#56 R. Crumb's Record Collection

It's no secret that legendary underground cartoonist R. Crumb has a vast collection of vintage jazz 78s. The Jazz File, a BBC Radio 3 program recently recorded four sessions with Crumb in which the cartoonist introduces and plays records from his own catalog. Think Dixieland, lots of Dixieland. One episode features a particularly interesting explanation of the origins of shellac and it's importance to the longevity of old records. For the next several days, the programs should be available at the BBC site by clicking on the Jazz File link.

#55 Yoga and MRIs

Last night I experienced an odd, soothing calm. I was placed into a tight, narrow tube, surrounded by an enormous electromagnet. I was fitted with earmuffs and plugs. Classical music was piped in to sooth me as the doctors scanned my lower torso for the source of my back pain. When I heard the violent clicks, buzzes and chirps of the MRI, I thought of the creepy examination room scene from the Exorcist. I struggled momentarily with claustrophobia, but managed to keep my cool. After the process was complete, I felt different.

The sensation was not unlike what I experienced several weeks ago after a Yoga class. Me and my fellow classmates had chanted, exercised and most importantly, layed quietly on our backs as quiet new age music caressed our ruffled nerves. My legs felt like rubber, but as I sipped my Yogi tea on the way home I felt that my New-agey experience had granted me a certain sense of earthy calm. The MRI, on the other hand, involved a healthy dose of fear and a gargantuan example of semi-modern technology, so I'm a little less embarassed about my metaphysical gains from the experience.

I also didn't accidentally fart in the MRI either.

#54 - The New Dubstream

Dublab's stream is now hosted by Live365. Listeners can now tune in to one of the coolest net radio stations on the web with a variety of mp3 players, including the ever popular Apple itunes. Go to Dublab. Click Dubstream and enjoy the sounds.