the dot matrix

Episode 21 - "Our New Blue Mic"

Justin and Sean start 2009 using a brand new microphone - the Snowball mic.  Nice find Sean!   Surprisingly, the duo spend a lot of time prognosticating about how the Canadian political scene will unfold after all the drama of the federal government's almost fall.   Stephen Harper's sudden embrace of the Senate chamber and appointing of 18 new senators was also a hot topic for Sean and Justin.  For those not familiar with the Canadian system, here's a nice overview.  The two also use some time to think back on 2008 and forward on 2009.  Bill Moyers again came up, this time about his recent episode with John Lithgow.  And they end the podcast talking about George W. Bush's accomplishments as he leaves office - yes really(!) sort of...

Episode 20 - "Speaking of Tapping That.."

Just over a year and 20 podcasts later, Sean and Justin finally disagree on something!  And it only took a constitutional crisis here in Canada for it to happen!  Although the duo start their 20th podcast talking about Sean's new conversational French lessons, they meander through topics such as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to Caroline Kennedy's desire for Hillary's senate seat, to Jay Leno taking on the 10pm time slot Monday to Friday in the Fall.  Finally, Sean and Justin express their (somewhat) opposing views on the almost fall of the Canadian Federal Government and the coalition of opposition parties looking to form a new government, only two months after being defeated in the polls.

Episode 19 - "It's about still keeping a woman in that position"

In Sean and Justin's post-elections wrap-up, surprisingly the focus was on the Vancouver city elections (which was the freshest in their minds) and not the energizing US presidential contest.  As promised by Sean, here are links to both Peter Ladner's concession speech, as well as mayor-elect Gregor Robertson's victory speech.  The duo discussed the two controversies of the campaign - the leak of the $100 loan decision by council to the developers of the Olympic athletes' village, as well as Gregor's transit fare evasion.  When the US elections finally came up in conversation, the focus was on Hillary Clinton and her potential role as President-elect Obama's Secretary of State.  What an interesting administration this will be...

Episode 18 - "With Glowing Hearts"

Life and other excuses for being lazy has caused a long delay in posting ths long-awaited and over a month-ago recorded podcast of the dot matrix.  Justin had just returned from a trip to Calgary and was swooning over all the attractive cowgirls.  Sean shared his experience of having his band's name being VANOCed.  And both of them discussed what seems to be the only topic of recent weeks - Sarah Palin, in particular the US Vice-Presidential debate.  Both commented on the sadness that is Rudy Giuliani, and Justin ended with some thoughts from watching a documentary called Mr. President.

Episode 17 - "We've got a movie to go to"

Sean and Justin try to squeeze in a quick podcast before catching Woody Allen's latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, but when politics is the topic of discussion, they found as usual that it was hard to rush that.  Both the Canadian and US elections were vigorously discussed, particularly Gov. Sarah Palin's surprise nomination as the VP candidate for the Republican party, and how on the Canadian side the Green Party was almost excluded form the televised debates. Also, the duo question what exactly is small town values?

Episode 16 - “If you want to be Labrador, you be Labrador!”

Sean and Justin regrouped rather quickly after Episode 15 to get in another podcast before the Beijing Olympics were over. It was a major topic of conversation this time around. Plus, they tackled as promised, the topic of Liberalism with particular verve. Also on tap before time ran out (and over!), President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan resigning, Obama and McCain's interviews with Rev. Rick Warren, and the Russia/Georgia crisis. Sean will just have to wait to share his camping and Tegan and Sara stories until Episode 17...

Episode 15 - “Two words - Recreational Sports”

A chat on the lighter side this time out for Sean and Justin. Having the recent memory of a great time on the beach with their closest friends, the relaxed and energized duo chat about audio versus video podcasts, which lead to a bit of nostalgia about the audio format - like CBC's radio dramas. The main topic of conversation - a holdover from a chat on the beach (where is a digital recorder when you need one?) - was about Justin's recent interest in joining a recreational sports team (here's a link to one org here in Vancouver) of some kind. Again, missing the good old days of high school sports. The only problem is that neither Sean or Justin did any high school sports! Entertainment news took up the rest of the half hour - with the two paying tribute to Estelle Getty and wondering what the phenomenon of Dr. Horrible means about the business model in Hollywood.

Episode 14 - "Look Ma, no lists!"

It was bound to happen - an episode where neither Sean and Justin had a list of topics to talk about prepared before casting.  Well, it happened this time and still the duo went over 30 minutes.  The conversation took a very political bend - starting with the Omar Khadr interrogation tapes, moving inevitably to some commentary on Bill Moyers' latest podcast on conservatism in the US, to a NY Times article about why it's so hard to make fun of Barack Obama. Plus the two promised some links to an SNL Saturday TV Funhouse clip (we couldn't find it, but the title of the clip is "The Obama Files"), a clip of George W. Bush on the Today Show, and a link to the Meet the Press website.

Episode 13 - "No. 2, right?"

After almost a month of life taking over, Sean and Justin finally sat down for podcast number 13. Although they had plenty to talk about, they did manage to get it under the golden 30 minute mark. Sean reminisced about Vancouver's Car Free Day and his participation in the democratic process that was the Vision Vancouver Mayoral vote - although at times it seemed more like a party than a vote. But hey, energy is energy! The boys also discuss their recent adventure out together - including surviving the retail art experience that was this year's Cheaper Art Show and eating sandwiches at the Greedy Pig. And they ended by discussing the demise of the CBC Radio orchestra - the last of its kind in North America. At least their website is still up...

Episode 12 - "We love you Mike!"

Food is on the minds of Sean and Justin (go eat at Stix out on Commercial Drive), and so was their mutual love for their good friend Mike - a true renaissance man! How soon these social commentators forget about their love of Bill Moyers! Justin also had love on the mind - for Melanie C, who gave a blow by blow account of her concert. Yes, that was him on the dance floor! And on the subject of shows, Sean took the opportunity to plug The Neins Circa big show at the Jericho Sailing Club and Culte du Cargo's historic show during the Vancouver Jazz Festival. Go support our favourite drummer/synth player - that's an order! The duo finished Episode 12 talking about the Vancouver Mayoral race and their encounter with Gregor Robertson, and ended with a little preview of a topic for their next podcast.