Citizen 1,235,824

So, this is my second week reading the news on Wednesday mornings for WNRN . I've been up since 4:00 AM, and know more about the world then I usually do before this time of day. The idea is to develop three sets of three stories each, to be read every twenty minutes. For me, the process is exhilirating, and gives me new appreciation of what news actually is. Though I've worked in public radio off and on since 1995, I've never actually done a live news shift. I have hosted WVTF's Evening Edition a couple of times, and stumbled quite badly under the spotlight of the old "kidney room" studio. I knew the topic for each show backwards and forwards, but I need a script in front of me when the microphones are opened up. I stuttered, stammered, and stumbled, panicking on live radio, forgetting to breathe! And, you can't do that. This new experience at WNRN is even more challenging, because I don't get a second chance to improve a take. If I stumble, I get ca

Pabst Brewing Co., makers of the bargain beer Pabst Blue Ribbon, is underwriting on NPR. Pabst, a brand not immediately associated with NPR’s high-falutin’ reputation, is sponsoring broadcast programming and NPR’s online music series “All Songs Considered.” This is interesting. I've recently had to switch to PBR, not because its hip in this town, but because I can't afford the beer I'd like to drink!

I'll be Coy Barefoot's guest for the 4:15 to 4:30 segment of WINA's Charlottesville--Right Now this afternoon. If you've always wanted an explanation of podcasting, tune in, or listen to the podcast when it's posted later on this weekend.

This Sunday morning at 11:00, Jim Duncan will be one of the guests on WNRN's Sunday Morning Wake-Up Call, along with Matt Hodges of Compass Home Loans . In addition to talking about the current state of the local and regional real estate market, Jim and Matt will also be answering questions about buying and selling homes. If you're getting ready to purchase, this is a great opportunity to ask Jim a question. If you miss the show, you can always get the podcast from the Charlottesville Podcasting Network or subscribe to the show for free in iTunes .

These days my time-killing habit of choice is to look up articles on Wikipedia. I'll spend hours looking up my interests. I've learned more than I ever need to learn about the lineage of certain video games. I recently looked up the digestive process because despite being 32, the whole thing is a bit of a mystery to me. But, today, all this rooting around on the site led to a piece of absolute gold. Yes, I've discovered a Monty Python album I've never heard before. The Hastily Cobbled Together for a Fast Buck Album , which has never been released, but is available online . It consists of material that never made it anywhere else. Last night, I watched a couple of episodes of Flying Circus , so it was on my mind. I'm so happy these are being shown over the air again. One reason I'm so enchanted by radio are the Monty Python albums. My dad had an LP of the Holy Grail album. When I was six and learned how to use the record player, I listened over and over. This wa

I don't know why, but I've not given a fig about baseball this year. I don't know if it's because I'm busy getting the business off the ground, or if I'm paying more attention to my family, or if it's because the whole Barry Bonds situation makes me ill. Or, maybe it's because I'm planning on spending all my sporting energy this year on the World Cup. But, tonight, I see the Red Sox beat the Yankees, 14 to 3. The New York Times reports that Randy Johnson had an embarrasing outing, being taken out in the fourth. "Today it looked like I didn't have a clue out there," Johnson told the Times. I'm embarrased to find out that Josh Beckett is a member of the Red Sox. I didn't know that. When Johnny Damon became a Yankee, I stopped paying attention. I have no geographic claim on the Red Sox save for a couple years spent in New England in my twenties, but they've always seemed like the team I ought to root for. I was so impressed wit

CIA Director Porter Goss resigned today , and I wanted to share a small piece of trivia. Goss was in attendance at last week's unveiling of James Madison's Montpelier , which I thought was fairly odd. I edited the bit out where John Warner made a joke about him being in the countryside, but if I get a request, I'll look for the sound bite.