AmeriNZ Podcast

I start today with some important updates on access to my podcast. There will be a new site and a new feed, but you don’t need to do anything yet. I’ll give you plenty of warning before change is needed.

Then I give you some updates on topics from earlier episodes.

I share a couple news items: Another Bush-Cheney official, an anti-gay ideologue, is facing criminal investigation. Also, an Australian survey has found that men in that country are changing—becoming “pansies” as one Aussie moron put it.

In honour of New Zealand Music Month, my outtro today is “Queen of a World” by NZ performer Monique Rhodes from the Podsafe Music Network on music.podshow.com. Complete links are on my shownotes.

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or ring my US listener line on (206) 339-8413. You can also email me at arthur{at]amerinz.com (or the old address at amerinz(at]yahoo.com).

I’m finally back, and I start out telling you why this was so delayed. It’s actually a meander through my life recently. I’m going to be more relaxed about my podcasting schedule.

A listener email then lets me compare petrol prices in Australia, the US and New Zealand. Some of you don’t know how lucky you are. Then it’s on to comments, and especially some voice messages that piled up.

I’m planning on doing an episode soon specifically about moving to New Zealand. If there are things you’d like to know, or like others to know, just send me an email or ring the listener line.

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or ring my US listener line on (206) 339-8413. You can also email me at arthur{at]amerinz.com (or the old address at amerinz(at]yahoo.com).

Today I tell you about an iconic Kiwi company that’s decided to ditch New Zealand for Asia. Then, underwear boy may be heading for France. Did cavemen say, “G’day mate?” The ANZAC Day Public Holiday is a week from today, and I may not be posting an episode that day. So, I may only have one episode next week.

Slap Upside The Head just celebrated a birthday—congratulations! Then, I tell you the truth about iTunes reviews. I mention a few emails, then go on to comments.

My outtro today is “Bearing Witness” by Kiwi performer Monique Rhodes from the Podsafe Music Network on music.podshow.com. Complete links are on my shownotes.

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or ring my US listener line on (206) 339-8413. You can also email me at arthur{at]amerinz.com (or the old address at amerinz(at]yahoo.com).

This is part two of a two-part conversation with Tim Corrimal. You can find part one over at Tim’s site (http://timcorrimal.com/?p=103). In part two, we turn a little serious, talking about the circus that is the US presidential election. The media plays games, and often favourites. Perceptions affect a lot. People need to pay close attention to whoever McCain picks as his running mate.

There’s plenty of silliness, too, and we end the conversation talking about time differences, which leads us to Trek-out. A phone message and a few comments on my episodes follow. There’s even a WMBYS-style outtake at the very end.

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or ring my US listener line on (206) 339-8413. You can also email me at Arthur{at]amerinz.com (or the old address at amerinz(at]yahoo.com).

Today is a normal day, so I’m going to tell you about a few things in the New Zealand news. New Zealand has become the first developed country in the world to sign a free trade deal with China. That does that mean? A NZ professor has called for a tax on butter (it won’t happen). A new survey claims that about 20% of New Zealanders back nuclear energy—or do they? There’s also a New Zealand fact with a Google tip. Comments follow next, with more about the topics discussed in them.

The outtro today is “I Still Remember” by Bloc Party, from the Podsafe Music Network at music.podshow.com, or at http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=2f348ad33241b388753c74ed48324d96

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or ring my US listener line on (206) 339-8413. You can also email me at Arthur{at]amerinz.com (or the old address at amerinz(at]yahoo.com).

Today is (our puppy) Jake’s first birthday! It’s a day for celebration, and I’m feeling a bit silly, I guess. I kid around a lot, and I deliver one joke totally seriously. Can you spot it? I start out today talking about Australia and New Zealand and the way people from one country don’t like to be confused with people from the other. I even give an expat tip. After that, it’s on to some items from the news that I think are funny. Did you hear about the world’s oldest recording? After that, it’s comments from two episodes.

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or ring my US listener line on (206) 339-8413. You can also email me at Arthur{at]amerinz.com (or the old address at amerinz(at]yahoo.com).

It’s my first anniversary as a podcaster—my podoversary. As I begin my second year, I continue pretty much as I did in my first year. First, I share some of what’s been going on, before congratulatory messages allow me to comment further on my podcast and related topics. It’s an easy-going episode this week, and next week it’s back to normal. Thanks to everyone who’s listened to me over the past year—I appreciate everyone. This episode was run through Levelator because of all the phone messages, so if the sound is different, that’s why. Thank you all!

Four hours it took me to upload this episode…

A kamikaze phone message starts today’s episode. It’s the autumnal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere today, though we say Autumn began on March 1. We’re coming up on a four day holiday weekend, the Easter Weekend. Two days have total trading bans.

I tell you more than I usually do about what’s going on with us, then it’s on to a topic: Bad coffee. I have many comments to go over today, including another phone comment.

I give you a reason to support whoever the Democratic nominee is, and for defeating John McSame. Two words: Supreme Court. McSame would appoint more extremists to the Court and we’d all suffer from that.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413. You can email email me (won’t be read on the podcast) at arthur{at)amerinz.com (you can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com).

Tuesday was cloudy, today is rainy. I’m recording a short episode today—I realised that I have trouble keeping up with short episodes of other podcasts, so maybe I should try and keep my episodes short, too. We’re coming up on a four day weekend in New Zealand, and I have some extra time at the part-time job, so my podcasting schedule is adjusted. Beards are causing all sorts of trouble in Papakura, NZ. A gay Iranian refugee may or may not be deported to his execution by Britain. Stay tuned—WILL be following this.

Comments give me the chance to say I couldn’t care less who McCain chooses for VP because there’s no way I’ll vote for him/them. NZ is way better on prostitution than the US.

My one year anniversary of podcasting is the end of the month, so you still have time to send me a message. Ring my US listener line or email an MP3 to amerinz@podOmatic.com.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

It’s a cloudy Tuesday in Auckland, the perfect day for a chat. Today I’ll update you on some things that have been going on with me lately. Then, I talk about a few things in the news: The British are talking about kids pledging allegiance to the Queen, and I tell you what I think that’s about. Then, the Seven Deadly Sins, which Kiwis don’t believe in or, if they do, it’s Lust that gets ‘em. A report on fast food shows Kiwis eat a lot of flesh. Christian fanatics in my old area of Illinois are trying to get a book banned. Comments give me the chance to add my bit.

Be sure to donate to Holly’s Walk for the Animals for the Animal Humane Society! http://events.animalhumanesociety.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1121761&pg=personal&fr_id=1060

My one year anniversary of podcasting is the end of the month, so you still have time to send me a message. Ring my US listener line or email an MP3 to amerinz@podOmatic.com.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

This has been a very big week in American politics: The Republican campaign ended, and the Democratic one didn’t. Today Holly from “We’re Mean Because You’re Stupid Podcast” joins me for a wide-ranging, and unashamedly biased, political discussion.

Who could be John McCain’s running mate? One name mentioned is the governor of Holly’s state. So, what’s he like? We’ve never heard of many of the other people being mentioned.

We don’t have much patience with Democrats who say it’s their candidate or nothing. We think it’s childish. Both Clinton and Obama are better than McCain. I think that Democrats have to be smarter in presenting their campaign and stop trying to argue a liberal or progressive position on conservative issues. We think the Dems have to avoid being “swift boated” again.

Catch Holly's podcast at: http://weremeanbecauseyourestupid.blogspot.com/

My one year anniversary of podcasting is the end of the month, so you still have time to send me a message. Ring my US listener line or email an MP3 to amerinz@podOmatic.com.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

I didn’t mean to go a week between podcasts. I start out telling you why that was. Then, I talk about Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, along with Air New Zealand’s “Pink Flight” between San Francisco and Sydney. Some American gay men need to get over themselves.

A new lesbian MP was sworn into Parliament yesterday. I talk a bit about that, and a little more about New Zealand’s structure. I’ll talk more about that more after the US primaries are over.

There’s a little meta talk about running out of storage on Podomatic and what I might do about it. That pops again in the comments.

Do Kiwis have sex more often than Americans?

My one year anniversary of podcasting is the end of the month, so you still have time to send me a message. Ring my US listener line or email an MP3 to amerinz@podOmatic.com.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

On today’s episode, we have big money in New Zealand. That’s up first. Then, a German backpacker got in trouble and had to clean up. Another backpacker cleaned-up financially. Apple’s iPhone maybe illegal in Australia. It was the NZ Prime Minister’s birthday yesterday. The NZ election draws near, and that means some political talk, both about NZ and the US. Comments round out this episode. And of course you’ll find shownotes and links over at my blog, amerinz.com.

Don’t forget to listen to or download my older episodes! My first anniversary of podcasting is at the end of March.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Today’s is a short episode, and that relates to my first topic: I’m running out of storage space on Podomatic, so I’ll soon take down my earliest episodes. If you ever wanted to listen to or download them, now’s the time! In about a week or so, I’ll be deleting my earliest episodes.

Okay, so I messed up some things on the answers to the questions on the last episode. Deal with it! Did you know that the light in New Zealand and Australia is different? Researchers say that it is and matters. Our petrol is bloody expensive compared to America. A conference was held in New Zealand to ban cluster bombs. The USA boycotted the meeting. Surprise! The United Kingdom may soon cut off residency access to some Commonwealth citizens. Comments including a voice letter round out this episode. Nigel will be back!

Don’t forget to listen to or download my older episodes!

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Today’s episode is a ramble through miscellany, inspired by a recent podcast from Tom, the Ramble Redhead, in which he answered questions he received in an email. You’ll probably know me a bit better after listening. I also steal an idea from another of Tom’s podcasts: Playing a bunch of clips from other podcasters talking about me (because, ya know, I can).

A little New Zealand news rounds out the episode, including some gay news. Then it’s comments to finish, along with an update to Episode 72.

Clips featured are from: Feast of Fools, We’re Mean Because You’re Stupid, Ongline Podcast, My Gay Two Cents, ArcherRadio, Big Fatty Online, Ramble Redhead.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

I begin with a discussion of the Australian Prime Minister finally saying “sorry” to Aborigines. After a sound clip and some explanation, I include the special perspective of a guest commentator, an Australian who talks about how this was received, then about the topic of compensation and more. How does all this compare to New Zealand? From there it’s on to a talk about iTunes and a real surprise. That gives me a chance to tell you a bit more about where I’m coming from. Comments round out today’s episode.

From my perspective, this is what podcasts are all about—real people talking about what’s really happening, without the mainstream media filtering it. Let me know what you think.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Joining me today is Nik Dirga, a journalist and a fellow American ex-pat who lives in Auckland (which makes him an AmeriAuck) with his wife and son. This is the first time I’ve had a chat with another American living in Auckland. We talk about Nik’s experiences as an expat, what his impressions of New Zealand are, and how all that relates to others who may be thinking of becoming an expat.

Check out Nik’s blog at http://spatulaforum.blogspot.com/, where there’s a link to his book, “Spatula Forum”.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Archerr and Jason again join me for a political chat as we try and bring a little clarity to recent events. Mitt Romney has suspended his campaign: What does that means for the McCain and the Republicans? Super Tuesday produced no clear winner for Democrats, but does that mean that we’re heading for a brokered convention? Pundits and spin: There was plenty of that on the Super Tuesday coverage. Who might be the vice presidential candidates for the two parties? All that and plenty of opinion, too.

You can find Archerr at http://www.archerradio.com/ and Jason at http://jasonsviewfromdc.blogspot.com/

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

America is ready for change. I wouldn’t change NZ for anywhere. A NZ-US free trade deal is in the works again. Or not. The changes to my blog have started. You’ll be able to relax.

America desperately needs change, and what’s important is that we stay focused on that. New Zealand is a great place to live, so don’t believe all the propaganda about Australia being better for Kiwis. A NZ-US free trade deal as part of a package with other nations may be considered by the US. But it’s limited. Finally, I update the changes to my blog and give you some rest.

I’m recording a new political discussion via Skype on Thurday, February 7, at 7:30pm EST (US) time. You're welcome to join us.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

New Zealand’s clean and green is a bit faded. A NZ website has a bout of homophobia, while an American comedian will go pink for New Zealand. If you’re happy and you know it, you’re probably not 44. I give you a chance to make fun of me—and John Ong is everywhere.

The NZ government’s newest report on the environment, "Environment New Zealand 2007", has found things that aren’t right, and some that are, with NZ’s environment.

An NZPA news story on two NZ websites carried two headlines, one homophobic. I complained.

An American comedian will go pink, there’s happiness to come, and there are developments with my blog, new Frapprs and iTunes reviews. And new email addresses, too.

I'm recording a new political discussion via Skype on Thurday, February 7 at 7:30pm EST (US) time. You're welcome to join us.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email a comment to comment(at]amerinz.com, or send a personal email to me (won’t be read on the podcast) to arthur{at)amerinz.com. You can also still use my other address, amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

This episode: Auckland had a holiday weekend. Thousands were amused, if only to have a three-day weekend in summer. Christian youth in New Zealand parachuted to music. New Zealand's election campaign is underway, sort of.

First up today, I tell you about Auckland Anniversary Day, which was yesterday. That means talking a bit about why there are no provinces in New Zealand. But there's also something about how the day is celebrated, and how our own holiday weekend went.

Some 27,000 youth took part in Parachute, a Christian, so-called, youth music festival. It's the largest outside the US. TV News coverage of it was a bit creepy, I thought.

New Zealand's 2008 election campaign got underway today, sort of. The Leader of the Opposition gave a speech today, and tomorrow the Prime Minister will do the same. This is unusual, and I tell you what's behind it all. The real, official election campaign won't begin until later this year.

A recently-passed law has given me pause. I tell you why, even though, on the whole, I think it's a good law. This also means talking a bit about recent NZ political history.

In Australian news, the Aussie Foreign Minister is in the US and has said that his country's leaving Iraq won't harm US/Australian relations. Australia will also be keeping their citizenship tests. I'm not a big fan of such tests, and I'll tell you why.

Comments create the opportunity for my podcast to be part of ArcherRadio. And more, of course.

Happy belated birthday to David Byrd of That Blue Jeans Guy and to “the Boyfriend” (as in Archerr's boyfriend).

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz[at) yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

A new study ranks New Zealand number 7 in the word. It doesn't matter on what, exactly, because New Zealanders are fascinated by what other people think of the country. A dead New Zealand Prime Minister is causing a stink in Northern Ireland. Kiwis love classic rock—or do they?

Today is a mixed bag as I talk about a few small things about New Zealand. There are comments, of course, and I give you a brief update on something in in my professional life. There are even some updates from the pod-o-sphere.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz(at}yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Today is a both sweet and sour. I've just finished celebrating my birthday, which was really good. But today was the state funeral for Sir Edmund Hillary, which was sad. Today, I talk about both.

First I talk about Sir Ed's funeral, and explain a little bit about how much he meant to New Zealanders. He was an extraordinary man, and we'll probably never again see anyone like him.

Then it's on to a lighter topic—my birthday! What did Nigel get me, and what did I think about it? How did we celebrate? It's different from how I celebrated in Illinois.

A few comments, another bald plea for reviews on iTunes, and that's it for this Tuesday edition.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz(at}yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

My last political podcast was before Christmas—which was before the Iowa Caucuses—and a lot has happened since then. Joining me to discuss all that today are Jason and Archerr from archerradio.com.

I begin today with a brief explanation of what's going on for the benefit of non-American listeners. Then it's a brief recap of where we're at, especially the delegate totals. We then talk a bit about what's wrong with public opinion polls. This leads into a discussion of Super Tuesday and whether it will or won't be “all over” then.

I get the chance to slag off my home state of Illinois for it's asinine primary system, before I go on to reveal who I voted for President in the Illinois Democratic Primary and why. I also talk a bit about how US citizens living overseas vote.

The rest is a wide-ranging discussion of all sorts of things related to this campaign. Do Republicans hate each other? One leader says they do. Did you know that Mitt Romney has far higher negatives than Hillary Clinton? What about the economy? Iraq? They all get a look from us and we're not shy about saying what we think.

You can find Jason's blog at http://jasonsviewfromdc.blogspot.com and Archerr's podcast is at http://www.archerradio.com.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz(at}yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

I'm back! Did you miss me? I missed doing my podcast, to be honest, and I'm certainly glad to be back. Today I'm going to tell you a bit about my recent trip to the US, then after comments I have a brief personal update, and all the usual contact details.

I've called today's episode “Home from Home” because I'm back home from my home. I tell you about that trip and some of my impressions and observations, since this was my first trip back to the US in eight years.

All things considered, the trip went pretty well (though I talk a bit about some things that didn't). I got done what I needed to, and I spent time with friends and family, which was great. I even met a real, live podcaster!

I tell you what it feels like now, with this 12-year-old hold on my life now gone. There's a lot more about the trip, including more observations, on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where photos will be posted soon.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz(at}yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

This is my last podcast for the year, so I start today by describing what a New Zealand Christmas is like for us. Then, I'll tell you a bit about my trip next week, and then after comments, I have a few special remarks.

It's now summer in New Zealand, so Christmas is very different than what I grew up with in Illinois (no snow or cold). The Christmas we have isn't necessarily different from other Kiwis, but it's not all that different from other New Zealanders.

I have all my arrangements sorted for my trip to Chicago next week.

After comments, I have some special remarks for this last podcast of the year.

I probably won't have another episode until Tuesday, January 15, 2008. I'm hoping to be able to record some audio while I'm away, and maybe I'll be able to post it before I get home to New Zealand, but don't count on that.

Thanks for listening this year—I truly appreciate it! I'll be back with more in the New Year.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

This is the last chance I'll have for a political podcast before my big trip, and that also means it's the last chance to talk politics before the Iowa Caucuses or New Hampshire Primary. Jason joins me today as we talk about events in the campaigns, including Romney and Huckabee trying to out fundamentalist each other. Aren't they promoting a religious test for public office? Huckabee gets a a good look today, both for his call for quarantine of people with HIV/AIDS and is “fair tax”, which we think is anything but. A look at opinion polls and we wrap up for the day. I have a couple comments, a replay of my pretend commercial, and that's it. Friday will be a normal podcast, and will probably be my last until January.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

My last episode was ten days ago. I start today to tell you why that is: I've been incredibly busy with work. I have a big trip coming up, and that will again mess up the podcast schedule. In the meantime, I'll have another political episode next week. Today I give some advice to would-be expats.

Then I go over comments, the results of a recent poll on my blog and finally, I talk a bit about Australia's new Prime Minister.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

It's now one month until the first real votes will be cast in the US Presidential candidate selection process, so I'm joined again today by Jason for a talk about all that. What's up with Huckabee? Is his star rising at Romney's expense? And does Romney stand for anything? On the Democratic side, the media should be more responsible in talking about falsehoods, especially those directed at Obama. Will Obama be hurt by such an early Iowa Caucus? Does the media shape what the campaign is about? In future episodes we'll talk about candidates and the campaigns as events unfold. I recorded this early because I knew I'd be too busy to record this week.

Also, I'll soon be attending a candidate selection meeting here in New Zealand for our elections, which are also next year. I'll talk about that in an upcoming episode. Comments and the expat briefing will be on Friday.

Shownotes with links will be on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Jason's blog: http://jasonsviewfromdc.blogspot.com/

I have a lot of work to do right now, so this is just a short catch-up episode.

First, some changes following the Australian election. Then, a newspaper poll in New Zealand contradicted what I said last week—or did it? Opinion polls are unreliable, and I tell you a bit about that. Since I'm an expat, it makes sense I should talk about that. On Fridays I'm going to give you the Expat Briefing, telling you one thing about being an expat that I haven't really talked about before. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, too, so feel free to ask!

The current poll on my blog closes Tuesday morning NZ time.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

The Australian election was held this past Saturday, and the changes were huge. But for GLBT people, the changes may not be so big. I also tell you a few more things about being an expat. Then, it's on to comments, including an audio comment from Nik-in-Paris, then the results of the latest poll on my blog. Finally, a listener tells me about a new sweepstakes where US listeners can enter to win a trip to New Zealand.

The results from my latest blog poll are in. The question was: Regardless of what you actually have, do you think Christmas is better in hot weather or cold? There's a new poll question on my blog.

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Today I mostly tell you about my odd Thanksgiving Day in New Zealand, which was unusual, even for me. This gives me a chance to tell you about Auckland's poor public transport system. The US Ambassador to New Zealand is a good one. Then there's a visit to The Commonwealth: It suspended Pakistan until democracy is restored. Then, the Queen visited Uganda to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and visited people with HIV/AIDS. Finally, there's even something about the Australian elections, which will be held tomorrow. No comments today, but those will return on Tuesday, along with a wrap-up on the Australian election.

The closing music today is “Regifting for the Holidays” by The Alice Project from the Podsafe Music Network (http://music.podshow.com/).

Shownotes with links are on my blog, www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, you can email me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Today I talk about being an expat, based largely on my own experience. I tell you somethings a new expat can expect to feel, both good and bad. I also tell you how it resolves itself, eventually turning into “home”. I also share some of my general feelings about being an expat and what that all means. After comments from Episode 54, I say a little about my Kiwi Thanksgiving. Finally it's a slightly revised version of my 30 second podcast promo. There may not be a podcast on Friday. We'll see.

Show notes and links on my blog (www.amerinz.com), where you can leave a comment. Or, send an email to me at amerinz{at)yahoo.com or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

I begin with a few words about last Tuesday's podcast. Then a couple domestic news items. It's confirmed: I'm a Big Giant Head, or I write like one. Then I talk a bit about the Australian election, and then how some Maori activists need to study public relations. I tell you about Episode 55, which will be largely based on a listener request. There probably won't be a podcast on Friday of next week.

Be sure to vote in the poll on my blog!

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, send an email to me at amerinz(at}yahoo.com, or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Closing music: “Bill O'Reilly: The Legend of the Big Giant Head” by David Ippolito from the Podsafe Music Network (http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=be76c0a80bc19965172835052214e004).

Jason's back (he was last on Episode 20) for an extra-long episode where we have a wide-ranging talk about all sorts of things relating to politics. We begin by talking about a theme Jason sometimes writes about on his blog (http://jasonsviewfromdc.blogspot.com), namely the way soldiers in Iraq tend to be forgotten, and about how if this is a war, how come only the soldiers and their families are called to sacrifice? The poor treatment of the soldiers is the fault of both Bush and Congress, and this has nothing to do with supporting the war itself.

Then it's on to a talk about Bush's assault on the Constitution and the foolishness of their actions. This leads into talk about torture and the “war” on terror.

After a brief interruption, it's on to the 2008 election, first up Ron Paul and his weird use of Guy Fawkes to raise money. Are Hillary's “negatives” real? Guiliani and others get a mention, too. I'm not a big fan of the presidential selection system, but I see some positive possibilities with the change in primary dates. Jason's less convinced. I tell you what I think historians will say is the great tragedy of the Bush administration.

We leave on a hopeful note, about how we can steer the world to a better place in many ways.

Shownotes are comments on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or you can send an email to me at amerinz {at)yahoo.com, or ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.

Finally, a shorter episode! I recorded today during my lunch break (don't worry, there aren't any eating sounds). Today I catch-up on the things I didn't time for over the past week, like comments, but I also give you updates on some things I've talked about on earlier episodes.

Any Australians want to take part in an episode? Let me know. I tell you about some upcoming episodes, and a couple things about earlier ones. What's my most-downloaded episode to date?

Leave a comment on my blog, www.amerinz.com, or ring my US-based listener line, 206-339-8413. You can also send an email to me at amerinz[at}yahoo.com. Join my e-mailing list to find out when episodes are released: http://www.podomatic.com/addressbook/mailinglist/amerinz

Oh! Canada! It's an extra long episode today, as I talk with Mark from one of my favourite sites, Slap Upside the Head (http://www.slapupsidethehead.com/). Mark is Canadian, currently living in Montreal. We talk about all sorts of things, like his growing up in Canada, and something of what the country is like. Are gay rights really better in Canada? What can the Canadian experience teach American activists? We fit in some talk about terrorism, the influence of right wing religionists, and even sports!

Shownotes with links are on my blog at www.amerinz.com, where you can leave a comment. Or, call my US listener line on 206-339-8413. And, you can always send an email to me at amerinz(at]yahoo.com.

This is the 50th episode of the AmeriNZ Podcast! Today is also the twelfth anniversary of my arrival in New Zealand to live, and it's the date Nigel and I take as our anniversary, too.

Today, I share some memories of my arrival in NZ. I also give you a behind-the-scenes look at what went into the creation of my podcast. I then have comments, before moving on to some time with Nigel. Intermixed are phone messages I received, plus plenty of things I've never played publicly before.

Thanks for your support over the first 50 episodes! I hope to make the next 50 better and better.

You can leave a comment at my blog, www.amerinz.com, or you can send an email to me at amerinz(at}yahoo.com, or you can call my listener line on 206-339-8413.

A short special extra episode today (so that Friday's is episode 50, to be honest). Do we have Halloween in New Zealand? What about trick-or-treating? Or, is it all just “creeping Americanism”? After that, I tell you about the promotion of a gay cabinet minister. Comments, a couple announcements, and that's it.

Be back tomorrow with episode 50.

You can leave a comment on my lister line: 206-339-8413, or visit my site at www.amerinz.com, where there are links to the items mentioned.

This is a special episode, and one of my favourites yet. I'm joined by two other gay podcasters who, like me, are preachers' kids: Tim Corrimal (Go Rainbow Radio and There Are Some Who Call Me Tim) and Eric (Confessions of a Southern Boy in Yankee Land). We have a wide-ranging conversation about being preachers' kids who grew up gay. What's it like for a gay kid growing up, literally, in the church? Were we affected by Biblical passages used against gay people? How do we feel about religion now?

We share some stories from our growing up, talk about some differences between “mainstream” and “evangelical” protestants, and plenty of other things, too. This conversation was too interesting to me to cut into two parts, so I hope you'll forgive the longer length episode.

Complete shownotes and links on my blog, www.amerinz.com. Leave a comment on my listener comment line, 206-339-8413, or on my blog, or send an email to me at amerinz(at]yahoo.com. Join my e-mailing list to find out about new episodes as they're released: http://www.podomatic.com/addressbook/mailinglist/amerinz

You can email me MP3 files at amerinz{at)podomatic.com

Go Rainbow Radio - http://www.gorainbowradio.com/podcast/
There Are Some Who Call Me Tim: http://www.timcorrimal.com/
Confessions of a Southern Boy in Yankeeland - http://boy-oh-boy.blogspot.com/

More links in the shownotes

I'd planned a special episode for today, but it didn't happen, and it's evidence of how hard it is for me to arrange a Skype conference with people in North America. So, it's just an ordinary episode today. Still, I had my first voicemail message!

I tell you about the upcoming podcast schedule and how episode 50 will be on Friday, November 2 (the day before in North America), which will be a very special day for other reasons. You can leave a message about that on my new listener comment line (206-339-8413), or you can email an MP3 file to me at amerinz(at]podomatic.com.

The Prime Minister is about to reshuffle her cabinet, and I tell you a little about that, what it means in American terms, and then I talk a bit about the upcoming US elections and how I'm able to vote in US elections.

Leave a voicemail on my US-based comment line (206-339-8413), leave a comment on my blog at www.amerinz.com, or send an email to me at amerinz{at)yahoo.com (if you put “comment” in the subject line I'll read it on the podcast).

This week is an upside down episode as I go over comments first. That's because of the feedback I got about continuing my podcast. I AM continuing, by the way. After that, it's on to a discussion of our Labour Holiday weekend and some of the things we got up to. I have some interesting guests coming up in the next few weeks, beginning the end of this week or next week. Have a topic you want to hear about? Let me know. Leave a comment at www.amerinz.com, or send an email to me at amerinz[at)yahoo,com (if you put “comment” in the subject line, I'll know to read it on the podcast.

It's a mixed bag today, starting with my second “carcast”. I give you some updates to Tuesday's episode, then it's a bit of rant about bad customer service, and then I share some of my recent thinking about the podcast. From there it's back in the “studio” as I share five things you don't know about me (and challenge other podcasters to do the same) and then go over comments.

Shownotes on my blog (http://amerinz.blogspot.com/), where you can leave a comment, or send an email to me at amerinz[at}yahoo.com (if you put “comment” in the subject line, I'll read it on the podcast.

There was weird news about a “terrorism-related” raid in New Zealand but, at the moment, it should all be taken with a grain of salt. The local election results are in. I tell you a bit about that. Then there's a weird TV commercial running in New Zealand. Leave a comment at my blog, http://amerinz.blogspot.com/, or send an email to amerinz[at)yahoo.com; if you put “Comment” in the subject line, I'll know to read it on the podcast.

First up, I have some bits of good news to report. Then I talk about our local elections, which are drawing to a close. We've already mailed in our ballots, but there's a huge concern that many people won't bother. Why is the turnout low? Then it's on to a discussion of some New Zealand authors who were featured in a recent poll on my blog. Comments then provide me with more opportunities to comment on things. I say “um” a lot today. I have no idea why. Shownotes with links at my main blog, http://amerinz.blogspot.com/. Send an email to me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com, and if you put “Comment” in the subject line I'll read it on the podcast; otherwise, I won't.

I jokingly talk about changing my podcast's name to get higher in rankings (yes, I was kidding...).

I'm tired. The clocks have changed, which I say is unrelated. Still, things are going well. Mainly, today I talk about ENDA, compromise with conservatives, and troubles within the fundie right wing. I tell you a little more about my past, as well as my political beliefs.

The rest of this episode is apparently the Eric Cast, sort of, as I talk about our war, uh rivalry, uh fellow podcastship-ness. Or whatever. Comments let me comment, too. There might not be a podcast on Friday. I've now passed six months of podcasting.

Leave a comment on my blog, http://amerinz.blogspot.com/, or send an email to me at amerinz(at]yahoo.com. If you put “Comment” in the subject line, I'll read it on the 'cast.

Today was a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, and I put together a short podcast to keep up with things. First up it's a brief look at Dominion Day and the evolution of New Zealand from colony to country. Bush's bonehead promise to veto S-Chip leads me into a short talk abut healthcare in New Zealand. Then it's comments and a new Frappr Mappr. Shownotes with links at my blog, http://amerinz.blogspot.com/, where you can leave me a comment. Or send an email to me at amerinz{at]yahoo.com. If you put “Comment” in the subject line, I'll read it on the podcast.

I'm FINALLY back, after no Internet access and some other barriers to podcasting. I talk about that first. Then, after a few things going on around here, it's on to some things in the news--climate change, wacky christians and indigenous rights. The issues just keep coming! After comments, it's a couple things leftover from episode 39. If you'd like to comment by email send it to me at amerinz(at]yahoo.com and put “Comment” in the subject line so I'll know to read it on the podcast. Shownotes will be posted on my blog, http://amerinz.blogspot.com

AmeriNZ #39 – Friends and Neighbours

It's been a very busy few days since Episode 38. Among other things, I was a guest onCallBox7 (http://callbox7.com/). I also made my first-ever guest post on another site, Slap Upside the Head (http://www.slapupsidethehead.com/).

Today, Canadian Prime Minister Stepehen Harper addressed the Australian Parliament, the first Canadian Prime Minister to do so. He made some comparisons of Canada with Australia that were more apt as a comparison of Canada with New Zealand. He also talked about 9/11.

Meanwhile, NZ and the US have taken small steps toward closer relations.

Also, a foreign government hacked NZ government computers. Some famous people died. Results of my movie poll, feedback and more.

Leave a comment on my blog (http://amerinz.blogspot.com/) or send an email to me at amerinz{AT) yahoo.com.

Today's episode is probably the last of the shortened ones. At the end of a bad week, I talk about the loss of our cat at 3:22, then go on to things in the news at 6:50. Finally, it's comments at 10:49, and I give more details about some of the topics raised. I also add a couple last minute topics of my own. Didn't have time to double check this episode—hope it's okay!

Shownotes and links on my blog, http://amerinz.blogspot.com/, or send a comment to me at amerinz(at]yahoo.com.

This is a relatively short episode, in part because this is the busiest week of the month for me. I recorded this in Garage Band, and there were a few “issues” I noticed when I was done. Anyway, I have two topics. First, at 1:30, I talk a little about the meeting of APEC in Sydney, including some audio. Then, at 11:55 I talk about the Rugby World Cup, that starts this week. It's a Very Big Deal in this part of the world. Finally, it's comments at 16:12.

There's a new poll on my blog: What's your favourite movie made in New Zealand?

Links and comments at my blog, amerinz.blogspot.com. You can send an email to me at amerinz@yahoo.com