Not goodbye, just "smell ya later."

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen the post from my Mom about my home computer. It appears to have died on me. Best case scenario is that my warranty still covers it and I can send it in to get fixed, but that would mean I'd still be without Internet access for at least a month, not counting when I can get over to my Dad's place, where I am writing this from right now.

To add insult to injury on that front, with my iPod having been stolen this past Sunday, I am now completely unable to keep on podcasts. I can't just swing over here and fill up the Nano anymore. And now that I've been failed out of college I can't take advantage of the Macs in the computer lab for the same purpose. Nor can I use my Student ID to ride the bus over here whenever. I have to take out $4 every time I want to take the bus anywhere ($2 there, $2 to come back) which is not viable since the bulk of my paychecks go towards Rent, Energy, Cable/Internet, and Food. I can come over once or twice every couple of weeks, and that'll mostly be me checking my e-mails. My Dad's computer is a temp job and isn't equipped to handle podcasting. So don't expect to see me on Twitter or Facebook much, except maybe to update you all on where I'm at computer wise.

I mentioned above what the best case scenario was. Worst case? My PC is deader than disco, and even if I take out the maximum amount out of my checks that I can set aside and still eat, feed the cats, and keep a roof over me, it would take at least 2 years before I could afford a new computer.

This is all so unfair. My PC died after what was just an awesome day. I was looking forward to two fun interviews for my podcast, I was looking forward to NaNoWriMo, there were only 3 episodes left in Mur's Heaven series, I was going to start listening to Half Share by Nathan Lowell after NaNo was over, but now it's all, just gone to shit. The universe just can't let me be happy can it?

I don't want to say this is goodbye, that I'm podfading, and that you'll never hear me on any other shows again (or for at least 2 years which might as well be "never again"). But I can't say that I'll be back either. I don't know what's going to happen in the end to Geek of all Trades, The Casting Game, or all my other projects (most of which I'll have lost forever if my computer is more than mostly dead). You can still shop at my on-line store, or buy my book, but until the amount of royalties I make cross the $20 mark I won't get any checks for it. My e-mail inboxes will be insanely full I imagine, so don't send me any message for awhile until you can hear back from me.

I don't even remember what I was originally going to write here. I've spent much of yesterday and a chunk of today going back and forth between rage and tears. Those of you who heard the 30th episode of my podcast know how much the podcasting community means to me, and to be all but completely cut off from it as I've been now, by a combination of theft and hard drive failure hurts. For most of my friends, the Internet is not just my primary but my only way of communicating with them. I can still contact my family (and in the case of my Colorado relatives I can see them in person), and I have my good friend Diomira's phone number. I have books, cable so I can keep up with my shows and the news, I have a bunch of CDs and a working DiscMan (yeah, they still make those. ;-) ) so it's not like I have nothing, but I can't podcast, I can't write (my laptop won't work with my flash drive, and probably won't work with my printer either), and I can't listen to anything that isn't music or TV (c'mon, radio in America today mostly sucks).

I'm sorry if all this comes off as rather whiny, I'm trying to spread the word to my friends and fans why I'm going to be away for awhile and vent my frustrations all at the same time. Before I get too "pity me" on everyone, let me just say that if I don't make it back, it's been a helluva ride, and I know that, as miserable as I am now, I'm still a better person for having been a part of this community, and knowing people like Hutch, and Mur, and Tee, and Pip, and Encaf, and the Jaffees, and Tosus & Leanna, and the Farpoint Media crew, etc. ad infinitum, and missing all you peeps is better than not having ever known you.

So if this is goodbye, goodbye. And if not, if the best case scenario comes to pass, I may talk to you again before Christmas.

Spread the word to anyone who you even think might not have gotten this message.

Forever a podcaster and writer in spirit if nothing else,
Brian "Arkle" Webber

Hang on, if this is the end of my podcasting/writing career, let's at least end it on an upbeat number. :-)

Regarding November

OK, so with NaNoWriMo coming up I'm going to be diverting a lot of the attention I normally give to the podcast to my writing. But I don't want to leave my fans (all 6 of them) in the lurch. So for the month of November I am going to >>> [ WARNING ::: DATABASE ERROR ::: CONTENT OVERRIDE ::: SOURCE: EXTERNAL ] <<< > source terminal location: UNKNOWN
> source terminal identity: UNAVAILABLE
> source login information: ENCRYPTED
> message begins

the post you are now reading is designed to dull your senses to THE TRUTH. do not live the life of the worker bee, the cog, the well-oiled piston in the MACHINE OF DECEIT!

there is a grand CONSPIRACY afoot. you have been taught to believe that you are UNIQUE, one of a kind. THIS IS NOT TRUE. long ago, a cabal of scientists created technologies to ensure that ANYONE'S MIND AND BODY can be duplicated.

human cloning isn't NEAR. it's already HERE. discover the truth at http://JCHutchins.net

you are being DECEIVED. break free from the cogs, flee the hive, become A PROPHET OF THE TRUTH!

kilroy2. was here ... kilroy2.0 is everywhere

>>> [ CONTENT OVERRIDE CEASES ::: DATABASE STATUS: RECOVERING ] <<<

and if I'm lucky they'll be benign ones like that dream where I helped Mur Lafferty move. No, that's not a metaphor, I mean carrying boxes up stairs and shit.

How did I get off on that subject? I don't even remember. Anyway, if any of you reading this are Buddys with me on the NaNoWriMo website, I look forward to the friendly comeptition and the equally friendly ribbing that all of you (except Nathan Lowell of course, who will hit 50k before the 15th) will get when I leave you in my word count dust. ;-) j/k. It's all for fun.

Geek of all Trades Episode #30: 30 down, 22 to go

In which our illustrious host celebrates a milestone.

Contact Me:
Voicemail Line: 206.426.5634 or 206-ham-lodge
E-Mails: brian.d.webber@gmail.com, or arkle@comcast.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=723188282
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/arklemknzy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/arkle
Flixster: http://arkle.flixster.com

Fight me on MyBrute: http://arkle-scribe.mybrute.com/
Buy my book! http://stores.lulu.com/arkle
Check me out on BitStrips: http://www.bitstrips.com/user/7232/
Buy some swag! http://www.cafepress.com/arklestudios

TV Tropes.org's Crowning Moments of Awesome: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrowningMomentOfAwesome
Podsafe Music: http://music.podshow.com/
Some sound on this show comes from The Free Sound Project: http://www.freesound.org/
Outro Song; The Oath by Street Sweeper Social Club: http://www.ninja2009.com

Promos:
Geek Cred: http://www.geekcred.net
7th Son Descent: http://www.jchutchins.net
Harvey by Phil Rossi: http://www.harveythenovel.com
Scotch Cast: http://www.thescotchcast.com
V For Vertigo: http://vforvertigo.blogspot.com

Segment Related Links:
The Fump
Italian mamma charged with mollycoddling schoolboy son
Real Tsunami May Have Inspired Legend of Atlantis
Miss Homeless contest slammed
Family Guy maze cut into corn field at farm
Rare Vegetarian Spider Discovered

Also Mentioned on the Show:
Buy 7th Son at Amazon.com
Bumfight videos Wiki page
The Weird Show
Wicked
Buell Theatre
Cherry Daiquiri recipe
Nobilis Erotica
The 9th A Heroes Podcast

Geek of all Trades Episode #29: The Jack Jaffee Voicemail Show

In which our illustrious host riffs on Jack Jaffee's many voicemails, gets psyched about the upcoming Episode 30 (as well as being nervous about it), and discusses the potential for Stargate Universe.

Contact Me:
Voicemail Line: 206.426.5634 or 206-ham-lodge
E-Mails: brian.d.webber@gmail.com, or arkle@comcast.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=723188282
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/arklemknzy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/arkle
Flixster: http://arkle.flixster.com

Fight me on MyBrute: http://arkle-scribe.mybrute.com/
Buy my book! http://stores.lulu.com/arkle
Check me out on BitStrips: http://www.bitstrips.com/user/7232/
Buy some swag! http://www.cafepress.com/arklestudios

TV Tropes.org's Crowning Moments of Awesome: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrowningMomentOfAwesome
Podsafe Music: http://music.podshow.com/
Some sound on this show comes from The Free Sound Project: http://www.freesound.org/
Outro Song; The Oath by Street Sweeper Social Club: http://www.ninja2009.com

Promos:
None this week.

Segment Related Links:
Longing For Orpheus
The Letters lyrics
Slimy-skinned ships to slip smoothly through the seas
Dieter Bohlen officially ruled an artist by Kassel court
Bank robber caught out by personalised BMW number plate
Adolf Hitler suicide story questioned after tests reveal skull is a woman's
October 8th

Also Mentioned on the Show:
Stargate Universe
My NaNoWriMo Page
Media Frenzy Podcast

Geek of all Trades Episode #28: Yippee! Fall is here!

In which our illustrious host riffs on Kanye, revamps a segment, plays one confusing song, and makes a brief case for Heroes.

Contact Me:
Voicemail Line: 206.426.5634 or 206-ham-lodge
E-Mails: brian.d.webber@gmail.com, or arkle@comcast.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=723188282
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/arklemknzy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/arkle
Flixster: http://arkle.flixster.com

Fight me on MyBrute: http://arkle-scribe.mybrute.com/
Buy my book! http://stores.lulu.com/arkle
Check me out on BitStrips: http://www.bitstrips.com/user/7232/

TV Tropes.org's Crowning Moments of Awesome: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrowningMomentOfAwesome
Podsafe Music: http://music.podshow.com/
Some sound on this show comes from The Free Sound Project: http://www.freesound.org/
Outro Song; The Oath by Street Sweeper Social Club: http://www.ninja2009.com

Promos:
British Invaders: http://www.britishinvaders.com
Cue The Film: http://cuethefilm.blogspot.com/
7th Son Book One Descent: http://www.podiobooks.com/podiobooks/book.php?ID=53

Segment Related Links:
The FuMP
September 24th
Makes Me Wonder lyrics
Human Bones Add “Spirit” to Taiwanese Swords
'Perfume can cure aids'
Romping Hitler Aids ad criticised
Green sex toy could 'help save planet'

Also Mentioned on the Show:
District 9
Heroes
Porn makes you gay
7th Son Book One in print

Geek of all Trades Episode #27: Eating cake mix straight out of the box

In which our illustrious host keeps it simple, introduces a new segment, poorly foreshadows the passing of another, and does a longer than usual version of a yet another segment.

Contact Me:
Voicemail Line: 206.426.5634 or 206-ham-lodge
E-Mails: brian.d.webber@gmail.com, or arkle@comcast.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=723188282
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/arklemknzy
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/arkle
Flixster: http://arkle.flixster.com

Fight me on MyBrute: http://arkle-scribe.mybrute.com/
Buy my book! http://stores.lulu.com/arkle
Check me out on BitStrips: http://www.bitstrips.com/user/7232/

TV Tropes.org's Crowning Moments of Awesome: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CrowningMomentOfAwesome
Podsafe Music: http://music.podshow.com/
Some sound on this show comes from The Free Sound Project: http://www.freesound.org/
Outro Song; The Oath by Street Sweeper Social Club: http://www.ninja2009.com

Promos:
The Gamma Quadrant: http://www.gammaquadrant.libsyn.com/
Tuning in to Sci-Fi TV: http://www.tuningintoscifitv.com
Angel Between The Lines: http://www.angelbetweenthelines.com

Segment Related Links:
Dr. Chaotica
To A Teacher lyrics
September 10
Bill Donohue, Catholic League President, claims militant atheists are 'out to get us'
Will the real Bob McDonnell please stand up?
Quebec parents lose religious freedom case

Also Mentioned on the Show:
Media Frenzy Podcast
Carding for tobacco sales
Geologic Podcast
Freedom From Religion Foundation

Geek of all Trades Episode #26: M10S6233M

In which our illustrious host apparently struck a nerve, ponders the fate of his side project The Casting Game (http://castinggame.blogspot.com *ding*), and does a segment he hasn't done for a long time.



Contact Me:

Voicemail Line: 206.426.5634 or 206-ham-lodge

E-Mails: brian.d.webber@gmail.com, or arkle@comcast.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=723188282

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/arklemknzy

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/arkle

Flixster: http://arkle.flixster.com



Buy my book! http://stores.lulu.com/arkle

Check me out on BitStrips: http://www.bitstrips.com/user/7232/



Main Site: http://arkle.silver-gateway.com

Podsafe Music: http://music.podshow.com/

Some sound on this show comes from The Free Sound Project: http://www.freesound.org/

Outro Song; The Oath by Street Sweeper Social Club: http://www.ninja2009.com



Promos:

MegaPodzilla: http://www.megapodzilla.com/

I Should Be Writing: http://www.ishouldbewriting.com

The Babylon Podcast: http://www.babylonpodcast.com



Segment Related Links:

The Raygun Girls

TV host 'ordered killings to boost ratings'

New Object Found in Saturn's Rings

New exoplanet orbits 'backwards'

Town puts up Xmas lights - in August

Report: Atheism On The Rise In U.S.



Also Mentioned on the Show:

Randi Rhodes

Richard Belzer

Psycho Donuts

Bosco and Peck

The Casting Game

Dear GOP: Watch Your AstroTurf, We're On To You

Dear GOP: Watch Your AstroTurf, We're On To You

By Kase Wickman

Dear Republicans: It's awesome that you've caught up to this whole newfangled Internet craze, but what's with the fixation on that late-60s invention that we all know and have skinned our knees on? That's right: AstroTurf. AstroTurfing is the plastic sensation that's sweeping the GOP nation, and, trust us, it's getting pretty old, not to mention transparent.

Dissent is essential to democracy, and freedom of speech and the right to assemble are vital not reserved for one party or the other. The problem is this: you're doing it wrong.

How to do it right: A few guys clustered in New England got their acts together and rallied their neighbors for a cause they believed in. They made a country. They made change. It was organic. It was natural. It was grassroots.

No, no, don't run, we know Obama said that word a lot when he was campaigning. Don't get scared. We're not talking about him, we're talking about the Sons of Liberty. They even had strong opinions about taxes! Republicans, don't shy away! Stay with us! Calling yourselves teabaggers is a good first step for you.

We understand that you want attention. We understand that you need to stay in the limelight and look like the do-stuff guys if you want to take back any seats in 2010. The problem, however, is that you are the pay-to-do-stuff guys right now. Actually, you're just paying. You're not actually doing anything. It's really a dirty business, this contrived fake protest thing.

While Democrats have been arguing amongst themselves about health care reform, a concept the GOP appears to have completely abandoned except to remind us not to kill babies or grandmas, you've been sending fake letters opposing the climate change bill to members of Congress ("you" here being lobbyists hired by the big-money coal industry). You're ("you" is oil companies and oil industry lobbyists here, keep up!) giving employees the afternoon off and busing them out to protests, protests of the bill that would mean a cleaner environment but maybe -- oh no! -- a smaller bonus for them. You're (this one's just the general "you" of the GOP, psych!!) taking a counter-conference of right wing bloggers and calling it a protest, when it is, in fact, a petty group of me-too mommy bloggers trying to get a slice of the hipster lefty political bloggers' media coverage.

In other words, you're trying to throw the game by throwing money. Remember the 1919 Chicago White Sox? It's sort of like that, in that you're eventually going to lose. In your case, probably not while wearing stirrups.

See, the problem with AstroTurfing is that it buys media coverage, but not public opinion. The people who are showing up to your fake protests have some kind of financial stake in being there, whether it's because they work for Big Oil and were bused there, or if it's because they are paid lobbyists, hired guns, and it's their job to be there. No one new is being won over by a crazy waving a sign and saying that they're going to forcibly change the climate of the House.

And, just like public opinion, media coverage does not take the place of actual legislation. Climate change is the focus of the current AstroTurfing craze (ironic, right? Since AstroTurf is fake grass?), and while the House vote was close, the bill still passed. It appears to be set to pass in the Senate as well. Anyone who takes more than a cursory look at Congress news and these so-called protests can see: climate change is where the money is, not the lawmaking. Congress is wrapped up in the health care debate, why not muck that up? That's right, because the people paying you to read their scripts are more interested in the evergreen (see what we did there?) issue of the earth and its natural resources, an issue that will long outlast our bodies and their health.

So, congratulations: A reporter covered your fake protest. Too bad they, like the rest of us, have figured out by now just how synthetic and plastic it really is, and you can't pay them off to say otherwise. Sooner or later, you'll start to understand that the majority of us vote with our heart, not with our wallets. Oh, and that when you're running on AstroTurf, it hurts really, really bad when you fall.

Geek of all Trades Episode #25: Podcasting as Therapy

In which our illustrious host vents a little, plays a song by a band he hasn't played since the old show, discovers why his Google Alerts were missing, has fun with conspiracy theories (mostly for the purpose of antagonizing Jack Jaffee), and discusses a future project perhaps a bit prematurley (pun intended. Just listen to the show, you'll get it).



Contact Me:

Voicemail Line: 206.426.5634 or 206-ham-lodge

E-Mails: brian.d.webber@gmail.com, or arkle@comcast.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=723188282

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/arklemknzy

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/arkle

Flixster: http://arkle.flixster.com



Buy my book! http://stores.lulu.com/arkle

Check me out on BitStrips: http://www.bitstrips.com/user/7232/



Main Site: http://arkle.silver-gateway.com

Podsafe Music: http://music.podshow.com/

Some sound on this show comes from The Free Sound Project: http://www.freesound.org/

Outro Song; The Oath by Street Sweeper Social Club: http://www.ninja2009.com



Promos:

Tuning In To Sci-Fi TV: http://tuningintoscifitv.com/

Nobilis Erotica: http://nobilis.libsyn.com



Segment Related Links:

Jukebox Sinners

Comets not likely cause of mass extinctions

'We see dead people'

Fury over psycho doughnut shop

F**king signs

Hunter's Lullaby lyrics

August 14



Also Mentioned on the Show:

Steven Wright

Google Alerts

Media Frenzy Podcast

Release Me by Tee Morris

The Periodic Table of Awesome