Happy New Year! Lately, I've been better about writing my online journal - Suburban Island - than blogging here on Little Island. A New Year's resolution for me is getting posts up here a little more regularly. Ironically, I find myself writing posts in my head while in the car, doing chores, and shopping. They're great! I wish you could read them. That won't be happening however, because they are not here. That's because by the time I sit in front of my computer in the evening, I'm exhausted and my great posts have flown out of my mind never to be written at all. Life is busy. That's the truth. But blogging is fun and rewarding so I am going to work to find the time and energy for writing here.
If you want to read about my suburban adventures then head over to Suburban Island. Suburbia yields a lot of stories. I just write them down. I like to think I do it with a special twist.
Blogging and writing an online journal keeps me on my toes. I love how no matter how much I learn there is always more. No matter how much I write there is always a new adventure to share. This year I am getting fascinated by podcasting. It's because my kids got me a great video iPod for Christmas. I have found some great podcasts already and I'm just getting started. What are some of my first favorite finds? I recommend:
Daily Breakfast with Father Roderick is a gentle little morning show that comes out of the Netherlands and has a Catholic voice that I think crosses over to people of other faiths very nicely. What's fun about it is its flow. It's very natural and conversational. Father Roderick shares great music. There's lots of talk about interesting things going on in the world. He shares his views about literature, TV, movies, and videogames. Father Roderick even takes you on some travels. It's well worth a listen. Father Roderick also has separate podcasts going on: the Secrets of Harry Potter, the Secrets of Narnia, and the Secrets of Star Wars. I've just subscribed to them all.
MuggleCast grabbed me from the first listen. It's a panel approach to discussing all things Harry Potter. The depth of the knowledge of the panelists and their enthusiasm really made me want to hear all the prior podcasts that this group had put together. It makes me feel more Harry Potter smart and panders to my Harry Potter addiction. Harry Potter fans - check this out.
50 Pounds, 6 Months is a video podcast that is following Christiana Ellis in her quest to lose some weight. Something I need to do myself. Her podcast jumped out at me because I need some inspiration in this area per my New Year's resolution to get fit and healthy. This isn't a glitzy podcast and I like that Christiana is learning the technical ins-and-outs of producing her video podcasts as she goes along and sharing that information with us. I can see she is going to be refining her lights, camera, action as she moves forward. This week, for instance, she stepped away from her computer and took us into the kitchen for a cooking lesson. I'm glad to have a virtual diet buddy and I thank Christiana for her honesty in putting herself out there in this podcast and for the inspiration she is providing to others.
Crash Test Kitchen cooks it up. It's a friendly and unscripted approach to sharing recipes and tips. I like the dynamic between Waz and Lenny and the casual quality of this video podcast. Since it's not a show coming from U.S. cooks it expressing a little different culinary culture than I would normally be exposed to on the cooking shows on TV and I really enjoy that. Variety is the spice of life.
Hip Tranquil Chick is full of cool ideas. I need to be tranquil and hip so I immediately subscribed. I started up with yoga classes recently and am looking for tranquil inspiration. I can use the general chick and fashion tips too.
Now that I've gotten started on the wonderful world of podcasts I'm sure there will be many more recommendations to come. And of course, please share your podcast finds with me.
Podcasts? You are a techie marvel, Marie. I don't even know how to videoblog. The yoga sounds great, since I can't seem to force myself to go to a class. Maybe if I beamed one in to my home...
Posted by: Margaret | January 10, 2006 at 12:09 AM
Hi there, Marie. Thank you so much and I'm glad you like the show! As I've said on the show, the whole reason for doing it publicly is so that the wonderful sense of community out here in the internet can help keep me honest. Feedback like yours is a big part of that. So thanks again!
Posted by: Christiana | January 11, 2006 at 08:40 AM