Unquiet Desperation

To be awake is to be alive.

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Category : Shows

Desperation’s End

Filed Under : Announcements,Podcasting,Shows by Chris Miller

Sep.1,2010

It’s time to retire Unquiet Desperation. I want to spend some time exploring my writing in a new way, something that reflects where I am now, instead of where I’ve been. It’s been a good run, and I want to thank everyone who had read or listened over the years: your thoughtful comments and support have meant the world to me.

I will be starting up a new project over at http://ctmiller.net early this winter. Please head over and subscribe if you’d like to know more when the time comes.

I bring you my final podcast episode, a discussion with my good friend J.C. Hutchins. It’s about a lot of things, but mostly, it’s about change.

Thanks, everyone.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

New Podcast Episodes Released

Filed Under : Passing It On,Podcasting,Python,Shows by Chris Miller

Jun.15,2010

There are new episodes of both The Secret Lair and From Python Import Podcast available for your consumption.

In Episode 0036 of The Secret Lair, we discuss Iron Man 2, Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who, and a few other assorted bits and pieces.
In Episode 004 of From Python Import Podcast we learn why Dave hates Decorators, and discuss whether the Standard Library is the place where code goes to die. Additionally, Mike Pirnat joins us for a revelation about the Zen of Python.

Note: Apologies for the sound quality on both of these shows. My studio equipment is packed for the move, so we had to us my Zoom H4.

From the Vault: Interview with Jonathan Coulton

Filed Under : Music,Podcasting,Shows by Chris Miller

Jan.16,2010

This interview with Jonathan Coulton was recorded in the spring of 2006, and I have to admit, I had a great time with it. Jonathan was more than willing answer anything that I threw at him; you’ll find things in this interview you won’t find anywhere else.

Enjoy!

(Thanks to J.C. for the kick in the ass to get this re-released to the public.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Tags : Jonathan Coulton

The Secret Lair #0026: Lamb by Christopher Moore

Filed Under : Podcasting,Reviews,Shows by Chris Miller

Aug.10,2009

Truth be told, we probably could have returned to The Secret Library sooner, but I’ve been avoiding it. Why? Two words: late fees. See, a couple of months ago I checked out a copy of Getting Things Done by David Allen and promptly set fire to it. No book will mock my character flaws in such a manner, do you understand? I will not be mocked!

As it turns out, our android librarian is equipped with neither a sense of irony nor any compulsion toward forgiveness. Nor the slightest inclination to waive a replacement fee, for that matter. However, the whole unpleasant mess has been resolved and we are now prepared to discuss Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal, by Christopher Moore.

Also in this episode:

Chief Medical Officer’s Progress Report #2: The Bad Doctor returns to blame yet another new strain of yet another virus on our meddling—we prefer “fiddling”, really—with equine-primate hybridization. As a side note, bonobos (pygmy chimpanzees) really are very cute; it should have worked, dammit!
From the Ministry of Crackpot Schemes and Unfortunate Synergies: Jay is in Hong Kong attempting to procure a wolf-child, but important details seem to have been lost in translation somewhere.

Lair Keeping

Our theme music is “Skullcrusher Mountain” by Jonathan Coulton.
Our Secretary of Artistic Propaganda is Natalie Metzger.
Our Minister of Crackpot Schemes and Unfortunate Synergies is Jay “The Kingfish” Lynn.
Our Chief Medical Officer is Dr. John Cmar.
Our Airborne Legions are led by Commandante David Moore.
Our Minister of Suspicious Substitutions and Unreasonable Facimiles often operates under the pseudonym The Cynical Optimist.
Our Minister of Secrets and Subterfuge is classified.

Listen and learn more at The Secret Lair!

Tags : The Secret Lair

Ep. 25 of The Secret Lair: I Need a (Super) Hero

Filed Under : Podcasting,Shows by Chris Miller

Jul.28,2009

In a planning meeting for our demisemicentepisode one of the minions suggested that we ”pull out all the stops”, at which point Dr. Pindar, our Director of Etymological Accuracy and General Nitpicking, pointed out that The Secret Lair does not have a pipe organ installed. This, quite naturally, led to several hours of rational discourse on whether, given the lack of pipe organs, we ought to leave some of the stops in or simply not bother with the stops at all. The discussion concluded, as is often the case, with a face-stabbing. Further planning meetings were deemed unnecessary.

Our special guest is Jay “The Kingfish” Lynn from the Metamediocrity audio comic book. Speaking of special and mediocre, our special sauce is Thousand Island Dressing blended with mayonnaise. Jay joins us at the International House of Johnson for a discussion about superheroes and approximately three inches of latex.

Additionally, there is a report from our Chief Medical Officer, the distinguished Dr. John Cmar.

Learn more, listen, subscribe, or join the discussion on the Secret Lair website.