Josephine Baker c1930 (From Wikipedia Site)

Ninja and Special visit the Ontario Art Gallery for another set of artistic treats.  From the arrow heads of the Native North Americans to the edgy photos of Cindy Sherman, Ninja discovers artists she hadn't paid much attention to previously or falls in love with all over again.

Exhibits Mentioned:   Arctic Spirit - Kinngait Studios .  Artists Explored : Edward Steichen , Cindy Sherman , Alexander Calder , Josephine Baker , Michael Lewis,   Jeff Wall

Arts on King,

Fantasical Clocks,

Zucchini.

Charlie does an amazing parallel parking job.

Arts on King,

Fantasical Clocks,

Zucchini.

Charlie does an amazing parallel parking job.

All the gay people are out with their pink bags and bicycles.  Pigs are hanging in the window. Special K reveals a TTC Scam Story.  Alice Cooper

On this, the summer of the 40^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing,  Special K and I head outside the house one late evening to catch a glimpse of the space station making its way round the earth.  We are surprised by its speed, size, colour and certainly by the fact that we are actually able to view it.   We have less than five minutes to watch it pass overhead.

On the first morning of Podcasters Across Borders in June, the Dude was called up for the first jolt session of the conference. This session is meant to be exactly five minutes and is intended to stimulate the mind and conversation during the break before the next longer scheduled session.  True to form The Dude expressed himself in his characteristic stream of consciousness way when the alarm sounded ending his five minutes.   We took pity on him however and gave him a precious few more moments to read a dude original poem -  irreverent yet moving.  By the way the Dude is completely NSFW : that is:  not safe for work.  You have been warned.  (Audio Courtesy of Valerie's Zoom H2)

Last week Special K and I went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum.   We roamed among the historical artifacts that support the scroll exhibit and we were thoroughly awed by not only the scrolls themselves but the events themselves by which these items have finally made their way to public display.   

In keeping with the semi-biblical theme, a few weeks ago I saw the most charming, delightful and poignant one woman show called The Burning Bush.  In this part musical, part ode to Madonna, and part dance, the main character Barbara Baumawitz embarks on a journey to teach Kabbalah to strippers.  In the process she makes friends, makes amends for past sins, and finds her true path in life.  

Tracey Erin Smith is Toronto’s own, an actor and a playwright.  She teaches the art of solo shows and works with seniors and people with cancer focusing on comedy and personal story telling.

Regardless of what I may have expected from this play, some titillating strip tease or other erotic acts, I was surprised by the journey that Tracey Erin Smith took me on.  She takes us from silly geeky awkwardness to learning how to make her dreams come true. And how to bring joy to other people. This is how she makes the audience feel by the end of the show: Joyful

In a short talkback session after the performance, Ms Smith and the director Anita La Selva answer questions from the audience and talk a little about the artistic process of this one woman show.  

It took Jowi Taylor 11 years to collect the pieces and create “Voyageur”, the Six-String Nation guitar.   It was made from 64 individual artifacts modern and ancient.  Each tell a story from the history of Canada.  A piece from former Prime Minister Trudeau’s canoe paddle, wood from the sacred albino spruce, (also known as the golden spruce),  of the Haida First Nation people, the top of Wayne Gretzky’s hockey stick, part of the cabin of a former S. Carolina slave John Ware, a piece of the handle from a championship oyster-shucking knife, and many more objects adorn and make up this guitar.  Jowi calls it a living museum because he invites people to touch it, photograph it, and of course play it.

This episode of Hot Fossils is an homage to this living piece of history, this unique method of telling 64 wonderful stories.  Jowi Taylor gave the keynote address at this year’s Podcasters Across Borders. I attended the weekend of June 21^st.  After the keynote, Jay Moonah was invited up to play the guitar.  My show today opens with Jay and Bob Goyetche playing “With A Little Help From My Friends” by Lennon and McCartney, followed by the question period.   I have edited out portions of the question period in order to focus on the story of the guitar itself.

After the question period, I talk to Jowi and he describes additional pieces that make up the guitar case.  For those of you interested in obscure and not so obscure Canadian lore, you’ll find out about the fun fur that lines the case, pieces of the costume that Karen Kain wore during the ballet Sleeping Beauty and material from the sportcaster Don Cherry’s pants.   You can read all about the six-string nation guitar project at the site sixstringnation.com.

-          Charlie is late

-          John Lennon

-          Coffee flavours

-          Charlie uses us for tech support in acquiring a new laptop

-          We invite her over and she promises to bring over her laundry

-          We discuss the number of expletives in the movie In Bruge. Charlie informs that Belgium is the Newfoundland of Europe

-          Off to the fromagerie  - Cheese – all types and ages

-          Onions

-          Hot Cross Buns and how much weight Ninja and Special K are gaining

-          Ninja startles little children again

-          Toothpicks and time saving kitchen gadgets like onion goggles

-          Charlie buys more potatoes

-          Wind up bunnies and high bounce balls that do not bounce

-          Mullholland Drive California Mandarins

Blue Mountain Snow Trail (c) The Wryit Group

On the Snowshoe trails with Special K and Ninja.   There’s porcupines in them there hills.  They sit searching for serenity  in a steaming hot outdoor pool in subzero temperatures.   Special K promises to take pictures of Ninja if the podcast is turned off.  Ninja follows the winter stream instead.

Ninja thinks the ability of the body to adapt is marvellous. She shares highlights from New Scientist’s January 07 2009 article about the technology being developed to provide better prosthetics . The human body proves even more interesting as we listen to one blind man’s ability to navigate himself and many others out of the World Trade Centre on 9/11.

Ninja knew there was reason she didn’t want to see He’s Just Not That Into You. Is it just because she isn’t a fan of chick flicks? No. Seems that homo stereotypes are still alive and well in the movie industry. She shares highlights from a review she found at queerty.com .

Famous cheetahs mentioned: Oscar Pistorius . Famous Centre Square mentioned: Paul Lynde .

Ninja and Special K attempt to grow crystals in their science laboratory.  Alchemy will never be the same.  Ninja figures the whole experiement will be as successful as growing grass on a chia pet or raising sea monkeys.  She is pleasantly surprised by the results.

"I love coffee. I love tea..." Special K is finally given license to discuss one of her favourite topics:  the Java and the best places in the world to find it.  Join us for an exploration of the cuppa.   Visit the Delocator for independent coffee shops in Britain, Canada and the U.S.

The Rape of Daniel Boone Junior by Kent Monkman

Redesigned and enhanced by Frank Gehry, the renovated Art Gallery of Ontario impress Ninja and Special K.  They wander around the old and new exhibits, compelling arranged.    Special K enjoys the new architectural improvements.Ninja finds herself intrigued by the Cree artist Kent Monkman's eerie landscape painting The Rape of Daniel Boone Junior,  the welcoming interactive piece called Urban Disco Trailer #3, and the international art award winner, The Index, by sculptor David Altmejd. 

Detail from The Index by David Altmejd

Ed Nyman October 2008

Guillain-Barre is considered a rare syndrome that causes progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. It develops over a few days or up to about four weeks and lasts several weeks or even months. As a temporary inflammation of the nerves, it often follows recovery from a viral infection such as a cold or gastrointestinal infection.  In some cases it is seen after immunization for flu. It causes the immune system to attack the peripheral nervous system. The syndrome is an inflammation of the covering of the nerves, the myelin, the surrounds nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord. Also, the elongated portion of the nerve cell, the axon, can be damaged. The axon conveys electrical signals to distant areas of the muscles and from one nerve cell to another. This damage and inflammation cause muscle weakness, loss of sensation and paralysis because the nerves cannot transmit the required signals to the muscles. The individual can become dysautonomic, meaning he or she becomes unable to feel heat, cold, and pain.  Approximately 95% of people who develop the syndrome recover, most of these, fully.

There are three main courses of treatment for Guillain-Barre. One treatment is to let the syndrome run its course, since it normally is a temporary condition. Another treatment that is used is known as plasmaphoresis, or plasma exchange. Antibody laden blood plasma, which is the liquid portion of blood, is removed from the body. Red blood cells are separated and put back into the body with antibody free plasma. This treatment lessens the symptoms and hastens recovery time. A third treatment is the administration of intravenous immune globulin which also lessens the symptoms and hastens recovery time. Sometimes both of these last two are administered to the patient. Physical therapy and exercise is also usually part of the regime to full recovery.

I had an opportunity to talk with Ed Nyman who got and recovered from the syndrome in April 2008.   And this show focuses on his experience.

Links : Toronto Star Article     Guillain-Barre Syndrome - Answers         Wiki Entry

That's what we love about Scarborough Dude, the host of Dicks 'n Janes podcast.   He'll raise the difficult questions and not let them go.  I don't want him to let them go, despite anyone's opinion of them. He's an activist that you'd rather have on your side than against you. Still he adamantly refuses to be on anyone's but his own.  I always listen to the dude, because he always has something to say to think about.   This is part two of the geek fest held on October 18 at the Imperial Pub during which Scarborough Dude takes issue with us not wanting to talk about our day jobs.  I spent some time talking with Steve Saylor.  a writer who shares his superhero and adventure mystery novels on the internet.  You can find the Black Shadow at http://stevesaylor.net/node/264 or http://feeds.feedburner.com/the12thdisciple.  His newest effort is The 12^th Disciple at http://stevesaylor.net/node/301 or  http://feeds.feedburner.com/the12thdisciple.  We discuss his novels, his artistic process, copyright issues and finally the size of podcaster egos. Also featured is The Closet Geek of closetgeekshow.com   If you listen carefully you can hear him eating popcorn in the background while barely concentrating on our conversation.

On October 19, Toronto hosted another podcaster's meetup.  Things got pretty meta with Omar Ha-Redeye (Law is Cool), Connie Crosby (Community Divas) and Shadow and James.  Ninja is surrounded by lawyer types.  We talk about Omar's voice, podcasting, podcamps, twitter and finally politics.

Honey.  Much sweeter than wine.  The secrets of honey, their delicious properties and their healing properties.  Honey supplies instant energy and many are better for you than refined sugar. Ninja goes to the New Zealand honey counter at the market and samples all the expensive ones.

Are you afraid of the dark?  Well, you will be after you hear a ghost story Ninja shares with you from Alfred Hitchcock's Ghost Stories for Young People, a long playing vinyl record released in 1960.

Ninja and friends hang out in Harbourfront on a warm, beautiful, thanksgiving day.   Topics covered: politics, movies,  work, memories, love, the Monkey King and theme cakes.

Jet Li as the Monkey King

Know the limits.  Know your stats.  Separate media hype from science fact.  For example, how many people died of the Ebola virus in the Congo in one year versus the Congo civil war.  Well the ratio is a staggering 255 to 2.9 million!  So how afraid should you be of the Ebola virus?  Very large and very small numbers are discussed.  Better have your bit conversion calculator on hand.

Other science facts.

Whack-a-Mole – A Carnival Favourite

More nonsensical audio from Ninja wondering why she goes to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) every year where it's hot and too many people. Too many people. Did I say too many people? We give it up for Marty on the trampoline, eat a Philly cheesesteak at the Schwarzwaldhaus (Black Forest Inn) and sample the Tibetan singing bowls.

Tibetan Singing Bowl

On the last day of Podcamp, Ninja interviews Adam Silver and he shares his artistic and cultural passions with her as they walk to the Boston T (subway) stop. A former teacher and school principal, Adam retired and opened The Asian Cultural Center in Battleboro, Vermont which also is the home of the CX Silver Gallery.

Links:

GalleryXIV

Asian Cultural Center Vermont

CX Silver Gallery

           

Born in October 2007, released in alpha to the public only this summer, Seesmic is another social networking tool. It is unlike YouTube or podcasting in the sense that it interactive and considered by the creators and participants to be more intimate than any of twitter, facebook, or chat. With Seesmic, you can visually converse with your cyberfriends and colleagues. How is it different or the same from Webcam conversations or another new videoconferencing tool, OovOO? Well we'll have to see what it has to offer in the coming months. In the meantime, I spent about forty-five minutes with Tiil, an artist and Seesmic zealot during Podcamp Boston in July to get his enthusiastic testimonial about Seesmic.

Wiki page for Seesmic: http://wiki.seesmic.com/Main_Page

Tiil's website : http://www.tiil.us

Tiil's hair cut : http://www.tiil.us/seesmic/hair-cut

Seesmic blog : http://seesmic.typepad.com/en/

Seemic owner's blog : http://www.loiclemeur.com/

OOvOO : http://www.oovoo.org/ 

Famous Hollywood celebrities mentioned: Steven Speilberg, Harrison Ford. Famous New Media celebrities mentioned : Chris Brogan, Freida the retired art teacher who was involved in new media in the 80s. Other video messaging tools mentioned : OovOO. Famous Investors mentioned: Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis (who sold Skype to Ebay).

Join me for lunch with Michelle and Jeff during Podcamp Boston.  They talk about why they love Burning Man so much. By the time you hear this, they may be on their way in their Airstream to enjoy this August desert festival.

Links:

http://www.bigrigjig.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWGx0PhDGlU – Crude Awakening at Burning Man

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2007/08/crude-awakening.html

http://www.burningman.com/

 

Faneuil Hall Boston

On the eve of Podcamp Boston, Kentie, Ninja and Special K have dinner and talk about almost everything.

Famous Restaurants Mentioned: Cheers.   Famous Bookstores Mentioned: Powells.  Politicians mentioned: Howard Dean, Mitt Romney, Hilary, Barak, Al Gore, John Kerry, George Bush.  Issues mentioned: Gun Control, Gay Marriage, Universal Health Care, The disadvantages of home schooling, Freedom.  Recreational Activities Mentioned: Opera.  Hysterical Non-fiction: American Facists by Chris Hedges.

Songs Played : Family Guy * The Spirit of Massachussetts (Courtesy Episode 126 Mondo Diablo)

Podcasts listened to by Kentie: 

·2 Guys, 1 Brain

·Bear Crawling

·Big Gay Sex Show

·Bored Beyond Belief

·Brini Maxwell

·Broadway Bullet

·Cuppa Tea with AJ

·Fagbeast of Scandiland

·For Whatever Reason podcast

·Hello Waffles

·Hot Fossils and Rebel Matters

·Leather Bound

·Mandrake Society Radio

·Manhandled in Montana

·Mikey Pod

·New Music Box

·NY Times Book Review Podcast

·Peterson Toscano

·Sha-Pink

·Sister Paula podcast

·Spanking Bea Arthur

·Strength Nation with Jason White

·Tastes Like Burning

·Tigger Cast

·Tranny Wreck Radio

·Unnatural Acts of Opera

·Vera Speaks

·Wanda Wisdom

·Yeast Radio

·       Zillacast with Zillafag

·       Eat This Hot Show

S-Curve by Anish Kapoor

There are lessons that Anish Kapoor's art have to teach us.  “His pieces force you to be really patient...”, said one visitor assistant at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. You can't just breeze through his exhibit to get a taste of his work.  You have to wait for his work to affect its magic on you.  Optical and aural illusions surprise and delight the gallery visitors to this show.  Join Ninja and Special K as they try to  help you experience the pieces through their own descriptions and from the gallery volunteers and other visitors.  

Links: See the slideshow, The ICA, Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston Mass.
The Flatus Show

Wedgewood Relief c1780

Join Ninja and Special K on a whirlwind tour of exhibits at the Royal Ontario Museum, before the festivities of Father's Day begin. First stop: Shanghai, past, present and future.    Next stop: Wedgewood treasures and the Black Star Sapphire of Queensland.    Last stop: History of Disability and Typewriters.  Ninja talks about getting her malaria shots from a past classmate who is now a doctor.

Famous tyrants mentioned: Mao Tse Tung, Hitler. Novelties in a Museum: Man in a Dinosaur.  Ninja's rank in her typewriting course:  Second.

The Bruegel-Bosch Bus by Kim Adams (Art Gallery of Hamilton)

One night after work, Special K and Ninja brave rush hour to drive to Hamilton, Ontario to see the new exhibits at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.   They are not disappointed by the kimono of the famous Geisha Ichimaru, nor the contemporary art of Japan, the Bruegel-Bosch Bus, and the Monotheatrum.

The lesbian gardening show.  Ninja and Special K head out to Ontario's Sheridan Nurseries for a rainy adventure into the expensive world of luxury gardening equipment and shubbery shopping.

Canna Lilly

A balalaika

Special K and Ninja meet Charlie at the St. Lawrence Market again.  Ninja waits for the balalaika player to begin and it seems like it will never happen. Special K and Charlie entreat Ninja to spare you another visit but Ninja maintains that every moment can be a podcast moment.  They help Charlie choose hors d'oeurves for an evening soiree. Ninja concludes that the world is full of Eleanor Rigbys.

Eleanor Rigby by Mary Ann Farley

On a rainy, miserable weekend because they can do little outside work, Ninja  and Special K conduct a painting proof of concept that also includes the art of putting Muskoka chairs together.  They debate whether Adirondack, Muskoka and Cape Cod Chairs are all the same or not.   Ninja finds proof in Wikipedia that they might be, but Special K is certain they are all slightly different.  Ninja promises her partner that there will be no podcasting this weekend, but can't quite stick with it.

Part two of an Aids Committee of Toronto event in the Sexplorations series.Buck Angel, not that pregnant man, is the most famous female to male transsexual in the world.Buck has a fan base that spans many countries and demographics. As the only transman star in the sex film trade, his fans are men, women, gay, straight, and all combinations in between. This show features the question and answer period that Buck Angel was the focus of at the ACT event that evening.

For my interview with Buck , and Rui’s interview with Buck, you’ll have to listen to HotFRM #139.

Photo by Mark Berry

Last month, Buck Angel spent a week in Toronto.  He did two workshops for the sex shop, Toronto’s Come as You Are, a performance at the club Goodhandys and a question and answer talk for the Aids Committee of Toronto, ACT.  I was fortunate enough to be granted an interview with Sarah, one of the owner’s of Come as You Are, Sergio who took care of Buck during his week here, and Buck himself at the ACT event. 

Born a woman, Buck spent a great deal of his life before his transition unhappy and dissatisfied, one might say, desperately so.  All that changed when Buck transitioned.   He also became the first and most famous transman porn star.   Arguably, Buck Angel is the most famous female to male transsexual in the world.Buck has a fan base that spans many countries and demographics.  As the only Transman star in the sex film trade, his fans are men and women, gay, straight, and all combinations in between.

Buck Angel does not care a whit what you think of him.   He defies labels because he refuses to resolve any of the contradictions that anyone finds in him.   And this is one of the things that is so wonderful about him, making him an inspiration and poster boy for following your dream.    His life is a direct contradiction of how quick people are to put labels on things.If we don’t label things and put a cage of definition around ourselves and others, there is the fear that we might spiral out of control and that society would be reduced to anarchy.  If you are a queer of any awareness, you already have a solid foundation in the issues that transsexuals face in our society.But you may be critical of Buck’s life choices all the same.  If you are straight and have never given transsexuals more than the sensationalistic nod that the media gives transpeople,  you may be shocked by Buck’s choices and lifestyle.    I think we are shocked and critical because we are unable to see the shades of colour between black and white.  We crave easy simple answers where often complexity, contradictions and paradox are the only explanations.   It is for these reasons that you must listen to this show today. 

Today Ninja gives you part two of the Geek Gathering. We folks know how to live in the moment.  Katherine talks about the tedium of editing.  Scarborough Dude takes photos of us, continues to swear and Ninja is pretty sure she hears him talking about wife swapping at one point.  Talk turns to the meaning of religion and its sense of community celebration and sharing.   It occurs to the group that perhaps the flood described in biblical times may actually have happened.  We conclude that all religions are basically the same.   But first here’s a comment about the last show from Kentie of the flatus show.com and his co-host that venerable old man Jose, and a couple of notes from Rob commenting on and correcting some of my assertions.  Thanks Rob and Ken.

Links:

Zeitgeist the Movie

The Vatican

The Daily Breakfast

Cardinal Ambrozic

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Search Engine

Spark

Joan comes to a podcaster’s meetup and starts asking questions that everyone wants to answer yet digresses from.  Revealed: What is it about podcasting that makes us want to spend hours and hours editing?  Podcasting is about passion.  We discuss the intimacy of podcasting, lattes, beer, and subjectivity.   Sean admits he can listen to a knitting podcast and be thoroughly engaged.  And challenges us to listen to his podcast about songwriting at Ductape Guy.   

We learn that podcasters are communists, anarchists, members of knitting cults, hobbyists, navel gazers, former hippies, and most important of all: communitists – a new word coined by Joan.  (Later that evening Katherine comes up with the verb form:  communitize).   Scarborough Dude swears a lot and then Joan swears back.  So listen to this MetaCast with Sean, Katherine, Ken, Daniel, Rob, John, Valerie and others.  

Other Links: Green Planet Monitor, Wayne McPhail, Rabble Radio, Librivox, Voiceprint 

In the true spirit of tree hugging, Ninja and Special K head down to the park to celebrate Earth Hour 2008.   On the way they meet a star gazer, a cottager, and several screaming children.  Oh yes and Ninja notices a computer mouse attached to a shampoo bottle slung over an overhead wire.   Join this soundscape for a taste of the event Toronto style.

A herd of cows (well actually only four) are freed on a busy highway during the Toronto morning rush hour. Witnesses saw them in their backyards, munching on what little exposed vegetation could be found.  Three were rounded up, but a forth was unfortunately shot when it displayed aggressive behaviour.   Special K wonders why it couldn't just be tranqualized instead.   Special K and Ninja wonder whether it would do any good to boycott the 2008 Olympic games.  The human rights issues associated with Chinese internal politics haven't changed merely because Bejing is hosting the games.   They feel that a boycott may only punish the athletes and serve no other purpose.   Last year 2.2 million people turned off their lights for one hour in Australia.   If they had sustained that level of energy savings for a year it would be equivalent to taking thousands of cars of the roads for that year.

Official Olympics Site: http://www.olympic.org/uk/index_uk.asp
Bejing Olympics 2008 site: http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/index_uk.asp
Ninja's Earth Hour page:  http://www.earthhour.org/user/rS1j 
Earth Hour Main page: http://www.earthhour.org/

Ninja recounts her experience with an ear, nose and throat specialist who insists she does not need devices to enhance her hearing.   Strange sucking noises and what else sucks according to WIRED Magazine.

The rest of the world is.  This last weekend I interviewed my neighbour, whose political views are informed and well thought out. My neighbour is a Canadian Vietnam veteran. He served as a volunteer for the Americans some 40 years ago. For most of his life he has leaned to the right but recently and because of what he sees as the Republican party character and mistakes of the current and past administrations, leans more and more left of centre in recent years. In my interview, he looks critically at the Democratic presidential nomination race and what it would mean for America and the world if the Democrats win the presidential race in November. If you’re an American and haven’t made up your mind, then Mike’s thoughts will hopefully help you make that decision. It might motivate you to respond or do your own further research on the matter to make the best informed decision you can. Enjoy the interview and find out who Mike would be voting for in November if he were an American and why.

Some of the ambient hiss you’ll hear is his refrigerator and furnace and oh, yes: In the background you will hear enthusiastic shouts and laughter of his family and Special K playing with the Wii.

Ninja needs more time to deliver the next show to you.   What with podcamp toronto and my cold and Special K's cold and more snow and Ninja getting into the wordpress and twitter this week, she ran out of time.  Wait till Ninja gets into Machinima. Then of course there's spring cleaning, taxes, birthdays, not to mention the day job and the ninja crimefighting...

Ninja's Wordpress blog - NinjaRadio,  Ninja's twitterings

They're still in Japan.   Ninja and Special K take in a Kyoto light show.    They also wander into an open air taiko drumming performance in Osaka.

Another Breathtaking Sight - The Golden Pavillion

Despite getting a flu shot before the new year, I am sick and feeling very sorry for myself.  I suspect Joe G of somehow sending me his cold over the cyberwaves, but still direct you to his podcast which can be found at http://boredbeyondbelief.wordpress.com/.

This week we're back in Kyoto Japan again with some more soundscene audio from various spots in Kyoto.  Some public school children interrupt the sound of my own voice to conduct a cultural exchange with Special K and I.

Race or Gender?  Gender or Race?  Ninja gets the distinct impression that Special K would be voting for John McCain, a Republican, if she were to vote in the American election.  Nevertheless, Special K criticises the American presidential process.  Ninja plays an CBC interview with Maya Angelou where she discusses her support of Hilary. Afterall America needs another Clinton to clean up the second Bush's mess.

Without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently - Maya Angelou

Special Mattcha Chocolate Pastry

Ninja and Special K wanted to give you the highlights of their trip to Japan, but only got as far as the desserts in Omotesando Hills and the sukiyaki at Yoshinoya . All they could talk about was the food.  Ninja shares a soundscape from Omotesando shopping centres.

Special K's New Travel Bolt Cutters

Special K takes charge and gets industrial bolt cutters from the hotel in Kyoto to cut the lock off Ninja's suitcase. Everyone in the lobby claps.  Then they get real quiet and head off to major meditation spots in Kyoto to find satori.  Ninja is hypnotized by a Buddhist monk who reads translated Japanese public health pamphlets to her and is only released from his powerful mind grip when she agrees that his English is flawless.

Ninja and Special K are introduced to the next Canadian singing sensation.  Move over Celine.  Make way k.d. Stay on the golf course Anne.  Here comes Nikki.  Ninja shares some soundscene audio of their trip to Kamakura. They delight in the sights of Hasadera Temple and are rendered speechless by Daibutsu - the Great Buddha.

One of the taglines of the Takarazuka Revue Company is: "Who knows what a woman wants more than another woman."   That and the company's motto: "modesty, fairness, and grace" characterize the high quality triple threat of the all female theatre company.  Ninja and Special K discover the Takarazuka during their stay in Japan and discuss the impact on them and the irresistable androgeny of the otokoyaku ("women who play male roles").

Links: Wikipedia Entry  , Revue Home Site , YouTube Videos , Takarazuka segment from a TV interview , Love Me Tender video 

 
Tsukiji Octopus and Squid 

Amid water, ice, and seafood guts, Ninja and Special K get up at a freakishly early hour to catch the action at the largest fish market in the world. Tsukiji Market is found in the heart of Tokyo, Japan.  Special K pulls up her socks and rolls up her pants while dodging the seafood transport scooters to experience the most fun you can have at 5:30 in the morning.

 

 

The Penninsula Hotel Tokyo 

Ninja does a soundscape of her and Special K's first day in Japan.   Ninja feels like she has finally come home. Places in Tokyo mentioned: Hibya Park, The Imperial Palace, The Penninsula Hotel.

The Imperial Palace Gardens 

Ninja muses on the reasons why people have to travel.  Then she takes us to the middle of the Vancouver departure lounge during a three hour stopover en route to...well you'll have to tune in to the next shows to find out where in the world Ninja is going.

In September, Special K and Ninja flew southwest to Nevada. They spent some time in the Red Rock Canyon area and then a couple of days in Las Vegas.   Today’s show features sound scene audio of our visit to the Red Rock Canyon area.

The science of sound and the music of sound together for the first time. First Ninja shares Erica Keen's explorations of how the auditory system encodes sound and then Noah Vawter demonstrates how every sound can become music. 

Here is Erica's paper on it all.  And here is Noah's paper on it all. Other Links: Scipod, Seed Magazine 

[[image=GeoDomeFullMoon.jpg]]

An all night cultural event attracts the interest of Ninja, Special K and friends. They go dancing thru the streets in search of art in all its forms during Nuit Blanche : the "literal translation is 'white night', a term used to describe a natural phenomenon that occurs at high latitudes where the dusk meets the dawn...from sunset...to sunrise...Toronto bustled with activity as thousands experience a full night of contemporary art and culture. But where were the damn washrooms?

Links:

Nuit Blanche Toronto 2007

Adriana Kuiper - Artist and Teacher - Tornado ShelterExpert

Sketch - Providing artistic expression for street involved and homeless youth

Ninja and Special K drop in on KayTel and DragOn and ask them to tell the story of how they met.  Is this a typical lesbian love story or not?  Famous girl bands mentioned: The Indigo Girls.  Typical Lesbian sports mentioned: Softball.  Drinks mentioned: Gin and grapefruit juice, white wine.  Toronto Gay Radio shows mentioned: Gaywire CIUT.  Toronto Gay Magazines mentioned: Xtra.  Coffee Shops mentioned: The Second Cup, Timothy's.   Women's Bars Mentioned: The Rose, Pope Joan.  Scary things discussed: stalkers.

Ninja and Special K can't do a show for you this week but we'll be back soon. Stay tuned.

Ninja discovers the Bureau of Workplace Interruptions, the hottest chicken wings in the world, and a disappointing Matthew Barney exhibit.  But she, Charlie and Special K are glad all the same that they made the trip to Buffalo anyway to go to the Albright-Knox Museum.

Blow Ninja A Kiss. Or Send The Show a Donation.

Ninja tries to find out when the rain is coming and gets commercials instead.  She reads the top twenty some odd reasons why she's proud to be Canadian sent to her by Kentie (and Jose) except that some of those things are not even Canadian.  She chats with Special Delivery Mark.  She finally fixes and sets Special K's levels. Diana, Lunar Eclipses and what losers she and Special K really are.

Links:  Special Delivery Mark   The Flatus Show

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Main Entry: ¹fog
Pronunciation: 'fog, fäg
Function: noun
Etymology: probably back-formation from foggy
1 a : vapor condensed to fine particles of water suspended in the lower atmosphere that differs from cloud only in being near the ground b : a fine spray or a foam for firefighting
2 : a murky condition of the atmosphere or a substance causing it
3 a : a state of confusion or bewilderment <spent the morning in a fog> b : something that confuses or obscures <hid behind a fog of rhetoric>
4 : cloudiness or partial opacity in a developed photographic image caused by chemical action or stray radiation

Main Entry: ¹haze
Pronunciation: 'hAz
Function: noun
Etymology: probably back-formation from hazy
1 a : fine dust, smoke, or light vapor causing lack of transparency of the air b : a cloudy appearance in a transparent liquid or solid; also : a dullness of finish (as on furniture)
2 : something suggesting atmospheric haze; especially : vagueness of mind or mental perception

Main Entry: smog
Pronunciation: 'smäg, 'smog
Function: noun
Etymology: smoke + fog
: a fog made heavier and darker by smoke and chemical fumes; also : a photochemical haze caused by the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on atmosphere polluted with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen especially from automobile exhaust

Hazy lazy day summer day in the Toronto Harbour.  Gypsy and Pepita take Ninja and Special K out again onto the high seas, to learn more about boating and lesbian fishing. We learn how to anchor, where the nude beaches are how noisy Wakestock was.

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Ninja and Special K spend their last morning in Washington D.C. visiting the National Geographic Museum where they view a fascinating photographic exhibition about Zakouma, a wildlife refuge in Chad, Africa and the fight to protect elephants and their ivory.

And a little levity:

Nascar Coach Reveals Winning Strategy: "Drive Fast".

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Snipers on the White House Roof

Finally.   The last stop on Ninja, Special K and Charlie's Road Trip.   Join them on some soundscape of the city sights, galleries and history.  Ninja wanted to have a talk with the leader of the free world, but he wasn't in the night she visited.

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(By the way listeners:   Today is the anniversary of my second year podcasting.)

Special K has pet peeves about the rising prices of both parking and a phone call.  Leg number two on the way to Washington D.C.   Sights seen: The Bluenose in Baltimore, Ruth's Chris Steak House, The Hard Rock Cafe, An Aquarium, A CVS pharmacy.  Birthdays mentioned: Charlie's

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Leg number one on the road to Washington D.C.

Ninja thought that it was Mr. Corning that made Corningware.   Is glass a liquid?  NInja's glassware awakening and a trip to the Corning Museum of Glass.   The art of glass, its apparent high viscosity and all its various uses.  Ninja discovers freeze dried ice-cream.

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You either love it or you hate it.  Believe in it or deny it.  From one point of view it's an architectural wonder.  From another - a public deception full of broken promises and unattainable goals. But whatever your view it is now a part of the landscape of urban Toronto - The Royal Ontario Museum Crystal.   Special K gives her opinion and Ninja delivers a soundscape of their visit to the new structure during which she discovers that hockey equipment is merely modern jousting gear.

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Yeah.  Bigot go home.  Oh wait. Canada's current Prime Minister was born right here in Toronto.  Doh! Ninja's Pride soundscape delivers the ring of the Thrust-Meter, Chicks That Kick,  queer musical favourites and the parades.  Queer Orgs mentioned: Pride Toronto, ACT (Aids Committee of Toronto), New York Pride, San Francisco Pride, Mardi Gras Sydney, Pflag, Prime Timers of Toronto, CANFAR, Proud FM.   Toronto Queer Village haunts: Pegasus. Canadian unions mentioned: CUPE. Queer TV shows mentioned: Queer as Folk.

Hi audio lovers.  Ninja and Special K will be back in a couple of weeks with new fresh material for you.  Ok maybe another art gallery soundscape or two. And perhaps even a Pride report.  Check back in two weeks for another exciting episode of Hot Fossils and Rebel Matters.

 

The stunning conclusion of the demolition of Special K and Ninja's utility shed.  Gone but not forgotten, Ninja and Special K reminisce about the many repairs they have done on it.  Famous renovators mentioned: Mike Holmes. Famous lesbians mentioned: Rosie O'Donnell.  Famous talk show hosts mentioned: Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres.  Television shows mentioned: ER, Ugly Betty.   Technologies mentioned: Virus Scanning.

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Ninja and the Birds

Listen to Ninja's inner battle between her femme side and her butch side.  Which side will win?  She and Special K work to prepare for the eventual demise of the crumbling shed.  The downside of bird feeders.

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Special K is finally back.   Local television and Rosie disappoints us.  Special K laments the press's treatment of the royal decision to keep Harry away from Iraq for the good of the war effort presumably.   They go to the Toronto month long photography festival Contact and report back on how much they enjoyed it.

Links

Rosie's Blog

Dancing with the Stars

The View

Contact - Toronto's spring photography festival MOCCA's exhibit

Special Delivery Mark

Okay So Radio

Chicago Aids Foundation

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Special K and Ninja prepare the lawn for another season.  Ninja invites you to join her on facebook.  She has lunch with her brother Jason and they discuss the tragedy at Virgina Tech.

Ninja's facebook entry  Virginia Tech tragedy

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There's that old lesbian joke - What do lesbians do on the second date?  They move in. So what do they do on the third date?  They go to the hardware store. And on the fourth date, they start the renovations.  Special K and Ninja spend their 1000th date at Rona where Ninja discovers that scratch and save is not so exciting when 88% of the cards are for 5% off the listed price.

Don't forget to help Kentie make his $150 goal for the Easter Seal 5K Walk in June.

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Rabbi Eli Kukla leads a gender diversity workshop as part of MCC's series on "Bridges of Faith: Bonds of Love" course held this year.  This workshop featured a discussion of gender in ancient Jewish scriptures. Rabbi Kukla sees God as wanting diversity and asks what it means to be a fully self-expressed human being and how that might be related to our gender. Links: http://djctoronto.com/rabbisstudy/eli_bio.php 

http://www.mcctoronto.com/

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A friend of ours, who normally leans pretty far to the right,  shares his views on George W, Clinton, Monica, the Iraq war and American foreign policy.  Links: Vietnam War Songs, Vietnam War Resources, Who Said What about Weapons of Mass Destruction, WMD Resources

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Ninja's Gender Show.   Michael  Dillon , Roberta Cowell, The First Man-Made Man, The Flatus Show No 74 - Plastic Surgery and Body Modification, Transister Radio , Girl Friday band

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Over the top product packaging.  All Ninja cares about is its scent anyway.  How does it smell?  Is it manly, but I like I it too?  Ninja sobs her way down the street after seeing French film.  Special K and she deconstruct Fauteuils d'orchestre (Montaigne Avenue) and Angel-A, two moving and thought provoking films.

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Kid on TV (David Hawe) 

Ninja podcasts just before Special K whisks her off to the Toronto French Film Festival.  She shares dating tips for lesbians and describes the photography of Lisa Whitehead.  She wonders along with the Toronto queer band Kids On TV, why the band's web presence was removed from MySpace just before the beginning of their latest tour.  She ends the podcast talking about Yoko Ono's new album, Yes, I'm a Witch.

(Music excepts are from Kids on TV Breakdance Hunx and Yoko Ono's Yes, I'm a Witch).

Yoko at 74

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 A Popular Band from Scarborough - The Barenaked Ladies

Thursday night at the airport waiting for Charlie to arrive.   Ninja and Charlie drive Charlie back to Scarborough in Metro Toronto, fondly known as Scarberia among the urban masses.  On the way she fills the ride with stories of her Las Vegas adventures.  Famous motivational speakers mentioned: Tony Robbins.  Famous singers mentioned: Winona Judd, The Beatles, Celine Dion.  Famous circus troupes: Cirque Du Soleil. World class cities mentioned: New York, Paris. Overpriced coffee shops mentioned: Starbucks.

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Hello audio lovers. Ninja is at podcamptoronto this weekend so there will be no regular show. Talk to you again next weekend.

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Modern Royalty - Conrad and Barbara, Charles and Camilla.

The new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change came out this week pointing the finger at the human contribution to global climate change. Why won't Prince Charles accept environmental awards by videophone rather than wasting precious jet fuel to be on location. Isn't voluntary therapeutic incarceration just a fancy name for mandatory sensitivity training? Sharon Stone's error in judgment in thinking that affectionate use of the word fag among her personal circle of friends is the same as Isaiah Washington outing T.R.Knight. Ugly Betty's baby homos, gays, and transexuals. Ghost brides in China. Brothels in Australia and a rant on Conrad Black.

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Main Entry: 1buoy
Pronunciation: 'bü-E, 'boi
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign -- more at BEACON
1 : FLOAT 2 ; especially : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (as a shoal) lying under the water
2 : LIFE BUOY
[buoy illustration]

Links: The Spirit of Canada, The Vendee Globe Race (Photos Copyright "The Wryit Group")