Someone e-mailed me to ask two questions re: podcasting, so I thought I’d answer them here before addressing Mr. Mandel’s concerns about my Wee.
Why haven’t you made another podcast yet?
Straightforward answer:a tiny case of trismus. Nothing too rough, but annoying jaw pain/restriction, even very slight, doesn’t make you want to sit down and record audio. Give me a couple days and I’ll have one up.
What do you use to record it?
The Samson C03U USB microphone. It’s awesome, studio-quality sound for under $100. Good sound can come from cheaper devices, no doubt - and some people prefer headsets instead of desktop mics - but this thing is a beast. Plug it in and you’re ready to go.
Don’t bother saving the $20 and going for Samson’s C01U. The C03U has cardioid, omni, and figure-8 pickup patterns, which means you can pop it pretty much anywhere [including in the middle of a group] and it will grab the sound evenly. With the C01U you’ve got to be more concerned about mic placement and the direction in which you’re speaking.
For software, I use Audacity because it’s free, easy to use, meets my needs and has a pretty sweet wiki for questions and support.
My relationship with one Mr. Paul Mandel from the Irvington Union Free School District is not a strong one. After all, how close can two people be when communication goes only one way and when the other party never responds to or even acknowledges the receipt of that communication?
He’s bad to me, he really is. I should heed all those country songs I listen to and up and leave the guy.
But, like in about half of those songs, I just can’t.
He’s starting to make me a bit uncomfortable, though. In the periodical comedy of errors called “This Week in Your School District” [it's not actually mine, by the way, I live properly Upstate], he had the unmitigated gall to ask, it seems, about my urinary habits.
Listen, Paul - I’m fine with disclosing a minor, temporary jaw affliction. I’m not that shy. This wish of yours, however, made me feel slightly uncomfortable, and I marked your offending phrase with a red dot. [scroll below the photo for my secret!]
Ok, so… you win. I had a great one today. What’s my secret? A tasty, off-and-on tandem of creme brulee and orange Gatorade. I can’t be sure that it works for everyone - I’m sure even bladders have multiple intelligences - but it’s quite effective for me.
Please, get someone to edit these things for you. It’s embarrassing - and doubly so because it’s communication coming from a school district. If you and the Board would like to continue to show contempt for the taxpayers of greater New York State, that’s certainly your right. I’ll continue to weigh in on your characterization of taxpayers and the source of state aid until you change your position.
But the chronic mistakes in your mailings? C’mon. Meet me halfway here. It’s about baby steps, Mr. Mandel. Take one.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
JD 05.20.08 at 10:03 am
I’m more interested in having a great Wii…