Something that Happened

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Dear Reader/Listener:

Lest I be judged for it, I inform you now that this web space is a scratch pad, a space for experimentation. Have fun, enjoy, and read much of it, but try not to read too much into it!

--Harold

Want some background music? Please consider tuning in to my Internet radio station VoyagerRadio while you're reading this blog.

Want more blogging fun? You may also be interested in reading my other blog, Transmitting to Earth.

These blogs/sites are also happening:

Joe Frank
Web Feed Central
Anne...Straight from the Hip
Momentshowing
Theory of Everything
Slowmotionlandscape
Netizen News

Something that Happened to your ears (AKA Podcasts, or audio downloads):

"Goodwill Hunting"
"Sampled"
"The Fir Tree, by Hans Christian Andersen
"Sundae Silence"
"iRiver Test"
"Subscription Special"
"From Jay Dedman"
"The Big Sleep"
"Walking Man"
"Resolution"
"It's Gotten Out of Band (Part 3)"
"It's Gotten Out of Band (Part 2)"
"It's Gotten Out of Band (Part 1)"
"Create Your Own Podcast Station"
"Echo"
"Tinkering"
"Explanation/Send Me Audio"
"Neighbors"
"Percentages"
untitled audio post 11/05/04
"Post-Election Blues"
"Audio Commentary (with audio commentary)"
"Open Source Schizo"
"(Somewhat) Traditional Radio Program"
"Not Poor Enough"
"Junk Mail"
"Everybody Has Something to Say About Podcasting"
"Dream Job (Part 2)"
"Dream Job (Part 1)"
"Vent"

Something that Happened in the past (AKA Archive):

12/01/2002 - 12/31/2002 01/01/2003 - 01/31/2003 02/01/2003 - 02/28/2003 04/01/2003 - 04/30/2003 05/01/2003 - 05/31/2003 06/01/2003 - 06/30/2003 07/01/2003 - 07/31/2003 08/01/2003 - 08/31/2003 09/01/2003 - 09/30/2003 10/01/2003 - 10/31/2003 11/01/2003 - 11/30/2003 12/01/2003 - 12/31/2003 01/01/2004 - 01/31/2004 02/01/2004 - 02/29/2004 03/01/2004 - 03/31/2004 04/01/2004 - 04/30/2004 05/01/2004 - 05/31/2004 06/01/2004 - 06/30/2004 07/01/2004 - 07/31/2004 08/01/2004 - 08/31/2004 09/01/2004 - 09/30/2004 10/01/2004 - 10/31/2004 11/01/2004 - 11/30/2004 12/01/2004 - 12/31/2004 01/01/2005 - 01/31/2005

Need more blog? Read Transmitting to Earth, my other blog.

A narrative experiment by Harold J. Johnson, Master Architect of VoyagerRadio and Humble Operator of The Great Glass Elevator (currently out of commission).

Just remember, not everything you read or hear is true. Everything else is - or can be, depending on your perspective.

Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Ever dreamed of owning your own Internet radio station? You can buy one on eBay today. Tombstone Radio plays wrestling theme music 24 hours a day, boasting 700 wrestling themes, "from WWE, WCW, ECW, Indies, NWATNA, Japan, Classic NWA, and others". The starting bid is just $50.00.
3/23/2004 08:09:25 PM

Monday, March 22, 2004
Did you know that an asteroid nearly smashed into Earth in January? I just finished reading a book fictionalizing an event such as this, The Hammer of God, by Arthur C. Clarke. You're probably familiar with the premise, especially after Hollywood's attention to the matter a few years ago in the films Armageddon and Deep Impact: A large object is discovered hurtling toward Earth at a velocity that will assuredly destroy the planet. In Mr. Clarke's narrative, which is set in the future, a group of space explorers attempts to deviate the object's path of destruction through a simple mechanical process: by pushing it. They use a very powerful spacecraft to accomplish this task.

Yet we don't have the powerful spacecraft described in Arthur C.'s book. Not yet, anyway. So what would we do if just such an object were to careen toward our home? NASA's Spaceguard Survey, named after one of Mr. Clarke's concepts, keeps an eye on our solar system, watching for any large object that could be a threat to our planet. Spaceguard, however, simply reports sightings; it doesn't include a plan to actually do anything should we ever find an object on a collision course with our little blue home. In fact, the folks who spotted January's asteroid didn't even know who to contact, which is why those concerned are once again bringing up the issue of what to do when we spot an object hurtling toward Earth. Read more about this issue here, and take a look at an animated image of another asteroid that just missed us last week here. [Thanks to Benefitsblog for telling us about the image.]
3/22/2004 04:04:26 PM

Friday, March 19, 2004
I just received word that VoyagerRadio has been nominated as Best New Station in the Best of Live365 Awards! Finally our little Internet radio station can win some hard-earned recognition--and get the publicity we so desperately need (and can't afford). So if you're a Live365 Preferred Member or a Broadcaster, please consider voting for VoyagerRadio. If you're not a Live365 member yet, free trials are available for both Preferred and Broadcaster memberships. A Preferred Member receives certain benefits that enhance the Live365 listening experience, such as the ability to listen to streaming mp3PRO Internet radio stations with mp3PRO-decoding software. A Broadcaster membership allows you to webcast your very own Internet radio station. Now how about that for a good time?

Try these services today so you'll be able to vote for VoyagerRadio as Best New Station!
3/19/2004 11:45:14 AM

Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Why Not Web Standards?
3/10/2004 08:34:02 AM

Tuesday, March 09, 2004
It's as if summer arrived overnight. About a week ago it was raining as hard as I've ever seen, and now the sun is beckoning--or rather, forcing--me outside. Forcing because it's simply too damn hot to stay indoors.

I've been away from the digital landscape these past few days. I still check in from time to time--I have to, I've got a webcast to monitor, CDs selling on Amazon, and of course the email--but my blogging/browsing/webbing has been minimal. I've felt burnout, and needed a break.

Been reading a good deal, though. I've had a rendezvous with Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke these past few days, and now I'm onto another of Mr. C's famous works, The Hammer of God. I've been on a sci-fi kick ever since I picked up that cheesy space exploration paperback I spotted at the library (which obviously intrigued me enough to continue on my sci-fi trek).

I've also been working on my new website, though not nearly as much as I'd like. Taking what I needed from that guru of web standards, Jeffrey Zeldman, I believe I have the preparation I need to build the next generation of VoyagerRadio.com. I could use all the help I can get, though, especially in the area of Quality Assurance, so as I'm constructing the new site I'll probably make a plea from time to time asking you to visit the work in progress to try it out for size. I'm looking for any usability issues; when you find some, please let me know about them so I can make them go away.

Enjoy the day!
3/9/2004 09:50:25 AM

Wednesday, March 03, 2004
The President of the United States just drove past me.

Now this may be an everyday occurrence for you Washingtonians, but for someone who's lived his entire life in Los Angeles, an event like this raises the pulse for a moment. Especially when it happens unexpectedly.

I was walking home and noticed several California Highway Patrol motorcycles parked at regular intervals every half-block or so. Soon enough, I heard the familiar sound of a siren chirp as an officer pulled to a stop at a nearby intersection, soon followed by a rapid procession of LAPD patrol cars, CHP motorcycles, and Hummer-like vehicles--and, of course, a few limos waving flags.

I don't know which vehicle the Prez was in, but I couldn't help but smile a goofy grin as I watched the motorcade zoom by. It's not every day that the President joins you on your journey home.
3/3/2004 09:27:01 PM

Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Twelve linked urban tribes constructing accessible web sites. These are my current consumptions, preventing me from writing anything useful here, except for the links to these books.
3/2/2004 08:50:17 AM