May 07, 2008
TC 117 Solid Golden Week
(click the magic button to hear or download the 33 minute episode)
It looks like Japan's First Podcast will be coming through TalkShoe for the foreseeable future. Free hosting that actually returns a small sum compared to paid hosting leaves no choice. This is especially the case considering some decisions I've made about future directions for this podcast. All the details are laid out in a semi-coherent form in the later half of the episode.
In the first half is the Kodomonohi fukubiki story I promised on twitter earlier today. Spoiler: the image for this blog post is the one mentioned in the story.
For those interested in participating in the live post-show chat on TalkShoe next week, please note the new time that has been scheduled (Wednesday morning in Japan and Tuesday evening in USA).
Posted by scott at 11:59 PM | Comments (8)
April 27, 2008
TC 116 - By the way . . .
(click the magic button to hear or download the 19 minute episode)
I decided to wrap up the week with one more bit of audio. This didn't work so well over the TalkShoe because of the low quality of the recording. I was surrounded by noise and wind as I made the walk from Iidabashi to Suidobashi. Hopefully, there's enough here to warrant putting it out as an episode.
Posted by scott at 02:22 AM | Comments (2)
April 22, 2008
TC 115 - Waxen Grimaces in the Morning
(click the magic button to hear or download the 33 minute episode)
Decided to enjoy a leisurely walk to campus this Monday morning rather than transfer to another hot and crowded subway car. On the way there, I recorded some random thoughts about frowning salarymen, girl scouts, teaching matters, and this Wednesday's Calling Tokyo Calling.
Relevant Links:
Image courtesy of LouiseDK via a Creative Commmons license from Flickr
Posted by scott at 01:15 AM | Comments (5)
April 13, 2008
TC 114 - Back to School Special
(click the magic button to hear or download the 30 minute episode)
Follow Japan's First Podcaster as he returns to teaching duties for another school year. From Office 2007 to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the way to the Meat Grinder, from a muscle-bound Lothario and his wingman to a university administrator with a stack of student complaints - the only sane way to cope is to Do Easy (DE).
Relevant Links:
- The Discipline of DE (Do Easy)
- My TalkShoe "Shows"
- Wikipedia entry on "Wingman"
- Who Am I? podcast from WNYC's Radio Lab
Music Courtesy of CC Mixter
Title: Down the Lighted Path
Artist: Darkroom
Creative Commons License: Attribution 3.0 Unported
Posted by scott at 01:25 AM | Comments (12)
April 10, 2008
Grateful, Guilty & Gobsmacked
(click the magic button to hear or download the 20 minute glimpse behind the curtain)
The best part of this TalkShoe cast took place after the recording ended. Thanks to Aaron, Randulo, Mafuchan, Zaren and others for a fun and lively conversation.
In the recording, I apologized for and tried to explain the recent lack of podcast episodes. Next a big thank you was sent out to some generous listeners. There's also an awkward moment where I mentioned some recent examples of how my own prejudices and misconceptions have been made clear. And somehow there's a connection to the TED Talks.
And finally, I give the highest possible recommendation for anyone with half-a-mind and a pair-of-ears to listen to The Black Tie Martini Club Oddcast.
Also mentioned, and very much worth checking out is the SLPN.
Posted by scott at 01:06 AM | Comments (4)
March 19, 2008
TC 113 - Hat in Hand
(click the magic button to hear or download the 30 minute episode)
| time | segment | links |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00-09:03 | CTC Returns | Calling Tokyo Calling on TalkShoe |
| 09:07-12:08 | Stroke of Luck | Jerome Stewart Gets Lucky, too |
| 12:12-15:20 | Trotsky on an elevator |
Trotsky on stage Patchouli on Wikipedia Umbrella Self-Defence |
| 15:25-18:03 | The Final Obento | Happy Lunchbox |
| 17:40-22:10 | Donation Drive |
Wojtek Andy Dr. Gene Scott |
| 22:05-29:40 | Epilogue |
Kevin's Short Cummings Audio podcast Music: Fixing my Brain by Gillies offered through a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License via ccMixter |
Posted by scott at 01:42 PM | Comments (7)
March 14, 2008
Calling Tokyo Calling Redux
For some reason, I've decided to resume live programming on TalkShoe with Calling Tokyo Calling. Episodes have been done on each of the past three evenings - with varying degrees of success. I intend to continue this effort for the foreseeable future.
The point is that I've found an idea and avenue of expression that I'd like to further explore. This experiment offers a chance to try out some new techniques and develop some new skills. Also, it provides an opportunity for interested Tokyo Calling listeners to talk to me. It even might be a way to attract new listeners. But to quote the old SNL, it's "not ready for prime time."
CTC is still a work in progress. I don't intend to add TalkShoe recordings to the current Tokyo Calling feeds, though I might add a CTC feed to the blog in the future - if there is any interest. There might very well be occasions when excerpts from a live recording find there way into a Tokyo Calling podcast.
The reason for this post is to let you know what's going on. It would be great to talk to any listeners who care to join in. The best way stay abreast of future CTC episodes is to follow me on twitter, or to request to be notified by email. Send me an email if interested in the second option.
Posted by scott at 01:11 AM | Comments (5)
March 11, 2008
360 Cities Virtual Reality Project
I walk under this section of the Sobu and Chuo lines at least twice a week . The name of the station and surrounding area is Suidobashi. Located in the Kanda district of Chiyoda Ward, it is a lively and boisterous neighborhood. Beyond the tracks, standing at full attention, slightly left of center is the 43 story Tokyo Dome Hotel. I was surprised and delighted to find this photo of an area I know so well in the Tokyo section of the 360 Cities Virtual Reality Project.
The 360 Cities project makes use of Apple’s Quicktime VR and claims to be “the worlds fastest growing Virtual Reality network.” The site name would seem to suggest that panorama views of 360 cities around the world are on offer. But on closer examination, that claim becomes dubious. The photos are arranged sensibly by continent. North America and Asia feature seven and eight cities, respectively; Africa and South America each get one slot; Marshall Islands is the only “city” listed for Australia; while the remaining 25 cities are from Europe. That's far from a balanced representation. And the number of cities does not come close to 360.
But I'm not going to throw this site under the bus merely for a little over exuberance among the copywriters. Clearly 360 refers to degrees depicted in the photos. I, for one, happen to savor each and every one of those degrees while moving through these ever amusing panorama shots. It's kinda like crawling around in a little glass bubble. Though they only feature 43 cities, the site boasts that more than 5000 photos can be seen.
The Tokyo section alone has nearly 500 pictures. Some of them are quite stunning. I particularly like this photo of people standing under the cherry blossoms at Koshikawa Korakuen Koen. It seems as though panorama photos are continually being added to the Tokyo section, some as recently as last weekend.
Posted by scott at 12:40 PM | Comments (1)
