WeatherGirl’s Station

A new UMM school year is well on its way and we are once again broadcasting our version of a college radio show under the Unhindered By Talent banner on KUMM. Please note that we are on two hours later than in past years. We switched because the 2pm-4pm slot sort of hamstringed us for getting stuff done. Hopefully the later start will help us get a few more things done.

Current temperature 57F/14C

In January 2005 I recommended a story, Cold Blood, that aired in five parts on BBC7. You can read my original article here.

Well it’s available again on the Beeb’s Listen Again facility. Check out the audio while you can here. Part one will cycle off the list on Monday as programs are only available for seven days.

Many thants to Brotzie for the heads up.

I was startled to hear the news reports yesterday that Linda Smith had died. She was way to young and I shall miss the insightful way she talked about the world in which we live.

You’re probably thinking, who the heck is Linda Smith? Well, she was one of the funniest people in the universe. So amusing, in fact that she was voted the wittiest person by Radio 4 listeners in 2002. She’s one of the few comedians who would make me laugh so hard I cried. If you check out the BBC7 web site for past editions of The News Quiz, Just a Minute and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue perhaps you’ll get to hear her too.

Listen live this Friday at 12.30pm CST to BBC Radio 4 and you’ll hear a special tribute version of the News Quiz. If you can’t listen then it’ll be available via the Beeb’s listen again service after the Saturday repeat at 6.30am CST.

Current temperature 36F/2C.

As I type this we are live on KUMM. Just Sub-Evil Boy and I, Phi has gone off to DC for conference fun and hi-jinks. Come join us, listen live on the web by clicking on the link at at the top of the page.

We’re having a fine old time. Party!!!!

Current temperature 79F/26C

I’ve been getting a huge Homer fix recently.

The Junior High production of The Odyssey was quite an achievment. The cast really worked hard to bring this story to life and some of the kids are already showing much talent and perception. All but three of the cast were female and this led to some interesting takes on the many male characters they played. Cool set design and a great adaptation by Jeremy Hanson.

BBC7 broadcast a series of three 90 minute plays that told the story of Troy. From the circumstances of the birth of Paris until the aftermath of the fall of Troy these productions were absolutely brilliant. The scripts were beautifully constructed and the voices utilised drew amazing pictures. I was spellbound.

Brad Pitt’s Troy released on dvd. Pure trash and a serious case of story abuse but I must say the one on one Achilles fight scenes were incredible and definitely worth the price of admission. Nice to see Sean Bean (Odysseus) play a good guy in a big budget movie for once.

Must say this gave me a yen to actually go read Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey.

Current Temperature 66F/19C

With the new semester we are back on air with live shows on KUMM 89.7 FM and not just the loop. Our show, Unhindered by Talent, naturally, is Sundays from 2pm till 4pm. (That’s Central Standard Time, we’re 6 hours behind the UK.) Our show is pretty eclectic, given the range of our tastes, so you never know what might be broadcast. Phi has our playlists up somewhere, perhaps he’ll post the link here so you can check them out for yourselves. For many years our signal merely reached the cows in Cyrus but now you can listen on-line. One day, when the FCC pulls its finger out, the Tower Project will happen and the cows in Starbuck will join the audience. Go here to get the skinney.

Current temperature 23F/-5C (windchill 8F/-13C)

This is a really cool serial on the BBC’s Radio 7 written by Simon Bovey (sp?) . With flavours of both The Thing and The X Files it is proving very creepy and quite addictive. I’ve listened to 3 of 5 parts so far and am relishing finding out how it all ends. Unfortunately I’m listening to it on their Listen Again feature and parts 1 and 2 have already cycled off the page so I can’t hook you up. I’m sure it’ll show up again so it might be worth keeping an eye on their site.

BBC Radio 7 can be found here. There are lots of great dramas, mysteries, Sci Fi, etc.

Current temperature 36F/2C (windchill 24F/-5C)

Pick of the Week on the Beeb’s Radio 4. (Sundays 12.15pm CST) It’s essentially a clip show but since it is sampling of the Beeb’s output for the last week it is well worth listening to. If any of the clips spark your interest it’s worth checking the various Listen Again pages to listen to the complete show. You’ll find the Beeb’s radio output here. There’s much to enjoy and the news reporting is top notch!

Current temperature 18F/-8C