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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

An invitation

Last night while recording the Hucklebug (in a conversation that very likely may get cut, since we ran quite long last night), I tossed out the idea that we might want to have some of the Presidential candidates on the show.  Any of them.  Even Ralph Nader, to whom we would simply say, “Mr. Nader, thank you for being here.  Fuuuck oooofffffffff!”

Ever since I floated that idea last night, I’ve been thinking about potential interviews.  Because of the nature of the Hucklebug, we wouldn’t be doing hard-hitting exposés or anything—I can’t speak for Bet, but I just don’t know enough about politics or global economics or foreign affairs to tackle big issues like that.  So it would be softball questions—what’s your favorite movie, would you rather be a Brady or a Partridge (nice one, Mike), would you invite the Hackensaw Boys to play at your inauguration, do you think Ward & June Cleaver had rough sex, etc.

But just because they’re softball questions, don’t think their answers wouldn’t mean anything!  I think we could learn a lot about Barack Obama by delving into his inner Brady.  Also, I’ve read that Hilary Clinton claims her favorite movie is Casablanca, and I suspect that’s her “safe” answer (so that people don’t find out it’s actually something like Audition or Zoolander).  I bet she’s never even seen it.  If I ask her what her favorite scene is and she doesn’t say “The Marsellaise,” she is a LIAR.  No one who’s seen that movie would answer any differently.  People who haven’t seen it would say “the ending scene at the airport,” because that’s the one that’s in all the clip shows (spoilers!!).  But if she does say “The Marsellaise,” we can be friends.  Even though Bet doesn’t like Casablanca.  And I will ask Hilary to do a Peter Lorre impression:  “Reeeck!  Save meeeee!”  Bet would like that.

Speaking of movies, here’s a link.  Some decent choices there, I like Edwards’ the best.  There’s also this more recent link for the current top three.  I suspect I could bullshit about movies with John McCain for hours.  Or until he got bored and walked away from me (five minutes maybe?).  I love this quote:  “Nicholson plays too much Nicholson.”  So true, Mr. Senator, so true!  And he lists Some Like it Hot among his favorites, which is not a shabby choice at all.

Oh, also, look at Clinton’s favorite actors:  Redford and Streep.  How BORING!  You know, she’s got this image of being so ballsy, and then picks shit like Out of Africa as a favorite movie.  On the other hand, I respect it because at least it’s honest, because who would LIE about Out of Africa being their favorite movie?  No one, that’s who.  I don’t mean to pick on Hilary; maybe the problem is that I really want to like her, but she keeps giving me reasons not to.  Like saying something ludicrous like Robert Redford is her favorite actor.  Come on.  Redford is barely mediocre.

So anyway, I wanted to throw the invitation open to any and all candidates (present or former)—consider yourself invited to come on the Hucklebug for an interview.  We promise not to ask about the recession.  I was going to say “you’re all invited except Mitt Romney,” but it might be fun to have Romney on, come to think of it.

QUESTION:  Mr. Romney, I submit to you that you are a douchebag.  Do you deny it?
ANSWER:  Hey, but I like Raiders of the Lost Ark, doesn’t that count for anything?
QUESTION:  Lots of douchebags liked that movie, sir.  It does not redeem you.

I have to admit, though, I’d give particular preference to Gov. Mike Huckabee, just because his name is so close to “Hucklebug,” I mean—how can you not invite him on the show?  Bet pointed out that if he listens to even one episode, he’ll never come on the show (I suggested that he avoid any episodes where we make fun of Jesus).  But come on!  Huckabee/Hucklebug?  And now that he’s out of the race he’s got nothing else to do.

QUESTION:  Governor Hucklebug—
ANSWER:  Huckabee.
QUESTION:  Sorry.  Governor Huckabee, don’t you think that if you’d changed your name to Hucklebug, you’d have gotten more delegates?
ANSWER:  Probably not.  Hey, I can play “The Hucklebuck” on the guitar, though.
QUESTION:  Sweet!  Will you come on our 100th Episode?

Huckabee’s not even ON that CNN list of movie favorites, from February 2007.  That’s how much they underestimated Governor Hucklebug, or “misunderestimated” as our current President might say.  Remember when Giuliani was running for President?  No, me either.

One more aside about that CNN article:  Did it really take the CNN Senior Political Analyst to write that little blurb?  Isn’t that kind of overkill?  I’m pretty sure they could have gotten an intern to put that together.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Aftermath

I have been incommunicado for the last couple of days.  Turns out after spending 24 hours sitting pretty much right here at this desk, I didn’t really want to sit here anymore!  As I’m sure you all know by now, this past weekend was the very successful podcastathon over at the Hucklebug.  I don’t have an exact total, because some figures were coming in during the wee hours and I had lost all ability to do math, but I can tell you it was over $500 that we raised for The American Cancer Society—that’s a pretty good chunk of change.  When I stop to consider that just over one week ago, I was e-mailing Bet saying I thought we should postpone it until we had more time to promote (since we had no pledges yet), I’m amazed that the money piled up so quickly.

I’d like to thank everyone who helped out with the weekend’s festivities, in ways large and small.  Our sponsors, including Michelle, Duke, Mr. M, Lily, Mike, Alisa, Flipsycab Soygoy, Kellie, Taylor, San, Bet’s sister and her cousin too.  I’d also like to thank Soygoy and ThePete and Mike and Lily and Duke and everyone else who left us good topics to discuss so that we didn’t spend the entire 24 hours going, “Umm, what do you want to do?” “I don’t know, what do you want to do?”  And moral support came from commenters, including Marla, Stiglitz, Scotty Dude, ThePete and all of the above-mentioned people as well.

Finally I would also like to thank my Hucklebug-mate Bet for putting up with my snappishness in the wee hours and going through the whole 24 hours together with me.  The Hucklebug will be back with its regularly-scheduled podcast next week, but we are taking one blissful week off, affording me a lot of time to sit around in the evening, not editing.  Might even get in a movie or two.

Tune in tomorrow for the continuation of Stormy’s Diary!

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Skype me!

A couple of people (Duke and Michelle) have asked how they might be able to join in on podcastathon day and keep in touch with us.  Well, certainly you can listen to us at Hucklebug.com and leave us comments there, we will be shouting out to folks periodically during the day.  But if you’re feeling a tad more ambitious, you can download and install Skype, which is the IM/VOIP program that Bet and I use to conduct our weekly chats when we record the Hucklebug.  If you have a headset with a mic, you might even be able to join in with us on occasion.  However, if you try to call and we don’t answer, it might be because we’re in the midst of recording.  Probably it’s best to try to hail us using text chat and say hi, and if we’re not in the middle of a segment we will try to “take callers.”  Bear in mind, I have never tried to record a three-way conversation in Skype using our new recording software, so I have no idea if it will work.

My Skype account name is “stennieville” and Bet’s is “mrsin3ger,” so if you’ve already got Skype you can add us to your list of contacts if you wish.  If you don’t already have Skype, head over to Skype.com and download it.  Hope to chat with some of you on Saturday!

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Smokers hate cancer too

In yesterday’s comments, Alisa wrote:  You are raising money for the Cancer Society?  Stennie, you silly, you are doing a noble thing, but will you abstain from smoking during the podcast?

I’d started to prepare a response in the comments, but it’s turning into something a bit longer, so I decided I may as well devote an entire entry to it.  I’ve raised money for the American Cancer Society and for cancer research before.  I have a sweatshirt with the ACS logo on it, which I earned by raising over $100 for a walkathon.  Whenever I wear it and happen to be smoking, people feel the need to point out the supposed incongruity.  Often they even feel the need to use the word “hypocritical.”

I have never, and still don’t, understand why this would be so.  Being a smoker and being in a high-risk group for lung cancer doesn’t make me pro-cancer.  If anything, it gives me more motivation to aid cancer research to find a cure and better treatment options.  Smokers are not all “wooo, yay cancer!”  Contrary to what appears to be popular belief.

Also, smoking is not solely responsible for every cancer out there.  It is not a factor for breast cancer (which caused the death of a co-worker and friend of mine), prostate cancer (which killed my granddad), colon cancer (which killed my grandmother), leukemia, cervical cancer (which a very dear friend of mine survived), pancreatic cancer, Hodgkins, etc.  My quitting smoking is not going to make those cancers go away, nor will it bring my loved ones back.  In fact, my smoking has nothing to do with those cancers at all.

So in short, the answer to Alisa’s question about whether I will abstain from smoking on Saturday is, simply, no.  I will be grumpy enough from lack of sleep, and I don’t want to unleash non-smoking Stennie upon our listeners.  I smoke, and I support the American Cancer Society.  Now, who’s pledging?  Go here and pledge today!

Monday, August 06, 2007

Podcasting for dollars!

I mentioned this off-handedly about a week or so ago, but now it’s time to bring out the big guns:  Bet and I are doing a podcastathon on Saturday!  A podcastathon, for those who don’t know, is similar to the Blogathon—which in turn is similar to a walkathon.  It’s done to raise money for charity.  In our case, we are raising money for the American Cancer Society.  For 24 straight hours, starting on Saturday morning and ending on Sunday morning, we will be podcasting our brains out for ACS.

WE NEED YOU!

Events for charity don’t mean much without pledges!  Head over to Hucklebug.com right now, and leave us a comment in the first entry on the page with your pledge amount.  If you don’t want to be blowing your own horn, you can always sign in as “Anonymous.”  You can pledge per hour, per segment (there will be 48 segments—twice an hour), or a flat fee.

Once the podcastathon is over, head over here to the American Cancer Society’s donation page and make your donation.  Or you can go ahead and donate right now, if that’s easier for you.

We also need:  Things to talk about!!  Leave us a comment over at Hucklebug.com (or right here if you wish) with any ideas for things you’d like to hear us discuss during our long long stint of podcasting.

And we also need:  Moral support!  We’ll start podcasting at 6 AM PST/9 AM EST on Saturday, August 11th and will keep going until Sunday morning at the same time.  If you’re around on those days, please tune in occasionally and give us a listen!  We will be giving shout-outs to all our supporters as the day goes on, so please leave us comments!

We will also need:  throat lozenges!  We’ll be talking a lot.  Thanks in advance for your support, everyone!

Friday, May 11, 2007

CD Mix #4 - Track listing!

I meant to do a little blogging this week, but I ended up working a little overtime on Hucklebug editing, due to some strange sound problems.  It’s finally online, I managed to get it finished up last night, so feel free to click on over there and give it a listen, if you’re so inclined.

And now, without further ado, I give you the final track listing for CD Mix #4!

1. Song with a day of the week in the title.
- “Saturday Night Fish Fry,” by Louis Jordan.  “Gimme one a’them there fish sandwiches!”

2. A song you disliked as a youngster that you like now.
- “John I’m Only Dancing,” David Bowie.  I had the ChangesOneBowie album in high school, and I used to listen to “Space Oddity,” then skip right to “Changes” because I thought this song was creepy.  Really, like, it scared me.

3. Sellout - song from a TV commercial.
- “Da Da Da,” Trio (Volkswagen).  Now, I don’t consider this song a “sellout” the way, for example, Sting sold out when he did those Jaguar ads.  Rather, this is a song I’d never heard until the commercial, but I dug it.  And I still do, so there.

4. Kickass cover song.
- “Believe,” Robbie Fulks (original by Cher).  Behold the power of Robbie Fulks, who makes lame songs cool simply by covering them.

5. Musical question…
- “Who Taught You to Live Like That?” Sloan

6. And answer!
- “Jolene,” The Weepies.  That’s right.  Jolene taught me to live like that.

7. Third person song
- “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite,” The Spongetones.  Another kickass cover, this time of the classic Beatles tune.  And of course, Henry the Horse dances a waltz!

8. Uplugged - a favorite acoustic song.
- “Better Be Home Soon,” Kasey Chambers.  Yet another cover, this time of a fine Crowded House song.  I love when the harmony comes in during the second chorus.

9. A song about food.
- “Shoo Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy,” Dinah Shore.  A contender for track #3 also, because it was used in some truck commercial some years ago.  I don’t know what Shoo Fly Pie is, but if it makes your eyes light up and your tummy say howdy, I’m all for it.

10. Trains, Planes and Automobiles:  song about a mode of transport
- “Drivin’,” Henry Phillips.  He’s just drivin’ in his car, and I recommend you stay out of his way.

11. A song that cheers you up.
- “Energy,” The Apples in Stereo.  Man, how can you NOT be cheered up when listening to this song?  I defy you!

12. Media - songs about radio, TV or other type of media
- “Sunday Papers,” Joe Jackson.  This was also my first thought for track #1.  I’ve been meaning to use Joe Jackson in the CD Mix for a while now.  Of course, the one time I do, Mike copies off me.

13. Add it up:  “30 Megaton Sex Bomb,” The Dieselfitters +

14. “Six Blocks Away,” Lucinda Williams =

15. “36 Inches High,” Nick Lowe.  Math is fun!

16. Banned!  A song that is, or was in its day, controversial.
- “Stan,” Eminem.  I guess a song that includes a verse about beating up your pregnant girlfriend, locking her in your trunk and then driving off a bridge to your collective deaths is kinda controversial.  “Dear Mister I’m-Too-Good-To-Call-Or-Write-My-Fans!”

17. A song about a family member
- “Uncle Walter,” Ben Folds Five.  What a perfect world this world would be if he was President—but he’s not.

18. A favorite song that you have discovered since our last CD mix.
- “Amsterdam,” Guster.  KirstenK’s constant references to Guster in her blog made me curious enough to check them out, and I’m really digging them.

19. A song that reminds you of an old friend.
- “Surfin’ USA,” The Beach Boys.  The “old friend” in this case is actually my step-sister.  We used to listen to Beach Boys records for hours on end.  And record ourselves singing along, and totally cracking up, and then listening to the recordings, and totally cracking up.  I can’t hear this song without thinking of her.

20. Amnesty song
- “Tramp the Dirt Down,” Elvis Costello‘s poison valentine to Margaret Thatcher.  This song has tried to worm its way into every mix so far.  In the first mix, it was a contender for track 1, political song.  In Mix 2, it was a contender for a Seven Deadly Sins song (Anger).  Last time around it almost made it for Amnesty track.  I wonder if we could get Elvis to rewrite this for George Bush.

So, those are the songs!  Hope my fellow participants enjoy.  So far I have received CD’s from Kelly, Flipsycab, Bet, Mike, Marla and Michelle, and anxious to receive more!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Random things

Brief announcement: this week’s Hucklebug is up early this week.  That’s because I’m off to see David Sedaris at UCLA tonight so I put a rush on last night’s editing—knowing I wouldn’t be able to do it tonight.  See how well the whole scheduling thing works?  How did I ever manage without a watch?  Anyway—Hucklebug episode 52 is available early for your downloading, listening, podcasting pleasure, so please feel free to tune in.  I reiterate for the benefit of past listeners:  the Hucklebug is not a continuing serial, so if you have missed episodes in the past, you can feel free to jump right back in with Episode 52 and not really feel like you’ve missed anything.  Because you probably haven’t.

Some other little bits of business that aren’t big enough to warrant their own little blog entry, but I will incorporate them here:

First—CD Mix Challenge #4 is coming!  Not sure how soon, but keep watching this space; it may be announced as early as this week, but more likely next week.  Start combing your CD collections now, gang!  Lay in a stockpile of blank CD’s and mailers.

Second—I can’t remember what was second.  Couldn’t have been that important.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Plant update

I wish I had better news, but so far the plant I rescued from certain doom a few weeks ago doesn’t appear to be doing much better.  I have re-potted him, and given him a name (Kilroy - more on that in a moment); I have kept him watered and given him soft words of encouragement.  So far all I have gotten for my troubles is a still-dead plant, and several wounds on my hands where his prickers have stung me.

You can see for yourself that he isn’t showing much improvement:

If any of my Dear Readers are green thumbs, I’d appreciate any advice you might be able to offer.  I’m already too emotionally involved with Kilroy, and am unwilling to accept that he’s not going to get any less dead.

Regarding the name:  As discussed in a portion of this week’s Hucklebug that has ended up on the cutting-room floor (said episode is now available for your listening pleasure, by the way), when I first mentioned here that I’d rescued a plant, I asked if anyone had any ideas for a name for him.  Comments started flooding in, all of them excellent choices.  Now, I tend to read my blog comments via e-mail; it’s just easier than dashing out here to the website.  So among all of the great name suggestions such as “Nuclear,” “Miss Haversham,” “Janice,” “Egg or Trans,” etc.—I got this one comment from Mike that said simply, “Kilroy.”  I thought, “Wow, Kilroy—that’s a great name!”  Later I realized that Kilroy was Mike’s answer to the Daily Trivia question, as it turned out.  But by that time I was already smitten, so Kilroy it is.

On an unrelated note, I loved this story on Reuters today:  Bank issues credit card to cat.  So many things to love at once about this brief, 105-word article—not the least of which is the cat’s name, Messiah.  However, as a general practice, I believe it is a bad idea to give cats credit cards, even if they are the Messiah.  Among their other faults, cats are notorious for being frivolous with their money.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Spammed

I have been receiving a lot of junk lately.  I have learned that I get a lot more junk mail in my mailbox (physical mail I mean—U.S. Mail) since moving to Burbank, and I’m not sure why that is.  Most of it is addressed to “Resident” or “Occupant” (I give those to Boo; it makes him feel special).

I also get junk phone calls all the time—on my home phone and on my cell phone.  Offering me great deals on refinancing my non-existent home loan, or telling me for whom to vote, or offering me special holiday deals on… I don’t know, I hang up on them.  What I hate the most is, I’ll be sitting and watching TV, minding my own damn business, and the phone rings—so I run across the room to answer it, only to hear a recording telling me “Please wait.”  Fuck you, “please wait,” call me when you’re ready!  Today I had a junk voice mail message on my cell phone, which said, in part, “Thank you for being a Sprint customer.”  I am, in fact, a Verizon customer.

And of course junk e-mail.  Porn, home loans, penis enhancement, stock tips—you name it, anything that’s out there, it’s all in my in-box.

But the latest has really cheesed me off.  Junk text messages on my cell phone.  Junk text messages!!  Here’s one:  “U qualify for a 2nd PayDay LOAN up to $1500 even if U have another loan!  If U need extra money TODAY, go to www . blah blah - STOP.”  “STOP,” like it’s a telegram.  Did people get junk telegrams back in the day?  During the days of the Pony Express, did people get junk mail?  Circulars, Sears catalogs that they never signed up for?

Every time we create a new method of communication, we create a new way to send unwanted advertisements.  This has me wondering:  if we eventually create technology that allows us to communicate telepathically, will we then start getting junk telepathic messages?  Like, you’re sitting at your desk or driving in your car, whatever, and then all of a sudden, “BLIP!” into your mind comes a sudden picture of a stock tip, or an ad for Viagra or something.  I don’t think I’d like that, actually.

You know what’s not junk?  This week’s Hucklebug!  (Smooth, huh?)  Check it out!  And Dear Listener—if you have missed past episodes, you don’t need to worry.  The Hucklebug is not a continuing serial.  You’re not going to be hopelessly lost if you miss an episode here and there.  Just pick up and start listening again whenever you wish.

PS:  I’ve received four CD’s so far—from Bet, River Selkie, Lily and Marla.  Thanks all!  Still listening, but they sound good so far!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

CD Mix #3 - Update

Well, we’ve got some new blood this time around with the CD Mix Challenge.  Here’s a current list of willing participants:

1. Stennie
2. Steve C.
3. Bet
4. Kelly with a Y
5. Marla
6. Mike
7. LilyG
8. River Selkie
9. Bitterspice

Unconfirmed:  Domestic Slackstress.  I couldn’t tell if that was just a random comment, or an offer to play along.  I’ll try to confirm with the Slackstress and report back here once I know for sure.  Slackstress, does “Hey hey sha-nay-nay from Long Beach biatch” mean you’re in?

There’s still time to climb on board if you want to, just leave a comment below stating your intentions.

And just as an aside, since I can’t think of a natural segue, there’s a new Hucklebug up—go check it out.