Dimland Radio

dimland radio 3-10-12 show notes

Show 100! Finally

I used a cold open to explain why show 100 did not take place two weeks ago and why it didn’t take place last week. First it was server error that kept my off the air and then it was my having to do actual physical labor. Fortunately, this week I was able to proceed with show 100.

My Dad In The Hospital

When I originally recorded most of this show on February 25th, my dad was in the hospital. I gave the run down of what had happened and then I jumped in live to give the update. My dad is no longer in the hospital and he is doing much better. Thank you.

A Guest And Some Star Trek Talk

The awesome Candice Gilmer

Yes, a guest! In honor of show 100, I invited fellow ZTalker Candice Gilmer to join me for a discussion of a mutually enjoyed topic: Star Trek. It was a fun topic for us and the folks in chat seemed to find it entertaining.

Faster Than Light Neutrinos Update

After all that Star Trek talk, I talked about the recent science story of neutrinos seemingly traveling faster than light. That should be impossible according to Einstein. It turns out that there may have been some faulty cable connections and some miscalibrated equipment that lead to the unexpected results. Scientists continue to investigate.

Skeptic Dr. Steve Novella has a good write-up on what’s been happening with the science on these neutrinos here.

Lucky S.O.B. Finds And Sells Comic Book Collection For $3.5 Million

I can tell you this is the dream of every comic book collector. Maybe not to sell such a collection but to find one. Michael Rorrer found his late great uncle’s collection while cleaning out his recently deceased great aunt’s house. In the collection were 44 of the top 100 most desirable Golden Age comic books, which were auctioned off for $3.5 million.

dimland radio 2-25-12 show notes

Show 100…Not

Well, show 100 tried valiantly to get off the ground, but Z Talk Radio’s server, Centova, was doing some maintenance and upgrades. They went and scheduled the work to take place during my time slot. (Conspiracy? No, not likely.) In doing so, they kept kicking me off the air, which resulted in my listeners only catching brief glimpses of the show.

I stopped attempting to broadcast the show, but soldiered on recording the show on my laptop. After editing out the screaming and pounding on the table, I have show 100 at a tad under two hours and I will run it next Saturday night.

So be sure to tune in at 11pm Central, midnight Eastern on the Z Talk Radio Network at http://www.ztalkradio.com. for Dimland Radio’s 100th show!

It’s Saturday night…what else is there to do?

Update (3-2-12): Due to another pressing obligation, I will not be airing show 100 on Saturday, March third. Fellow ZTalker. Kale Kelly, will sit in and play music. Show 100 will have to wait until Saturday, March 10th. Sorry, but it can’t be helped.

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram’ by The Yoleus

There was pretty much only the opening. I did keep the attempt going through the first ad break, but I’m at work as I write this and I don’t remember what songs I had set up. Tune in next week to find out.

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

dimland radio 2-18-12 show notes

“Woolly Mammoth” Video Update

Turns out the typically blurry video of a “woolly mammoth” crossing a river somewhere in Siberia is a hoax. Oh, really? It is? Aw, shucks.

See the river part of the video here. It’s in focus and there’s a decided lack of mammoth or bear or any animal of any kind.

Whitney Houston, Tony Bennett, And Legalizing Drugs?

So, Whitney Houston died. Perhaps you’ve heard. I talked a bit about what I think of her talent. Although I appreciate it, Whitney’s style of singing just isn’t what I like.

Another singer whose talent I appreciate, but don’t particularly care of is Tony Bennett. Hours after Whitney’s death had been made public, Mr. Bennett called on his audience to push government for the legalization of drugs. He used the examples of Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse and Whitney all dying drug and/or alcohol related deaths to help make his point. Only thing is none of his examples died of illegal drugs use. Nice try, Tony.

You can find Tony Bennett’s statement here.

Ten Minute Topic With Chris Brown: Placebo Bands

The awesome Chris Brown

Believe it or don’t, but this installment of TMT actually comes in at ten minutes! This time we talk about the satirical product, Placebo Band. It’s the response of a couple of Australian skeptics to the popularity of the sham product Power Bands. There are several of these rubber bands with stickers that are supposed to help your balance and energy on the market. Placebo Band is actually honest about itself. It does nothing.

Chris brown is one of the North American distributors of Placebo Band and you can get you own here.

Indonesia: Not The Best Place For Atheists

Alexander Aan is an atheist living in Indonesia. He made atheistic comments on his Facebook page and people found out and attacked him, literally. He was arrested and faces five years in prison for not practicing one of five recognized religions in Indonesia: Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Confucianism.

Read more here about the “tolerant as long as you believe one of these five faiths” Indonesia.

Guest Correspondent For Stuck In The 80s

Can you guess who it was? Yep, it was me. Steve Spears is the brains behind the Stuck In The 80s podcast and blog and recently he asked if I could assist him on a blog project. A week or so prior to Valentine’s Day he asked readers of the blog to submit their nominations for the best unromantic songs from the 80s. There was a good response with plenty of suggestions, but because Spears was so busy he asked me to rank the top 20 of the submitted songs.

It was my honor to help and you can find the list here. You can also subscribe to Stuck In The 80s on iTunes. It’s free and fun, so why not check it out?

Movie Recommendation: Once Upon A Time In The West (1968)

(Paramount Pictures)

Sergio Leone’s great “spaghetti” western feature Henry Fonda playing against type as a particularly nasty villain. It’s very epic entertainment.

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram’ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘Freak’ by Bruce Foxton & ‘Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)’ by Talking Heads
Second ad break bumpers: ‘How Soon Is Now‘ by The Smiths & ‘I Would Die 4 U’ by Prince
Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook’ by $5 Fiddle

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

dimland radio 2-11-12 show notes

You Know What Men Love?

I went into a little rant about a late night TV ad attempting to get people to call singles for chats on the phone. This ad features a gal who just can’t wait for a commercial break during a sporting event her fellow is watching to bring up a visit from her girlfriend. It sounds as though the game is getting exciting and she doesn’t seem to realize or care, she needs to talk about this right now!

“Wooly Mammoth” In Siberia

Some video footage has surfaced of what is claimed to be a mammoth crossing a river somewhere in Siberia. Of course the video is too blurry to be certain what we’re looking at, but it sure looks like a bear with a fish hanging from its mouth to me. I could be wrong.

Check out the video here.

Madonna’s Superbowl Halftime

I talked a bit about the big Madonna halftime show. It was ok. She lip-synced very well. And M.I.A. gave the finger and I missed that gesture.

If you like, you can watch the extravaganza on YouTube here. Pay particular attention to the 3:56 mark where Madonna stumbles just a bit, but doesn’t mess up her lip-syncing at all. She’s quite the pro!

The Brilliance Of Baba O’Riley

I then indulged myself in expressing my love for The Who and Pete Townshend. That lead me to talking about how cool the opening track on Who’s Next was and how unusual it must have sounded in 1971. It’s a great song.

Movie Recommendation: Animal Crackers (1930)

(Paramount Pictures)

For zany comedy it’s hard to go wrong with the Marx Brothers. This was their second film and it’s a blast.

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram’ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘No Self Control’ by Peter Gabriel & ‘Saved By Zero’ by The Fixx
Second ad break bumpers: ‘Games People Play‘ by The Alan Parsons Project & ‘Undertow’ by Suzanne Vega
Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook’ by $5 Fiddle

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.

dimland radio 2-4-12 show notes

A Christmas Story

I told the story of an experience suffered at a local convenience store/gas station on the most recent Christmas weekend. A couple line crashers were oblivious to their line crashing and I spoke up.

Ten Minute Topic With Chris Brown

The ever stern, Chris Brown (actually he’s a very nice guy)

The triumphant return of fellow skeptic, Chris Brown, and the Ten Minute Topic. This time our talk clocked in at just over 21 minutes. We talked about the 12 young women in LeRoy, NY having come down with a mysterious illness that has been diagnosed as conversion disorder, which is a psychological condition and, in this case, appears to be a bit of mass hysteria.

Chris had alerted me to the story and the involvement of a Connecticut chiropractor, Dr. Russell Caram, chiming in on the mystery. His diagnosis, formed from just want he’s seen and read in the news, points to an evil HPV vaccine.

Read Dr. Caram’s piece here and read what science has found out here.

Superbowl Talk

You are likely aware there’s a big game scheduled to be played Sunday Feb. 5th. Chris Brown rejoins me in talking about which team we are rooting for and what kind of a game we expect.

I also talking about those pesky atheists planning to fly a banner over Indianapolis prior to the big game. The banner will be promoting atheism, what else? Read more about it here.

Movie Recommendation: The Longest Yard (1974)

(Paramount Pictures)

Combining two of my favorite things (football and prison), this Burt Reynolds vehicle is pretty good and loads of fun

Correction:

When talking about this movie recommendation I mistakenly stated that the prison warden was played by Eddie Arnold. Eddie Arnold was a country singer. The warden was played by Eddie Albert.

Music heard on the show…

Dimland Radio opening theme song: ‘Ram’ by The Yoleus
First ad break bumpers: ‘This Charming Man’ by The Smiths & ‘Death Of The European’ by The Three Johns
Second ad break bumpers: ‘Cuts You Up‘ by Peter Murphy & ‘Seen And Not Seen’ by Talking Heads
Closing song: ‘Angler’s Treble Hook’ by $5 Fiddle

You can also go to my CafePress store and buy stuff with my artwork on it and have me do a portrait for you if you like. Find out more here and here.