Having just come back from a Make:Philly meeting and wowed by the art of Chris Vecchio, I find myself artistically inspired and contemplating the nature of technology, and how it makes us human.  Also, I built a prosthetic ego—not that I need one.

Make Magazine: www.makezine.com
MakePhilly: www.MakePhilly.com
The Hacktory: thehacktory.org/
The Hackory in the City Paper: text story http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/03/27/hack-to-the-future video story: http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2008/03/27/the-hacktory

Chris Vecchio: www.noisemantra.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

“Hey, neighbor!? Chawly called down from across the way. He had a pint glass of something that looked like red wine in each fist. I knew it couldn’t be–not in Topside–but Chawly had his ways. Chawly yanked the line-suspended basket that served as dumbwaiter between his window and mine over to him and placed a glass in. He gave the basket a shove, sliding it across the expanse. “Taste somma this!...?

Special thanks to Chris Loeffler and Russell Collins for reading this episode.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

Another Friday, another Feedback Friday!  Panda returns to the podcast to say hello and help me answer feedback.  Some of the topics discussed:

Tea.
Panda’s emotion-lifting capabilities.
The amount of tea currently in the house.
Waistcoats, and who needs them (hint: Panda).
Panda promises to update his Flickr more.
Confusing language.
Hermione Granger and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Panda’s size (hint: little).
Teatime!

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

The Tiffdelways' culture is one that recognizes the impermanence of all things.  Considering the caustic gasses in their atmosphere, this can hardly be considered surprising.  While your breathing apparatus will protect your lungs, try to remain nonchalant as the paper your speech is printed on, the clothes you will be wearing and the very building you will be inside, will slowly disintegrate over the course of your visit. One wrong step could cause your pants to crumble about your ankles, so be sure to wear your “good? underwear.

Do you smell that? Mash-ups, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of mash-ups in the morning. Smells like... victory.

“Beethoven's Fifth Gold Digger? was mashed-up by A plus D. You can download it and other mash-ups at aplusd.net

“Hollaback Girls Feel Good? was mashed-up by Arty Fufkin. You can find it and other mash-ups by "arty fufkin" into Google, since I can't seem to find a website.

“99 Luft Problems? was mashed-up by Jay Zeezer. You can download it and other mash-ups at www.jay-zeezer.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

Tristan was methodically taking apart his hands when the doorbell chimed. He jumped at the sound, going to the door in such a hurry that he left behind the joints and pieces of his left hand on the worktable. All nine of Tristan’s eyes blinked and strobed expectantly, wanting to know if this was it, what he had been waiting for, the final piece...

Special thanks to Richard Kalwaic for reading this episode.

This episode featured "Betrayed," "You Don't Know Me" and "Immortal," all performed by Human Response. More information and work by this artist can be found at www.magnatune.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

I've been feeling a little depressed recently--listening to back-to-back personal narratives about being a Jew in Nazi-occupied Poland and about being a black woman in America before the Civil Rights movement will do that--and I didn't feel I had anywhere to turn.

Luckily, a little stuffed panda was there to talk it all over with me.

Panda's Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/teatimewithpanda/

(He swears he's going to update more often)

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Welcome back to the HMS Astrolabe! We suffered some delays in making port this time, but I hope that you will find this installment was worth the wait.

The sights available from the observation deck this week include The Clockwork Ball, Unofficial Fop Day, FreakAngels, and In Timely Fashion (being a compendium of era hairstyle instructions with photonic illustrations), and SepiaChord. Other diversions include the launch of an original flash fiction series called Six Score and Twenty by Matt Wallace, and the first of what we hope to be many sartorial lessons from Jared Axelrod.

Today’s salon is a conversation with the inestimable Magpie Killjoy of Steampunk Magazine.

Thank you for joining us!

Today, I got a chance to sit down with my good friend Filamena Young, and talk about writing, online resources, and how to get things done even when there’s other things clawing at your time. The background gets a little noisy, but stick through it; it’s fascinating stuff.

You can find more on Filamena at her website, www.filamena.com. Here’s the sites we talk about in the interview:

Space Westerns magazine www.spacewesterns.com/
Janet Reid jetreidliterary.blogspot.com
BookEnds blog bookendslitagency.blogspot.com
Critters Workshop www.critters.org
Mouth Full Of Bullets magazine www.mouthfullofbullets.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Another week, another totally awesome Feedback Friday. This week, I am reminded that Episode 86 was awesome, we go over the rules and regulations of voicemail for Cap’n Stilton and Podcast du Fromage, speak for some length about Mur Lafferty’s Wasteland, and I reveal what I did at Dr. Sketchy’s. Hint: it wasn’t drawing.

Mur Laferty’s Wasteland, over at Podiobooks: podiobooks.com/title/heaven-season-4-wasteland/
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School: www.drsketchy.com
Dr. Sketchy’s Philadelphia: www.drsketchyphilly.blogspot.com/

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

The gravity of the Glackple homeworld is many times greater than what you are used to. As such, you will feel weighty, leaden, and bloated while on the planet’s surface.  Stay away from the Glackple’s honorary sausage. While a much sought-after-delicacy, it will only increase your feelings of heaviness.

In either case, you should consider excusing yourself from the after-diner high jump competition.

Tired? Cranky? Me, too. Must be time for some kickin’ tunes.

I'm sure Ming would approve.

“Domino? was performed by The Spies. You can find out more about the band at 15megsoffame.com

“Ming’s Pretty things? was performed by Solaire. You can find out more about the band at solairemusic.com

“You’re So Cool? was written and performed by The Homens. You can find out more about him at thehomens.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

“I don’t understand you Earthans at all,? Jaeg said, inflating a third bladder in order to rise up to the spaceship window. Earth was still in view, though it was slowly shrinking amongst the black. “You have one of the most gorgeous planets in the galaxy, yet you all are constantly wandering away from
it.?

Lucky allowed himself a chuckle and stepped closer to the bundle of flesh and tentacles that was his co-pilot. He placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on Jaeg and watched her soft flesh change color at his touch. “We often don’t understand ourselves…

This episode featured “Don’t Resist The Love,? by STAN, and is made available through Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial 2.5 license. You can find out more information about this artist at sitestan.net/

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Cap’n Stilton and Podcast du Fromage returns, giving you the finest in dairy-related criticism. Whether enjoying a cheese plate at Bridget Foy’s or fielding acusations that his show is too Euro-centric, the Cap’n is makin’ it happen. With cheese!

And remember folks, crackers are for people who can’t handle their cheese.

Special thanks to John Cmar and Brendan Dalton.

This episode featured Bach’s "Violin Concerto 1041 : I. Allegro" performed by Lara St. John. More information and work by this artist can be found at www.magnatune.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Spent the day engaging in an Improv Everywhere-syle social prank with B. Love Improv, orchestrated by a member of Scene Diego. I had my recording rig hidden, recording audio during the event, and interviewing several of the participants.

However, since I somehow hit pause early on in the event, none of it got recorded.

What do you do in such in an instance? Why, call the Doctor, of course.

Special thanks to Dr. John Cmar, for being on the other end of the phone line.

Improv Everywhere: improveverywhere.com
Scene Diego: scenediego.org/
B. Love Improv: improveverywhere.ning.com/group/Philadelphia
Vote Saxon: votesaxon.co.nr/

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

What does it mean when a fiction character running for office in a fiction city campaigns in a real city?  

When the lines between reality and fantasy blur, what does it do to the people involved?

What's the mindset of the crowd attending?

And what does realism have to do with Batman, anyway?

Do you believe in Harvey Dent?

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russel Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Feedback Friday returns, with a new theme song and everything! Clearly, we cannot be stopped.

Some of things discussed:
The Creatures In My Head, www.creaturesinmyhead.com
FreakAngels, www.freakangels.com
The FreakAngels message board, Whitechapel, www.freakangels.com/whitechapel
Nobilis from the future, at noblis.libsyn.com.earth.x

The Voice of Free Planet X Theme was written by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

The Meriose have yet to truly accept the concept of other races in the galaxy, and often refer to otherworldly visitors as “hallucinations? or “waking dreams.?  So try not to notice as the president’s cabinet with continually rub their eyes and pinch each other in the hopes of waking up from the dream that you represent.

They will, however, be quite solicitous, as anyone would be with a figment of their imagination.

Some days were made for mashing up.

“War of Confusion? was mashed-up by The Kleptones. You can download it and other mash-ups at kleptones.com

“Tear My Sharona Apart? was mashed-up by Bass211. You can download it and other mash-ups at bass211.com

“Number of da Boots? was mashed-up by DJ Lobsterdust. You can download it and other mash-ups at www.djlobsterdust.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

The Balticon Pod Players present the first two acts in the on-going Lancelot Biggs: Spaceman! story. In this episode you get Lancelot Biggs and the Space Garbage, and Lancelot Biggs and the Pirates.

Lancelot Biggs is adapted and performed with the permission of the estate of author Nelson S. Bond and his publishers. The adaptation was done by Mur Lafferty with assistance from Mathew Wayne Selznick. Performers are:

• Steve Eley - Lancelot Biggs
• Jim Van Verth - Sparks
• Jared Axelrod - Cap. Hanson
• Jason Adams - Lt. Todd
• Rich Sigfrit - Runt Hake
• Heather Welliver - Mr. Challenger & Space Cruiser Iris

Lancelot Biggs: Spaceman! is available from Wildside Press at Amazon.com

Promo: The Scotchcast

Promo: Nocturnal by Scott Sigler

Volunteer at Balticon 42 - Email the coordinator now!

Far and few, far and few,
            Are the lands where the Jumblies live;
      Their heads are green, and their hands are blue,
            And they went to sea in a Sieve.

"The Jumblies" was written by Edward Lear.

Chorus for "The Jumblies" and the Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Amelia Effective
Young girl detective
Had a good head on her shoulders

She kept all of her clues,
Her secrets and news
In very organized folders

She was simply aces
On all the small cases
Like who might be cheating at math

And she could be sublime
On the bigger crimes
Like who killed Old John in the bath...

Special thanks to Richard Kalwaic for reading this episode.

This episode also featured “March of the Clowns? by Derek Sonderfan and was made available curtsey of the of the Podsafe Music Network. You can find out more about him at www.esoderek.com/.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russel Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

More feedback than you can shake a stick at this episode, as listeners talk to me about their hopes, their dreams, and the way their first D&D character didn’t quite work out as planned. Also, I’m accused of bragging and what I call J.R. Blackwell when we’re not in front of microphones.

Here’s some of the folks who contacted me this week:
Pat of the JFP Podcast
Nobilis of Nobilis Erotica
Joe of the On The Podcast

And here’s some of the things we talk about:
Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy series
My Monarch’s Henchman costume from the Venture Brothers.
Second Shift podcast
Remebering Gary Gygax by Wayne Chamblis, from coilhouse.net
Giant Squid Audio Lab

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

Do not be intimidate by Gingram Fodicious's immense muscle mass and definition, as he from a culture devoted not to barbarism, but to the finer things in life.  Which is why you should carry a "cheat sheet" of Fodicious's known opinions of art, music and literature.  Appear ignoratn of what Fodicious deems "classics," and he will not hesitate to pound your puny philistine body into the pavement.

If it is any consolation, he will apologize afterwards.

Amateur aerialist and professional inventor, Heronymous Dash managed to combine these disciplines with his greatest invention yet: the time-ship Forteana.

The able-bodied crew of the Forteana--vampire queen Sanguine Bathory, legendary Persian warrior Rostam, pilot/chef Guillaume Pomplemous, plucky 12-year-old Harper Bly from the far-flung future of 1964, and of course, Dash himself-- are out to prove once and for all that heroism is, indeed, timeless.

But how will they fare when their adventures take them deep into the heart of the Mesozoic Era?

This is my half of a planned tandem podcast with Random Signal. Go check it out to see what Jason Adams does with the theme “Steampunk and Dinosaurs.?

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

The death of Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax has me waxing nostalgic about my own D&D experiences. I agree John Hodgman about the level of math in the game, explain the concept of “Slacker D&D,? talk about my first character, and jealousy describe the D&D game J.R. is currently in. For added authenticity, this episode was recorded in my basement.

Thank you, Gary, for helping make roleplaying what it is today. You’ll be missed.

Special thanks to Jesse Thorne of The Sound of Young America over at maximumfun.org for letting me use a clip from his interview with John Hodgman. He truly is America’s Radio Sweetheart.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

It’s a mashed-up world, we just live in it.

“Counting Rockets? was mashed-up by Divide & Kreate. You can download it and other mash-ups at divideandkreate.com

“$20 Monday? was mashed-up by A plus D. You can download it and other mash-ups at aplusd.net

“United States of Pop? was mashed-up by DJ Earworm. You can download it and other mash-ups at www.djearworm.com

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

It’s a story about two people, in a restaurant. It’s a story about delicacies that may or may not be just what you need. It’s a story about the memory of taste. It’s a story about what’s in the wine. It’s a story about a cartoon heroine. It’s a story about what the cheese is made from. It’s a story about what we’ve left behind, in order to move forward.

It’s a story about the meteor.

Special thanks to Kate Eckert, Ben Dyme and Brendan Dalton for their performances this episode.

“Black Mariah? was performed by Maria Daines and was made available curtsey of the of the Podsafe Music Network. You can find out more about her at www.maria-daines.com.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russel Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Welcome to the Music Lyric Lounge, offering the best in interpretive sound based on the lyrics of some the greatest bands the world has ever seen.  Tonight, for your entertainment we have discussions of children, monkeys, and masses of blood and foam.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Friday Feedback returns! I've been looking forward to this one...well, since the last feedback episode. My inability to realize I had a broken microphone is discussed, as is my love and affection for my current mic (made by Giant Squid Audio Labs). Also, my distaste for European Medieval fantasies and my love of a good cheese joke.

Had more than a few podcasters send emails or call in:
Command Line of The Command Line podcast
Pat of the JFP Podcast
Nobilis of Nobilis Erotica
Paul Fischer of A.D.D. Cast and the Balticon Podcast.

Paul's how-to PDF on how to boost your volume in GarageBand can be found here

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net