Wow, what a crazy week it’s been. GuildCast is ending next week, so I’ve been making some preparations for that. The final episode is written and now it’s all up to recording, editing and releasing. Plus, this last weekend was the GuildCast Grand Finale Event ™ held during ConNooga in Chattanooga, TN.

The convention itself wasn’t much to gawk at right away. We got there like RIGHT WHEN THEY OPENED at noon on Friday and it was D to the EAD. But to be fair, this was the first day of the first year of this con. I’m sure it will only get better.

We walked around a bit, mainly looking for other people, but also to get a feel for the event’s layout in case a mad rush of people suddenly stormed in, throwing off our equilibrium completely.

Well, that never happened, but it was at least making fun of the fact that it was not an amazing time.

The next day, on Saturday, we got in around noon as well and there were considerably more people there. Still not to the level of PAX or E3, but it was a nice-sized turnout. Saturday made it all worth it, definitely.

I placed my assortment of podcast stickers and flyers out on our “Fan group table” and we were off to see the rest of the con. To me, anywhere where there’s live music that’s halfway decent is an automatic good time. Extra points if they play 80’s music and dress in silly costumes. So when we saw Radio Cult I was thoroughly entertained. Sarah thinks it’s because of the bubbly (i.e. completely insane) lead singer chick, but they were all very talented. I did make a suggestion (to Sarah) that they change the name of their group to Attention Whore. What? Seriously, that’d be an awesome band name.

Afterwards, a few of us got together at the hotel bar and drank the evening away. It’s always fun to be the sober one in a group of drunk people while they tell you how they REALLY feel about you and your podcast, including what other people have told them. Yes. Fun.

On Sunday we had to get to the convention center at 10 because apparently I was speaking at a Podcasting Panel. Boy am I sure glad I got there with about 5 hours of sleep under my belt, because it would have been a shame for those 2 people to miss my infinite wisdom on podcasting. Pedantics aside, if those guys actually make a podcast and were inspired by something I (or the other podcasters on the panel) said, then it was seriously worth it. I wish them the best of luck.

The weekend wound down and we all decided it wasn’t so bad afterall. Granted, the most fun we had was outside of the con, with just a few of us hanging out together doing the hokey Chattanooga touristy stuff, but it was worth it.

Now, I have my sites set on PAX 08. If it’s even half as fun as it was last year, I’ll be there in a heartbeat, but the way that event has been growing each year, I imagine it will be even larger and more fun this year than last.

For the remainder of the week, I’ve spent every day so far doing an interview with someone new from the Tabula Rasa Community. Last night John and I interviewed Tia, the European Community Coordinator for NCSoft. That was really a blast and I’m so glad she agreed to do that with us. All day at work today I’m thinking about how much I want to go home and edit that thing. Stupid work getting in the way of the important stuff!

One of the beautiful things about having my own personal blog is I can write about whatevertheheck I want. Since I have other outlets of creativity and expression, this personal blog is more for me, and I’m truly not concerned about how many people read this (tell your friends!1).

So for this reason, here I can talk about touchy subjects, or “political” issues. One that is prominent in my life, is the state of our meals these days. I may get more into this topic in another post, but for now, let’s just say I’m not a big fan of the McDonaldizing of our planet. How ironic since I just talked about how I would steal ketchup and napkins from McDonalds, right? Well, that was many years ago. Read on

I’m against several things here: the mistreatment of animals for our consumption, the hormones used to create fatter, faster-growing animals for the sake of profit, and the insane misconception that we all need 86753876 grams of protein and 287623876 grams of fat in our diet every day to be “healthy”.

I’ve only recently really been made aware of all of this, but I think I’m now interested in taking things to the next step.

About 2 years ago I really started getting anti-processed foods and hormones in food. Then, while doing more research, I started to realize just what is actually put into the food that we consider basic nourishment. It’s really frightening. So from that point I stopped eating “as much” red meat, and only ate “organic” or “free-range” meat. Well, thats one of the biggest consumer jokes of our time. In about 5-10 years from now, we’ll look back at this free range and organic craze and laugh at how stupid we were.

For a year I raised my own chickens and slaughtered those chickens for my consumption. I don’t have much more to say about this other than killing an animal in any regard is no fun. And it certainly didn’t make me want to eat it later.

The fact is, the creation of animals and the slaughter of those animals for the sole purpose of providing this delusionary onslaught of protein that we’re all supposed to consume daily, is not only ruining our collective health, but it has made our healthcare system completely defunct, it is destroying our environment and use of land, and creating a generation of obese children.

Sure this is a lot to take in, and sounds a bit paranoid or conspiricy theorist, I understand that. But that’s kinda the point. We’re raised to identify Ronald McDonald over the current president. Or think that milk really does a body good. Guess what. Calcium is a mineral that comes from the grass that cows eat, not somewhere magically inside of them.

So in a natural progression, I’ve gone from 2 Big Macs a day to no red meat and only ‘organic’, to vegetarian, and now I’m looking veganism right in the eye. The only thing stopping me from giving up all animal products? Cheese. Hey, I never said I was perfect

But the point here is even if I never did give up cheese, or leather shoes, or wool sweaters, or anything crazy like that, I’m making steps in the right direction. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

If you’re interested in learning more about anything I’ve mentioned here, check out this video, and the podcast Food For Thought. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is militant about what she believes in, and I love her for it.

Last night I released the first teaser trailer for my new podcast novel due out this March 1st. Strangely enough, I haven’t announced the release of the trailer on any of my podcasts yet. Heck, I haven’t announced this blog on any of my podcasts yet, either. In due time though, I will.

I’m especially excited about what the future has in store for my first podcast novel. I’m excited about the feedback I may get (good or bad) and generally how people like it. Since I have several ideas for more podcast novels, or even traditional print novels, I’m eager to discover the potential for a fanbase.

Head on over to the book’s website to listen to the first teaser trailer. Plus, stay tuned for another teaser trailer coming soon, and the first real installment of Eve of Adam to be released on March 1st.

Go away pervs, I’m not really a 14 year old girl, but I feel like it sometimes with my current music tastes.

I’ve always had this preference for female singing voices, but lately I find myself downloading (yes, legally) Top 40 “pop” songs like Colbie Caillat’s Bubbly, Sara Bareilles’ Love Song and Pink’s Who Knew. I’ve always been a closet fan of Pink (or, as she’s known now… P!nk…), but now I’m actually purchasing her albums.

/sigh

This coming from a guy who listened to Slayer and Death in High School.

I also saw the new Hannah Montana 3D movie this weekend (with my daughters…) and I actually enjoyed it. The 3D technology sure has come a long way since it’s previous popularity in the mid 80’s. Jaws 3D anyone?

Although I think HM has a great voice and a real knack for the stage, I predict a burn-out in about a year, followed by a hiatus and a come-back tour in about 5 years. I don’t think she’ll ever follow the path of Britney Spears though, because her dad seems like a good father and a good role model who’s downhome parenting set a solid foundation for HM to take fame with stride.

Yes, these are the things I thought about while sitting in the theater. Well, that and “Omg, were those tickets seriously $18 a piece? Did I seriously just pay that?”