Audio Chimera

As an AM DJ I played records, did some news and weather, but mostly played a lot of tapes--and Orioles baseball games. In between (and sometimes during them), I took calls from many listeners, including a young woman with, I think, a crush on me, and other strange agents. This is of course while constantly changing formats with each new ratings book and each brand new program director. It was a fun job, but not without its challenges, especially in the midnight to 6am graveyard shift.

After attending a Podcast Movement conference, and scoffing at the idea of creating s second podcast (who has time??), I did exactly that. A Leg Up 4 Caregivers was going to be for sudden caregivers. But then that time issue resurfaced. However, rather than totally abandon that podcast, I am resurrecting parts of it here in Season 4 (which features a shorter intro!).

Eye health is so important, and when we ignore the warning signs, we could lose our vision. When I first had problems, I panicked, but it turned out it was not vision-threatening. And then when it was, I assume it wasn't. What a mistake! The tale of discovering a retinal detachment, and surviving the surgery and an intense bout of despair.

Everyone always says, "But I really want to direct." It's always been true for me. But some of the directing positions I have applied for? These crazy stories deal with chocoholic dogs, chickens (both living and dead), and always crazy theatre people who get involved in one way or another.

Sometimes the ways people speak leave me speechless! In college I took a Voice and Diction class that taught me how to speak properly--ideal for a future podcaster! So operating from that perspective, I am astounded at some people's ways of speaking. Dialects, regionalisms, improper pronunciations...and then let's talk about not reading and just hearing things incorrectly. Like I said: speechless!

In a previous episode, I flippantly suggested that my wife would be late for her own funeral. Life has conspired to contradict me, and she passed away in October 2018. I offer this eulogy in memory of her, and am posting this episode on what would have been our 30th anniversary.

For many, "midnight movie" now means that first showing of the newly-released movie blockbuster tentpole, likely featuring some sort of superhuman creatures. But when the midnight movie idea started, the movies were hardly mainstream; in fact, they were decidedly "out there." Listen to some of my experiences--often with second-hand smoke altering my perceptions--with films shown at the witching hour.

Note: Many of the sounds that I don’t record myself come from SoundJay.com. For this episode, the Ricochet Sound is by Grant Evans.

I haven't rubbed elbows with many celebrities, but here are a few of my humble stories about that--and how ridiculous that can be. Whether in a public restroom, me trying to make a witty quip and having it fall flat... And why don't we question why we give some people celebrity anyway?

Ever notice that, for kids, events are boring and time moves so slowly, while for older adults, we suddenly find we lost a decade in there? In this episode I attempt an explanation of this phenomenon, as I deal with time, tardiness, and teleology. (Actually, I have a religious joke in here, which is more theology, but I wanted to be alliterative.)

One image I have for myself is that of storyteller. I wouldn't be in Season 3 of this podcast if I didn't think so. But I'm also a theatre professor, director, and playwright, and all those roles go into shaping my stories as well as those of others. And I think some of the best theatrical stories merge life and performance.