Many years into the future, I will try to get Skype working again.  And on that faithful day, a millennia from now, Paul Fischer will be on the other end of the line.

The more things change....

Special thanks to Paul Fischer, of the Balticon Podcast for being on the other end of the line.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

With Panda holding the microphone, J.R. Blackwell and I discuss the finer points of fantasy entertainment as exemplified by three films we watched recently:

Iron Man: ironmanmovie.marvel.com
Speed Racer: speedracerthemovie.warnerbros.com
Hogfather: www.hogfatherdvd.com

Also discussed is the level of violence appropriate for children, why life-and-death situations get me upset and the glorification of materialism in modern, over-the-top summer cinema.

And, yes, all three of us were in bed.  But Panda’s always there.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

C.A. Sizemore, all-around good guy and long-time listener of the show, lost his wife Kelly this morning.  I only know him through the internet, through Twitter and through his calls to show, but this has still hit me hard.  Maybe it's because the third anniversary of my father's death was only a few weeks ago. 

Or maybe no one should have to loose a loved one.

But we do.  And in times like these, it's good to know that someone like C.A., who was just nicest guy you'll meet, has engendered such goodwill that a fund in his name has reached over $1000: casizemoregift.chipin.com/ca-sizemore

That, my friends, is all the faith in humanity one needs.

"Hold On" was written and performed by Tom Waits, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.  You can find more work and information about this artist at Epitaph.com.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

In the Spring, a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.

Well, love and mash-ups.

“Shut Up On A Blue Monday” was mashed-up by ComaR. You can find it and other mash-ups at www.myspace.com/comarbootlegs

“Closer To Business Time” was mashed-up by Dan Dickinson. You can download it and other mash-ups at vjarmy.com

“Nelly Furtado's Crazy” was mashed-up by A plus D. You can download it and other mash-ups at aplusd.net

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net.

The first assumption is that you can procure a whole, fully-dressed child. In some parts of the country this might be easier than in others. Figure on about 1.25 to 2 lbs per person of dressed child. For the wedding we had a 160 lb child (husky fella, that one)to feed about 100 people. This was supplemented with thighs, (a trackstar, naturally) and many other dishes. At another event, the child weighed 60 lbs and fed about 30 people.

Another assumption is that you have a safe environment for storing the child from the time you abduct it to the time you begin cooking it. It doesn’t matter how good something tastes or what sensations a food item gives you, if it isn’t safe to eat, you’re going to be in serious trouble. Fortunately, the FDA provides some simple guidelines you can follow to help ensure safe storage....

Special thanks to Richard Kalwaic for reading this episode.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

It's Feedback Friday once again, and once again I respond to your emails.  In the wake of The Great Deletion (I explain it in the episode) feedback of this sort is wonderful to read.

Discussed this episode:

• The tattoos Panda may or may not have
• How awesome JR and my lives are (again)
  
• The London subway bombings
• The Great Deletion
• "Tea In Bags"
  
• The nature of internet relationships
• The Sartorialist, at thesartorialist.blogspot.com
  

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

The aquatic Docalleral spoken language has defied all attempts of translations, as the atonal singing they produce is as much dependent on the condition and temperature of the water as it is on inflections of the speaker. They also have extremely short memories and refuse to speak with anyone who cannot properly breath underwater. It is then suggested that you do not meet them at all, but rather send a polite note saying you have already met them, and that they enjoyed your company immensely.

The rest of the staff echoed Molly's warm sentiments, and greeted Leroy pleasantly, and although he still wasn't sure of all their names--he already confused the cook Anatole with the hallboy Eustace, and no idea the kitchen girls names, though they each just told him--he felt very familiar with all of them.  Cogs had warned him not to get too familiar, as he would be spending most of his time with the family, but Leroy couldn't help it, and told Cogs so.

"I'm only human, after all," Leroy said.  That got a chuckle out of Cogs.

"The Marionette" was performed by the Two Star Symphony and was made available courtesy of the of the Podsafe Music Network. You can find out more about them at www.twostarsymphony.org.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net

Jared Axelrod is all things to all people, and he does a daily podcast. He makes things with his own hands, creates fiction, defends honor ANNNNNNDDDDD justice. He never gets mad nor will he ever start a fight. You should listen to his daily podcast, The Voice of Free Planet X and his weekly podcast, Aliens You WIll Meet.

He will be attending Balticon to do a live Aliens You Will Meet and will author the third installment of Lancelot Biggs: Spaceman.

Jared is interviewed by our very own Martha Holloway.

PROMO: Aliens You Will Meet

PROMO: The Voice of Free Planet X

MUSIC: Beautiful by Sons of William courtesy of Sons of William when we saw them at Jammin Java

Theme Music: Space Monkey by Jim Hodgson

The thin man's eyes were cold.  They reminded Sir Edward of nothing so much  as the moon that poked that shown through the window.  The moon was bright tonight, and it's glow made the thin young man seem unearthly.

"This is a frightfully good letter of recommendation," Sir Edward said.  "Frightfully good.  Lord Smitters speaks very highly of you. Almost higher than he spoke of Cogs. Cogs, you know Mr. Leroy here, back when you were with Smitters?"

Cogs, Sir Edward's butler, knew that Lord Smitters has been deceased for quite some time.  He also knew that there was a man now living in Lord Smitters house, who looked like Lord Smitters, sounded like Lord Smitters and, most importantly, signed references with a signature indistinguishable from the one used by Lord Smitters....

"The Marionette" was performed by the Two Star Symphony and was made available courtesy of the of the Podsafe Music Network. You can find out more about them at www.twostarsymphony.org.

The Voice of Free Planet X theme was written and performed by Russell Collins of www.clockworkaudio.net