» Fringe Blog – Writing on Film, Culture, and Things on the Fringe

Blogging Sufferage

jelewis8 — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:53:55 +0000

Blogging ain’t what it used to be. Or more accurately, I’m not what I used to be. Blogging has become, unfortunately, a leisure I no longer have time to afford, though that will hopefully be changing over the next month or so. Due to the time constraints, I’ve had virtually no time to do any writing at all, and the end result has been that Fringe has suffered.
I trust all twenty of my regular visitors will understand.
For now, I’ll be recycling some old posts, some doozies and quality entries from my heyday of prolific blogging about writing, writing about blogging, and everything mundane and trivial in between. Hopefully, as things lighten up for me, I’ll begin to add more original stuff again. I beg your indulgence in the interim.
Oh yes, a quick note about the film listed on the sidebar, 13 Months of Sunshine is screening in Washington DC as part of the Ethiopian Millennium Celebration on September 9. I’ll be attending, along with my fellow producers. With the documentary footage we’re shooting, we hope to raise some eyebrows and interest from distributors. I’ll try and keep everyone updated on the film as it progresses to its final state and forward.

Fringecast 18

jelewis8 — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 23:44:03 +0000

When in doubt, dig deep and find all the segments you didn’t like the first time and repackage them as a “Lost Episode.” That’s what we did here, and it worked out pretty well for us. We’re raking in the cash…
In this amazing Fringecast, we discuss non-violent, peaceful terrorism, guerilla weddings, why guys like long hair on chicks, a Coors Light beer commercial that seems unaware of its rather confusing beer accolades, Amish who pimp their buggies, and the boys review Jeremiah’s new book based on its cover alone.
It’s too good to miss. Check out the iTunes feed and bless the server with your hit. You may also download the episode directly in mp3 format. The Fringecast XML feed is available through a feed reader. All shows are archived by date, and can be accessed on the right hand sidebar.
Music was provided for free by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. It’s more than a network. It’s a place with free music.

Fringecast 11

jelewis8 — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 08:42:49 +0000

We’ve got Superman on the brain as we contemplate the arrival of the new Superman Returns by comparing DC Comics to Marvel, and then taking it a step further and creating a Superhero Ratings Council, which does exactly what it sounds like. Tim relates a disturbing story about him and a Bible story character, and Joe and I discuss the experience of babysitting and our observations of the use of a baby to attract the ladies. Then there is a frank and honest discussion of proper usage and technique for toilet paper. Listen if you dare.
The current episode is here (direct download), or you can listen to the iTunes feed. The XML feed can be accessed directly as well.
Previous episodes are on the sidebar. Music came from the Podshow Podsafe Network, which provides free music for podcasters to use without worrying about licensing issues. It’s more than the UN does for anyone!

Fringecast 10

jelewis8 — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:53:46 +0000

Whether it’s contracting avian flu or stealing recycleables, or simply pitting Joe versus John in a hair contest, the Fringecast crew has put together a delightful 10th Episode with all the class and sass you’re used to. It’s free, and people love free crap, even if it’s the worst thing to come down the pike, so start downloading and telling your friends about the new episode.
Check it out here (direct download), or listen to the iTunes feed. The XML feed can be accessed directly as well.
Previous episodes are on the sidebar. Music came from the Podshow Podsafe Network, which provides free music for podcasters to use without worrying about licensing issues. Cheerio, podcast music giver-awayer for free-ers!
UPDATE: Afraid our podcast was reducing the number of hits to their own terror cell website, a terrorist of unknown ethnic origin captured me and forced me to put up a bad URL for the Fringecast. Thankfully, I escaped to correct the error. Sorry about that. I blame Bush.

Fringecast 9

jelewis8 — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 08:01:39 +0000

Have you ever wondered about face transplants? Have you ever wondered if Jesus ever had a son but didn’t want to plunk down $13.00 to see The Da Vinci Code and find out the truth? Did you ever consider making an ice cream float with “real” beer? Do you live in Boston and require instantaneous weather updates? This Fringecast probably won’t give you any meaningful information on any of those counts, but at least we try, and dang it, that’s more than most people are doing these days.
Check it out here (direct download), or listen to the iTunes feed. The XML feed can be accessed directly as well.
Previous episodes are on the sidebar. Music came from the Podshow Podsafe Network, which provides free music for podcasters to use without worrying about licensing issues. Thanks as usual go out to all the sucke…artists who have so generously provided their work.

A Small Advertising Scheme

jelewis8 — Tue, 02 May 2006 17:34:31 +0000

I was offered some advertising revenue in exchange for five subdomains, which would point to advertisements for various services or products. Advertising on this site has always been a sore subject for me. I just don’t like it, I don’t want it, and I don’t want to subject my audience to it, however small or large a group you are. However, I’ve been trying to manuever Fringe slowly toward marketability on the web so that I am no longer coming up short on the hosting and bandwidth costs. As I’ve added features (the Fringecast being the major one of late), I have noticed a jump in usage. Eventually, if trends continue, this will result in a necessary increase in server space and bandwidth alottment.
As you may or may not know, I placed text link advertisements on the sidebar three months ago. Partially as an experiment to see how they would affect the user experience (I’m a user as well, so I considered myself a valid participant in the project) and to see if I might turn it into a sustainable source of site income. As advertising goes, it’s pretty subtle, not at all in your face or annoying, nor is it tricky. I have to give the advertiser points for not stipulating special placement or promotion requirements other than asking they be placed on the majority of pages on Fringe. This I was able to do quite easily, and the result has been a not unpleasant experience.
So when I was given this new advertising offer, which included doubling last quarter’s total bounty, I was most certainly tempted.
However, a little research drummed up two recent cases of this exact advertising model, which resulted in both sites getting hammered by the blogosphere (or parts anyway) regarding the ethics of said model, as well as Google manually removing the sites in question from its index. Without getting into the specifics of why it’s a slim shady methodology or the “how does this benefit the world?” style ponderings, the simple fact is, it does not meet my criteria for being an honest form of advertising, and though I was seriously tempted to go with it, I decided in the end not to agree to the new advertising scheme.
The nice thing is I will continue to host the old ads for at least another quarter, which will be a nice stipend for site costs. Fringecast has successfully driven up my traffic as hoped, though the increased bandwidth is something that will have to be addressed at some point. I’m confident that when the time comes to realign our current status, Fringe will have some potentially cool merch (“Moichendizing! Moichendizing!”) with which to tantalize your senses (and your wallet).
Without tooting my own horn, this has been a good opportunity to revive my old reasons for keeping this site up. I love doing it, and I love entertaining people. I think Fringe has found a niche audience and will continue to be successful as long as I stick to my principles. In the end, I want to keep Fringe as pure as I can, which is why I now renew my vow not to resort to flashy advertising methods to keep the site afloat. Whether the money comes or goes is a transient issue. What’s at stake is my soul (aka, Google pagerank).
In other news, I am going to be designing the website for the Conservatory, which as most of you know is my favourite coffee hangout spot. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to create the web look and feel of the site, and am excited to work with AJ and the rest of the brew crew without having to make my own lattes. And I can legitimately write off my expenditures there now. Living the dream, baby.
New masthead, new Fringe tagline, and a new month. It’s the simple things. See ya tomorrow.

Fringecast 7

jelewis8 — Mon, 01 May 2006 07:00:18 +0000

Delving deep into the roots of Fringeblog, we’ve got an exciting and yet another controversial Fringecast for you, dealing with the devisive political issues tearing this country in two–namely, political fundraising phonecalls and their polarizing effect on everyday average Joes like you and me and Joe Blum. If you have ever wondered which way the toilet seat sanitary cover goes, you no longer have to guess and make a fool (and a mess) of yourself in a public place. And our solution to the debates over evolution and environmental concerns are both addressed and solved, all under five minutes.
Fringecast 7 (direct link) awaits your curious ears. Here’s the iTunes Fringecast feed, and the XML feed can be accessed directly.
Previous episodes are on the sidebar, as usual. I’m also supposed to put up a link to the Podshow Podsafe Network, so as to avoid the odious and stern glare of the MP3 overlords, so there you go. Also, for the latter half of the show, here’s Isaac Asimov’s The Last Question.

A Bit Of Slackage

jelewis8 — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 23:44:36 +0000

I hope to resume regular posting tomorrow. In the meantime, please check out the fine links on the sidebar.

Fringecast 5

jelewis8 — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 09:51:26 +0000

Yes, it’s another wonderful Fringecast adventure (direct download), programmed by the latest in humour simulation bots designed by geniuses in white suits who make more money than the President of the United Arab Emirates. Believe me, you won’t want to miss this one, as Joe, Tim, and I, along with movie reviewer John Irwin, bring you some of the most spectacular Fringecast content seen since last episode!
Check out the XML feed or if you’re more of an iTunes person, we’ve got the hookup. Previous episodes can be found on the righthand sidebar.
I’m supposed to shill for the following websites: Podsafe Podshow Network. So…go visit it. Now.

Pinsching Myself Awake

jelewis8 — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:46:30 +0000

Do you ever notice in dreams how if you’re running, you can never quite run the way you know you’re capable of running? You’ll be trying to escape from a crazed serial killer, or a giant doberman pinscher, or a crazed serial pincher, and your legs. Just. Won’t. Go. They’re like jello settling into concrete, and inside your dream you’re mentally flagellating yourself for your insipid inability to run.
Then you wake up and discover your arms and legs have lost feeling because you’ve cut off their blood flow in your sleep. At least, that’s what happened to me this morning. It’s a dissatisfying feeling waking up from dreamland inadequacy. It makes facing the day less about getting things done and more about measuring up to mean expectations.
I’m working like gangbusters on several different projects, so I’ll have to keep this short and sweet. Why don’t you visit some of the sites on my sidebar while you wait for me to come back around? Or listen to one of four Fringecast episodes, also to your right. I’ll be back tomorrow.