Nice to pick up a new station. As it happens, I've just been listening to a brief broadcast from Israel Radio - the first time I've heard that station.

I've just looked up their site and it seems that the same broadcast goes also to Northern America. Here's the details:

Time (GMT) is 1830 - 1845. Frequencies are 9345 on the 31 metre band, 7545 on the 41 metre band and 6985 on the 41 metre band. I had decent reception at the 7545 frequency.

I'll look for it, but that is a tough region to pick up for me. Sometimes I'll hear Radio Egypt International, and Radio Tunisia (though, I suppose this is more so North Africa), but other Middle Eastern stations are rare.

dammit guys, you keep tantalizing me with this weirdness.

i have a confession to make and it's this-- the disposable income that was supposed to go into this radio thing ended up buying sweet vinyl records.

but perhaps in the next round of funding i'll be able to join your arcane conversations.

and 56, how was your scotch & soda the other day?

As long as the records you got are good, that is money well spent!

I really enjoyed the scotch and soda, the J&B variety if you're curious. They told me it was an old bottle of the stuff too, it looked aged. Then we started playing the shot game, and its all blurry from then on. I ran into a red headed friend I haven't seen since grade school, and naturally bought her a Red Headed Slut. Who knew there was also a shot called Used Condom?

ha ha, sounds like really good times

didn't i said it would be an euphoric drunkenness? well, then, i think i wasn't too far off the mark!

used condom: oh this reminds me of an old thread... never mind.

and yes, they are lovely records of course. one of them is 180g vinyl and...

I should also mention I sang karaoke, which is never a good thing, no matter who is doing it. All Prince songs too....ah...

:eek: :D

Alright, this could go in a few different threads, but I'm sort of counting on Hip Priest giving me an assist here. And may be of interest to !@#$%! as well.

Way back in June, I believe, we had the Sonic Youth Book Club, which failed, but I have just begun to finish the book after all this time. Granted I put it down for a while, as I often do with books, usually to start a different one, and so on. Anyway, the book, Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol was adapted for Radio on BBC Radio 4. This from wiki:

In 2006 the novel was dramatised in two parts by the BBC and broadcast on Radio 4. It was played more for comic than satirical effect, the main comedy deriving from the performance of Mark Heap as Chichikov, and from the original placing of the narrator. Michael Palin narrates the story, but is revealed actually to be following Chichikov, riding in his coach for example, or sleeping in the same bed, constantly irritating Chichikov with his running exposition.

I would really like to hear this, but I can't seem to find it on the BBC website. However, I know Hip Priest is an avid listener of BBC Radio, and I'm guessing he can navigate the site better than I. I only say this because I remember you posting the Number Stations program broadcasted by BBC Radio. So what do you know pal?

I wish I could link it for you, but the BBC podcast service relates to the previous sven days, or what is being repeated. I remember the dramatisation - Michael Palin was in it - and can say that it was a good broadcast. It was part of the 'Classic Serial' slot.

I do listen to a lot of BBC radio, so when it's repeated, chances are I'll know and I'll certainly notify you.

THE GAUDEAMUS INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

The Gaudeamus International Book Fair currently underway in Bucharest, has been organized by the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation and includes a large Francophone element. Speaking now is the Fair’s Honorary President, France’s ambassador to Romania, Herve Bolot.

“I am very happy to be here at the Gaudeamus Bookfair. This is a remarkable initiative, whose scope stands proof of the fact that literature is doing fine, that there really is demand for literature and the pleasure that books bring, that reading and its power to excite the imagination, remains invaluable. The world that Gutenberg gave birth to still has sunny days ahead, though new worlds are gaining ground.”

France has come to this Fair for the second time; it is participating alongside new comers from Wallonie, Brussels, which also has a national stand in the Fair. This book fair’s programme includes book-launches and meetings with French writers, meant to bring French literature closer to the Romanian public. Over 250 Romanian as well as foreign publishers are taking part in the event, trying to attract as many booklovers as possible, and turn them into faithful customers. 87 thousand people visited the Fair last year; organizers expect that this year figure will exceed 100 thousand.

Visitors to the complex can take part in exhibitions, book launches, meetings with writers; they can also take part in a theme photography exhibition with the title “READING”, and can participate in a special tombola with a Dacia Logan car up for grabs. The Fair’s also traditionally includes ”The Education Stock Exchange”, hosting offers made by educational institutions, as well as a children’s book exhibition. This edition of Gaudeamus includes an area tailored for meetings and discussions, entitled “The Contacts Stock Exchange.” The Romanian Minister of Culture and Religious Affairs Adrian Iorgulescu praised the organizers for the importance this cultural event has gained.

“This is an extraordinary way for visitors, allowing them to come into direct contact with books. Someone said earlier “The book never surrenders, the book never dies.” Books and literature have indeed charted their own course, and all of us here have a moral and professional duty to do our best to support this destiny.”

For the first time ever, the Bookfair has a library where readers can sit down and leaf through a book, shrouded in the quiet pleasure reading provides, over a cup of tea or coffee.
(Leyla Keamil)

I want to go.

Thanks Hip Priest. How often do they rebroadcast past shows? I see The Brothers Karamazov is on Radio 4 now, this is off interest too. Also, if you have not read Dead Souls, you're missing out!

aBook fairs are fun, and ones in Bucharest sound even better.

The place it's probably most likely to be repeated on is the very excellent BBC Radio Seven, the spoken-word station that is basically all old stuff. They mainly concentrate on comedy from the 1950's up to the present day, but they do drama aswell. They have a constant and superb podcast service, but again it relates to the previous seven days.

edit: link now OK.

I listened to Radio 4 a bit last night, and I think I'm going to start making a hobby of it. A wealth of good programming I see here.

I'm currently getting perfect reception from Radio Austria International, another station I don't remember coming across.

It seems Father Christmas is being banned from Vienna's Christmas market, aswel as others across Austria and Germany.

Is Krampus still cool though?

They didn't mention that, I'm afraid. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. Father Christmas is the issue for them at the moment.

Austria's English broadcast has finished. I've found Spanish radio now, but with inferior reception.

Don't think I've ever heard Radio Austria International before. But I might have, there is a German language station I pick up every now and again (not that I know what they're saying).

For what is Father Christmas being banned for?

I think this station is notorious for poor reception, and they refuse to send verification cards.

Thanks for the information. It was unbearable; I've now switched to the very fine Radio Bulgaria.


It seems to be because he's an 'English-language invention'.The banning seems at least partly to be another bout of anti Americanism; A Vienna city hall spokesman confirmed: "There are rules governing what stallholders can do and one of them is to agree not to use the image of santa as a condition of being able to trade there. "Santa is an English language creation, people who want to see him should go to America where I am sure Coca Cola will be happy to oblige."

Ironically, it seems that the only Santas that can be seen are the ones on the stickers and placards of the 'Ban Santa' protestors!

Actually, that really upsets me.

It's very petty, no question.

The strange thing about the ban is that even if there are bad feelings, things could have been done differently; I'm being reminded of Manchester's Arndale shopping centre, whose Christmas decorations always include a series of more or less life-size Santa figures from throughout history that show the development and cultural variety of the character. Perhaps the Austrian and German authorities could have adapted things in that direction.

I'm not familiar with the origins of Santa, or the history for that matter, but I seem to remember being taught that each country had their own verison of the man. For instance, in England you call him Father Christmas, and I know the Russian version quite vividly, Father Frost, though he wears blue and rides around with his daughter Snugurochka (strange, I know).

Surely there is a Austrian/German tradition too?

They have the Russian version in Manchester - he's a favourite of ours.

From somewhere on the web: In AUSTRIA, on December 6, Heiliger Nikolaus (St. Nicholas) rewards good children with sweets, nuts and apples.

On December 24, the Christ Child brings presents and the Christmas tree for the children. The children wait until they hear a bell tinkling. Then they enter a special room where the Christmas tree is waiting all decorated with candles, ornaments and candies. The whole family sings Christmas carols and wishes each other:

FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!
FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!

And...

In GERMANY, children decorate their Christmas Lists with pictures and then leave them on the windowsill overnight, weighed down with a little sugar so they won't be missed by Father Christmas.

There is a flower in Germany called the Christmas Rose which blooms even in the snow and ice.

Frohes Weihnachtsfest

They come from here, in fact: http://northpole.net/world.htm

I have neat Christmas Card from my family in Russia with Father Frost on it. Once again, something I'll have to scan.

I responsed too late to Sonicl's Secret Santa trade, but I was hoping I got your name Hip Priest, because I knew that on Decemeber 5th, the 2007 edition of Passport to World Band Radio was being released and I was going to send you that!




Either way, I'll be picking it up tomorrow.

Oh that's lovely. It's also a timely reminder. I'm going to order a copy too, if I can.

I'm also going to have a little search of the shortwave right now. Russia are often broadcasting around about now.

Strange listen last night, and I can't be too sure which station it was, though I know it was a domestic station. A DJ was taking calls from people, and they were arguing how valid and correct a compass is. The DJ was starting to get angry, and lashed out on one caller. Yelling about magnetic north, and how everyone has been tricked. It was one of those Shortwave moments where you wished you were able to record it.

Another related bizarre happening occurred today when I came home from work and checked the mail. I had a letter from Akashvani - All India Radio. This would not seem that odd, as I correspond with stations all the time, except I've never written to All India Radio, I'm not too sure I've ever even picked it up! Strange indeed. Though, the stickers they sent are neat.

Also, my next Mix Tape artwork will feature the mug of one Brother Stair, and copys of some material they sent me after I asked for it to be sent to me. WEIRD STUFF!!!!!!!!





Overcomer Ministrys main man.

^ That's his trial outfit from a few years back, right? He chose to wear a loose-shouldered orange number.

He was most repentant on his broadcasts. 'Interfering with a lady' or something, if I remember right.

There are a couple of brief clips of him on my round four mixtape.

I was not aware that he was arrested for anything, but I figured so considering the orange he was wearing in that photo, if he would have been arrested in New Mexico it would have been pink! Strange individual.

Where did you get clips of him talking at?

I got a lead that had at each end what I would call a headphone plug (you know what I mean). I plugged one end into the headphone socket on my computer, and the other end into the microphone socket of a tape recorder.

My round four mixtaoe has a very loose religious theme to it; I interspersed the tracks with various spiritual-type excerpts recorded straight off youtube and the Overcomer site.

Perhaps I should not have used Mr. Stair for artwork. The last tape I made is almost (almost) all folk music, and he has a very folk look to him, in my eyes. And a lot of the songs have an end days feel to them. Plus he is crazy.

Though, I'm sure they won't stop sending me stuff, the material they send is strange beyond words.

I've often thought of asking for material from them.

What I like about him is that he seems to be genuinely trying to present the truth, to do the right thing. I like the fact that his broadcasts aren't just a series of appeals for cash, too.

Crazy or sane, he's one of the most interesting people I've ever heard.

Fascinating because it is so weird. Maybe it has to do with living in United States, and actually meeting people who believe these types of things. Nebraska has its fair share of evangelical leaders, and staying far from them is generally considered a smart thing.

This is Lynch, Nebraska:


Mu uncle has a cabin near here, so when in need of something, this is the closest place to obtain food, and other necessities. However, most, if not all of the 100 or so residents of Lynch belong to an evangelical church and will stop at nothing to spread the good news to you. They've told a close friend of mine that she was going to burn in hell for her eyebrow ring and that she needed to remove it immediately. People like Brother Stair make me feel very uneasy. Uneasy, but with extreme curiosity.

^ I love the locomotive mural. It looks likt the kind of town where they set comedy films about newlyweds becoming stranded on their way to their honeymoon.


People like that fascinate me. Being of a spiritual bent myself, I love to pick the bones of others' beliefs, and have mine subjected to the same test. I love it when religious people call at the door.

I think the one think I would say about Brother Stair is that when I hear his interpretation of passages fron the Bible, I may be in extreme disagreement at times but I can see where he gets his opinions from. It's an honest reading, if a (in my eyes) frequently innaccurate one.

I can't be too sure that mural is still there, I don't remember seeing it when I was there a few months back. The building right next to it is the grocery store, where my friend was confronted, and around the corner is one of two bars, one of them is The Sundowner, which has terrible screwdrivers! If you're ever in Lynch....

Way off topic, but this is BAD NEWS!

Klinsmann withdraws candidacy as U.S. coach
Allen Hopkins

After months of speculation culminating in an intense final round of back-and-forth negotiations and erroneous reports, Juergen Klinsmann has withdrawn his name from consideration to become the next U.S. men's national team coach.

Klinsmann, in a statement sent to ESPN, said: "Sunil [Gulati] and I have concluded our discussions about the US men's national team program, and I have withdrawn my name from consideration as coach. I'm not going to go into details about our conversations. But, I certainly want to wish the next coach of the U.S. men's national team much success, and I want to, also, thank Sunil for the opportunity to exchange ideas."

Despite heavy criticism for everything from his choice of goalkeepers to his permanent California residence, Klinsmann, in his first ever head coaching job, led the German national team to a highly unexpected third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup.

Although soccer's most important and influential movers and shakers applied serious pressure on newly elected U.S. soccer president Sunil Gulati and U.S. soccer to hire Klinsmann, talks concluded late Wednesday evening without an agreement.

Klinsmann would've brought instant and unprecedented credibility to U.S. Soccer at a critical time for U.S. soccer. Although 2002 was remarkable, the reality is U.S. soccer has sandwiched one great World Cup in between two very disappointing ones in 1998 and 2006.

As a player, Klinsmann's resume and highlights would've been unlike anything ever associated with U.S. Soccer. The former German captain scored 47 goals in 108 caps for the German national team leading them to the 1990 World Cup and Euro '96 titles.

Klinsmann was twice German Footballer of the Year in 1988 and 1994. In 1995, in his first season in English soccer after his famous move to Tottenham he won the English Footballer of the Year award.

Klinsmann was a top 10 World Footballer of the Year four times and is a member of the FIFA 'Top 100' Player List.

Now it looks as if U.S. soccer will enter 2007 without a coach in place, with two matches against Denmark on Jan. 20 and arch rival Mexico on Feb. 7 already scheduled.

-------------------------------------

What a nightmare this is becoming.

That would be a loss. I've always liked Klinnsman.

On the other hand, if you happen to be me (and I realise that not everyone is) then today brought good football news; it seems that Manchester City are negotiating a takeover. Rich dude, lots of cash to spend, we don't need a new stadium as we were given one, that means some new players, that means potential success.

We might be about to become officially quite good.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/6217446.stm

CIT-EH!!!

(we also have probably the best club crest in football)

Got to go. See you later.

Unusually, I've just heard Vatican Radio's news broadcast.

(7.20 on the 41 meter band)

I've been trying to pick this up; 7275 at 2:00 UTC, but it always escapes me! I think this broadcast is signaled to Central America, but normally I can pick those up. This is usually how I hear different, more far off stations, stealing them from signals sent to the Caribbean and Central America. I'm starting to think I need a stronger radio in order to pick up some stations of interest.

The other night I picked up Radiodifusion Argentina al Exterior, for the first time. Not sure how I've missed this one before. Nice music segments.

As promised 100 or so times!

QSL Verifcation Card from Radio Habana Cuba, including the letter they sent along with it.

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