https://simplecast.com Audio Chimera A subversive podcast taking refuge in The Sanctuary of Allegory about the fragility of memory. With Audio Chimera I share memories from my past, while at the same commenting on various aspects of modern life. The links are not always obvious, since I create each podcast through stream of consciousness writing techniques—and sometimes even I am surprised by the connections! © 2018 Stephen A. Schrum en Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:19:56 +0000 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:20:07 +0000 https://musofyr.org/ Audio Chimera https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/eeec3bba-9824-488e-b068-e3ee84796128/2bd11404-6edf-4623-8b0a-ee2c5a538ea3/3000x3000/1534723105artwork.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://musofyr.org/ episodic A subversive podcast taking refuge in The Sanctuary of Allegory about the fragility of memory. With Audio Chimera I share memories from my past, while at the same commenting on various aspects of modern life. The links are not always obvious, since I create each podcast through stream of consciousness writing techniques—and sometimes even I am surprised by the connections! Stephen A. Schrum false https://feeds.simplecast.com/9G_u_U_Z humor, commentary, politics, religion, allegory, metaphor, arts, culture Stephen Schrum phoracropolis@gmail.com 91b5a5c4-d938-4c30-8dbc-bb2b9502b86e Oh, Those AI Voices! I wrote a collection of 10 short stories with the help of Perplexity,ai. The collection is called Gawkers, True Believers, and Trolls.

This episode includes one of those stories, "Spirits of the Steel Valley," sandwiched by musings on the efficacy of AI voices and how graphics have crossed the uncanny valley, but voices haven't.

]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:19:56 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I wrote a collection of 10 short stories with the help of Perplexity,ai. The collection is called Gawkers, True Believers, and Trolls.

This episode includes one of those stories, "Spirits of the Steel Valley," sandwiched by musings on the efficacy of AI voices and how graphics have crossed the uncanny valley, but voices haven't.

]]> Oh, Those AI Voices! Stephen Schrum 00:19:37 A musing on AI voices, as one reads a short story. I wrote. A musing on AI voices, as one reads a short story. I wrote. short story, spooky, ai, voices, fiction false full 78 e0f052a4-044b-49c6-ba79-d01301fe9225 Kid Again Episode 10 Shuttle On This is the final installment of the audio drama Kid Again. Mike's friends are getting suspicious of his behavior, and we find out if he's managed to cover up the truth well enough.

]]> Fri, 3 May 2024 04:00:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ This is the final installment of the audio drama Kid Again. Mike's friends are getting suspicious of his behavior, and we find out if he's managed to cover up the truth well enough.

]]> Kid Again Episode 10 Shuttle On Stephen Schrum 00:11:50 Kid Again Episode 10: Shuttle On Kid Again Episode 10: Shuttle On theatre, audio, drama, performance false full 77 3c55f209-a283-4989-bd6a-83942c28aa55 Kid Again Episode 9 Termination This is Episode 9 of the audio drama Kid Again. The episode is entitled "Termination, in which Mike helps his friend Abigail at Planned Parenthood, and finds himself at a crossroads with his girlfriend Susie.

]]> Wed, 1 May 2024 17:14:30 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ This is Episode 9 of the audio drama Kid Again. The episode is entitled "Termination, in which Mike helps his friend Abigail at Planned Parenthood, and finds himself at a crossroads with his girlfriend Susie.

]]> Kid Again Episode 9 Termination Stephen Schrum 00:13:21 Kid Again, episode 9 Kid Again, episode 9 theatre, audio, drama, performance false full 76 f78afddf-23a5-4a6d-921b-5fe715fc1d08 Kid Again Episode 8 Revelations Mike discovers—or re-discovers—some upsetting news both from his new friend Abigail and from his mother.

]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2024 01:31:15 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Mike discovers—or re-discovers—some upsetting news both from his new friend Abigail and from his mother.

]]> Kid Again Episode 8 Revelations Stephen Schrum 00:12:26 Episode #8 of the audio series "Kid Again." Episode #8 of the audio series "Kid Again." theatre, theater, audio, drama, performance false full 75 d481bd5c-7783-4095-9b33-5a37eede0664 Kid Again Episode 7 Exchange Student Mike finds himself back in high school in this time traveling audio series. This is Episode 7, "The Exchange Student."

]]> Thu, 28 Dec 2023 22:41:40 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Mike finds himself back in high school in this time traveling audio series. This is Episode 7, "The Exchange Student."

]]> Kid Again Episode 7 Exchange Student Stephen Schrum 00:11:29 Episode 7 of the audio drama series Kid Again. Episode 7 of the audio drama series Kid Again. exchange, radio drama, time travel, speculative fiction, audio drama false full 74 3d8dd28e-1601-46dc-984a-9254795b066a Bad Spectators Some spectator  behavior has been so bad that it has stuck with me for years and  decades. Some of the stories became cautionary tales that I told my Intro to Theatre students to suggest poor theatre etiquette in hoping they'd be better. Here are those stories.

]]> Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:00:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Some spectator  behavior has been so bad that it has stuck with me for years and  decades. Some of the stories became cautionary tales that I told my Intro to Theatre students to suggest poor theatre etiquette in hoping they'd be better. Here are those stories.

]]> Bad Spectators Stephen Schrum 00:13:13 Tales of Bad Spectators I've experienced in the theatre. Tales of Bad Spectators I've experienced in the theatre. theatre, unruly, theater, audience, spectators, behavior, rude false full 73 4afbf191-1ca6-481c-9bd8-e4d96200b3d6 Kid Again Episode 6 Kid Again is an audio drama about a person named Michael who suddenly realizes he is in his 9th grade classroom in Catholic school. This is a surprise because, before he went to bed, he was 39 years old and packing for a move with his pregnant wife. Is he dreaming? Did he actually travel back in time? And for how long? And…if he is going to experience those years again, knowing everything that he knew when older, how careful does he have to be to not effect great changes while at the same time having more fun than he did the first time around?

Mike finds himself with a girlfriend who seems interested in having a very physical relationship with him.

]]> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:48:31 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Kid Again is an audio drama about a person named Michael who suddenly realizes he is in his 9th grade classroom in Catholic school. This is a surprise because, before he went to bed, he was 39 years old and packing for a move with his pregnant wife. Is he dreaming? Did he actually travel back in time? And for how long? And…if he is going to experience those years again, knowing everything that he knew when older, how careful does he have to be to not effect great changes while at the same time having more fun than he did the first time around?

Mike finds himself with a girlfriend who seems interested in having a very physical relationship with him.

]]> Kid Again Episode 6 Stephen Schrum 00:10:37 This is Episode #6 of the audio drama series Kid Again. This episode: "The Date." This is Episode #6 of the audio drama series Kid Again. This episode: "The Date." theatre, theater, audio, drama true full 72 05cfa584-7288-470b-a5b4-1f17874e41ea Kid Again Episode 5 Kid Again is an audio drama about a person named Michael who suddenly realizes he is in his 9th grade classroom in Catholic school. This is a surprise because, before he went to bed, he was 39 years old and packing for a move with his pregnant wife. Is he dreaming? Did he actually travel back in time? And for how long? And…if he is going to experience those years again, knowing everything that he knew when older, how careful does he have to be to not effect great changes while at the same time having more fun than he did the first time around?

In this episode, Mike makes a new friend: Joey, who may in fact be attracted to him.

]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 23:31:27 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Kid Again is an audio drama about a person named Michael who suddenly realizes he is in his 9th grade classroom in Catholic school. This is a surprise because, before he went to bed, he was 39 years old and packing for a move with his pregnant wife. Is he dreaming? Did he actually travel back in time? And for how long? And…if he is going to experience those years again, knowing everything that he knew when older, how careful does he have to be to not effect great changes while at the same time having more fun than he did the first time around?

In this episode, Mike makes a new friend: Joey, who may in fact be attracted to him.

]]> Kid Again Episode 5 Stephen Schrum 00:09:00 This is Episode #5 of Kid Again, an audio drama about time travel. This episode: "Are You Gay?" This is Episode #5 of Kid Again, an audio drama about time travel. This episode: "Are You Gay?" kid again, theatre, theater, audio, drama false full 71 9bd438fe-7481-42a3-87e2-534861907120 My Holy Armor My religion—Catholicism—was presented to me as Holy Armor, to be worn as protection against the evils of the world. But armor tends to rust, as mine certainly did. So I see the world through the lens of secular humanism. Also, pop quiz: what does a bodhisattva and an escapee from Plato's Cave have in common?

]]> Sat, 9 Sep 2023 17:25:33 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ My religion—Catholicism—was presented to me as Holy Armor, to be worn as protection against the evils of the world. But armor tends to rust, as mine certainly did. So I see the world through the lens of secular humanism. Also, pop quiz: what does a bodhisattva and an escapee from Plato's Cave have in common?

]]> My Holy Armor Stephen Schrum 00:08:00 I was given my religion like Holy Armor...but after awhile, it no longer fit. I was given my religion like Holy Armor...but after awhile, it no longer fit. plato, religion, catholic, holy, sermon, bodhisattva, enlightenment, romanticism, armor, catholicism false full 70 8dc6bc8f-b7f1-40d4-b87e-82e0c13a9b8d A Summary of My Fears People will sometimes ask others, "What are you afraid of?" Here's my answer, which includes heights and public speaking. Well, I got over that one. Listen to find out how.

]]> Tue, 29 Aug 2023 23:52:01 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ People will sometimes ask others, "What are you afraid of?" Here's my answer, which includes heights and public speaking. Well, I got over that one. Listen to find out how.

]]> A Summary of My Fears Stephen Schrum 00:09:19 What are you afraid of? Here's what I am afraid of... What are you afraid of? Here's what I am afraid of... heights, irrational, fear, home, invasion, speaking false full 69 94bb7df1-d3c0-4567-ab6c-e45be70a833d Kid Again Episode 4 The audio series Kid Again continues with Episode 4 with Mike, once again a teenager, finding himself presented with new opportunities to use his adult experience at a makeout party. How far will he go to make his second time around a lot more fun?

 

You can listen to the other Kid Again episodes by checking out:

AC Episode 44: KA Episode 1

AC Episode 49: KA Episode 2

AC Episode 57: KA Episode 3

]]> Fri, 2 Jun 2023 18:20:26 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ The audio series Kid Again continues with Episode 4 with Mike, once again a teenager, finding himself presented with new opportunities to use his adult experience at a makeout party. How far will he go to make his second time around a lot more fun?

 

You can listen to the other Kid Again episodes by checking out:

AC Episode 44: KA Episode 1

AC Episode 49: KA Episode 2

AC Episode 57: KA Episode 3

]]> Kid Again Episode 4 Stephen Schrum 00:10:45 Episode #4 of the audio drama series Kid Again. Episode #4 of the audio drama series Kid Again. kid again, theatre, theater, series, autobiographical, audio drama false full 68 50ac1a81-9c60-42f8-9657-1667758550e6 My Job's Not Better Than Yours As a young undergrad snob new to academia, I was pretty full of myself about that. I denigrated mere laborers. And that's odd since I came from such humble beginnings, and had many not-great jobs. Luckily, with age comes wisdom and tolerance, at least in my case.

 

]]> Thu, 13 Apr 2023 20:41:28 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ As a young undergrad snob new to academia, I was pretty full of myself about that. I denigrated mere laborers. And that's odd since I came from such humble beginnings, and had many not-great jobs. Luckily, with age comes wisdom and tolerance, at least in my case.

 

]]> My Job's Not Better Than Yours Stephen Schrum 00:10:48 My job's not better than yours, and vice versa My job's not better than yours, and vice versa job, work, labor, employment, university, college false full 67 b6b28b1a-c289-43ac-a249-31c0bbbcd5e1 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is Evil! People love that Christmas classic stop motion animation version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and watch it annually. But for me, it embodies so many terrible ideas. Pro-conformity, anti-environmental, anti-union, anti-individual...it's the embodiment of so many things I value.

]]> Sat, 1 Apr 2023 20:00:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ People love that Christmas classic stop motion animation version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and watch it annually. But for me, it embodies so many terrible ideas. Pro-conformity, anti-environmental, anti-union, anti-individual...it's the embodiment of so many things I value.

]]> Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is Evil! Stephen Schrum 00:08:16 The 7 deadly reasons why Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer--the show, mind you--is evil. The 7 deadly reasons why Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer--the show, mind you--is evil. lgbtq+, environmentalism, christmas, rudolph, reindeer, santa, evil false full 66 5cfc2aae-fab8-4ec1-9d1e-c43515a35c8b The Lost Toys (Part 2) The Christmas photos provide distinct evidence for my Huckleberry Hound doll. He, along with my GI Joes, vanished into thin air, and I wonder where they got to.

]]> Fri, 31 Mar 2023 20:00:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ The Christmas photos provide distinct evidence for my Huckleberry Hound doll. He, along with my GI Joes, vanished into thin air, and I wonder where they got to.

]]> The Lost Toys (Part 2) Stephen Schrum 00:09:15 Huckleberry Hound and GI Joe are the two lost toys I miss the most. Huckleberry Hound and GI Joe are the two lost toys I miss the most. toys, theatre, christmas, play, directing, war toys, childhood, homo ludens false full 65 523dc1e2-e0fe-47ce-b705-49b9a5cee0bc The Lost Toys (Part 1) I loved cars when I was a kid, and even contemplated going to Vo-Tech to learn auto mechanics. But my experience being unable to work a model car suggests that that was a serious strange and misguided thought.

]]> Thu, 30 Mar 2023 19:32:57 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I loved cars when I was a kid, and even contemplated going to Vo-Tech to learn auto mechanics. But my experience being unable to work a model car suggests that that was a serious strange and misguided thought.

]]> The Lost Toys (Part 1) Stephen Schrum 00:08:23 Speaking of a lost toy--and in fact a lost career! Speaking of a lost toy--and in fact a lost career! toys, career, education, play, cars, memoir false full 64 4e3ff96a-e018-4c34-90e7-8d738318247d Me, Myself, and Aliens Was I abducted by aliens? Well...I have a long history of reading conspiracy theories about aliens. And I've used this research into creating several plays about aliens. Take a listen to learn more about those plays, and to answer that abduction question. (The link to "proof" is on my blog at https://musofyr.org.)

]]> Thu, 23 Feb 2023 19:49:39 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Was I abducted by aliens? Well...I have a long history of reading conspiracy theories about aliens. And I've used this research into creating several plays about aliens. Take a listen to learn more about those plays, and to answer that abduction question. (The link to "proof" is on my blog at https://musofyr.org.)

]]> Me, Myself, and Aliens Stephen Schrum 00:09:53 Abducted by aliens? Captivated, rather. Abducted by aliens? Captivated, rather. theatre, plays, theater, alien, aliens, performance false full 63 a5d9bf84-03df-48f0-a6a2-3177cf6506d7 Abandon Perfection! So many people say they strive for perfection. But I say unto you: perfectionism's a false idol. Too often it leads to things not getting finished because the things will never be perfect. (And sometimes it's just an excuse not to finish something.) So I propose an alternative: abandon perfection, and strive for excellence instead.

]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2023 20:27:30 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ So many people say they strive for perfection. But I say unto you: perfectionism's a false idol. Too often it leads to things not getting finished because the things will never be perfect. (And sometimes it's just an excuse not to finish something.) So I propose an alternative: abandon perfection, and strive for excellence instead.

]]> Abandon Perfection! Stephen Schrum 00:08:21 People often strive for perfection. Stop it! Try excellence instead. People often strive for perfection. Stop it! Try excellence instead. goals, faust, perfection, excellence, goethe, strive false full 62 869cf266-a567-4fd3-9e08-294957daeaa8 To Absent Friends I have a great network of friends around the country and some acquaintances abroad. And yet I still lament the loss of friends with whom I have lost touch, in one way or another. I'm a very loyal person and try to stay in contact, perhaps beyond when I should. Here are some reminiscences of three particular lost friends.

]]> Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:36:44 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I have a great network of friends around the country and some acquaintances abroad. And yet I still lament the loss of friends with whom I have lost touch, in one way or another. I'm a very loyal person and try to stay in contact, perhaps beyond when I should. Here are some reminiscences of three particular lost friends.

]]> To Absent Friends Stephen Schrum 00:11:00 Musing--and lamenting--over lost friendships from the past. Musing--and lamenting--over lost friendships from the past. high school, friendgroup, friends, network, elementaryschool, college false full 61 31677c3b-d792-424d-b7ef-d728d325a39c Resolution: Reduce! People are always making New Year's Resolutions that add things to their lives and busy schedules and I once read an article that suggested we reduce what we do. So that's my resolution: which I am making on the eve of the arrival of  a new kitten. Follow my blog at musofyr.org for more on that! 

Incidentally this concludes Season 5 of Audio Chimera; I'll be back in 2023 with Season 6!

]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2022 22:30:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ People are always making New Year's Resolutions that add things to their lives and busy schedules and I once read an article that suggested we reduce what we do. So that's my resolution: which I am making on the eve of the arrival of  a new kitten. Follow my blog at musofyr.org for more on that! 

Incidentally this concludes Season 5 of Audio Chimera; I'll be back in 2023 with Season 6!

]]> Resolution: Reduce! Stephen Schrum 00:07:45 It's the time of the year for New Year's Resolutions. Mine? Reduce! (But what?) It's the time of the year for New Year's Resolutions. Mine? Reduce! (But what?) new year, resolution, reduce, kitten false full 60 bac87df0-eb11-4b74-8374-68e19bc209a6 Art and Non-Art! I may be retired but it's not stopping me from reflecting on those years of teaching and talking/sharing some success stories. One of the problems I had was science majors telling me they didn't know how to write an "arts paper" since they didn't write research papers but rather lab reports. To address this, I added a new way of looking at my research paper through the lens of the scientific method.

]]> Thu, 15 Dec 2022 19:07:57 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I may be retired but it's not stopping me from reflecting on those years of teaching and talking/sharing some success stories. One of the problems I had was science majors telling me they didn't know how to write an "arts paper" since they didn't write research papers but rather lab reports. To address this, I added a new way of looking at my research paper through the lens of the scientific method.

]]> Art and Non-Art! Stephen Schrum 00:08:44 A glimpse into my approach to bring science students into the world of the arts. A glimpse into my approach to bring science students into the world of the arts. education, writing, teaching, scientific method, lab reports, research, undergrad, gened false full 59 47447ae8-c26b-4d9b-8302-44bb7db09496 The Christmas Spectacular Okay, maybe it's not that spectacular. Growing up there were always arguments about decorating, which made no sense to me. But that translates into conflicts in the world, and maybe we should just stop fighting and enjoy the season.

]]> Tue, 6 Dec 2022 19:01:52 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Okay, maybe it's not that spectacular. Growing up there were always arguments about decorating, which made no sense to me. But that translates into conflicts in the world, and maybe we should just stop fighting and enjoy the season.

]]> The Christmas Spectacular Stephen Schrum 00:11:16 Every TV show has its Christmas episode, so here's mine! Every TV show has its Christmas episode, so here's mine! christmas, holiday, season.fighting, gifts, conflict false full 58 3657ab23-df57-4ee3-8a00-8a6ad5bfcf16 KId Again Episode #3 This is the third episode of my audio drama series Kid Again, which is what I am calling Autobiographical Speculative Fiction, about a man who suddenly finds himself back in high school. What he can he change about himself and his experiences that will make this time more fun? Having been a total nerd before, he now decides to go to a high school dance and actually interact with females. 

Episodes 1 and 2 are in Audio Chimera episodes 44 and 49, respectively.

]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2022 03:06:52 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ This is the third episode of my audio drama series Kid Again, which is what I am calling Autobiographical Speculative Fiction, about a man who suddenly finds himself back in high school. What he can he change about himself and his experiences that will make this time more fun? Having been a total nerd before, he now decides to go to a high school dance and actually interact with females. 

Episodes 1 and 2 are in Audio Chimera episodes 44 and 49, respectively.

]]> KId Again Episode #3 Stephen Schrum 00:11:50 The third episode of the audio drama series Kid Again, "The School Dance." The third episode of the audio drama series Kid Again, "The School Dance." high school, theatre, autobiography, memoir, speculative fiction, audio drama false full 57 134907b3-98e6-4fda-aa5a-49393e4a30ed A Theatre Major?? How does a terminally shy introverted child became a theatre person? It does appear there were inklings of it along the way... But then, a college theatre professor helped me on the right path to a successful career in the performing arts.

]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2022 21:04:23 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ How does a terminally shy introverted child became a theatre person? It does appear there were inklings of it along the way... But then, a college theatre professor helped me on the right path to a successful career in the performing arts.

]]> A Theatre Major?? Stephen Schrum 00:14:10 How the terminally shy introverted child became a theatre person! How the terminally shy introverted child became a theatre person! career, theatre, theater, introversion, professional, shyness, college false full 56 cfe2b2d0-0fed-49c7-b718-3c1518430a6c A Toy Obsession Why do some toys become obsessions? This was true of the Cabbage Patch Dolls, the craze during the time I worked at Toys 'R' Us.

]]> Sun, 6 Nov 2022 21:07:32 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Why do some toys become obsessions? This was true of the Cabbage Patch Dolls, the craze during the time I worked at Toys 'R' Us.

]]> A Toy Obsession Stephen Schrum 00:16:33 Tales from my days at Toys 'R' Us during the height of the Cabbage Patch Doll craze. Tales from my days at Toys 'R' Us during the height of the Cabbage Patch Doll craze. false full 55 aae289c4-09fb-4fa8-b55a-fa2f61816d6f The Curtain Opens (On My Second Act) The transition from College Professor to retired college professor takes in more than the addition of the word "retired" and the subtraction of the capital letters in the title. One's life may downsize—but how does a creative artist maintain professional and creative work without the resources one had before? Here's my take.

]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2022 22:36:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ The transition from College Professor to retired college professor takes in more than the addition of the word "retired" and the subtraction of the capital letters in the title. One's life may downsize—but how does a creative artist maintain professional and creative work without the resources one had before? Here's my take.

]]> The Curtain Opens (On My Second Act) Stephen Schrum 00:18:00 What does one do in retirement? Many things, I hope! What does one do in retirement? Many things, I hope! nonprofit, music, theatre, venue, retirement, professor, performance, university, college false full 54 9a10c4b2-6a8a-41de-ba08-5f4bd97d154e Malapropisms Mrs. Malaprop is a character in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 1775 play The Rivals. She attempts to sound intelligent and sophisticated but uses the wrong words. This is something that comedians, such as Norm Crosby, have used successfully, but it also happens to real people. Here are some of the malapropisms that I presented to my Intro to Theatre students when talking about Restoration Theatre and Mrs. Malaprop.

]]> Thu, 13 Oct 2022 17:16:10 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Mrs. Malaprop is a character in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 1775 play The Rivals. She attempts to sound intelligent and sophisticated but uses the wrong words. This is something that comedians, such as Norm Crosby, have used successfully, but it also happens to real people. Here are some of the malapropisms that I presented to my Intro to Theatre students when talking about Restoration Theatre and Mrs. Malaprop.

]]> Malapropisms Stephen Schrum 00:12:48 Talking about "Words so ingeniously misapplied without being mispronounced." Talking about "Words so ingeniously misapplied without being mispronounced." theatre, malaprop, comedy, errors, teaching, malapropism false full 53 501f97d0-166b-429c-aa0c-8d130f91cc9a Getting That Berkeley PhD (Part 2) A tale I've often told—the problems of getting my PhD from the UC Berkeley Department of Dramatic Art. I truly became a scholar and director as a result of being in the program, but as I explain, it could have gone a lot more smoothly.

As I was recordoing Episode #51, I kept talking and talking... It went long, so I broke the story up into two parts.

And this is another experiment in non-scripted storytelling. Let me know what you think!

 

]]> Thu, 29 Sep 2022 18:24:13 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ A tale I've often told—the problems of getting my PhD from the UC Berkeley Department of Dramatic Art. I truly became a scholar and director as a result of being in the program, but as I explain, it could have gone a lot more smoothly.

As I was recordoing Episode #51, I kept talking and talking... It went long, so I broke the story up into two parts.

And this is another experiment in non-scripted storytelling. Let me know what you think!

 

]]> Getting That Berkeley PhD (Part 2) Stephen Schrum 00:12:54 The trials and tribulations of my PhD program (continued). The trials and tribulations of my PhD program (continued). false full 52 0e0ec505-d9cf-4ad7-8065-0a4ceb12fd09 Getting That Berkeley PhD (Part 1) A tale I've often told—the problems of getting my PhD from the UC Berkeley Department of Dramatic Art. I truly became a scholar and director as a result of being in the program, but as I explain, it could have gone a lot more smoothly.

This is another experiment in non-scripted storytelling. Let me know what you think!

]]> Thu, 29 Sep 2022 18:21:55 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ A tale I've often told—the problems of getting my PhD from the UC Berkeley Department of Dramatic Art. I truly became a scholar and director as a result of being in the program, but as I explain, it could have gone a lot more smoothly.

This is another experiment in non-scripted storytelling. Let me know what you think!

]]> Getting That Berkeley PhD (Part 1) Stephen Schrum 00:14:46 The trials and tribulations of my PhD program. The trials and tribulations of my PhD program. false full 51 2d629d8b-a110-4c01-90c6-79563fb82e82 I'm A Poster Child! I recently found out where the term "Poster Child" started (hint: polio). Then I wondered what I might be a poster person for, and realized there are three health issues I automatically try to get people to deal with" So here they are! 

(Spoiler alert: Colonoscopies, Retinal Detachments, and Skin Cancer Checks.)

]]> Thu, 15 Sep 2022 20:23:37 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I recently found out where the term "Poster Child" started (hint: polio). Then I wondered what I might be a poster person for, and realized there are three health issues I automatically try to get people to deal with" So here they are! 

(Spoiler alert: Colonoscopies, Retinal Detachments, and Skin Cancer Checks.)

]]> I'm A Poster Child! Stephen Schrum 00:11:08 What might I be a poster person for? This episode answers that question! What might I be a poster person for? This episode answers that question! retina, health, skin cancer, eye, detachment, colonoscopy false full 50 eef410c0-3ef5-483f-aa20-241d45c71cbc Fiction About Abortion Season 5 includes new intro and outro music composed by John Rust; find him on YouTube as soundofrust. 

This episode of Audio Chimera contains episode 2 of Kid Again, my audio drama series that debuted in AC episode 44. Mike has suddenly found himself 14 and back in Catholic School, and pushing the boundaries of what he can say and do since he remembers his adult life. He meets Abigail who is intrigued by his questions about abortion as expressed in religion class.

After the KA episode, I have a few comments about my own views on abortion, which oddly enough, echo my own.

]]> Thu, 1 Sep 2022 20:27:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Season 5 includes new intro and outro music composed by John Rust; find him on YouTube as soundofrust. 

This episode of Audio Chimera contains episode 2 of Kid Again, my audio drama series that debuted in AC episode 44. Mike has suddenly found himself 14 and back in Catholic School, and pushing the boundaries of what he can say and do since he remembers his adult life. He meets Abigail who is intrigued by his questions about abortion as expressed in religion class.

After the KA episode, I have a few comments about my own views on abortion, which oddly enough, echo my own.

]]> Fiction About Abortion Stephen Schrum 00:15:29 Season 5 kicks off with a new episode of the audio drama, Kid Again, where Mike has suddenly found himself to be 14 and back in high school. He meets new people, including Kenneth and Abigail, who want to talk to him after he airs his views on abortion in Christology class. Season 5 kicks off with a new episode of the audio drama, Kid Again, where Mike has suddenly found himself to be 14 and back in high school. He meets new people, including Kenneth and Abigail, who want to talk to him after he airs his views on abortion in Christology class. reproductive rights, kid again, theatre, abortion, drama, women's rights, audio drama false full 49 6e9aba4e-a39f-44da-8e6a-ec0ace5270ae Retirement! People in academia often get asked, why are you retiring? What will you do with yourself? But there is more to life (and academia) than teaching, and I felt the need to enumerate them. I once thought I'd work till 67, like my mother did, but now I'm 65 and making room for the next person. How things have changed since I was a student, both with students and with academia in general. Now if I could just be sure that I am not retiring into a front row seat for the apocalypse and the end of the world.

]]> Thu, 21 Jul 2022 02:48:45 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ People in academia often get asked, why are you retiring? What will you do with yourself? But there is more to life (and academia) than teaching, and I felt the need to enumerate them. I once thought I'd work till 67, like my mother did, but now I'm 65 and making room for the next person. How things have changed since I was a student, both with students and with academia in general. Now if I could just be sure that I am not retiring into a front row seat for the apocalypse and the end of the world.

]]> Retirement! Stephen Schrum 00:11:04 Retirement at last! Some reflections on the why of it now... Retirement at last! Some reflections on the why of it now... false full 48 feb0c7dd-dce3-47ea-8eca-40d16f401091 Rage On! So frustration will quickly send me into an angry outburst. But for me, the important thing in that I recover quickly. Step on my tail, I yowl, and then life returns to normal. How do I know I've mellowed over the years? I can tell by the way I have changed in my attitude toward directing and rehearsals. Sometimes, you just have to laugh—and other times you just can't stop it!

]]> Thu, 14 Jul 2022 19:33:47 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ So frustration will quickly send me into an angry outburst. But for me, the important thing in that I recover quickly. Step on my tail, I yowl, and then life returns to normal. How do I know I've mellowed over the years? I can tell by the way I have changed in my attitude toward directing and rehearsals. Sometimes, you just have to laugh—and other times you just can't stop it!

]]> Rage On! Stephen Schrum 00:10:18 Do I have anger issues? I think I've mellowed a lot in the past few years. Do I have anger issues? I think I've mellowed a lot in the past few years. theatre, road rage, mellow, rage, frustration, anger false full 47 6c199e06-dad8-4c17-b16f-54c462c43254 Migration The topic of migration has been hotly debated. Let me weigh in, with my opinion informed by visiting some Central American countries on a cruise with the new love of my life, Joyce. (This also suggests moving from widower status to committed relationship status, courtesy of online dating.)

]]> Thu, 26 May 2022 18:51:16 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ The topic of migration has been hotly debated. Let me weigh in, with my opinion informed by visiting some Central American countries on a cruise with the new love of my life, Joyce. (This also suggests moving from widower status to committed relationship status, courtesy of online dating.)

]]> Migration Stephen Schrum 00:10:04 Let's talk about migration—of people, and not the kind where we move from Windows to Macs. Let's talk about migration—of people, and not the kind where we move from Windows to Macs. online dating, migration, transmigration, immigration, cruise, tattoos false full 46 f2f59ee6-4012-4e45-b29c-461d638d1201 Preferred Pronouns Yes, I get all professorial and linguistic on my audience in a background discussion of pronouns, what they are, and why the use of preferred pronouns are a source of confusion for me in the new century.

]]> Thu, 12 May 2022 02:10:52 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Yes, I get all professorial and linguistic on my audience in a background discussion of pronouns, what they are, and why the use of preferred pronouns are a source of confusion for me in the new century.

]]> Preferred Pronouns Stephen Schrum 00:10:31 Why do I dislike the preferred pronoun thing? Listen and find out why--but it may not be for the reason you think. Why do I dislike the preferred pronoun thing? Listen and find out why--but it may not be for the reason you think. masculine, preferred, feminine, gender, pronouns false full 45 3361a273-7dca-47a5-af59-78b904d77171 Kid Again Episode 1 (Pilot) I wrote an audio series called Kid Again, about a man who suddenly finds himself 14 and back in his 9th grade classroom. He's not sure if he's dreaming or time traveling, but decides that he can have a lot more fun this time around if it is real. We put the episode together by having the actors record their lines and then assembled the dialogue with added sound effects. My hope is that this will help with the GoFundMe so we can continue to create the rest of the 10 episode series.

]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 19:03:52 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I wrote an audio series called Kid Again, about a man who suddenly finds himself 14 and back in his 9th grade classroom. He's not sure if he's dreaming or time traveling, but decides that he can have a lot more fun this time around if it is real. We put the episode together by having the actors record their lines and then assembled the dialogue with added sound effects. My hope is that this will help with the GoFundMe so we can continue to create the rest of the 10 episode series.

]]> Kid Again Episode 1 (Pilot) Stephen Schrum 00:12:31 This episode presents the pilot episode of a new audio drama series, "Kid Again" that just might be an echo of Plato's Allegory of the Cave. This episode presents the pilot episode of a new audio drama series, "Kid Again" that just might be an echo of Plato's Allegory of the Cave. radio drama, audio drama, fiction true full 44 37ab6f99-ebe9-4e73-919f-e6955d0045a2 What's In The Fridge? I've always been interested in audio drama (once called radio drama). During the pandemic, I chose the audio drama format for my usual university theatre production, and am also working on a series called "Kid Again." After some background info on those, I  include the short play "In the Refrigerator" which I have subtitled "A Comedy of Revenge." 

Since the pandemic has chased all back into our homes, we have to find new ways to collaborate. So I cast this piece with people I knew, and asked them to send me recordings of their lines. (I recorded one person using Skype.) I then put it all together in GarageBand, adding music (composed also in GB) and sound effects, many from a free site called Soundjay.com. So here it is, another of my written works, rescued from the filing cabinet of time.

Note that during the podcast I call this episode #44. #43 is in script form and I need to record it AFTER I take my recording studio out of storage post-move.

]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2020 00:45:16 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I've always been interested in audio drama (once called radio drama). During the pandemic, I chose the audio drama format for my usual university theatre production, and am also working on a series called "Kid Again." After some background info on those, I  include the short play "In the Refrigerator" which I have subtitled "A Comedy of Revenge." 

Since the pandemic has chased all back into our homes, we have to find new ways to collaborate. So I cast this piece with people I knew, and asked them to send me recordings of their lines. (I recorded one person using Skype.) I then put it all together in GarageBand, adding music (composed also in GB) and sound effects, many from a free site called Soundjay.com. So here it is, another of my written works, rescued from the filing cabinet of time.

Note that during the podcast I call this episode #44. #43 is in script form and I need to record it AFTER I take my recording studio out of storage post-move.

]]> What's In The Fridge? Stephen Schrum 00:16:25 I have become enamored with audio drama during the pandemic. Here's some info about my recent forays into the medium, including the short play, "In the Refrigerator: A Comedy of Revenge." I have become enamored with audio drama during the pandemic. Here's some info about my recent forays into the medium, including the short play, "In the Refrigerator: A Comedy of Revenge." theatre, theater, pandemic theatre, radio drama, audio drama false full 43 72e51303-821b-4051-b01e-9ad048d087aa Notes From Quarantine As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I offer some observations on people's behaviors during such an event, relaying personal reactions (yes, my anxiety), people's responses (yes, hoarding), and some suggestions for proper behavior (like, let's treat this like we're all in it together!).

]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2020 20:41:45 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I offer some observations on people's behaviors during such an event, relaying personal reactions (yes, my anxiety), people's responses (yes, hoarding), and some suggestions for proper behavior (like, let's treat this like we're all in it together!).

]]> Notes From Quarantine Stephen Schrum 00:08:59 Some notes from the field--well from the shelter--as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Some notes from the field--well from the shelter--as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. covid19, behavior, hoarding, quarantine, coronavirus, anxiety false full 42 69732f48-34cb-4216-a395-3badb1bcee6d Making...Theatre? In my Intro to Theatre courses I like students to DO theatre, and so I include the Making Theatre Project which has them, in groups, create a 5-minute play. There are times when the results are tepid, but sometimes they are terrifying. More frequently, they are just funny.

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2019 02:19:35 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ In my Intro to Theatre courses I like students to DO theatre, and so I include the Making Theatre Project which has them, in groups, create a 5-minute play. There are times when the results are tepid, but sometimes they are terrifying. More frequently, they are just funny.

]]> Making...Theatre? Stephen Schrum 00:10:30 I use a project called Making Theatre in my Intro to Theatre course to sum up the course and show students how to DO theatre. But the results are sometimes frightening and sometimes funny. I use a project called Making Theatre in my Intro to Theatre course to sum up the course and show students how to DO theatre. But the results are sometimes frightening and sometimes funny. terrorism, theatre, theater, bigamy, theatre project false full 41 2b4140c3-8a44-45eb-8a80-49d43b4906da Forgetting Memory is a gift the past gives us. And when it fails we struggle. In this recycled episode of my defunct podcast, "A Leg Up for Caregivers," guest Brenda talks about her mother's struggles with memory--and Brenda's eventual solution to deal with her mother's Alzheimer's. This episode suggests a useful technique in dealing with those with this dreaded disease.

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2019 02:12:40 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Brenda, Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Memory is a gift the past gives us. And when it fails we struggle. In this recycled episode of my defunct podcast, "A Leg Up for Caregivers," guest Brenda talks about her mother's struggles with memory--and Brenda's eventual solution to deal with her mother's Alzheimer's. This episode suggests a useful technique in dealing with those with this dreaded disease.

]]> Forgetting Brenda, Stephen A. Schrum 00:11:54 How do we deal with someone with Alzheimer's? Here's one technique that people might find useful. How do we deal with someone with Alzheimer's? Here's one technique that people might find useful. alzheimers, forgetting, illness, patient, memory false full 40 54b75b01-f85a-46ca-b3d1-8d104fd14bfe Belonging Unlike Hank in the Eugene O'Neill play The Hairy Ape, who is clearly i need of belonging to something greater than himself, I am not a joiner. But here are two stories of me joining in, one an organization (Mensa) and another while attending a singles event.

]]> Tue, 17 Dec 2019 02:03:48 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Unlike Hank in the Eugene O'Neill play The Hairy Ape, who is clearly i need of belonging to something greater than himself, I am not a joiner. But here are two stories of me joining in, one an organization (Mensa) and another while attending a singles event.

]]> Belonging Stephen A. Schrum 00:12:20 I am not a joiner, unlike Hank in the play The Hairy Ape. But here are the stories of joining Mensa and attending a singles event. I am not a joiner, unlike Hank in the play The Hairy Ape. But here are the stories of joining Mensa and attending a singles event. dating, singles, mensa, join, divorce, belong false full 39 a15edd9e-28e5-461c-8da2-d5e3b2c43761 Behind the Scenes in AM Radio As an AM DJ I played records, did some news and weather, but mostly played a lot of tapes--and Orioles baseball games. In between (and sometimes during them), I took calls from many listeners, including a young woman with, I think, a crush on me, and other strange agents. This is of course while constantly changing formats with each new ratings book and each brand new program director. It was a fun job, but not without its challenges, especially in the midnight to 6am graveyard shift.

]]> Fri, 2 Aug 2019 04:48:34 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ As an AM DJ I played records, did some news and weather, but mostly played a lot of tapes--and Orioles baseball games. In between (and sometimes during them), I took calls from many listeners, including a young woman with, I think, a crush on me, and other strange agents. This is of course while constantly changing formats with each new ratings book and each brand new program director. It was a fun job, but not without its challenges, especially in the midnight to 6am graveyard shift.

]]> Behind the Scenes in AM Radio Stephen Schrum 00:20:47 My days as an AM radio DJ were full of music, strange callers, and even stranger events as I navigated the waters of public service and religious programming. My days as an AM radio DJ were full of music, strange callers, and even stranger events as I navigated the waters of public service and religious programming. music, radio, disc jockey, am, public service programming, baseball false full 38 7d3e71a9-060e-4aae-a88e-e190b736bc79 Abandonment After attending a Podcast Movement conference, and scoffing at the idea of creating s second podcast (who has time??), I did exactly that. A Leg Up 4 Caregivers was going to be for sudden caregivers. But then that time issue resurfaced. However, rather than totally abandon that podcast, I am resurrecting parts of it here in Season 4 (which features a shorter intro!).

]]> Tue, 30 Jul 2019 18:33:23 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ After attending a Podcast Movement conference, and scoffing at the idea of creating s second podcast (who has time??), I did exactly that. A Leg Up 4 Caregivers was going to be for sudden caregivers. But then that time issue resurfaced. However, rather than totally abandon that podcast, I am resurrecting parts of it here in Season 4 (which features a shorter intro!).

]]> Abandonment Stephen Schrum 00:13:24 My greatest fear is to be forgotten, and abandonment is a corollary to that fear. But here's the tale of my abandoning another podcast, "A Leg Up for Caregivers," and a story of someone being left behind. My greatest fear is to be forgotten, and abandonment is a corollary to that fear. But here's the tale of my abandoning another podcast, "A Leg Up for Caregivers," and a story of someone being left behind. health, illness, abandonment, caregiving false full 37 4d7ee75d-e595-43c6-b81b-9062d3bf9256 The Retinal Detachment Eye health is so important, and when we ignore the warning signs, we could lose our vision. When I first had problems, I panicked, but it turned out it was not vision-threatening. And then when it was, I assume it wasn't. What a mistake! The tale of discovering a retinal detachment, and surviving the surgery and an intense bout of despair.

]]> Thu, 23 May 2019 03:50:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Eye health is so important, and when we ignore the warning signs, we could lose our vision. When I first had problems, I panicked, but it turned out it was not vision-threatening. And then when it was, I assume it wasn't. What a mistake! The tale of discovering a retinal detachment, and surviving the surgery and an intense bout of despair.

]]> The Retinal Detachment Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:59 Eye health is so important, and when we ignore the warning signs, we could lose our vision. And find ourselves in despair. Eye health is so important, and when we ignore the warning signs, we could lose our vision. And find ourselves in despair. scleral buckle, retina, vision, despair, cataract, detachment false full 36 7070fe1c-1b26-4f87-a9c8-ecabbc2ab664 But I Really Want to Direct! Everyone always says, "But I really want to direct." It's always been true for me. But some of the directing positions I have applied for? These crazy stories deal with chocoholic dogs, chickens (both living and dead), and always crazy theatre people who get involved in one way or another.

]]> Thu, 23 May 2019 03:46:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Everyone always says, "But I really want to direct." It's always been true for me. But some of the directing positions I have applied for? These crazy stories deal with chocoholic dogs, chickens (both living and dead), and always crazy theatre people who get involved in one way or another.

]]> But I Really Want to Direct! Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:53 Everyone always says, "But I really want to direct." It's always been true for me. But some of the directing positions I have applied for? Crazy stories... Everyone always says, "But I really want to direct." It's always been true for me. But some of the directing positions I have applied for? Crazy stories... direct, theatre, networking, theater, community theatre false full 35 c28a1943-3018-4d63-ad53-22ba85078ea8 Speaking of Speaking Sometimes the ways people speak leave me speechless! In college I took a Voice and Diction class that taught me how to speak properly--ideal for a future podcaster! So operating from that perspective, I am astounded at some people's ways of speaking. Dialects, regionalisms, improper pronunciations...and then let's talk about not reading and just hearing things incorrectly. Like I said: speechless!

]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2019 00:26:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Sometimes the ways people speak leave me speechless! In college I took a Voice and Diction class that taught me how to speak properly--ideal for a future podcaster! So operating from that perspective, I am astounded at some people's ways of speaking. Dialects, regionalisms, improper pronunciations...and then let's talk about not reading and just hearing things incorrectly. Like I said: speechless!

]]> Speaking of Speaking Stephen A. Schrum 00:12:42 The importance of having a good voice, and speaking with distinction. And sometimes the ways people speak leave me speechless! The importance of having a good voice, and speaking with distinction. And sometimes the ways people speak leave me speechless! speech, diction, vocal training, voice, dialect, speaking false full 34 fb49701e-cd99-4e5b-b32c-0e55b84c944b In Memorium In a previous episode, I flippantly suggested that my wife would be late for her own funeral. Life has conspired to contradict me, and she passed away in October 2018. I offer this eulogy in memory of her, and am posting this episode on what would have been our 30th anniversary.

]]> Mon, 7 Jan 2019 16:25:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ In a previous episode, I flippantly suggested that my wife would be late for her own funeral. Life has conspired to contradict me, and she passed away in October 2018. I offer this eulogy in memory of her, and am posting this episode on what would have been our 30th anniversary.

]]> In Memorium Stephen A. Schrum 00:12:15 A eulogy for my deceased wife, whom you've often heard me mention. A eulogy for my deceased wife, whom you've often heard me mention. eulogy, widow, memorial, death, spouse, passing false full 33 d3e16bd7-2666-47a0-a5cb-96a69eea6eda Midnight Movie Madness! For many, "midnight movie" now means that first showing of the newly-released movie blockbuster tentpole, likely featuring some sort of superhuman creatures. But when the midnight movie idea started, the movies were hardly mainstream; in fact, they were decidedly "out there." Listen to some of my experiences--often with second-hand smoke altering my perceptions--with films shown at the witching hour.

Note: Many of the sounds that I don’t record myself come from SoundJay.com. For this episode, the Ricochet Sound is by Grant Evans.

]]> Sun, 6 Jan 2019 17:26:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ For many, "midnight movie" now means that first showing of the newly-released movie blockbuster tentpole, likely featuring some sort of superhuman creatures. But when the midnight movie idea started, the movies were hardly mainstream; in fact, they were decidedly "out there." Listen to some of my experiences--often with second-hand smoke altering my perceptions--with films shown at the witching hour.

Note: Many of the sounds that I don’t record myself come from SoundJay.com. For this episode, the Ricochet Sound is by Grant Evans.

]]> Midnight Movie Madness! Stephen A. Schrum 00:11:33 After midnight, we’re not gonna just let it all hang down, we’re gonna watch really crazy movies! After midnight, we’re not gonna just let it all hang down, we’re gonna watch really crazy movies! midnight, psychedelic, movie, zappa, film, beatles false full 32 66141af3-a987-4e4a-8f11-c79016765ea4 Encounters With The Famous I haven't rubbed elbows with many celebrities, but here are a few of my humble stories about that--and how ridiculous that can be. Whether in a public restroom, me trying to make a witty quip and having it fall flat... And why don't we question why we give some people celebrity anyway?

]]> Sat, 5 Jan 2019 20:04:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I haven't rubbed elbows with many celebrities, but here are a few of my humble stories about that--and how ridiculous that can be. Whether in a public restroom, me trying to make a witty quip and having it fall flat... And why don't we question why we give some people celebrity anyway?

]]> Encounters With The Famous Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:43 I haven't rubbed elbows with many celebrities, but here are a few of my humble stories about that--and how ridiculous that can be. I haven't rubbed elbows with many celebrities, but here are a few of my humble stories about that--and how ridiculous that can be. celebrity, famous, worship, instagram, starstruck false full 31 5757ce4b-4e48-48e1-9d84-d00ed68021b0 It's About Time! Ever notice that, for kids, events are boring and time moves so slowly, while for older adults, we suddenly find we lost a decade in there? In this episode I attempt an explanation of this phenomenon, as I deal with time, tardiness, and teleology. (Actually, I have a religious joke in here, which is more theology, but I wanted to be alliterative.)

]]> Sat, 5 Jan 2019 20:01:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Ever notice that, for kids, events are boring and time moves so slowly, while for older adults, we suddenly find we lost a decade in there? In this episode I attempt an explanation of this phenomenon, as I deal with time, tardiness, and teleology. (Actually, I have a religious joke in here, which is more theology, but I wanted to be alliterative.)

]]> It's About Time! Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:04 In which I explain time, with apologies to Stephen Hawking. In which I explain time, with apologies to Stephen Hawking. joke, comedy, time, tardiness, timing false full 30 b326717c-3633-4ce1-bf05-2d8bc237e102 Have I Got A Story For You One image I have for myself is that of storyteller. I wouldn't be in Season 3 of this podcast if I didn't think so. But I'm also a theatre professor, director, and playwright, and all those roles go into shaping my stories as well as those of others. And I think some of the best theatrical stories merge life and performance.

]]> Fri, 4 Jan 2019 05:49:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ One image I have for myself is that of storyteller. I wouldn't be in Season 3 of this podcast if I didn't think so. But I'm also a theatre professor, director, and playwright, and all those roles go into shaping my stories as well as those of others. And I think some of the best theatrical stories merge life and performance.

]]> Have I Got A Story For You Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:55 I like to think of myself as a storyteller. And here I am in episode #29 of my podcast trying to find out if I am. I like to think of myself as a storyteller. And here I am in episode #29 of my podcast trying to find out if I am. storytelling, theatre, alzheimers, playwrighting false full 29 1e356b86-ecc5-4090-b6ec-28fb9730af28 You Stole My Heart The platonic "love story" of a young woman who I met, had a pretend romantic relationship with (the campers expected no less!), lost, refound, and lost again. It's interesting how paths cross and criss-cross in a lifetime, and how we often hope the cross again.

]]> Wed, 2 Jan 2019 21:54:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ The platonic "love story" of a young woman who I met, had a pretend romantic relationship with (the campers expected no less!), lost, refound, and lost again. It's interesting how paths cross and criss-cross in a lifetime, and how we often hope the cross again.

]]> You Stole My Heart Stephen A. Schrum 00:08:39 It's a platonic love story--but you should listen anyway. It's a platonic love story--but you should listen anyway. theatre, romance, platonic, summer camp, love false full 28 8c8e7a67-5d82-4441-b78f-b432c6ccb851 My Opinion Is Important To You BIG DATA is watching us, but we don't know why. But we have our suspicions, and it's not to make better products and services for us. Can anyone truly learn anything from all the quantitative data that is being collected? Maybe we need to talk about Quality in Life, stop grazing art, and stop photographing the roses soo we can smell them.

]]> Sat, 29 Dec 2018 00:52:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ BIG DATA is watching us, but we don't know why. But we have our suspicions, and it's not to make better products and services for us. Can anyone truly learn anything from all the quantitative data that is being collected? Maybe we need to talk about Quality in Life, stop grazing art, and stop photographing the roses soo we can smell them.

]]> My Opinion Is Important To You Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:21 Look out, everyone: Big Data is watching YOU! Look out, everyone: Big Data is watching YOU! japan, science, review, big data, statistics false full 27 9708f25c-9169-4bba-bf12-34c02db488e8 Stop Attacking the Ivory Tower! This episode is perhaps more of an editorial that a memory about higher education. I am unsure why education is under attack, unless there is some nefarious plan afoot. For me, my education improved my life immensely, and allowed me to be successful in life beyond my original dreams.

]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2018 21:09:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ This episode is perhaps more of an editorial that a memory about higher education. I am unsure why education is under attack, unless there is some nefarious plan afoot. For me, my education improved my life immensely, and allowed me to be successful in life beyond my original dreams.

]]> Stop Attacking the Ivory Tower! Stephen A. Schrum 00:08:08 Perhaps more of an editorial that a memory about education. Perhaps more of an editorial that a memory about education. education, bean counters, learning, academia, university, college false full 26 66819ca9-b0bd-443b-976f-08d7fd92910c Revelations, Without the Antichrist Life allows for revelations to occur from time to time. A fever once helped me have a revelation about GIlligan's Island. I had a life-changing revelation when I discovered GarageBand; my longtime search a composer to create music for my songs suddenly became me, thanks to loops! I include three of my revelation-related spoken word pieces, "I, Prometheus," "So Relaxed," and "Echo Ever After."

]]> Sun, 23 Dec 2018 01:22:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Life allows for revelations to occur from time to time. A fever once helped me have a revelation about GIlligan's Island. I had a life-changing revelation when I discovered GarageBand; my longtime search a composer to create music for my songs suddenly became me, thanks to loops! I include three of my revelation-related spoken word pieces, "I, Prometheus," "So Relaxed," and "Echo Ever After."

]]> Revelations, Without the Antichrist Stephen A. Schrum 00:17:25 Revelations about life and music, in the search for a composer. Revelations about life and music, in the search for a composer. song, music, theatre, poems, poetry, wisdom false full 25 85cf7bc6-8e44-4533-9f44-9ee93ad9e4ae Et Cum Spiritu 2.0 My wife and I have had some very non-traditional moments in our life together, even when pursuing very traditional paths. A case in point was our wedding. For years, I have threatened to write a play about that weekend; here are some glimpses into some of the odder moments of our wedding.

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:38:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ My wife and I have had some very non-traditional moments in our life together, even when pursuing very traditional paths. A case in point was our wedding. For years, I have threatened to write a play about that weekend; here are some glimpses into some of the odder moments of our wedding.

]]> Et Cum Spiritu 2.0 Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:05 How do two fallen-away Catholics prepare for a Catholic wedding ceremony when living 2,563 miles away? How do two fallen-away Catholics prepare for a Catholic wedding ceremony when living 2,563 miles away? bachelor party, bride, catholic, marriage, groom, groomsmen, wedding, fallen-away false full 24 b4ba49e2-c74d-4d65-83e0-f1db6b24040d Boom! Boom! Down Goes the Grid! I really do enjoy technology. Without it, I wouldn't be writing this paragraph on my laptop, about to upload a podcast episode to the web. And a thousand other things we all do on a daily basis. But always nagging me is the thought, what if the cloud, or worse, the grid, goes down? How will we all cope?

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:33:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I really do enjoy technology. Without it, I wouldn't be writing this paragraph on my laptop, about to upload a podcast episode to the web. And a thousand other things we all do on a daily basis. But always nagging me is the thought, what if the cloud, or worse, the grid, goes down? How will we all cope?

]]> Boom! Boom! Down Goes the Grid! Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:16 I love digital technology, but a theme I keep returning to in Audio Chimera is the challenges tech presents to us--whether it's in the cloud or on the theatrical stage. I love digital technology, but a theme I keep returning to in Audio Chimera is the challenges tech presents to us--whether it's in the cloud or on the theatrical stage. cloud, technology, elevator pitch, fundamentalists, grid false full 23 105fb86d-e394-44ae-a5d9-423b6831add8 Word Salad Days Commercials and advertisements have been with us for a long time, and follow us wherever we go. Sometimes they are targeted at us as individuals--and what could be more annoying? We used to accept them as a necessary evil, but is that attitude necessary anymore?

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:27:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Commercials and advertisements have been with us for a long time, and follow us wherever we go. Sometimes they are targeted at us as individuals--and what could be more annoying? We used to accept them as a necessary evil, but is that attitude necessary anymore?

]]> Word Salad Days Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:25 I am much more disturbed by the voices outside my head than the ones inside. Most of those outside voices come from commercials. I am much more disturbed by the voices outside my head than the ones inside. Most of those outside voices come from commercials. advertisements, alternative energy, spots, jingle, advertising, ads, commercials, manufacturing false full 22 a2a3b921-938e-4700-ac68-1d8850a6b4f7 Shared Culture (Like Yogurt) My love of progressive rock is well known; I currently listen to practically nothing else in my day-to-day. And a lot of what I occasionally hear (by accident, or passing by with loud speakers in a car on the road) I don''t care for. But I think whatever you like is fine, because that's your thing. And I hate it when someone tries to pass judgement on music they just don't like. Dude, get over yourself. Just be aware of the perils of old vinyl!

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:23:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ My love of progressive rock is well known; I currently listen to practically nothing else in my day-to-day. And a lot of what I occasionally hear (by accident, or passing by with loud speakers in a car on the road) I don''t care for. But I think whatever you like is fine, because that's your thing. And I hate it when someone tries to pass judgement on music they just don't like. Dude, get over yourself. Just be aware of the perils of old vinyl!

]]> Shared Culture (Like Yogurt) Stephen A. Schrum 00:16:49 There’s an old joke: What’s the difference between the small town you live in and yogurt? The answer is: yogurt has active culture. There’s an old joke: What’s the difference between the small town you live in and yogurt? The answer is: yogurt has active culture. music, prog, radio, classical, concert, vinyl, progressive rock, standing ovation false full 21 f49de7b2-e5c0-4670-9309-50681abd0b10 Self Portraits and Other Fables A few years back, I wrote a memoir called Immaculate Misconceptions: Tales from Catholic School. This episode contains some material from that volume, as well as a few additional stories.

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:20:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ A few years back, I wrote a memoir called Immaculate Misconceptions: Tales from Catholic School. This episode contains some material from that volume, as well as a few additional stories.

]]> Self Portraits and Other Fables Stephen A. Schrum 00:11:25 Growing up, they always told me never to discuss politics or religion. Well, here comes the religion! Growing up, they always told me never to discuss politics or religion. Well, here comes the religion! religion, catholic, impure thoughts, puberty, bestiality, faith, nun false full 20 3748a935-d953-4839-bb58-6fd0e7fb98b1 Wipe Your Feet All Ye Who Enter Here We often learn how to treat others through our personal experiences; we don't want to put someone through what we had been through. This is evident in the way I approach actors when I direct. And sometimes those actors, they just confound me!

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:15:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ We often learn how to treat others through our personal experiences; we don't want to put someone through what we had been through. This is evident in the way I approach actors when I direct. And sometimes those actors, they just confound me!

]]> Wipe Your Feet All Ye Who Enter Here Stephen A. Schrum 00:13:49 Some memorable moments in the theatre. Sometimes I am just baffled by what happens around me--and I'm the director; I'm supposed to be in charge! Some memorable moments in the theatre. Sometimes I am just baffled by what happens around me--and I'm the director; I'm supposed to be in charge! rehearsal, theatre, theater, iphigenia, actor, read-through, sophocles, golden showers, elevator pitch, audition, director false full 19 a34a1003-4d40-4d32-881f-5737288cf788 Job Interview Tales In Academia and Higher Ed, you expect to jump through a series of hoops when interviewing for a position. An interview can involve multiple days, many discussions, and several meals (and if you are lucky, the food is good at least). Some of my interviews left me checking right and left for Rod Serling to see if he was about to narrate the experience.

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:11:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ In Academia and Higher Ed, you expect to jump through a series of hoops when interviewing for a position. An interview can involve multiple days, many discussions, and several meals (and if you are lucky, the food is good at least). Some of my interviews left me checking right and left for Rod Serling to see if he was about to narrate the experience.

]]> Job Interview Tales Stephen A. Schrum 00:11:31 For the most part I like working in Academia, but sometimes the process of getting a job can veer into the Twilight Zone. For the most part I like working in Academia, but sometimes the process of getting a job can veer into the Twilight Zone. career, job search, job, higher ed, porn star, academia, interview, university, college false full 18 4b7f3d87-e5ed-4312-8737-022730ee9a09 Traveling I wrote much of this podcast at a conference in Las Vegas, which was held at a major casino resort hotel. While there, my toilet backed up twice in my hotel room—you know, when you pull a handle in Vegas you expect to win, but for me, with every flush, well, that was where the real gambling happened. And that's the way it is with a lot of travel--you throw the dice and hope for the best!

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:07:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I wrote much of this podcast at a conference in Las Vegas, which was held at a major casino resort hotel. While there, my toilet backed up twice in my hotel room—you know, when you pull a handle in Vegas you expect to win, but for me, with every flush, well, that was where the real gambling happened. And that's the way it is with a lot of travel--you throw the dice and hope for the best!

]]> Traveling Stephen A. Schrum 00:12:27 People keep telling me the destination IS the journey. But if that's true, why isn't traveling more fun? People keep telling me the destination IS the journey. But if that's true, why isn't traveling more fun? false full 17 5e00f413-8b76-4c7a-b952-3c8eb2fa0f6c TMI! When people say TMI, they generally mean, “too much information!” But when I hear that phrase I flash back to March 1979. I remember vividly hearing the fear in a woman's voice on the phone, asking if I thought she should evacuate the area and take her baby to safety. We'd received no orders to evacuate but how could I, a young DJ, tell her to just sit tight if she was so panicked?

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:05:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ When people say TMI, they generally mean, “too much information!” But when I hear that phrase I flash back to March 1979. I remember vividly hearing the fear in a woman's voice on the phone, asking if I thought she should evacuate the area and take her baby to safety. We'd received no orders to evacuate but how could I, a young DJ, tell her to just sit tight if she was so panicked?

]]> TMI! Stephen A. Schrum 00:13:23 TMI! Not too much information, but Three Mile Island. What were we all thinking as the nuclear reactor seemed on the verge of a meltdown in 1979? TMI! Not too much information, but Three Mile Island. What were we all thinking as the nuclear reactor seemed on the verge of a meltdown in 1979? radio, party, meltdown, tmi, reactor, college life, nuclear power, radiation false full 16 b74204e0-1890-462d-95af-02450dd61191 Radio Days In my life I have spent many hours listening to music, as many of us have. My experiences began with an old Japanese-made AM transistor radio (that still works!) and continue in the digital realm--though I still have my original vinyl. Can't see surrendering them just yet!

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 02:00:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ In my life I have spent many hours listening to music, as many of us have. My experiences began with an old Japanese-made AM transistor radio (that still works!) and continue in the digital realm--though I still have my original vinyl. Can't see surrendering them just yet!

]]> Radio Days Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:35 A brief personal history of my experiences with audio, from transistor AM radio on down to digitial music. A brief personal history of my experiences with audio, from transistor AM radio on down to digitial music. theatre, radio, fm, audio, cassette, am, vinyl, 8-track, podcast, sound design false full 15 1630006a-3219-4515-aaf9-f673c8f55cc1 Weak Medium The easiest way to put it is, "I do believe in ghosts!" I have experienced strange sensations in various locations that suggests that spirits do exist and can remain or haunt a place. But none of my pre-disposed beliefs prepared me for the moment when someone seemed to be possessed by an evil spirit right in front of me!

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 01:54:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ The easiest way to put it is, "I do believe in ghosts!" I have experienced strange sensations in various locations that suggests that spirits do exist and can remain or haunt a place. But none of my pre-disposed beliefs prepared me for the moment when someone seemed to be possessed by an evil spirit right in front of me!

]]> Weak Medium Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:26 One night, in the 1980s, the year a very popular movie happened to be Ghostbusters, when I was walking through the woods at a summer camp, having just heard and experienced a most compelling ghost story—I totally understood what the people of the Middle Ages must have been feeling. One night, in the 1980s, the year a very popular movie happened to be Ghostbusters, when I was walking through the woods at a summer camp, having just heard and experienced a most compelling ghost story—I totally understood what the people of the Middle Ages must have been feeling. medium, channel, ghosts, spirit, exorcism, spook, haunt, medieval false full 14 9f93fdff-8dfc-47eb-8de7-b69c406020c0 Steampunkin'! It turns out, my affinity for the Victorian era fed into a desire to get into Steampunk. And then I even created my own costume, and even entered my first costume contest at the age of 59. And the 10 year-old boy who lives inside me? He tried to stop me. Listen in and find out if he succeeded.

]]> Wed, 5 Sep 2018 01:46:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ It turns out, my affinity for the Victorian era fed into a desire to get into Steampunk. And then I even created my own costume, and even entered my first costume contest at the age of 59. And the 10 year-old boy who lives inside me? He tried to stop me. Listen in and find out if he succeeded.

]]> Steampunkin'! Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:52 I entered my first costume contest at the age of 59. And the 10 year-old boy who lives inside me? He tried to stop me. I entered my first costume contest at the age of 59. And the 10 year-old boy who lives inside me? He tried to stop me. cosplay, theatre, victorian, costume, steampunk false full 13 aa9e5bdd-7855-4394-bdeb-e5a37b1b89d7 Race Riots in York, 1969 People in York, PA still talk about those days. The unrest happening around the country came to us. Fires, shooting, National Guard...how quickly a place can devolve into a war zone. And for what--ridiculous outmoded ideas that we are somehow so different. Let's take another, closer, better look at others.

]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:07:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ People in York, PA still talk about those days. The unrest happening around the country came to us. Fires, shooting, National Guard...how quickly a place can devolve into a war zone. And for what--ridiculous outmoded ideas that we are somehow so different. Let's take another, closer, better look at others.

]]> Race Riots in York, 1969 Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:42 It was a decade of change, and when that change came to a my small city, it left ruins and dead in its wake. It was a decade of change, and when that change came to a my small city, it left ruins and dead in its wake. killing, arson, racism, civil rights, unrest, riots, race false full 12 102103f0-3a66-479d-94e8-272f470ce46d Welcome to Berzerkely! I attended the University of California, Berkeley for my PhD. Besides a solid education (and some real academic cred), I retained many memories of my time there--street people, social protests, and wild times.

]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:03:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I attended the University of California, Berkeley for my PhD. Besides a solid education (and some real academic cred), I retained many memories of my time there--street people, social protests, and wild times.

]]> Welcome to Berzerkely! Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:13 Ah, memories of the city of Berkeley, CA--certainly called Berzerkely for good reason! Ah, memories of the city of Berkeley, CA--certainly called Berzerkely for good reason! ucb, berkeley ca, telegraph avenue, berzerkely, street people, cal false full 11 4d540c97-ffd9-4b7e-b285-9db4e54d35a0 A Fun Workday: Thom McAn and the Pneumatic Tubes Yes, Thom McAn and the Pneumatic Tubes sounds like a band. What it was, however, was a fun workday. This is what happens when the manager of a shoe store decided to take a young employee in a tour of the building to check out the old pneumatic tube system. And no, that's not a euphemism. That's exactly what happened.

]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Yes, Thom McAn and the Pneumatic Tubes sounds like a band. What it was, however, was a fun workday. This is what happens when the manager of a shoe store decided to take a young employee in a tour of the building to check out the old pneumatic tube system. And no, that's not a euphemism. That's exactly what happened.

]]> A Fun Workday: Thom McAn and the Pneumatic Tubes Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:43 Yes, Thom McAn and the Pneumatic Tubes sounds like a band. What it was, however, was a fun workday. Yes, Thom McAn and the Pneumatic Tubes sounds like a band. What it was, however, was a fun workday. work, shoes, pneumatic tubes, old building, shoestore, thommcan false full 10 6ab4df84-5922-4eed-9ff2-e363b1ff2beb My Life in Coffee Coffee beans and human beans were meant to be the best of friends! While I had long flirted with the effects of caffeine in soft drinks, it wasn't until coffee that I truly solidified my relationship with the Bean. Note that I take my title from Stanislavsky's work, "My Life in Art," but what life is there without caffeine??

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:55:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Coffee beans and human beans were meant to be the best of friends! While I had long flirted with the effects of caffeine in soft drinks, it wasn't until coffee that I truly solidified my relationship with the Bean. Note that I take my title from Stanislavsky's work, "My Life in Art," but what life is there without caffeine??

]]> My Life in Coffee Stephen A. Schrum 00:11:06 Coffee beans and human beans were meant to be the best of friends! Coffee beans and human beans were meant to be the best of friends! coke, caffeinated, coca cola, addiction, coffee, caffeine false full 9 d1d71ce5-b83b-4016-bcbb-035940142233 Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Baby Machine When you find love, it can be amazing. When your love then no longer cares, it can be devastating. Why did this delightful and intelligent young woman think I want to shackle her in marriage, to be my "Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Baby Machine," when we hadn't even had our second date yet?

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:51:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ When you find love, it can be amazing. When your love then no longer cares, it can be devastating. Why did this delightful and intelligent young woman think I want to shackle her in marriage, to be my "Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Baby Machine," when we hadn't even had our second date yet?

]]> Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Baby Machine Stephen A. Schrum 00:11:00 I always thought of myself as a feminist, so when confronted with the charge of wanting to make a woman my "Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Baby Machine," I had to laugh! I always thought of myself as a feminist, so when confronted with the charge of wanting to make a woman my "Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Baby Machine," I had to laugh! dating, relationship, marriage, college false full 8 93a844e3-11fb-4e31-8c50-8ad2a2e2bde6 Agnes Flood, 1972 In 1972, my city experienced flooding from Hurricane Agnes. Hardly as devastating as more recent storms (Katrina, etc.), for me personally it was quite the upheaval. Inches of water in the basement, a day of bailing, news of flooding up and down the Susquehanna River. These events stay with you.

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:47:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ In 1972, my city experienced flooding from Hurricane Agnes. Hardly as devastating as more recent storms (Katrina, etc.), for me personally it was quite the upheaval. Inches of water in the basement, a day of bailing, news of flooding up and down the Susquehanna River. These events stay with you.

]]> Agnes Flood, 1972 Stephen A. Schrum 00:08:51 When it rains, it pours. And if it pours enough, to quote Peter Gabriel, here comes the flood! When it rains, it pours. And if it pours enough, to quote Peter Gabriel, here comes the flood! mother nature, hurricane, flooding, flood, hurricane agnes false full 7 94b0efaa-7f51-4cfc-9593-943b82449493 The Drought of 1966 Water conservation! New topic? No, I figured out that it was a good idea back in 1966. My city was experiencing a drought, and behaviors that started then are still with me today—in case we have more problems with water. And, with global climate change, that seems like it just might be an important issue...

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:44:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Water conservation! New topic? No, I figured out that it was a good idea back in 1966. My city was experiencing a drought, and behaviors that started then are still with me today—in case we have more problems with water. And, with global climate change, that seems like it just might be an important issue...

]]> The Drought of 1966 Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:22 Amazing how childhood experiences can create habits for life. That's what the The Drought of 1966 did for me. Amazing how childhood experiences can create habits for life. That's what the The Drought of 1966 did for me. rain, moisture, water, global warming, conservation, heat, summer, childhood, drought false full 6 64900b5f-3468-4f50-ab23-14841076bb0b The Key Theatre The Key Theatre was a second-run movie theatre in Hazleton, PA. For $1 you could see movies that you had missed not that long before. It was a great time--but what added to the experience was trying to decipher the marquee. With missing letters, sometimes titles were difficult to figure out, when they weren't downright incendiary!

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:40:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ The Key Theatre was a second-run movie theatre in Hazleton, PA. For $1 you could see movies that you had missed not that long before. It was a great time--but what added to the experience was trying to decipher the marquee. With missing letters, sometimes titles were difficult to figure out, when they weren't downright incendiary!

]]> The Key Theatre Stephen A. Schrum 00:08:21 I loved the films, but sometimes the marquee title would baffle me. I loved the films, but sometimes the marquee title would baffle me. theatre, racism, cinema, marquee, titles, hazleton pa, film, movies false full 5 0fccfc23-d021-489d-baf0-c1ce6a9e2a1d Bernie's Bagels They say you can't go home again. It's worse when you go back to visit somewhere and your favorite place to hang out is no more. This happened to me with Bernie's Bagels, where I spent many...okay, let's say interesting hours.

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:34:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ They say you can't go home again. It's worse when you go back to visit somewhere and your favorite place to hang out is no more. This happened to me with Bernie's Bagels, where I spent many...okay, let's say interesting hours.

]]> Bernie's Bagels Stephen A. Schrum 00:08:35 A tribute to Bernie's Bagels in Columbus, OH--but of course, also to o much more. A tribute to Bernie's Bagels in Columbus, OH--but of course, also to o much more. hangout, restaurant, heraclitus, bagels, columbus oh, can't go home false full 4 9698a592-17a5-4157-9cd6-a201d1c73821 Memorable Musical Performances Even though I am a theatre guy, I love music. Okay, some music. But I have attended a few concerts where I have had remarkable and, in one case, what I would consider to be a transformative experience. And this is why I force my students to go to theatre and music events.

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:30:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ Even though I am a theatre guy, I love music. Okay, some music. But I have attended a few concerts where I have had remarkable and, in one case, what I would consider to be a transformative experience. And this is why I force my students to go to theatre and music events.

]]> Memorable Musical Performances Stephen A. Schrum 00:10:26 Sometimes attending music performances and concerts can be a transformative experience. Sometimes attending music performances and concerts can be a transformative experience. education, music, teaching, students, concert, progressive rock false full 3 6a634c11-8b89-4605-996c-54df6de8342c OCD I have always exhibited some OCD-like tendencies. My wife has a cure for certain symptoms, but I am not sure it's done everything SHE hoped. In the meantime I revel in my glory as a completist. Is this OCD that I'm experiencing? Let's examine the symptoms and manifestations, and laugh at myself at the same time.

]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:10:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ I have always exhibited some OCD-like tendencies. My wife has a cure for certain symptoms, but I am not sure it's done everything SHE hoped. In the meantime I revel in my glory as a completist. Is this OCD that I'm experiencing? Let's examine the symptoms and manifestations, and laugh at myself at the same time.

]]> OCD Stephen A. Schrum 00:09:52 Is this OCD that I'm experiencing? Examining symptoms and manifestations, and laughing at myself at the same time. Is this OCD that I'm experiencing? Examining symptoms and manifestations, and laughing at myself at the same time. mst3fk, ocd, completist, cdo, mystery science theater 3000, aging false full 2 5c3e6a1e-9023-449b-a934-20cddf9babe3 Audio Chimera Podcast #1 Introduction You look at the title and say, "How do I pronounce it? What's it about? How did he have time, as a busy academic, to make a podcast?" These and many other questions are answered in this, the first in the series.

]]> Sun, 19 Aug 2018 23:58:00 +0000 phoracropolis@gmail.com (Stephen A. Schrum) https://musofyr.org/ You look at the title and say, "How do I pronounce it? What's it about? How did he have time, as a busy academic, to make a podcast?" These and many other questions are answered in this, the first in the series.

]]> Audio Chimera Podcast #1 Introduction Stephen A. Schrum 00:08:11 World, meet the new podcast, Audio Chimera. World, meet the new podcast, Audio Chimera. storytelling, memoir, introduction, memory, memories false full 1