Ericast.com Podcast - DWEEB THOUGHTS

An episode this week on the topic of the simple physical weight of lugging around gadgets to cover various possible opportunities that one might bumble into. How do you handle that? Let me know with a message left at 206-339-3742 (a.k.a. 206-339-ERIC) or an email to me (eric) at ericast.com.

Wrapping up the month -- wait; didn't it just begin?!? -- with some listener feedback and a "roll call" of sorts. Check in and let me know how you are doing. If nothing else, share something that's on your mind -- news, technology, idea, fear, hope, etc. -- and I'll turn it into a show topic! 206-339-3742 a.k.a. 296-339-ERIC or a nice and easy e-mail to me (eric) at ericast.com.

An update on a "retreat" that I took this past weekend -- not an update on the retreat itself (well, maybe a bit of an update on that) but an update on the concept of a "retreat" and what makes it relaxing. I open (and close) with some angst that I've driven all my listeners away through a variety of means over the past couple of months, so do give a quick call to 206-339-ERIC (a.k.a. 206-339-ERIC) or send an e-mail to me (eric) at ericast.com and let me know that you're out there and listening so that I know I should keep doing this!

In one of those, "Yikes! The month is over!" moments, I figured I'd do a throw-back to the old "Ericast On-The-Road" segments and record this during the commute. It's super-heavily-processed to get rid of the obnoxious road-noise. (That processing then converts the background noise from "noisy rumbling car" to "Eric is recording while wrapped in bubble-wrap and submerged in the ocean"... which may or may not be any better?) I fully realize that any time you begin a statement (or a podcast) with "I'm not trying to make trouble..." that's probably a sign that you're going to make trouble. But this week's Ericast reaches into the dangerous topic of politics. What I'm looking for, though, is some actual genuine help in trying to figure out the political landscape of the United States today. By picking on the recent chatter about defunding Planned Parenthood, I'm trying to tease out why the major parties believe what they do. ...Because, to this philosophy major, there seem to be some contradictions. And I'm not comfortable around things (or parties) that are internally contradictory. What do you think? Oh, come on -- you know you have an opinion on this one! Help me out and share it: 206-339-ERIC (a.k.a. 206-339-3742) or email me (eric) at ericast.com

Recent protests in Wisconsin and a former colleague's comments about bringing a bullhorn to a rally because "you can't lead a demonstration if nobody can hear you" got me thinking about the concept of "protests" and how technology has influenced them. Tons of random references in this podcast -- too many to mention. So, if you're bothered by that, just take notes and do some research and leave a comment for those behind you who would like some details on Geraldine Ferraro or Qik.com. Okay, just one link to tease you: Ultrasonic Devices. Intrigued? Then listen to the podcast! Comments? Questions? Concerns? Call 206-339-ERIC (a.k.a. 206-339-3742 if you're not into spelling phone numbers) or send an e-mail to me (eric) at ericast.com and let me know what you're thinking!

A little trip down memory lane -- maybe a painful one for you? -- back to my first grade experiences with coloring worksheets as compared to those that Chloe is having. Spoiler alert: Her experiences are better than mine were. As promised (actually, I intentionally didn't promise) in the podcast, here are Chloe's works of art: Cute, aren't they? And they actually relate to the podcast this week. Really. They do! Listen to it! Questions? Comments? Want to share your own personal childhood coloring traumas? Call 206-339-ERIC (a.k.a. 206-339-3742) or email me (eric) at ericast.com...

I'm back! Sorry for the unscheduled absence -- a little laziness, a little cold/flu to strike me down, a few work projects and tasks at home, and all of a sudden you blink and 1/12th of the year has disappeared. Wow; time flies. Topics this week: Slide scanning of Argus cartridges in a Polaroid SprintScanTalk Radio, Jason Lewis and Toyota Sudden AccelerationImportant safety tip: If experiencing uncontrolled acceleration in your car, shift to Neutral and solidly press (don't pump!) the brakeSquaring "complaints" against "vision" in an organizationLet me know what you think! Calling and leaving a message is quick and painless: 206-339-3742 (also known as 206-339-ERIC, which might be a bit easier for you to remember?). Or, if you prefer something textual. send an email to me (eric) at ericast.com

This is it! The end of 2010, which has flown by like a... fast-flowing year punctuated by inadequate similes. (How's that?) Calls from Jonzer (with Jonzer-in-training), Matt and Chad finish off the year for this listener-feedback episode. As always, 206-339-3742 (a.k.a. 206-339-ERIC) is the number to call with any and all feedback. See you in 2011!

It's listener feedback time! Thanks to Chad for the calls, which provide fodder for Eric's attempt to get back on track after a long and rambling trip down memory lane about Black Friday specials and related shopping trauma. Enjoy, and remember to share your comments by leaving a message at the official Ericast.com listener feedback line: 206-339-ERIC (a.k.a. 206-339-3742)

In an episode that has to be seen to be believed, you have the opportunity to see it... because this is the return of the Dweeb Thoughts video podcast on YouTube! And it might be going back on hiatus for awhile because, man, doing the video side of this is a pain! A worthwhile pain to you, the dedicated Ericast listener (or "viewer") but a pain none-the-less. Speaking of, 206-339-3742 (a.k.a. 206-339-ERIC) is the phone number for you to call in and share your thoughts. In addition to talking about velvet paintings, we throw out a random topic that I've been pondering lately -- "complacency" and, more importantly, what its healthy alternative might be. As I try to explain at the end of the podcast, just because you "DO SOMETHING!" rather than sitting around indifferent doesn't necessarily mean that what you're doing is a good thing. The "Ready, FIRE!, Aim" method isn't very good... but, I'd say, neither is the "Ready, Aim, Aim, Keep Aiming, Aim, Aim a little more..." alternative. What do you think? Get off that complacent bottom of yours and call in with an observation or challenge: 206-339-3742 or e-mail me (eric) at ericast.com.