Psalm 98 says "Make a joyful noise to the Lord." 

I have to admit, I'm a really self-consious when it comes to singing--well, at least in front of people.  But one way I can "make a joyful noise" is playing handbells.  I've been in choirs on and off for the past decade and when I'm not ringing, I really miss it.

I recently joined the handbell choir at my new church.  In fact, I practiced with the group one Sunday night and was up in front, ringing with the bells the following Sunday, which was All Saints Day.

In this short edition of the podcast, I've included a recording of our playing a song called "Finlandia." 

I hope you enjoy it!

I thought about doing this post as a podcast, but I've got a cold right now that has manifested itself (partially) in a cough. And I doubt seriously that anyone wants to hear a podcast where the host coughs every three to four words.

I wish I could say I came up with the idea for this post on my own, but I didn't. It's come from two separate threads I've been keeping up with. One is a discussion I was having with a friend earlier this week about scary movies. The other is reading Jamy's details of her early interactions and crushes on members of the opposite sex over on her blog, Grateful Dating. (Really an interesting read and one I recommend to you if you haven't visited already).

So, you're asking--scary movies and early crushes...what exactly do they have to do with each other?

Stick with me. We'll get there.

My parents told me one of the first girls that I had a "thing with" was a daughter of some of teir friends named Amy. I was a year older than Amy and caused a scandal in the neighborhood the afternoon I apparently thought the best way to impress her was to teach her how to spit. I can only imagine my mom was a bit mortified by this since it seemed to throw a monkey wrench in the plan our parents had come up with that someday Amy and I would get married. Now, I don't remember any of the spitting incident, so I could have been framed for all I know. But I have a feeling it was probably true and our parents took great delight years later trotting out th story to embarass us both with it when our familes crossed paths again. (My dad was career military as was Amy's and they came over for dinner one night when I was in the fifth grade and they were in town.)

The first girl I can remember really noticing was when we lived in Hawaii. Embarrassingly enough, I can't recall her name, though I do remember thinking she was really cute. We'd play together a bit during recess, but we were still at the age when the other sex has cooties.

I do recall one particular incident though. Growing up, I loved comic books. And one of the coolest things around were the Power Records series. They featured all the popular super heroes of the day and I recall being really curious to hear them becuase I wanted to see how the superhero's voices sounded and how that jived with how I heard them in my head. Or how my dad did them when he would read comic books with me. One of the first records I got was a Batman one, that I can still recall large chunks of dialogue from to this day. Another featured my favorite superhero, Spiderman and was called "The Mark of the Manwolf."

Basic plot is this: J. Jonah Jamison's son goes into space, comes back with a moon rock that he had made into a pendant and every full moon, he turns into the ManWolf (your basic werewolf only with blue fur and he wore a ripped up astronauts uniform). ManWolf goes to find J.J.J. for some reason, Spidey's there and they battle. If you're interested, you can hear the entire story here as an .mp3 file.

Now, as a book and record set marketed toward kids, this one was a bit on the scary side. I remember being a bit unnerved by it when I first heard it becuase my imagination was pretty active and made the ManWolf far scarier than he had any right to be. Plus the whole prospect of you find a rock and make into a necklace, thus becoming this beast...yeah, that's kind of scary when you're five or six. Also, I had the record only editon, not the one with the comic book, so my mind could fill in all these details.

I recall my crush at the time said she had the book and record set, which I thought was pretty all around cool. But she said she never listened to it because it was "too scary."

Now, at the delicate age of five or six, I didn't know much about women, but I knew that if she was scared, it was my job to protect her. I knew this because this is what I'd seen in the popular male role models of the day--the Fonz and Buck Rogers. Both of them were daring and had no fear of anything (well, Fonzie had liver but I didn't find that out until later). So, I stepped up and said, "I could come cover, listen to it with you and protect you from the scary stuff."

I was pretty proud as I said this to her. I had it all figured out at an early age.

Which is why when she looked at me like I'd grown a second head, I got a bit confused. I'm not sure she knew how to react to my bold statement of inviting myself over to listen to her SpiderMan record. I do know that I never went over to her place to listen to the record. My first attempt at trying to figure out women want met with a resounding thud.

A special special edition of the Middle Tennessee blogger and podcasters group featuring Big Orange Michael, M. of this is Smyrna, TN and Gunner.

In this short edition (for us), we talk about the Christmas Challenge being done by This is LaVergne, TN, our own thoughts on the Angel Tree challenge and our upcoming blogger panel this weekend (be there or be square!)

Michael raves about a local business and we all wonder where Gunner is--at least until he shows up late and gets in on the podcasting fun.

Two Insane Fans celebrate 40 years of original Star Trek with a commentary on the second pilot "Where No Man Has Gone Before."

Note: This commentary is for the unedited, commercially released version of the episode available from Paramount VHS and DVD.

Better late than never, right?  Here's half of the podcast from the last meeting of the Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Podcasters group meeting.  On the show are:

Kathy T. of the LaVergne, TN blog
Bad Bad Ivy
Gunner of No Quarters
Elizabeth of HarelipFrog
John of Salem's Lots
Malia
Michael of Mashby
Kerry Woo.
Christian Grantham
Michael of Big Orange Michael
Michelle of This is Smyrna, TN

Also, a special segement from Michael and Evo's Wingin' It VoiceMail Show #70 about the Snakes on a Plane challenge.

Don't forget that Saturday, August 19th is the viewing of Snakes on a Plane.   Here's some info for you on tickets and such...

We'll be gathering to see Snakes on a Plane at the new Consolidated Movie Theater in Mt Juliet. The show starts at 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19th.

You can order tickets on-line if you're interested. (I plan to do so I get a seat I have my ticket ordered and my receipt printed!) Matinee prices are $6.00 per ticket. If you order on-line you're charged a buck for the processing fee.

Here's details on where the theater is:

401 South Mt. Juliet Road, Suite 490
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
(615) 866-5333

Two podcasts in a month!  This must be some kind of new record!

The latest and greatest episode of I'm Just Like You, But I Have a Podcast.  On this week's show you'll hear:

• The perils of buying single game Titans tickets
• A special edition of the middle Tennessese bloggers and podcasters group meeting at the Mothership BBQ because TN Girl is in town.    Hear the story of TN Girl's puppy, the story of Gunner and Harelipfrog's first date, the story of Chip's TiVO and a surprise visit by Salem's Lots. 
• An conversation between myself and Sarah Hadley about series two of Doctor Who and her upcoming movie project.

All this, plus a few other surprises.  Warning: This one runs long--just over an hour.  Also, if you've not seen series two of Doctor Who, SPOILERS exists within the conversation with Sarah.

Also, don't forget that this Saturday is the regularily scheduled middle Tennessee bloggers and podcasters group meeting.   The festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. at the Mothership BBQ.

I must also apologize to my faithful listeners who were hoping for the Power Records Spider-Man: The Mark of the Man-Wolf in this podcast.  I know I promised it last time, but the podcast got a bit full and we all know I don't heavily edit these things.   I will include it on the next regular editition.  (I hope!)

I have returned!   In this edition of the podcast...

1. Live audio blogging from Superman Returns (in 3-D!)
   
2. A trip down memory lane thanks to Power Records Plaza.
   
3. Coming soon to the podcast...
   
4. No ranting or raving about Doctor Who
   
   
   Enjoy!
   

Recorded June 17th at Espresso Joe's in beautiful downtown Smyrna, it's special edition number six!

What happened to number five you ask....

Your technical director can't count.

Recorded live Saturday, May 20th at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Those in attendance:
Big Orange Michael,
Kathy T. of Resistance is Not Futile and Lavergne, TN
Aunt B. of Tiny Cat Pants
Malia of Musings from Malicious
Katherine (and her husband) from Just Another Pretty Farce
Heather from Moncks Corner Moments
Michelle of This is Smyrna, TN
and Amy of Bad Bad Ivy

Next meeting is scheduled for: Saturday, June 17th at 2 p.m. at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna!

Episode 3B of the Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Podcasters Group. 

Recorded Saturday, April 22nd at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna, TN here is the latest roundtable discussion on anything and everything from the Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Podcasters group.   Here's who attended the meeting and who you may hear on this podcast.

Big Orange Michael,
Kathy T. of Resistance is Not Futile and Lavergne, TN
Aunt B. of Tiny Cat Pants
Gunner of No Quarters and This is Smyrna, TN
Malia of Musings from Malicious
Elizabeth of Harelip Frog
The always popular, Britney of Nashville is Talking
Christian Grantham of Christian Grantham
Dewayne of Chip Manor
and Amy of Bad Bad Ivy

Our next meeting is: May 20th at 2 p.m. CST. 

A special edition of the podcast with my good friend, John (aka Logtar) interviewing me.  

Download, listen and enjoy!

Special Edition #3-A.  (Not to be confused with 7A from the popular Monkees hit, "Daydream Believer.")

Recorded Saturday, April 22nd at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna, TN here is the latest roundtable discussion on anything and everything from the Middle Tennessee Bloggers and Podcasters group.   Here's who attended the meeting and who you may hear on this podcast.

Big Orange Michael,
Kathy T. of Resistance is Not Futile and Lavergne, TN
Aunt B. of Tiny Cat Pants
Gunner of No Quarters and This is Smyrna, TN
Malia of Musings from Malicious
Elizabeth of Harelip Frog
The always popular, Britney of Nashville is Talking
Christian Grantham of Christian Grantham
Dewayne of Chip Manor
and Amy of Bad Bad Ivy

We recorded a lot of material for this one and are releasing it in two chunks. The first one is today and the next half will be coming later this week.

Live from Espresso Joe's in Smyrna, it's the wacky, wild and fun podcast by the Middle Tenenssee Blogger and Podcasters group.

In this month's show, you'll hear from:

• Bad, Bad Ivy (and her kids!) on why servers shouldn't neglect women with kids.
• Gunner on Nashville Scene and a serial killer...
• Harelip Frog on finding the right bra
• Comment Tater trying to keep control of the insanity (and not succeeding!)
• Kathy of This is Smyrna, TN
• Big Orange Michael on the new Doctor Who and what he's looking for in a potential date.

You'll also here shout outs to some of our blogging friends in and around Nashville, the date for our next meeting and trying to figure out a good way to get some more middle Tennessee bloggers and podcasters to come out and join the fun.

Live from Expresso Joe's in beautiful Smyrna, it's the official podcast of the Middle Tennessee bloggers and podcasters meet-up. Subject matter is all over the place but a good time will be had by all...

An episode of the Stan Freberg radio show from 1957. The first skit featuring the censor is one of the best takes on political correctness gone too far I've ever heard. I am posting this to go along with a post in my blog at www.bigornagemichael.blogspot.com so my readers can hear the sketch for themselves. I promise I will get back to podcasting soon.