Tag: books

5 Podcasts I Love

Podcasts – I like to call them Stories on my Phone.

A podcast is an episodic series of digital media files which a user can set up so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user’s own local computer or portable media player. It’s a mouthful, so I just call them “stories on my phone.”

I am relative newbie to the podcast world.  In the past couple years, there were a few local ones I listened to (Fresh Air and Radio Times).  But only lately have I dipped my toes into the ever expanding sea of podcasts.  And let me tell you, it is not only a sea but nearly a tidal wave of podcasts.

Now I don’t need to just rely on a constant stream of audio books to keep me entertained, I can also get fascinating stories, science updates, current event discussions, and all around pop culture anytime I want.  Even Cheyenne loves to listen to podcasts with me (can’t you tell).

podcast-and-cheyenne

Top 5 Podcasts

Ever the fan of the top 5 or 10 or 20 lists, here are the top 5 podcasts that I am totally loving right now:

5.  TWiT (This Week in Tech) – Since a sizeable portion of my job involves tech and website upkeep, I decided to try to keep up with things in the news on this topic.  This is a thought-provoking discussion not only of new tech but also how technology touches every aspect of our lives and what it means for the future.

4.  Hidden Brain – Anything that discusses our magnificent brains and how they work completely fascinates me.  Combine it with great storytelling and I’m totally hooked.

3.  What I Missed in History Class – This is a fun little podcast that reveals interesting nuggets in history that are not often covered.  It covers people, events, and mysteries.  If you love history you will love this too.  Plus it has been out there for a number of years so there are tons of back episodes you can search through to find the history you most want to hear about.

2.  The Story Collider – This is one I just found but is right up at the top of the ones I love.  It explores personal stories of science and everyday life.  It is great!

1. What Should I Read Next –  My absolute favorite right now.  Thanks to my niece Tara for turning me on to this.  For anyone one who loves to read and struggles with finding the right book this is the podcast for you.

A couple honorable mentions are Sword and Scale, This Week in Feakanomics, This American Life, and the TED Radio Hour.

There really is so much out there.  Take a look, explore, enjoy!

 

Hump Day Haiku

I’ve never been one much for poetry.  Sure, there were a couple of years when I was a doe-eyed girl penciling verse for an unrequited love.  But after that, it never really interested me.  Until recently.

A couple of weeks ago, I started reading the Inspector Gamache mystery book series by Louise Penny.  These are murder mysteries based in Quebec and they especially center around the fictional town of Three Pines.  These books renewed or at least piqued my interest in verse.

I’ve always enjoyed a good mystery book; but, I am really enjoying this book series.  Here’s why:

  • First, I’m listening to them on CD and I love the narrator.  He’s such a great performer and his reading really brings the story to life.
  • Second, I love how Lousie Penny writes. Her characters are quirky, entertaining, and interesting.  She has the best food descriptions (between her mouthwatering descriptions and the narrator’s mesmerizing voice, I spend much of each book hungry).
  • Third, the author sprinkles her prose with verse.  One of the characters in the book is a poet and “her” poems are found throughout the book adding an elegance and moodiness that I really enjoy.

With that said, it made me want to have a recommended book of poetry appear on my “Read Next” list and perhaps take another shot at writing verse again.  Hence, Hump Day Haiku.

Now, I thought I was so clever coming up with this unique title.  Turns out, there are at least a couple other sites where this phraseology is found (props where props are due).  But, since no one has it copyrighted (that I know of), I’m going to take part in the fun and be the sponsor of a Hump Day Haiku blog.

For those of you who may need a refresher (I know I did), www.poets.org defines Haiku as this:

hiaku-imageA traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. Often focusing on images from nature, haiku emphasizes simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression. 

That site also gives some interesting history if you want to check it out.

Lastly, I will give my attempt at Haiku for this hump day.  I went nontraditional as it doesn’t deal with nature.  But it is simple and direct and has been the focus of the early part of my week.  Enjoy!

Sunday
Towels wet and cold
Turns and turns but still no heat
Appliance Malaise

Would love to hear your haikus (or is it haiki?).  Send it in the comments and be part of next week’s Hump Day Haiku.