Musings of a Tech Writer

In unveil my new intro and talk about being sober for two years, the critic in my head, and Adam Lambert.

Join me as I wander around on a rainy night, trying to find the Chan Center at UBC. The outro music is Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral by Richard Wagner.

I lay out my back story.

As I shuffle through my DVDs, I talk about a new addition to my collection, and going to the movies.

When the truth is found to be lies
And all the joy within you dies

Don't you want somebody to love?

I'm back. And there's a light over at the Frankenstein place.

This week, a 38-minute version of a classic.

My tribute to crazy.

I'm not in a place to create a spoken podcast. I'm not sure what to call it but here's a short experimental audio collage. Let me know what you think.

My computer crashed and this is the first episode with my new HP. I mostly talk about the crash.

Breakthrough

Cleaning the house, I talk about Ekhart Tolle, non-alcoholic beer, and the mob.

In this short episode, I talk about multi-tasking and Whitney Houston's comeback.

On the menu today: Alarm systems, Altar Boyz, meditation, and Pushing Daisies.

I almost deleted this one because of the muffled sound quality. But I couldn't bring myself to re-record it. I go to a supermarket and talk about Julia Sweeney, Canadian health care, and an embarrassing elevator experience.

I as I stumble along, I try to figure out my future.

Pride! That is what's so often forgotten... I talk about Pride, the heat wave, car troubles, and Carnival of Souls.

This episode is devoted to stewing.

Today's topics are cleaning and the end of the world.

I talk about weight, hair, and my energy theory of life. Please check out Paul's blog. 

This is a bonus episode. I yammer about dogs, working at home, and massages.

I talk about my class reunion, border crossings, and the passing of Michael Jackson.

On a windy afternoon, I talk about soup and high school crushes.

In this short episode, I talk about my love of Prisoner: Cell Block H.

Taking a stroll, I talk about reality television, gossip, OCD, and my intuition.

I talk about my weekend, the demise of General Motors, ferries, and the book "1973 Nervous Breakdown: Watergate, Warhol, and the Birth of Post-Sixties America."

I take you along on a walk and discuss one-on-one relationships, credit card debt, Bernie Madoff, friends, and fried eggs.

Broadcasting from a creek next our motel in Cache Creek B.C., I talk about wandering through rural B.C., George Carlin, my upcoming class reunion, and aggravating podcast downloads. My rantings get cut off because the batteries in my recorder died. So this episode is mercifully short.

On this Mother's Day, I talk about how this day can feel like cruel joke, Bea Arthur's passing, John Edwards, guilt, and ball-shaped hands.

In the Phoenix airport, I lament coming back from my trip and talk about swine flu, going through security, and Jimmy Carter. The outro music reminds me of my niece.

Back from vacation, I talk about being disorientated, volleyball, catching-up, and DVDs.

I talk about minding my own business, my dad's suicide attempt, and mature singers. You can watch Susan Boyle's performance here.

Surrounded by loud shoppers and associates, I walk through Ikea talking about our trip to Pemberton B.C., American Idol, Somali pirates, bankrupt pension plans, parents who take their kids everywhere, and Japanese covers of English songs. I had no prepared topics and didn't edit in this episode so please forgive the rough audio and long pauses.

Down by the stream, I send out some messages to other podcasters, talk about conflict, the Olympics, and Brad Pitt as Jesse James.

On a walk to work I talk about my bout of podcasting blues and Russian hackers. Happy Monday.

In my car/studio, I talk about my stress-related cold, being independent, and Latin drag queens. Beyondexgay.com has published my story about my experience with Exodus. Check it out. Comments are welcome and appreciated.

On a rainy Sunday, I talk about being organized, losing the genetic lottery, and escaping into the movie Double Indemnity.

Buckle your seat belts. This is a long episode. First, while cleaning up the kitchen, I talk about surviving Exodus. The episode abruptly ends and then picks-up after my trip to the "L Word" auction. Between topics and the outro music, this could be the gayest episode so far.  Oh, and sorry

about all the car noise.

I unveil my new intro. Let me know what you think. I also discuss economic woes, addiction, going back to the gym, and pillow shopping.

Topics this week include the 3D movie Coraline, rampant inconsideration, and my dream house.

I talk about the new DVD of Yentl and try to bury the hatchet with a disgruntled listener.

In this oddly philosophical episode, I talk about living in the moment, TV, and looking for love.

In this drowsy-cast I try to pass on some tips on job hunting in this economy and rant about Canada's objections to "Buy American."

I talk about inauguration day and the return of promise.

I bid farewell to George W. and discuss dealing with depression, my updated financial plan for 2009, and my sagging Libsyn statistics.

I talk about the recent severe and gloomy weather and my current fascination with Grey Gardens.

I chat about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and my love of the music, but not the story, of Carousel.

For the MTW golden anniversary (I think) I talk about the mishmash of old styles during the 80s which led me to drag an enormous desk into my childhood bedroom.

I rant about line-jumpers and inconsiderate smokers. I also talk about anger management.

From deep within my podcasting closet, a short episode about waking up, my latest contribution to the ailing U.S. economy, and my latest theory on the meaning of life.

Wondering what you can do about Proposition 8? See jointheimpact.com.

Walking along the Sea Wall in Coal Harbour, I question the value of career networking.

I talk about the wearying battle for U.S. marriage rights.

Still in shock from the results of the presidential election, I talk about how the victory feels like a homecoming.

I talk about John McCain's sad and surreal appearance on SNL, falling behind in school, and the podcasting universe. I also beg for votes for Obama. The final words of encouragement are courtesy of the late great Tiny Tim.

From deep within my podcasting closet I compare the Canadian and American elections, reveal my radical financial plan, and tackle the subject of smug Canadians.

I talk about what I've learned about relationships and my upcoming 25th high school class reunion. The crashing waves are courtesy of the Stanley Park seawall.

Back in Vancouver, I talk about my trip to Montreal and Quebec City.

Wearing a hat with microphones attached, I roam around the house talking about Mandy Patinkin and job security.

I talk about the U.S. financial crisis and wonder if we're heading for another depression. Cheery stuff.

Walking the streets of Vancouver, I talk about my bad experiences with a female barber.

This is my first annual housekeeping episode where I clear out my backlog of topics.

As a bit of back story, I talk about my mom's long, chronic illness.

This was the my third attempt to record this episode. Hopefully it turned out this time. The theme of this episode is less is more.

I roam around the house talking about Star Wars and being a worry wort.

I wander around a park and talk about my two-year experiment on the heterosexual highway.

This is my first experiment with the binaural microphones as I wander along English Bay in Vancouver.

Late at night I talk about my first love, Tim.

I rant about male-bashing and, as if that's not thorny enough, gay guys who have marriage-like relationships with women.

I ramble on about movies, climate change, and my first sober summer in 20 years.

This is the second part of my conversation with Nick Thomas. Thanks again to Nick for being so honest.

For more information on Nick, see http://nickthomas.wordpress.com/.

This is part one of my interview with podcaster Nick Thomas. Nick was generous with his time and spent an hour chatting with me after I lost our original interview due to audio problems. Thanks Nick!

For more information on Nick, see http://nickthomas.wordpress.com/.

I talk about my trip to the dentist, letting go of my self-consciousness, and being where I am.

I test out my new microphone and muse about money and how the lack of it affected my earlier years.

There have been a lot of changes lately.  I talk about the demise of Mysterious Universe and Hillary Clinton's campaign. I also talk about the unfortunate return of my neighbor and his dogs.

It's a rainy day and I'm hiding from other people, working from home. I talk about getting $300 to stimulate the U.S. economy even though I live in Canada.

My URL has changed to musingsofatechwriter.com. The Libsyn address will still work but you may want to update your bookmark if you download episodes from the web site. My e-mail has also changed and is now mark@musingsofatechwriter.com. Thanks.

I talk about the top ten things that drive me crazy about podcasts:
10. Poor sound quality. Guilty.
9. Podcasters who ask for reviews.
8. Podcasters who frequently discuss the technologies of podcasting.
7. Podcasters who spend half of their podcasts trying to set up Skype calls.
6. Podcasters who ask for money and gifts.
5. Podcasters who don't respect their listeners time.
4. Podcasters who are obsessed with downloads and stats.
3. Podcasters who don't respond to listener e-mails.
2. Podcasters who take their show and themselves very seriously.
1. Podcasters who group together like bats and kiss the ass of the alpha bat.

From the banks of Burnaby Lake, I take you, my dear listeners, back in time to a trip to my doctor's office for some test results. Just where you wanted to go. I also talk about my new computer. Leave me comment on my blog.

I talk about attending DocTrain 2008 and my issues with the Society for Technical Communication (STC). Send your rebuttals to tech-writer@shaw.ca.

Sorry about my voice. I had a cold. I talk about my my preoccupation with years and say thanks to Nick Thomas. You can subscribe to his self-titled podcast at the Itunes.

My computer takes over the podcast this week. The theme is 1966.

Enough of my yammering. This week it's a bit of a mash-up with a little Queen and Madonna ranting. What more could you ask for?

A dream from a mall.

Unlucky 13. Beware of an upside down McRib. They could be hiding something.

Thanksgiving in spring.

On the way to pick up my takeout I talk about annoying kids, food, and protecting privacy.

Alone at last.

I first became aware of Joan Crawford when I snuck off to see the movie Mommie Dearest when it opened on Mother's Day. Afterwards I had to find out more about Joan and eventually I watched a ton of her movies, from the '20s to the '70s. No matter her age, when she's on screen, my eye goes to her. Today, I read from her one and only book, My Way of Life.

On a work break in Vancouver's Coal Harbor, I talk about my future career plans and the booming housing market.

Returning from a trip to the U.S., I ponder aspects of my home country that I like and don't like so much.

I'm in the kitchen chatting about super Tuesday and podcasting.

I reveal the meaning of life. Actually, I just give it my best guess.

I talk about my mom's passing and its effect on me.

I chat about cleaning up the clutter and separating from the booze.

My very second  podcast (not show). I talk about Libsyn, unsavory podcast dynamics, Adobe Acrobat 8 Pro, and saying "no!" I also give a preview of coming attractions.

Here is my very first podcast. Welcome me to the 21st century. I talk about the purpose of the podcast, give a disclaimer, and prattle on about my insomnia, the U.S. presidential primaries, Survivor, and my disconnect with MySpace.