Current Podcasts

I have a really long drive to work. So, podcasts have become an integral part of my drive. They make the time just fly by. I have forgotten my Ipod a couple of times and the drive seems to last forever. Most of the podcasts I listen to are related to my hobbies, so it's no surprise that the board gaming podcasts are my favorite.

Here is a list of the podcasts that I am currently listening to (in order of my favorites):
1. The Dice Tower (audio) - Fantastic board gaming podcast with lots of interviews, funny skits, and lots of game reviews.
2. The Spiel (audio) - Great board gaming podcast featuring two gaming nerds from Indianapolis. Focuses mostly on gaming reviews.
3. Diggnation (video) - Two guys reviewing the top stories of the week from their news site "Digg".
4. Board Games with Scott (video) - Great game reviewing podcast. (He hasn't released a video in a while, since he started On Board Games.)
5. The Show with Ze Frank (video) - Weird, quick, random podcast about random topics. This podcast is very good, but not for everyone. He put out a podcast everyday for an entire year.
6. Skeptics Guide to the Universe (audio) - Great podcast with about five scientists talking about news stories, science reports, and logical thinking. This is a must for any skeptic thinkers out there. (Unfortuanatly, one of the podcasters died not long ago, so I don't know when the show is coming back)
7. Mr. Deity (video) - Hilarious 5-10 minute clips about God. Very tongue-in-cheek about religion. There hasn't been a release in a while. I think they are trying to get on television.
8. Best of YouTube (video) - Video clip from the most popular clip of the day on YouTube.
9. They Might Be Giants (music) - Rare and live music from TMBG.
10. On Board Games (audio) - I just started this podcast, but it's not bad. Three very different guys talk about Board Games. On guy is outgoing, one is in the business of games, and one is a game designer. Interesting concept, but a little bit dry.
11. Tips From the Top Floor (audio and video) - Great, long-lasting podcast about digital photography. Mark, the host, is very good. The podcasts are not very long and have a lot of commercials, though.
12. Skepticality (audio) - One great skeptic show. The official podcast of Skeptic Magazine. This was one of the original skeptic shows. Unfortunately, the hosts are a little bit awkward.
13. GameTrailers Wii (video) - This is where I hear about all the new Wii games.
14. NPR: Science Friday (audio) - Clips from the Friday science show on NPR with Ira Flatow.

Perry DeAngelis

8/22/1963 – 8/19/2007


I was shocked to hear on my skeptics podcast today, that Perry DeAngelis, a skeptic of some note, died Sunday. He was a fantastic panel member of the Skeptics Guide to the Universe and one of the founders of the New England Skeptical Society. I am only a podcast listener, but I somehow felt as if I knew Perry. He provided some great fun and humor to the Skeptics Guide to the Universe. He will be greatly missed.

Book Review: Harry Potter 7

Summary: A long tale of witchcraft and wizardry finally comes to an enthusiastic end.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review: I will not ruin anything here. I don't like reviews that tell you anything about the plot. So, I will just say that I was happy with the book. It defiantly did NOT end like I thought it would. Although I was sure I knew some of the plot elements that would be in the book, most of them did not happen. Rowling took the book in a very good direction. Oh, and the (inevitable) final battle scene was fantastic!

I hate when long stories come to an end. I get very involved with the characters and can't stand when their events finally come to a close. But, I was happy where this one left off. Don't get me wrong, it is not a ultra-happy ending. Some people who you like will probably die. But, Rowling did a great job wrapping up every loose end that I could think of. You will learn the backgrounds to a lot of characters and it makes the reader understand things much better. I am very happy with the series as a while. Props to Rowling. Nice job.

Movie Review: Mad Hot Ballroom

Summary: Documentary about 5th graders competing in ballroom dance.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10

Review: Fun movie about a few elementary schools in New York City who decide to start a competitive ballroom dance competition to help keep the students off the streets. What makes this movie good is the kids, of course. They love the competition and are always hilarious when they tell the audience the secrets to life and relationships.

Jacob's Favorite Song

This is hilarious. Whenever Sarah sing "All By Myself", Jacob runs over and starts running in place. We assume this is him dancing. He will not do this to any other song! We will have to try a recorded version and see if he responds.

This moment was brought to you by Backyardigans.
Only the greatest show in the world (at least according to Jacob).

Sarah can now juggle clubs

Yes. Sarah can now juggle clubs! I will have to work on Jacob next. I'm quickly on my way to forming my own juggling troupe [sinister laugh]!

Movie Review: 300

Summary: Very stylized version of the Spartan-Persian battle.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review: The cinematography of this movie was absolutely amazing. It had some of the greatest CG of any movie I've seen. This is also why the movie got a 7.5 instead of a much lower rating. The battles were really good. I really enjoyed watching the different combat tactics used (although, I have no idea how accurate they really are). The only bad part of the movie was the plot and script. I understand that it is based on a true story, but the total dialogue would probably fit onto one page. This, in itself, isn't bad (e.g. 2001). But, the movie didn't go into the background of anything. If they would have setup the battle and characters a little more, this would have been a near perfect movie. I still recommend everybody watching this movie. It is pretty gory, but in a stylized way. So, just expect that.

Pictures from Southport

Here are some pictures from our annual Southport (Oak Island) trip. Jacob loved the beach.

Southport 2007

Movie Review: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Summary: Gay transvestite punk rock singer sings and tells his/her story.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10

Review: Not my usual movie. In fact, the plot summary almost made us not watch it. But, it was sent to us from Netflix, so we had to give it a try. Actually, it was a pretty good movie! Hedwig and the Angry Inch is adapted from a stage musical, so there is a lot of singing. And the lead actor can sing really well. The music is really good and it makes the movie. I would recommend this to anyone who can handle the different plot (and that should be everyone).