A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

podcast

Podcast review: Overview

I’ve gotten into podcasts quite heavily as of late. 

Over the past several months as I’ve started walking more and trying to get the health under control, podcasts have been what I use. As much as I love music, sometimes the tunes aren’t enough for me. Insert podcasts, which I’ve always liked but I’ve always kept just a few. 

There’s one or two geocaching ones; a board games one; and a couple of professional wrestling ones. 

Some of them are just too long, though. As much as I like listening to them, I’m not into it taking me 3-4 days worth of walking to get through a podcast (and my walks, for the record, are usually in the 30-50 minute range). That made me search for others – ones that I could finish over the course of a day (I usually take two walks a day). 

Podcasts are definitely not everybody’s cup of tea, so to speak. Some people love them, some hate them. The big part is having to download them, or remember to. I don’t like everything on my phone, for example, so all of mine go to my iPod. 

This series is basically going to be my thoughts on podcasts I listen to. These reviews could be monthly, or a little more often, all depending. There won’t be any set days, so basically when I can sit down with my thoughts. I’ll give my positives, negatives, and anything else about the ones I’ve listened to, or tried to listen to. Most of them will be positive reviews, however, being if I am going to listen to something, I need to like it at least a little!

Currently, I’m deep into some true crime ones. I love true crime stories, especially when they are cases and such you might not know a lot about. There’s a few other “real life” ones I’ve been into as well, which have made my walks a bit more fun.

I also have been listening in the car to and from work, though once baseball season really takes over, that won’t happen as often. 

But with this, I’m interested in what some of you might listen to when it comes to podcasts. Despite not having a ton of extra time to add podcasts, I am interested in what might be out there that might draw me in. I’m not into the ones that are very current event-like, if not just for the fact that I tend to like to be able to get to them when I can. 

I’ve also learned a lot from these podcasts, which has been good as well. The world is a crazy place, as I’m sure most of us would agree. So, it’s nice that we can kind of see a different slice of it in other areas. 

I always wanted to start my own podcast. I thought it would be cool as I had friends who did them, but didn’t garner huge followings. I now realize, though, the amount of work podcasters put into these things. From the research to the recording, to editing and everything else, it’s crazy. There’s no way I would have the time or drive to do a podcast. Truthfully told, I likely wouldn’t have enough to say about one subject to get people interested in it anyway. 

Instead, I’ll keep listening. There are some great ones out there and I love the ones I’m subscribed to, and I can’t wait to find more that interest me. 

How about you? Do you listen to podcasts? And what are your favorites?

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

The world of podcasts

Since getting a new car earlier this year and having satellite radio return to my life, I haven’t been as in tune to podcasts as I once was.

I also swore I had blogged about this before, but couldn’t find the post … so I figured I’d try it again.

I still have a few that I love listening to (and I’ll list them below in a moment), but I’m in search for some new ones to add to the rotation. I’m hoping others will be able to comment and give me some ideas of good ones out there.

Below is the current list of podcasts I listen to:

1. The Still Real To Us Show (https://www.facebook.com/TheStillRealToUsShow/)

This is basically the only wrestling podcast  I listen to on a weekly basis. Though centered on WWE for the most part, they do a nice job with what’s going on and giving opinion. I think what I like best is that they are just fans and don’t hide that fact.

2. Geocaching Podcast (http://geocachingpodcast.com/)

I try to listen to this one each week as I like that it’s not too long and it covers some good things in the world of geocaching. Because I don’t geocache as much as I used to, it’s nice to get some news and insight from a podcast. Those that host the show are pretty solid, too, and it’s not too “vanilla.”

3. The Dice Tower (http://www.dicetower.com/)

This is the best board game podcast out there, at least of ones I’ve listened to. They cover a lot in the industry, have excellent segments, and give good insight. Also, they go through games they’ve played and I’ve found I have some similar interests with the hosts, so it’s good to get their feelings on some games.

4. Cardboard Insanity (http://blog.cardboardinsanity.com/)

Another board game podcast done by a solid dude who loves games. It’s a little more in-depth, but there’s some good things with it. Worth giving a listen if you love board gaming.

Sometimes:

Podcacher: another geocaching podcast, but definitely with a family friendly flare. There a lot of games and such that they bring to you and the quality is high. I listen to it at times, but not every week.

Wooooo Nation: I basically try and listen when somebody interests me, but Ric Flair is pretty awesome no matter the guest. However, it’s been on hiatus since like April and the co-host Tweeted a bit back that Flair terminated his contract with the company they do the podcast with, so we’ll see where it goes.

Talk is Jericho: Top-of-the-line wrestling podcast with Chris Jericho.

Ross Report: Wrestling podcast with Jim Ross.

****

So, do any of you listen to podcasts? Got any good ones to recommend? My interests are things I blog about – baseball, geocaching, photography etc.

I’d love to find a good baseball one, but I many are daily and I kind of like the one or two times a week type of podcast. That way, if I get behind, it doesn’t take as long to catch up with things. And, obviously, if there’s a good Phillies podcast out there, I’d be more than happy to take a listen to that one.

Outside of that – what are your podcast listening tendencies? Do it at work? In the car? At home? With podcasts getting bigger and bigger, it’s interesting to see how people utilize that medium.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Ten Things of Thankful: Moving on with high spirits

I figured this week is probably a good one to do my second go at the Ten Things of Thankful. To say I have a lot of things to be thankful for is probably an understatement.

With that in mind, I’m going to find my 10 things and take part in Lizzi’s weekly challenge.

Realize, some of these will be about the same sort of topic — the job. And, of course, I’ll be throwing some other things in there as well.

So, without blabbing any further, here’s my 10 things.

1. Opportunity

This goes without saying. If you read my Friday post (and if you didn’t, I would highly encourage you to do so!), you know I’m gainfully employed again. Words can’t express enough how appreciative I am for this opportunity.

2. Timing

This is one of those jobs that moved fast. I got my stuff in a couple of days before the deadline, had the interview a handful of days later and then had the offer the next day. Talk about things working together in strong timing!

3. Interview

OK, I’m not always the best interview. Sometimes I think I do well and others I don’t. It hasn’t mattered much in recent years as it’s all ended with the same result. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I had an interview. I walked out figuring I wouldn’t get an offer and didn’t. But this one? Yeah. I rocked it and thought that. I left with cautious optimism and, in the end, it turns out the interview was solid.

4. Friends and family

The past three years have been tough. Without friends and family, I’d have been fully lost. I opened my guard up a little on this situation and, after I got the chance, I posted about it on Facebook (after contacting some people). The outpouring of comments was extremely humbling and words can’t describe how thankful I am.

5. Being well-rounded

OK, this is the last thankful that will go with the job stuff. But one think I learned at a few past stops on the job train was being well-rounded is important. I think it really helped me here as I showed confidence in every aspect that will be needed for this gig.

6. The Blogging World

I can’t express how important blogging has become to me. What a great community. It has been such an important part of my life and hopefully, it will continue. I find surprises every day and I want that to continue. I have some ideas I am going to start working on for my blog and it’s my hope it will entertain readers!

7. Podcasts

OK, I’m a little behind the time here. But I am really starting to get into podcasts. Some are really awesome. I’ll be blogging about one or two of them in the near future, but I want to keep finding high-quality podcasts to listen to. As much as I love driving to music, being able to listen to a quality podcast makes drives much faster!

8. Milk

A few weeks back, I stepped on a nail. I had to go to the ER and, then, a second time. At that point, I got an antibiotic I needed to take for 10 days. Dairy could only be had at certain times when taking this, so I basically avoided it. When the 10 days came and went, I had a big glass of milk. I really do love milk and it’s nice to be able to have a glass whenever I want!

9. Championship weekend

I’m also thankful that, for the second straight year, my niece is playing for a state championship in girls soccer. She’s but just a junior, and she starts on the squad this year. Last year, they lost in the final. Here’s hoping that changes this year.

10. Challenges

I really do enjoy challenges. I need to keep on top of them a bit more, but I do love ’em. Whether writing, photo or whatever else, they are a bit of fun. And with that, here’s another Ten Things of Thankful.

Ten Things of Thankful

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!