AmeriNZ Podcast

AmeriNZ 298 – Equality

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:43:52 +0000

Today I have one topic: Marriage equality arriving in New Zealand one week ago today. I start by telling you about some of my impressions the night. I also give you my full impressions of what New Zealand’s far right did—and is up to now! After some slight diversion into other NZ politics, I tell you about what happens now. One thing I know for sure is that this battle is over: The rightwing cannot repeal or even revisit this issue. Kiwis just don’t do that. Finally, I tell you the background to that video of the vote.

There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them. (http://amerinzpodcast.com/?p=1549)

Links for this episode
Favourite moment – my blog post on the moment marriage equality was approved
Favourite speech – again from my blog
The New Zealand Parliament’s YouTube Channel is called InTheHouseNZ. To find the videos, look for “Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill – Third Reading – Part # (where # is 1 – 20).
Looking ridiculous – my blog post on a silly rightwinger entertaining the Internet
Final analysis – my blog post wrapping-up the campaign for marriage equality and what happened.
All my blog posts on this topic are tagged NZ Marriage Equality.

Please leave a written comment, an audio message using the SpeakPipe widget, or on Audioboo or Skype (user name on both is AmeriNZ), or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com (you can email me an audio file, too, if you want).

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AmeriNZ 297 – Excitement

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:53:32 +0000

I start today talking about the recent earthquakes in Auckland. Then, some New Zealand news since I last podcasted. That includes an update on the marriage equality bill, of course. Personal updates follow, and that leads, eventually, to some talk that might get me into trouble. Oh well, there were things I needed to say.

There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them.

Links for this episode
Shaken – my blog post on the Auckland earthquakes
Mondayising bill pleases Kiwi workers – NZ Herald
Gay bill: Another step forward for love – NZ Herald
Asset sales petition arrives at Parliament – NZ Herald
‘Shonky’ sales process means Labour leader signed up – NZ Herald
More than a million complete census online – Newstalk ZB
Drought: “The impact is huge” (video) – NZ Herald
Water restrictions: An interactive map – Stuff

AmeriNZ 296 – Preparing

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:09:29 +0000

I start today talking about New Zealand broadcaster Paul Holmes, who died today. Meanwhile, we’re waiting for stuff. Then, I give an update about the select committee hearing oral submissions on the marriage equality bill. I have some strong views; you may disagree, so feel free to comment. A record number of Kiwis are leaving for Australia. But the Big Mac Index says the NZ dollar is pretty good.

There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them.

Links for this episode
Broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes dies at 62 –NZ Herald
Asian Kiwi speaks for ‘trapped’ gays – NZ Herald
Record 53,676 Kiwis fled to Aussie in 2012 – media statement from David Shearer, Leader of the NZ Labour Party
Big Mac index – NZ dollar about right – NZ Herald

AmeriNZ 295 – Waiting

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 03:13:33 +0000

We’re waiting for stuff, especially a three-day holiday weekend. We’re doing some stuff, may do other stuff. I was a grumpy Kiwi the other day, which gives me a chance to talk about some items in the New Zealand news—including a cat fight, a story that was reported internationally. I update the hosting search and also tell you about my pushing for a better deal for podcasters.

A new 2Political Podcast episode is scheduled for next week.

There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them. (http://amerinzpodcast.com/?p=1549)

Links for this episode
Grumpy Kiwi – my blog post on three NZ news stories I mentioned
Cat fight – A NZ news story that went international
The annual increasing number: 54 – my blog post on my birthday
The birthday message I played is from the Big Fatty Online podcast
Fourth Anniversary – my blog post on the fourth anniversary of our civil union.

AmeriNZ 294 – Experimental

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:33:45 +0000

I begin today with a “Parliament Update”: It started with an update on the marriage equality bill, then moved on to the bill to force charter schools on us, submissions for which close next week. After that, I play various audio files sent to me, and comment on what they say as well as how to use those methods (don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz on that). If you send me a contact request on Skype, please tell me you’re real so I know you’re not a spammer.

Jason and I recorded a new 2Political Podcast episode this week, and it’s now posted.

Links for this episode
Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill (Evidence / submissions) – NZ Parliament
Young gay man injured in another K Rd attack – GayNZ.com
The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet
There are several ways to send me an audio message—this earlier post lists them.

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AmeriNZ 293 – Resumption

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:34:39 +0000

A new year, a new start. That means updates, starting with the holidays and moving on through the diet as well as some things a bit more exciting (for me, anyway…). Then, it’s a whole bunch of updates about various podcasts I’ve been part of, including this one. The voicemail phone line is no more, so I offer some suggestions on how you can send me an audio message.

We’re recording a new 2Political Podcast this week, and there will be a new The Third Colony on FarpointRadio.com soon (maybe even this weekend!). And THIS podcast will be back again soon!

By the way, I’ve made a slight change to the way I do links: They’re still clickable on the website, but I’ve also included them in parenthesis so people can get the links from the MP3 file details without having to go to the website. I wanted to try this to make sure it works the way I intend it to before I mention it on the podcast itself.

Links for this episode
I was a guest on “Pink Wheelnuts Garage” (http://amerinzpodcast.com/?p=1539)
“Arthur and Paul Talk” is no more (http://amerinzpodcast.com/?p=1542)
There are several ways to send me an audio message (http://amerinzpodcast.com/?p=1549)

Not in service at this time

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 02:08:33 +0000

Another line bites the dust—OOPS!

Over the holidays, I lost another voicemail line, and I won’t be getting another one, at least, not yet. It’s too much hassle for me to make sure it’s rung every 30 days, and there are no other free options that I’m aware of (Google Voice numbers aren’t available in New Zealand). The only other option I’ve been able to find so far is a Skype Number, which costs US$30, but I don’t know if that’s a year or a shorter term (apparently, the only way to find out how much it costs is to sign up for one).

So, for now, at least, I have a few options for you. First, you can leave an audio message at the right side of this site, using that SpeakPipe widget. Or, you can leave me an AudioBoo message. You can also leave me a voicemail on Skype (username, surprisingly enough, is amerinz; however, I don’t know if you have to be on my contacts list first). Finally, you can record an audio message and email it to me. For some of those options, you can use a smartphone app to send me a message, but the SpeakPipe option isn’t available on Apple products (because it’s Flash-based). Actually, you could also ring the voicemail line for 2Political Podcast (206-350-3982), because those messages come to me.

I think I’d like to move away from a voicemail phone number, anyway, because it’s very limiting, even when it’s free: Most of my listeners are in the USA, so having a number there makes sense—but that can make it expensive for people in other countries to leave messages. With the spread of smartphones, I think other options are the way to go. At the very least, I’m going to be promoting options that don’t require phoning the USA.

This is all a work in progress—when is it ever anything else?—but for now, these are the options. I’ll post more here, and mention it in the podcast, as things progress.

And, of course, you can always leave a written comment here on the site, or you can send me a Tweet, etc.

Thanks! New episodes will be out soon!

An ending

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 23:43:10 +0000

Paul posted this for us over at the Arthur and Paul Talk Podcast site:

Arthur and I have decided to end our podcast together. Our schedules have made it very difficult to record together. While we enjoyed our time recording and the interaction with the listeners, we simply need to end the podcast and the beginning of a new year is a good time to end it. We appreciate all the support and feedback we’ve gotten over the months of the podcast. You guys are great!

The website will stay around until the domain name expires. The episodes will stay until that time as well.

Thank you for your support!

Arthur and Paul

It’s always sad when a podcast ends, but for me, this one is sad because it’s the first ending I’ve ever been part of. Still, it was necessary. It’s been hard enough for me to find time to record my solo podcast, so finding time to record with another person has been impossible at times.

Still, it’s not like we had a falling out or anything, so THAT’S good, anyway! In fact, don’t be surprised if we show up on each other’s podcasts from time to time. This is the end of one podcast, after all, and we both continue on.

Like Paul said, thanks for your support, and we’ll both be “seeing” you around the pod-o-sphere!

Another guest spot

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 20:50:28 +0000

I was a guest on another podcast, Pink Wheelnuts Garage. The episode is: PWNG-019 Commonwealth Attack. I was there with Mark in Canada (an American expat in Canada), Scotty the Little Aussie Battler, That Peter G (the only one in this show living in the USA), and the host, The Fey Driver, who is Canadian. It’s an eclectic show, and was a lot of fun to be part of. Check it out!

AmeriNZ Podcast Special – Egonomist 298

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 06:21:48 +0000

This AmeriNZ Podcast Special Presentation is Episode 298 of The Egonomist, the first New Zealand podcast I’ve ever been a guest on. It’s mostly about politics, just so you know, but also about some expat and New Zealand stuff. I had a lot of fun, and look forward to having Dan and Dave visit the AmeriNZ Podcast. You can leave a comment below, or you can check out their site or Facebook page—links below, along with links to Dan’s and Dave’s Twitter feeds (I recommend both!).

Links for this episode
The website for The Egonomist
The Egonomist Facebook Page
The Egonomist on iTunes
Dan’s Twitter Feed
Dave’s Twitter Feed

Please leave a comment or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com. Please note: The voicemail line is gone, but you can leave an audio message for my using the “Send Voicemail” item on the right edge of this page.

Get AmeriNZ Podcast for free on iTunes

AmeriNZ 292 – Briefly

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:47:56 +0000

This is a short episode to update and foreshadow. Because I’m like that. The next episode will be a New Zealand podcast I was a guest on. Feel free to phone or write me with questions or suggestions (just let me know if you don’t want it played/read on the podcast).

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on ~~206-666-5172~~ (voicemail line is discontinued), or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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AmeriNZ 291 – Aftermath

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:08:46 +0000

This is a short episode just about the aftermath of the US election, well, as it affected me. I have two voicemails that kind of nicely bookend the whole thing, too. This is not really about politics, by the way.

Next episode is inspired by another voicemail. Feel free to call or write me with questions or suggestions (just let me know if you don’t want it played/read on the show).

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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AmeriNZ 290 – Springy

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:24:18 +0000

Today’s episode is all about catching up on a some of what I’ve been up to. I share a weird encounter with YouTube. I also have some updates about the Marriage Equality Bill. Then, I turn to some talk about Pride 48 and podcasting in general, introduced by a clip from Auntie Vera Charles. A voicemail lets me expand on a topic, and then I’m done for today.

Links for this episode
Juha Saarinen: We are all pirates now – NZ Herald
Vera Speaks… For Real
MPs attend protest against gay marriage – NZ Herald

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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This happened today

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:41:03 +0000

So, then, this happened today: I voted.

Changing the past

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 07:18:39 +0000

This is a bit of a weird story.

On December 25, 2008, I posted a video called “Auckland Christmas” to YouTube, and also to my podcast as “AmeriNZ Video 03 – Auckland Christmas” (and I also posted a verison to my blog as “Auckland Christmas”). The video contained a music track that I used under license from the Podsafe Music Network (now called Mevio Music Alley).

At some point after I posted the video, the artist apparently signed up with a licensing agency that charges for use. I was unaware any of that had happened—who keeps running checks on tracks they’ve used?

Today I got an email from YouTube telling me the video “may have content that is owned or licensed” by the new company (which I’d never heard of, though they’re a “YouTube Partner”, whatever that means). They also said that while this wouldn’t count against me, and the video would remain, there might be ads posted next to the video. However, despite saying “this claim is not penalising your account status,” they also ominously warned on the notice page that my “video’s status can change, if the policies chosen by the content owners change.”

Here’s where it gets really weird: The track is still listed and available on Mevio’s Music Alley—so, therefore, my original license must still be valid. If it’s not, then the burden of proof ought to be on the company claiming licensing rights, and they shouldn’t get free ads at my expense.

However, I’m not a copyright lawyer and can’t afford one, so I can’t comment on any of the legalities here. Instead, this is only about my sense of right and wrong: I legally used a track provided for my use and I fully complied with the terms of the license I was given. That license appears to still be in effect. I think—but don’t know—that the copyright licenser didn’t take any further action because I complied with the terms of the license I’d been given (and which may still be in effect).

However, I’m in no position to challenge them or Google/YouTube. So I was left with few options.

First, the new company licenses tracks for $1.99 and I could have paid their fee to re-license the track from them, but why should I? As far as I’m concerned, I already had—and still have—a valid license to use the track.

The second option is the nuclear option: Deleting the video from YouTube (which is a shame because it was the most viewed one I had). This is the option I chose (though I first made it unlisted while I decided what to do).

My next step was to take the original video project and delete the music track entirely, along with any mention of it in the end credits and written descriptions. I left the end of the video silent as a sort of protest. I then overwrote the copy on my podcast site so the video’s still available.

My final step will be to upload the altered/censored video back to YouTube. Had I paid to re-license the track I already have a license for, I’m sure I’d have to alter the credits in the video and re-upload, anyway, so why not instead make a point?

I chose that track originally because it was free and reasonably inoffensive, meaning, innocuous. It wasn’t overtly religious, as so many Christmas songs are, and wasn’t awful (as, frankly, so much free music is). There was no option to pay anything for the music and, four years ago, there were few if any other options for music I could use legally.

So there you have it. Some company asserts its muscularity and someone like me has little choice but to surrender—or fight and face the consequences. This song is not worth the fight, even if the principle could be. But since I clearly have no idea what the law says about a situation like this—someone legally uses a music track they’re licensed to use, then later someone else claims the rights—this case is too murky to take a stand on.

Next time, it may be different.

This is crossposted to my blog, one of the few times I’ve done that.

AmeriNZ 289 – Miscellany

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:02:11 +0000

Today’s episode is a bit of this, a bit of that. I start with an example of a problematic Kiwi accent, then after passing the pending marriage equality bill, I move on to a few stories in the NZ news that caught my eye. Finally, it’s an update on what’s going on here before the real finally, comments. Join us on Pride 48 this weekend!

Links for this episode
We … WHAT!? – Russell Brown’s post on the PM’s diction
Pro Miss Neh Zilland – my blog post with the John Key parody video I mentioned
My blog posts on marriage equality in NZ can be found under one label.
Brownlee backs down from ‘insulting’ comments – NZ Herald
Govt given fail mark over Christchurch schools shake-up – NZ Herald

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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AmeriNZ 288 – Mutiny

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:58:19 +0000

This is not a typical podcast—recorded by a guest host, and very short. But it was all done with good intentions. A normal episode next week.

Links for this episode
Quake threat in Wellington lower than thought – NZ Herald
Remember Auckland before the Sky Tower? – NZ Herald

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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AmeriNZ 287 – Extraordinary

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:56:14 +0000

I begin today with updates about what I’ve been up to, followed by talk about this year’s Pride 48 event (September 14-16). I move on to updates about things in the New Zealand news, including marriage equality. A phone message allows me to talk about another topic.

Links for this episode
At the beach – My blog post on our trip
Five deaths in two weeks hit military base community hard – NZ Herald
Banks: I believe Bible’s account of how life began – NZ Herald
Mayor’s son jailed for sex abuse – A bizarre story in the NZ Herald
The decline of religion – my blog post Roger was referring to
Order a 2012 Pride 48 Limited Edition T-shirt!
Check out the new podcast, Arthur & Paul Talk!

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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AmeriNZ 286 – Excellent

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:09:02 +0000

Some excellent news today—marriage equality in New Zealand is one step closer, so I talk about that first. In fact, it’s the whole reason I did a podcast today. I remembered a couple other updates (which is pretty excellent for me), and Jake, who was doing poorly last week is doing very well. Excellent. Finally, a comment let’s me say why I’ve used a one-word title for this episode, too. Excellent.

Links for this episode
MPs to vote on gay marriage – New Zealand Herald story
Confidence gay marriage Bill will get through – TVNZ’s coverage
Check out the new podcast, Arthur & Paul Talk—the second episode is now posted!

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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AmeriNZ 285 – Better

amerinz@gmail.com (Arthur the AmeriNZ) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:15:26 +0000

This is just an update podcast: Today and this week are both better, and even the weather got better. Yep, had some good developments this week—and one not so good one that still turned out okay. Once again, comments let me expand on topics. There’s even an easter egg this episode.

Links for this episode
Arthur and Paul Talk – our new podcast. The site has subscription information.
Roadshow lessons – My blog post on the Adobe Roadshow

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

Get AmeriNZ Podcast for free on iTunes