JIMM 33 - Play That Funky Music

Mood: soooo tired
Listening to: The SG Show #28
Reading:Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - chapter 16
Eating: LaRosa's pizza
Watching: Disney channel with Keisha, soon I think

Well, the latest podcast is now available. I used some different software to produce it and a different set of microphone and headphones.

With that in mind, and after having listened to it, I feel the need to offer an explanation about what happened as I was recording it:

I had set the configuration of Pod Producer, the software I used to record the podcast, in such a way that the volume was really loud upon playback. I knew that wouldn't go over well.

Also, as I mentioned on the podcast, I recorded the whole thing simultaneously in Audacity, the software I'd been using to record and mix the podcasts prior to this episode.

The version from Audacity sounded better, but it was still a little bit loud. I adjusted the Gain on the file to make it sound softer and then mixed it into a different mp3 file.

I preferred using Pod Producer because I could put show notes into the ID3 tag, as well as a customized album art picture of myself. So I discarded the original mp3 from Pod Producer and opted to play the mp3 that Audacity generated in Pod Producer; basically, it was a one-track show. I'd also reset the configuration to what Ed Ovett from Ed's Mixed Bag recommended.

I think the version that is available sounds so soft is because I didn't look at the mixed sound file from Audacity before bringing it into Pod Producer.

In order to listen to this podcast enjoyably, you'll probably need to turn the volume on your mp3 player and computer up higher than you would normally do. Another option, if you're so technically inclined, is to bring the file into your mp3 editor, such as Audacity, and apply a higher amplification to it - so that it sounds louder overall.

Furthermore, in order to be able to play sound clips and record my voice, I had to switch back and forth from Stereo Mix to Microphone, using Windows Volume Control in the system tray. That meant that there's not much cross-fading going on, and that i couldn't do voiceovers for the music.

In addition, there were some brief moments where, when recording using the Stereo Mix control, the windows event sounds and sounds at a website were picked up. The most noticeable instance of this occurs during the second clip from Police on the Scene with a Crime Prevention Lean. I'd begun instant messaging someone, and the sounds from that session were picked up by Pod Producer.

Nevertheless, I am very pleased with the amount of work it took to produce this episode, and I think I can only get better. I'm very much interested in your feedback, good or bad.

Thanks for listening!

Orthopedic surgeon and Podcast Updates

Mood:tired
Listening to: fan in our apartment
Reading: Harry Potter and the HBP (beyond chap. 14)
Eating: LaRosa's Baked Buddy and Italian Garden Salad for lunch
Watching: miscellaneous goings on from our living room window

Jennie went with me to the orthopedic surgeon appointment this afternoon:

The doc looked at the MRI results and checked my mobility and reflexes, specifically in my left leg, since that's where it's been affected most.

He showed us where the disc had degenerated and is pushing against a nerve. There's another one near it that also isn't looking that good.

Nevertheless, he didn't feel that surgery was warranted. (whew!) He's ordered some physical therapy: twice a week over the next month, and we'll see how things go from there. As for the pain, etc., he wants me off the Vicodin and on a different muscle relaxer like Naproxen.

So, a big thank you goes out to everyone who has had me in their thoughts and prayers.

Podcasting Update:

I'm feeling very tired right now, and since I just put out the podcast on Monday, I probably won't get to one until over the weekend. Jennie and Keisha have helped me pick out the songs I'm going to play. Maybe we can get some other content to go with it soon.

Speaking of podcasts, you don't need an iPod to listen to them. There are so many ways you can listen, including via CD, when someone has burned them onto one. In keeping with this, Adam Curry, yesterday on his Daily Source Code podcast, provided a 21 second CD Intro for folks to place at the beginning.

Jennie recently bought Keisha a portable CD player, so I've been getting some tracks lined up for a custom CD with some podcasts and podsafe music to put on it. And I'll be putting the Podfather intro on it, to be sure.

Hearing Loss News and Articles: Finding the right headphones

I found this article especially good for two main reasons:

1. I have a daughter who is hard of hearing
2. I spend a lot of time listening to audio content on a portable mp3 player

Hearing Loss News and Articles: Finding the right headphones

Workplace Worries - JOKE ALERT!

crossposted to Get That Job!

Fresh out of business school, the young man answered a want ad for an accountant. He was being interviewed by a very nervous man who ran a three-man business:

"I need someone with an accounting degree," the man said. "But mainly, I'm looking for someone to do my worrying for me."

"Excuse me?" the young accountant said.

"I worry about a lot of things," the man said. "But I don't want to have to worry about money. Your job will be to take all the money worries off my back."

"I see," the young accountant said. "And how much does the job pay?"

"I will start you at eighty-five thousand dollars."

"Eighty-five thousand dollars!" the young man exclaimed. "How can such a small business afford a sum like that?"

"That," the owner said, "is your first worry."

via the Funny Jokes - Funny Jokes and Humor page

My IQ Score

Mood: upbeat
Listening to: Le Jazz Affair 16-012206 (podcast with a tech flair)
Reading: Harry Potter and the HBP
Eating: not had lunch yet

Tickle: Tests, Matchmaking and Social Networking, says:

Congratulations, Dan!
Your IQ score is 133

This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others.

Your Intellectual Type is Visionary Philosopher. This means you are highly intelligent and have a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a variety of different ways. Like Plato, your exceptional math and verbal skills make you very adept at explaining things to others — and at anticipating and predicting patterns. And that's just some of what we know about you from your IQ results.

JIMM 32 - I C U Shiver with Anticipation

Mood: relieved
Listening to: Keisha sleeping in her bed
Reading: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2nd time)
Eating: Honey pepper chicken, snow peas, and "shells and cheese"
Watching: The Weather Channel (ooh how exciting!)

It took a lot longer than usual, mainly because of our car search last week, but the latest episode of Journey Inside My Mind is up.

Head over to the podcast page and listen. Then let me know what you think!

My Flickr Photos Are Fun

Until I get the sidebar links updated, I'll just post this here:

Flickr: Photos from danimal0416

On the Search for a Different Car

Mood: hard-pressed, but not beaten down
Listening to: 6620 West Kidcast
Reading: lots of used car ads
Eating: Smooth and Bumpy, a snack that Keisha created for us

It has been a very trying week for us, as we've been on the search for a different car. You may recall that our other car - our only mode of transportation - died last week. I thought I'd provid an update here:

More than anything, it's a faith-building experience, an experience in surrender before the Almighty God. Some may say that's a little bit or a lot over the top, but we believe that God is able to do for us things we cannot do ourselves.

To be true, we need to do work for this ourselves. But, at least for me, I'm so prone to stress and anxiety in this situation. I know that God can help with that. I believe that God is able to work certain things that are beyond our control out for our good.

We've looked at a few cars, and checked a lot of other cars out on the internet via CarFax, which I highly recommend.

We've been renting a vehicle during this time, and that is the equivalent of more than filling up the gas tank every day. This big drain on our bank account is a cause for stress, and it's overflowed in my interactions with Jennie, Keisha, and our pets.

I'm so prone to frustration, and the anger and rage I feel from not being in control of these aspects of our circumstances has led to sinful behavior; namely, angry outbursts, impatience, and episodes of self-harm.

Please keep us in your prayers. The podcast episode will probably be delayed at least a few days, until we get the car situation straightened out.

Can You Read This?

Got this message in the e-mail from a coworker this morning:

Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.

cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in what oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is that the first and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

If you can raed this psas it on!!

Radio is Running Scared

What a crock! A big, steamy pile of bull! Radio is the old way; podcasting is the new. These stations can have their cookie-cutter "artists". I'll keep playing the independent artists.

Radio is Running Scared

JIMM 31 - I Feel It Too

Mood: unstoppable
Listening to: JIMM 31 - I Feel It Too

It's up! Remember you can listen via the free PuPu player (you may need to refresh/reload the page to see it clearly) if you don't want to download it.

And then there's the subscribing option via iTunes, Juice, or one of the other podcatching tools. The feed URL is http://feeds.feedburner.com/JIMMPodcast

Enjoy!

Math Will Rock Your World

The geek in me likes this article:

Math Will Rock Your World

Next Podcast Almost Ready

Hey guys! If you're eagerly anticipating the next podcast, it's almost ready. I just need to put some finishing touches on it, and get it loaded onto the Internet Archive.

Expect to find it in your aggregator some time Friday afternoon or evening.

1/13/06 9:41 AM EST Update: It's a good thing I started listening to it before I posted it. Apparently I accidentally time-shifted the voiceover track so that the first second or so is cut off, which also means that every other time I come in to speak is early.

I'll work on this a little today. Hopefully I can just nudge the track back to where it needs to be. Hang in there!

Canon in D Guitar (Google Video)

I may have just found my motivation for practicing the guitar:

Google Video - Tom Cruise Kills Oprah

I guess we can put links to Google Videos on blogs, etc. Play this funny video that mashes up a 15 second clip from Tom Cruise's interview with Oprah, with some Star Wars like music and effects:



That's just goofy!

Dead Car on the Highway...

Mood: tired
Listening to: peace and quiet
Reading: this post I'm typing
Eating: nothing since lunch
Watching: the screen and the window outside

... but I'm safe at home - finally. Here's kinda what happened:

I left work around 5:50 PM EST. As I continued south on Interstate 75, I noticed that the dashboard lights were not lit anymore. I thought that had something to do with the battery thing from before.

Once I got past Interstate 75 and Interstate 675, however, I realized that there was something more going on. For some time, the "low coolant" light has been on. I've kept a good eye on the temperature gauge to know that it wasn't really a problem. Then the battery light came on this morning. I also noticed the alternator light on for some time, too.

The the alternator light went off. So the battery light was on and so was the low coolant light. Driving a little bit further, I saw the "air bag" light flicker on and off. Shortly after that the "brake" light, that signals that the emergency brake is engaged, flickered on.

Soon all 6 lights were on, and, by that time, I noticed it appeared to be dark in front of me. At least not as light as it was. So my headlights were going out, and all these dashboard lights were on.

I had just passed exit 36 and came to a short hill. That's when the car conked out. I felt very, very fortunate that there was enough space and time to get over to the right hand side of the highway and let the car come to rest.

At about 6:20 EST, I called Jennie on the cell phone and told her what had happened. Eventually, after several successive conversations, we'd arranged for a rental car at the Dayton International Airport - since all the satellite locations had closed at 6. I'd also arranged for some close friends who live in Centerville - about 20 minutes north of me - to come pick me up and take me to the airport.

Huge props go out to Michelle, therefore, for getting her kids out of bed, driving south to pick me up, driving me up to the airport, waiting 15 to 20 minutes while I got the rental, and for driving me to the spot where it was.

Big - major props go up to God for all the ways he's provided. It could have been raining really hard or snowing very badly. It could have been freezing cold. None of my phone calls could have gotten through. No rentals could have been available. There could have been a snag in getting us approved to get the rental. I could have been in an accident when the car broke down. It could have caught on fire. I could go on.

None of these things happened. Thank you, God!

I drove our rental - a brand new minivan with so many good amenities and accessories - it probably costs as much as my annual salary - maybe more - home.

Jennie and Keisha were waiting so that I could take Jennie to work. I had to drive, since her name isn't on the agreement yet. Apparently all we need to do tomorrow is go to a satellite office and have Jennie show her license, and she'll get added.

So, needless to say, I'm pretty tired.

We're praying hard for God to provide us with our next mode of transportation.

Lumbar Herniated Disc

Hi folks!

I mentioned earlier about the MRI results I was expecting. I called my doctor's office and found out that I have "positive disc rupture".

The way it works is that I had to call the doctor's office number and enter a three-digit code at the prompt. I had thought it was one of those deals where the doctor leaves a recorded message with the test results and further instructions, so I wanted to make sure I had the code right. I wouldn't want to find out I'm pregnant, for example.

I kept wondering why there were two numeric codes given out. Was I making a vote on my diagnosis? Dial *816 for yes, you have a ruptured disc; dial *817 for no.

It turns out that both numbers led to the nurse's station, where I was able to talk with a live human being. That's good. And yes, I'm not pregnant.

I've been told to contact a surgeon in the area to see what the next steps should be. Since his office is closed, I went online and found this article that provides a good description of what's going on.

Lumbar Herniated Disc

My Attitude Is Showing

Mood: a little down
Listening to: Miami Valley Musicast and Coverville

I'm feeling a little down right now. It's a combination of a lot of things; some circumstantial and some biochemical. I'll explain why in the paragraphs below:

I've had this congestion for some time, and the medicine I'm taking for it has these side effects: loss of appetite, drowsiness, dehydration. It's supposed to thin the mucous out so it can be cleared from my system. I only take a half a tablet in the morning when I get up for work, and I take the whole tablet at night before bed.

My lower back and left leg are giving me some problems, too. I mentioned in the podcast that the doctor has been concerned it's a pinched nerve. In addition to the pain, my left leg feels weaker than my right, so I have a limp. I had an MRI done on Thursday, and I'm supposed to get the results today.

The doctor gave me a prescription for Vicodin, and I've been reluctant to take a whole pill of that because of its sedative effects. Especially when I have to drive. So I didn't take any this morning. I probably could have taken a half a pill when I got here, but that might have impaired my ability to do my job.

Also, I saw on the medicine description sheet that came with the filled prescription that antidepressants might interact with it in a negative way. I haven't been taking an antidepressant, but I've been taking St. John's Wort (SJW) instead. The comment nevertheless has made me reluctant to keep up with the SJW.

This morning when I woke up, I didn't have much of an appetite, but I ate some toast, a cup of milk, and some juice anyway. I finally opted to take some St. John's Wort because I could tell I was heading into depression.

I drive an hour along Interstate 75 to work and back three days out of the week. This morning, our car conked out about 2/3 of the way there. It turned out, after the one jump start that got me to the end of the exit ramp, and the other jump start that failed after that, I needed to get the battery checked out.

I want to thank everyone who helped me today get the car off the highway and helped jump start the car. I wish I could remember everyone's name, but the only one that comes to mind right now is Miles. He helped me get the battery out, and I walked over to the auto parts store, which was fortunately really close to where I'd broken down at.

The auto parts place put it on a charger for an hour, and it seemed to do the trick. The name of the place is Parts Plus, at exit 38 (Ohio route 73).

I got to work, and I found out from a coworker who serves as a liaison to the insurance company that getting approved for a pre-existing condition is a lot more complicated that we've thought. It just added to my frustration level. I'm still not over it yet.

It will get better, and I feel fortunate that these things have happened the way they have so far - so many blessings. It's just a lot to handle right now.

I prayed on the way up here and will continue to, trying to get and keep a right mindset. That will help a lot.

Happy Blog Birthday!

Today I have been blogging for 4 years. I started this blog on January 7, 2002 with the following words:

OK. This is the first time I've done this. I thought is was a good idea, based on what I've read elsewhere. I am so new to web-building and web publishing, and I am so happy that a forum exists for me to type what's going on inside my mind.

Question: Is it possible to identify how many websites are actually available on the Web?

Welcome Teknikal Diffikulties Listeners!

Hey there! Cayenne Chris played the promo for the Journey Inside My Mind podcast in which I introduced the Dayton, Ohio band Murmur.

Head over to the podcast page and take a listen!

RIAA Radar: Home

How to keep the RIAA on your radar:

RIAA Radar: Home

The online tool lets you see if a prospective album purchase will benefit the RIAA or not.

-- spotted in the December 2005 issue of Maximum PC

JIMM 16 on the Soundseeing Podcast!

Hey everybody! I recently submitted episode 16 of the Journey Inside My Mind podcast to Dave, who puts out the Soundseeing Podcasts site. He also is one of the main characters of the Audio Collective podcast, which I've been subscribed to for some time.

Dave has posted that episode at the Soundseeing Podcasts site, and you can find the link here:

Soundseeing Podcasts >> JIMM 16 - The Cheryl Dawson Memorial Walk-a-thon

As Dave puts it:

This Soundseeing tour depicts The Cheryl Dawson Memorial Walk-a-thon. It is not done as a normal soundseeing tour where the surroundings are described. This one is portrayed through the voices of those that attended. It is an interesting way to do a soundseeing tour and also is a very moving podcast.
-Dave

I'm very happy that many more people are having an opportunity to hear this podcast, to say the least.

Related tags:
podcast, cheryl dawson, soundseeing, audio collective, journey inside my mind, interviews

JIMM 30 - Jazzmania 3

Mood: a bit sleepy
Listening to: JIMM 30 - Jazzmania 3

Another great jazz podcast:

showcasing the marvelous talent of Kelly Goodlad, Simpatico, and Robin Stine. Mix in a couple promos, a new year greeting, and a fake advertisement, and enjoy!

Related tags:
podcast, podcasting, podsafe, music, podsafe music network, pmn, ourmedia, internet archive, pupu player, journey inside my mind, jazz, jazzmania, rich palmer, miami valley musicast, home safe 411, kelly goodlad, january, simpatico, le jazz affair, robin stine, seattle, seattle jazz scene, red raspus, marriott jazz quintet

Outraged So Much I Want To Swear

I did a double-take when I saw this headline:

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Taliban Behead Teacher for Educating Girls

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Prayers

Mood: yucky
Listening to: BusinessWeek podcast for 12/21/05, interview with Paige and Gretchen of Mommycast
Reading: Luke 5, Gen 1-2, Ps 1
Eating: Krispy Kreme donuts and vegetable soup - drinking lots and lots of water
Watching: "To Kill A Mockingbird" on TV

The first section of this post is kinda gross - you may want to skip it

THE GROSS PART

Hey everybody. I'm feeling pretty yucky. I've caught another cold, which may be evident if you listen to this week's podcast.

The medicine I'm taking helps thin the mucus, but it also makes me drowsy and thirsty. In addition, this morning I got ready for church, but decided to stay home at the last minute because I'd started throwing up mucus.

Then I changed into bed clothes and went to bed. I've spent much of the weekend sleeping and resting.

THE NON-GROSS PART

Prayers go out to IreneQ, the Official Blogger of Introspection, as well as to Paul, the Official Dirt Track Photographer/All-around Missional Redneck Chaplain, of Journey Inside My Mind. Both of them are starting off the new year without jobs. I know of others who are starting off the year looking for gainful employment.

I created a blog for job-seekers in 2002 called Get That Job, which has a lot of information and resources to help, for what it's worth.

Related tags:
businessweek, podcast, mommycast, to kill a mockingbird, sick, prayers, official, unravelled, steelerdirtfreak, journey inside my mind, job seekers, get that job

Happy New Year 2006

I was falling in and out of sleep on the couch, trying to watch some movie on TV. Then I heard fireworks going off.

Here's to a great year everybody!

I'm off to bed.