My Most Recent Radio Appearance

Enjoy!

Net Neutrality and Donna Noble - In the Same Week

Here are two - count them, two - opportunities to catch me live and in person. (Actually, one's in person - one is on terrestrial radio).

First, you've already read about this in Chicago Now's One Cause At A Time, but this Monday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm I will be making an appearance on Radio Islam on WCEV (1450 AM). We'll be discussing Net Neutrality - obviously, that's a topic near and dear to my heart (if you're following me on Twitter and Facebook), and I'm always happy to advocate for a great cause. (Head to the WCEV site and you can listen via streaming audio) I must admit that I feel like I did back in my St.  Louis community organizer days....and that's not a bad thing. (At the very least, it reminds me of when I discussed Star Trek on WBEZ. Twice in the same year.) I'm dusting off my old media relations materials, taking time to remind myself of the issues, and preparing for a great conversation.

The second one is this Wednesday at Third Coast Comics, where I'll be holding the Christmas with Donna Noble screening for Chicago Doctor Who Meetup. It's good to stay in the fan organizing game...especially since I stepped down from Chicago TARDIS as auction director. (My reasons are a story for another time). Thankfully, although the holidays look bleak....I have some social outlets. (Especially since after the holiday, I'm running a social event before we see the Doctor Who Christmas special on the big screen).

So if you want to see or hear me....now, you have several opportunities.

What Evil Lurks: Rediscovering the Pulp SHADOW

It's all Barry Reese's fault.

I've been listening quite a bit to his Shadow Fan podcast, focusing on the best known pulp character - possibly, one of the first true multimedia characters....and have been reacquainting myself on pulp reprints of The Shadow.

Now, in all honesty, I know the Shadow mostly through the old radio series - guns a-blazing, discovering all sorts of mystery and intrigue, almost like a traditional superhero. But the pulp Shadow? Knight and day.

The pulp Shadow is more....well, he's more Jim Phelps than Bruce Wayne - organizing a group of operatives who do most of the ground work, and then the Shadow comes out at the end to make sure that the fruit of the weed of crime is most bitter.

(Some of you will take exception to what I have just said - I'm new to the pulp Shadow. Don't judge me)

But the Shadow in pulp form is a wonder to behold....and easily available for purchase.

Trust me, it's a way to learn about the history of pop culture....and gain a different perspective on a well-known character.

The Continuing Story of Harry Lime

One of the benefits of being a proofreader for Radio Archives' pulp reprints is that I essentially get gift certificates in exchange....which allows me to purchase several of their fine products, including pulp ebooks and audiobooks.

One of which is the sublime Lives of Harry Lime radio show, based on a character from one of my absolute favorite films. These shows are so good, I would actually spend my own money to purchase all four volumes.

Admittedly, this series serves as a "prequel" to The Third Man; however, unlike some other prequel series currently running, there's no awkward foreshadowing or even "spot the reference". The Lives of Harry Lime features the character entering into adventures of mystery and intrigue in a variety of exotic locations.

It also helps that this set features the radio work of Orson Welles - even without elements of the fantastic (such as a Martian Invasion or a slouch-hatted, pistol-wielding alter ego), Welles' ability to suggest a variety of moods in dialogue is near musical in its ability. These are really solidly written, well enacted dramas that provide a pretty cool atmosphere.

(Yes, I know you can download these for free elsewhere, but the remastering that Radio Archives has done is simply gorgeous. Even if I didn't have a "business" relationship with them, I would still promote the heck out of these shows. And no, I get nothing if you order these shows other than the satisfaction of knowing that something cool is being enjoyed by others.

Besides, if you want more affiliate-oriented action, come back in 24 hours. I won't disappoint).