Does this mic make me look fat?

Evo

Originally uploaded by - luz -

Last night I put the final touches on the Gangplank Studios setup. Well, "final" may be going to far. I plugged everything we had in and got it all working. Lots more things to do (like get the spot server working, piping audio back to that machine... yada yada), but it is functional.

To prove it, I recorded a quick conversation with Jimmy and Sunny. No, I'm not putting it up. Well... maybe not. We'll see how I can make it sound in post.

We do have a needs list, if anyone is interested into contributing. This is designed to be a community studio, open to the public, with podcasting pros available to come teach, help you record... whatever. So your help helps many. Here's what we need (so far):

• Pop filters
  
• Sound deadening materials
  
• Headphone amp (for 4)
  
• Headphones (4)
  
• You
  

We'll take "ghetto" style of the items above, save the last three, in which we're happy to take used. We can also take items "on loan", as long as you understand that some damn fool may spill something. In which case I'll break some knuckles, but if the studio can't afford to buy it on our own, we can't afford to pay you back if something bad happens.

I'm out of town for the weekend, but will be ready to start working on groovy stuff when I get back!

Props to Luz for snapping shots and adding to the merriment!

Design the cover of Bill DeSmedt's next release

Bill DeSmedt, author of the incredibly rich and exciting novel Singularity, is putting the final touches on his second book in the tale, Dualism. I really enjoyed Bill's hard-science approach in the first book, plus his fantastic Russian accents. But he never will say "moose and squirrel" to me...

Anyhow, before he launches Dualism, he's going to release a series of "Soapbox Seminars" given by his fictional astrophysicist John C. Adler, Ph.D. "Doctor Jack" will be talking about the science behind the Tunguska Event, and in particular about the Jackson-Ryan hypothesis -- that it was a submicroscopic black hole that impacted the earth a hundred years ago this week. We're going to start putting these lectures up on Podiobooks.com on June 30th so everyone can enjoy them, but first, we've got to attend to one crucial detail that Bill forgot -- namely THE COVER ART!

So here's to hoping there's a fan of Bill's initial work out there who has the necessary design and layout chops to make a killer cover for this new "extra" content. Oh, and did I mention you have DAYS to do it? Interested parties, please email Bill directly. And be quick about it! The artist whose work is chosen for the cover will receive a free autographed copy of the Singularity hardcover as a thank you present.

[see] Mur's back [side] on Suicide Girls!

[Things in brackets are a lie.] The rest us true. Mur. Is. Back!

I fell in love with Mur in early 2005, when she was translating her ravings of a geek mom into sweet, dulcet sounds each week on Geek Fu Action Grip. The woman has a way with words that immediately captivated me. I made it my plan to stalk her and force her to become my friend. I do that.

Fast-forward through a bunch of things and I'm once again able to get my fix, but this time in print-only. Mur is writing articles for SuicideGirls, and her first article has been posted. It's classic Mur writing, only this time with tantalizing imagery on the side of hawt pierced, studded and otherwise less-than-mainstream lovely ladies if only I'd care to click & pay. But click or not, you can read her stuff for free. I know I will be following faithfully. Even though I've never played Mario Kart.

Life isn't as fragile as you think (for Obsidian)

How many of you remember the world-wide blackout that happened on November 19, 2007? Oh, come on. Huge terror strike at power plants all over the US? Saudi Arabia pretty much wiped off the map? No? Oh. Well maybe because that didn't happen in this universe, but in J.C. Hutchins' 7th Son trilogy.

If your puzzled with what I just wrote, catch up here. For the rest, know that J.C. has asked several folks to play in his sandbox, contributing to 7th Son Obsidian, a collection of works from many icons in the podosphere. And for some strange reason, he asked me to play.

So for all of you clamoring for another Cult Cast: here. And thank J.C. for it. Remember that it was written as if I were living in the 7th Son world, so some history may not be exactly as you remember it.

Five O'Clock Shadow 100

Five O'Clock Shadow 100

Originally uploaded by evo_terra

Hey, it's been a while. Maybe we'll do this again for a time.

I turned 40 a few days ago, and it seems the universe has decided it's time for me to deal with some grown up stuff. Thanks, universe.

Negative: Business for my full-time gig isn't going so well. Major personnel changes at our two anchor clients have left us... well, short. As such, we had to take measures and let a valued employee seek options elsewhere. I've never had to terminate anyone for any reason other than just cause, so this was tough. And yes, likely tougher for the other, I'll grant you.

Positive: I had a great lunch meeting with two really smart entrepreneurs who like what I have to say. It's still very early in the planning stages, but I smell interesting things happening.

Negative: As the pic indicates, I'm struggling with the issue of censorship. Not here, but that other site I run. I'm not adding fuel to the fire with a link. Figure it out if you want to join the conversation. If not, carry on.

Positive: I'm helping out the smart folks at Ganglank set up a podcasting studio. We're doing it totally on the chap, and it's the first time I've ever done such a thing. Very challenging and frustrating at times. But it's going to be all kinds of rewarding when we can unleash the collective awesome sauce of the Phoenix "engaged" scene.

I'll spare you the details of my degrading body. Let's just say I'm going to have put off my prostate check for a bit. Nice of those things to pop up (or out) 2 days after my b-day. Ready for you any time, inherent wisdom. 'Cuz debilitation sucks.