AmeriNZ 11 – I’m still here

Episode 11 is now available. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

This is a short episode, because I’m running out of bandwidth (resets around the 23rd), and also because I’m talking about the sudden death of our dog this past Friday. I explain how Saibh (rhymes with “five”) fit into our lives, and some of what she meant to us. In some ways we’ve been through this before, but this feels more intense. We’re trying to adjust.

The paraphrase I read from November 1998:

What is it about these small, furry animals that they become such an integral part of our lives that we feel their deaths as keenly as if they were human? Some people—including many at work, no doubt—would say it’s just because they’re obviously part of daily routines and rituals. If that’s all it was, we’d miss a toaster when it failed. Anyone who’s ever had a pet knows that they’re so much more than an animal sharing a living space and daily routine. They’re as much a part of us, “as if they were human”.


To avoid ending on a down note, there’s a competition for Kiwi shoe polish that will give away a trip for two to New Zealand. You can enter here.

At right is the album art that was supposed to accompany this podcast (I didn’t realise that podomatic overrides other settings).

Please leave a comment, or send an email to me at amerinz[at]yahoo.com


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AmeriNZ 10 – Civil Unions and Stuff

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgEpisode 10 is now available—it’s just me this time. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

New Zealand civil unions are marriages in all but name. All marriages and civil unions are basically property contracts. But the protections are important. Married/civil unioned couples in New Zealand don’t file joint tax returns. Wage and salary earners don’t need to file tax returns. Taxes pay for nearly everything—including health. Property taxes, called rates, pay mostly for local amenities and infrastructure maintenance. Comments are commented on, and a short review of my weekend. Please leave a comment, or send an email to amerinz[at]yahoo.com.


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AmeriNZ 9 – Loose Ends

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgEpisode 9 is now available. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

This week, I tie up some loose ends left hanging from Tuesday’s show, and Ramble Redhead’s show, too. You’ll learn some more about me, how I think and how I am. I’m honest about how I feel about several things, all of which lays the groundwork for future episodes. Original shownotes and comments at amerinz.blogspot.com, or send an email to amerinz@yahoo.com.

Special mention in this episode:

Nik-in-Paris

iSay iSay iSay

And comments and Frappr Mapprs.


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AmeriNZ 8 – Talk with Archerr

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgEpisode 8 is now available, another talk episode. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

Shocking revelation in this episode!

I took a break from work to talk with Archerr of ArcherRadio.com, one of my must-listen-to podcasters. Despite my having had too much caffeine, we talked of many things: Music—80s music in particular (apologies to Tim Corrimal for getting his past guests mixed up), where Auckland is, north and south in the mind’s eye, names for the voices for in-car GPS systems. Driving on the other side of the road. Talking to the past and the future. Why no photo of Arthur on the blog? Arthur reveals some shocking information—well, it surprises Archerr, at least. Frappr comes up, as does blog posting and stuff beyond podcasting. Tech talk about digital video and still cameras (when I talk about tape, I mean analog, btw).

Also, be sure to check out my two-part guest spot on Ramble Redhead’s podcast.


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AmeriNZ 7 – Secrets

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgEpisode 7 is now available. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog, or on my MySpace page.

There are some things that bloggers and podcasters don’t, or shouldn’t, reveal. Many don’t use their real names (I do), and many use a nickname (well, I do that, too). I won’t talk specifics about how I make money, but there are other things to say about it.

Neil Finn is a doofus. The American Ambassador says interesting things. Comments galore (I loves me my comments!). New Frappr Mappers! I’ve added a link on my blog to Amazon to make it easier for my American friends to buy books I mention or recommend. If you buy a book through the link on my site, I might even make a coin or two out of it.

Finally, a mashup—the first mashup I’ve made (I call it ArcherRadio vs. OMD). Yeah, I know that these things are usually done to a dance music beat, but hey, can you imagine anything but 80s music for Archerr?

Mentioned this week:

QCast Connecticut

Nik-in-Paris wedding episode

Podcastsoup.net

Also, if you haven’t done so yet, check out Kalvin at Hello Waffles. I kid around, but he really is one of my “most favourite” podcasters.

Next podcast is on Tuesday New Zealand time.


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AmeriNZ 6 – Arthur meets Adam

aEpisode 6 is now available, a talk episode. You can also listen to it through the player on the right hand side of my blog.

This week, I talk with Adam of This Boy Elroy. Adam’s podcast was one the first of its type I listened to, and it was an inspiration for my own. I also found other podcasts and blogs through Adam’s site.

Don’t talk about religion or politics?! What else could a couple proud liberals talk about? Well, there’s plastic grocery bags, JoeMyGod, Australia and much more. Is America doing penance? Is American democracy doomed? A frank and opinionated conversation—as you’d expect. We had some Skype problems that I tried to edit out, and my sound levels drop toward the end for some reason.

You can see the This Boy Elroy video I mentioned here.


I’ll post my next regular podcast on Friday New Zealand time.


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AmeriNZ 5 – The Lands Downunder

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgEpisode five of my podcast is now available. You can also listen to it on my MySpace page

This week I talk about New Zealand as it relates to Australia. This was motivated, in part, by Anzac Day bloggage.

Australia and New Zealand are very different from one another. Some people want a common currency, others want total union. Neither is going to happen. I follow up on that survey about gay neighbours, and I’m even more suspicious of the numbers. JoeMyGod responds to my comment. Can’t avoid mentioning racism.

Australian dubbing of TV commercials is goofy.

There are some changes in my life ahead, which don’t really affect this podcast. But should I add another show?

Mentioned on this show:

Slap Upside the Head story on gay neighbours

The National Post article

Joe.My.God. post on gay neighbours

Real Men Wear Pink

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AmeriNZ 4 – Poppy Day

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgIt’s Poppy Day in New Zealand in preparation for Anzac Day. I talk about both and other things, like more on language, some “shout outs”, and heating homes in New Zealand. I did a pre-recorded thing about ANZAC Day at end, and the sound is a bit wonky. I’ll get better.

Mentioned on this show:

Tim Corrimal of Go Rainbow Radio and There Are Some Who Call Me Tim

Mike Hipp of PodcastSoup.net

JayT of JayT Online

Slap Upside the Head

Archerr of ArcherRadio.com

Article on gay neighbours

17 degrees Celsius = 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit

Official Anzac Day site

NZ History Online information on Anzac Day

Update: I’m on Archerr’s ArcherRadio #435, which you can get to by clicking here.


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AmeriNZ 3 – Gay in New Zealand

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgWhat’s it like being gay in New Zealand? How do New Zealanders treat gay people? This episode I talk about both. Please leave a comment—anonymous comments are fine, if you want.

This episode, like last week, was a bit rushed (relatives were about to arrive). Sometimes, life happens. Apologies, too, for getting the show notes up so late; Blogger was down (again) when I was ready to post.

Music: Love Who You Are (Radio Edit) HERO (c) 2000 Universal Music NZ Ltd.

Some relevant links from this episode:

HERO

Rainbow Labour (GLBT caucus of Labour Party MPs)

ArcherRadio. I was on the group show again this week. Just between us, I love taking part in the group shows. Listen to Archerr’s show, then please leave a comment on Archerr’s site.


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AmeriNZ 2 – Two too

AmeriNZ_Podcast_150x150.jpgThanks to everyone who downloaded my first podcast—I really appreciate it! Special thanks to those of you who gave me feedback, either through comments here or by email.

This week, it’s a holiday-cast, recorded on a public holiday. The Easter holidays are way different in New Zealand. Shop trading hours are a major one.

Breakfast interview with Ali Clarke, author of Holiday Seasons: Christmas, New Year and Easter in Nineteenth Century New Zealand (Auckland University Press, ISBN 9781869403829). Waikato Times review of the book.

I talk about things that Americans notice, along with some language differences. Do I have an accent? “How to Speak Kiwi” from Kia Ora… Bitches!, the blog of another expat American.

New Zealand National Anthem info is here. My first podcast show notes are here.

A big thank you to these people who’ve been particularly encouraging and supportive:

Kalvin of Hello Waffles (the midwife to my podcast)

Archerr of ArcherRadio.com

Mike Hipp of PodcastSoup.net

JayT of JayT Online and Real Men Wear Pink

Tim Corrimal of Go Rainbow Radio and There Are Some Who Call Me Tim

Andrew of iSay iSay iSay


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