Just Checking In Podcast

This weeks podcast is short and sweet. I'm trying to move the podcast over to Libsyn and to create audio blog posts. I want to make an easy transition though- so I need to learn a thing or thirty before I change the feed.

Check out this cool info!
From my inbox:
Google tootor and advisor

My New Start Page

Keyboard Shortcuts for all Google Aps

My Favorite Music- At This Moment At Least

My favorite place to buy music on-line is E Music. I love E Music because it uses a simple interface and the music does not contain
DRM so you can listen to it on any device that plays MP3's.
Here are my current fave's:
Gimme Fiction by Spoon

Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes by TV on the Radio

Drunken Lullabies by Flogging Molly

Raised By Wolves EP by Voxtrot

I recently tried to purchase some files that would let me use Itunes with my text to speech software. Itunes music is loaded with
DRM and you have to have an Ipod to play most of it- nonetheless, most everything these days can be found on the Itunes Music Store. I was shocked to learn that the files I need to make Itunes work with my text to speech software cost $57.50! No way I'm going to pay that much money for a DRM'd product that I feel is ultimately inferior! My $57.50 sure goes a lot further onE Music.

Help us reach our goal of $950

T. and I are involved in a sports organization called Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Programs (BORP)
This organization has been an invaluable support to me. Through BORP I have developed some of my most meaningful friendships. In addition, while I was training for both the world championships in Brazil and the Paraolympics in Athens Greece- BORP supported my efforts. BORP hosts weekly goalball practices and sponsors teams competing in regional goalball tournaments.
On October 14, 2006 BORP will hold its annual fund raising event- a 100 mile bike ride. T. and his guide Paul are going to ride in the race on the tandem bike. The dogs and I are going to cheer them on and pass out water to riders on the day of the event.
Our household goal is to fundraise $950 for BORP.
Please Help us reach our goal of $950
You can make a secure contribution on-line at our fundraising website. Remember: Contributions are tax deductible and benefit this great organization- BORP!
Help us reach our goal of $950

The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria

I have been meaning to write about this book for a while. It is one of the most insightful books that I've ever read. I read it through in May of this year and read it again last month.
Zakaria discusses democracies around the world and asserts that unregulated democracy is a threat to both law and liberty. The Bush talking points often include "building a democracy in the Middle East." This book looks at how democracies have formed over time and the lessons we can learn from them. There is a discussion about California's direct initiative process, which enables voters to bypass the Legislature and have an issue of concern put directly on the ballot. Singapore is mentioned as an example of a democratic nation with limited freedom of the press. Most interesting to me about the book though was the discussion of the tenuous balancing act in the Middle East. How do you create democracy and ensure that radicle fundamentlist forces aren't voted into public office? Read the book... It's worth your time.
One of the interesting statistics in the book relates to a pole done by the Arab arm of CNN. People in 9 Muslim countries were asked about 911. Only 18 % of respondents thought that the attacks on 911 were carried out by Arabs.


"Zakaria forces us to think in new ways about values that Americans take for granted." -Ambassador Richard Holbrooke

Introducing Josh Blue

Check out this great comic from the NBC show, "Last Comic Standing." Josh will be in the finals tonight- I hope he wins! Josh has CP and plays wheelchair soccer. I went to Athens with him- we were in the same apartment building. He's hilarious!
Hear Josh's Jokes from the show

Blog Carnivals

I just learned of this new thing called a Blog Carnival. Carnivals are newsletter like publications with html links to blogs that discuss spacific topics. It sounds like the blogosphere in digest form. I couldn't find any discussing disability rights or blindness. Anyone else out there familiar with Blog Carnivals?Email me- I want to learn more!