Freyburg

After getting beaten soundly by the Internet gods on both episode 29 and the first take of episode 30 of Radio Free Skaro, we finally had a bit of luck and were able to get a decent(ish) sounding recording out of our respective compurobots. We covered Smith and Jones, the Shakespeare Code, and veered all over the conversational map to parts unknown, as would any two jaunty fellows faced with take 3 of a podcast. These are the lengths we’ll go to for you, dear listeners! Enjoy! (feed, web, download)

As noted previously, the dreaded VOIP echo ruined the recording of RFS #30 on Monday. I’m considering going back to the original method of recording within the Gizmo Project. It may not sound great, but it’ll do as a stopgap until I can figure out what exactly is causing our audio to degrade so badly. We’ll try to get the new episode up within the week.

With the advent of the Internet, the number of slacker tastemakers at the local artsy video store who sneer at your choice of rental is rapidly shrinking. The net isn’t the only factor to blame; the article I linked to highlights the high cost of living in New York as a factor keeping struggling artist types from the traditional move to the Big Apple from small towns and climes less appreciative of their unique brand of genius.

Personally, though I don’t mind the odd recommendation of a decent series or film I may never have heard of otherwise, I can happily do without being looked down on by some snooty clerk with an overgrown sense of embittered entitlement. And if you want to get your fill of derisive snorting, you can always head over to Pitchfork Media.

Just like the title says. And why not examine the decline of Microsoft, while we’re at it?

Our last two podcasts have been cursed with a mysterious echo, making them unlistenable. I suspect it’s something to do with bandwidth, as there’s no echo on my end and Steven’s voice comes in quietly at first and then a second later comes in again normally (so really, “delay” is a better term.) Anyone else out there with podcasting experience care to help us? The same thing happened with both the Gizmo Project and Skype (in fact it was worse with Skype), so I’m inclined to think it’s not the programs themselves that are causing the problem.

When I saw Reservoir Dogs back in 1992, I became an instant fan of then up-and-coming writer/director Quentin Tarantino. Pulp Fiction solidified the former video clerk and motormouth as a force to be watched in American film. But his star started to shine a little less brightly with Jackie Brown, and I was singularly unimpressed with Kill Bill (particularly Part One). Now Tarantino is back, collaborating with Robert Rodriguez (who also started really strong but currently runs hot and cold) on Grindhouse, a double feature tribute to the sleaze cinema of the ’70’s. I’m not the only person that feels this way, as the Globe and Mail’s Rick Groen has a few choice words for Mr. Tarantino in his latest column.

Turns out it’s all science and psychology, just at a larger, more monied and highly visible scale. They get away with bad behaviour because, for the most part, we let them get away with it.

Africa is undergoing an oil boom, but like most things on that continent, it’s not terribly regulated and its making a few people very rich and keeping the rest on the sidelines.The Americans are also trying to diversify and reduce their dependence on Middle Eastern oil, but with Al Queda gaining popularity in North Africa and China pouring money into infrastructure, the US might find that’s easier said than done.

For the first time in the history of the podcast (other than the Runaway Bride), we’ve got a new episode of honest to goodness Doctor Who to talk about. Smith and Jones, the first episode in Who’s third season, premiered on Saturday night in England and aired shortly thereafter on computer screens throughout North America and the rest of the world. We lay down our thoughts on the show (hint: we liked it), new companion Martha Jones, various bits of anciallary promtion for the show, and our rampant speculation as to the nature of upcoming episodes, based on the tin fragments of scenes we’ve been spoon-fed thus far. And there’s 12 more episodes to go! Huzzah! (feed, web, direct download)

So yesterday we changed the graphics around a little to reflect the fact that this website occasionally gets mixed up with the town of Freyburg in Germany. Don’t worry, loyal readers, all will be back to normal soon. But please, take a moment to celebrate the achievements of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the FATHER OF GYMNASTICS. 🙂