206 337-2727 holycrap@poddog.ca

Hammy Hampster

Hot Damper and golden Syrup from Tom

Headline 1, Headline 2, Headline 3

Chew on This

Finding Canada

Not surprising, my Canada is made up of the pop culture of CBC and CTV from the mid 70s to the mid 80s. I grew up without cable TV. Not because I am too old, or that my parents we poor, but because they had different priorities. They are now enjoying a comfortable and exciting retirement, while all I have is memories of a cold and empty childhood.

So, observations, what did I discover on my first trip to central canada. Well Central Canadians are not that much different than Calgarians, now that could be because most Calgarians are from Toronto. Ottawa is a beautiful place, so is kingston. However, it is really different in Central Canada. Most notable is the amount of history. Central Canada is a hell of a lot older that Alberta. Not the people, the buildings. This is because just like Cleveland is the birthplace of civilization, Central Canada is the birthplace of Canada. It was explained to me that the amazing Canal system in and around Ottawa was a result of the English deciding that we needed a safer route for transporting goods. Not only is Calgary younger than pretty much anywhere in Ontario, but we are also developmentally delayed. What I mean is that, and I have touched on this before, Calgary is the junior high students of Canada, we haven’t even hit puberty. The city did not even start to grow until the 50s. We were a small city on a river until after the 2and world war. There were a few buildings hotels and such, but no row house or really much to preserve. Note, I am not trying to devalue that pre 50s history, because it is there and what is left is worth preserving, but it is not on the same level, I mean an old RCMP fort, is cool, but it doesn’t hold a candle to a canal system built for national security.

As I said my pop culture memories are from the mid 70s through the mid 80s, and they are also from the CBC and CTV which came from Central Canada. My friends have memories of Saturday night live and school house rock. I have memories of Peter puck and Terry David Muligan. Something were a bit different out west. For example, do you remember that clown, that hobo clown that would show up on children’s daytime programing. I finally had that mystery solved. I could never figure out his point. Turns out, he was teaching french. You see, in alberta the just dubbed in english. Remember, Alberta was the province with a picture of Rene Levesque with a big X on it at the border in the 70s.

I am glad I finally had a change to meet Canada this weekend, I am sorry it took so long. I guess my next adventure need to involve Quebec. You listeners can look forward to more of this because I am going to continue this journey to discover canada. Watch out quebec, you might be next.

Download “Let’s Trade Skins” (mp3)
from “Bodies and Minds”
by Great Lake Swimmers
Misra

• Buy at iTunes Music Store
• Stream from Rhapsody
• Buy at Napster
• Buy at Rhapsody
• Buy at GroupieTunes
• Buy at Insound

More On This Album

Link love; Howie Meeker Almost Live Radio For Better or Worse Barry from Barrie

One of Calgary’s best podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I was going to do the standard post about how great PAB was, how much I loved it and link to everyone. But if you follow me on Twitter or have read any other blogs tagged PAB2007 then you know how great it was.

I thought I would post about some of my thoughts on what we could do next to improve the visibility of podcasts. Last night at the Taphouse over beers with some of finest Geeks I have ever had the pleasure of drinking with, I start thinking out loud about the “listener comment”.

First a bit of background. A couple of weeks back Lord Blevis talked on CPB about not saying the name of your show when you phone or send in an audio comment. Now about a week before this I was compelled to call into Today in iphone. I chose to identify myself as Daryl C from Calgary. I repeated this when I called into inside PR. Now I did this because neither of these podcasts aren’t about podcasts, so saying, “This is Daryl Cognito, from Atomic Suburbia dot com seemed wrong.

Okay, where was I? Right, the listener comment. The Listener comment is a very important part of podcasting. First, it allows for dialog between the podcaster and the listener, second it allowed the commenter/podcaster to “pimp” their show. This was important in the first couple of years of podcasting. I am thinking now that we need to start thinking about that listener/commenter we want to attract next. If you want the next listener/commenter to your show to be a podcaster then keep starting and ending all of your comments with, “this is so and so from the so and so show at so and so dot com. But, if you what the next listener/commenter to your show to be a non podcaster, then consider calling and leaving just your name.

The logic behind this is that we want listeners to comment on our shows then they need to hear other listeners commenting. If a listener only hears other podcasters, then they might not call or send in audio because they might think it is a elite club. There is also the danger of podcast being made by podcasters, for podcasters, about podcasting. If half of you show is audio comment for other podcasters, and half of each audio comment is the other podcaster pimpin their show, then if my math is right ( and it rarely is) one quarter of you show is pimpin.
Now, I have thought about that all important link love. If you comment on a show and you want a link (and who doesn’t?) then let the podcaster know. The podcaster can then link in the show notes, or even better start a link catagory in the sidebar titled “comments”. This allow the link love and promotion without intruding on the non podcasters who are listening.
Just my thoughts, what the hell are yours?

A very busy day in Podcasting nirvana. Lots of great sessions and lots of great people. I was going to do a be link fest of those I met, but you know I would forget someone. Plus I so damn hungry. Yeah, great blog, limited updates and no content. Woo Hoo.

Just a very quick update cause I gotta find food then he the bar. What a great time and the Canadian Podcast community is fantastic.

flickr is here

Actually I am always a little off. Just listening to the latest Jawbone while I get ready. Ajay and Pod dictionary guy should be here soon.

Kingston or Bust 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Mark Blevis this evening. Mark showed why he is the Prince of Canadian podcasting. He took time out of his PAB prep schedule to not only meet me for a drink, but he also took me a quick walking tour of downtown Ottawa. What a beautiful town. Unfortunately, because I took a wrong turn trying meet up with Ajay I didn’t get a chance to meet up with him, but I’m sure  we will connect tomorrow.

So now it’s time to get some sleep before heading to Kingston tomorrow. However, I have to hit a bookstore because despite my careful packing I forgot my donated children’s book.

Bloggin from da plane

I am currently on an air canada “Air Bus” flying east to Ottawa. Just a note on air canada, I don’t like them. I would have preferred to fly Westjet but I booked through the AMA and they deal with air canada.  It’s not so much the service or the planes. The stewardesses are lovely and the plane is comfortable.  They beat the hell out of Delta which just sucks. But there is a “feel” thats not right. The plane has about 10 or so seat designated “executive class”. Now these cost 3 – 4 times as much and the really aren’t that nice. They do get omelets, (us coach flyers have to buy muffins and nuts.) And there is a curtain, yes a little blue curtain, that separates the “classes”. If there was a revolution, I don’t think the curtain will help the elite much.

Anyway, just an update. I’ve written this on the plane but will post when we land, kinda sucks not being connected. Gotta go, Ajay is snoring.

Your Podcast Bandito
Daryl Cognito

Well that what the widget says as I write this post. 1 day, 13 hours and 56 minutes till Podcasters Across Borders. (AKA Podcasters Against Borders) I am pretty excited not just to meet some of my heroes, but to reconnect with some old friends.

If you’re so inclined you can follow this blog and I will try and post a few updates and pictures as the weekend happens.

The King of Kensington

Headline 1 Headline 2 Headline 3

Special guest voices by Steve and Baby Bex and Kaflooey
This week I talk a little about my Canadian pilgrimage, my journey to discover Canada. Partially inspired by Adam at suburban transpondency
Music, Dear Constable, by Harrisons

Download “Dear Constable” (mp3)
from “No Fighting in the War Room”
by Harrisons
Melodic

• Buy at eMusic
• Buy at Rhapsody
• Stream from Rhapsody

More On This Album

I’ve gotta ask, who’s on you summer play list. is it Kim Mitchell and Cory Hart or someone good like the Clever Bastards or Joel Plasket Emergency Maybe you like the Tragically Hip

Podcast: Play in new window | Download