private void loadStream() {
    // run the stream in its own thread
    Runnable r = new Runnable() {
        public void run() {
            try {
                mediaPlayer = new MediaPlayer();

                mediaPlayer.setDataSource(STREAM);
                mediaPlayer.prepare();
                mediaPlayer.start();

                // dismiss the dialog
                handler.sendEmptyMessage(0);
            }
            catch (IOException e) {
                Log.e(APP, "error loading stream " + STREAM + ".", e);
                return;
            }
        }
    };

    new Thread(r).start();
}