Thursday, June 25, 2026

Preparing for a Podcast about Podcasting

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The reflexive genre… Juliet: Ha. A podcast about podcasting. Sort of self-referential, eh. OK. I was a talk-show producer at a radio statio...
Saturday, June 20, 2026

Hokusai to Hara: Ukiyo-e to Anime

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Looking back… Anton: I came to study woodblock prints and thought I’d do my research in a museum. But one contact led to another and I ende...
Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Veronica Swift: Home is an extension of oneself

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After the concert… Beatrice: Really enjoyed it.  Your voice, your onstage energy, and the threading stories between songs. Veronica: Thank...
Saturday, June 13, 2026

"Rules are rules" vs "Rules were made to be broken"

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At the station binpoint… Ken: The plastic wrapper… it should go in a bin for plastics. Joe: A bin for plastics? None here. Just this regul...
Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Blacksmithing

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Meeting again… Hiroshi: You were the one who always wanted a stable office job. Ryū: Well, here it ’ s hot flames and cool water, steel gl...
Monday, June 1, 2026

White Air Fried Rabbits

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WHITE RABBIT, WHITE RABBIT, WHITE RABBIT. Whoa! Mrs Rabbit using an air fryer to hair dry her three wet rabbits? Dangerous.  She claims her ...
Tuesday, May 26, 2026

You can never go back (2)

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Conversation continued… Antonio: I always thought “Forget us and don’t come and see me” was cruel. Like he was pushing Toto away. Mariella:...
Friday, May 22, 2026

Hamnet and the Sorrow of Loss

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Personal reflections after a film… Jessie: Losing a son at thirteen… it’s a devastation that never fully settles. Watching Agnes lose Hamne...
Saturday, May 16, 2026

You can never go back (1)

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Flickers of fading firelight… Antonio: I keep thinking I ought to do something with what’s left of my life. Leave something behind. Not ju...
Monday, May 11, 2026

Multicultural Aussie Neighborhood

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Chance meeting on the street… Ray:  Morning. You’re our neighbor in number 30, right? Isamu : Yes. Nice to meet you. At last.  We travel a l...
Thursday, May 7, 2026

Is 2026 like 1929?

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AI predictions are becoming worrying reads… Suzanne:  Ten years ago, “AI risk” meant robots taking jobs. Now it’s… everything.  Phillip:  Ri...
Friday, May 1, 2026

Rabbits out of a Hat

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Rabbits out of a hat for May, a riff on Leonard Cohen as hatted magician while singing Hallelujah in his 2008 London concert. Lots of luck f...
Saturday, April 25, 2026

Horse to Harlequin 2

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  A deepening rebellion… René:  But after turning forty-five last year, Giles changed. It was abrupt. He lost his engineering job. Now he ha...
Friday, April 24, 2026

Horse to Harlequin 1

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Seeking counsel… René:  As a kid, Giles, strong as a horse he was. Interested in everything from engines to pianos. But now at 45, he’s chan...
Tuesday, April 14, 2026

REMS vs Deep Sleep

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Interpreting sleep report data… Aurora:  What does REM mean? Giulia:  Stands for rapid eye movement. Aurora:  Anything special about it? Giu...
Thursday, April 9, 2026

Snags for Chatbots Keeping Appointments (see Part 1, 23 March 2026)

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Erica joins the conversation… Erica:  I often start with "How's your day shaping up?" It invites personal sharing, and keeps c...
Sunday, April 5, 2026

Zine Fair Planning

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End of semester grading looms… Geoff:  Instead of a final essay, to avoid AI-written submissions, I’m having my students create zines. Nancy...
Wednesday, April 1, 2026

White Boneless Rabbit

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Featured this month are three washed white rabbits to wish you luck during April. Boneless they may be, but there is a captivating look abou...
Monday, March 23, 2026

Conversational Closures of Chatbots (1)

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Psychologist meets linguist… Karl : Closings, yes. Many clients say they feel awkward ending conversations. They fear seeming rude. Eveline ...
Thursday, March 19, 2026

From Chippie to Nailist

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Leckie tradie commiserates with chippie tradie… Woodi : You won’t believe it, my best apprentice just quit. Sparky : Quit? What happened? To...