TSF15: Comfortable Bitchin’ – NOW ONLINE!
Posted on September 8, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | No Comments
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The Slacker Factor Podcast, Episode 15: Comfortable Bitchin’
From beantown Boston to springtime Brazil, the Slackers are in rare form and are bigtime bitching and loving just about everything. Listen as they share the deliciousness of a hole-in-the-wall seafood place, the specifics of couch sleep, the ridiculousness of ranting and of baby boomers, and a bossa nova classic that was revealed by Seinfeld.
Meandering Rant: On Ranting by Chris
Book Report: Why Baby Boomers Suck by Rob
Music Segment: Waters of March (Read more about it) (Watch and Listen to Variations)
Headlights Reflecting on Gravestones, a Meandering Rant from The Slacker Factor Podcast TSF14
Posted on August 25, 2010 | By Patty Pino | 1 Comment
Headlights Reflecting on Gravestones
Driving home last night / I heard that tune / The one from the 70’s / About things being over
The singer is in denial / He “Keeps Forgetting” / Things have changed / You know the song
Everything ends / Jobs, friendships, relationships, life / Somehow we don’t expect that / Won’t except that
We hate that part / The ending / The Silence / Fini
We’re built to function in the moment / But the moment is ever changing / Always working towards finish
Electrons move to eventually settle / Yearning for finale
We keep forgetting / An inherent beauty exists / In conclusion
The sun slipping behind the horizon / The sculptor making a final tap / Resonance of strings culminating the concert
Ends allows us to pause / Take heed of our experience / And look to the next
Driving home last night / I passed that cemetery / The one close to the road / Where our grandparents are buried
Sometimes I forget / The pervasive artistry of endings
Until I see headlights / Reflecting on gravestones
~pp
< Listen to this rant, and more, on the podcast here or on iTunes TSF14: Hunger Never Ends >
TSF14: Hunger Never Ends – NOW ONLINE!
Posted on August 18, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | 1 Comment
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The Slacker Factor Podcast, Episode 14: Hunger Never Ends
Somewhat melancholy and sorta informative, the Slackers bring you reflections on endings, an update on the unification of communications, and the beauty of music a la Sophie Hunger. Join us for a listen in your moment of relaxation, and you may just learn a little along the way.
Meandering Rant: Endings by Patty
Book Report: Unified Communications by Chris
Music Segment: Shape by Sophie Hunger
Check out TED at ted.com for talks about almost anything of interest and cool music, too.
TSF13: Hope, Hacks, & Hearing, Y’all – NOW ONLINE!
Posted on August 1, 2010 | By Robert LaFrance | 1 Comment
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The Slacker Factor Podcast, Episode 13: Hope, Hacks, & Hearing, Y’all
Did your mother influence the music you appreciate today or your music memories of yesterday or both? Do you have the skills it takes to be a successful, independent adult? Did you know the audio range of your ears plays into the music that artists create? Episode 13 of the podcast explores all of this good stuff, and Tennessee, too. Relax, listen, and maybe even learn something. Subscribe with iTunes
Links:
Meandering Rant: Dan Folgerberg’s Longer Than by Rob
Book Report: Life Skills by Patty
Marc and Angel Hack Life: 50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do: http://www.marcandangel.com/2008/06/02/50-things-everyone-should-know-how-to-do/
The Independent: 20 things everyone needs to know: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/20-things-everyone-needs-to-know-481270.html
Zen Habits: 20 Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life: http://zenhabits.net/20-things-i-wish-i-had-known-when-starting-out-in-life/
Seven More Skills TSF thinks should be included…
How to Handle a Firearm Safely:
- How to Handle a Firearm Safely: http://www.wikihow.com/Handle-a-Firearm-Safely
- Gun Safety: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1182704/gun_safety_how_to_properly_handle_a.html?cat=11
- Firearm Safety: http://www.pafoa.org/safety
How to Throw & Catch a Ball:
- Tips on Teaching Your Child to Throw & Catch: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/172873/tips_on_teaching_your_child_to_throw.html?cat=25
- How to Catch a Ball Well: http://www.wikihow.com/Catch-a-Ball-Well
- How to Throw and Catch a Softball: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Throw-and-Catch-a-Softball/
Do Laundry:
- How To Do Laundry: http://laundry.about.com/od/laundrybasics/ht/howtodolaundry.htm
- Laundry 101: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/how-do-laundry-00000000000521/index.html
- How To Do Laundry – A Video Guide: www.household-management-101.com/how_to_do_laundry.html
Tie a Necktie:
- Tie and Necktie Instructions: http://www.tieanecktie.com/
- How To Tie A Tie: http://www.pilottie.com/How-To-Tie-A-Necktie.htm
- A Step-By-Step Tie Guide: http://www.2tieatie.com/
Ride a Bicycle:
- Teaching a Kid (and Adult) to Ride a Bicycle: http://www.ibike.org/education/teaching-kids.htm
- Learning How to Ride a Bicycle: http://www.lifespy.com/2007/learning-how-to-ride-a-bicycle/
- How to Ride a Bike Video: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=50012450
Deal with a Hospital Emergency:
- About Emergency Departments: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_department
- Know your Emergency room rights: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/KnowYourRights/KnowYourEmergencyRoomRights.aspx
- Dealing with Emergencies: http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/dealing-with-emergencies-overview
Catch a Fish:
- Take Me Fishing: How to Fish: http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/fishopedia/how-to-fish
- Learning How to Fish: http://learninghowtofish.com/
- How To Fish: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-fish-2/
Music Segment: LCD Soundsystem
Watch The Stress Melt Away
Posted on July 14, 2010 | By Patty Pino | 1 Comment
I bought a watch this weekend. Not the most provocative of things, I know, but I haven’t worn a wrist-based timepiece in years. Why? Because, who needs one?! I decided, years ago, that my computer, my cell phone, my cable box, and my car have all the clocks that I need. They keep me on time, or remind me when I’m late.
Let me stress the decision to abandon a watch was made years ago. Recently, I had a revelation; I, again, need a watch.
Learn the way of the Watch
Years ago, I simply had a cell phone; now, I have a BlackBerry. Years ago, I had a computer with email and a by-request internet connection; now, I have constant internet connectivity plus instant messenger. We have evolved to that connect-me-to-everyone-right-now stuff and instead of living in the moment, we are living outside the moment. I have become so busy responding to the immediate requests of others immediately, that I completely ignore the people I’m with and the actual conversation we’re having. To put it bluntly, I’ve become an anxious, rude, half-listener with attention deficit tendencies.
How many of you can say the same? Do you hang out with one group of people, but spend all of your time with them communicating with other people? Catch up with friends at the bar, and you’re all standing around texting friends who aren’t with you? Sitting in your living room with your family, but completely distracted from your kids conversation because you’re too busy updating your Facebook status?
Part of the problem is, when I go to check the time, I am sucked in to my email, my voicemails, my alerts, messages, tweets and the like. And, damn the moment and what I may be doing, I must reply immediately. I’m guilty if I don’t respond and I’m guilty if I do. Stress Recipe 101.
Hence, the watch and my new commitment to bringing myself back into the moment. I’m hoping it tell me what time it is – literally and figuratively. Looking at my wrist will unplug me from the device-dependant ridiculousness that has been so overwhelmingly distracting. Maybe you should consider conquering your time differently, too.
~pp
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