random bits

[cellio]

Erik is continuing to recover. He might be able to come home tomorrow -- yay!

Our congregation is currently looking for an associate rabbi, and I managed to get myself onto the search committee. I'm glad to be able to play this role, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to see this process up close. We conducted our first phone interview this morning; in some ways it's not that different from interviewing programmers. Sure, the domain is rather different, but either way, you want to try to figure out how the candidate goes about solving problems, how he works with others, and so on.

The user interface on my cell phone is worse than it first appears. Someone left me voice mail, which I listened to but didn't immediately act on. I figured I could always go back to the "recent messages" menu item to re-hear it. Nope -- no way to do that through that interface. The secret for getting to the voice-mail box is that it's on speead-dial #1 -- which is in the manual, but I shouldn't have to consult the manual for something like that. Putting it on speed-dial is fine, but it should also be linked from the menu that is otherwise about messages. Sheesh.

Dani brought home a book of poetry called Now We Are Sick. That, and that it is edited by Neil Gaiman (and Stephen Jones, who I otherwise don't know) should tell you something about the amount of twistedness in the content.

My copy of "Clam Chowder: Kosher" (new DVD) arrived yesterday. This is a collection of songs from several years' worth of concerts that they actually have publication rights for (mostly traditional, out-of-copyright, and self-written material). It's a good collection. That it was recorded from the back of the hall is obvious; the resolution isn't as good as you'd expect from settings where they can put cameras everywhere they want. But it's good enough. The only regret I have in watching it is that I know there were some fun "audience gags" at some of those concerts (I was there), but none of those were included. Some can't be becuase the songs weren't; for example, the Vegetable Liberation Front, or maybe it was People for the Ethical Treatment of Vegetables, showed up for "Carrot Juice is Murder" one year, but that song isn't on the DVD. On the other hand, I remember uniformed flag-waving folks parading in for one performance of "Ye Jacobites By Name", which is on the DVD, but that's not the version they used. One of the things that makes Clam Chowder special is the relationship they have with the audience; I wish that had come out more on the DVD.

Comments

[kyleri]

Erik is continuing to recover.

Oh, that's a relief.

Re: the lack of funny bits on the Clams new DVD - maybe the version of Jacobites they used was enough better musically that they thought it was worth it...?

But, yeah. It's a pity...those funny bits we get every year are one of my favorite parts of the concert...

[cellio]

maybe the version of Jacobites they used was enough better musically that they thought it was worth it...?

That's my guess, yes. Pity, though.

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

We had the same reaction to the Clams DVD. Megan said something like "It seems like Dr. G used the most boring version of each of the songs!"

"Carrot Juice is Murder?"

[chaiya.livejournal.com]

Is that like "Carrot Juice Constitutes Murder" by The Arrogant Worms? (http://www.arrogant-worms.com/) Maybe there were copyright issues involved?

Re: "Carrot Juice is Murder?"

[cellio]

That's the song. So yes, they would have had to get permission, and managing that paperwork is a PITA, so I understand why they didn't. Sure, I would have liked to have the prank, but I'm not saying they should have included it.

Re: "Carrot Juice is Murder?"

[dr-zrfq.livejournal.com]

Yes and yes. Every song on the DVD is either Traditional, or Copyright Expired, or written by one or more Clams, or (in two specific cases) used with permission. (I suspect Dr. G just didn't want to take the time to track it all down for the copyrighted stuff; e.g. the Clams (http://members.aol.com/sirharper/chowder/) already recorded "Carrot Juice Is Murder" on their At High Tide (http://www.twig.com/echos_children/Chowder1.htm) CD; they got permission that time, and if Dr. G had asked I'm sure he'd have been able to secure permission *this* time.)

Re: "Carrot Juice is Murder?"

[cellio]

I can completely understand not wanting to do the paperwork hassle. There's also something to be said for including songs you haven't recorded before in preference to ones you have. (Yes, I know that some of the stuff on Kosher has been previously recorded.)

[mikekn]

Any ideas where I might be able to get a copy of the DVD? (Although, I suspose I should check with the dealers at Philcon before seeking a mail-order source)

[cellio]

You can contact Eric at drgandalf at pobox dot com. He'll be at Philcon, though I didn't ask if he'll have DVDs for sale there. (I kind of assume so.)

[mikekn]

Thanks!

[madfilkentist]

Good to hear about Erik. If White Hart is carrying the DVD, I'll look for it at Arisia.

[cellio]

Eric (Dr. Gandalf) is selling them by mail order (I didn't ask about dealers). His address is drgandalf at pobox dot com (he said I could give it to people).