http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:27:20 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Since moving into our house in 2005 I have been haunted by a monster. But this summer the monster was cut to the ground and hauled away in little pieces. (I wonder if I've been reading too much Steven King?) The monster that had haunted my dreams for 3 years was ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/08/11/the-bush/ What's The Price of Magic? It's a "game" or exercise taught by Orson Scott Card at a writing class I attended in San Diego recently. The purpose of which is to define rules of a fantasy world where magic is possible. For magic to be possible, there is bound to ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/08/03/the-price-of-magic/ I've been meaning to make this post for several months now It just took me a while to get around to it. (Or to get a "round tuit" as my mother used to say...never did figure out what a round tuit was, but wouldn't you know it, they sell them ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/05/28/hometheater/ Okay, title is a lame reference to an catchy Blue Oyster Cult song...but it somehow seemed appropriate. You can almost feel the heat coming off those candles. And, yes, There ARE 38 of them. I've been saying that I'm 62 this year...since I've decided to count backwards. It's been a ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/05/14/im-burning-im-burning-im-burning-for-you/ 100 Year Picnic, one of my favorite independent bands has released their newest full length release, Tales of a Modern Splash. The album is full of great songs; multi-layered and perfectly textured, each song has it's own story to tell.One of my favorite songs on the new album is Looks ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/05/01/looks-are-for-free/ I was sadly mistaken that I would have my '93 Pathfinder forever. Actually, I still have it, but just upgraded to this new '08 Toyota Yaris for my daily commute. The color is said to be "olive mist". To me is just a nice shade of green. I like green. ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/04/08/simple-together/ I just finished reading The Penal Colony this morning. I started reading it Wednesday and had a difficult time putting it down. It's a fast read and a great story. I've been simultaneously reading another book, but this one clearly held my attention. The great thing about this book is ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/03/16/book-the-penal-colony-by-richard-herley/ I bought Pillars of the Earth before I knew that is was Oprah's Book Club pick for January...honestly! But I'm not sorry I did. It's a great book full of all the elements of a great story. Ken Follett finished it in 1989, and it's popularity has been growing for ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/02/28/book-pillars-of-the-earth-by-ken-follett/ I can't put my finger on who Helio Sequence remind me of, but that is a good thing. I suspect it is because they have a unique yet familiar sound that is immediately appealing. There is something very Flock of Seagullsish about the title track, Keep Your Eyes Ahead. And ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/02/25/album-keep-your-eyes-ahead-by-the-helio-sequence/ Cornelius is the stage name for Keigo Oyamada, a highly creative Japanese artist who chose his name in homage to the movies of Planet of the Apes. His newest album, Gum, is ears candy with nutrition, not just empty calories. It has the depth to satisfy the heart as well ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/02/15/album-gum-by-cornelius-an-amusment-park-in-january/ Ten Story Relapse has been a indie favorite of mine for a long time. They just put this video on Youtube. It's a great song with a great message from their newest album, Antidisestablishmentarianism. Yeah...that's a mouth full. Enjoy. http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2008/02/10/ask-yourselfwho-would-jesus-bomb/ It's a tribute to all things vague and undefined...to all the times you find yourself saying "stuff" and "thingy" when what you really mean is "whatchamacallit" and "doohickey". So sit back and enjoy the yada yada yada. Featured Songs: Song 1 Artist: Cowboy Junkies Album: The Trinity Revisited Song: I Don't Get It Label: Cooking ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2007/11/03/face-the-music-33-vague-world/ We are having a dance party and you are invited, even if you are sitting at your desk at work with ear bud headphones crammed into your ears. In this episode, we reminisce about a few Halloweens of yesteryear and play some music that would make a corpse groove. As ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2007/10/20/face-the-music-32-halloween-dance-party/ The theme today is all about girls. We have three songs that are about the fairer gender. It's not hard to find songs that are written about girls, but these three songs are wonderful and moving. We are sure you will be humming along and tapping your feet from start ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2007/10/13/face-the-music-31-girls-girls-girls/ I said in the podcast that I had taken a 6 month break. I just added it up and the break has been closer to 9 months. Well, after 9 months I'm back! During my break I've had many things going on in my life and I've listened to a ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2007/10/06/face-the-music-30-war/ This episode started out being about science...but when the last song really didn't fit the theme, I decided to name it the Three Rs...you know cellular Respiration, Romance, and aRithmetic. Okay so it's a stretch...but I still got and episode done! Featured Songs: Science Groove: Oxidative Phosphorylation, PMN Rilo Kiley: Science Vs. Romance, ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2007/01/16/face-the-music-29-three-rs/ On today's show, I play three songs from three different artist who all operate from the the same Label, HUSH Records. This Portland, OR label has become one of may favorite sources of new music. Featured Songs: Norfolk & Western: The Longest Stare, N&R on HUSH Records Graves: Dirty Bird, Graves ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2007/01/09/face-the-music-28-hush/ On today episode I pick three songs from 2006 that I had to hear one more time. 2006 was a great year for music. I have listened to hundreds of albums and I would pick these three songs as stand out track for 2006, podsafe or not. Featured Songs: Jonathan Coulton: ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2007/01/02/face-the-music-27-2006-retrospect/ On this episode I am joined by a very special guest, who just may become a regular. James Jr. has joined me in the studio to help me produce this episode. We have the honor or playing song from three musical visionaries from the past. They presently have songs on ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/11/24/face-the-music-26-past-present-and-future/ It was entertaining to see myself on the news tonight. I was interviewed for a piece on podcasting over the weekend. Just a couple of small corrections: It's not that I have always wanted to be a DJ; maybe I did once. But I guarantee...podcasting is a lot more fun than ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/10/30/film-at-1100-actually-make-that-615/ In honor of my new job and Halloween, I've themed this episode as Blood, Sweat and Tears. Featured Songs: New London Fire: "We Don't Bleed", PMN, iTunes, Amazon Darren Geffre: "Sweat", PMN, CD Baby, iTunes The Critics: "Fail Without Tears", PMN, CD Baby, iTunes Mentioned Links: The Daddy Panel Dancing With Elephants 101 Uses for Babywipes The DaddyCast Voice comment ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/10/28/face-the-music-25-blood-sweat-and-tears/ This is a re-release of episode 2 of NavelCast. This is the third time I have recorded this episode. The first two were recorded last year (2005) and are long gone from my feed. I am happy to re-release this story from my life. It helps to explain a great ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/10/11/navelcast-22-names-revisited/ This show contains music and thoughts about the Podcast and Portable Media Expo held September 29th and 30th, 2006 in Ontario California. I had a great time. I'm still walking on air. Featured Songs: Slau: "The Weight Of Words", PMN Geoff Smith: "Not on the Radio", PMN Brother Love: "There She Goes", PMN Mentioned Links: Podcast ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/10/06/127/ Fall is upon us, and it seemed to have turned cold overnight. Just when I thought we were going to bypass fall and go right to winter, the sun came out again last Saturday. So, in gratitude to the sun that has decided to grace us with some of the ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/09/26/125/ I had the pleasure of hosting AMPed #41, the official podcast of the Association of Music Podcasting. Check it out. http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/09/25/i-hosted-this-weeks-amped-show/ In life, it seems that we all know some heroes or monsters, we may even have in us a little of both at times. Here is my tribute to the hero and monster in each of us. Featured Songs: Dave Potts: "If I Broke The Record", PME Goat: "Monsters", PME Halfwayhome: "On the Passing ... http://www.jamesb.com/wordpress/2006/08/30/face-the-music-22-heroes-and-monsters/