Bad Japan

Had a great first day as a podcast consultant for the magazine. Won’t say much more about it, cept that I thought alcohol flowed at the fishtank, at this place they drink in style- starting after lunch.

We got bigger fish to fry; today’s issue is the world. More specifically – I’m pissed off at the Japanese government. Few other nations, but Japan most of all, for this all-out effort to get a permanent seat in the UN security council.

Some of you may need a backgrounder. If you’re really against doing your own research, basically the UN-SC has five permanent seats held by the winning powers of WorldWar II. Recipe for disaster right from the beginning, a group of countries “win” a war and decide the world’s organization for peace and security should be run THEIR WAY. So the US, UK, France, Russia, and China are the only nations in the whole world that have permanent seats, as well as VETO power. 5 nations. Out of the entire world. Oh yeah there are 10 other rotating seats, whenever the music stops – isn’t that cute?

So I’m angry with Japan, and let me not forget Germany, because these two countries are licking all kinds of boots and trying oh so hard to create a new permanent seat for themselves. Japan and Germany, two nations that I normally look to for wisdom and experience, as they have been through it all historically, fighting to be a part of a flawed and unrepresentative body. Instead of demanding change or reform, instead of setting a global example, they just want a piece of the action. – LAME.

If this somehow doesn’t interest you, here’s a movie I think I helped develop, by that famous director xTx.

And if video doesn’t tickle your fancy, maybe motorcycles do and you can listen to DucSloerie ride his Ducati somewhere near Amsterdam.

Today’s Sounds: Fugazi – End Hits

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Guests and Contacts

One of my favorite co-workers saw me today and asked “Are you down in the fishtank today?” And as a reflex answer I said — “yeah all day.” And as I walked away, I thought to myself — wha? fishtank… only my blog readers call it … that…

Anyway, have you looked in your email address book lately? It can be mindblowing how many people you know. Especially if you’re a very social, active, and wired blogger/podcaster. Also doesn’t help if you hop countries a few times, more friends in random places. I’m looking at my Gmail contacts, guess how many I’ve got (after sorting through and deleting those I don’t actually know anymore): 426! 426 people I am at least an acquaintance of. As I look over all their names, I see a great mix of people from my past and present, former roommates, classmates, workmates, professors, bosses, family, internet friends, bloggers, podcasters, and random important people that I correspond with occasionally. I’m both horrified and pleased with myself, for liking so many people and hoping to keep some kind of contact with them.

Speaking of contacts and old friends, I sent a mass email to lots of them today, and I can already see the influx of visitors to the blog; welcome here friends of b-mark, be not afraid, blogging isn’t a sickness and people are usually quite friendly. Be daring, leave a comment!

Towards the end of the week, my best friend, heterosexual-life-partner and DC resident extraordinaire – D-Rock, will be guestblogging on the Communiqu?. There’s no telling what the man will be discussing, but you can bet it will involve monkeys – chimps more specifically. Just because.

Oh, and staying on the DC topic, Ms Thingk 2.0 is a hot blog, and her photos make me want to live in the district. (just a lil)

Today’s Sounds: 3Canal – tracks from Caribbean Free Radio

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AudioCommuniqu?#26 – Tales from the Voice and Boat Soundseeing

This show has two parts: first – tales from the village voice, i tell stories about my time at the voice (intro today). second – a short soundseeing along the canals from a boat! As per my usual, follow along with this flickr photoshow.

AudioCommuniqu? #26(mp3)

21min+, 64kbps, 10Mb+

Featuring:

  • I have a US voicemail comment line, 206-339-7850
  • PowerbookCountdown
  • My Skype works
  • Tales from the Voice
  • A ride through the canals with Crazy Dr. M

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Who are the bloggers? 1

A while back I said I would start a series about blogs in my blogroll and why I have them there. A type of explanation as to what I like about bloggers in my neighborhood, because I feel they deserve not only more attention, but to know why I appreciate them so. This will be my first entry in the “Who are the Bloggers in your neighborhood” series. Each post will focus on two blogs starting from the top (alphabetical sort of) where it says “blogolas”.

First blogger on the list is Indiana’s own Mr Hugh of Three Bed Two Bath, a blog titled after an advert of the house he was buying or sold, can’t quite remember which. I also don’t remember exactly how I found 3B2B, but I do remember that in early 2004, when I kicked blogging into high gear, I took notice of this blogs honesty and writing that simply appealed to me. I later came to realize we don’t share similar politics, or views on many things, but I wasn’t looking for someone I agree with. I like this blog for its stories and simplicity. And I mean simplicity in the greatest sense of the term, a good guy with daughter #1 and #2 and the wife who occasionally guest blogs. While I may not read it with a fine tooth comb, I definitely browse it regularly, as I have for over a year now, and will continue to do so.

Second blogger on my list, and a true blog celebrity, is internationally celebrated The Accordian Guy, Joey Devilla. Funny thing, a case of one of those bloggers who I’ve never spoken with, but know much about his life. I enjoy the fact that he plays accordian, and I like following the course of his life, including his job with Tucows and his beautiful relationship-soon-to-be marriage with another blogger. Add to this the fact that the Accordian Guy lives in the greatest city in Canada, Accordian City (toronnnno), and there is little doubt why he’s immensely popular. He often posts audio and video specials for his readers, and my favorites are when he posts video of himself playing accordian in the middle of a street festival somewhere in Ontario. Most recently, Joey, being Philippino as well as Canadian, taught me all about those beautiful shirts – barongs. Even the title rocked “If Alternative Formalwear is Barong, I Don’t Want to be Ba-Right.” I definitely want to wear one around Amsterdam now.

So there you have it, the first two reviews of the Bloggers on my blogroll. Go forth.. browse.. read posts.. dig through archives. As I’ve said before, they get my seal of approval for a reason — they appeal to my tastes as a reader and a weirdo.

Today’s Sounds: Al Pacino is yelling in that movie City Hall

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He Got Teeth

I’ve been so blissfully busy enjoying spending time with my surprise swedish visitor, I thought I wouldn’t have time to blog today. Or even anything big to say cept, hello everyone. But sure enough, in comes an email with photos from my moma, and of course, they’re A-Ren photos!

It makes my heart skip a beat to see photos of him. I’m not making this up. I get hyper. It could be 3AM and I could be dead tired, but getting new photos of my nephew gives me a jolt of happiness that is like nothing else. I’m across the ocean, but I’m right there with him, y’know? And when I see those new and bright white teeth, and him standing up and almost walking, I feel just as excited as almost a year ago when he was born.
And you know I have this vision that when he’s old enough to read, he’ll be right here on uncle BM’s blog laughing and making fun of the sappy way his uncle used to talk about him. (laugh it up kid, you know you love when your crazy uncle from Europa comes to visit)

So anyway, that’s my boy, and let’s not forget the happy couple raising the lad… they deserve some photo credit as well.

Today’s Sounds: Richard Bona – Scenes from my life

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AudioCommuniqu? #25 – Live Jazz in Amsterdam

Hopefully there are some jazz lovers out there. This show is for you, but generally, for any music lovers. A little soundseeing and my repeatatively critical review of the bimhuis jazzclub at its new location. Needless to say, I miss the days when it was just down the street from me. I like this podcast because you can hear the contrast in background noise from when I’m outside the club, to sitting right next to the stage. (photo link will come later, Im trapped in the fishtank right now)

AudioCommuniqu? #25(mp3)

20min+, 64kbps, 9.5Mb

Featuring:

  • powerbook update
  • bloglines
  • live at the club during a jamsession
  • upcoming podcast in portuguese!

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