be taking on 12 clients. That’s only 12 clients from any region of the world. This is limited seating to say the least. Enrollment will be open from February 1st until February 14th. Or until the program is filled. The initial 12 people signed up will have fixed prices for as long as they wish to remain in the program. The seating is limited because I especially want to give my first run of clients extra attention and make sure that I can handle the volume. As the program progresses I hope to bring on more staff able to facilitate a larger clientele.

The next available date to join “Tough Breaks” will be May 15th, at which point I will be opening anywhere from 6-12 new slots. The price however may vary based on when you sign up. The program will be the equivalent of on online college course, prices will reflect that sentiment but so will the efforts put towards the students enrolled.

What you receive by being enrolled in Tough Breaks

Initial intake and evaluation
Training Methods
Personalized regiments
Bi-weekly evaluations
Footage reviews
Phone conferences
Help with Nutrition and meal plans

The initial start is 6 months of training at a time before you must re-enroll. Serious inquiries only. For pricing, questions or how to be ready to enroll on Friday February 1st please do the following.

Send

Name
Age
Years dancing
Questions/interests in the program

To: Christopherpinedo@gmail.com

I assure all interested parties that I will respond to emails as timely as possible. If you are interested in enrolling please do not hesitate as it is first come first serve.

Thank you everyone that has supported me until this point and I hope to be able to give back as much as I’ve received.

Welcome to the first season of Paranoid Android’s Tough Breaks.

Happy training.

You're in the future now.

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:15:14 -0500

I am very happy to announce my big project for the 2013 year. As a wrap up for 2012, I wanna say that The Contender Program is one of the greatest stories never told. I simply didn’t have the resources to properly document the project, however the project was in fact a huge success. My Contenders Tuffy and Ricky have become prominent dancers and independent thinkers. Out of the program and training came The Wild Bunch, a group of unique and simply out of control dancers whos sole purpose is to make this dance fun again. TWB consists of the contenders and training partners that shared the same training style and practice mentality during this past year. I am more than certain you will see plenty more from these rising fires.

Now, for the 2013 announcement.

Paranoid Android’s Tough Breaks.

I have been developing this idea for some time, and feel that it is finally in a stage that I am ready to present. Tough Breaks aims to be the next revolutionary step in establishing our art on a very professional platform. The goal of TB is to help further legitimize our art and uphold higher standards and disciplines with our craft.

How the Tough Breaks program works.

The program starts with me as head coach while we are on our ground level stages. As the program develops we will bring on other talent as trainers as well. I am currently in talks with people to bring on board that will make you headspin. Pun.

Yes, you will be able to hire myself on as your personal trainer. There will be a price listing for packed deals. The most common package will be a 6 month training program. With that training program, you receive a extensive and specific training schedule. This will include an overview of practices, strength development, critical thinking exercises and creative assignments.

The packaged deal will also include a designated amount of conference calls, footage reviews and overall evaluations. Hell, I’ll probably even throw in a shirt. The program is meant to enrich our culture by illustrating that we aren’t in the fitness dark. That what we do and have is very intellectual and developed. Yes, this comes at a price. You wanna make money, you gotta spend it. However, it’s equivalent is that of paying for a college course, a gym membership of sorts, or most obviously a personal trainer.

By offering these services, we aim to fast track proper training, decrease injury and gain a training stability mindset for our cause and culture.

The immediate argument would be that this takes the creativity or individuality out of bboys/competitors. Which is the first thing I am to contest, by promoting a very self aware “bite-free” training environment. By telling someone how to train but not influencing their movement of choice. Simply presenting them the opportunity to become stronger faster and smarter so that they may apply that to all their creative endeavours.

I will soon work with a media company to give out a select number of free training packages to one or two lucky individuals. Perhaps through StrifeTV? They love free give-aways, we all do.

This is the first large announcement for Tough Breaks. More information will follow as this title will be the new umbrella in which all my future and past works will fall under.

Welcome to

Paranoid Android’s

TOUGH BREAKS

“Train right, don’t bite.”

MORE GOOD NEWS.

I’d also like to announce here first that starting next year, we will be bring the Contender Program to LA!!!! Auditions and more information to follow as well. Again we will be picking two individuals from the LA area to be trained daily by me personally. This year we are signing on an actual production company to follow this incredible journey of two worthy individuals. The Contender year will start late August/early September.

Get ready, I’m going big.

La Belle Époque.

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 22:27:13 -0400

The biggest pastime of any art, our dance included, is that “you should have seen how things used to be”. You’re thought to be spoiled, and maybe you are, some of you. That “in my day” speach comes ringing, and knocking, it’s a persistent solicitor. The idea that we are no longer in a golden age, that the past was real and now all we have is a deluded culture. Erroneous. I think that a mind that works in such a way to not see what we have now isn’t worthy of it’s fruits, it’s spoils. A true artist embraces the future. Someone who truly cares about this craft means to preserve and grow simultaneously. Not dwell on what has been done and that it’s done, but bring light to what has been done to mold a stronger future. For everyone. People often argue when the golden age was, never realizing that we are upon one, a golden age is what we’re living in. Things have never come this far, become so vast, changed the world even. When looking at things on the scale of a few blocks, sure most everyone’s real with the exception of those few. When put to a worldwide scale those few become an enormous number, and that gives everyone plenty to complain about. We are playing on a much larger field, the room for error is of a higher statistic. It’s simply numbers, but focusing on the numbers of the few is what blinds us of our potential as many. Complaining is not an answer, educating is.

Everyone complains about YouTube and e-boys myself included, but the other side to that coin is the fact that we have Internet and YOUTUBE! You can access the greatest dancers in the world for a few clicks. It’s the same few clicks that fly our greatest dancers out all over the world. It’s our platform as of now, so if the YouTube generation is what we’re living in, let’s make that the greatest term, and not the most derogative. What choices do we have? Our complaints will not take down video streaming. However, streaming more videos educating will help. There are many notable media that we have to thank for this, and we thank you. There are so many voices that need to be heard. Do not institutionalize, but not neglect our education either. We are indeed a culture, one in which there will be volumes of literature on one day. We’re not quite there yet but we would be foolish not to see how lucky we are, how far we’ve come. Of course, with power comes that greater responsibility. The responsibility is, as veterans, to point less fingers, and direct more minds to an educated future. That responsibility as newcomers is to be silent and listen, post less of what you don’t fully grasp yet, and grasp more of everything past as well as present. The past is truly the present, the gift. We all play roles, and not just newcomers have responsibilities. How we treat that responsibility is everyone’s own prerogative. What constitutes a real bboy is to never stop learning and having respect for the dance, the moves can be details at times. However, do pay attention to detail.

Enjoy it all, we are truly in a golden age.

Back with a brand new invention.

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:08:53 -0400

The Contender Program is back from an overdue hiatus. Although, a virtual presence has been missing I assure you the contenders have not been missing practice. The progress they have made is certainly uncanny, averaging 17-20+ hours per week. Spread between focused and guided practices to free time for invention and self discovery. Tuffy suffered a severe wrist injury after trying to do an airchair drop out a fixed position in which I advised him not to try. What can I say, the kid’s a free spirit, free to make his own mistakes. Tuf is back and ready to go the distance in our final months. Ricky is King Tortoise, redefining the race. He stays late and shows up early, a fixed schedule of almost 20 hours apparently isn’t enough. This isn’t a job, his actions say, it’s his passion. I am excited to show you how far a kid with two left feet has come.

Now we are rounding the final months of the program, it’s been a long year, with a quarter of it behind a curtain. Well, I think an unveiling is overdue. The Contender’s next battle will be Saturday the 22nd, in Phoenix AZ. It is a concept battle put together by the honorable House One, or as we like to call him “The Commodore”. The battle will be set much like a fight night, you will get stats and keep them for the season. I’m excited to see how this goes, and we will have full coverage. With the first year of the Contender program over we intend to finish this year in style. Stay reading and practice harder.

Now, in light of my travels, teachings, and travel experiences I have devised a new program to be revealed in the coming months, something for everyone, but more specifically something for YOU. We’re back with a brand new invention.

What is it?

Stay posted, stay hungry.

Road To BC One: Year 2.

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:30:12 -0400

Road To BC One: Year 2.:

Training and teaching the Contenders has definitely reshaped my dancing. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to.

roadtobcone:

The following are my battles in the BC One qualifier in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19th 2012. I decided that if I never did a qualifier, if I never tried every route then I would simply have that regret. I’m not afraid to lose, and I’m not afraid to battle. I entered the Qualifier, through prelims,…

Gamblin' man.

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:02:32 -0400

This weekend Contender Tuffy and I will be heading to Vegas for the BC One Cypher. There are 10 known invites and 6 open slots. The goal, for Tuffy to get one of those open spots. Based on the caliber of the event, there will be a very large amount of preliminary entries. Tuffy being an unknown, well, he’ll have to do work. Events like this are always a gamble and anything can happen.

Let’s roll the dice, Vegas.

Ricky Valo vs. Nick Abat This battle clearly is not for...

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:44:20 -0400

Ricky Valo vs. Nick Abat

This battle clearly is not for everyone. It pursues the dimensions and constructs of breakin’. What constitutes a bboy? What age are we in? In fact it tests those principals indefinitely. It is a rebel yell, screaming hard work and self expression. In fact most people may hate this battle, well good. Then you are being opposed. A new world is surely possible.

They laughed at Jules Verne too.

Underdog vs Underdog.

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:49:24 -0400

On May 12, 2012

Contender Ricky Valo, will exhibition the young experimental rising star of CA, Nick Abat.

This will be an underdog vs underdog battle. Two younger generation bboys carrying on the vast spirit of experimental and intelligent dance. This will be an exhibition of wit, which is not to ignore the fierce and explosive nature of Nick Abat who has done wonders with his 5 year. I picked this battle for Ricky based on the momentum that Nick has gained in the last few years. It is indeed a challenge for Ricky, and in all hopes Nick may be surprised by Ricky’s stand against him. The beauty of this battle is to watch an exhibition of the diverse nature and young spirit of this dance. If and or when these dancers go on to have great acclaim in this dance it will be battles like this that will be reflected on as reference points. Turns even.

Show up this weekend to watch these young minds do battle.

http://www.facebook.com/events/111090239015350/

If you want to be a champion, you’ll have to suffer. Period.

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:43:13 -0400

If you want to be a champion, you’ll have to suffer.

Period.

Made by the hours.

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:35:06 -0400

The world is changing rapidly and with it, we change too. Accounting for variables, we become conduits for chance and risk. Practicing lottery methods, quick thinking, fast talking, faster walking.

Deliberate in recognizing that anything can happen, practicing the unexpected because that is how the world is formed. By surprise, intention, and specific goals. Living deliberately while knowing you can’t control everything. Putting art on payroll and working it to the bone. Expressing yourself till you fall from exhaustion. Your wins and losses can always be subject to discussion, debate. You’ll lose when you should’ve won, and vice versa. It’s an inaccurate system at times. The only certainty is progression. You’re either progressing or you’re not. Progression is the future. Winning or losing have no place in a new world.

Never missing an opportunity to reach your full potential. Put in the hours.

Long hours are where champions are made.

The following will be the Contenders training schedule for the entire month of May.

Mon 4.5hrs

Class 330-530

| Lunch |

Cypher City 7-9

Run 2 mi. 9-930

Tues 3.5hrs

Crossfit 4-5

| Lunch |

Ideas 7-9

Run 2 mi. 9-930

Wed 5.5hrs

Class 330-530

Inner Strength 6-7

Cypher City 7-9

Run 2 mi. 9-930

Thurs 3hrs

CrossFit 6-7

| Dinner |

Tricks 830-1030

Fri 5.5hrs

Class 4-6

Crossfit 6-7

Cypher City 7-9

Run 4 mi. 9-930

Sat OFF

Sun 2hrs

Class 4-6 (sets)

____________________________

= 24hrs per week.

Training the Contenders. An introductory short by New York Times...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:17:09 -0400

Training the Contenders.

An introductory short by New York Times student Journalist Josh Morgan, who is also the official Journalist for the Contender Program. This last clip concludes the documentation for the first quarter of the program.

Josh currently in Africa will return next month, and continue to produce such great documentation.

I hope you enjoy this clip, as we finalize the first chapter of this story.

If you haven’t noticed yet just how fresh the Contenders...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:24:57 -0400

If you haven’t noticed yet just how fresh the Contenders are constantly dressed than I suggest you take note and follow the link.

KWOC is a company that supports the urban device, the disenfranchised, the underestimated, the rebellion. When all hell breaks loose, this will be your ski mask. Stop shopping like an asshole and wear your culture.

Also check the new writing on the front page done by yours truly.

Check the newness, it’s spring.

Do the math.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:13:53 -0400

This week is officially ‘Black Out’ week for the Contenders.

Which means that they have completed over 240 hours of training in the first Quarter that started January 1st. So yeah, they earned a week off.

Usually training around 20 hours a week, the Contenders are pushing a pace of somewhere around 1,000 hours per year.

The average bboy does about 8-10 hrs. per week. That’s if they’re actually training and not just counting the hours they go to practice, sit there for 1.5 hrs and try ‘stuff’ for 30 min. Which (Again, if they’re actually training) averages out to somewhere between 400-500 hrs. per year.

The common bboy, or recreational bboy, does any where from 5-7 hrs. per week, of potentially crappy training. That’s averaging somewhere between 260-360 hrs. per year.

This means at the rate we’re going The Contenders will pass the “common bboy” at least 3x as fast, and pass the “average bboy” 2x as fast. This of course is in theory, and the obvious goal of the program. If you’re wondering how great bboys become great, it’s usually because they’re putting in long hours of quality work. Not because they’re ‘naturally’ gifted but because they work their asses off to look so natural.

People constantly ask me for advice, suggestions, shortcuts, and tips. All of these questions can be answered with the same response, put in the hours, and train hard.

It’s simple, just do the math.

How many hours are you pushing?

No excuses. In light of training the Contenders, my teaching...

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:56:48 -0400

No excuses.

In light of training the Contenders, my teaching style has become very aggressive. I waste little time with people who aren’t will to give 100% and I have very little tolerance for excuses. From all my travels and experiences I have seen greatness come from poverty, disabilities, family problems, school problems, you name it. If you want something bad enough then you figure it out. You wake up tomorrow and you quit making fucking excuses.

Otherwise you’re just taking up space.

Ain't no mountain...

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:51:56 -0400

The following are continued journal entries from Ricky ‘Valo’ during the first quarter of the Contender Program.

1-31/12

Training gets harder, but it’s adaptable. It is possible to go through such an endeavor day by day. As hard as it may seem to be or as daunting as the shadow of the next mountain gets, it can be done.

2-4/12

We’ve been getting prepared for this. We are taught very well. We are taught by someone who cares. And we are surrounded with those who shadow us which in turn inspires us to do even better. To soar.

2-10/12

This year keeps getting better! We have started training at a Cross-fit gym nearby. We go three times a week and run 2 to 4 miles right afterwards. And all this is after our bboy practice. I never pictured myself doing something like this growing up. It’s a complete 180. I think the hardest thing right now is stretching.. every week it feels like my body is much more sore than the previous one. I try to eat healthier, my sleep cycle is good. Each day I try to be better than the last. This helps me make better use of my days. Life goes by quick if you let it. I learned that very well.