Another Fridaycast, as is becoming our custom. Isabelle ahs a student intern working with her, which is pretty great. Both parties are getting something out of it, which is how such things shoudl work. I am marking. I am literally marking right now, just waiting for a file to load. We got a new tentative agreement, let’s see if it is accepted. (Probably wil be). Did I mention that I am marking? There’s like no snow. but everything is fine….

Now that’s a title. Friday again. It’s weirdly warm, but no, it’s fine… We stopped off at Isabelle’s studio, you’ll hear some of that. Something good happened at work, can’t tell you what it is yet. Term is getting more easy to deal with. The city is trying to do some good things for Francophones, which is good.

Friday shopping? Again?! Well let’s see if I get this posted before Saturday. Work has been, interesting, let’s go with that. Isabelle has, as usual, a metric tonne of art stuff going on. Today will be super busy. There is a car parked in a field. By itself. Without any tire tracks. It’s -20.

I’m extremely proud of this title. Isabelle has sent her artwork to Sudbury to be shown, and it made it. Isabelle makes plastic. Seriously. Hopefully next week will be less hectic at work. I ran into my friend Brandon. There was nobody at the grocery store, we were supposed to have a big storm, hasn’t happened. I’ve added more stuff to my Plex servicer.

Back to Saturday. We had a freezing drizzle warning over night, so there was a lot of ice to scrape off of the car. The term starts Monday, I’m pretty much ready. Isabelle as usual has a lot of cool stuff on the go. Jon is also ready for the term. The Fringe is a big world wide thing.

Another Friday one, back to the regular schedule next week. Not super busy. It’s sunny and below freezing. It has been warm. We have no snow. We’ve been watching Twin Peaks. It holds up.

Hey it’s our last one before Christmas! It was, as you can see in the accompanying pic, not great. It wasn’t that bad either though. It’s unseasonably warm, and it is supposed to rain on Christmas. We’ve had the odd brown Christmas before. From us to you, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Weird week, heavy snow, then melting. It’s getting closer to Christmas! I bought the Meli Melo stuff. Isabelle is watching NYPD Blue. Lots of stuff changes throughout the show. She’s also making ink. I have a few things to do before taking a break. Cashed in my PC points this week.

So that was a fun week. On Saturday I found out I had COVID. Well, I’m all up to date on my vaccines etc so I was ok, though a couple of the days were very unpleasant. That said, I’m good now,, but boy did shopping tire me out. Isabelle always has stuff on the go. I got our turkey. Nice day today. Isabelle is looking for new traditions.

It’s Canadian National Day of Podcasting. An ‘even’t dreamed up by some people or something. Anyway, it is a time when you can hear, on Dec 1, a bunch of great indie podcasts. And this one… Oh we’re a day early, hopefully this will. not mess up Rob Lee’s schedule… I’ll be involved in six shows today, which is. one. shy of my record. Isabelle is making cool ornaments, you can hear about them in the episode, and, see one in the accompanying picture. THE TERM IS NEARLY OVER! As. such, it would be nice if the. printers at work, you know, worked. As usual, there’s a lot. of. art stuff coming from Isa.

This episode has nothing to do with puppets, but it’s a good title. We’re off to a thing tonight, so we needed wine, hence the LCBO stop. Isabelle is building a thing out of giant Mecano. The term is almost over. The. Alouettes won the Grey Cup. There is less of a connection with sports heroes than there used to be.

Se today it is a short one. Isabelle had a thing in the morning, so I took the bus to the store and Isabelle picked me up. The thing was an open house at her studio and others. I’ve got a lot coming up this week, tests and essays to mark. I thought I was going to miss my bus, but then I didn’t. Oh this was recorded Saturday, but released on Sunday.

It’s November. It’s not super nasty out, so any decent day is a win. Isabelle has been super busy arting. I’m in that sort of calm before the storm part of the term. Isabelle managed to buy clothes at the store in the time between me getting to the checkout and paying. It was impressive. We might be buying a fake Christmas tree, which will end our Christmas tree episodes….

We had a big trip this week. Not to bury the lede, but there are now two Dr.s Brodbeck in the family. Our drive was eventful. On the way home we ate Chinese food in a gas station parking lot. We’re very proud of Maddie. We’re very proud of Jon too, he was great at home giving out candy and all of that. As usual Isabelle has art stuff coming up and I have teaching stuff.

Is that the title of a Star Trek Episode? I know there’s a Tomorrow is Yesterday and All our Yesterdays. The title refers to the fact that we recorded this on Friday, but I’m putting it out on Saturday. I’m writing this on Saturday, but we recoded this yesterday, so I can’t remember everything we talked about. I know we talked about a couple of tragedies that have happened recently. We also talked about Maddie’s upcoming PhD defence. Friday shopping, might be ok. Oh you might hear a little Jon in the background

Let’s start off by saying that Isabelle got a big award this week! You can hear her acceptance speech in this episode. It was nice that people from the U, including the president, were there. It’s hard being a one person anything. A little cool today.

Nice day today, 8C, clear, though windy. Isabelle’s hair makes punctuation. Isabelle got some arm warmers which, I didn’t know were a thing. Not too busy today, I guess everyone was burnt out from thanksgiving or something.. We had friends over! Oh and some really bad stuff happened to our neighbours. We’re thinking of them.

Maybe this should have been last week’s title. Also, this is likely the earliest in an episode where we have come up with a title. OK, the heat wave is over, it is 9 degrees out. Also it is grey. I think I may take my bike in. Isabelle didn’t get a grant, ahh well, can’t win ‘em all, but it’s nice if you can. It’s the break week!

Relatively quiet week. It’s still sorta warm, it’s weird. Rainy though a bit. There’s a test in one of my classes next week. Jon is still doing great in my class. We went to a dinner, it was fun, until the line dancing started. Event planning is not a one person job.

Isabelle is back from her trip to Ottawa. Jon and I had a good week while she was away. It’s super warm out. Isabelle met a Senator. We’re going to a Franco thing tomorrow. Not Francisco Franco you idiots…

We went early this week, Isabelle has a thing at noon. So it’s the first week, well the first real week of the term. It’s fine, everything is fine… Isabelle was on tv this week! Jon seems to be enjoying my classes. Nice day today, might get a ride in. It’s been decent out all week really.

It’s quite nice out. It’s the first week of school. So I had classes. Jon came. Isabelle has been painting. Doors. In hour house. Something happened before we started recording and we aren’t telling you about it. I got one of my two favourite cashiers. The air conditioners are coming out, Jon is not too please about that, but you can’t have them in forever.

I know I typed something into the Backpack studio notes, alas, I have nothing. It’s the last long weekend of the summer. Because of that, it was a bit nuts at the store. I ran into Brandon, a colleague in biology. Isabelle is setting up an exhibition today. There will be an art talk next week, here is a link to Isa’s micro gallery’s instagram page. It’s going to get warm, I think I’ll watch Baa Baa Black Sheep and take notes while raging out in the backyard.

Nice day today, somewhat cooler, fall is coming. We went to a wedding. They had a cool ‘giveaway’ thing. This, as with the tea ceremony from June, should be added to all weddings. Isabelle has two short films in a film festival in Toronto! Isabelle has been making ink. Yo, Anglo media, she’s right here…

Nice day today. You might say it’s a nice day for a …… It’s been super windy, so much so that I haven’t ridden my bike. Oh and I broke a spoke this week. We’re off to Sean and Ray’s wedding today. I can’t remember the last complete wedding thing I went to. Isabelle went to a pretty cool art show last night.

The weather is a bit gross, but, we had fun. I needed new bike tires (photo attached). ISABELLE GOT A GIANT GRANT!! Congratulations to her. She will do some great things with the support. Isabelle also made a song for today. Plus we needed gas, which I know you all find quite exciting.

Jon came with us today to buy some clothes. He didn’t say much. Isabelle went to a drawing club. There was pizza at the drawing club that is pretty great. Store was a bit nuts, as it is a long weekend. I believe civic holiday is the day we celebrate the Honda Civic. Really nice day today.

Holy crap we’ve done 500 of these things! We just got back from MMPR 23. Isabelle saw some great art stuff. It was great seeing Anth and Jay and Dude and Yooper and Candace and Jasen with an E and Stephanie and Oliver. (I probably missed someone, don’t really care….) We went to an 80s themed restaurant, which, if it existed in the 80s. Jon stayed here in the Sault and did great.

We’ve almost done 500 of these. Also, we started podcasting on July 29, 2005, so this is an anniversary show of sorts. No you can’t find the old ones. Mike Mussel visited! We’re on our way to MMPR tomorrow. It’s at least a thousand degrees. Went to the LCBO today, bag.

An early one today as Isabelle has a thing. Isabelle is fixing her bunnies that were vandalized. Very nice day today! Most young people, when they are bored, don’t wreck things. I told the story of the refreshing rotisserie chicken, which I may have done before but I don’t care. What did you pay for this anyway?

Another grey day. Hey, it’s time for summer festivals! We have one going on right now in town Isabelle did a cool collaboration with a slam poet. We’ve been biking. The weather might be nice or it might be a storm, who knows? There were tornadoes this week in Ottawa and outside of Montreal. An outdoor concert had to be canceled in Quebec City due to scary weather. But don’t worry, everything is fine…..

It’s one of those weird days (17 and overcast) where it feels sort of warm and humid and chilly in a way. I’m not complaining, it beats the heat waves in more eastern parts of the country People vandalized a bell at the museum. This annoys me. Isabelle takes a more nuanced view, as she does. Jon added things to the list as I shopped. Isabelle’s hands hurt from cycling, and we’re going again tomorrow damnit!

Yup, we didn’t have one last week, we were away! Away where you ask? We were in London, ON, for our niece’s wedding! It was cool. there was a tea ceremony. We drove there last Wednesday, and returned partway home on Sunday. We stopped in Sudbury on the Sunday and boy was it smoky, the worst either of us have ever experienced. I mean so bad it felt like I’d smoked a pack of Players’ Plains. There was a monsoon while I was shopping.

Nice day today. Tom, Isabelle’s former prof and our former colleague, is in town. They are checking out the public art project from last year. We hope another colleague stays. No real smoke today, though it tastes like.a steel town.

Recorded on a Friday. Released on a Saturday. Rob Lee in a shambles! Today is convocation day, and Isabelle has a thing, which explains the odd recording time. The smoke has been crazy. The heat wave has broken.

Friday? Yes Friday, deal with it. Crazy week. I had a departmental retreat. Isabelle was a camera operator for the local cable tv channel. It is insanely hot. Today is also the fifteenth anniversary of my Dad’s death. Also, it’s pride month and the grocery store we usually go to has cool flags up. LCBO run! Bag, and no sign!

now that’s a title. Isabelle had a hectic week, all over the place. Our mayor speaks French. We got the last bottle of propane! (Oh that propane stop means an extra break this week). I have a departmental retreat next week. Yay?

I looked and this title was in my notes on backpack studio. Now, is it the one I typed in on Thursday? Look I don’t know, its not Monday. Monday? WHAT? Yes, we recorded most of this one on Thursday shopping, then finished up on Monday in the backyard. It is a holiday today. We went to Sudbury and Isabelle’s film was in a show! Jon was amazing (he came with us). Spring is finally here.

Early this week, as Isabelle has a thing in North Bay over the weekend. What a nice day! Definitely will be some cycling in store today. Well, not in the store, but you know what I mean. My cycling injuries are pretty much healed. Isabelle got fish and chips from a place. Trees are budding!

A bit early today as Isabelle has a thing. I got into a cycling accident this week. Don’t worry I’m fine. It’s not a pleasant day. Rain, 11 degrees, not great. Isabelle will be a cable access star! Still settling into the spring groove.

That title is, obviously, ironic…. 12 degrees and rainy today. Beats the hell out of last week. Isabelle has grants to work on, as usual. My term is done!!! I received a very nice email yesterday from a student. I GOT MY BIKE OUT. I’m going to BBQ steaks tonight. I didn’t mention this on the podcast, but damn am I excited.

Will actual spring come? Did it come while I was in Florida? We lost a friend and colleague. The weather is pretty bad. There’s nothing worse than cold rain. Isabelle is learning more media stuff. The term is over. People don’t understand weighted averages.

Tuesday? Look, what did you pay for this? If we do it on Tuesday we do it on Tuesday. We did because I was away in Florida. I also had my flight diverted from Sault Ste Marie to Sudbury and then back to Toronto so I stayed an extra day. I also stayed up until 3.30 a lot, too much really. The food in Melbourne Florida is not the greatest. Isabelle gave a bunch of presentations to school kids today, and it was a success! See you alll on Saturday.

Well it is Easter weekend, the time when all of Salt Ste Marie goes insane and everyone shops. So we shopped early today. Still, it was not a great deal of fun. I’m off to the US for a conference next week! Isabelle is on a committee for the city and she is getting some art put up. Sometimes people cancel meetings just before meetings. We had another two big snowfalls last week, but we are pretty sure it is all behind us.

This one was recorded at our dining room table because of the GIANT FUCKING SNOWSTORM. It’s probably the most snow we’ve had in a day in about five years. It took 1 hr 40 min to shovel. Yesterday was thesis conference day! My students did well. Isabelle has some cool stuff coming, including an installation, and a show she is working on with two colleagues. She’s also got a bread tie app idea. Jon drops in a few time too, pretty fun.

A bit earlier today, which I’m all for. There’s apparently a snow storm coming! (That’s fake enthusiasm). Isabelle has a thing today where people will paint figures she’s made. It’s sugar bush season. Mooose. I think I was pretty funny in this one, just saying.

Cool one today, -9. Last gasp of winter I imagine. Isabelle spent the week in Toronto. Jon and I had a good week on our own. It’s getting to the end of the term. How about that chicken Big Mac?

Short one today, as Isabelle had to head to the gallery. I went too! I’ve been marking. Nice day today though cold. Wheel sites defeat plagiarism! (Narrator, no they do not). Isabelle is off on a trip soon. She went to the mall while I shopped. I can’t wait to get back on my bike.

Nice day today, right around freezing and very sunny. I’ve had a heck of a week or two. Mike visited! Dave Visited! (Different Dave). Isabelle has another show coming up. I had trouble finding something in the Beer Store. Jon spoiled the quali for me.

Hey, three stops today! Not a bad one at all, weather wise, pretty reasonable, -9. Isabelle is making cutout musicians. We had to buy a new microwave. I’m not a joiner.

Not bad today, -3. Store was ok. Isabelle bought wood. I bought groceries. Isabelle’s whirlwind art career continues, there will be more trips and events soon. It’s the break week for me! Though not really a holiday.

Back to Saturday. Cold one today, -10. It was -27 yesterday, that’s colder. Isabelle is off to North Bay for the Ice Follies art festival next week. I’ll be here. I’ve been marking. Short one today, we had to let the car warm up. It takes forever to find vitamins in the store.

We had an eventful week. Also, shopped on Saturday again. Not a bad day, it’s been getting to the point where maybe the winter is not endless. Isabelle went to North Bay. I went to visit Jon at College. It’s my Mom’s birthday! We lost a friend this week.

No it’s not D Day, listen to the podcast and it will make sense. Another record Friday night but release Saturday. Steve and my Rockford Files podcast is on the air! Isabelle is working hard on her sculpture / installation thing. I’m, I think, getting settled in at work. I’m looking forward to my Florida conference trip.

Another record Friday, post Saturday one. Isabelle’s work on the bacterium in our back yard continues. Let’s hope Lake Nippissing is frozen when she gets there. Rockford podcast starts next week!. The term is well and truly underway. Shoutouts to listeners we don’t normally shout things too. It was pretty nice out last night, clear and everything.

Recorded on Friday, released on Saturday. Night shopping! Pretty cold Friday, but super cold (-20) today. Isabelle is building an installation that she’ll show in North Bay. Friday night shopping is quick, but the store is weird. Senior’s discounts are a thing. We’re probably actually old. It was my first week back and Jon’s, things went well. I taught Jon how to use APA referencing.

Happy New Year! Isabelle has a new exhibition starting soon. (Soon being today). I have three classes this winter term, one of which I’m doing from home, which I like, and actually prefer for this course. Jon starts back up too, should be interesting. Pretty cold today but no real wind to speak of. Short one today, not too much traffic. Oh, and if you are still wondering, we stand for Democracy, we stand with Ukraine.

Recorded on Thursday, posted on Friday. Saturday will be a hellscape at the grocery store, and Friday probably not much better, so we did it on Thursday. Ross and Maddie visited and it was lots of fun. Christmas Eve had a great dinner. Isabelle continues to art. I have an online class in the winter. Happy New Year!

Maddie and Ross are here! So Maddie took me grocery shopping on Thursday and we recorded. Then that night we all played a fun game. We also downed a couple of bottles of wine, so Isabelle and I went out to buy more wine, As it was the two of us, hell, why not record more? THE SIGN IS GONE! Box. Isabelle’s mom is doing much better. Merry Christmas People choose their car colour based on political feelings, apparently.

Use a week before Christmas. Nice day, though not sunny. We’ll skate tomorrow, today Isabelle has puppet things to take care of!. Oh, I broke my glasses last week when I feel while skating. Isabelle fixed my glasses! I have exams to makr.

While we didn’t record on the way to skating and back, we did go skating, so that’s why it’s a bit later than usual. I did my TEDx thing, it went well. The whole event did. It’s marking and exam time. We went to the work Christmas party. Pretty cold today, but not too much wind. I have all mom my shopping done!

It’s December. The term is basically over. Also, IT’S TIME TO GET A CHRISTMAS TREE! Pretty good luck so far, tree looks good. Yeah we know that’s lots of episodes. Merry Christmas everyone!

Boy was it windy today, gusting to 90 km/h. So it wasn’t THAT cold, but with that wind… There’s a new outdoor skating rink, so we went and skated. I am doing a TEDx talk. My skates need sharpening. Oh, as we also recorded after shopping and on your way to, and back from, skating, this one is a bit longer than they have been recently.

What a bad title. Well it is Canadian National Day of Podcasting, so, that makes sense. I am not good at lights. The term is almost over. It’s very windy. Artificial Christmas trees are really expensive. Happy CNDOP.

Super nice day today, sunny and going up to 10. It’s so nice out that I hung clothes to dry outside today. It’s another Michaud Thaw… I’ve been marking. I practiced my TEDx talk. I had a weird experience at the dentist.

Hey, an M&M stop today! Isabelle got some music from an artist whose memorial she went to. Review articles are not the same as empirical articles. A good indication is if the word ‘review’ occurs in the paper or journal title, just saying. SNOW. Lazy or stupid? You decide! Chicken is so refreshing.

That title gives you the impression we went to Sudbury. Nope. It’s chilly today with a bit of snow. Isabelle has lots of art stuff on the go. She’s also reading poems to plants. The term is winding down sorta, well not really winding down, but the vibe changes in November, let’s say that. Quick LCBO stop today.

I forgot a mask today, but found one in my pocket. I saw a colleague at the grocery store. Isabelle went to a bad art thing, I would excel at that. I got money from Oxford University Press, which I had no idea I was owed. Almost done Mad Men with Steve! Oh I went to the bank, yay! I WANT TO GO TO THE BANK.

Isabelle went to Quebec City last week. Happily her cruise control worked. Jon and I had a week by ourselves, we didn’t eat many vegetables. It was Jon’s break week. Isabelle will visit a friend today. Nice day today, though it started out foggy.

I promise I won’t. I was on a podcast recently. Podcasts are delivered via RSS, just saying. Isabelle has a trip coming up this week. Jon has his break week. Isabelle is starting a new podcast, exciting!

We went a little early this week because Isabelle has an open house at her studio. Also, no LCBO or M and M this week, so it’s shorter (which you are probably saying ‘thank you’ for). I went to London. You can see one of the pictures I was looking at while there, it’s me and my brother. I saw lots of people and it was fun. Isabelle had an eventful time as wel. Yesterday she went to Sudbury for a conference type deal. Oh, and if you think we’ve forgotten, we haven’t, we stand for democracy, we stand with Ukraine.

It’s Thanksgiving weekend. So, the store was a nightmare. Only the one stop today. Isabelle has some big stuff coming up. It’s the break week! So I’m off to London next week. Isabelle has been driving Jon to school. Jon doesn’t trust my ability to make a pie.

Hey a day early! We have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow, well mostly Isabelle does. We will be saying goodbye to an old friend. Isabelle did a reading at a ceremony for Truth and Reconciliation Day. Oh only one stop today. My (and Steve’s) Mad Men podcast will end soon. Isabelle is binging the Big Band Theory.

I think this is the earliest in the podcast that we ever came up with the title. The term is in full swing. Steve is in a hurricane. I will be on a podcast today. No M&Ms today, but LCBO. My bike is repaired. Isabelle got an old painting from Tom O’Flanagan and I got a Japanese pot! Oh yeah, if it needs to be said, we stand for democracy, we stand with Ukraine.

We’re selling our trailer today, hence the title. Isabelle has been busy with an exhibition. I’ve been busy with work. I’ve not been busy with cycling because I’ve basically worn out all of the moving parts. (Bike is in the shop, hoping for a tandem ride this afternoon). No LCBO, no gas this week. I’m happy the trailer is going to a good home, but it still is bittersweet.

Early one as Isabelle has a thing. That thing is a pow wow. It is at Sault College, where Jon now goes to school. Wait, did I say Jon? Yes I did, Jon came today as well. He had to pick up some stuff for a class. The weather is grey and boring. Jon’s first week went well. My first week had a couple of hiccups, but went ok. Biggest hiccup was the weird stain in my office.

It’s the last weekend of the summer, or the first weekend of the fall, sort of. Lost a bit of the recording today, so we may refer to something and it isn’t there… Nice day today, but it has been insanely windy. I start teaching next week. Isabelle starts next week too. Jon starts college next week, wild. Oh, I won an award!

Not too bad today, pleasant enough out. The sun sure is warm though. We talked about inadvertent stealing. Oh and Isabelle saw her friend who is running for city council. LCBO today for the first time in a bit. I don’t care if my pop culture references aren’t current. I do care if I do my job well. The sign, while not offensive, might be… Oh and of course, we stand for Democracy, we stand with Ukraine.

Super early one today, as Isabelle has a thing. Upside of going early, nobody is at the store. Downside, there’s one cashier. We went to MMPR, thanks for the ‘opening music’ @Shanebee. That’s a lot of travelling in a car, just saying. Only one stop at the grocery store today. External validation is a thing. I didn’t forget the toilet paper.

Hey, we went to #MMPR! We had a great time. Isabelle went and saw some art. We spent an hour in a Wendy’s. We have stuff from the garden. More stuff. Hamiltonn is weird to drive in. Hamilton is pretty weird for GPS too.

Cloudy as well. Programming note, off to MMPR next week, so no idea when 448 will come out. But really, what did you pay for this anyway? Isabelle is growing peas, and she explained her pea related twitter handle. We’re still COVID free, fourth shot Monday! Kids put their shoes on the wrong feet and just tough their way through it, which is sort of admirable in a way, but also pretty dumb…

Nice day today. Isabelle is constantly art working. I’m doing a lot too. Also Isabelle has a class she’s taking. What do you imagine our ‘regular characters’ look like? Has that impression changed once we described people? Didn’t have to go to M and M’s, went anyway. I now know what a woodland artist is, and you can see that in the accompanying picture. The weather has been generally really weird. Oh and it should go without saying, we stand for democracy, we stand with Ukraine.

Saturday but later. So it’s late, what did you pay for the podcast? We went to Hearst! We saw a friend. We spoke French. Damn it’s hot.

It’s a really nice day. Then I got to the store and realized I’d forgotten our bags. Isabelle returned with them. Then Isabelle tried to imagine Tom Merritt’s house. Bag. They moved the vermouth. Hopefully get on my bike today. Oh I put new brakes on my bike, and there is a picture any everything.

Nice day today. We went to Sudbury for a little trip. Rogers had a big outage yesterday. This lead to Interac being down, which was bad. I used cash today! Isabelle has a thing today. It’s been pretty cool this summer so far, Im not complaining but it its a bit odd.

Back to Saturday. Everyone and their brother was shopping today, I guess because yesterday was a holiday and, inexplicably, everyone shops like crazy adjacent to a holiday. Isabelle is enjoying her course, and painting in the car (not while driving). St. Jean was fun last week. Single use plastic bags are out, so it was like pre pandemic in there. Isabelle couldn’t find me any earrings, but she found some for herself. Why is it always windy?

A day early. Some really bad shit went down in the USA today. Today is St. Jean Baptiste Day. Tomorrow there’s a thing downtown, and we’ll be going. Last week had my birthday and Fathers’ Day. This week doesn’t. I don’t know if I’ll be going to the USA any time soon. I got a new charger for the lawn mower! We had a fire last night, it was fun.

Today is Fathers’ Day. It’s sort of odd that we have such a day. Kids day is all of the rest of the days. Isabelle has been really putting in a lot of work in the past week. Isabelle bought tickets to a drag show, she’s very excited! It’s been stupidly windy, so much so that I haven’t ridden my bike since Wednesday. The Canadian Grand Prix is today! Isabelle took part in an art sale, and enjoyed herself. I had a drink via Zoom with an old friend.

It’s convocation day, so this is a bit of a short one, and it is being posted well after it was recorded. Also, I didn’t use my phone for it, I used the old Zoom H2. Convocation is nice, but it is long. Congratulations to our graduates. Isabelle has been supply teaching. I’ve been podcasting I guess. I’ve been biking a lot. I actually can’t remember what we talked about, it was hours ago….. Oh yeah, it goes without saying that we stand for democracy, We stand with Ukraine.

Back to Saturday today. It’s nice out, 13 degrees, probably going to hit 20, very little wind. Isabelle has been teaching art. Isabelle has been teaching elementary school. I could not do that job. I’ve been riding my bike. There are job interviews I have to attend next week. Mask compliance wasn’t bad. I saw a friend in the grocery store.

Isabelle is back from her trip, I had a good week with Jon. Why can’t people have some class? The sign was different, yet non offensive. Jon had a big week too. It’s very nice out. I might drink Old Fashioneds today. Isabelle is teaching again this week.

Short one today. Isabelle is off on a trip this coming week. Fewer people are wearing masks. The sign game is pretty much dead, good really. The power went out yesterday, as did the cable. Why do we still have a land line? What kind of truck was that? It was warm then it was cold.

Pretty sure I’m mixing this up with Silkwood. I’m going to have to start mowing soon. It’s very nice today, about 21 as I type this. It’s been very hot for the time of year. Isabelle is off onnn another trip soon. Sticking to gin. Mask wearing is way down. The sign remains the same.

Back to Saturday. We’re looking after a dog named Rothko. Truth be told Isabelle is. We got a new fire pit. It’s nice out and I have shorts on. Mask usage is dropping. The election is in full swing, Doug Ford is in town. I was on some podcasts.

Yes it is Friday. Yes we don’t normally do these on Friday. We actually recorded it on Thursday as Isabelle is visiting her mother. Bit of a quick one this time around, not too many stops, but one for propane! The weather is nice now. I got my bike out on Thursday! I took the bus and we met up at the store after Isabelle picked up a friend at the airport.

Bask to Saturday, then next week, Thursday. My term is pretty much done. Isabelle got some new from the Canada Arts Council. Isabelle is going to be a substitute teacher. The potholes are unreal. (Wee the picture). Our weekends my not be representative al all weekends. I really don’t mind masks. Needed gas today, so there goes 80bucks…. We stand for Democracy, we stand with Ukraine.

WHAT? Well we shopped really early because Saturday will be a nightmare, Friday, Sunday and Monday are holidays so Thursday it is! It was a mad house. The sign hasn’t changed in a long time. I know lots of people with COVID. Isabelle might be a supply teacher. Thursday was the day for our psych honours students to present their data.

Akilter is not a word, but it should be. Yup, a Sunday, we were both very busy yesterday. Jon had a college tour where he will be going in the fall. My conference ended, and it had a presenter from Ukraine. The conference was great, but draining. Good ones are like that. We stand for democracy, we stand with Ukraine. Слава Україні! Easter is coming so we won’t be shopping on Sunday next week. Isabelle swerved to avoid a pothole that went to Australia.

Only one stop today, no M and M’s and we went to the LCBO yesterday. Jon got a new laptop, and the store we got it at is next door to the LCBO so I went yesterday. I am marking essays. Isabelle doesn’t want to talk about work. Isabelle is teaching French and art today. Plus, she got some blinds and rapid tests. Most people wore masks. We stand for Democracy, we stand with Ukraine.

The Ontario government, in all its wisdom, has ended the mask mandate. I still wore a mask today, as did the vast majority of shoppers. Work continues. The war continues. We talked a bit about it today. You can take your whataboutism and shove it. No M&M’s today. They’re removed the social distancing reminders from the store, as you can see in the picture. Somewhat chilly today but pleasant enough.

I think it’s spring! The war continues, but we didn’t talk about it this week. Isabelle is working on an experience visiting her studio/gallery. Maddie and Ross are visiting. Ken is visiting and we should be doing a Tangential Convergence today! Mask mandates are lifting soon. Dunno what I think about that. Wait, I know exactly what I think…. It’s Jon’s birthday soon.

Minus thirteen and 15 cm of snow, that’s what greeted us today. I didn’t want to have to shovel any more, but I had not choice. Mask mandates end soon, which is probably a bad idea. The war rages on, we’re with Ukraine all the way. My Russian friend got out. Isabelle has a chilly art walk today. I gave tests all week, and consequently marked tests al week.

The war continues. Art continues. Work continues. Masking continues. I’m pretty used to the masks, but if they work well they send up smiling like someone’s mouth, my mouth, pretty quickly. It’s hard to concentrate lately, gee I wonder why? The sign never changes. Not a bad day, supposed to start getting above greeting soon. We stand for democracy, We stand with Ukraine. Слава Україні!

Nice day today. You can even feel the sun’s warmth! Now, don’t get too excited, it’s still -14 or something. ISABELLE GOT A GRANT. She seems good at getting grants. My break week is over. The sign doesn’t seem to change. Oh yeah, Russia invaded Ukraine. Way to go tough guy. I’m gearing up for a conference. A virtual one. Isabelle has all kinds of stuff planned for her gallery, THAT GOT A GRANT.

Isabelle keeps coming up with good titles. It snowed, again. I have shovelled the driveway 68 times so far this year. Isabelle has a pretty cool art virtual event this afternoon. I had a jean jacket with a big patch on it back in the 90s. I think punk and grunge clothing styles emerged from people having no money. I. have never stolen jeans out of a donation bin for Isabelle. I caught my mask on one of my earrings.

Yesterday it was 1, today it is -22. Super Bowl tomorrow, I don’t really care, Isabelle cares less. Jon likes it. Shopping was fine, no supply chain issues. Oh yeah, I didn’t note the sign, but it is still Git cards, gift cards, gift cards. Bag today, but free club soda! I had my first in. person teaching week, it went well. Isabelle continues to art.

Cold one today. Isabelle got some bread ties (or tags as they call them) from a friend (and listener) in Australia! I think she should sell bread tie art. Twenty-eight thousand apiece. I’m mad. I don’t think trying to understand Nazis is important. The stores were not that busy as we went early. Isabelle has a virtual opening at her micro gallery today. I’ll be making sarcastic comments. The work is inspired by a. lot of things, including the Brian Cox who isn’t in Succession.

A little later than usual today. Isabelle has been learning photoshop. The thing about that ‘‘convoy’ is it is run by actual Nazis. Some people are cool with that. Isabelle got some feedback on a grant application this week. I taught from home again this week. I order masks. It’s my thing that I do. I had a vision once. So did Isabelle. Monster snowbanks!

That’s Isabelle talking… Isabelle is getting bread ties from Australia. She makes art with them. I order masks as a sort of. hobby now. We’re back face to face in the classroom on Feb 7. I forgot to get Jon’s beer, so we had to go to the beer store, so you get a nice tour of the beer store. I have shovelled the driveway 50 times so far.

-28 is cold. I don’t care what temperature scale you are using. My first week back teaching online, went well. Isabelle has some great stuff coming up at her micro gallery. It was fun hearing her process. Saw two people today with their noses not covered. Idiots. Wore an N95 to shop today, so there’s that. Seems like there were fewer people out than usually, but that may be because we went shopping about 30 min earlier than usual. Did I mention how freaking cold it was?

Back on our Saturday schedule. No LCBO trip this week, we’re good for booze. We checked Tom’s house for the last time. I’m not really ready for my sabbatical to end. I wonder how the term will go. Some people leave their noses out of their masks. I am cynically and cautiously optimistic. I actually said ‘if we put a man on the moon’ without irony.

Yup, another Wednesday cast. We’ll be back to normal Saturday. I lost my points, then I got them back. Jon is doing online school for a bit. I hate MS Teams with every fibre of my being. Isabelle go another grants! The stores were quiet. No bag or box! The sign is not offensive.

Another excellent title from Isabelle. Christmas has come and gone. Isabelle has been arting. She also made a video, and here is the link. I’m getting ready for the term. Happy New Year, or, end of this year! I thought the worst thing about the twenties was going to be flapper themed parties. I was wrong. Isabelle is a big fan of Highway Through Hell.

WEDNESDAY! THE WHOLE WORLD HAS COME UNGLUED! Well it turns out that Saturday is Christmas, so yeah, we shopped today. Also, we had Jon along! The three of us had our third shots today. It snowed a lot. This is our Christmas episode. We both like Christmas carols, and we’re atheists. This is my first Moderna, after two Pfizers. Oh and of course, Merry Christmas.

Early one today, because tomorrow will be a nightmare, and Isabelle has a thing. I saw a maskless family. Long lines in the store. Weather has been weird. Pretty windy today, yesterday was nuts. Isabelle is making hats with a machine. Do people play lead or rhythm harp? Isabelle will learn how to play violin.

Horrible mix of rain and snow and sleet and ice and awfulness. Packages are slow. I get my workouts in by shovelling the driveway. Isabelle is working on cool art projects, as she does. It probably snowed 20 cm in the time I was in the grocery store. There are Tim Hortons everywhere.

We have very few traditions on the podcast, one of them is recording when we get our tree! So, we recorded when we got our tree. It was not an epic poem this year, it was pretty easy! I even thought about bringing out the little base thing to screw it on to the tree before bringing it into the house. So, we have a tree! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

We explain the lack of an episode last week. We brave a lot of varied weather, snow squalls, ice pellets etc. Isabelle sometimes makes ‘cookies’. We have a good discussion about high school. We’ve had a big two weeks to catch you all up on. Christmas Tree special coming soon I imagine. Three stops today as Jon wanted something from M and M. I also bought M&Ms….

We are repetitive. We know this. We even mentioned it today, that’s how hip we are to the scene. Teaching will be done for Isabelle soon. It will be coming to me soon. Isabelle has an opening today! (Here is a link) I heard Jim Dupree Enthusiast on a podcast. Well, not the character, but the guy who plays him. We had to get gas today. Hey they are giving out Aeroplane miles at the LCBO! Got gas today, so FIVE stops for your listening pleasure.

A bit chilly today, though still clear. It might snow. Isabelle got another grant! I did two podcasts yesterday. We talked about linguistic relations in this city. I hit my hand on the car and it hurt. The sign was not offensive. BOX!

Post Halloween! Rockets, pictured, suck. We had enough snow this week that I had to shovel, though it is gone now. Isabelle had some good art news. Steve and I have finished up season 4 of Mad Men. At first we weren’t. going to M&Ms and then Jon added something to the list. Jon is very helpful with the list adding. Weather is not bad, not too cold.

At least I thought that was the title. Nice day, a bit hilly, but clear skies. The leaves are falling. Isabelle got her grant done. Isabelle is getting her space nicely set up, and it looks like she’s got an artist lined up. I have warned the artist’s husband that their whole house will become a studio… Someone liked my hat. The candy situation was not great. However, I bought candy for the last two weeks, we’ll be fine.

We have giant plants that ensnared me. Isabelle doesn’t remember seeing ‘Day of the Triffids’. I had no idea it was also a book, something I just learned…. Oh yeah, the mystery of the tables has been solved! The store was very empty today. I forgot to check the sign. Nice enough day today, though a bit of rain.

It is a weird weather day, low teens and rain and sun and rain and sun. Isabelle has a studio visit today. We still. haven’t turned on the. heat! You want to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit? Double it and add 30. The sign was back one message, meaning it was sexual and could be offensive to some…. Bag, though I didn’t mention it. I’m still biking like crazy.

Another cool title from Isabelle. As you can see the line up was busy at the LCBO today. The grocery store had the standard ‘I don’t shop that often’ crowd that you get before holidays. Hello new listeners! The weather has been nothing short of odd. We even stopped for gas today, exciting eh?! There’s a break next week.

It may be October 2, but it feels like lat June. Might rain later. We’re looking after a dog (truth be told, Isabelle is) this afternoon. No trip to M&M today, happily….. Isabelle is all moved into her new studio. While I shopped Isabelle took the dog for a walk. There’s some sorta nerd con deal going on today at the Bushplane museum. The leaves are turning.

And now on to another 400. I got new bike tires and they are super fast. It’s fall. Isabelle’s studio move is nearly complete. She’s setting up a micro gallery in her studio. Isabelle is meeting a friend today. I had a pretty relaxing week. The election turned out like we expected.

Holy crap, we’ve done 400 of these things (plus 116 of Broca’s Area). TABLES. Someone has been leaving tables on our front porch which is, at best, odd. Is it an art project? Is it a deranged nut? Is it a deranged nut doing an art project? TABLES. We set up a camera to detect any new TABLES. Someone did pick them up, as Isabelle left them at the side of the road. TABLES.

Back to the grocery cast. Not bad out, looks like it might rain. I like going earlier in the day. Isabelle is moving studios. I am not teaching. I have set up an autoresponder. The sign remains the same. Bag.

Here’s a shortish one not recorded while shopping, but while we were at a cabin. You can hear the lake in the background. We were there for a couple of days, and Jon stayed on his own at home. It’s about 65 km from home. We had a really nice time. I brought three iPads full of stuff… The picture here shows the view from the dock we were sitting on when we recorded this episode.

It’s grey and humid today. Maddie visited which was awesome. I didn’t work out with eights for a few days, then I did, then I hurt myself. Isabelle came into the LCBO with me. A guy was riding his bike on the wrong side of the road. The sign remains the same. Bag day. Isabelle is still moving her stuff.

Holy crap is it ever hot. There’s even a heat warning. How do people with beards live? Isabelle is in the process of moving her studio. There’s her stuff in the Fringe North thing too. There’s even a vax mandate now for Greyhound games. There was virtually nobody at the store today. Did I mention how hot it is? Maddie is visiting!

The big news this week is that WE GOT OUR VACCINE MANDATE AT Algoma University. I was called into a meeting to sub for our faculty chair yesterday and that was what it was about. So we’re both relieved. Isabelle is moving her studio. She’s going drawing with a friend in the park today. Maddie is coming! The sign was non offensive today. Bag. Picked up some fondue fell. Oh and yeah, climate change…..

Heavy and grey, that describes. the weather today. Hey, that rhymes! Steve and I had our guest on SCDS last night! Isabelle’s chicken exhibit is going well, here’s a link. I’ve exceeded my biking goal for the year, so I’ve adjusted it. The Fringe is coming. Jon sends us to M&M’s again. I FORGOT TO CHECK THE SIGN. Bag this week.

A bit later today. We had our friends over, Ken and Jackie. If you’ve been to MMPR you know them. It was wonderful to see them. We’re all doubled vaxxed so we hugged at the end of the night and that was great. M&M changed the name of the vaguely offensive ‘Oriental Party Pack’. Isabelle wants to make a pie chart of our topics. Gross weather today. I have always been able to make Isabelle laugh. Her Fringe thing is coming up. We had a bad enough thunderstorm this week that it set off our smoke detectors.

Rainy today. So rainy in fact that there is a rainfall warning, or a special weather statement or some such. We do need the rain. Isabelle has been doing art for chickens. At the end of the podcast you can hear some of the audio she’s done/ I’ve been cleaning files off of my computer. We went to M&M’s today as well as the grocery store and LCBO. The sign is an enigma today. The arrows are gone.

A little later today because Isabelle went for a walk and visited an old friend. I am officially double vaxxed as I got my second dose two weeks ago. Isabelle will be in Fringe North. I got new glasses. Our new lawnmower is pretty great. Isabelle likes purple gin, so I bought some.

Hey, Isabelle is double vaxxed. Only Jonno left, he gets his Thursday. Minimal side effects for Isabelle. Oh she got her vaccine in French. Habs lost, but Im cool with it. Our lawn mower broke and I had to buy a new one. My xbox broke, or so I thought, but it is fine. They changed the arrow direction in the store and it’s confusing.

I got my second shot today! Isabelle is visiting a student who has chickens. The arrows have been removed from the store. People were annoying the LCBO. Bag day. No change on the sign this week.

I had my birthday last week. I broke my glasses last week. We went on a mini vacation to a resort nearby with a great cabin. We tried canoeing, I suck. We aren’t sure what to call the residential schools. We’ll take our lead from survivors though. It’s humid and gross out.

What does PAMA stand for? You’ll have to listen to find out. Isabelle is, as usual, making art. I’m making podcasts, also as usual. My sabbatical starts on July 1. I bought myself a big steak for Father’s Day. Isabelle spills food a lot.

The stay at home order is over. It’s a pretty nice day, might go for a ride later. We actually saw other humans this week. It’s convocation at the University! Retreat? Hell I just got here! My birthday is coming up. The heat wave broke.

It rained last night and a bit today. I went on a (for me) record setting bike ride. We both like June. We talk more about the Residential School horrors. The sign has not changed. Arrow compliance is at 83 percent today. Consequently, I was much less stressed than usual. Also we went to the weed store today. As most of you will never see the LCBO parking lot, Isabelle has provided this handy sketch.

It’s nice out. It’s our weekly conversation! I caulked the shower. Arrow compliance is at 38 percent today. Isabelle met up with an artist she knew through another artist. Im going on a big bike ride. I’m going to have PTSD from grocery shopping.

Hot day today, sort of crazy for the time of year. Big week for us. Car repairs, trailer tires, I put the air conditioners in, oh and vaccine booking issues, but then VACCINES. Oh then I found out I was rather allergic to dandelions. Isabelle was on the radio a lot. Oh here’s the link to that piece Isabelle talked abut during the podcast. I think people are going to be more likely to use tech as time goes by considering we all had to during this deal. I’m going to go mow the lawn, wish me luck.Hot day today, sort of crazy for the time of year.

Wow what a nice day, 18 C when we went out. I wore shorts. Isabelle is taking a social media break, except Twitter. We’ll be having a staycation soon. We’re really enjoying breaking Bad. Fresca supplies are good. Only 40 percent arrow compliance today.

Nice day today, 8 C, sunny and clear. Yesterday, Isabelle was about to do a workshop and then our power went out, so she dashed to her studio to do it. I got a new Mac Mini. I got a new iPad. Everything is coming up Dave! Seventy Five percent arrow compliance today. We saw some friends in person outside! Then Paul scared Isabelle.

Jasen and Stephanie provide this week’s picture. I have a new computer coming, I’m very excited. We’ll have to get our own Zoom pro accounts. Arrow following was bad, 33 perc

Why is this so early? Because we shopped yesterday. We got some soil. We got a new microwave. The old one blew three fuses and caused us to call our friend, and contractor, Jody to come figure out what was going on. After a rather long morning of taking things apart it turned out it was our microwave. A friend of ours had a scare this week. Jon got a new bed. I want the weather to be nicer so I can bike, yesterday was odd, super nice, then windy and grey. I FORGOT TO CHECK THE SIGN. Forty six percent arrow compliance.

The Ontario government is inept. This week they’ve basically let a university fall apart, and, they’ve enacted new dumb restrictions (and some not so dumb ones). I had a dentist appointment and I made a funny joke. Everyone is under stress. If you have a beard or moustache put glitter in it and send us a picture. Wear a red nose. Be Patch Adams!

So we’re back, a little later than normal. The episode is also a bit shorter than normal, because we had a conversation that we didn’t record for the first half of our usual trip. I’ve been ‘at’ a conference all week. It was awesome. It’s really nice out. We’re getting gigabit internet! The sign has changed! Arrow compliance level, 60 percent this week. A woman had no mask on in the store, but a pair of gloves.

The term is ending and I am going insane. We’re both under a lot of pressure right now. It doesn’t help that people are idiots. It was the most stressful shopping day I’ve had. It is a nice day though. I hate marking. I hate plagiarism. Had to stand in line today at the grocery store and the LCBO but that’s ok. Mask compliance was fine, but people were too close to each other.

Isabelle had her opening! I think we’ll be in person in the fall, though I’ll be on sabbatical, making podcasts. Isabelle’s art is Creative Commons, which is the right thing to do. I have a small rant about intellectual property. I was a comic genius to the cashiers as usual. We discuss being French speaking in Ontario. The sign remains the same. Mask compliance was 100 % but arrow compliance was only 52 %.

It’s Francophonie Day. It’s Happiness Day. It’s wear real pants that aren’t sweats day. It’s Francophone Week! It’s the First Day of Spring!!! There are lots of Frenches, just like lots of Englishes. Isabelle explains some of that. I’ve been riding my bike on my trainer, feels great. This is the least snowy winter we’ve had since we moved back. Mask compliance was ok, though I saw one guy slip his down TO TALK TO SOMEONE at the grocery store and one guy just plain not wearing a mask. The sign made a Life Cereal pull. Arrow compliance was good at 70%

Earliest title decision ever. Isabelle has been arting quite well during all of this nonsense. Classes are going fine. MY TRAINER CAME IN!!! The sign was a little suggestive this week. Only 46% of people followed the arrows this week, sad. There was lots of stuff in the car that’s now in her studio.

Big news this week. Isabelle did Katimavik back in the early 80s. She was 17. Just this past week some people from her old group contacted her and they’ve been interacting a lot. It’s very cool. Arrow compliance was roughly at chance today, 52 percent. Do better. We went to the weed store, so there was one extra stop. The term continues. Isabelle participated in a bunch of online talks this week. I have an online conference coming up.

ISABELLE GOT A BIG GRANT FROM THE ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL.. I did a hilarious impression of her finding out. It’s nice out. It’s melting! I think the spring is coming, well, I mean, it must be, but it feels like it too. I don’t like early spring much. Isabelle is cool with any time without snow. I want to ride my bike. I’ve marked over 80 tests in a day and a half and I’ve not enjoyed it. Isabelle is back making stuff at the museum. 81% of people followed the arrows today.

-2C today and sunny. A really nice day. It seems that spring may be coming. Our break week was nice, though I had 4.5 hours of meetings yesterday. That said, I was able to eat poutine during one of my meetings. Also, it is not sweatpants day! Proof, see the picture, those aren’t sweat pants. 56 percent of people were going the wrong way down the aisles at the grocery store. The sign remains the same. We’ve both learned a lot about hacky video production

Chilly today, but at least we haven’t had any more storms. Hey the break week is coming!. Isabelle did a cool Zoom based art workshop for kids and their families. About 80 people attended, pretty great. She had a dual camera setup too. The sign was not offensive. People annoy me when they don’t understand arrows.

We have noted in the last few weeks that we haven’t received very much snow. This changed yesterday. We got about 38 cm of snow. We shovelled our driveway four times. I pile all of the snow in one place which is hampering Isabelle’s view. I also shovelled this morning. It’s quite cold now. Jon will be heading back to the Bushplane Museum. Hopefully Isabelle will be heading back to the Sault Museum. I’ll be on endless Zoom calls. Not true, some are Google Meet! Week 5 of teaching (in a couple of weeks) will be a hellish nightmare. Some people just don’t do quizzes.

Nice day today, minus 5 or so. I’m blocked by Steven Pinker. I have no idea why, but it seems to be a good group to belong to. Isabelle found an old friend from when we lived here back in the 90s, and that’s a great story. Boy the store was annoying today. The sign, however, was not offensive. I bought some nice wine with money Isabelle’s Mom gave us for Christmas. Isabelle is still working on her French Town project, and adapting during the lockdown. The lockdown is actually affecting the work, which is pretty neat. I want to bike.

Come with us on our weekly errands. Jon came this time, it made the time pass a little more quickly. Isabelle dropped snowflakes off at the museum. Joe Biden is the US president. Filibuster Shmilibuster. Jon’s been doing well in his online classes. The term has started and, well, I have been doing well in my online classes. I got Jon some Bud. We like Biden because he’s competent and not evil.

These titles are getting odder by the day. Isabelle dropped some stuff off at a friends house. It’s full lockdown in Ontario. It’s snowing today. Art IS Isabelle’s work. The term starts Monday. Did you know there was Mongolian Folk Metal? You do now. The store was not busy. Forgot to check the sign!

Hey, we got gas, so there’s an extra break this week. Did you see that thing where armed thugs tried to mount a coup in the State? Did you see that thing where two Democrats became senators in Georgia? Did you see that thing where the store wasn’t very full but some people don’t wear masks properly? Do you feel liberated in a mask, so you can sing and mock people? Do you do reflective recordings on your phone like Isabelle? Did you see that the sign wasn’t offensive? Do you miss it being offensive? Do you like this format where I just type inane questions?

Back to the Saturday schedule for the foreseeable future. Cases are up here, that’s annoying. Provincial ministers, and a federal MP, traveled internationally, and yeah no, not good. We’re set for the term pretty much. Jon will have some work from home stuff. I have a video to make. Isabelle is finishing up another project. We went to the studio yesterday.

We start off with Isabelle proving a thing to me. This should indicate that I’m a peach to live with. We talked about how Dad didn’t wear a winter coat or boots for a long time. He also didn’t wear gloves. He was weird. The store wasn’t bad today. The sign has not changed in a couple of weeks. Isabelle likes her new phone, and her lenses. We’ll see you next year!

So, here’s the deal: We can’t go grocery shopping next Saturday because the stores will be closed on Boxing Day. I noted in Saturday’s episode that we’d probably go Wednesday. However, it turns out that there’s a lockdown coming, so hell, let’s go pick up what we need now? So we did. Oh plus I went to the cannabis store. People were, for the most part, compliant to rules, much moreso than normal. Generally people were patient as well. The LCBO was fine, the sign was the same as the other day so no need to talk about it. We talked about making friends, about civic boosterism and other things. Merry Christmas everyone!

Pretty great title. Isabelle came up with it right at the end. The store was the store. The sign remains inoffensive. I’ve been messing around in r/professors on Reddit. Our region continues to do well, the rest of the province, not so much, lockdowns are coming. Oh we now have a lot of snow. Most of it came Monday. Well, it’s not THAT much snow, but we had literally none a week ago. Isabelle and I don’t fit in. We’re good with that.

Hell fo a week here chez Michaud-Brodbeck! Isabelle found an online program for Jon which will be great. It’s a social interaction thing with other people his age. Should be excellent (it’s a well run, science based program too, not just something thought up by some hack). I got promoted to full professor! Oh and for some odd reason, the city patched a couple of divots in out driveway! The store was uncomfortable but bearable, sort of like living with me. The LCBO was the same. I took forever to find graham crackers.

We made an extra stop today as Isabelle had a present to drop off to her friend Zenith. The sign wasn’t offensive today. We have hardly any snow as you can see in the picture. I have a thing hanging over my head. Isabelle is working on stuff for Jon. Isabelle went to Wal Mart, which, was probably insane. I felt uncomfortable shopping.

2020 may be horrible. However, we still need a Christmas Tree. This year it was rather normal, we went and got a tree. It didn’t involve us travelling all over town. There will likely now be a Christmas theme in the next few episodes. We hope you too find a tree easily.

So, every night we go for a walk. Even on nights like this when it is -5 with 20 km/h winds. Now normally we walk for at least 2.5 km, usually closer to 4, but not tonight, we cut it short. A tad windy. So this one is our actual CNDOP episode. Plus, later in the week you’ll get our annual Christmas Tree episode! We bought some Christmas lights! The sunset was nice tonight.

It’s chilly a bit, but boy is it nice and sunny. I might take my bike out today. Isabelle gave an artist talk this week for her residency at the Sault Museum, you can find it on facebook. We might get one of those projectors that puts animation on the house. I have a lot of marking to do. Oh, this is out #CNDOP episode. Zoom Christmases may be coming. The store was fine.

This title has literally nothing to do tight the episode. However, it is a thing Isabelle said the other day on a walk we were on and I said ‘hey, that’s a great podcast title!’ Isabelle has a couple of things tomorrow, so we’re shopping a day early. Oh and Isabelle will get a soda stream canister while I shop! We went after dinner, which was odd. I even forgot my mask, but went back and got it. There was nobody in the store, it was eerie.

THERE IS FRESCA ONCE AGAIN! REJOICE! Also, there’s Pernod again. Maybe the pandemic is over…. Isabelle will be doing an online art class today for kids on the ASD. She’s working hard on her residency. She got interviewed this week too on Radio Canada. I resurrected two old MacBook Airs that Jon had spilled pop on a couple of years ago. It was chilly today. Though it is sunny, maybe I’ll go for one last bike ride. There weren’t too many people in the store, but there were only two cashiers, this made life difficult. Sign update, not offensive this week.

They FINALLY called it while I was shopping. Thanks big media. I put my stuff in someone else’s cart. That sign wasn’t offensive today. Just dumb. Did I mention Biden won? Oh yeah Biden won. One of the many things I like about Biden is that he isn’t Trump. We’re all well, and following the protocols. It’s 19 degrees today which is, well, which is odd.

Chilly and very windy today. It’s Halloween! No pumpkins left, but I got chips and Rockets. Isabelle has been lining up judges for her most recent art project, including old podcasting friend Sylvain. The sign for that detailing place wasn’t offensive today! I’m finding shopping quite stressful. Isabelle got one of those ring lights. I told a guy to cover his nose.

It’s us! It’s also 3 C today, it might snow later. We’re both marking today. I’ve set up a second teach from home/record lectures/podcast from location. Treat all of your assignments like they will be open book and you have nothing to worry about as far as online assessments go. I bumped my head on the side of the car, like by accident, not on purpose. We give an update on the dumb sign.

It’s 5C today, which is I guess what it should be. The fall so far has been nice. We’re likely noticing it more because of the pandemic. Of course Isabelle has been walking a lot more too, for her art and all that. I’ve been joining her on some of those walks. We talked a bit about online teaching again. I guess that’s to be expected. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE’S A NEW INDIAN RESTAURANT IN TOWN! Isabelle shared a somewhat disturbing tale. I made Isabelle laugh.

This title is not a commentary on people. It’s just a Thanksgiving reference. I had a cavity filled yesterday. Isabelle is working on a lot of different art projects. I’m teaching the young people about my music collection. We’re going for a walk each night after dinner, we’ve become those old people who for walks after dinner. Teaching is hard right now. Happily the break week is coming.

Pretty chilly today, indeed it may snow tonight. Isabelle just submitted a grant. You can probably guess this one has a lot of talk about identity. Isabelle isn’t much on theory in art. Nor am I, but I’m no expert really. Grocery shopping isn’t what it used to be, sadly. Cover your nose with your mask please.

We got a new monitor, I can now see the pointer! We’ve been zooming all week. We’re getting the hang of it. Neither of us are doing our classes the same way we did face to face. Oddly warm for this time of year, 18C when we went out, As I type this it is 21C. Lots of people don’t get how to do stuff over video conferencing platforms. I don’t like when the host of a meeting turns off everyone’s camera, nor does isabelle. In person do these people put bags over others’ heads? Arrows are followed better now, but people are slacking in the distancing department.

Rainy Saturday, 14 C. We both taught from home this week. It went decently. Remember that NDA thing Isabelle was on? Well, now she can tell us. She was on an Ontario Arts Council Jury. It was a lot of work, but valuable experience. Isabelle is working on an artist’s talk. She has crazy photos from her childhood to inspire her. I started my Mad Men podcast with Steve. We’re having mussels for dinner

We came up with the title before we started recording, and with the picture here you can probably tell why. Maddie is visiting! it’s the fall, weather wise. We’re gearing up for the term. Isabelle is also gearing up for her residency at the local museum. I’m in a fantasy baseball league, I have no idea what I’m doing. I biked 753 km in August. The bike path is finally repaved!

Three stops today, we needed a doorknob. It turns out, the whole thing is called a doorknob. Who knew? Our worst fears about our friend Sally turned out sadly to be true. Thanks to many of you who contacted us and for your kind words. We’re getting ready for the coming term. Maddie will visit next week, I’m making Korean food. Isabelle has a residency coming up soon. Our friends Brent and Brandy are getting married this weekend. We ‘went’ to a rehearsal this week (via Zoom).

So yup, the Saturday thing is back to stay. It got really humid. I’ve continued to bike. A friend of ours is missing, it is very concerning, and all very confusing. Isabelle has been recording lectures for the fall. I too have been recording lectures, and adding dumb sound effects because I’m me. Isabelle’s class from NSCAD is done. French verb tenses are boring.

We’re back to our regular Saturday schedule. Though, today we also went to the cannabis store. Plus, we lost some audio, such is the life of a beta tester. We were talking about our upcoming online courses, but you’ll never hear that. We got a nice package from Brandy and Brent. Isabelle’s done her thing she can’t talk about. It’s been warm. Me and a guy in the grocery store commiserated about how dumb people are who can’t follow arrows. I made fun of a guy who beeped at me on my bike this morning. I also got in an extremely slow motion bike accident this week (I’m fine).

It’s come to the point where I’m just entitling these things with what we did. Jon had a dental appointment, and the dentist is across the street from the grocery store, so YAY! Oh Jon’s teeth are fine thank you. Jon and i have excellent teeth. Mine are chipped some and mine build up plaque easily. Now you know more than you ought to about my teeth. People were decently behaved today. Nice day today, about 21 degrees. It was very windy this morning, so I biked less than usual. Oh then Isabelle and I talked about doing online teaching during this whole COVID deal.

We started podcasting 15 years ago today. Cool eh? Were we the first Canadian ‘couplecast’? Nope, just looked Bob and Cat did the Catfish Show starting in December of 04. Wow. OK, maybe we’re the longest running…. People weren’t distancing today very well in the store. We’re going to a backyard dinner tonight. Socializing. Weird. Isabelle accompanied me on bike ride yesterday. Today her legs were heavy. I ride a lot.

So the mandatory mask order is in effect for the Algoma district. We’re cool with it of course. Everyone in the store had a mask on, though one guy had it not covering his nose. I’m going to be interviewed by the local paper, well just to get a quote I think, about the anti maskers. Isabelle is tearing down her show. It went well. She mailed off some work to one of the artists today, which explains the extra stop. We’ve had friends over, socially distantly, in the last week in our backyard, which is great. It’s nice to see people for a change. I rode my bike 53 km yesterday. Yay me!

The title, while about happy trees and art, has nothing to do with Bob Ross. Star Trek is sexist. There’s a great article at IO9 about it today. The mask order in the district starts Friday, stage 3 opening starts Monday. So umm, I dunno…. Most people in the store today were masked up. Probably 80 percent or so. Isabelle’s art class is going well, she’s inspired by the waggle dance of the honeybee. It really seems that the people who are not distancing as well are the olds. That may be some odd bias I have though. My sixties garage rock obsession continues.

Hot again, we’ve been through, well, are sort of in the midst of, a heat wave. Things are really green. People are either caring a lot about their lawns, or, not at all. No in between. Our garden is doing insanely well. There are lots of gardens. Isabelle’s course through NSCAD seems pretty cool. People are getting used to masks and distancing. Still, be careful. Whenever Jon hears us talking to each other he figures we are podcasting. We’ve been spending a LOT of time on Zooms.

Damn it’s hot today. Isabelle had her opening, and it was great! The store has relaxed some rules, it still says ‘one way’ and ‘entrance only’ but, no more arrows, so people are stupid. Also you can bring your own bags now. I continue to bike. I recorded my first lecture for the fall today. Oh I got a new audio interface, a Focusrite 2i2. The thing is great. It replaces a unit I got a long time ago, back in the Thunderbird Six days.

We went shopping a little later than usual, stop complaining. Isabelle has been frantically setting up her show. Not frantically, that’s not quite the right word, busily. It was my birthday yesterday. I’m old. The store has given up on arrows, much to my chagrin. Oh you should check out the show BTW, here’s a link. Isabelle got a lot of help from a friend, Taylor, setting it up. It’s like 14 degrees today, weird. Isabelle will be taking an online course this summer from NSCAD. It’s St. Jean Baptiste Day!

It’s Wednesday. I had a meeting this morning. I finished my annual report, my V, I put in my intent for a sabbatical and for a promotion. Also, we went shopping. I am apparently ‘helping’ Isabelle at her studio by being on a couch watching Mad Men. People were not socially distancing, some, at the grocery store today and it pisses me off. Isabelle’s show is coming up, you should check out the website. It’s pretty hot today. I’ve been riding my bike a lot.

Wednesday means shopping. Wednesday means people don’t understand arrows. Wednesday means I tell people how arrows work. We went to a Black Lives Matter protest. It was pretty amazing. Isabelle continues her work on her virtual show. Indeed, I’m typing this in her studio as she sets up to take pictures of work that will be in the show. Our family are pretty much all minorities of one sort or another when you think about it. That said, cops aren’t out beating us up.

Wednesday shopping. That said, I mean really, who has any sense of time any more? We’ve been watching the news. We don’t really know what to say. We’ll mostly just listen. People today were poorly behaved at the store. I was a saint. Isabelle made a quick run to her studio while I shopped. Isabelle is having many meetings. Perhaps electing an idiot racist as the US president was a bad idea.

So, another Wednesday, another grocery run. It’s hot, 33 yesterday, over 30 today. I had a meeting this morning via video conference, as we do. Isabelle has had a number of such meetings, and even sort of art get togethers, which is great. My phone knew we were going shopping, somehow. Isabelle bought plants for our garden. We’re doing ok, we hope you are too. Today was a bad day for people not understanding arrows. Isabelle doesn’t like the tandem bike.

Week whatever it is of lockdown. Our spirits are pretty good. This was recorded on Wednesday, but I’m just getting around to posting it now. Why the hell are you complaining? What did you pay for this? OK, I may be getting a little punchy. Oh yeah, this was done during grocery shopping but we went back to buy dirt for our garden. Buying dirt, it seems, odd somehow. I really can’t remember what we talked about, but I think it was about groceries and people following rules or not and the pandemic. Reasonable guess anyway. We’ve also been going to Isabelle’s studio a bit, which has been fun.

We were low on vodka, gin and wine, so off to the LCBO! It was a bit rainy, indeed, it stormed like hell later on. I have been talking to people over Skype about our upcoming COVID19 course. Isabelle has been working on a couple of cool projects. Including basically a walk/driveby show, which is exceedingly clever. That’s because she’s exceedingly clever. We went shopping on Wednesday but didn’t record. We went pretty early as I had to go to the hospital beforehand FOR THE LAST TIME. Yup, my leg is in good shape! Isabelle has made us masks out of bandanas as you can see in the picture.

Sort of in our regular routine now, although our new grocery day is Wednesday. There was no line up to get in the store which was great. Still low on flour in the store, people are weird. Some people don’t understand arrows. It’s really odd. The workers in the store seem in good spirits. It’s a nice day today, I might go for a longish bike ride, not sure. Isabelle is off cow questing today.

Hey, another twice a week cast! I’m riding my bike a bit. Isabelle is working on her show which will be online. Jonathan didn’t drop in via Alexa. Jon’s been doing school stuff. We’re generally doing well. Isabelle once had an injury that made her fall whenever she’d laugh. I went shopping yesterday, and it wasn’t that bad!

We went to pick up our grocery order, so, this is a slight return to normalcy. I’m able to walk halfway decently. We had a much larger discussion of psychoneuroendocrinology than one would expect for our podcast. They seemed pretty organized at the grocery store. Didn't hit up the LCBO today, as we did that on Saturday. Who would have thought we’d be in the middle of a global pandemic with our little podcast….. Stay healthy everyone.

This is a short one. My cast has been removed. We went for a walk around the block because I CAN WALK AROUND THE BLOCK. IT’S A COVID MIRACLE, I CAN WALK!!!! Isabelle has an idea, why not build like a Potemkin Village type of deal for Trump. So he thinks he’s giving press conferences, he thinks he’s on twitter, he thinks he’s president, but he’s not! Good idea I think. Isabelle has done some yard work today. I was able to unstick the lock to the shed with bike lube, which was Isabelle’s idea, credit where it’s due. We saw a few people all keeping sensible distance. This included a family walking by with a small child who insisted on wearing her father’s boots. It was pretty great.

We’re back. I yawned a lot (sorry about that). I’m known for sucking up all of the O2 in a room. Also, I whistled. Isabelle is still working on her show, taking it online. She’s also making masks. My cast comes off in four days, and I’m pleased with that. You never know what the weather will be like right now.

OK,, so yeah it’s Monday, not Friday or Saturday. But, seriously, who among you really knows what day it is? My leg is in good shape it seems, even if my cast now has gaffer tape on it. I wonder what is going to happen in the fall with schools/colleges/universities etc. There are dumb people protesting in Vancouver. We recorded this one in the living room, like in the old days. I did a Tangential Convergence with Ken tis week. Isabelle is preparing to take her next show online only. Stay healthy everyone, and don’t go anywhere you don’t have to.

Hey, it’s another COVID cast! Speaking of casts, my leg is healing nicely, cast comes off three weeks from yesterday. I’m cooking dinner again. Isabelle did a record breaking grocery shop. Three days ago seems like 10 weeks ago. Let’s build a wall and get Tom and Mike to pay for it. Jon is doing well too, expect a Jonathan Files soon. We’re still making dumb videos.

Hey it’s us. Neither broken leg nor worldwide pandemic can stop us. I got my leg checked this week, things are going well. Isabelle is blogging and using twitter. We’re making dumb videos for Maddie. Our synth works. Jon is going for a lot of walks. I cooked this week. Isabelle hates grocery stores, even more during this nightmare.

We may be socially isolating. I may have a broken leg. However, we have a podcast to do! Welcome Brent and Brandy to the world of Canadian couple podcasting. They aren’t married, yet they have the same last name. We are married and don’t. Whoa. Isabelle doesn’t think more than two weeks into the future, but also thinks about her eventual demise. My leg is still broken. Jon is playing video games. You’ll hear him in the background. I made a cool Korean drink for dessert.

If you’ve followed our illustrious podcasting careers you know that we resurrected Broca’s Area after we had a house fire. Well, now I’ve broken my fucking leg. So, no work for a while. Though, I was able to figure out what to do with marks, and then the university cancelled all classes for the rest of the semester. Isabelle’s Mom called. I don’t move much, I just hang out in bed with my foot up decided which tv show to binge.

Spring may actually be on its way. It was -2 yesterday when we recorded this. That said, man did we get a lot of snow the night before. Oh yeah, I’m writing this on Saturday but we recorded this (i.e. went shopping) yesterday, on Friday. Of course we had to pick up an Amazon package as well. That’s becoming a regular stop. The conference I go to in Florida, the Conference on Comparative Cognition, was cancelled due to COVID-19. The executive committee made the right call I think. Having people hang out together from all over the worlds probably not the best thing right now. On the COVID-19 front, the only thing our grocery store was out of was hand sanitizer. It’s supposed to go up to 8C tomorrow, so maybe all of this snow will be gone by March 19, as I say every year.

So, we recorded this on Friday but I’m not getting around to posting it until Saturday. I wonder if I remember what we talked about…. I know we mentioned how we had a nice visit with Mike ‘the virtual yooper’’ Musiel. I know it was snowy enough that they had canceled school buses so Jon stayed home (he doesn’t take the school bus but every other kid in his class does, so there’s no point for him to go when this happens). I know we saw a guy pushing a shopping cart down a main street in the city. I know it was -20 or something. I know we talked about my teeth. I know Isabelle picked up a package at that odd store. Hey, I seem to have remembered a lot!

THURSDAY! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS THURSDAY?! Well, Mike the virtual Yooper is coming today, so why not go shopping early so we can get better food for his visit? Plus, I mean really, Pernod and root beer. Isabelle bought some percussion thing. You will hear her playing it. Isabelle hasn’t forgotten about her art podcast. Oh, MMPR this year is July 17-19. What’t the deal with those Canada Post outlets?

A little late today. Isabelle went beading. I went to a talk. There’s lots going on in the world. It’s an exciting time to be alive I guess. Isabelle has found a cool artists residency she might apply for. I got free vermouth!

So, another Friday. It’s cooler, almost the correct temperature for the season. Isabelle had some issues making a deposit for her grant, and had to switch banks. Our bank eventually apologized, and said they were in the wrong, which they were….. Isabelle has been watching a documentary series on Netflix about the opiate crisis. I have a university senate meeting today! (I’m not actually that excited about it). We’re having our friend David over today, we’ll eat burgers and play Clue.

So I had a dental appointment today. My dentist is quite close to the grocery store, so we shopped today. The dental office is much more relaxed than it used to be. Jon has been home this week as it is exam week at school. Jon is excited about the Super Bowl. I honestly don’t care, but I like the enthusiasm. Isabelle got her grant money for her upcoming project. Dan didn’t win a Grammy, that sucks. Then again, as Dan noted to me, he has a job and all…

So, this week we’re shopping on Saturday. We’re probably going to do the same thing next week, so be forewarned. Isabelle went to the screening of that documentary on the Sault language crisis that happened 30 years ago. This morning we’re off for her to be interviewed about it, and then shopping! The language crisis was a topic of discussion again. Turns out, people here were pretty cool with admitting to being freaking racists 30 years ago. Cool cool. So my brother is up for a Grammy tomorrow. As you can see in the picture, the London Free Press made sure to mention me. Hey the new oven came! It hooks up to the internet. So, I get push notifications when it’s done preheating. We saw a dumb sign. Then we talked about dumb signs. I had some comedy gold in there, as I often do. Good luck Dan!

Another Friday. Our oven comes tomorrow! Nobody noticed my new glasses. There’s a premiere of a documentary coming out about the language Crisis in Sault Ste. Marie 30 years ago. Also, Picard is coming out! We await people complaining that the show has ruined their childhood. Why are people jerks on the internet? Why are there comments on news stories? People might not have pheromones, the evidence is equivocal.

Friday afternoon shopping, different, but the same. I got new glasses. We need a new oven. We bought a new oven. ISABELLE GOT THE GRANT!!! Isabelle has another article coming out. People are entitled assholes.

Our first grocery cast of 2020! We’re all either in the grips of, or coming down with, a cold. We had a couple of nice messages about the clip show, thanks! We don’t talk about it, but I got a vacuum sealer for Christmas from my Mom and it is great. It’s funny how where we are in our drive seems to drive what we talk about. Isabelle will be busier now that she’s not teaching, which may seem counterintuitive, but it’s true. Don’t reuse passwords!

New Year’s Day is a time of rest and reflection. I listened to randomly selected clips from 6 days of our lives. In 2019, we have posted 57 episodes of Broken Area. I am not sure if these selected clips have anything specific in common but they all make me smile because“ they’re so us.” We talk about seemingly random, boring, non-consequential things: paintings, using technology, a rude cashier, potholes, Madeleine’s trip to Japan. Our Saturday or Friday grocery trip is always the same: leaving home, going to the grocery store, going to the LCBO and returning home. Dave adds: “sometimes we return bottles.” What’s weird is that we can’t seem to stop wanting to do it and people appear to like knowing we’re here too. Our presence I think is felt and reinforced by these seemingly small inconsequential events and by our listeners having become used to Dave’s matter-of-fact storytelling and my emotional rantings. The combination of our opposite personalities and outlooks on the surface but very similar stance on things that matter is probably what has led to our continued listenership. To me, our podcast is a string of life events that can be described as a microcosm within a microcosm of a small bordertown, in Northern Ontario. Kind of the opposite of “in a galaxy far far away.” Thanks for listening and Happy New Year 2020 !

So this should be our last episode before Christmas. We’re shopping a day early to avoid, hopefully, the horribleness of a Saturday before Christmas outing. We’ve not left yet, but I’m hoping. OK, turns out it really wasn’t that bad at all. Oh, umm, a truck was beside us that had the Beatles on the side of it. I cashed in my PC points too. Now, the LCBO, it was packed. Hey, Isabelle is a published citizen journalist! Merry Christmas from us!

Well I hope everyone had a nice Christmas or whatever you do or don’t celebrate. As an aside, we got a nice e card from Rachel, thanks! So Christmas itself was excellent. Christmas Eve dinner was great. Jon really loved the stuff he got from everyone, but especially the stuff that Doug Slater sent him. Really out, you made his day. The letter was really nice too. Then Maddie got sick, which sorta sucks. Isabelle’s sister has a toy store, so this is her busy time. We’re both sorta out of it, it’s that time of year. I got Isabelle a scroll saw for Christmas because I’m awesome.

The title refers to a thing Isabelle said that we lost sadly, so today’s is about 25 minutes shorter than usual. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Well, in that the calendar is approaching the 25th anyway. Nasty weather just above freezing, roads are awful. We went to the work Christmas party yesterday. Free Wings! We hung out with a couple of women we really like, Laurie and Jenn. Isabelle also met some new people, which was cool. I thought I’d lost my earbuds, but they were in the car.

Some traditions are dumb. Others, like us recording our annual search for a Christmas tree, actually make the world a safer place and bring together people from across the globe. Also we talked about lots of stuff, because, well, because where we thought we could get a tree had no trees. However, I went on to facebook, and, lo and behold, it had a use. Someone suggested a place and we went there.

I’m in bed typing this on my phone before getting up. I love the future!! It’s actually the seventh anniversary of us rebooting Broca’s Area. We’re both almost done the term. Maddie is on her way back from Japan, where she was awesome as expected. Also she had great food. Jon had friends over yesterday so that’s why we’re on a Saturday. Next week there’s a work party on Friday, so, we’ll again be on Saturday. We talked about that banana art thing, it’s dumb. Our yearly Christmas Tree Special is coming up soon!

Hey, it’s Canadian National Day of Podcasting! or #CNDOP. In that spirit, even though we already recorded this week, we thought we’d do a bonus episode for CNDOP. Maddie is on her way to the Japans, so there is some texting with her during the episode. We mostly talked about why we do the podcast. about how podcasting and technology have changed over the time we’ve been doing these things, and about the many friends that we have met over the years. We hope you like the episode! Happy #CNDOP!

Hey, almost 300. I’m writing this before we go, on Friday. I guess this is our CNDOP episode. If you think we should have waited to release this until Sunday, bite me. Wait, Isabelle informs me that we are recording something special for CNDOP, and that will be episode 300 which is sorta neat. We had a snow storm this week, the first big one. No school buses etc. Lots of people in the store today, dunno why. Our Christmas special is coming up.

Friday again School is getting down to crunch time. We are both marking and listening to presentations. The IRS is hot on my tail. our friend Tom is coming to dinner. isabelle bought a bird book. Lets get new chairs. im typing this on my phone while waiting for take out Syrian food. Oh yeah, my brother was nominated for a Grammy.

A shorter one this week, still, what did you pay for it? Stop complaining. So far we’ve both liked the Apple TV+ shows. I’m a big fan of ‘For All Mankind’ because it has a late 60s/early 70s aesthetic (I’m not sure if you know this, but I like Mad Men….) plus, it has astronauts. Isabelle is really impressed with ‘See’. I do like it as well. I have meetings today, yay! A big arts and culture centre is opening in Sudbury. Lots of people don’t like change.

Another Fridaycast. Jon had a dental appointment today, so he did that while I shopped. So you hear a bit of the boy during the podcast. I got my watch, as you can see. Also, they think I have a PhD in philosophy. Apparently during the event there was a video, but I left, as I sat there for over an hour and I don’t do well sitting quietly….. Jon got a Burger at Burger King. Isabelle is still thinking about her potential podcast.

It’s November. Our snow tires are on our car. I pulled a muscle in my neck. I’d advise you not to do that. Oh, it’s another Friday episode! Isabelle saw an artist talk. She also found an old list. Plus, we stopped a Burger King.

You know it’s getting close to the time when the clocks change when you are buying pumpkins and lots of candy. You also know it when you are writing a post like this in the morning at it is 7:51 am and it is still dark out. Yup, writing it before we go. I don’t have to be in until I have a meeting at 1, and Isabelle has some time this morning, and Fridays are better at the store, so, Friday shopping for the third week in a row, we pass the savings on to you! Isabelle is meeting with her group of francophone artists soon. I saw Yooper’s friend’s lawn bot. Then a couple of guys tried to sell me weed. There was an election on Monday. Evil did not prevail. It’s still out there though.

Gee we’re getting close to 300 of these things. Very chilly early this morning, -2 when I got up at 7. Ahh the break week ends. Boooooo. Seinfeld has had a large effect on the culture, including saying ‘luxurious’ whenever we’re on newly paved road. Strava doesn’t want to support Bluetooth devices any more. Boo again. Maddie is off on a few trips soon. Pretty great opportunities.

Hey, Happy Thanksgiving Canadians! So Isabelle has some friends/acquaintances who own an alpaca farm. They’re having an open house of sorts today, so we went. We also thought, hell, why not record something. So we did that. I got a new toque! It’s, of course, made of alpaca. Well alpaca wool, not like their spleens or something. Isabelle is getting more involved in the local francophone scene. Isabelle is, as usual, working on her grants. It’s the break week. I love the break week.

So, we actually recorded this yesterday, but ‘m just getting around to it today. This is a short one, no LCBO trip etc. So those of you who are bag or box fans are left out. We apologize for the inconvenience. We too Jon in to the bush plane museum and were hoping to see his teacher, but she was not int, there was a sub. Hey, they have a new helicopter, and it looks like one of those Bell choppers from MASH. We both like ‘Both Sides Now’ by Judy Collins.

As I often do, I’m writing this in advance of actually going shopping. I never know what we’ll talk about, but I can be pretty sure we’re going to mention the biblical level rain we had on Monday night. We got 135 mm of rain in that day, but both in bouts of about an hour. We’ve been through a couple of hurricanes. I’ve never seen rain like this. There was, of course, flooding. Happily, our Cadillac of sump pumps kept everything dry. Google knows we are shopping. I got an Amazon package, picked it up at a weird and wonderful store. Isabelle’s done her brains. What’s the deal on people on planes?

So I just got back from my whirlwind tour of Bucknell University’s animal behaviour program. It was a great trip. That said, I had to run through airports. The Delta airlines people were great at helping me get to gates. Lewisburg, where the university is, is a nice little town. I had fun talking to colleagues and visiting research labs. But wow, it was draining. I’m happy to be home. Isabelle is working on a series of paintings about brains. Great stuff. It’s getting cooler out, fall is here. Isabelle will be going to a performance art thing tonight. We talked about performance art and its relationship to art in general.

It’s been quite warm (for here) recently. Indeed, probably 27 or something today eventually. Supposed to be a thunderstorm later on though. Jon was very excited last night about the series finale of Killjoys. Isabelle went to Sudbury on Thursday for an art dealio. The term is going well so far. I’m off to Pennsylvania next week. We talked a lot about emails this week and how they can, and can’t be the best way to communicate. We think it depends a lot on the receiver, almost more than the writer maybe?

Hey, a Friday one. It’s easier to shop on Fridays, the selection is better, and, early in the term I don’t really have to go in on Fridays and neither does Isabelle, so, Friday it is! It’s our first real week of the term, and I’m wiped. I’ll get back used to it, but right now, man. I fell asleep in two minutes last night according to my sleep app. Looks like Jon and his classmates are starting a sort of baking business through their field school, pretty neat. We bought meatless burgers last week and they were ok. Isabelle actually prefers them to dead animals. I don’t, though they were pretty good.

So today would have been my Dad’s 76th birthday. Happy birthday Dad! Jon’s off to a high school football game today, even though his school no longer has football (thanks Ford!) Our university has it’s biggest ever incoming class. It’s the same thing for the local college. Exciting times. I bought impossible burgers. We had them for lunch, I can tell you it is pretty damned close to the real thing. Isabelle is always ‘beside the Cart Park’ and I always know where she is. Oddly, there are four cart parks. But, I always know which one she means. Grad school friends are friends forever.

Man, it was five degrees when I woke up! That said, it warmed up to the point that I shouldn’t have worn the hoodie I had on. The term starts next week. Maddie has been in town. We’re having a little birthday get together for her today. Jon came with us today, so there’s a sort of mini Jon files in this episode. Isabelle is, as usual, working on a grant. A few colleagues have taken early retirements, that’ll change things up at work.

Hey, back to writing the post before we go! So Isabelle is off on Saturday for a quick trip, so we’re shopping on Friday. My holidays are almost over. I got new bike tires. The LCBO now seems in on ‘Bag or Box’. The fall is coming, and so is the looming fall term. The expression ‘it is what it is’ led to some hilarious impressions.

So, we’re back from a whirlwind camping trip to Cooper Harbor Michigan. It’s the home of Mike, the Virtual Yooper, and Chris or Mrs. Yooper… When we arrived Mike set up a microwave wifi network for us…. Cuz, like, that’s how he rolls. It turned out that one of our tires on the trailer needed to be replaced, so of course Mike did that. We went to a lighthouse! We drank beer and gin. Isabelle went to Art in the Park with Chris. Jon mostly stayed in the trailer. Mike made his famous Pad Thai. Plus, we passed Scarborough dude, on his way to Copper Harbour. Seriously. Thanks Musiels, you’re awesome people.

An extra stop today as we had to return empties for the first time since June or so. Isabelle and Jon had the opening of their show in Blind River. It was great! To celebrate, yesterday we went out for dinner. We’ve been watching an Australian cooking show on Netflix called ‘The Chef’s Line’ which is pretty good, though Isa is not much on the episodes about the restaurants. We’ve been spoiled by the likes of Bourdain and Chang. Isabelle is still thinking about her art podcast. Any name ideas? The cashier at the grocery store noticed that we went later than usual…..

Pretty great title right? We’ve been remodelling a room, which is fun. The real fun is finding old stuff and then wondering if you should keep it and where. Isabelle and Jon have a show coming up in Blind River. I don’t. I’ll go though. It’s pretty warm today, and Monday is a holiday, so, the LCBO was packed. Still, no problem getting in and out in the space of a song. Isabelle explained to me how artist fees work. Looks like there’ll be an art burning tonight!

Back on our regular schedule. OK, not at all. Actually we released one yesterday, and now today we had to go shopping, so we recorded. The whole deal in the US with ICE etc is getting us both down. We had a funny story at the border yesterday, and we shared it for your amusement. Isabelle came down to help me put stuff in the cart and the cashier said ‘oh you’re helping, you never help’. That was weird I mean, I think she meant it as a joke, but umm, yeah…. Isabelle needs a name for her in the planning stages art podcast.

So, another whirlwind tour is in the books. We went to London, where Jon stayed with my Mom. Isabelle and I then headed off to Montreal for a surprise birthday party for Isabelle’s brother in law Bernard. It worked, he was surprised! Then we drove back to London. Then we drove back home. All the while it was super freaking hot. It’s good to be home.

This weekend is the anniversary not only of Isabelle’s birth, but of men landing on the moon. While yes, we did record last night and release a podcast special for Isabelle’s birthday this morning, we still had to shop. Look, we record when we shop ok? Isabelle was gallery sitting again today, but she only had one person come by. Isabelle is hoping to get John Meadows up to show his photography with old timey cameras. Jon stayed by himself last night, which is a big deal. Isabelle has a drone! Heat dome really just means it’s hot out.

So it’s Isabelle’s birthday as I type this. Mae went out for dinner We were, oddly, the youngest couple in the place. Many of them seemed like they might be Seinfeld’s parents’ friends. Turns out there was some sort of golf tournament in town or something. Oh and Jon stayed at home overnight by himself for the first time which is sort of a milestone.

Still not quite back on schedule. Isabelle has an opening at the gallery tonight, and also has a workshop tomorrow, so we went on Friday. It seems MMPR was bad luck for recording. We’re replacing our toilet seats! Jon continues to be Jon, which has its effects on us. A local guy has a sign telling people to slow down near his house. He uses the word ‘asshole’ on the sign. sadly, we don’t have a picture. However, here’s a story about him.

So we’re back from MMPR. Then Mike showed up to buy a painting. Then we bought absinthe. Truth be told Mike did. Then we talked. Then we recorded it. It was fun. Also, there was absinthe. I’m just saying.

Hey, we went to #MMPR! Now, I’ve been to every one, but it was Isabelle’s first time at MMPR. Isa met everyone and had a great time, which made me happy. Oh the title refers to driving in Hamilton, which is actually close to impossible. Isa sold a couple of paintings, including the one pictured which went to Brent and Brandy. Thanks to Anth and Jay for putting up with everyone on Saturday night. Thanks to everyone for coming to MMPR as well. Finally, it was so excellent to see Ken and Jackie, and thanks to Tom for travelling so far to come to MMPR.

Back to our regular schedule, sorta. Actually we went shopping a bit early. Isabelle has an open house coming at her studio, sorta nifty. Also, there’s a big show at the gallery where her studio is. We lost a friend, which sucks. We’ll be at MMPR and you can buy Isabelle’s podcaster paintings, really!

It’s my birthday! We’d use ‘Happy Birthdave’ but we did last year. This is a day late because Isabelle was visiting her Mom in Quebec and going to a somewhat disappointing Corsican restaurant. There seems to be a bike race going on. It’s warm out. I don’t have much more to say…..

Hey, we’re back. Our buddy Ken has moved on to Queen’s university, good luck Ken. The St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup! I’m pretty happy about this because of my friend Tom, he’s a Blues fan. Also, I hate the Bruins. The Raptors won the NBA, I’m less pleased with that. Jon had his prom yesterday, and we went on a date! Isabelle’s friend has opened a coffee shop, and her art is there. It’s June 15, and, it’s only nine degrees.

Hey, a day early! Well, tomorrow is convocation, so we don’t want to be pressed for time and all. HOLY SHIT IT MIGHT BE SUMMER! It’s really nice out. Happily, unlike the day before convocation last year, we didn’t get involved in an accident. Isabelle just help put on a great art show by kids in the program Jon is in at his high school. It was a real success. I’m just saying, it’s warm. MMPR is going to be fun, Isabelle is going to meet a lot of new people.

Looks like another nice day. A tad chilly as I write this, but it should warm up. Jon claims that he’s coming with us today, let’s see if that happens. If so, well, I hope he participates. We left a little later than usual, so that explains why we’re releasing this a little later than usual. Isabelle needs gloves for gardening. I hate lawns. Pickup trucks as far as the eye can see!

It’s rainy and I’m watching qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix. (I’m clearly writing this before we go). I’ve apparently been muttering to myself a lot lately. Well, there’s been a lot of bullshit….. Jon’s been cleaning up his room and ridding it of things from when he was super little. I can’t blame him. To help him out, Isabelle built him some shelves. Orange juice is just sugar water. I had a big shopping list today.

So, Isabelle was away this weekend so no grocery cast. Today is a holiday, so we thought, hey nothing will be open. Then the Metro app said that our close to us grocery store would be open. LIAR. So we drove around and talked about stuff, as we do. I did drop in to the Circle K to pick up some cream and some eggs. Isabelle may be doing a solo shopping trip tomorrow. We’ll end up with 24 kinds of lettuce and no meat. I had my last trip to COU this past week as well. It was sad leaving that group in a way. I won’t miss the travel though.

OK, I’m writing this about 15 hours before we go grocery shopping. It’s supposed to be nice this weekend, here’s hoping we can do some bike riding. I have my last Council of Ontario Universities meeting this coming week. As well, Isabelle will be off to North Bay this week. Now it is the day of recording (Saturday) and it is really nice out if a bit chilly. It will be warmer later, might be bike time. Isabelle’s profile has been accepted by the Canada Arts Council. That’s the final step in letting her apply for such grants. Quite cool. The people in the LCBO are funny.

It it ever a nice day! It’s supposed to go up to 17 today. Here’s hoping it goes up even higher. That said, I’m typing this well before we go and it is currently -1C. We finished our Battlestar Galactica watch through. A character said ‘do your job’ 44 times. I’ve brought a computer back to the world of the living. Pretty nice. Isabelle will be returning to cow questing shortly. We’re hoping that the weather holds. Looks like a good bike riding day. Hopefully it won’t just rain and rain and rain all week, but we fear it might.

We’re back, and boy has the weather changed! It’s NICE OUT. We’re biking again, and it’s awesome. Isabelle was in Halifax to see her friend’s MFA show. The weather there was awful and she had a three hour delay. Then our friend Jackie picked her up. I was in Florida (and our friend Ken drove me to the airport). All my flights, for a change, were fine. But, Maddie was there and things didn’t go as well for her. She got stuck at customs and missed her flight. That said, eventually she got there and gave a great talk. The other day in the store a guy commented on my pants. It was odd. Isabelle is giving her table top loom (we’ve got like more than one loom……) to a friend.

Hey, why is this out so early? Well, because Isabelle has singing practice. Also, this one’s a little shorter than usual because I went to the LCBO yesterday. I think spring might be here! Then again, yesterday smelled a lot like Christmas. The term is over. I’m pretty excited about that. Isabelle’s trip to Halifax is coming up. Then it’s my trip to Florida. So, there might not be an episode next week. In fact almost certainly there won’t be. Isabelle went to Sudbury recently. She reports that it feels like lots of places patched together. That is because it is! ‘Greater Sudbury’ (which sounds ominous to me) was created I think at the end of the 90s. It’s the biggest, by area, city in Canada.

The melt is real, real ugly that is. Still, the idea that spring is coming and the winter is over is attractive. It was about 0C when we shopped. Look, I know we talk a lot about the potholes, but fuck, I mean, there are potholes that you’d have to get Evel Knievel to build you a ramp to negotiate. That, as an aside, is likely the most poorly constructed sentence I’ve ever written. The term is almost over, thank whatever deity or non deity you wish. In a couple of weeks I’m off to Florida and just before that Isa will be on her way to Halifax.

Looks like it will be a high of 5C today preettttty niiiiiice. So, the honours thesis talks were yesterday. I had a fun, if very long, day. Also JON TURNED 18! He’s quite enamoured with the idea of being an adult. Who could blame him? We’ve made it through February and much of March. I’m not going to lie, this winter was a battle. However, we are now in the tunnel and now can see light. Isabelle is off to Sudbury for a quick trip this week.

It’s snowed again, though it rained some this week and there has been some melting. This thing in New Zealand makes me angry as hell. I’ll do my best not to get angry on the podcast. I have a theory., the provincial conservatives are bullies who never grew up. That’s the leadership, the hangers on, they’re like the kids who wanted to be cool, so they hung out with bullies and said ‘what are we doing next?!!!’ Isabelle has been doing so much cool stuff with her project, she talks a lot about it in the episode.

Looks like it is getting somewhat nice out. Quite sunny today and not too cold. Of course, there is a damned ‘special weather statement’ about impending snow and ice pellets, so we have that going for us. Isabelle’s art project has begun. She’s painting podcasters. Pretty cool. Everything is always going through the internet outrage machine. Then people are always angry. We don’t think that’s healthy, take that from me, who used to always be angry…. Like, how do people have the energy to keep up the anger. There are times when you should laugh and such. Isabelle has been thinking about how she defines herself. I like that. She interviewed an artist colleague the other day, which is cool. It will show up in the That’s Not Art feed. We were supposed to be interviewed by Mark Blevis today, but, circumstances beyond his control changed that.

Seems pretty ok out right now, about -8C or so. Jon is joining us today, and probably will a lot in the next while. He decided that he wants to come. Fine by us. I like the company while shopping as well. Oh man did we have a storm. Like, it was crazy. To top it off, Mis, the virtual Yooper was to fly in Sunday, no dice. It’s almost surprising that he made it in for the Monday. OK, I wrote all of that before we went, and damned backpack studio crashed. However, we had other errands to run so it worked out. Isabelle is doing an art project based on pictures of podcasters podcasting, so send yours! Isabelle went to a pow wow this afternoon! Isabelle is on her way to Halifax in about a month to see her friend’s MFA final show. Pretty niiiiiiiice. Oh turns out Jon couldn’t be in this one, he was originally, but yeah, it crashed.

There’s a storm a brewin’. Mike the Virtual Yooper is visiting, well, sorta, as he stayed here Thursday night and left for Podcamp Toronto on Friday. He comes back Sunday, leaves for home Monday, weather permitting. The break week was eventful. Jon spilled a Pepsi on his computer and subsequently wrecked it. A new one will serve as his 18th birthday present. Isabelle and I are (weather permitting) going to a thing tomorrow. Because of this, Isabelle wants me to wear a jacket. Isabelle has been doing lots of cool stuff, and she updates all of us about it.

So, the crazy cold is over. However, the crazy amount of snow is here as you can see in the picture. Our neighbour, Doug, snowblowed our driveway yesterday, he shall receive the Order of Lenin for this! Isabelle was in Toronto being the rural juror. She stayed at a cool hipster boutique hotel. There was, sadly, a kid killed by her father this week in Toronto. There was an Amber Alert about it. SOME PEOPLE GOT UPSET BY THIS BECAUSE IT DISRUPTED THEIR SLEEP! The technical term for people like this is ‘asshole’. Remember when you were a kid and you dug tunnels into snowbanks? That was probably not that safe when you think about it.

It’s not so cold, but we had freezing rain, and a LOT of snow yesterday. Jon dows not want to accept any help shovelling, which is odd. Isabelle’s group at 180 Projects (it’s not 'her group per se, but I can’t think of another way to express this) hosted an opening this week. It went well. There was a report about it on Radio Canada, as it was the first francophone art exhibit in the city since 1987. The roads are a mess. There was a fire last week downtown, big doings afoot. I bought us a new shovel, because one of our snow shovels broke. I had a fun encounter with an International student on the bus.

WAIT, IT ISN’T MINUS DOUBLE DIGITS TODAY!!!! It’s been an eventful week. They’re sorta kinda putting in my windows. Isabelle continues to art a lot. She’s hosting, I guess is the right word, an art exhibit next week. As well she’s going to be on a jury for the OAC. Boy, pushing a cart in the grocery store parking lot was not easy. They don’t handle like Ferraris. We met our across the street neighbour. Good guy, told us our trunk was open.

Look I’m sorry I’m harping on this, and using roughly the same sentence as last week, but man it is cold. It is currently, as I type this at 8 am, -28C. It’s one of those morning where the first thing you do is check to see if the pipes are frozen. Jon has an Oscar pool you should enter. Isabelle’s program about abstract art for kids is done for now. It picks back up in May. We talked a bit about getting kids to do abstract stuff and how hard that is. They’re slowly installing new, energy efficient, windows at the U, hence the picture. They’re doing mine Monday night. So, I have to move some stuff. I’m not moving my filing cabinet, wrong union…. We had quite a few stops today, but Backpack studio seems to have held on.

Yes, I know I harp on the weather in these things. I guess it is because our summers are so short and our winters long and at times REALLY COLD. It’s so cold the my colleague Jenn and I, who I’m doing a field research project with, told our student assistants not to observe the birds until Tuesday. As I told them ‘we aren’t paying you enough fo you to die. We went pretty late today. Isabelle had a really big day yesterday (which you hear about a bit), and we had nothing big on this afternoon, so we went later, and Jon came along. He hadn’t seen the renovations to the grocery store, so he got to see them. I’m no fan of Voyager, though, it has its decent episodes. It’s more the characters being inconsistent for me, especially Janeway. Also, what nation did Chakotay belong to? True Detective is back as is ST:Discovery.

For the first time ever, I’ve come up with a title before we record. We all just got up, and I started to do my regular routine of checking stuff, including the weather. It’s -24 C our. That, for those of you scoring at home, has a technical name. Fucking Cold. Isabelle’s project with Jon’s high school starts next week, exciting stuff. Backpack studio crashed, but, I had a backup recorder because I’m me. So half is on a Zoom H2. People were standing around in the grocery store in the way, it was really annoying. We made a bunch of stops today for your listening pleasure. We’ve done 250 of these (and 118 of the hold show). Thanks to everyone for listening!

Pretty grey out today. Not too cold. In fact, even though I wore a short sleeved shirt in the store (under my coat) I was still all sweaty from the roller boogie. The store is warm. Isabelle is buying lots of supplies for her upcoming art project with the kids at Jon’s high school. Backpack studio is working well. The liquor store was empty, eerily so. Jon saw someone get arrested yesterday, kinda freaked him out. Jon got new fish today too, which is good.

So Christmas has come and gone. It was pretty great. Now, on to New Year’s Eve! NYE is the worst holiday ever, as I’ve mentioned on this podcast and others. Looks like Backpack studio worked today. The roads are horrible. It was very warm and slushy, then it was -17. This causes bumpiness. Isabelle got me a new coat and boots so I have a new winter look. The cashier at the grocery store agrees that New Year’s Eve sucks. The LCBO and the grocery store weren’t that busy, oddly. We talked about the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, because we are awesome.

OK, so I was looking through that facebook ‘On This Day’ deal and found a picture from 2012. It turns out that 2012 had the same December we currently have, meaning December 22 was on a Saturday. Well, let’s see how that looked. You can see in the photo that it was a nightmare. OK, my hope, as I type this, is that it is not that bad, but I fear it may be worse. At least the renovations are done at the grocery store. I’m sure the liquor store will be fine. Hey, Maddie is in town! We are beta testing a new podcasting app, Backpack Studio, the successor to Bossjock. Well, it crashed and we lost our first segment. So, I guess I’ll file a bug report…. We’re going to make art this afternoon. Me, Isabelle, Jon, Maddie and Ross. It will be inspired by Ross’s Mom Tammy who died a little over a year ago. The grocery store was a nightmare, and holy crap is it hot in there. The LCBO was not as bad. Isabelle might be having a show soon! Christmas Eve is our own tradition. Each of us makes a dish or two. This year it’s tapas. Merry Christmas to all of you from the Michaud-Brodbeck family.

This is the fourth time we’ve gone to get a tree. Well, I mean, it isn’t the fourth time we’ve got a tree, but the fourth time we’ve done that and recorded it. A couple of years ago we figured out that it was pretty easy to put the tree in the bak of the car. So we’ll do that again. We culled our old ornaments yesterday. We had some old ones… I can’t drink egg nog while decorating the tree today, because I have to be on another podcast later today.

Snowy, Christmasy. Isabelle is sort of energized by the recent events surrounding French language rights in the province. She’s meeting all kinds of new people in the Francophone community, and reconnecting with old ones. The grocery store is a thousand degrees. This time of year is a bit nuts, but in a good way. Expect our annual Christmas tree getting episode soon! It’s marking season. And grant review season. And article review for a journal season.

Hey it’s Canadian National Day of Podcasting! Isabelle is off to stick it to the man. The man being the provincial government, who decided to cancel a planned francophone university in Toronto. I’m quite sure many conservative voters don’t care about the French fact in Ontario (or Canada frankly). Indeed, I know people from all over the political spectrum in this province who feel that way. Then again, a PC MPP quite the caucus over the French language funding cuts too. Good luck Isa. Go get ‘em.

We’re going shopping a day early because Isabelle has a big weekend ahead of her. She’s got a bunch of cool cow themed ornaments for sale at a craft show, plus, she’ll show her paintings. It’s the end of the term and I’m marking essays. I wrote a blog post about things I hate in essays. The patriarchy is a thing. The grocery store renovations are almost done. Isabelle made a hair ribbon, it’s cute. Isa is trying to connect with the local French community, and with francophone artists, which is pretty great.

So, it is cold out, and the snow is here to stay. The term is coming to an end, and Isabelle has a cold. Jon is off to the Santa Claus parade today, he loves that sort of thing. He’ll be on the float for his school. The government of Ontario has cut funding for French speaking services in the provinces. Thanks! Oh and canceled the development of a French university in Toronto, thanks again! Isabelle will be interviewed on Radio Canada about being an artist. This should lead to a three picture deal and lots of fame.

I fear this is the snow that stays until April. Isabelle went to Sudbury yesterday with a friend to see some art. Specifically, the work of Benjamin Chee Chee. I’ve seen the pictures, it looks pretty great. I was in meetings all day about a new initiative at work. Remembrance Day is tomorrow. It is the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War. It is also a day about the dead, not a day about ‘honouring those in uniform’. (To be clear, I have no problem with honouring those in uniform, it’s just not what November 11 is about). I also don’t care if it is now officially about that, I am a traditionalist. We talked a bit about TV in our childhoods. Canadian TV was horrible then.

So light snow today. It’s not sticking to the ground so that’s cool. Also, Isabelle had our snow tires put on yesterday, so, well, she’s psychic obviously. So, Isabelle is wearing her gloves that Greg David gave her! Our legal marijuana arrived on Monday. There are texts, then there are emergency sewing texts. We’ve been watching the Romanoffs, which we both like. We watched episode 1 of season 6 of House of Cards, which led both to the title of today’s episode, and to a pretty good discussion.

It’s the time of year when the weather is shitty. As an update on last week’s instalment, we don’t yet have our government bought marijuana, but will get it Monday. We also bought Jon a mattress that comes Tuesday. Today we bought a new vacuum! It’s a Dyson. Isabelle is enjoying using it as I type this. People are overly paranoid about crossing the border. We use google at work, which presents challenges now and then.

So, marijuana became legal this week. So that’s a thing. It’s oddly normalized already. Indeed, I’ve seen someone smoking a joint at a bus stop. Isabelle had a weird experience this week that brought back a flood of bad old memories and experiences. I was in Toronto for about 22 hours Wednesday and Thursday for a meeting of the Council of Ontario Universities.

We’re going shopping a day early because Isabelle has a thing tomorrow. She just got back from a quick jaunt to the States to pick up a package, I imagine this will come up. Isabelle showed her art to Jon’s class, they were pretty impressed and asked really good questions about the work. Jon really loves the program he is in and is getting a lot out of it. They’ve rearranged the grocery store due to renovations, it is driving me insane. I’m off to the COU again next week, fun stuff. Freedom of expression on campus is the issue we’ll be discussing.

So it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. Also, that means I have to cook a turkey, which I don’t mind doing. Hey, fresh turkeys! We were pretty speechless over the SCOTUS stuff. America, you’re really in trouble. The term is in full swing, and both of our classes are going well. Maddie is visiting for a wedding. Isabelle’s art that she showed recently is inspired by Jon. We talked a bit about what it was like a few years back, after being reminded by looking at an old journal we kept.

Hey, I’m writing this a DAY early. Hey we have a loom! Some assembly required. Isabelle and Jon had a show yesterday and today, that’s pretty great. I think it’s great that Isabelle includes Jon in her work. Indeed this is an actual collaboration between the two of them. We of course talked about the SCOTUS hearings. It is disheartening and disturbing. Not just the hearings and their outcome (which is to be determined) but what women go through every damned day. I’ve been trying over the last few years to be aware of that sort of thing. Isabelle gave some great examples of what women face, daily.

And now over to Dave with the weather. Yeah, it’s 5 degrees out as I type this. Probably warmer once we go shopping. It was super windy yesterday, gusts up to 90 km/h, lots of people lost power, and even the hockey game was canceled. Isabelle prevented herself from buying another typewriter. Jon, for reasons unknown, needs more sunglasses. We’ve been watching a lot of Amazon Prime recently, including Jack Ryan (just me) as well as 30 Rock and The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel (both of us). The latter is full of anachronisms that drive me crazy. The sexy handmaiden costume is a thing.

It’s Saturday! We’re now into the school year proper, things are getting into a routine, and that is good. As Isabelle progresses in her collaborative project with Jon she has been looking back on when Jon was little and we were confused by this agency and that one. It was like we were in the emergency room for 5 years or so. Isabelle got another grant done. People were reasonable in the grocery store today.

Well that's one week of school down, just twelve left to go! Seems like a nice day today, here's hoping everything grocery shopping wise also goes well. Isabelle talked a bit about her experiences with typewriters.  Plus, how she once won an award for writing, and another time she won an award for writing but the typist took credit!   Are there still typists? A person behaved horribly in the grocery store.  I was not impressed.

Hey, It's Maddie's birthday!  She's 25, we're old. Seems a little stormy today, we'll see how that plays out. Friend of the show and Best Episode Ever compatriot Greg David sent us some Wynona Earp (for Jon) and Highway Through Hell stuff (for Isabelle). Oh, Isabelle we have to go to the beer store. School starts up soon, so Isabelle bought some hats and t shirts for Jon.  And an electric pencil sharpener.  And some antlers. Don't forget, we have to go to the beer store

It's a somewhat dreary grey day, though it has finally cooled some.  The fall is coming.   I was in Toronto this week for a day for a meeting, will this come up while we head our for groceries?  Look, I don't know, what am I, some sort of psychic?  Yes, I'm clearly writing this before we go out. We had a pretty good talk about institutionalized sexism.  Also sort of internalized sexism. Isabelle will be teaching in the fall. Jon's getting his hair cut today.

So this one is out a bit earlier than usual on Saturday because we recorded it on a little shuttle mission between camping at Pancake Bay provincial Park and home.   Isabelle is on an art retreat this weekend up by Lake Superior.  Jon and I came for night one, but once the arting starts, it's time for us to head home.  Plus, Jon is not much on anywhere that doesn't have wifi.... We talked about art of course, about how the Group of Seven are hacks (at least as far as I'm concerned) and how the world is a really small place.  Turns out that the person Isabelle is retreating with has a daughter who I taught back in the 90s, and she also knows two guys that my brother teaches at Fanshawe.  Wild.

We're back from our whirlwind tour of Quebec and Ontario!  That means back to our regular routine too. ISABELLE GOT AN ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL GRANT.  This is a big deal.  She will be doing collaborative work with Jon!  You may know Jon from such podcasts as 'The Jonathan Files'. There was a cute kid in the store.  I got the slowest cashier ever, she's very nice though. Hey, the fire ban has been lifted, maybe we'll have a backyard fire tonight! I FORGOT THE CRACKER CHIPS! Sadly, they had no cheese curds at the store, so no poutine.   What foods have a unique mouthfeel?  Like cheese curds that squeak?

We’re driving from Boucherville to London. Isabelle is tired and bored. So let’s pidcast!  That ought to wake her up which will keep us alive.  I hate all people on the road. se saw some cool stuff in Boucherville including the islands neabry which are a provincial park.  Plus we went on bike rides.  we took the 407 to avoid people.  Did I mention that I hate people?  Cool stuff is happening at the university.  I’m still not fond of the traveling public.  BREAKING: ISABELLE GOT AN ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL GRANT!!  This was not on the podcast, but we found out when we got to Mom's house. Also, I hate people.

It's Saturday.  Saturday is when we shop.  It's a thing we do.  Look, I'm obviously typing this before we go. It's a bit cooler now.  Well, I mean it is still summer, but it has cooled down quite a bit.  I'm still riding my bike a lot, though less than I'd like. Hey, 13 years ago tomorrow we started Broca's Area, neat. my sister’s husband is in an A&W ad.  The roads suck. Could you make art, or do anything, untouched by oil?

Mid summer.  Finally we got some rain and it is supposed to continue.  The amazing thing is that we really haven't had any sustained rain since July 2. Isabelle is off to meet a friend at a powwow. There were lots of people at the beer store returning empties, us included. Some of them were clearly stocking up for a big fishing/camping trip.  They had pickups. Isabelle will be displaying her wares at Pridefest this weekend which is cool.  Hopefully she'll make twenty eight thousand dollars.  It's always good to get out and support people who are different than you are. Hey, it was Isabelle's birthday and I got her a heat gun! Also it was prime day and I got one of those echo speaker things.

So, I was at the Marshall McLuhan Podcaster Roundtables last week where I met up with old friends, but made new ones, including Chris, Mike's wife.   The great thing is, they were on a tour of home cities of podcasters or something, so on their way back after visiting Montreal, they came to our place for dinner last night.  It was great! We already knew Mike of course, but Chris is great.   Oh I made Paella, hence this week's picture. We've had a lot of positive feedback about our last episode, thanks!  This led us into a discussion of relationships. I bought wild boar, and I'm not afraid to cook it.

So we didn't record in the car yesterday, but instead, went 'old school' and got the mics out in the 'podcasting studio' that is also Maddie's old room. You may know that rooms from such podcasts as Best Episode Ever, MMVH and Spit and Twitches. Today is the 30th anniversary of us meeting!  It is the day that we celebrate as our anniversary, rather than our wedding one. We talked about a lot of different stuff, much of it reflecting on the last 30 years, and some of it about the future.  It's all inspired by the day though. Oh and Happy Canada Day!

I had nothing to do with the title. Hey, it's my birthday! Last Sunday was Fathers' Day.  It's a little thing I like to call 'Dave Week', it's like Shark Week, but without as many sharks and with more me. People are riding motorcycles near us, some to raise money for some autism thing. The weather today is weird. This minivan handles like the HMCS Bonaventure. One of Isabelle's pairings went to a friend of ours as a gift.  He called Isabelle to tell her how much he likes it.

So, it's a day early again because Isabelle's convocation is tomorrow and we'll be busy.  WAIT.  We didn't publish an episode last week.  Because, we got into a car accident.  Don't worry, everyone is fine and we have a rental while our car is being repaired. Isabelle had her convocation, and Maddie and my Mom were here, it was great.  I'm very proud of Isa.  I mean she doesn't need my pride or anything, but I'm proud of her nonetheless. Isabelle will be busy as a bee this summer. Oh we lost some audio because Bossjock is again becoming a stinking bowl of elephant piss.   You get to hear our car accident too, which is pretty dramatic and such.

Hey, a day early! i’m back from a meeting and Isabelle has a thing tomorrow.  the Americans series finale was outstanding.   Convocation is next week so that’s coming no up too.  The grocery store was a nightmarish hellscape today, yet, the LCBO was great.  I wonder what the LCBO mission statement is? I'm going to be nice at convocation, no jokey jokes.

Boy is it hot today. Humidity is insane. Oh Isabelle's opening went really well. There's something cool at work, they want a podcast studio. Oh and they want me to equip it! Like not with my stuff, but they want me to buy new stuff. Isabelle's art should be on the walls. Isabelle lost her bank card! So we went to the bank to get a new one. Isabelle is making paint out of eggs and parsley. I keep biking, lots. Did I mention it was hot? Great day to clean out the old, soon to be former, shed.

Hey, it's the day of Isabelle's big group show!  We're pretty excited about it too.  Well, I mean I assume Isabelle is.  I'm typing this having not spoken to her yet today. She just got up.  I'll confirm her excitedness soon. It is a bit dreary today, rainy etc.  It hasn't really rained in quite a while, so that's probably a good thing. Isabelle is probably rightfully) concerned that my colleague Paul (whose wife Jacky is in the show) and I will become the centre of attention because we are, frankly, awesome. I've been biking a lot.  Hell, I put in 60 km on Monday.  I actually had no idea where I was.  Well, I mean I knew where I was, just not precisely. Isabelle is going to do great tonight.   Perhaps we'll have special podcast coverage...

Now over to Dave with the weather.  Thanks Dave, it's going up to 16 today, though it is a little chilly right now.  Should be sunny and clear all week. In case you haven't guessed, I'm doing the whole 'type some of this stuff up in advance' deal. Things started out as they often do, with Isabelle not being able to find her glasses.  She found them, inside her bike helmet.  Actually I found them.  Spare me your blind jokes.... We talked a bit about rationality vs gut feelings. Then I shopped!  I got a really good cashier.  Also, I saw a person whose taste in music would not really fit with mine. After that Isabelle talked about her upcoming show, we're both pretty excited about it. Enjoy.

Seems like it is going to be a nice day.  It's only 7am as I type this, and it is foggy, but that is because it got cold over night and is starting to warm up.  Supposed to hit 17 today.  We got Jonno a new bike, so he and I will go for a ride later.   I'm back on the university senate!  I voted against a motion to extend.  It was a pretty good session actually, just too long.  We had a guest speaker, Ken Coates, and he was good.  Then we all had a couple of beers afterwards. Isabelle has her first show as a working artist (not a student one) coming up.  It is with two other people who are friends of hers, one who was briefly on this podcast a few years ago.  It should be pretty great.  Hope you like this episode. I also hope you like the picture of me in the hat that Isabelle took. Oh yeah, there is another Isabelle pick in this episode!

Lots of potential good titles today, I hope you liked the one I used. Isabelle was having trouble getting her seatbelt on because she was wearing many layers of sweaters and what have you.  We took a picture of one of those items so you can see it for yourself. Hey at the LCBO they were handing out free shots of vodka.  So that's a thing.  I remarked to the woman who was slinging the drinks that it was the earliest in the day that I have ever drank vodka.  She deadpanned to me 'I doubt that'.  Pretty good stuff. Isabelle put in a grant proposal.  It is a pretty cool idea.  She bought an old typewriter, and she types.  Then Jonathan types.  It sounds pretty cool.  The sound of the typewriter reminds me of the olden days.

As is my new custom, I'm writing this before we go out.  I'll add specific later.   It's actually spring!  I'm going to guess that by the time we're recording it is 6C.  We'll check on that. I handed in my last set of marks on Thursday, so that's good.  Isabelle had her final show as a student this past week as well.   The university president came to the show, and was really into it, which we liked a lot. Isabelle received an award, the first one that honours her dear friend Pat.  Pretty cool. Hey IT WAS 6 DEGREES.  It is now about 12 as I type this.  Scored some propane, and some steaks.  I really want to buy a new bike. Isabelle can't remember things.  Hence the title.

As is my custom, I'm writing this before we go shopping.  So I don't know what we're going to talk about, or what clever title we'll come up with, or what photo to add.  I can say that we're under a HEAVY SNOWFALL WARNING.  What the fuck is up with that?  As we usually start out with the weather, we'll likely get to that.  Other than that, look, I don't know what we'll talk about ok? Yup, we talked about the weather. Isabelle went off to Value Village while I shopped and found the picture you see above.  It turns out that there is a family connection there, so much of our conversation was about that.

So, I'm back from my trip to the states for the annual meeting of the Comparative Cognition Society.  It was a really good time.  I saw some killer talks.  I also chaired my session with an iron fist.  Pus, old friends.  Of course, Air Canada canceled my flight on the way there, because, you know, Air Canada. Oh yeah, so that's why this one is on a Monday, I was in the USA until yesterday when I returned from deep behind enemy lines. We're hopeful that a strike at the University can be avoided.  I'm actually cautiously optimistic on this. We talked a bit about the Cambridge Analytica thing. Oh and Isabelle did some great impressions of people from France.

Travel with us on many many stops.  I had to get US money, because I'm going to a conference next week, plus, we had to return empties, plus we needed gas, plus you know, the regular stuff. Isabelle's art show was a resounding success.  People loved it.  They should have because it was fucking great.  Probably about 75 people on opening night.  Also, all of my pork buns, which were a little subpar really, got eaten.  The blueberry fritters were also a hit. Isabelle's Mom was here for the show as was Madeleine, which was great.  Indeed, Isabelle got up super early to drive her Mom to the airport.  Last night we looked at old pictures and made up stories about people.  Good times. We've finished up ST TOS.  Apparently I have a tendency to talk over the show and make references to other things.  Who knew? THE GROCERY STORE WAS A FUCKING MADHOUSE.  However, the LCBO was not, which goes to show that my hypothesis about religiosity and shopping is probably correct.

It's two hours before we go shopping, but I'm typing.  This is of course just a way to fill this thing in a bit, but, I'll probably leave this here. Isabelle's big end of year show is coming up.  We're pretty excited, but it has also gotten her to be quite pensive about stuff in her life.  It turns out that art affects her so deeply sometimes she has these sensory experiences, which is pretty wild.  Or, she's having a  stroke.... The honours students in the psych program spoke at their thesis conference yesterday, and it was great.  Then we went out to dinner, and I had a disappointing steak.  This led us to talk about that, and to Isabelle's half baked 'theory' about men and steaks.  I think she needs to take my evolutionary psych class.. next week we'll have a report on how everything went with her show.

Once more I am typing this bit before we go.   I bet we talk about how the TV show Occupied has returned.  If we don't well, hey you pays your money and you takes your chances. Hey, we did talk about it!  We also just finished Babylon Berlin, which you should watch too. Friend of the show Rachel has now also been named a Quora top writer.  Well done! I talked a bit again about Quora and the kind of questions there are on there. I made a quip to a guy in the store. There was a brief power outage in the store, which I didn't record. Isabelle's big final project show is coming up, very cool! I can make Isabelle laugh by saying 'Isabelle, I almost fell'.

I'm just writing things now in order for me to have a placeholder for after we come back from shopping. We went to Sudbury last weekend, so maybe we'll talk about that.  Hey, you know, I could actually write all this stuff in advance, and then sort of drive the conversation in the direction of what I've pre typed!  That sounds like effort though. Hey, we did talk about Sudbury.  Isabelle enjoyed the play she went to and Jon and I enjoyed seeing 'Game Night'.  In fact there's a Jonathan Files review on his podcast. I'm back in my old office, but my coffee maker broke, so I bought a new one. If there was an olympic event in money spending, Jonno might medal.   Isabelle is getting a bit tired of her project, but that makes sense as she's in the tunnel and can see the light at the end of it.

We're busy tomorrow, so why not do a podcast today while shopping? Why not indeed. It's springish out!  Like only 0 degrees C, and sunny and melting. Isabelle saw the movie 'The Square' yesterday, listen for her review.  Sounds like a pretty scathing satire of the art world. The cashier at the grocery store was concerned that I might have switched stores.  I made a funny funny joke to a woman at the store as well. At the LCBO I had a lovely interaction with a clerk who was trying to help me select gin. Isabelle's friend Zenith is sick, get well soon.

Four stops today, as we had empties to return. Isabelle sometimes feels like she is between two worlds, one of science and technology and the other on where you don't 'make anything' but knowledge or art.  I don't think many people are that self aware, so bravo to her. Our friend Mike, the virtual yooper is visiting, well visited yesterday and will be back Sunday night as he is at podcamp Toronto.  I only have time in my schedule for one podcasting event per year, and it is MMPR. OK, for some reason I was named a 'top writer' on the website Quora.  Wild.  I get a subscription to the New York Times out of it, so t that's pretty cool.

Come with us, a day early, to shop and all that. Hey the break is here!  I'm pleased about that. I made Isabelle laugh on Boundary road, rather than near the train tracks on the way back, weird eh? There was a recent documentary about the opiate crisis in our city.  It was pretty amazing.  We talked a bit about that. People in the store were blocking my way again.  They were having a 'debate' about which frozen french fries to buy.  I rendered a decent impression of them. We ended on a pretty serious note, speaking about the recent school shooting in the US.  We're angry.

We lost a very close friend this week, John, who knew Isabelle almost as long as I've known her.  He would hang out at our place in Toronto, he hung out in the lab, indeed he even had a spot in the animal behaviour group's coffee pool.  He came to our wedding etc.  John and I used to get very excited about the PC Insider's Report as well. Speaking of groceries, we had the worst cashier ever.  Now she's very nice, and I wouldn't like complain to the management or anything, but she makes some, oh, creative bagging choices. BOX!!! Isabelle is having a visit from a friend at the studio today, should be fun.  She's known Michelle for quite a while, and we got the story of that. I've got Olympic Fever!

Isabelle has been watching these odd videos about 'psychology' that cherry pick a lot of data. She got there by searching on the term 'university' and trying to find ads.  We've talked about our university's ad campaign before, and how incredibly, umm, not good it is.  I'll probably get in trouble for typing that.... Speaking of our university.  We full time faculty have overwhelmingly voted to strike.  It is just a step, and of course nobody hopes for a strike.  They're offering us less money for more work, which doesn't seem rightly fair..... Isabelle is checking out stuff about how to be a practicing artist with the grants and the spreadsheets and such.

Isabelle is going into her last week of work.  Tonight we're going to a thing with people she works with.  Maybe that will come up next week. Of course now she has more time to work on her art, which is the important thing.  She's working on an artist's statement, in English and French.   Anti vaxxers are stupid.  That's simple. Shoppers who stop and talk in the store are also stupid. Bag this week, no box, for those of you scoring at home.

Wow, we've done 200 of these.  Add that to 117 Broca's Areas and you've got a number. We were saddened this week to hear of the death of Dolores O'Roirdan.  She was the lead singer of the Cranberries.  Perhaps, well to us anyway, more importantly, she worked closely with my brother Dan since 2003,  Forty-six is too young. Isabelle has a mid term sort of thing tomorrow (which is why we recorded today).  She'll get input from her profs about her final project. I'm still sick. We went to the LCBO for the first time this year!

So, we've all been a bit sick lately, and I've been very sick.  Damned flu again.  Had we recorded last week it would have just been me moaning and complaining of chills. I am doing better though, still sick. Isabelle wants to make some stop motion movies which is a neat thing.   We've been watching ST Deep Space Nine.  (We've seen it before of course)  We're convinced that, except for TOS, it is both the best and worst series as far as the portrayal of women go.  The sexism is really cringeworthy, that's for sure. Glad to be back!

We thought we'd go shopping a day early to hopefully beat the hordes to shopping for New years'. Hey it worked! Isabelle is a woman of leisure.  She's just lucky I'm around. Christmas was a lot of fun.  Boy did it get cold, -33 the other day.  Plus, it snowed like a son of a bitch, like 50 cm, and no crews to clean it because (understandably) they were on holidays.  Today it was 'warm' 11 C. Happy New Year from us!

It is our last episode before Christmas.  So we are on our way to shop, it should be a complete nightmare of nightmarish proportions (this is just a guess, as I am typing this before we go).  If I don't make it back, send out a search party, and I'll pop green smoke. We made it back, and at the same time that we would normally get back, which should give you an idea about how long it took. It actually wasn't that bad.  I mean it wasn't that good either. Groceries were expensive, let's say it is good we had 280 000 PC points and leave it at that.  Then I got double charged at the LCBO, but that got fixed. Rachel always sends us a nice e card during the Holidays, and it is really appreciated. Merry Christmas to all of you.

I'm not sure that's the exact title we agreed on but it is close.  When we got home there was a clog in the upstair bathroom sink.  So for the last 45 minutes I've been fixing that.  All fixed.  Boy that ways fun! Anyway, we went out a tad later today too, so not only are we close to Christmas, we're later in the day.  The store was packed.  Packed with people who don't know how to cook or stoop.  It's kind of cute in a way seeing say a young couple wanting to impress their family by cooking.  Cooking food they have no idea how to cook.  I then told the tale of helping out such a couple. Isabelle's work is coming along nicely.  She says sometimes her stuff is too painty.  I am not sure what that means, but it makes sense to her and the other art people, so it is just a term I don't understand. Isabelle's Dad built houses and was a designer and is the inspiration for a lot of her work.

No, really I did.  Now, I also bought littleneck clams, shrimp and chorizo.  They will all go together in a soup that will be great. I've been marking.  Students don't understand what an A is, well some, I shouldn't tar them all with the same brush and all that. People don't write things down any more.  Which means they use Isabelle as their external hard drive. People don't write in general, which means they are shitty writers. I'm still trying to get over the same of the kale.

As is our custom, we went and got a Christmas tree today. As is our custom, we recorded this event for posterity. As is our custom, Isabelle laughed a lot. As is our custom, I have nothing left to say but am trying to take up space. Enjoy.

Today we went for an extra stop, at the Jiffy Lube, and we recorded there as well, so this one is extra long.  Is that a good thing?  I don't care.  What did you pay for this anyway? Isabelle has been on some training stuff for work.  I've been marking essays.  Essays are driving me insane. We got our bolts torqued.   Isabelle explains auxiliary verbs while I am tooth chipping angry. We bought a new washing machine after the show, because, well, because ours is broken sadly.

Boy the grocery store was full of people today.  As was the LCBO.  You get some bonus coverage of me getting Pernod and gin, as Yooper has said he likes that... Some people drive like jerks. Thanks to Jasen with an E for the tip on the blinker.  It is fixed. We had a quick studio visit to pick up some stuff.  Oh and Isabelle took a picture in front of a wall filled with ridiculous (to me) graffiti.  Hence the title.

It is snowy again.  It melted during the week, but it came back.  However, it is melting now.  It's pretty gross out, except the temperature is ok.   Snow sometimes flies off of cars, you should take pictures of people like that. Jon in probably going to be on his school's float for today's Santa Claus parade.  Should be fun for him, perhaps there'll be a Jonathan Files about it. I bought the liquor etc for this year's egg nog!  We definitely needed a box. Isabelle is a will imposer.  I went to high school with a William Imposer, good guy.

So, it snowed a great deal the other day and there is still quite a bit left on the ground. It is Remembrance Day today.  Indeed, at 11 am in the grocery store there was a moment of silence.  It was quite moving. Isabelle's friend Zenith is getting an award, yay her! THE LCBO IS CLOSED FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY.  This is not the freedom those brave young men fought for. We have colds. Maddie is visiting, so that is always nice.

Well, it snowed overnight.  Not a lot as you can see in the picture, but enough that it is annoying. You get three stops today, as I had to get my prescriptions filled again.  Exciting, indeed riveting.  Eye update, about 99 percent I think, but I can still feel my eye in its socket.  I don't think that is how it is supposed to work. When are people old now?  What age?  In the past I think younger people looked older, like say people in their twenties looked fortyish.   Isabelle needed to get old wallpaper and a hat for the boy.  Alas, no hat. I asked Isabelle if she like making art more than it being finished.  I think she likes making it more than finishing it.

So we had an eventful week. We went down to London to watch Maddie get her MSc.  Stayed with my Mom which was pretty great, and also ordered Chinese food, which I have a thing for. The convocation itself was truly excellent.  UWO know how to do this.  Frankly, it is way better than ours at AU  (which is pretty good, but Western's is just better).  The band played them on to the Olympic anthem, which was great.  Oh and they played the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme when they were leaving, then, Sweet Georgia Brown. Halloween is coming, which means I have to hide candy from Isabelle and Jon.... Isabelle bought some wood for her work (you can see the pic above) and she explained more about her final project.

Back to the normal Saturday shopping. Eye update, no change. We've got a big week coming up, it's Maddie's MSc convocation, so a mid week trip to London is in order. Isabelle has been having lots of visits with artists.  They come by her studio space and offer their thoughts on her work.  Some have a sort of ideological approach.  I find that crazy.  Of course, what the hell do I know. It is way too warm for this time of year. Hey, Yooper, you can hear me get the Pernod today!

So, tomorrow, which is our normal shopping and recording time, Isabelle is making a drum.  So, we went today, Friday. I took the bus down to where her studio space is, at 180 Projects.  You can see a picture of her on the left there.   So, what are the demographics of Friday shopping?  It skews old, and slow. An artist Isabelle is into is coming to town next week, so that's pretty exciting. We've been watching The Orville, which we like, Star Trek: Discovery, which we like, and, The Leftovers, which we like but find disturbing. Jon's a big Greyhounds fan, and can't miss a pregame show.

First off, eye update.  95 percent. Our fridge is full of bottles of various sauces.  I culled the herd today.  As an aside, I don't trust people who don't have crowded fridges. The eggnog is supposed to be there, it is supposed to age.  Really.  That picture there is from an article on Serious Eats where they aged egg nog.   Hey, it's our Thanksgiving episode!  Hard to know if I'll do the turkey tomorrow or the next day. Isabelle is getting on fine setting up her studio space.  She has tools, she goes to Home Depot.  I go grocery shopping.  21st century people we are.

Now it's winter.  OK, I exaggerate a bit.  However, unlike last week when it was literally over 30, it was 0 when we got up. Eye update, 80 percent better, I can now read out of my left eye. Isabelle is building a workbench at her new studio space.  The guy who is helping her is, apparently, Marc Maron. I wonder why she got all of her messages at once? Hey, we got a box! Isabelle is working very hard at her new job, and that's awesome.

Hey, we're back! In the 'will these people ever get better' file, Jon is much better and back to school, Isabelle is close to normal, though her ribs still hurt from coughing and me,, well, my eye is getting slowly better.  But, better enough that we could record today! Hey, Isabelle is getting studio space!  So that's cool. Isabelle found an LCBO gift card in the car.  So, we used it. I'm happy to be back teaching, but I really also miss people, especially yelling at my buddy Paul.

No, my thyroid is fine.  Listen and you'll get the reference. So, on Tuesday I went to the Dr. and she immediately said 'you should see an ophthalmologist' and she got me an appointment that afternoon.  He is a pretty great guy and prescribed and anti viral drug to stop this eye infection.  That all happened BTW within about 3 hours.  So if you don't like socialized medicine for its supposed inefficiencies, bite me.  Oh and my work drug plan covered the drugs.  Cost out of pocket?  One dollar.  So I'm getting better, though it will take time, and it seems now Isabelle and Jon are getting sick. Isabelle is off to a sort of giant play today, sounds interesting. Sometimes people ask questions that really make no sense.   Isabelle is settling in to her new job, which is exciting as hell.

So back to the regular schedule this week.   I'm getting better, though this eye thing is a tad much. We've asked before why people listen.  Another question is why we do this at all?  Like what do we get out of podcasting?  It's not like we're thinking of stopping or anything, it is just one of those semi annual 'what the hell is this thing that we do' things. Isabelle has started the new job, which is awesome.  She's insisting on speaking French which makes sense as it is a French services job. The new term starts Wednesday, so I have that going for me too. The finale of Twin Peaks is tomorrow, I will bake a cherry pie.

So we went on a trip to Ottawa to look after some friends' dogs, and to hang in Ottawa what with the national capital things and such. So I got REALLY FUCKING SICK.  Like, bad flu, haven't been this sick in 22 years (yes, I've kept count).  I'm getting over it now. THEN OUR CAR BROKE DOWN.  Yeah, Broken Area etc.  Look if you need a Motel to stay in in Deep River, I can tell you where not to stay.  I can also say that the guys at Everitt's Service Station were top notch, thanks a lot to them. ISABELLE GOT THE JOB.  I'm using  a lot of capitals this week.  So it is pretty exciting chez Michaud-Brodbeck. So this is just a short one, no LCBO run today. See you Saturday for a regular episode.

Hey, it's a day early!   We were out to lunch, and Isabelle has a thing tomorrow, so why not shop and record today? So, Jon has a new iPhone, and I have a new android tablet, which came with an extra gig of data.  That was cheaper than just getting the data. I'm still biking. Isabelle has become very interested in dreams and dreaming.  Why do we dream?  What does it mean?  As usual, I ruin everything with science.  Still, a neat artistic inspiration.

Today's episode is a little longer than usual because we took Maddie back to the airport.  She was supposed to go home yesterday, but many Air Canada flights were cancelled due to lightning in Toronto.  So, they rescheduled for today. Then I needed chain lube for my bike.  So, we stopped at a very cool bike shop in town and picked some up.  Then we hung out there a bit, you can hear a bit of us being there, the people there at Velorution are great.  They never make you feel like a noob, and they aren't pushy at all.  It is a great store. Then, it was off to shopping. Hey, Isabelle has a job interview on Thursday.  Send positive vibes and such. Jon came with us, but didn't say much really. Enjoy.

For reasons that escape me, I referred to this one as 'episode 180'.  That won't be for at least three weeks. We just got back from another camping trip, which was fun.  Isabelle's friend Alicia came along.  After day one, Isabelle drove Jon and me home and went back to stay another day.  She also tore the trailer down by herself (this is usually my job) and did a splendid job.   She's very good at trailer parking, and has no idea how.  Implicit knowledge baby! Isabelle and Alicia went to a beach and painted, that's cool. Her ideas for her final project are coming along nicely.

It's summer. It's hot. There are a lot of people in the LCBO parking lot.  That is, perhaps, the finest poem I have every written. Jon and I just saw Dunkirk, and they used the Sheperd illusion in it.  You'll hear an example in the podcast. Kyle McLaughlin is in town filming a TV show.  That, frankly, is pretty cool. Isabelle's Mom likes shoes from the 70s.  However, such shoes are horrible and dangerous and must be stopped.  OK, I'm really exaggerating. Maddie is coming soon! Oh there is a little glitch in this one, hope it doesn't bother anyone, but hell, what did you pay for it?

Hey, we're back! We were away camping last weekend, so no podcast. We went camping with Isabelle's sister Julie. She was visiting to help celebrate Isabelle's 50th birthday. It was a pretty casual affair as you can probably imagine. Basically some friends, a fire, and 48 sliders of various types. The camping trip was fun, though Jon wants internet, always. Our friend David visited us during the trip as well. So, we're looking after a dog. A dog that looks like Johnny Depp on a bad day, right? Isabelle is worried about getting dementia, I'm more concerned about living a life worth living. All that said, not knowing that you own a comforter is odd.... Hopefully the art dept will be back on campus in September, though I have my doubts.

So, I just got back from the Marshall McLuhan Podcaster Roundtables in Hamilton.  It was a really good time.  For the second year in a row I went down with Mike, the virtual Yooper.  He drove in from Copper Harbor MI, and we then flew from Sault Ste. Marie to Toronto, then, on the the GO bus, and we were in Hamilton. So that was Thursday/Friday, and we came back yesterday.  Isabelle was looking for firewood, and now we have firewood.  Our friend Jody delivered it, and we didn't hear him knock. Isabelle tried out the Dairy Queen potato skins.   Isabelle recently took a day trip up to Wawa.  Her brother in law once spent five days there, that he'd like back.   Isabelle is still thinking about her final project, it's getting exciting.

Hey, we're back!  Oh and the LCBO didn't go on strike! We went to London to visit my family, have a birthday party for me, but, much more importantly, go to the Ontario Miniature Print Exhibition.  It was really good!  Isabelle had a piece in the show, and the people there were really great.  They were really happy Isabelle came all the way from Sault Ste. Marie.  I don't think they cared about me.  The artist who was judged to have the best prints gave a talk, and it was really good. So there was this guy in the grocery store who was impatient and rushing around.  So, I called him 'pal' condescendingly and he stopped bother me.  He still acted like a twit to others though. Isabelle got something to eat at the store, but they didn't scan for points, controversy ensued. I'm off the MMPR next weekend, so I'm not sure when the next one will be out. Oh, yeah, I'll be on the Damned Fine Podcast (about Twin Peaks) theSunday.

Isabelle is back from her trip to Montreal and Quebec City.  She was pretty much on the road most of the time, visiting different people. Yesterday was my birthday.  Isabelle made a great dinner and we had a couple of people over.  She really rocked it. It is also St. Jean Baptiste Day.  So there's that. What the heck happened to Dow Beer? Why does liquor have to be sold by a government agency?  I'm curious what the arguments are.  Oh you can now buy beer in our grocery store. My brother went to see U2, as the guest of Larry Mullen Jr.  So that's a thing.

It's a special Tuesday edition of Monday Night Football! Isabelle had a bunch of her student art collection (her work and her student colleagues' work that is throughout our house) on display this past weekend as it was a convocation open house thing.  It was great to see all of it, but now we had to remove it and take it home.  Sorta felt like we were Ocean's 11. Isabelle is off to Montreal and Quebec City tomorrow, so we did a quick grocery shopping trip today to pick up a few things. I paid entirely with points! I wonder how you get people to realize that they need festivals and art and such in a town?  We figure it has something to do with #awareness.  Indeed, often people don't know they need or want something until you point it out to them. Have a great trip Isabelle!

So, we went shopping a day early as I have convocation tomorrow and Isabelle has a thing.  isabelle is going to be juror for the Ontario arts Council which is pretty great.  Congratulations to her.  We had a friend over tonight, so we made pasta, it was a first for us.  Sorta kinda worked out. Oh Jon came along on this one, and even chose one of the songs.  It is getting close to the end of the school year, so they have a lot of oh let's call them 'empty days' so Jon took the day off.  Yup, we got a box at the LCBO.

Pretty good title right? So Isabelle has a print in a provincial competition.  Or, maybe it is four of them, anyway, it is awesome and wonderful.  It is a blind juried show, which is also great.  I'm really proud of her.  She however cannot take compliments and makes various noises when complimented. Yesterday was the ninth anniversary of my Dad's death.  On facebook I posted a series of stories about him as I do every year.  I'm not sure how many there are, but this year was the most.  Isabelle thinks I ought to publish them. Newspapers are not long for this world, though news organizations seem to be ok.  They're moving to the web exclusively.  Isabelle wants a semi curated news feed to show up in her facebook feed, which would be nice.   Oh, I have a friend in Russia, he seems really cool.  He's also a psychologist.  We talk all of the time. Enjoy.

No, that is not an albino joke, listen and you'll get the title. So, I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Toronto for the Council of Ontario Universities.  It was pretty good, and it is a great group of people.  I also went for a beer or two with Brent with an E, which was nice. A special hello to everyone in Kingston celebrating Bob and PAB. Isabelle is still painting, and still working on grants. Boy it is getting warm. Hey, they have a bathroom in the LCBO!

Another fine day for shopping.  Spring is inching its way up north it seems Isabelle was at a thing, well a class really, yesterday where she helped out stretching cow and deer hides to make drums.  Wow.  That's something I wouldn't do.  I figure it is gross, from all that I have heard.  Especially the smell.  Seemed like a lot of work. Isabelle likes perennials, not annuals. Apparently Greg David also had to clean Christmas tree needles out of the car. Lawns should be replaced with mint.  You mow your lawn, you smell like gum, that'd be great. Isabelle would paint cows all over the car if she could. We have several trips coming up, should be hectic.

I know I keep mentioning the weather, but it really finally is spring.  Fourteen degrees! The dandelions are back.  There seem to be more each year, though that is probably because you can't use pesticides any more.  Though the emergence of influence of Native culture probably plays a role too.  Either way, apparently the dandelions are good for the bees. So, I hate lawns, lawns are dumb. Pickup truck guy (not the one in this pic, another one) made it so Isabelle couldn't see when we left the liquor store. We got gas today, so four segments! Isabelle is losing track of time.

So, writing this before we go. Look, I think I have a title already.  It is my hope anyway.  More on that when we get back. It's spring, really! The nice weather means that Cow Quest 2017 has begun!  Isabelle went cow painting yesterday, and had a good time doing so. I had a lot of meetings yesterday.  I invited Isabelle to come to a university Senate meeting, she declined.... The title refers to the Pop Shoppe, a Canadian institution for a while, that just disappeared.   It is back, and it's selling alcoholic pop!  So, yeah, I got some.... We then had some audio issues in the third segment, so we recorded a bit at home.  Looks like Isabelle will be entering some prints in a competition.  You can see them in the pic on this post. Jon joined us for a bit as well.  Have a good week, see you next Saturday.

First off, sorry for the audio quality last week, I thin kI have the issue resolved. Back to our normal routine.  Saturday shopping. Isabelle is involved in a cool project where people from all over the place fill in sketch books, crowd sourced art sorta. Remember those inter office memo envelopes?  Who makes those now?  Is that company out of business?  Do people read stuff less now than they used to because stuff is quicker?  I dunno. Isabelle continues her grant writing. The LCBO might go on strike.  This concerns me.

So, I just got back from the Conference on Comparative Cognition, which explains the odd release day for the podcast. At left you can see how generally evil the Orlando airport is. The trip was good.  Maddie gave a great talk, and generally the conference itself was great, as it always is.  This year there was the Space Coast March For Science which many conference goers attended.  Maddie included.  I did not, as it umm, well, is in the Florida sun. That said, many went, and here's a cool video of it. Debit and credit machines were down at the grocery store, people had to pay with, CASH.  It felt so 1996.  Then again, in the States you still sign for your credit card purchases rather than use a chip card because FREEDOM!!!

It's spring for sure.  That means rain.  Well, at least you don't have to shovel rain. Jon came with us today, which is always a plus.  I feel bad, he took literally that we'd get a box, but we didn't need one.  Next time he comes I promise we'll get a box. It is illegal in Ontario for a minor to even hold a bottle of alcohol in the LCBO, that seems weird.  Even weirder was the two of us trying to translate that into French.... Jon can learn Mandarin right after he masters French. I'm off to a conference next week, so I'll report on that next episode. It is Easter weekend, which means there are a lot of people who don't know how to shop shopping.

Wow, what a nice day. In fact we are about to break a record for a high temperature here for this day. Isabelle is finishing up her printmaking class and she's using some sort of cool Japanese paper.  Sounds great. A fellow student presented his final project this morning, and Isabelle attended, which explains why we are getting this out a bit late.  He was pretty good apparently.  I noted that by fourth year they do get good at presenting their own work to a crowd.  It is amazing watching the growth of confidence in students. THE TERM IS OVER.  I'm doing a lot of marking.  I received 74 essay on Wednesday.  I'm now down to three! Hopefully Jon will want to go shoot hoops later. And yes, a bag, not a box.....

OK, so it really is spring! Now spring is actually, in its early incarnation, rather ugly.  Brown, smelly etc.  It will get nice soon. Yesterday the psychology students presented their honours theses to the university community.  That was a lot of fun, and they did very well.  My students bought me some Pernod! There are potholes, there are lots of them. Isabelle will soon be starting on her summer art project and she is currently finishing her printmaking project for school. She's doing her thesis next year, awesome.  I will attend that artist's talk and ask inane questions.

Isabelle is off arting. However, Madeleine is in town.   So, Maddie took me shopping, and we recorded a fine show. When coming home, sometimes you are more busy with the visiting and such than you would be if you were at work or school.   A woman all in white (a brave choice on a day that is pretty muddy) was following us.  OK, not following us, indeed, we were probably more following her. We got a box Jon. I DIDN'T GET MY PC POINTS! Oh, we released our Sault Ste. Marie mall power rankings.

It's still snowing. Stop it! I've been more involved in stuff at work again, it is going well.  I've been involved in reviewing our English department, and it has been fun so far. It's Jon's birthday coming up, which is great, and Maddie will be visiting, which is great. In the accompanying picture you can see the cafe where Isabelle hangs out when I shop. Most people wouldn't realize it but both Isabelle and I are pretty private people and pretty shy.  Yeah ok, so we record our thoughts and put them on the open internet, but still....

Off again to the various shopping places. It is cold again, and it snowed again, and daylight saving time starts again. Isabelle had her thing for those awards this week.  She didn't win, but she met a lot of people.  One of the people she met will help her get volunteers for the arts council, so that's cool. We talked about instructional videos and how they are often way too detailed and don't get to the big picture.   The other thing videos do is you get too much intro, too much reminding to like and subscribe and all of that. Hope you like this one.  Thanks to Rachel and Greg for the comments, and thanks to Michelle for the nice messages to Isabelle.

Who knows what today's podcast will bring?  I don't.  We haven't started recording yet.  I am, however, warming up the car as I type this.  It is the closest thing I have to driving. It's still cold out, even after our nice warm stretch.  That said it is sunny today. We talked more about how Isabelle feels about her award nomination and recognition in general. I had a senate meeting this week, it was a hellish nightmare. There was stuff in my Pernod, so they got me a new bottle. Hopefully now you can see the evil vertigo inducing steps at our grocery store.

We went shopping a day early because Jon had a dentist appointment this morning and then his class had a tour of Sault College.  The college is right near the grocery store and the LCBO, so we went shopping while Jon's class had their tour. Anyway, we went to Michael's which is an art and craft supply store.  I have like zero interest in a place like that (though I did find some model planes, sadly no WWII ones).  I felt like I was with my Mom and I was four and we were in a fabric store. Jon also noted that Michael's smells funny. Hey, Isabelle has been nominated for an award!  She deserves it, and I am very proud of her.

This is exciting placeholder text that I am writing before we go out today.  I figure this beats the crap out of lorem ipsum. We went to a play last week.  It was decent though it dealt at a point with one of the characters having a brain tumour.  That was a bit much for me. Jon is taking a class outside his program which is a first.  It is a drama class.  They're working on a radio play, and he's the sound effects guy. Boy is the weather changing, it's up to 7 degrees today! I don't think people are any more sensitive now, I think they are louder than they used to be.

Perhaps our strongest title yet. Holy mother of things that have mothers, has it ever snowed.  We probably got about 60 cm (maybe more) in the past couple of days.  It snowed for two days straight as well.  Happily a neighbour was nice enough to snowblow our driveway. Isabelle went to a pretty cool thing last night, she talked about that. She's also doing lithography with seems exceedingly complicated. We talked some about 'whataboutism' which is a thing (click the link).

It's a really nice day, about -9, no wind to speak of, perfect for shop casting. The Bon Soo winter carnival is on. I hate Sault Ste. Marie spelling things 'Too'. Isabelle dislikes the period after Ste. I generally dislike nicknames of cities, The Six, T Dot, Hogtown, all of the kind of thing. I think I hate using your airport code as a hashtag more though. It's Super Bowl weekend. I honestly don't care. Isabelle is still searching for grants. She's really good at that stuff, no matter what she says.

Early shopping! Isabelle is going skiing tomorrow, with a hoop. I've no idea what that means. Jon came with us because there is a week off between semesters at school. I'm finally getting used to my schedule, and my students are coming up with some very cool data. My sister made some of the stimuli for one of my students. We've had a couple of weeks of spring like weather, but it is back to winter. Jon and I ran into a work colleague. The last time I ran into her at the store was the last time broth was on sale. My memory is a curse. Isabelle has been doing some printing which is cool.

Why don't people take criticism well, when it is given honestly? I just don't get it. I mean you don't attack the person, but the thing they've done. We have a friend coming by tonight, you've heard him on a much earlier Broken Area, We'll have dinner, and then we'll watch the Great Escape! I told the cashier about sous vide cooking. I'm a sousvideangelist. It's a brave new world, let's hope it doesn't become a Brave New World. Boy is it gross out, 1 C and raining. Makes it look lovely. That said, it allowed Isabelle to make a great plate tectonics pull..... Enjoy our sesquicentennial.

Our holidays are over. Well almost over. I mean it is the weekend so I guess technically, man, I dunno. Mom was on the podcast last week to much acclaim, her visit was fun too. We had a lot of talk in this one about how and why we podcast. You know it seems that people want to turn everything into a 'seven steps to increase your podcastness' or something. We, on the other hand, just do it because it is fun. We've met a lot of great people this way. Oh right, we got gas today, so an extra stop, at no extra cost to you, the listener. Isabelle and Mom watched a bunch of Bob Ross when Mom visited. So that got us talking a bit about Bob Ross and his particular style. Enjoy

Hey, Isabelle has a kids' book out about the Cow and the Zebra she's talked about many times. I don't know if we are going to talk about hit, but, here is a link for you to buy it. Look you don't have to, but if you want to get a copy before it becomes a major motion picture and all, feel free. Four stops today, as it is empty day. We haven't brought empties back in about a month, and Christmas and New Years' were in there, so , umm, yeah there are lots of empties. Plus, we had left some out back since late November. You know what? Isabelle has been asked to sign her book, indeed she's even doing a reading this coming week, cool. There were a couple of audio glitches in this one, including the final song being cut off, damn you Bossjock....

Hey, my Mom is here! So, she joined us in the grocery cast which is pretty great. On the way to the store we talked about Christmas lights. What the hell is the deal with people overdoing Christmas lights? Mom said that there is a guy in London who has a pretty ridiculous setup. It turns out that there are even competitions about Christmas lights. Isabelle got a special edition of Life magazine about Bob Dylan. What's the deal on Jews for Jesus? Rachel? Anyone?

We didn't do a grocery cast last week as things were hectic, but in a good way. But, today we needed a new windshield wiper! So, why not record. Isabelle installed it and she is now officially I think a mechanic, so for your automotive questions ask Isabelle..... We recounted our experience with our 1970s Christmas Eve dinner, which included pineapple glazed ham, aspic, Buffalo wings and chocolate fondue. (Each year on Christmas Eve we make a meal where each of us cooks something). The aspic was more a prop really. Canned vegetables? Who buys them? Why do they buy them? Oh then we heard a guy yell like me.

So we had a snow day. Holy crap did we have a snow day. Really it was a snow couple of days, though only one day involved the city shutting down. Snow is common here but not snow days. To put it in some perspective we have lived here, on and off for 14 years. We've had one snow day. If you'd like to see a video of the storm, here's one. So we got 55 cm of snow over a couple of days, and that wasn't really the issue as much as the wind which caused severe drifting. Isabelle spent the week in Jon's classes, shadowing him. It was exhausting. Remember those grants Isabelle wrote back in the summer? Well, one of them came through. Have you ever noticed that nobody is named 'Jesus' in English? It is common in Spanish. I wonder why not in English, or French for that matter.

It is that time of year. The time when we go get a Christmas tree during a blizzard and strap it to our car. But, not this time! No, this time we put it in the back, I mean we have an SUV, why in Christ haven't we thought of this before? It's a Christmas miracle! We talked a little about a couple of other things during the episode too. Amazon video is in Canada. Isabelle is doing cool projects with Jon's class. Plus, we can fit a Christmas tree in our car!

Today we have FOUR stops, as we're returning empties! We also got gas. It is the end of term, this pleases both of us. Isabelle will be devoting her time to her art, and another thing we can't yet talk about. She also is looking in to making her series on the cow and the zebra into a kids book. Very exciting that. The thing is that the story came from the painting rather than the pictures coming from the story. It's getting cold in norther Ontario, -9 today. We hope you like this one. Oh, and, one more thing......

So, I had a work trip to Toronto for the Council of Ontario Universities, and, there was a show at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Plus, Porter had a deal on cheap flights, so why not all of us go to Toronto? So, well, so we did. It was Jon's first flight since he was a baby, and it went well. I worked, and then instead of coming back to a hotel room that was empty, I came back to see Isabelle and Jon! This pleased me. We also met up with old friends we hadn't seen in 18 years, which was great. We went to the show at the AGO, there was some good stuff. Also, there was stuff by hacks... We went through the drive through on the way home, in honour of Jason Reese.

Four years ago today we had our fire. The one referenced in our tag line 'We're back, and our dryer is on fire'. In retrospect it is sort of funny, and I am still very cautious about the lint trap. 12-3 was an inside job man, wake up Sheeple! Hey, the term is over. Well, basically over anyway, so we have that going for us as well. Weird thing yesterday, while I was in a meeting our university president resigned. A former president, and French department colleague of Isabelle's will take over. I think Isabelle should get a smock. I also quite like saying the word 'smock'. I googled where Hawaiian shirts come from! Jon did the music at a school basketball game to much acclaim. I'm going to make eggnog. Isabelle likes beetles but didn't want to hear the Beatles.

So we went shopping a day early as Isabelle has a thing tomorrow. Yesterday she went to an art exhibit that was all video. It doesn't sound like something I would have liked much, though the story of the cow that fell down the hole is compelling. The shite and black lines, not so much. I saw a box of water for sale at the grocery store. Western Civilization is nearly dead. The thing she is off to is an art show. She made a bunch of small paintings for it and some other stuff. She'll be at a table selling stuff with friends and that is the important thing really. Oh, Jon came along on this one as he had a PD Day today. Indeed every kid in town was off school. Jon gave us our title today.

Great title eh? It has literally nothing to do with this episode. Hey, it's snowing. Well, it was bound to happen at some point. Still, it is supposed to warm up again, so no worries as of yet. MADDIE IS VISITING. This is outstanding. We talked about what food we would eat only by ourselves because of embarrassment. This is inspired by a thread over at AVClub. Pickle juice, logos and entire frozen pizzas come to mind. For Jon, it is lamb.... Isabelle has some cool ideas for art projects with Jon's class, I look forward to hearing about how it goes. We ended by talking about podcasting in general and of course our recently departed friend Bob. If you would like to give to the fund for his son's education, click here.

I'm not sure how much we're going to go into this (I am typing this an hour or so before we go shopping) but many of you know that we lost a dear friend two days ago, Bob Goyetche. Bob was one of my co hosts on Best Episode Ever and the Marshall McLuhan Variety Hour, and he was really one of the original Canadian podcasters. More importantly though he was our friend, and you have likely heard us speak of him before. Bob had a great impact on our lives, even though we both never spent that much time in the same room with him. Then we ran into Sgt. Wilson's Army Show. Finally we had what I think was a pretty interesting discussion of art and manga/anime.

Jon came along today as he didn't feel like hanging out with his friends today. It was nice having him along for a change, as he hasn't come shopping since the summer. It's still crazy warm, very odd. I'm not mowing the lawn, no matter what. I'm a boring boring boring jerk. Isabelle is nominating one of her profs for a prestigious art award, which I really hope she gets because she deserves it.

It's getting close to Halloween, though, this is not a scary episode. Look, maybe it is, I'm writing this before we go out. I dunno, maybe we talked about emails or something. OK, we did get a pumpkin, and candy of course, who knows how many kids will come over, I honestly don't know, it varies so much year to year. We have enough candy for 90, which ought to be enough. We wondered whatever happened to UNICEF boxes at Halloween in Canada, it turns out that collecting for UNICEF at Halloween in the US is still a thing, but now in Canada it isn't. We both have fond memories of collecting money for kids from afar. We then got into what may be our oddest discussion ever. We listed every 'ism' you could think of (though I think we missed 'fascism' oddly).

You know, it is cold today. In a month this will seem warm, but 2C seems pretty cold today. Indeed, our car claimed it was 18, but eventually the car figured things out. Isabelle and I both had weird dreams last night, and we shared them, I think mine is more disturbing.... Isabelle did a workshop on using an app called Pixlr to make cool art. I'm really impressed with the work she has done with it. Are you as tired as I am of people adding unnecessary padding to videos and blog posts? Let's do something about it. What? I have no idea...... Isabelle saw a movie that sounded like it came from her life. I have to agree, it sounded pretty close to how she described her life as a teenager. Zebras and cows, their saga continues.

Well it has been a somewhat eventful reading week. I went to Toronto for 24 hours for a series of meetings at the Council of Ontario Universities, and then we went to see a band last night. Yup, we actually went out! The band we saw was 'Whitehorse'. They were pretty good. They reminded Isabelle of The Handsome Family (of True Detective Season 1 fame) and last night in the car when she said that I was happy as the whole time they were playing I was thinking 'they remind me of someone.....' We then talked about the end of the fall break and what students get out of university. A lot of times they don't even know what skills they do get, which oddly was one of the themes of the meeting I was at in Toronto.

You know, as usual I'm typing part of this before we go shopping (fourth wall, broken) and I don't know if this will come up, but Donald Trump is a vile, horrible person and is not fit to run, well, to run anything. OK, got that out of the way. Some of Isabelle's students believe there are gangs of rogue clowns walking the streets and attacking people. Of course this is a hoax, covered on a recent Illuminati Social Club, but still, people are actually believing this junk. Isabelle and one of her profs and a bunch of other students made prints with, wait for it, a steamroller. Tell me that isn't cool? Oh the friendship? It is between a cow and a zebra. If anyone knows how to do that whole thing with replacing mic and a speaker on a little recording chip like those used in a card, Isabelle would love your help.

We went out an hour early, so you get it an hour early, we've passed the savings on to you, the home listener. The reason we went out early is because Isabelle has a thing today where one of her classmates is doing a chalk drawing workshop in front of the university. I imagine security will shut it down like U2 in LA in 87... Last night Isabelle thought Don Draper was in the movie Red 2. Turns out she had fallen asleep then woke up and I was watching Mad Men. We speculate on our friend and longtime listener Rachel. She wished us a happy Rosh Hashanah and we did the same to her. We each have a picture in our mind about her, and hope to actually meet her in person some day.

I have no idea what to type next as I am typing this before we go, as usual. Oh an extra stop today, we've got empty bottles to return, so you have that for your listening pleasure. We also had to get gas. Isabelle has a neat exhibit coming up, it is about a day in her life, we picked up a package that had a banner in it for the show. Then Isabelle made herself laugh, a lot..... I ran into a friend in the grocery store who also just got back from sabbatical. We'd both have liked them not not end, just saying.... I'm not watching the Clinton v Trump debate. I'm also rather angry at the sexism I'e seen displayed during the campaign.

Well, here we go again, with me writing this thing before we go. This text is the Jimmy Buffet of Lorem Ipsums. Isabelle is doing a course where she gets asked really deep complicated questions about painting. I have a class where I ask the students to write me a paper entitled 'What is Psychology?' Isabelle is painting a series about a zebra and a cow. Where would the two hang out? I think there are cold weather zebras, so maybe import a few.... Hey it was a great PC Points week!

OK, it's real, my sabbatical, while officially over since July 1, is really over. I taught two classes this week. OK, well I handed out course outlines. Isabelle is back to teaching a class and is taking two as well. Being back at it led to a discussion of getting a list of student names along with their pictures. It would help all of us remember their names. Indeed, the original face books, not Facebook, did just that. Isabelle talked a bit about her 'That's Not Art' podcast and a bit about wanting to put her videos on youtube. Best to turn off comments we think. I've been biking to work, which is great, good exercise and I'm not stuck on depending on the bus.

We went a day early, as Isabelle has a grant writing working breakfast thing tomorrow. I'm back to using Bossjock as my phone suddenly has a lot of free space due to an update. Isabelle is still doing stuff with the Arts Council which is great. There seem to be two different types of art people, some that are making art for its own sake, and others who are trying to sell stuff. I realize that's pretty simplistic, but, I'm a simpleton. The term is coming, run for your lives! We talked some about doing our personal podcasts and how it is difficult to talk about something for an extended period of time....

More groceries and liquor, more podcasting. Jon came with us again today. He even chose two of the songs for today, you can probably guess which two. Jon's musical tastes are varied as you can tell from his choices. Mine are two, I like all of the U2 albums. Isabelle likes something called 'world music' which I think is some sort of plot to stop America Being Great™ but I think if we put up a wall we'll be fine. Isabelle went swimming this morning, and her friend got what might have been spider bites, that doesn't sound good. Generally, stay away from stagnant water really. We talked about the best stuff Isabelle had to eat in Morocco and Algeria. She was not a fan of the curdled milk.

We're back on the Saturday schedule, but, we have special bonus coverage of our trip to the Bruce Peninsula, London, Gundy Lake etc. We took the Chi Cheemaun ferry in there, and those of you who want more ferry coverage should check out the most recent episode of the Jonathan Files. We picked up Maddie in London, she's home for a visit. We camped a bit, and of course as noted visited London. In London Isabelle bought Maddie and Ross a table. Listen to the tale of the table and my ability to do arithmetic in my head! Isabelle has a friend who would like to start a repertory theatre. I hope it works out, good luck to him. There was a funny guy in the LCBO, I don't think he meant to be.... Overall the Saturdays I think are better than the Tuesdays.

Many stops this week, so many bonus tracks! (One of which was elected by Jonathan, even though he wasn't with us). Isabelle and a friend are playing tonight, and we talked a bit about that. Her brother came over as well, and he asked why we didn't do video. I don't think video would add much to this podcast, plus, well, plus I think it smacks of work. Isabelle has been watching a show from the UK, 'Dancing on the Edge'. John Goodman is in it, so that makes it by definition great. I've been riding my bike a lot, which scares Isabelle. It doesn't scare me, so I think it all washes out.

Hey I'm on holidays! Yes, I know, I was on sabbatical, but I still had work, just not teaching work. OK, in the summer I wouldn't teach either and then there'd be emails I would ignore. So maybe my month of holidays is not that different. We had a power outage last night. Our UPS works! It was Civic Holiday weekend, the most generic of the holidays. I'm great at everything. I got alcoholic root beer! Our friend Pat died just the other day, we dedicate this podcast to her and her family. She meant a great deal to us, and was very close with Isabelle.

Isabelle has been grant writing and such, so we went shopping a little later than we normally do. I really shouldn't be saying 'went' because i am typing this before we go. I've been cycling a lot. I'm also thinking of slowly restoring my old (30 year old) bike. Yesterday Jon and I went on a 10 km ride (there and back) to the pet store and to Subway. We had an interesting thing happen to us. It's crazy season in US politics, so perhaps that will come up. Like I said, I really have no idea, we haven't recorded yet...... OK, so now we have recorded and I made a few good guesses there. Hey, Isabelle won second prize in an art show, for a cool thing she did on her phone! You can see it in this post. We're gonna eat fajitas and drink blender drinks tonight, as it is 33 degrees out, but, we still want to see Bill Clinton tonight. Oh we got stopped for a bit by a train, which Jon said he would 'take down'.

So, we went shopping a day early as Isabelle's birthday is tomorrow, and, well, she hates shopping. So it seemed to make sense to not have her do something she dislikes on her birthday. Today is also the 12th anniversary of our arrival back here in Sault Ste. Marie from Corner Brook. Isabelle has been visiting our friend Pat a lot. You've probably heard her talk about that. Good looking people do better in life, it's a thing. Indeed, people probably base some of their vote on looks. I don't think they do it on purpose but they do. I talked a bit about honest signalling and looks and bird plumage and symmetry and beauty and man I felt like I was teaching. I've been working on my upcoming courses and Isabelle will be soon too. Everyone wish Isabelle a happy birthday.

So, off we went today, along with Jonathan, to do some shopping. I just got back from MMPR, and I had a great time. I saw a few people, many of them listeners, and recorded a bit. There ended up being a running theme throughout, though it was not planned that way. It is probably the case that that happens each year. We got some new tables, I put them together yesterday, this was the opposite of fun, though I think I kept my cool pretty well. While I was gone Isabelle and Jon had some good Mom and son time, so that is a good thing. THEY HAVE PERNOD AGAIN. I repeat, THEY HAVE PERNOD AGAIN.

sabelle is back from her trip to Quebec City and Montreal to visit family and I'll soon be off to #MMPR2016. We brought Jon along this time to the scene of a Jonathan Files restaurant review, Stackburger. While this never made it to the recording I want to mention that someone in my fb feed the other day called their food 'salty'. It's not, and if you don't put salt on the outside of a burger you don't get that nice crust, I'm just saying. While Isabelle was away we tore down, or cut down, a tree that was growing at a ridiculous rate. It is a poplar I think. Five years ago it didn't exist. Today, it was 40-50 feet high. It had to go. We were going to go camping, but the weather looks shitty, so no to that. Staying in the trailer is one thing, staying in it all day is quite another. I'll have some post MMPR thoughts next week.

The post nuclear hellscape continues on this episode. Jon joined us again on this one, he didn't say much, but he did claim that the city was full of Russian and Chinese tourists. I don't think that's true... Isabelle has been working at the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie for the past few weeks and that is pretty great. I fixed the DC pump in the trailer, by tightening a valve, so really, that isn't much to be proud of, but I did it myself damnit! Isa is off on a trip to visit family tomorrow, then we're off camping, then I'm off to MMPR 2016.

I jokingly refer to this week in June as 'Dave Week' because it starts with Father's Day and then morphs into my birthday, which is today. I'm old. We're off camping soon, so we did our groceries and all of that early this week. You never know this might become more common as after our camping trip Isabelle is off to Quebec City, and then we're going camping again, and then I'm off to MMPR. Oh we also may do some recording while camping, those camp casts are always a crowd pleaser. Isabelle finished her course and did very well, as expected. I never in my life had any success with women, so we talked a bit about that. I think it had something to do with me having absolutely no self confidence. (I think chicks pick up on that.....) Oh, today was also the last day of the school year for Jon, which is pretty great. He had a great year.

Yeah, a day late, but there's a good reason. Isabelle just got back from London where she visited a bit and picked up Madeleine. Maddie is home until Thursday which is great! Hey, last night Maddie and I drank Scotch by a backyard bonfire. So, does it bug you when people make grammatical errors and spelling mistakes on the internet? Do you tell people when they have made mistakes? I do, well, depending, I mean if it is a typo, no, but if someone spells definitely as 'definately' (man that even hurts to type) I tell them. THE LCBO IS OUT OF PERNOD, how can I go on? Isabelle saw some cool art in London, ON. I noted the art gallery there, Museum London, used to be called the London Regional Art Gallery, which led to the unfortunate acronym 'LRAG'. It was controversial when it was built because people are idiots.

Hey, here we go again. By here we go again I mean I am typing this before we record. It's convocation day, so that will probably come up, as will other things, plus, I thin we're going to return empties today! Isabelle went for a run during my shopping trip, turns out a gym she belongs to is actually across the street from the grocery store. Oh you know it is much easier to exercise if you integrate it into your daily routine. Isabelle is getting closer to finishing her art degree, that's awesome. Just because you are an expert in one thing it does not mean you are an expert in everything.

Apparently Isabelle's work is winning the bidding war at the art show. This is how I view art, it is possible to win or lose. Jon came shopping with us and we had a bit of a conversation about visiting our friend Ken and having a nice time over at his place. Jon held a baby, lots. The title has literally nothing to do with the podcast, but, Jon came up with it.... We talked a bit about Bruno Bettelheim, a 'psychologist' (he probably didn't have a PhD in psych, indeed, he probably only ever took three intro courses) and his views on autism. Isabelle is reading his stuff for an art project/grant she is putting together.

We're back, and I'm back typing this stuff before we go out for today's errands. Isabelle went to Sudbury yesterday for some art dealio, so I imagine that will come up. Aha, told you, indeed it did. Weirdly there is a teeny screw up at the beginning, I've no idea what happened there, but it isn't your player, it's my phone. (Apparently we had a title there, but I can't remember it, and that is where the recording messed up for about like 30 seconds). Isabelle may be going camping with some friends soon, with our trailer, so i will have to give her a trailer setup course. It is easy. Why do people get so upset about spoilers? I mean I understand really big things, but man, people seem to thing everything is a spoiler. Even that we won WW2.

What will today bring? I don't know, I'm writing this post before we go shopping. I got back from Toronto where I had a whirlwind tour, ok, where I went to a COU meeting. It was pretty good, plus i got some laughs. Later that night I met up with Brent Morris, and we had a couple of beers. Today we dropped off empties, so there's an extra song! We've spoken about graffiti before, and shall speak of it again. There has been a rash of graffiti in town by a kid (allegedly) who paints the word 'Bored' everywhere. Well, the police think they have the guy, which is good. This led us into a discussion about art, vandalism, and other stuff. We spoke about part time faculty, and what challenges they face. Oh, and Isabelle bought a baby gate, which sounds like a controversy.

So we're going shopping a day early because Isabelle is having a dinner party (well we are, but she invited people, is doing most of the cooking etc) so we needed some stuff, so why not just do all of the shopping. I'm off to the COU meeting in Toronto next week, so if anyone wants to meet up for a drink or 12, let me know. Isabelle is still arting away, she's taking a course this spring and there have been things that have made it frenetic. If you come to our house to eat you know you will eat well and drink well, but we don't stand on formality.

I'm back to writing these things a bit before we go to make my life easier. (I do have such a rough life what with the good job and the sabbatical and the great family, I really am hard done by...) Jon came shopping with us this time, which added an extra layer of Jonnosity. Isabelle is taking a new course this summer, it involves 'intermedia' which is the idea that you take some piece of art in one medium and make art in another medium out of it. We talked some about the fires in Fort McMurray, that whole thing has been insane. Pretty cool thing though is that so far there has only been one reported death. Amazing that. Indeed, at the LCBO they were taking red cross donations, the feds are matching donations, and so far 26 million has been raised. Everything was fine once Jon got his cracker chips....

Isabelle told the story of how she was involved, or is involved in this flower art thing. I don't want to say much more other than it is a pretty good story, and we had a discussion about art and about how Isabelle is Bono (not really, but it's funny).

You may remember a previous episodes, entitled 'Dave's Record Collection' wherein the music was ripped from some of my old vinyl. Well, Isabelle went to a sale of some sort and picked up a bunch of records. So, today the music will come from those albums It is finally spring, and we got into the spirit of it last night by having our first backyard bonfire. Lots of people do that up here, and we are no exception. We had a meeting at Jon's school with the director of his program and with other support people about how Jon is doing and his future. It was great. We then had a heartfelt discussion of various goings on at work. Finally, Isabelle backed the car up to the house to help me carry in the groceries. It is the one nice thing she will do for me this week....

We talked some about confidence and how women tend to have lower confidence levels than men, and, how people, both women and men, view women as less qualified for virtually everything than men. We then had a pretty good discussion about graffiti, but, it seems I forgot to push record.... Anyway, there is a graffiti problem in Sudbury and a guy has installed night vision cameras to capture the perpetrators in the act. Is this public art? Not sure. Is it vandalism? Yeah. I did record us talking about Isabelle working on a film project with a friend of hers. It all sounds pretty great.

Back to shopping and back to winter. Or at least snow. We got about 10 cm of snow last night and I for one am opposed to it. Indeed, I refuse to shovel the damned driveway. We went out a little later than normal today, which explains the later release time. The nice thing is this allowed Jon to come with us. I always enjoy his company and his help while shopping. Isabelle went to the market today before we shopped and she bought stuff. She also met an alpaca farmer, so you know, that's kinda cool. It seems like everyone today at the grocery store was old, like way old. We ended up talking about how different the US is from Canada and why. Spoiler alert, we don't know why.

sabelle spent yesterday visiting a friend who has a pottery studio. Of course you know what Isabelle does in such situations, she makes pottery cows. So, we talked a bit about why she likes drawing, painting and potting cows. This led us into a discussion of 'selling out'. I don't think that is actually a thing, I think it is called 'paying your bills' or 'doing your job'. That said, it does feel cool when you have something that is made by a person rather than a machine. Why? Well I don't think either of us are sure, but it just seems right. Anyway, so, that was our Saturday shopping trip, enjoy.

Maddie had a very brief visit with us as she was up for the psychology honours thesis conference. The conference went well, but Maddie's plane was delayed quite a bit on the way here. Everything worked out. We had quite the discussion in this one about work life balance. I've decided to make movie theatre popcorn. This involves coconut oil and something called Flavacol, which you can see pictured in this post. I am way more excited about this than I should be.

Today we started out with a recording from our voice mail of a telemarketing scam about taxes. I didn't answer the phone as I did not recognize the number but I googled it. They try to get you to think they are the IRS, or in Canada, the CRA. The best part is how poorly done the recording is. Wait, Isabelle forgot her wallet! Oh, yeah, I'm sitting on it.... Isabelle has been doing all kinds of stuff this week, like running an open mic, having a few of her pieces on display in different places in town, and, getting a parking ticket. Isabelle is still watching Highway Thru Hell. We talked a bit about language, especially written language, and how you English is pretty prescriptive when it comes to conventions about punctuation and such. We both agree, however, that we use too many exclamation points. We finished up by talking about codes of conduct and how everyone is offended by everything.

We're off on another Saturday adventure! Look, I write part of these posts before we even go shopping, I don't know what we're going to talk about. This is why each post starts out with this generic bit. OK, fourth wall back up.... So off we went, a bit of a detour this week as we had empties to return. I broke a bottle in the beer store. Isabelle's art needs a home, and her program's current home is sort of in flux. I have mastered the art of saying things that would get others in trouble, but people just say 'oh, that's Dave'. On the way home we spoke mostly in French. This was prompted by what was on the radio. We talked a bit about the importance of learning another language and how it makes you just a better person in general. People seem reluctant to take the opportunity though.

Isabelle wants to burn a DVD, which led us into a discussion of why anyone in this day and age would use a DVD for anything. Jon has been super sick and I haven't really gotten out of the house since Wednesday. I feel like Betty Draper. I'll probably take care of that with a bit of Valium..... I kid, I kid. While I have been watching Mad Men again Isabelle has been watching 'Highway Thru Hell'. She likes these shows. I'm not much on them, but to each their own. We got to talking about mostly Isabelle's Dad this time around, and how he was a designer into things one would have seen on Mad Men. Finally, I wonder if it is true that houses have fewer hallways now because of the efficiency of heating and insulation.

So, it was -26 last week, today it is plus 2. The snow is melting, for now. Hello to all of our friends at podcamp Toronto. We're podcasting, so you don't have to. Today we got to talking about 'experiential' learning. This is a new education buzzword (which always makes me skeptical) that deals with people learning by doing. You know, labs, studio work, placements, internships, that sort of thing. Then it was off to the mall! Yup, we changed it up this week, for your listening enjoyment. Isabelle was a big Pac Man fan in her day, I was more into Defender and Galaga. I apparently once got mad at Isabelle for buying expensive red peppers rather than the cheaper green ones.

Holy shit it is cold. So we plugged the car in last night, no problems (I hope, I am typing this before we go). OK, we're back and yes the car started no problem. Isabelle has been working out and doing serious exercise. This led us into a discussion of what we did in gym in high school. Oh yeah, this is our one hundredth episode of our reimagining of Broca's Area, so everyone should celebrate somehow. Why has playing ukulele become a thing? We don't know but Isabelle has a good guess, it is easy to share stuff now with youtube and such. She is probably right. To survive these long cold winters Isabelle has done stuff like learn ukulele, do art, do origami etc. The neat thing is that, in a way, living here has brought the artist in Isabelle out more than ever. So that is pretty cool. (I stay sane in the winter with the video games and the podcasts and such). Thanks again to everyone for listening. Wow, 100 is a lot.

Another Saturday, another podcast. Isabelle talked quite a bit about her installation assignment. Apparently they had to make cool things and put them in a room, or in her case a hallway. I watched the evolution of some of the work and it is pretty cool. I helped out on the technical side with the projector and stuff. I'm tired of people telling me to 'feel the bern', very tired. Isabelle is working on an assignment wherein she writes an arts grant, neat assignment. Enjoy.

We began today's discussion talking about hippies, beatniks and how my Dad was no beatnik. Dad was funny, and indeed I tell the story about him running a long term practical joke on his old business partner. Isabelle went to an art exhibit last night at the Art Gallery of Algoma featuring a recent grad of her program at the University. The AGA is starting to show stuff from locals, including recent BFA grads from Algoma University. This is a good thing. I ran into a guy from work. He talked about the University. I just said 'I'm deleting emails' I love my sabbatical. I tend to talk and talk and talk. Indeed, I just want to be the most interesting person you have ever met. Sometimes my vision gets in the way of me being social. Of course other times, I'm actually anti social.... Thanks for the comments and thanks for listening.

We started out this week by talking about the death of David Bowie. Bowie was a big deal musically and really influential. I was never a huge fan, though I liked his stuff. Isabelle felt roughly the same way. As noted, we both like his music a lot (it was just never a huge deal to us.) Neither of us were affected by the death of Lemmy from Moorhead. We then went from there and talked about the TV show Mr. Robot which we just finished. Watch it. Seriously. Out last segment ended with us talking about why people go to the US to shop when the dollar is so low, and, about Isabelle's upcoming afternoon.

Before we get going, thanks to everyone for the comments both on the website and last week on Facebook. So, upshot of that 'why don't we have a battery health indicator in the car' is that we needed a new battery. It was a crazy week that way. It was super cold suddenly (and isn't now) but that was the final nail in our battery's coffin as we had super cold winters two years in a row. It'd be a shame if something happened to your nest. It'd be a shame if something happened to your nest. We then discussed cowbirds and the 'mafia hypothesis'. (That's the real name, click the link there, you'll see). We then talked a bit about what happened the next day, after the battery. Isabelle's ATM card was compromised, along with many others' in town. So that was her Tuesday. Then we were off to find some plexiglass! Yay! Finally, I gave Isabelle the title of the voice of a generation with her art.

Today's major topic was loyalty points, you know like frequent flyer points, Air Miles, PC Points and all of that. It seems that most of our wallets are filled with points cards rather than actually useful things. We have used Air Miles though a few times and I have cashed in aeroplan points a couple of times. We then talked about Uber and taxis. Are taxis a public service? Should they be protected? If so, why?

This is almost certainly our final episode of 2015 as, well as the year is coming to an end. Don't worry, we'll be back in 2016. We started the grocery casts this year and it has worked out pretty well. Jon came along, claimed to be asleep, but wasn't. We talked a bit about the holidays and having the whole family together, a bit about Home Depot and their spotty customer service, and about the never ending saga of the University. Happy New Year, and see you in 2016!

It's our Christmas episode! So Maddie is back home for the holidays which is excellent. She and Ross drove their new car here, which is a decent little Ford Focus. Snow tires of course. It is a good thing they have snows, because, well, because it finally snowed, and it is quite cold today, -7C. This cold temperature led to a couple of interesting incidents that I won't spoil for you. From all of us in the Michaud-Brodbeck family, Merry Christmas.

Join us on this mini episode wherein we go get a Christmas tree and we come up with our new catchphrase. Who is George Madden? You will have to listen to find out. I didn't swear nearly as much as I normally do when getting a Christmas tree, so that's a plus.

We started by talking about a strange hoax that I and about 5 other wikipedia editors have uncovered. Well, hoax might be a tad strong, but it is close. So there's this dude, and there is a wikipedia article about him that makes him sound like the most important filmmaker and psychologists and businessman ever. Yeah not so much. Indeed, we're pretty sure one of the shows was made up, literally made up. What would make someone do such a thing? I dunno. Isabelle is a better person than I and she feels kind of sorry for the dude. I am not much on people taking credit for others' work (to be fair neither i Isabelle, but she is just nicer than I am). We then went on to talk about Isabelle's program and some of the people who are in it, including a person from Saskatchewan and a person from China.

Join us again in another instalment of 'Dave and Isabelle do things". Isabelle talked some about what it is like doing art in front of people. Like it is some sort of spectator sport. This was followed by a discussion of an art show she saw last night where she recorded some audio for the 'That's Not Art' podcast. Then, in Bob Goyetche, Jason Reese and Anthony Marco fashion, we stopped by the A and W drive through. We waited a Pope's age until Isabelle got her burger..

Well, it is that time of year again, Canadian National Day of Podcasting, or #CNDOP for you hashtaggy people. Much of this is a standard shopping cast. We talked a bit about commercialism at Christmas time, then Isabelle told a story..... We talked a bit about Black Friday and how people always want to be above everything. Then travel with us to find the right kind of cartridge for Isabelle's pen! We ended on a serious note, talking about this article in the Atlantic.

Some good stuff today. We talked a bit about magazines, and then about Scientific American Mind, which Isabelle just picked up. There is an article about the genetics of autism in it which looks pretty good. Maddie and I wrote a paper! It is a bit snarky, but it makes some good points (so the editors said) and I'm pretty happy with it. Looks like Maddie may be getting a car, a pretty big step that is.

Well, on our way home from Toronto we of course, recorded again. The first half is from the trip, right around Barrie, ON. Then we got home and had to go grocery shopping, so you still got some grocery action. We talked a bit about the whole Paris thing again, and then, frankly, we had had enough and got home.... Hope you liked our little weekend travelogue.

So we are here in Toronto and we saw the Turner exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario. I think the three of us all got something out of the exhibit. Jon and I particularly liked looking at his work really close up, and then backing off a bit and seeing something different depending upon how far away we were.

Jon, Isabelle and I are on our way to Toronto to go to an exhibit of JMW Turner's works at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Oh and this episode starts with a message from an Australian listener! So we drove down and we talked about Turner, art and the idea of going to Toronto and thinking back to our early 20s when we first met in Toronto.

We talked a bit about Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which Isabelle is thinking about in her painting. It is a pretty much discredited idea nowadays in psychology. We then talked a bit about our new government, specifically the cabinet. They seem, oh, qualified or something. Interestingly a large number of them did not 'swear to God' but instead affirmed that they would do their duties. Plus, half are women, plus there are monitories and everything! Oh part 2 is recorded on my Zoom H2, there might be a couple of audio problems, for that I apologize.

This one ends abruptly as the recording messed up a touch. That said we had a good time talking about my sabbatical, and my podcast Spit and Twitches. Then we got some gas! We talked about traditions and how you know that saying 'well it is a tradition' is not an argument for or against anything. Then the recording ended abruptly.....

So, I am not sure if you know this, but we had an election. The election turned out the way that both Isabelle and I wanted. Especially the ousting of the current PM. We both have quite a bit of hope about the upcoming four years. Who knows, maybe we won't be disappointed. Well then we went shopping and Isabelle lost her purse, which is what the title refers to. However, happily, they found it and asked her to come get it. This led us into a discussion of losing stuff in general. Isabelle talked a lot about growing up with not very much stuff so she learned not to care too much about stuff. Still, it is sad that she lost that necklace when she was young.

So the federal election is coming up. We didn't get too political, but we did talk about the election in general terms. Isabelle is not a fan of anything. Well not anything except the Addams Family. We got a bit serious talking about the Middle Ease and military intervention. Still, a good time was had by all. Oh a little something for MMD at the end there.

Another day, another trip shopping. Jon was along again, but not too interested in the podcast. In this one we talked a bit about working out, a bit about Isabelle's print making, a bit about the Group of Seven and a bit about last night's French debate. Oh, as an aside, I won that debate.... About the Group of Seven, are they just a bunch of hacks who we in Canada love because they are Canadian (a la the Tragically Hip) or are they a thing in other parts of the world? Oh, and Art Carney was never the head of the Bank of Canada.

Today we went shopping, and yup, that is a day early Isabelle has a very big weekend planned, she has a lot of marking to do today (which I took up part of by having us grocery shop early) and then she is off with her art profs to do some arting up in Agawa. The conversation was varied, I quite liked Isabelle's idea that debates ought to be moderated by Marc Maron. Oh I screwed up on one of the songs, started playing the wrong one, and changed. Edit? Never!

Boy, this one has a lot of parts. Some of it was recorded on Monday, at home with Jon, after dinner. We talked about his new experiences in high school. The next day we were off to get stuff for Isabelle's art classes. So, we went to Home Depot, and recorded on the way there. We saw an AMC Pacer, amazingly, which led to us talking about Isabelle's Mom's Pacer. Yup, she had a Pacer. Finally, we got to grocery shopping! Jon had some problems with his computer on Saturday, which was a nightmare for a bit. Jon reacted well though. Oddly, that same day Isabelle got a call from India from 'Microsoft' about how her computer had a virus..... The final bit was recorded on Sunday, We talked about Evel Knieval and Snoopy toothbrushes.

Jon joined us for this one as did Isabelle's friend Peggy. Isabelle is 'going across' today (which is a local euphemism for going to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) to pick up a package. There is a place there that let's you ship to them, for a fee. Often international shipping rates are horrible, but within the US is fine. So, Isabelle had some art supplies shipped to this place, she will pick it up and pay the duty. This made us think of the show 'Border Security'. Peggy came along because she has stuff to get as well, and, she knows the drill. We spoke, in passing, of the never ending federal election campaign. Oh, the title? It comes from the fact that I have been ripping old records to mp3s and you will hear some of my collection in the next few podcasts.

This episode has absolutely nothing to do with Sarnia. However ,Isabelle was watching Narnia last night and I thought up this clever title and god damn it, I'm going to use it. It was quite the grocery cast, Jon came along as he had to chose his new PIN for his bank card. Ontario has very stringent anti texting and driving laws and the fines are quite big. This led us into a discussion of the texting culture and the sort of minute by minute nature of it. We also talked about a seemingly fake artist. Then Bossjock fucked up, but I caught it and restarted. It is a great story (not the Bossjock screw up, the fake art guy).

Well, we just finished dropping Madeleine and Ross off in London and helping them move in. We travelled there though Canada with all of their worldly possessions in a U Haul trailer. Most of this was recorded on the way home, through the US. USA! USA! There are a few interesting bonus bits in the podcast, be sure to listen all of the way through. The bit at the beginning was the US border guard letting us in, the sound quality there is not that great.... Jon took some great pics and one of them is here on the post. We all with Maddie the best of luck, and we are very proud of her.

There was some really good stuff, some of it about the election campaign, that we recorded but Bossjock lost, so, if you want politics, go to What's Left..... On Sunday we went and got an ice cream and then went for a bit of a hike at a local conservation area. We talked about invasive species and about how I am an oppressor... Isabelle has been working out a lot lately, and it is making her feel a lot more, well, healthy. This led us into a discussion of working out and competition in general. Isabelle is not much on that. Then again, I played Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag for four hours yesterday to get 30 gamer points, which are, a completely useless thing. This will be the last time I yell 'QRM!' on the show, promise. Enjoy.

We had a bit of time on Friday afternoon so we went for a little drive and talked about Icelandic names. They list their phonebook by first names there. They are insane. We then went to a pawn shop. I've never been to a pawn shop, so, well, that was fun. Then it was Saturday and off to groceries, but, no gin and pernod! Yeah, we went shopping early as Isabelle is off on an artspedition this afternoon. She's going up north of where we typically camp in Lake Superior Provincial Park. Oh hey, Isabelle has an Etsy shop, you should buy stuff from there. (The words 'Etsy shop' are linked there, oh and there too). What is a lake? What makes a lake a lake? I figure it is arbitrary.

So today we combined the standard grocery shopping podcast with the bonus of us getting ready for a social learning opportunity for kids with autism. These 'SLOs' allow kids with autism to get out, do an activity and meet other people. Isabelle set this one up, mentioned it on Facebook and the next thing you know a local reporter, Katie Huckson showed up. Follow her on twitter. Now I didn't know what a Mandala was. I knew what a Mandela was though, and this led to hilarity. Then, off to the groceries. We brought Jon along this time which was fun. You know what? We've been podcasting for then years, cool eh?

Today is the 11th anniversary of us arriving back in Sault Ste. Marie from Newfoundland. So, we celebrated by podcasting! Actually, umm, well it is Saturday and we had to get groceries. We just had a really fun camping trip up at Agawa Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park. We were up there for four days and Jon had trouble finding wifi. There has been a lot of talk in town about the Algoma Central Railway, specifically the passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, ON. The train has been shut down for now, which is rough on some people. While up at Agawa we ran into some faux bikers. I, for some reason, found them really annoying.....

It is our wedding anniversary today, so you will notice a theme today. We talked about how French on the internet, and in general, doesn't get the respect it deserves and it is annoying. This seems especially true on the web. People don't seem to care that missing accents, for example, ARE SPELLING MISTAKES. In exciting news, Isabelle almost got killed by someone in the parking lot, so that was fun. Our city is slowly changing, though it is still pretty far behind other places. I got gin today that came with a handy bottle of tonic, what a time to be alive. We talked a bit about our wedding, where Isabelle's cousin married us, which was pretty damned cool. Oddly, her cousin was born in Austin, TX, where her dad was a psychology professor. Oh and Isabelle's aunt looks like Isabelle but older. We ended by listening to a little Sinatra and realized that he just talked for the most part.

You know, I have no idea if this eat local thing is worth it, but, it ain't cheap. For example, I bought some broccoli and some garlic at the local farmers' market, and it was FOURTEEN BUCKS. So, of course we talked about that. We talked about a show Isabelle has been watching called Survivors. It basically involves people surviving an apocalypse of some sort and screaming a lot. This led us into a discussion of shows that stream only, or go to streaming first. Is there a difference between such shows and traditional ones? If so, what is the difference? It really is amazing how quickly everything with entertainment changed. We don't watch much stuff that is not streaming any more. Mostly when we watch traditional TV it is when the PVR has recorded something.

We promised a camping episode. We didn't record a camping episode. Instead, you get a short grocery cast. We talked about our camping trip though, so that counts. We also covered the marriage equality decision in the States, the health care decision in the States and that whole evil flag thing. Oh and I remembered the vinegar.

Yup, back in the backyard! Jon had his graduation and it was great. We are really proud of hm, interestingly he doesn't care. We talked about who listens to us, and why? Who the hell are you people? It is St. Jean Baptiste Day so celebrate your inner French Canadian!

We recorded an hour this morning on our shopping excursion. However, Bossjock decided to crash and we ended up with only 16 minutes of audio. So, we started over tonight. We talked about my interview on the CBC which I have included at the beginning of the podcast. Oh the guy called me 'Broddeck' but heck, there is a typo on the UN site, so don't get mad at him. We then continued our discussion of Maddie and her awesomeness. Oh, you don't like it? Well what did you pay for the podcast? We also had a discussion about cognitive dissonance and about the model of Harold and the Purple Crayon Isabelle is making.

Wow, what a weekend. Our two mothers were here, Madeleine graduated from university and received the smartest kid in the university award, Jon was awesome and I was named the greatest living human by the United Nations. OK, some of that might be hyperbole.... However, Maddie does now have a BSc(Hons) in psychology, and our mothers were here visiting to watch it (you can hear both of them scream on the audio when Maddie gets the Governor-General's silver medal) and we did go to the convocation gala and Jon was great at it. The Moms flew home in the past couple of days, but, Isabelle's Mom didn't have any (unexpired) photo ID. It all worked out though. Oh and the UN likes me, they really like me! You may notice us talking at the start as if there was other stuff already recorded. Well, there was but well, there wasn't sorta.

The excitement began with Maddie forgetting that she needed to boil eggs for her chickadees. There's a sentence you never expected to read I imagin. we talked a lot about why storage facilities are a thing. Why the heck do people have so much stuff that they need extra space to store that stuff. We now have hot water. I will be starting a new podcast where I interview scientists study animal cognition. Should I release them as I get them or hoard them up a bit? Should I talk about non science stuff too? We got some comments last time and we always appreciate those. Just for MMD, Isabelle told the butt crack story. What is a podcast anyway?

The bike racks are here the bike racks are here! Last week Isabelle bought a bike rack that I tried to put together and well, you know it is much easier to put stuff together when you HAVE ALL OF THE PARTS..... So we got some good bike racks and they are installed. Why do we care about why people die? Why are there three high end bike shops in Saul Ste. Marie? You got to hear a bit of Jon's soccer practice. The thing that will strike you is that it just sounds like a soccer practice. We ended by talking about David Letterman.

Of course it is Saturday. Of course we went grocery shopping. Of course we went to the liquor store. Of course Maddie had to go to the lab and therefore we drove her. Of course Jon had soccer. Of course we recorded it. We talked about a lot of different things. One of the burning questions we asked was, can our little town support so many home improvement stores? We talked a bit about Madeleine's future in grad school and such. Pretty exciting times for the Michaud-Brodbeck family. On the way back from Jon's soccer we talked about how great the coach is. I think it is because he just treats kids with autism the same as any other kids. The song at the end by Billy Bragg is there because he did it so well on Letterman so many years ago and I can't believe this is Dave's last week.

Join us again this fine Saturday as we buy groceries and such. There are dandelions everywhere. We miss Podcastra. Isabelle's quest for running shoes was not successful, my quest for Pernod was, so really it all balances out. It was smelly near the LCBO, just saying..... We also talked a bit about Colbert taking over for Letterman

Join us as we have another adventurous Saturday shopping for food, liquor and so much more! We talked about a few different things, including Isabelle's new workout routine and art. I then made Isabelle laugh a lot which really is one of my few skills. We then took Jon along to the Science Festival or whatever it was called that is going on right now. It was busy, and by busy I mean packed. Generally a fine time was had by all.

We started out on a quick grocery trip on Monday as I was away at the Conference on Comparative Cognition with Madeleine. We talked about podcasting again, which seems to be a running theme. If you haven't yet checked out Isabelle's new art podcast you should. THere's a link on the left, click it. Then it was off to our regularly scheduled grocery cast, yay!!! There is a bit in French during the grocery cast just for Bob. Finally we went to the student year end art show along with the host of the Jonathan Files!

In this instalment we answer the age old question 'why would anyone podcast?' OK, age old if an age is about oh 11 years I guess. And 'answer' in that, well, we talked about it , I am not sure that we actually answered the question. I, as usual, took a stand on something for no reason. In this case it was that people who don't want their pictures taken are idiots. I'm not sure I actually believe that, but, it was something to say... Remember, this is not a poopcast.

Another Saturday, another shopping trip. As yesterday was a holiday and tomorrow is a holiday everyone and their damned brother was at the grocery store, it was a mad house, a mad house! The liquor store was much more subdued, and my theory is that seriously religious people who are into the whole Christian dealio don't drink that much, but they do love to get in my way while I am shopping for food. Today we talked about the end of term, my coming sabbatical, and how expensive being an art student is.

Join us in our grocery and liquor buying trip for this week. Isabelle is starting up a new podcast project about art. She'll do it over Skype with a friend of ours, should be good. Stay tuned to this site for details. Future Shop is no longer. Sort of weird. I hope they aren't doing the 'you're all fired and are welcome to apply for your job' thing. We talked a bit about the plight of part time university instructors, without whom the entire fucking system would collapse. However, they are treated, well, let's say not well. Yes, I know this is the third time this week I have used Future Primitive by Papercuts, I don't care, get your own goddamned show.

No we are not talking about Stompin' Tom. Indeed, I really can't stand his music. I am sure he is a nice guy.... It is Jonathan's birthday tomorrow, and he loves Sudbury and hotels, so we went to Sudbury today. I am typing this from the fabulous Holiday Inn in the nickel city. We talked a bit about Sudbury, a town I lived in as a kid, and about #awareness and when it actually has its uses.

It has been a week of work, and school. Well I guess really they are all like that. Isabelle filled in a questionnaire about transportation to and from school for kids with autism. That of course is fine, the bad part? Well it was filled with undefined acronyms. She has a hell of a Sunday coming up, while I have a paper to review (I didn't mention that on the podcast, but I thought I would now to show how important I am). Isabelle is also working on some cool stuff, including masks for a production of animal farm and a couple of fireflies (pictured).

Shopping, then, more shopping, then, our review of Cards Against Humanity

Isabelle had a few things to talk about today while we went on our normal Saturday errands. Enjoy.

Warning, this is a Goyetche free episode...... We started out wondering what we would do if someone actually decided to pay us for podcasting. This of course is extremely unlikely. So we talked about Isabelle's drawing group, which seems to be going well in the new studio space, we talked about denialism a bit, and, Isabelle gave us her theory on how many people it takes to screw something up (she may have something by the way). A gallery of Isabelle's art will appear on here soon.

Hey, these weekly shopping podcasts area a thing. Isabelle and I talked a bit about art (specifically making videos and making prints with acetone), as usual, about Bob, as usual, and about social media, as usual.

So, we seem to be making a habit of these grocerycasts. We talked about how Isabelle got an honourable mention in an art show, we talked about taste and, well, other stuff. Plus you got to go into the liquor store with us!

An exciting two part episode awaits you! First we went grocery shopping. Then we went to work.

Isabelle and I went out on a bit of a shopping trip and, as is now our custom, we recorded. Many topics were touched on, including the environment, capitalism, negativity on the facebooks and then we got some gas and went to Canadian Tire. Merry Christmas to everyone!

So, we went to a play. 'Last Christmas' was put on by Theatre Algoma, which is the University affiliated theatre group here in town. It is a pretty cool story about a family dealing with loss at the Holidays. It was a fine production and we had a good time. There were a couple of really intense moments, and I was made to feel really uncomfortable (which was the point) so that was cool. There were quite a few laughs as well. I think it could have been a tad shorter, but, who the hell am I? Then, back to the grocery store! (The next day of course). We talked about Isabelle's spa day, and about things like students cheating at university. Oh yeah and Isabelle is full of caffeine!

We are back as usual on CNDOP. In a way this is sort of (like the hedging there) our second anniversary of our relaunch. Remember, with our dryer lighting on fire and all of that? So, anyway, come along with us in our car on a trip to the grocery store, the liquor store and then of course back home the next night. Enjoy.

We happily bring you a two parter. The first bit was recorded on one of our camping trips. FUCK IT WAS COLD. Then we were in the back yard, with a bonfire, and we discussed a multitude of topics. Enjoy.

Another backyardcast as we retail you with stories of our recent camping trip while Isabelle burns art.

We just got back from a great camping trip with some friends (Jeremy and Cheryl) up at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park near Thunder Bay. As they are listeners, and friends, we had to do a show. Hilarity ensued. I really think Jeremy and Cheryl ought to get their own show.

Another summer evening, another podcast. Tonight we lit a bonfire in our backyard fire pit and started podcasting. As usual we talked about all kinds of stuff. I just got back from the Marshall McLuhan Podcast Roundtables, an un unconference, in Hamilton Ontario. I recorded an episode of the Marshall McLuhan Variety Hour and one of Best Episode Ever while I was there. This was done for the forest time, live in person with my two co hosts. Isabelle is quite fond of MMD. We then discussed loss and family and funerals. Sometimes people act like jerks, and they should not do that. Isabelle has been taking Portuguese lessons and she gave use a sample of it. It is a bit of an odd language. This lead her to talk about a movie she saw on Netflix called 'Xingu'. It is about the founding of the Zingu National Park in Brazil which is a reserve for nature and the native people who live there. We hope you like this one.

So, we just came back from a trip to London where we visited the Advanced Facility for Avian Research, which is run by a couple of old friends of mine. We wanted to check it out, and Maddie did too, as she finds the work cool. Isabelle gave my Mom a painting and was surprised that my Mom wanted to hang it in her living room, well, more honoured really I guess. We camped on the way there and on the way back at Grundy Lake Provincial Park which is about half way between the Sault and London. We also talked some about our friend Alanna, to whom we dedicate this episode.

So, we went on another camping trip and this time Madeleine came along. Before we started recording she said she wouldn't be contributing much, but then she did a lot. It is too bad she does not have her own podcast. Odd, as she is the only person in the family without one..... We talked about the evolution of our sense of beauty, about art, about camping, about other things too, but frankly I have forgotten. Oh we may have talked about stars and such, I am not sure...... We hope you like the episode.

So, we went out on our first camping trip of the season, and, well, we recorded a podcast while we were camping. As you can see on the left from this picture Isabelle took on the first night, Agawa Bay is known for spectacular sunsets.. Enjoy

OK, first off, Scarborough Dude won the contest. Next, we had another fire, and Isabelle tried to turn me into a Pompeii dead guy. Finally, we did our post election 'analysis' of the Ontario provincial election.

So, do you want a hat? Listen to the episode and get a free hat, well one of you. We were having another backyard bonfire and decided hell, let's record. We talked a bit about careers vs. jobs, and a bit about the summer and the recent winter. Indeed, we are pretty damned happy that the summer has arrived.

Back, in our backyard. This one harkens back to the heady days of the old show, a backyard bonfire. Indeed, even Maddie joined us for a bit. So We spoke a bit about the coming of summer, a bit about our exciting new gazebo, and a bit about D Day.

We recorded this one over a couple of different weekends, both involved coffee, hence the name. Today we visited the Greenhouse at Bellvue Park and Isabelle talked about her language courses, which if you are in Sault Ste. Marie you ought to check out. Isabelle, apparently thinks we will have a cottage one day. I don't think so, but hey, who knows..... We hope you enjoy the episode.

Yeah it has been a while, but we finally had a bit of time and decided to record. Specifically, we recorded at the Tandoori Gardan restaurant. Yes, they have misspelled 'garden', or it means something I am not aware of. We talked a little bit about last night's Quebec election, a bit about school and a bit about a hut made of tires. Yup, a hut made of tires.

Isabelle just got back from a trip to her hometown, Quebec City, QC. While she was there she had to install a wifi network at her Mom's place in order to watch House of Cards on her iPad. OK, this episode of the podcast contains a large number of spoilers, it is full of spoilers, spoiler alert. If you have not seen House of Cards Season 2, and don't want to be spoiled, don't listen to this one. Spoiler Alert..... Ok, is that enough? We also talked a bit about the Olympics, about gay rights, about the Magdeleine Laundries and about various other fun things. Oh yeah, spoiler alert...

We have not recorded in quite a while, so we thought that, on our way to do some shopping, we would record a little.

It's our Christmas special! We talk a bit about the holiday itself, a bit about the recent ice storm in southern Ontario, a bit about podcasting, a bit about power outages and then ask Jon what he got for Christmas. At this point he figured he would take over, so we quit..... Merry Christmas to everyone.

Yes, it is that time of year again, the Canadian National Day of Podcasting has arrived. Isabelle and Scarborough Dude Isabelle and Scarborough Dude Every December 1 Canadian podcasters (amateur ones, not wearily marketing types) put out an episode, even if the show itself is gone or 'podfaded' (god I hate jargon). Indeed, the CNDOP is what kept the old Broca's Area alive and eventually led us to return. Oh yeah, the Dude is still here dude......

The Dude Hath arrived….

You will have to listen in to find out what that title means. Isabelle's Japanese crochet book Isabelle's Japanese crochet book We talked about how Isabelle is quite pleased to leave the teaching game for now and concentrate on art. We then got into stuff about students and entitlement, as we do. Of course stuff at the University was not far from out minds and neither was food. Isabelle wants to eat more bizarre salads, whereas I want meat....

o, like, yeah, we're back. Tonight we had a few things on our mind. For reasons that have completely escaped me we somehow started talking about the Battle of Thermopylae. Oh yeah, Isabelle was talking about her art history class and Greek architecture. We then got into how damned depressing the world is. I mean hell, the warming and the disasters and the what have you. What women are good role models? Do you think women have a different approach to politics than men do?

his one was recorded in two parts. In the first bit we are out to lunch and we talked about Isabelle's Haiku writing and how we don't know anybody anymore, at least on our street. Lunch time..... Then we came home, ok, it is five days later, and we had a drink or 4 and talked about the Quebec Charter thing again and how a rather divisive character is almost being seen as a voice of reason. Andrew Coyne of the National Post has a nice article about it here. We ended with a little discussion of a really cool show we have discovered through Netflix, Foyle's War. Watch it. Oh if you want that whole watch every country's Netflix deal just click on this link and sign up, it is worth the five bucks. Thanks everyone for listening and comment, email, twitter or whatever. Dave Brodbeck and Isabelle MichaudEpisode 24

Well we thought we would step in to the whole Quebec charter of values thing. Isabelle had a discussion today on facebook with some old friends about the charter. If you don't know, the charter, which is being proposed by the separatist government of Quebec, wants to make wearing religious garb of any sort by public employees illegal. Indeed, you must understand that that includes physicians, professors and anyone else paid by the province. Well, as most know, we are both atheists, so we have little time for religion really, but, you know, governments have no business telling people how to dress. It strikes me as a violation of human rights. Indeed, it seems to strike the leaders of the three major federal political parties that way too.

So, we went for a walk, we saw some stuff, by a waterfall, which was pretty cool, though I hope the sound is ok... ​Isabelle did a wonderful job as well of translating 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' and singing it along with her uke. We spoke a bit about meth, and how it is a bad idea in general.​ We found a caterpillar on the path we were walking on at the park, and Isabelle either saved it, or not, I maintain she brought it closer to its destruction......

So, we have not recorded in ages, indeed, we missed our eight anniversary of podcasting. Anyway, we talked quite a bit about Isabelle's art class which she attended in July. She went to this three day art workshop in Spring Bay, ON. Spring Bay is on Manitoulin Island, the largest fresh water island on earth. The neat thing is that we camped nearby at a place where I used to camp as a kid. You might have heard both Jon and I talk about it on our respective solo mini casts. Jon, of course, showed up for a bit, but actually he was pretty good about not interrupting much, happily. That said he did photo bomb our album art…. Enjoy.

On Canada Day Jon wanted to podcast, so we did a bit, but really he just wanted to type. Then Isabelle and I picked it up on July 4 and talked about our recent trip to London and Montreal and how hard it is to talk to yourself. The coolest thing in Montreal was the Chiluly exhibit we saw. There was this scary noise, and we don't know what it was. We also talked about the difference between us and them and about Isabelle's potential language classes at the art gallery.

We talked a little Rob Ford, a little soccer and turbans, a little Canadian Senate and then my shortcomings were pointed out.....​ Isabelle favoured us with a Spanish song, which was kinda cool.​ ​We then talked some of how we don't have many people we can just call and talk to.

We talked about a few issues tonight. Members of the Muslim community ​in town want to have a women only swim at the local Y, and we are fine with that. This lead us into a discussion of online commenting and how stupid people are. Then I swore a lot.... ​We switched gears and talked about Isabelle's Summer Language Program at the Univesrsity and about Rob Ford, and his crack smokingness.... We ended up talking a bit about podcasting in Canada and how we miss Jamespod.

In this episode we talked about her great new idea of having non credit language workshops at the University. It is her baby, and we are pretty excited to see it get going. It looks like I will be speaking at a conference, so check it out and come! We talked a bit about twitter, about politics and religioin (as we do) and of course about that batshit crazy Amy woman from Kitchen Nightmares...

I just got back from London and I had a great time at the Brain Tumour Foundation walk/run.​ Isabelle had a sort of multicultural student thing here at the house while I was gone and she made the picture on the left. ​ We then got into a discussion of crazy people we have worked with, harkening back to a classic Broca's Area. ​ We then discussed plagiarism in university and quickly transitioned on to the whole weird week of terrorism, CNN and Beckett plays..... Next, Ideology, I think it may be the root of all evil.

We ramble on a bit in this episode, give us both a break, we gave our last final exams today. Today's big topic and theme was what does it mean to be a citizen. ​ I think really what it means to be a citizen is to sponsor me in the Spring Sprint for Brain Tumour Research.

You know, I went to a pretty good high school. Indeed, at one time it had the highest percentage of Ontario Scholars (over 80 percent average in your final year of high school) in the province. OK, so now it produces al Qaeda terrorists. So yeah, that's bad.....

We go from Futurism to Fascism to student evaluations to language classes. Oh and then the table broke.....

We drove around looking for a place to record episode 12, we had very little luck. Even McDonald's ​wouldn't take our money. It was like nobody worked there. Eventually we settled on A and W..... We talked about the conference I was just at, about the new Pope, about art, you know, standard fare for us. I also talked about how being anti science was not really a left right issue as much as a stupid vs smart issue.

We have a couple of different recording sessions in this one. Mostly initiated by Jon. We talked a bit about the play which Jon ended up liking, a bit about the movie Chasing Ice, which Isabelle had just seen and Jon described the new car he is developing...​ I am thinking of giving Jon his own show....

Ever since Isabelle got back from Montreal yesterday Jon has been saying 'can we do a podcast?' So we took his suggestion and recorded ​episode 10. Jon started out by reading out the menu of the mythical 'Dave's Pizza Kitchen' which seems to be getting longer. We eventually came around to talking about art, specifically the art Isabelle saw in Montreal. Some of the artists we talked about in this episode included Louis Comtois, Riopelle, Lynne Cohen and Kelly Mark.

So, last night we started to record, and Jon wanted in so, hey why not. Anyway, things were going along just fine, we were talking about the meteor that hit Russia when then, suddenly​.... Yup, the power went out. It was at first sort of fun. We went for candles, and Isabelle went out for batteries (which leads into our first intermission, featuring Jonathan Coulton singing 'Re:Your Brains' ​which seemed appropriate what with the clear sign of the apocalypse. We all attempted to predict when the power would come back on, with Isabelle doing the best job. Oh the next day we came back for a little wrap up. If this episode does one thing, it might give you some insight about what it is like having a conversation with Jonathan......

Isabelle has staked her claim as Queen of Canada. Dave can't shut up about House of Cards. Madeleine and Jon witness Isabelle attacking their father, David Gass has nothing to pimp.

How was your week? How is art made? Will House of Cards work on Netflix? What is in a Manhattan? Why did the California Golden Seals wear white skates? Who is Alex Galchenyuk? Why doesn't Isabelle care? Why does Dave drink so much?

We sat down to talk about various things last night. Everything from how wikipedia editing works to the importance of food to health. We hope you enjoy episode 5.

Another week, another episode. I really am loving being back at this. Anyway, today we talked about a few things, including an update on the post fire repairs, a discussion of why some people are jerks at work and if google is making us stupid..... We hope you like Eipsode 4.

Hey I think we really are back to doing a podcast.... We started out by talking about comments by both Jim and Rachel from episode 2. This lead us into a discussion of gun laws in the states and the second amendment. We went through a lot of stuff, we talked Christmas, we talked a bit about our son, Jon, and Isabelle kept accusing me of burping. I ended with a rant about the NHL lockout, not a rant so much as a lament really.

After today's events it is hard to have any words, (though I do at the end of this episode). So we tried to change the subject to some happy stuff. Isabelle started us out with a ukulele number. She bought it last week, at, of all places, Future Shop. I wonder if she can got the extended warranty.... Isabelle also talked about her progress learning Arabic, which is pretty cool. I have enough trouble with English... And, as promised, at the end I rant about guns, gun culture and why you can't carry mustard gas around with you.

After our hugely successful Canadian National Day of Podcasting edpisode of our old show, Broca's Area, we decided to return. That's right we're back. It's Broken Area! Basically we have gone back to the just talking about stuff. This episode we talked about relationships, our new Ford Escape and HOW OUR HOUSE ALMOST BURNED DOWN. So, that was an event filled episode. Be sure to email Isabelle and tell her you like the show or ask any questions. You can also, of course follow me on twitter. Oh yeah, comments are of course welcome. We will eventually have our own domain and feed for the show, but for now it will live here. We hope you like episode 1.

As usual, on the Canadian National Day of Podcasting, Isabelle and I revive our old podcast, Broca's Area. We recorded the first part in the grocery store and in our brand new Ford Escape. In part 2, Madeleine and Jonathan joined us after dinner. Between the two parts we heard 'Shotgun Loudmouth' by Battery Life. Apparently, we may be coming back, according to Isabelle...... Enjoy the episode.

A few years ago, 2005 to be exact, Isabelle and I had a podcast called Roca's Area. We went through a couple of format changes etc but we had fun. We packed it in back in 2009. We resurrected the show for the first Canadian National Day of Podcasting (Dec 1, 2010). Well, it is December 1, 2011, so we are back. Now, I would love to get back into doing this show, but that is another matter. We talked about the economy, war and peace, and the idea that Isabelle will either end up becoming an old woman who plays bingo or a wonk in Tibet....

Everybody out there welcome Maddie to the show. Here is episode 113 we discussed Mongolia, a central Asian country Mongolia is probably best known as the home of Genghis Khan. Good times.... Mongolia has a fascinating recent history too. They were a communist client state of the Soviet Union, and they became a much more democratic country after a non violent revolution in 1990. Mongolian is an interesting language it seems. You can see the script above, it looks like vulcan... Then again, in Mongolia itself they use cyrillic rather than the traditional alphabet. It is also one of the few places where people sometimes go only by a single name, which means Bono or Teller would be happy there.. As far as food goes, they eat a lot of meat and dairy products. It seems that their food is not that spicy or even seasoned. Then again, they have been and many still are, nomads. Culturally Mongolai is known for a two stringed instrument whose name I forget currently, and throat singing. It seems they are trying to start a tourism industry, which is pretty cool. We made a little fun of their website, but in all seriousness, their English is much stronger than our Mongolian... Next time we are off to the Czech Republic.

We invited Madeleine to sit in with us in this episode as we talked about Nepal. Nepal is the birthplace of one of the many Buddhas. This got us into a discussion of the idea of enlightenment and what it might mean. Our conclusion, umm, we don’t know. Nepal is of course the home of the tallest mountain in the world, and apparently people want to climb it and get naked, these people are idiots (clearly Dave is writing these show notes...) We spoke a bit about the Nepalese culture, which seems to be a multicultural one. Sort of a melding of Indian and Tibetan traditions, which seems cool. One group the Newari are a multicultural ethnicity, which is odd and quite well, almost Canadian, except for their music videos... Next time it is off to Mongolia!

Where does that title come from? Well you will have to listen to this episode about Macedonia to find out. Macedonia, to Dave, is an interesting country, whereas Isabelle finds it boring... A landlocked country, Macedonia is one of those countries that used to be part of Yugoslavia. When they gained independence they of course wanted to call themselves Macedonia. This bothered Greece. They figure Macedonia means Philip of Macedon, Alexander the Great, and all of that. Hey Greece, that was like 3000 years ago, get over yourselves. Dave is pretty sure Greece is acting rather childishly here. The discussion of the naming dispute between Macedonia and Greece led to a discussion of nationalism and people choosing to name themselves what they would like. Next it is off to Nepal!

Just as how last year we went to a warm spot (Tahiti) in December, this year we are off to Samoa. Don’t confuse it with American Samoa. This is the former Western Samoa, a country of about 290 000 people. Their culture has a rich history of dancing and music (some of which you will hear during the episode). We talked a bit about the importance of sport in Samoa, where rugby is king. It is interesting that Samoa (along with New Zealand and Fiji) do a war dance of sorts (the Haka) before rugby matches. There are few things cooler, or more intimidating, than seeing a bunch of huge rugby players dancing in unison. Samoa has a special relationship with New Zealand, but the past, when NZ ran Samoa, is a bit checkered. Well such is often the way with colonialism, even when the intentions were good. Today people often go to New Zealand from Samoa for school or work and send money home. Their political system is at first blush, a parliamentary democracy like we are used to, except when you look more closely at it you realize that pretty much only village chiefs become MPs. Next time it is off to Macedonia. See you there!

Well of course the answer is, both are the subject of our podcast, indeed, both are the subject of episode 109 of our podcast. We started out by talking about Barack Obama, the American President-Elect. We, like most Canadians, are very excited about the prospect of our neighbours to the south having a smart, funny and hopeful president, rather than someone that says ‘Nookyoulerr”. We are not unrealistic about what he can do, but we are hopeful that he will do some good, he is pragmatic, not ideological, and that is important. We then spoke of Thailand. Of course it was known as Siam for a long time, and it was a country that for a time fought off British and French colonialism by playing the Brits and the French off against each other. This strategy worked until WWII when they threw their hat into the ring with the bad guys. More recently Thailand has had some troubles because their ex PM hosts a cooking show. Seriously.... Anything that mocks the government and the king is taboo, and hosting a cooking show was apparently fit the bill. Next time it is off to Samoa!

In our latest trip around the globe we stopped in Venezuela. Like many South American countries it has been the victim of bad government, too much US influence and frankly it shows. Venezuela is an interesting case because their government, run by one Hugo Chavez is (at least in name) trying to fight this stuff. Doubly interesting is the amount of oil they have. Neither of us are big Chavez fans,(attempting to jail your opposition and shutting down tv stations and newspapers is not that cool) though I guess we see where he is coming from. Venezuela depends a lot on selling oil. Now the price of oil has dropped a great deal just in the past two weeks, so we figure the global economic crisis will affect Venezuela too. We then got into a discussion of the current economic crisis, be concerned... Next it is off to Thailand! Oh, BTW, GO OBAMA!

That clever (?) title comes from the fact that when Isabelle was learning about Portugal from people on Skype they would invariably leave for lunch, and all at the same time. It seems Portugal is a great food culture. Indeed, they have given their name to a type of wine (Port) and they were some of the first Europeans to come to the New World when they travelled to the shores of Newfoundland to look for cod. Of course dried cod is very important in their diet and therefore to their culture. We talked a little about the history of Portugal, it seems like it has gotten forgotten on the Iberian peninsula what with Spain sitting right beside it, sort of like a Canada - USA relationship maybe. Portugal’s history is pretty rich too. The Moors, the Brits, the Spaniards, Napoleon and a bunch of fascists all had their hands on the country in the past 1500 years. The cool thing was the military overthrew the fascists back in the 70s and now Portugal is a good ol liberal democracy. (I apologize for not getting this one up sooner, we hope to get more eps out in a more timely fashion in the future, this is all my fault as I am a weenie, obviously this is Dave typing here). Portugal is unranked by the IIHF. Next time it is off to Venezuela, that should be fun, what with Hugo and all.

Welcome to the chaos of Episode 106 (which we kept calling episode 107 for some reason). We had the house full with Madeleine’s friends and we also had one of our most faithful listeners the AmHam, join us over skype. The AmHam visit was not planned, Dave just twittered that we were about to record and the AmHam showed up. We did talk Turkey a little, of course we mentioned Mahir (pictured above) the famous I Kiss You guy, who was probably the first big time net meme. Isabelle mentioned seeing Paris Hilton of all people judging a beauty contest in Turkey. AmHam even mentioned a friend of his from Turkey. Finally we talked a little bit of James Whittingham, our buddy. Well next time it is off to Portugal. You are forgiven if you cannot make it through “The Longest Episode Ever That We Never Really Started”.

As most of our listeners know, Isabelle travelled to Algeria in 2005, indeed, she travelled there by herself, to meet a family she met on the internet. Now that is courage, at least I think so (this is obviously Dave typing). This episode is one I have been looking forward to for a long time, while I may kid Isabelle about her love of Algeria, I do love talking about something with an expert, and she is that. We spoke of the differences between Algeria and Canada, and Algeria and Morocco. One of the surprising (to me) differences was the food. Listen to find out more about that. Both cultures do like to eat communally and frown upon separate plates. Suffice it to say, the sour milk in Algeria is not as good as the sour milk in Morocco... Like much of the Arab world, they have a sort of love hate relationship with the West. They equated Canadians with Americans, and Americans with the present administration. That said, I think many of us do the latter.... Algeria suffered a rather nasty civil war in the early to mid 90s and there is an active Al Qaeda group there that recently attacked a police station. They have their economic and social problems, but Isabelle still loves them, and really, who can blame her? A country that welcomes you with open arms, and allows you to stay in private homes is pretty cool. Algeria is unranked by the IIHF... Next, it is off to Turkey! Hope the sound is better..

Good day, and welcome to our regularly scheduled podcst about Greece. This one was like the Italy one really, were to begin, where to stop. Well we began of course with the ancients, and Isabelle began by talking about Greek tragedy. Well those Greeks were certainly tragic, I mean really tragic. People say TV is sensationalist, check out some old plays if you want real sensationalism, then Jon woke up.... Isabelle talked some about Herodotus, a Greek historian, generally regarded as the father of modern history, well the study of it anyway, the Jon woke up. Then we talked about the importance of Greek philosophy, then Jon woke up.... Eventually Dave talked a bit about the conflict between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus, and a bit about Greek food. Then Maddie called on the phone... In the end we had to pull the plug, though we did enjoy this one a lot. I hope the volume levels are a bit better this time. Thanks to Rachel and AmHam for twittering us throughout the recording. Greece is ranked 46th by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Then Jon woke up... Next time it is off to Algeria! Then Jon woke up.

No this one is not about Greece. We just came back from a little camping trip to Agawa Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park. Oh, we also bought a new Zoom H2 recorder, so well, as the geeks we are, or, well, as the geek Dave is, it was brought along. Around 11 pm one night we broke out the recorder and did a little podcasting. We talked about a few interesting things, well we thought they were interesting, like a recent clip from the Transpondency podcast, that well sort of umm, well, demanded a comment. Lake Superior Park is really amazing, though even at the camping areas there are bears around, and there is real nature. This is not KOA camping baby. The campground itself was super nice, and it seemed like it was only people that wanted to have fun just hanging out in the wild. Our site was surrounded by pine trees We all (Maddie joined in with us on this one) talked about our camping memories, including Isabelle being left at a gas stattion when she was a kid. Oh, and Dave has a cool hat. We’ll be back next time with Greece, unless we go camping again before we record the Greece episode...

Well we are back after an eventful few weeks, but more on that later. Today we were off to Cambodia, the land of the Khmer people (and a few Vietnamese, a few Chinese and a few ‘others’ as they say. One cannot talk about Cambodia without talking about the murderous, genocidal regime of Pol Pot. Dave read a book back in high school called ‘Sideshow’ by New York Times writer William Shawcross. This book talked about the reasons behind the rise of the Khmer Rouge, and gives a theory as to why they came to power. If you want to know the theory you could always buy the book, or listen. ... As usual, Isabelle was interested in more happy stuff. She has a knack for that. To quote her, “while I was playing in the fields of Cap-Rouge and being a free and happy child, horrors were taking place on the other side of the planet. I don't know why anyone needs to believe that there is a devil, a fallen angel, a Lucifer when ordinary people are quite capable of imagining worst fates for others than ever one imaginary Diablo, or Shiva, could do...I decided to celebrate the beauty of Cambodia and to call it a celebration of life because now life has returned.” She talked about Cambodian dancing, which is a descendant of Indian dancing it seems. We saw happy people on youtube making cheesy videos, so really maybe they are getting back to normal and not that different from us. After a little break we talked a bit about Podcasters Across Borders 2008 (PAB2008) a conference that Dave attneded and gave a presentation at. Dave had a pretty good time seeing old friends etc. Finally we talked about Dave’s Dad who died on June 2, 2008. Dave learned a lot from RB, and he was always there for us. We miss him, but, he will never be forgotten. RB would be interested to know that Cambodia is unranked by the International Ice Hockey Federation... Next time, it is off to Greece!

Well Isabelle is back from Morocco, with photos and stories and memories and sand in her clothing. This episode consists of two parts. In part one, Isabelle called Dave on Skype and Dr. smart guy forgot to record her audio, so they had to start over, and oh yeah, her audio was not working, so she was responding to typed questions from Dave. Nonetheless, it was pretty cool. After a little Moroccan music you will hear standard Dave and Isabelle stuff, except that Isabelle has been to this country! We talked about Isabelle’s trip to the desert (see above...) her time in the country, and the stuff she liked (which was most of it) and the stuff she didn’t (which involved putting boiling hot eggs on someone’s neck, you will have to listen to get the whole story there...) I think (this is Dave typing here) that Isabelle is pretty brave to travel to a country all by herself, just thought I would throw that in. It is also cool to hear someone you know say “I flew in to Casablanca and then connected to Marrakech.” Next time it is time for a holiday in Cambodia! Enjoy.

Well, we usually take you somewhere, anywhere, that will be fun for you and interesting for us. Instead of a country this time we are visiting Second Life. Yes, SL, the place where people dress up their avatars in virtual spandex and fly from place to place looking for well, we are not sure what. Dave has played with Second Life as he interviewed Cory Ondrehka of Linden Lab on thunderbird six. The Future Play conference always has a presence from Linden as well, so Dave has met people from Linden. Of the two of us, Dave is the gamer, and Dave does not really think much of SL. Indeed, he cannot even figure out why anyone would want to play with it. That said, SL has some real world applications, such as education, and on another t6 interview John Nordlinger of Microsoft talked about how SL can be used with autistic kids, which is pretty close to both of our hearts. There is a dark side to this though. That dark side is that people seem to sometimes fall into SL way too hard and end up meeting people and having affairs with them, as this video shows. This lead us into a discussion of marriage, Dave is actually rather traditional in his views on this topic, Isabelle, not as much. We want to thank all of our listeners over the years, Mark, Bob, James, Mark, Andy, Meg, Rob, Rachel, Katherine, the Dude, Matt, Andre, and of course AmHam, who sent us an audio comment. Next time it is off to Morocco! Literally, Isabelle is going to Morocco! We hope to skype from there and do an episode. Dave, alas, will be at home.

We have the greatest pleasure to introduce our friend Andy who joined David and I to discuss the art of Taekwondo. The Taekwondo tenets of courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance and indomitable spirit could possibly be all that one needs in order to live a balanced life. But doesn’t all sports teach you these same attributes? Maybe so, maybe no...Do you agree or disagree? Then, we talked about the Korean war, technology and sports. Hey, remember that guy who died after playing Starcraft for 2 days straight? Thanks Andy for coming and thanks to everyone who commented on our French episode. Our next episode will be our 100th and for that episode, we have planned something very much unexpected. Stay tuned for number 100. Coming soon to earphones near you. And while you wait, check out these few youtube finds on South Korea...and this one too on tae kwon do... We await your comments ^^...

Meet the revolutionaries, the leftists, the rightists and the absolutists. David and I discuss past and present French politics, including the new contrat social proposed by Nicolas Sarkozy which Quebec’s Jean-Claude Corbeil wishes to emulate with a contrat moral. (Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed the original one.) We argue over civil liberties and accomodement raisonnable and la Charte des droits et libertes. We realise that while France and England are now far away countries which do not have much influence in our everyday affairs, we still hold some attachment with these countries. And finally Isabelle ends with a rant about things that bug her about people’s reactions to her French identity. Laissez-nous vos commentaires...Merci...Next, South Korea!

From Rome to Naples and from Classical times to the “Cosmic Rot,” Italy has always been a shaper and driver of the Western World. Our discussion led us to fascism, the Vatican, the Garbage strike in Naples, a philosophical-like debate over “civilizations,” the ability of the Italian people to adapt, and a short discussion about the designs of Daniele Lago. All that from our home, complete with our son Jonathan’s very talkative state and Leap Pad. This discussion will no sure continue onto our next podcast: FRANCE... Finalement!

This time we are off to Tahiti, an island, well the most important island probably, in French Polynesia. French Polynesia is a self governing territory of France. Indeed, there is talk of a referendum to allow independence from France. This will probably eventually happen. Historically the islands were annexed to France without France even knowing about it, which says something about global communications in the early 1800s. We have a (somewhat distant) connection to Tahiti, as Capt James Cook explored the island, and he also explored the region where Corner Brook NL is today. We lived in CB, so there you are... We talked quite a bit about Paul Gauguin, who famously moved to Tahiti. We were looking forward to discussing his work in Tahiti, then, well, we saw the book (his journals) that Isabelle ordered. He married a 13 year old child while there, then if that was not bad enough, he turned around and left her. This lead us to a discussion of moral relativism, and well, a discussion of how disgusting we thought Guaguin was as a human. What do you think? We recorded this one just after Christmas, so we would like to pass on holiday (whatever holiday you celebrate) greetings to all of our listeners. Don’t forget to visit Bring Da King to bring James Whittingham to PAB 2008. Next time it is off to Italy!

We tried a little experiment in our recent Praguay recording session, we just set the mics up and recorded live, with special guest star Madeleine (and a little Jon for good measure). Paraguay has a somewhat tragic history, the Chaco War, the War of the Triple Alliance, the brutal military dictatorship of General Stroessner and the general unstable (though improving) situation. today. Stroessner, BTW, was a bad guy. He gave safe haven to Nazi War criminals, and led a long dark time in Paraguay’s history. That said, the country has probably the highest number of Indigenous people (as compared to Europeans) of any country in the Americas. As this is a recently democratic country there are issues, the press is not overly free, this is bound to get better, you have to remember that democracy is a relatively new phenomenon in modern South America. Oddly enough, (at least to us) there is a decent sized Mennonite community in Paraguay. There is a small Jewish community, but really for the most part Paraguay is a Catholic country. Paraguay is unranked by the IIHF. Next time, it is off to Tahiti!

Another in our fine series of road episodes.. In this one, Dave had just returned from Toronto. While he was there he went to the Futureplay conference (where he was the official blogger) and attended the Toronto Podcast Meetup. The conference was pretty cool, and there were people there from all over the world, including a video game design team from Sweden that made a game for the DS where you serve drinks to bar patrons (seems they know Dave well....) This was probably the first year where someone mentioned that there might be a darker side to games. That said, the conference focussed on the positive. The podcaster meetup included Sage, Katherine, Scarborough Dude, Jay Moonah from Uncle Seth, John Meadows and Mark Blevis (among others). The meetup was a blast, and a great time was had by Dave and the crazy left wing nuts in the Canadian podcasting community.... Next tim eit is off to Paraguay, honestly. Oh, Canada is still ranked number 2 by the IIHF, but we do have the Hockey Hall of Fame which Dave walked by each time he went from his hotel to the conference, so really, we are better than Sweden...

Ahh Sweden, home of social democracy, a King that is modest, meatballs and ABBA. Yes, we could not help talk about ABBA. Now, really ABBA were and is huge. Dave is not a fan, Dave likes the Hives. Isabelle, well she likes ABBA, and that is fine, if you like that sort of thing. They have, in Sweden, a couple of interesting philosophies. One is basically “shut up and don’t bother anybody” (jantelagen) and the other is ‘you don’t need to overdo it” (Lagom). The second one sounds better to us than the first, but hell, we are not Swedes.... Sweden is very liberal with social policy, and the sort of classic example of a mixed economy. In many ways it is quite Canadian. They are usually pretty quiet but seem to do the right thing (see Raoul Wallenberg for example). Well next it is off to Paraguay (sorry Scarborough Dude...). Sweden, sadly, is ranked one ahead of Canada by the IIHF, at number 1. That is until the upcoming world championships this spring in Halifax and Quebec CIty...

Ahh Egypt, a mysterious land, the Nile, the Pyramids, the Sphinx, Pharaohs and of course Belly Dancing and really lame actors. Egypt is one of those Muslim countries in the Mid East that may give us in the West a little hope, as they no longer officially want to destroy Israel and they are relatively prosperous. Of course the biggest export culturally from Egypt, besides the King Tut exhibit, is probably Belly Dancing. Now some of these people are really good at it, others have a more sensual style, and still others are really horrible... As with most TV and movies from non Western countries Egyptian TV seems to have a style all of its own, a style that is downright horrible... This clip of the actor Adel Emam is the one we talked about, check out how the guy kicks the girl in the butt. Unreal. Plus, what fine acting. Egypt is unranked by the IIHF. Next time it is off to Sweden, who are ranked by the IIHF.

I was a traveller again these past few days. Iza la voyageuse ! This episode is a phone conversation between Dave and myself describing my stay in “Ottawa-The-Respectable” to meet Mark Blevis and Andrea Ross of the Just One More Book podcast (- and many, many other podcasts) at the Wild Oat Cafe. I felt like royalty spending time with Lord Blevis and Lady Andrea and their two beautiful and talented daughters. Their 6 yr old and 9 year old both speak French and English and each play the violin and the flute. Plus, they are incredibly smart and vivacious. This show is about my two days in Ottawa. The days were filled with various spheres in my life intercepting one another: history, art, podcasting, food, books, family, friends, life with a big L. Mark and Andrea made me feel part of the family by including me in their lives. I read stories with the girls and helped with French homework. What a delight it was to get to be a part of the everyday organized chaos that represents family life. I also enjoyed the company of Mark and Bob as I was a guest on the Canadian Podcast Buffet and I discussed podcasting at the Ottawa Meetup at the Arrow and Loon bistro with a bunch of rowdy people. Some of the podcasters, I had already seen at the Podcasters Across Borders Conference but for the most part, I did not know anybody. (You have to hear this guys’ story about the band Kiss... I still have cramps from laughing so much. What was that guys’ name? Was it Andy?) I apologize for all the mistakes I made with names in this episode: I am making sins of inexactitude. You will forgive me, as I was on my way to my Dad’s funeral and my head was in another dimension. Thanks again Mark and Andrea! Merci de tout mon coeur. Et bonjour aux deux petites etoiles qui vous accompagnent.