Sunday, June 24, 2012

**BREAKING NEWS** The Birth of a Podcast!

As most of you know The Recovery Room Podcast (@RecoveryPodcast) does a lot of work with Joe Joe Keys (@JoeJoeKeys), Luppy (@Luppy1), Soul Bastards Records (@sbastards ), and Luped up records (@LupedUpRecords).

The fact of the matter is that our work with them is growing beyond what I can handle on my own any more. So we sat down with Joe and Luppy and we talked for a while and from that conversation came the birth of New Wax Podcast (@NewWax).

 

So with that said here is the deal…

 

Are you an unsigned musician? Are you struggling to get your music out there?

Or better yet…

Do you want your music heard by 2 (yes 2!) record executives?

 

The New Wax Podcast is your opportunity!

 

Here is how it works:

1)   Follow @NewWax on twitter

2)   Email your songs (MP3 format only please) to songs@bcdodge.me

3)   Your songs will be heard and reviewed by 2 record executives

4)   Watch for the episode of the podcast that your song is in. It will be played during the podcast so everyone can hear it, and a review will be included in the podcast. You might even get the chance to be on the podcast to be interviewed.

That’s it!

 

Are you ready?

Get set…

GO!!

 

In this taste of what is to come we introduce the concept behind New Wax Podcast, than we talk about “Platinum Pedestal” from the band Never Green (@tomasnevergreen)

Listen to internet radio with Carl Dodge on Blog Talk Radio

 

 

http://www.bcdodge.me/recoverypodcast.htm
http://twitter.com/RecoveryPodcast

http://www.joejoekeys.net

http://twitter.com/JoeJoeKeys

http://www.luppymusic.com

http://twitter.com/Luppy1

http://www.soulbastards.com

http://twitter.com/sbastards

http://www.lupeduprecords.com

http://twitter.com/LupedUpRecords

http://twitter.com/tomasnevergreen

 

http://twitter.com/NewWax

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Friday, June 8, 2012

Random things on my mind...

"You can't ever reach a man if you don't speak his language. If a man speaks the language of brute force, you can't come to him with peace. Why goodnight! He'll break you in two, as he has been doing all along. If a man speaks French, you can't speak to him in German. If he speaks Swahili, you can't communicate with him in Chinese. You have to find out, what does this man speak? Once you know his language, learn how to speak his language. He'll get the point, there will be some dialogue, some communication, and some understanding will be developed. " - Malcolm X

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."- Theodore Roosevelt

 

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

 

I Can Play Whatever I Want by JoeJoeKeys *new song alert!*

I Can Play Whatever I Want by JoeJoeKeys

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Just got news The Recovery Podcast is now on Player.fm!

WOOT WOOT! There is yet another way to take in the podcast!

"Player.fm might interest you if you want an easy way to both listen to your favourite shows and discover new ones.

Player.fm is a podcasting service in the cloud. You use it in your web browser – there are no apps to install, just an easy-to-use method to create a free account called a channel, add theRSS feed addresses of podcasts to your channel, save, and listen. You can also add iTunes feeds as well as import an OPML file you already have.

I’ve been podcasting for over seven years and listen to a lot of other podcasts. Typically, I subscribe to them and get the audio files usually from iTunes via an RSS reader. The old fashioned way! It’s cumbersome and often imperfect, though, and probably one reason why I don’t listen as much or as often as I’d like to.

What Player.fm offers is streaming audio on demand. It really is easy to set up and use as I discovered today."

 

 

http://www.nevillehobson.com/2012/05/18/frictionless-podcast-listening-with-player-fm/

An email to Cindy Pugh (@CindyforMN)...

On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 11:18 AM, Carl <Carl@bcdodge.me> wrote:

Ms. Pugh,

I saw an article on you this morning in the "City Pages" (http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2012/06/cindy_pugh_somalis_garbage_bags.php) where you have compared Muslims women and children to garbage bags,
and you have also made other statements that are feeding the current rise of Islamaphobia.

I feel that some of your statements and views were made due to a lack of education on the true Islam. 

On my podcast I try to educate people on what Islam really is and what it means to be a Muslim. 
Not the things you see on CNN or Fox News, or things that are laced with culture, but what the Quran and teachings of the Prophet Mohammad have taught us.
I would like to offer you an open invitation to be on the podcast to talk about the hurtful statements you made and see if we can't bring some understand to some of these issues.

Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Carl
Host of The Recovery Room Podcast   

#Muslim #women & #children look like Trash bags?

So this morning I saw a tweet from a friend of mine that linked to an article about a sweet blond haired blue eyed girl next door that feels Muslim women & children look like trash bags…wait, what??

Cindypugh-thumb-167x183

Yes, Cindy Pugh, who is a Tea Party candidate for state representative, said it is "Disturbing ... that women & little girls are OK with dressing like this!!! What will it take for these women to stand up and say, 'NO'!? Wondering if they will ever do that?!"

I am wondering if Cindy knows why they dress like that; or does she just spout off at the mouth with no filter and then back peddles to support whatever crap just came out of her mouth?

More than likely, she really believes what she is saying…why is that?  

Because on May 21 of this year she took a photo from the Facebook page "Proud to be an Infidel," (that sounds like a lovely group to align yourself with!) with the following slogan: "It's not Islamophobia when they are really trying to kill you."

The only killing that I see going on around here is her campaign, and it was killed by her mouth. I can’t believe that someone that wants to be a representative would talk like this. What is wrong with people like this?

This is the kind of person that The Recovery Room Podcast is trying to reach and teach. He words show ignorance, plain and simple.    

According to the article I read Pugh's Facebook  page has “images of bumper stickers offering to pay for your contraception if you pay for her ammunition and tries to figure out "what 'We [The People]' could do to show Michele Bachmann how much we appreciate her.”

I swear there are days I don’t even want to get out of bed. Whatever happened to tolerance to those that are different than us? What about freedom of religion?

I for one am going to reach out to her and offer try to teach her the “whys” of some of these things. I will post links to her twitter and Facebook pages…if you have anything you would like to express to her PLEASE feel free! 
Let her know the only that looks like it belongs in a trash bag are comments like these. 

This is her website

This is her Facbook

This is her Twitter

And this is her Email: cindy@cindyformn.com

OH! AND this is her phone number (952) 474-1436

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The zombies are coming!

Podcast is late again, sorry to the fans, @luppy1 & @mjw51177

I am trying to pull a few things together...new segments and what not...so I am waiting for everything to come together.

I am sorry to those who listen faithfully, but I promis you I am working on 3 or 4 shows now. As soon as all the parts come toether I will post them...I swear!! 

Thanks for bearing with me...

 

Some Days!!

Sticker375x360

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Will they allow swing's coffee to move?

-506006539

I am at my first town meeting here in Alexandria va, been here 7 years am this is my first.
If this is approved in the end it will mean a lot more work for me this summer :-)

This is how one advertises a #podcast!

I listen to a bunch of podcasts....one I listen to is Alonzo Bodden's "Who's Paying Attention?"

One of his fans, maybe friends, takes the funniest parts of his podcast and makes 2 minute videos out of them...LOVE the concept. 

How can I get this for my podcast?? lol

 

 

Thanks to @reierje for starting the day off right :)

 

 

Monday, June 4, 2012

I want to do an experiment...share & RT this...& Help me out, please?

So I was just listening to a podcast about "Loving Yourself More," one of the challenges the therapist tossed out there was to go and make a list of 25 positive features about yourself. The idea was than tossed out that if you couldn't do this that there might be some issues with depression or trama in your life that has caused you to see your self in such a bad light. 

I think I got 2 or 3 ideas down, but that is it. I really can't come up with 25 good things about me!
So the person being interviewed went on to say that if cannot make a list of 25 things ask your firends to help, and that way maybe you can see yourself through their eyes...

So there it is!

Can ALL of you build a list of 25 good aspects about me? 

You ever have that feeling?

Ba437cb0-2eab-42ab-9d1c-f46baa15ccd4

I think there are a few people that need to check their messages...

I feel like i need a course on voicemail and message "good behavior"
Anyone know of one?

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Just finished recording with @Luppy1 & @Mjw51177 for an up coming show!

Just spent some quality time with Luppy (@luppy1) and Matt Woods (@MJW51177) talking about the History of HipHop. Where it is going and where it is coming from.

Who are your favorite Hip Hop artists? 

Look out for it coming soon! 

FOUND MY FUTURE EMPLOYER!!

579763_372597766139635_2010679506_n

HAD TO SHARE THIS!!

319702_374233552642723_180127410_n

Thursday, May 31, 2012

SMH...just SMH

Disappointed

Veterans ID Card Now Available from DMV??

Had a coworker tell me about this...and all I can say is ~ I WANT!!

 

Governor Bob McDonnell today launched the new Virginia Veterans ID Card available from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in partnership with the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) during an afternoon event at the McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond.  The card will help thousands of Virginia veterans identify themselves as veterans and obtain retail and restaurant discounts around the state.  The DMV 2 Go mobile office was present to process veterans’ applications for the cards onsite this afternoon.  Governor McDonnell, a U.S. Army veteran who served for a total of 21 years in active duty and reserve roles, visited the mobile office at today’s event and was one of the first to apply for the new ID card....http://bit.ly/Jw4DHs

Download

Sorry if I am late to the party, but I have never seen this...

This is an awesome video. 

Some people just talk to much and don't know when to shut the hell up and LISTEN!! 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

18 more "likes" on #Facebook...Help me out a little please?

I have had the Podcast page on Facebook and it has been up for a month or so...

I need only 18 before I hit my first 100 "likes" 

SO!! Share this post and if you are on facebook...GO LIKE THE PAGE!!

http://on.fb.me/JX1ksg

Except for Wednesday...I AM IN!!

547356_371520089580736_1717160161_n

Found this and HAD to repost it ROFL

523991_283157545103824_100002287420291_635944_1882104894_n

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Memorial Day ~ Time to swim and BBQ, Right?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

As many of you know I am loud mouth, I am a Muslim, I am a student, I am husband, I am a father, I am podcaster, I am an employee. That is many hats to wear!

The one thing that you might not know is that I am also a United States Navy Veteran.

Monday is Memorial Day. The official start of summer, a day when people will gather to officially kick off summer.

The one thing that some people have forgotten is that this is also the day the day to commemorate the fallen soldiers.

It started in 1865 and was made a Federal Holiday in 1968.

I am not going to preach to much about this…my only real point here is that I saw some memes floating around the internet yesterday that I wanted to share with you as a reminder that is a day to remember our fallen veterans.

So to those that served before me and those that served with me and those the will serve after me, thank you for paying the ultimate price.

 

Friday, May 25, 2012

Hypocrites in prayer or Have I just lost my mind?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

I just had the oddest Friday prayer service ever, and I am so confused, I am not sure if I should to write this or if I should to just accept it and move on in life. 

But I feel like I need to let this out…so excuse me for a moment while I have verbal diarrhea; and if your offended by what I am about to say, I am sorry that was not my intent…so once you get over yourself, give me some constructive criticism.

The service opened with a five to ten minute speech on the panhandlers that were hanging around outside in the parking lot, and how we should not give them money because we were only encouraging that type of life style; to add to that, the question was tossed around a few times as to if they were even Muslim. 

So deep breath and here I go…

Do we really need a five to ten minute speech on not giving money to beggars? I mean really we are all adults who work and if we have the extra dollar to give to some one that seems to need to it, than that is our choice.

Please note I said “someone that seems to need it.” Comedian Christopher Titus tells a story about a 22-year-old Vietnam War veteran that was panhandling beside the free way wearing Ed Hardy and using a skateboard. That would be someone that does not need the money. Again, we are all adults and we can generally tell when someone is trying to scam us and when they are not; and a lamented multi language card is a bit of a tip off.

I also understand that extra people hanging around in an already overly busy parking lot is a safety hazard, especially with the way people drive around the D.C. area.  I also understand that if they are trying to scam people and they get a few dollars and they might go tell some of their friends and than there might be a few extra people panhandling the following week. But this is not an episode of South Park (http://cart.mn/MD6Q6N) where we are going to be overrun with people begging us for spare change.

There are real people that need real help out there, since Monday is Memorial Day how about these number 67,000 veterans are homeless on any given night (http://bit.ly/MD9Ksf). Yes, I know there are social programs that can help veterans and non-veterans, but sometimes getting them into these programs or putting them on that path is not as simple as picking up a phone. Granted, giving them money might not be the right answer ether…but until someone gives me a better idea, it is all I got.

I am not sure that this is a “lifestyle choice” ether. I mean a lifestyle is the way a person lives to his or her own ability (http://bit.ly/MDbbHm), but a choice? I don’t image that any of us reading this would choice to leave their job and go panhandle to make a living, maybe you would…but I would not be able to wrap my head around that way of thinking at all.

The thing that bothered me most about this is the phrase “they might not even be Muslims.” So what!! Do you really think that the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) ever once said “That person is not a believer, so I do not care for them.”? NO! In fact the Quran tells us in Surah 5 verse 32 “if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.”

That person on the street corner might be so depressed that you don’t know what is going on in their head. That little bit of extra change might be what turns their day around. I just had a thought…what is in my couch might make someone happy. That is heavy. What we are too busy with to clean up or chase after could just put a smile on someone’s face. 

Where was I…oh ya non-Muslims…the Quran also teaches us in Surah 3 verse 199 “and there are, certainly, among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), those who believe in God and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before God…” There are other good people out there. Just because they are not Muslim does not mean we can’t help them. 

Now, I am sure I am going to get some kickback from this…and I am also sure that what was being talked about were the people walking around the parking lot with laminated signs that have their story printed out in Arabic, English, and Spanish; and maybe they are not homeless and helpless. But what about the fact that someone just told a room full of people not to give panhandlers money, and you know that someone is going to take that to an extreme.

Look, I was once taught that you never know who is asking you for money. There have been urban legends where rich people go and panhandle, they will sit there for days and get nothing, not a penny. Than someone will happen by and drop a dollar in and the rich person turns around and does something nice for that person, because they showed that not all of humanity sucks! Ya, I said it some of humanity sucks. I have also been taught (this is for religious people) that some of the panhandlers might be tests sent from God, sent to test you directly. That is one test you do not want to screw up.

Now I don’t know who is who, I mean I don’t know who is running a scam and who truly is in need. I use my best judgment to determine if I should hand out money, sometimes I might be wrong…but than there are the times I might get it right, and I make someone’s day.  Than there are those times where I truly do not have anything on me, thank you to the age of credit cards.

I think what I am driving at is do not be too quick to judge someone that is asking for help. It takes a lot to get to that point.

And my few closing thoughts on this are…do not tell a room a full of people to not give money to panhandlers, and follow that with “oh by the way, don’t forget to put money in the donation box. 

On my life I know it is different! I know that the money goes to help the masjid and the community, and the youth programs there in. But it sounds really bad, dude!

And finally if you are agreeing with what is being said about panhandling and praying Friday prayer, don’t go to Seven-Eleven and buy a slice of peperoni pizza to eat on the way back to your car.  

Ok! I am done…let the abuse begin!

 

Hypocrites in prayer or Have I just lost my mind?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

I just had the oddest Friday prayer service ever, and I am so confused, I am not sure if I should to write this or if I should to just accept it and move on in life. 

But I feel like I need to let this out…so excuse me for a moment while I have verbal diarrhea; and if your offended by what I am about to say, I am sorry that was not my intent…so once you get over yourself, give me some constructive criticism.

The service opened with a five to ten minute speech on the panhandlers that were hanging around outside in the parking lot, and how we should not give them money because we were only encouraging that type of life style; to add to that, the question was tossed around a few times as to if they were even Muslim.

So deep breath and here I go…

Do we really need a five to ten minute speech on not giving money to beggars? I mean really we are all adults who work and if we have the extra dollar to give to some one that seems to need to it, than that is our choice.

Please note I said “someone that seems to need it.” Comedian Christopher Titus tells a story about a 22-year-old Vietnam War veteran that was panhandling beside the free way wearing Ed Hardy and using a skateboard. That would be someone that does not need the money. Again, we are all adults and we can generally tell when someone is trying to scam us and when they are not; and a lamented multi language card is a bit of a tip off.

I also understand that extra people hanging around in an already overly busy parking lot is a safety hazard, especially with the way people drive around the D.C. area.  I also understand that if they are trying to scam people and they get a few dollars and they might go tell some of their friends and than there might be a few extra people panhandling the following week. But this is not an episode of South Park (http://cart.mn/MD6Q6N) where we are going to be overrun with people begging us for spare change.

There are real people that need real help out there, since Monday is Memorial Day how about these number 67,000 veterans are homeless on any given night (http://bit.ly/MD9Ksf). Yes, I know there are social programs that can help veterans and non-veterans, but sometimes getting them into these programs or putting them on that path is not as simple as picking up a phone. Granted, giving them money might not be the right answer ether…but until someone gives me a better idea, it is all I got.

I am not sure that this is a “lifestyle choice” ether. I mean a lifestyle is the way a person lives to his or her own ability (http://bit.ly/MDbbHm), but a choice? I don’t image that any of us reading this would choice to leave their job and go panhandle to make a living, maybe you would…but I would not be able to wrap my head around that way of thinking at all.

The thing that bothered me most about this is the phrase “they might not even be Muslims.” So what!! Do you really think that the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) ever once said “That person is not a believer, so I do not care for them.”? NO! In fact the Quran tells us in Surah 5 verse 32 “if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.”

That person on the street corner might be so depressed that you don’t know what is going on in their head. That little bit of extra change might be what turns their day around. I just had a thought…what is in my couch might make someone happy. That is heavy. What we are too busy with to clean up or chase after could just put a smile on someone’s face. 

Where was I…oh ya non-Muslims…the Quran also teaches us in Surah 3 verse 199 “and there are, certainly, among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), those who believe in God and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before God…” There are other good people out there. Just because they are not Muslim does not mean we can’t help them. 

Now, I am sure I am going to get some kickback from this…and I am also sure that what was being talked about were the people walking around the parking lot with laminated signs that have their story printed out in Arabic, English, and Spanish; and maybe they are not homeless and helpless. But what about the fact that someone just told a room full of people not to give panhandlers money, and you know that someone is going to take that to an extreme. 

Look, I was once taught that you never know who is asking you for money. There have been urban legends where rich people go and panhandle, they will sit there for days and get nothing, not a penny. Than someone will happen by and drop a dollar in and the rich person turns around and does something nice for that person, because they showed that not all of humanity sucks! Ya, I said it some of humanity sucks. I have also been taught (this is for religious people) that some of the panhandlers might be tests sent from God, sent to test you directly. That is one test you do not want to screw up.

Now I don’t know who is who, I mean I don’t know who is running a scam and who truly is in need. I use my best judgment to determine if I should hand out money, sometimes I might be wrong…but than there are the times I might get it right, and I make someone’s day.  Than there are those times where I truly do not have anything on me, thank you to the age of credit cards.

I think what I am driving at is do not be too quick to judge someone that is asking for help. It takes a lot to get to that point.

And my few closing thoughts on this are…do not tell a room a full of people to not give money to panhandlers, and follow that with “oh by the way, don’t forget to put money in the donation box.”

On my life I know it is different! I know that the money goes to help the masjid and the community, and the youth programs there in. But it sounds really bad, dude!

And finally if you are agreeing with what is being said about panhandling and praying Friday prayer, don’t go to Seven-Eleven and buy a slice of peperoni pizza to eat on the way back to your car.    

Ok! I am done…let the abuse begin!

 

Hypocrites in prayer or Have I just lost my mind?

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

I just had the oddest Friday prayer service ever, and I am so confused, I am not sure if I should to write this or if I should to just accept it and move on in life. 

But I feel like I need to let this out…so excuse me for a moment while I have verbal diarrhea; and if your offended by what I am about to say, I am sorry that was not my intent…so once you get over yourself, give me some constructive criticism.

The service opened with a five to ten minute speech on the panhandlers that were hanging around outside in the parking lot, and how we should not give them money because we were only encouraging that type of life style; to add to that, the question was tossed around a few times as to if they were even Muslim.

So deep breath and here I go…

Do we really need a five to ten minute speech on not giving money to beggars? I mean really we are all adults who work and if we have the extra dollar to give to some one that seems to need to it, than that is our choice.

Please note I said “someone that seems to need it.” Comedian Christopher Titus tells a story about a 22-year-old Vietnam War veteran that was panhandling beside the free way wearing Ed Hardy and using a skateboard. That would be someone that does not need the money. Again, we are all adults and we can generally tell when someone is trying to scam us and when they are not; and a lamented multi language card is a bit of a tip off.

I also understand that extra people hanging around in an already overly busy parking lot is a safety hazard, especially with the way people drive around the D.C. area.  I also understand that if they are trying to scam people and they get a few dollars and they might go tell some of their friends and than there might be a few extra people panhandling the following week. But this is not an episode of South Park (http://cart.mn/MD6Q6N) where we are going to be overrun with people begging us for spare change.

There are real people that need real help out there, since Monday is Memorial Day how about these number 67,000 veterans are homeless on any given night (http://bit.ly/MD9Ksf). Yes, I know there are social programs that can help veterans and non-veterans, but sometimes getting them into these programs or putting them on that path is not as simple as picking up a phone. Granted, giving them money might not be the right answer ether…but until someone gives me a better idea, it is all I got.

I am not sure that this is a “lifestyle choice” ether. I mean a lifestyle is the way a person lives to his or her own ability (http://bit.ly/MDbbHm), but a choice? I don’t image that any of us reading this would choice to leave their job and go panhandle to make a living, maybe you would…but I would not be able to wrap my head around that way of thinking at all.

The thing that bothered me most about this is the phrase “they might not even be Muslims.” So what!! Do you really think that the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) ever once said “That person is not a believer, so I do not care for them.”? NO! In fact the Quran tells us in Surah 5 verse 32 “if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.”

That person on the street corner might be so depressed that you don’t know what is going on in their head. That little bit of extra change might be what turns their day around. I just had a thought…what is in my couch might make someone happy. That is heavy. What we are too busy with to clean up or chase after could just put a smile on someone’s face. 

Where was I…oh ya non-Muslims…the Quran also teaches us in Surah 3 verse 199 “and there are, certainly, among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), those who believe in God and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before God…” There are other good people out there. Just because they are not Muslim does not mean we can’t help them. 

Now, I am sure I am going to get some kickback from this…and I am also sure that what was being talked about were the people walking around the parking lot with laminated signs that have their story printed out in Arabic, English, and Spanish; and maybe they are not homeless and helpless. But what about the fact that someone just told a room full of people not to give panhandlers money, and you know that someone is going to take that to an extreme. 

Look, I was once taught that you never know who is asking you for money. There have been urban legends where rich people go and panhandle, they will sit there for days and get nothing, not a penny. Than someone will happen by and drop a dollar in and the rich person turns around and does something nice for that person, because they showed that not all of humanity sucks! Ya, I said it some of humanity sucks. I have also been taught (this is for religious people) that some of the panhandlers might be tests sent from God, sent to test you directly. That is one test you do not want to screw up.

Now I don’t know who is who, I mean I don’t know who is running a scam and who truly is in need. I use my best judgment to determine if I should hand out money, sometimes I might be wrong…but than there are the times I might get it right, and I make someone’s day.  Than there are those times where I truly do not have anything on me, thank you to the age of credit cards.

I think what I am driving at is do not be too quick to judge someone that is asking for help. It takes a lot to get to that point.

And my few closing thoughts on this are…do not tell a room a full of people to not give money to panhandlers, and follow that with “oh by the way, don’t forget to put money in the donation box.”

On my life I know it is different! I know that the money goes to help the masjid and the community, and the youth programs there in. But it sounds really bad, dude!

And finally if you are agreeing with what is being said about panhandling and praying Friday prayer, don’t go to Seven-Eleven and buy a slice of peperoni pizza to eat on the way back to your car.    

Ok! I am done…let the abuse begin!

Best headline #Fail EVER!!

New-york-post-front-page-title-fail-obama-beats-weiner

Who wants to talk about the end of the world?

So have been reading this article that my friend  Reier posted a link to (http://bit.ly/LnqEsx) about the people that were VERY sure that the world was going to end May of last year...you remember those folks? 

Part of me is taken back by the blind faith of what of believing in something like this to the point that you would quit a 6 figure a year job; but at the same time is it really that odd to have that much faith in something? 

I would love to do hear from you people and get your thoughts on this...anyone? 

Thursday, May 24, 2012

I was so poor growing up that we couldn't afford "Crazy Glue" we had to use "Slighty Insane Sticky Stuff"

Rimshot

Untitled

I was so poor growing up that we couldn't afford "Crazy Glue" we had to use "Slighty Insane Sticky Stuff" 

Rimshot

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Thinking about starting a kickstarter project for the podcast...any thoughts?

Monday, May 21, 2012

Heads up! The podcast will be late this week...it has been an awesome birthday week :) have no fear i will post soon.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

i have been lacks in my duties the last few days, truth is i was kidnapped for birthday & have been looking at this
i have been lacks in my duties the last few days, truth is i was kidnapped for birthday & have been looking at this

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

I think I lost control of my studio!! What say you? Plus @JoeJoeKeys @Luppy1 and so much more!! 2 hours from now...http://bit.ly/K2o1w3
New Podcast is blasted out in about 2 hours! New Music from @oddslanemusic & we keep talking to @ThatsMyHummus http://bit.ly/K2o1w3
My friends are so cool that I have to give myself my own pep talk :)
"You have an all out prize fight, you wait until the fight is over, 1 guy is left standing. And that's how you know who won"
The Navy taught me 3 powerful rules to live by: honor courage & commitment...http://1.usa.gov/J6krFg
I am tired; I am beat down; I am close to broken; but I will keep fighting the good fight. Why u ask? God has a plan.
Can you get better advertising than this?? Thank you @JoeJoeKeys & @Luppy1 http://bit.ly/HsaZGX

Monday, May 14, 2012

My son says he has lost his voice...i think he has seen "quest for fire" one to many times
I am listening to a "best of" from @thatsmyhummus...i love it! My hummus comes from Costco lol

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Had a thought...if you get money for something you are a professional. I am a professional podcaster :-)
Can't wait till this comes out!
Can't wait till this comes out!

Friday, May 11, 2012

This little guy thought this place was cool to build his nest....
This little guy thought this place was cool to build his nest....
Just updated something on my web site...who wants to take a quick peek at it?

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Whatever...
Hahaha.... Come on that is kind of funny!
Hahaha.... Come on that is kind of funny!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Is it wrong that i have yet to find a "smart phone" that can keep up with & i don't max out with in 6 months?
3 and half hours left! And Season #2 Of the Recovery Room Podcast with special guest @Thatsmyhummus will be available! http://bit.ly/LIoloq

Monday, May 7, 2012

I need help...it seems i am at the intersection of tired, overwhelmed, & confused. Anyone know directions out of here?
So times there are opportunities you have to say no to for one reason or another & it is painful. Just pray they come around again.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

I have passed that moment when my brain shut down...sadly i was typing & it happened mid sentence. Now my family must suffer my foolishness.
At my office we test for Starbucks...
At my office we test for Starbucks...
Bad pandora!! Bad!! Playing the bee gees...what is wrong with you?!?! Go to your room!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Friday, May 4, 2012

Sad story, but useful information! http://ping.fm/Un3lc

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Maybe I am slow...but what is this guys deal man?? http://bit.ly/JF5Wqw

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Studying up for a podcast recording on waronwomen any must reads or comments?
You know i think there is a fine line between good social media and spam...

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Broke 4,000 downloads last week!! There are so many people to thank and those thank you are coming soon!
I am not sure if this is bad form or not but i am excited and i have to tell everyone! The Recovery Room podcast...
Feeling like a spammer! Can't wait till next week when I return with all new shows... http://bit.ly/InGiIf
So that is how it started!!
So that is how it started!!
A condescending person can bring down your whole day...

Friday, April 27, 2012

Go get yours NOW!! http://ping.fm/lmU9R
How about a little geek humor...
How about a little geek humor...
Yes we do...
Yes we do...

Thursday, April 26, 2012

YELLAH!!!
One of those days...

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

On the verge of a brake through...just need a little more time to get it all together http://bit.ly/JlQYWk

Friday, April 20, 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Does anyone know if @VerizonWireless has better service & customer service than @ATT?? @ATT & @DirectvService can just go away!!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

To my fellow geeks & Tupac fans... http://bit.ly/HTa4kS
Have you ever just known something...but you don't say it because you will look stupid or be embarrassed? But you know it's true TrustUrGut

Monday, April 16, 2012

So many thoughts and ideas in my head, but so few hours in the day...
Thanks for all those that turned out yesterday to support Ghada, Jonathan, and the rest of T.C. Williams Crew http://wapo.st/IqJkHD

Sunday, April 15, 2012

podcasting
The birth of comedy podcasting
In case you didn't know...the last easy day was yesterday...know you know.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

We should all take a long holiday and let our children play...
Anyone know when Brother Love's traveling salvation show is coming to town again ;-) (rt or like if you get it)
Willie nelson on pandora...should i skip this?? "mamma don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys..." songsfromyouth
Wife is working OT, the boy is at a crew event, and i am studying...best part of this (besides nothing) lackofpants
Last 3 songs on pandora were the carpenters, Jon Denver, & jimi hendrix...i didn't skip a one of em!! dontjudge
Is it wrong that my assumptions of people are based on what i learned from "breaking bad"?

Friday, April 13, 2012

Everyone be safe this weekend...http://ping.fm/ay0nD

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Struggling with changing the format of the podcast...#thoughts suggestions comments??

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

I thought mac came with some kind of html editor...did they stop doing that??

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

So here is a question...do you think the reality of ppl not working with the podcast or not replying to me is because i am Muslim?
I want to start a segment on my podcast...any imam want to help me with this? Will take 1 minute out of your week...
confession: little nervous about tonights show...any suggestions?
ANNOUNCING: LupedUpRecords artists will be featured on "The Recovery Room" podcast TONIGHT! 7pm EST http://t.co/6vdlyFZH -- JoeJoeKeys (@JoeJoeKeys)
HOW FREAKING COOL IS THIS?!?! http://on.fb.me/HXJRhT
Haven't been 2 @blogtalkradio homepage?@RecoveryPodcast & @SaidsWorld R up front! Thanks every1 for making this happen http://bit.ly/HXGQOv

Monday, April 9, 2012

Ok! I know i am not (that) crazy!! This new movie "lockout" i Swear on one of insomnia nights i saw that plot!! This is a remake...#right??
ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT! Get them now before they are gone! & join @SaidsWorld LIVE on the Podcast tomorrow http://on.fb.me/HwjiDv
Just did some work & @JoeJoeKeys is working with @RecoveryPodcast for opening & closing music! THANKYOU!! http://bit.ly/HsaZGX

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Let me try this again with the correct link...Everyone in the DC area should be here next week! http://bit.ly/Hsj1F1
Everyone in the DC area should be here next week! http://bit.ly/HrRCBo
My First post to instagram! http://bit.ly/HrRCBo

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Starting the day with a Kurt quote...
Starting the day with a Kurt quote...
Mexican night seems like a bad idea right now....

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Thoughts on new diet drug? As someone that puts on 2lbs from Ice Tea I am going to follow this http://usat.ly/HOo6Gi
There goes my Friday! :) "@mpac_national Shisha pipes: Is smoking them really harmless? http://bit.ly/HWEW1y @BBC"
HOW is it this was not posted everywhere?? You can be strip searched for J-walking?? WHY?!?!? http://bit.ly/HOb9wr

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Just a heads up to the new followers I over post during my live show! BeWarned it 1 night a week for half hour http://ping.fm/uuHbh
Be an awesome day for a motorcycle ride...if only i hadn't sold mine :-(
NameThatTune "life's a movie; call me Martin Scorsese..."
NameThatTune " we don't bother anyone, keep to ourselves, the mail man visit us all in turn"
Having one of those days...wishing someone would kick me in the head, might be less painful.
You ever think you have angered the universe? Its all a test from God, right?

Photos of me?

Found this photo of me floating around the net from the GMU visit last week...

http://yfrog.com/page/addthis?server=877&filename=6fcke.jpg&yfrog_url=http://yfrog.com/od6fckej&is_photo=true&screen_name=_Hot2Trot
It is always nice to start the day with a fan letter! Have you heard the podcast? What are your thoughts?

Monday, April 2, 2012

Question...is eating bugs halal?

Friday, March 30, 2012

So this is how gaming all got started...http://bit.ly/GYAHUi
Stole this from Facebook...i just love the dogs in it.
Stole this from Facebook...i just love the dogs in it.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

To my professional stand up comic followers & friends, & my educated followers & friends...why is it called "working blue" ?
I think I just found my new favorite web site!! http://bit.ly/H2Wx6B

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Monday, March 26, 2012

Does @GovMikeHuckabee not like or want muslim support? I am in shock over that phone call..."calling only Christian households" WTH?!?
Lesson #1: when calling a house for a presidential hopeful don't open with "we have been asked to call all the Christian households" fail
I need some help writing copy & a few seo stuff...anyone down?
I am not going to lie...i have some awesome guests lined up, but i need more, any suggestions?
Just because it is the most difficult way to do something...don't mean its the right way to do it.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

coffee
For my coffee peoples!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

If this is a marketing class why do i feel like i am studying economics?? thingsthatsuck
Jonathan crosses the finish line in a boat...in a...oh you know the song!
Jonathan crosses the finish line in a boat...in a...oh you know the song!
Is it to early to be looking for a can of wasp spray?
Jonathan getting ready for his first match...go Jonathan!!
Jonathan getting ready for his first match...go Jonathan!!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Got some pretty big guests coming up in the Room, really excited! Anyone want to help me write a few lines of copy?

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

I think i wasted part of my day today. been awake for 17 hours, 7 of which i was roasting coffee. WTH did i do with the other 10 hours?
SEE!! I TOLD YOU Kofta could be a burger...I am not the only one...HA!!! http://bit.ly/GHQZ6Z

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Sorry for all the over posting that is about to happen! Please RT and share links. thanks
Go to www.bcdodge.me to leave a voicemail for tonights show! Thanks to speakpipe for this.

Monday, March 19, 2012

“@ARLnowDOTcom: Man found dead at Arlington Funeral Home http://t.co/QMUUKFl1”-Dan Syde (@dansyde) hu? Well where else would you look??

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Would you like to hear the Recovery Room podcast on your smart phone? Well maybe there is an app for that;-) a Recovery Room app...want to know more?

Friday, March 16, 2012

Have you peoples seen this site? http://bit.ly/yNZ1Mr Very cool work by very cool folks
Sorry, but some companies REALLY don't need twitter accounts...http://bit.ly/x10Kyp
This is kind of cool! Just installed SpeakPipe on www.bcdodge.me You can leave me a voice mail on my web site! Go and try it out
Good piece in @nytimesworld by @rodnordland on "Reactions to Two Incidents, a U.S.-Afghan Disconnect" Worth a read! http://nyti.ms/xzqUN6

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Really don't want to follow Rush @limbaugh, don't want ppl to think ill of me...but who doesn't slow down to see a traffic accident???

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

OK!! Watch me step into on coming traffic: I am confused can someone explain to me the killingkhawaja & KONY2012??
WHY I NOT surprised that Fox News covered this?@Foxnews Muslim journalist defends NYPD, says Muslims 'use religion as cover' fxn.ws/y3NbBI

Monday, March 12, 2012

Trying not to scream at my tv while they cover nirvana....your screwing it up please stop!! For all that is holy stop!! thevoice
I feel that sometimes i can get over excited and scare away people that don't know me that well.
Spent some time reading @Faiqa blog...awesome read & worth your time. Lots of points I want to follow up with her on http://bit.ly/xw6bg9
I have seen this a lot today, & I have to ask WHO CARES?!? 1st look at the group we are talking about & 2nd WHO CARES? http://huff.to/wYvvgQ
Join me & Hasan Shah tomorrow night as we talk about the MCYP & what they are doing for the community http://on.fb.me/zMqjpe
For all me friends (& family) from Egypt I give you @SultanAlQassemi Idiot's guide to Egypt’s presidential elections 2012 bit.ly/yOdO9e by Gamal Essam El-Din in @AhramOnline (via twitter)
We all know this feeling, and we have all done it. Awesome write up! http://t.co/B1kKR0jy -- Steve Cushing (@Montberte)

Sunday, March 11, 2012

To all the podcast world...what is a good rca to usb converter?
This going back to collage stuff...is like hard and what not.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Word.
Word.
@Deanofcomedy @lizzwinstead Give I am Vet, Muslim convert, & the podcast I just assume DHS is stalking me http://t.co/mVCxVXYA -- The Recovery Room (@RecoveryPodcast)
AWESOME article by @religionnews on the Hijab the history, styles, & reasons. Thanks guys! MustRead http://t.co/DH4iuIYR -- The Recovery Room (@RecoveryPodcast)

Thursday, March 8, 2012

WHAT?!? No way @FoxNews! You must be kidding that a show called 'Good Christian Bitches,' casts religion in negative light?? What stunning news could be next...water is wet...we need to keep breathing? I am just stunned. On the flipside...anyone know what the viewership was for 'Homeland' or maybe '24' or how about 'All American Muslim'? (Touch of a double stander there, eh?) fxn.ws/wd1VwU GCB ABC

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Ipad Ipad 3 hd Ipad newIpad i just wanted to be part of the current trend on fb & twitter. Ipad3
I think if you spend to much time looking at and studying social media analytics you can drive yourself MAD! Wish I had someone to help me break all this stuff down or maybe a way to pull it all together...so confused.
Time travel is possible because ambien is awesome.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Shhh! My mom hates gloating...but since THANKS to all of you Listens to The Recovery Room are up 805% in the 15 days, what say we do this http://bit.ly/zJrK6G
I have not made this post in a few weeks so I wanted to do this and again say thank you to all the people that made these numbers happen and to the companies that put up with me :) So from 2/14/12 to 2/22/12 as you know listens went up 300% form 2/22/12 to 2/28/12 listens went up ANOTHER 80% (I was laid up last week and couldn't make that post, sorry) Now for this week and remember it was only a replay we went up ANOTHER 3% with out me doing any promoting...3% on a replay?? You guys are awesome! Let's keep building the Recovery Room!
Diet update...5 weeks ago Monday marked my official diet start: after 5 weeks i am up by 3lbs. (total 7lbs) but to be fair i have been stuck on the couch the couch this last week and not eating well. So 6 days on the couch is worth 3lbs!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Did you see what happened at the Adams Center today??? unacceptable.
Did you see what happened at the Adams Center today??? unacceptable.
Is it wrong that i am amused that people, according to Google analytics, are searching Arab porn & ending up on my site??
First day back at work & @myfoxdc drops by @swingscoffee! How cool is that?
First day back at work & @myfoxdc drops by @swingscoffee! How cool is that?

Sunday, March 4, 2012

I think if you are advertising "21 Jump Street" you don't get to use the word "NEW" K?

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Please let me know if you are not seeing my audio updates...i am finding out my RSS feeds are not updating. I will fix this ASAP thanks -- The Recovery Room (@RecoveryPodcast)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Diet update...4 weeks ago Monday marked my official diet start: after 4 weeks i am down 0lbs. (total 10lbs) think i found my wall...

Monday, February 27, 2012

I plan on racking up the stickers this week on @getglue!!
You ever get to a point that you want to let go a slew of obscenities???

Thursday, February 23, 2012

QOTD (so far) "drink some draino and go to sleep" - Chris Titus

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Anyone know anybody who is pretty good at wordpress designing?? help
My weekly email update for listens was late this week...but well worth the wait. My listens last week grew...and this can't be right...up by 300%?!?!?

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

To those that follow me & the recovery room...i am very sorry for the double posts. There is just important information that i want to make sure gets out there. This week might be bad for double posts...but it will stop i promise. Thanks and sorry in advance!
Diet update...3 weeks ago Monday marked my official diet start: after 3 weeks i am down 1lbs. (total 10lbs) apparently 3 day weekends don't agree with my waist.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Apparently you NOT supposed to eat a whole box of cookies in one sitting...who knew!!
A slow computer can cause fits of out rage and maybe a stroke!
You ever get to the point where you have to much information am your going in to many different directions? Got to pull it in and reset...
Sharing this from a friend on Facebook...good morning!
Sharing this from a friend on Facebook...good morning!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Again i am so sorry...my twitter account was hacked today. I am sorry about the DMs normally don't do DM. if you clicked on the link please change your password.
I think I have fixed everything and changed passwords. I again I am SO sorry for all the DMs that people got today. But I think I fixed it.
Sorry everyone...my twitter was hacked and i am working on it now. Please ignore the DMs. Sorry!!

Friday, February 17, 2012

"@NewYorkPost: BREAKING: MSG, Time Warner Cable reach deal" am i the only one that thinks this reads odd??
Facebook twitter & Google+ seem kind of dead today...what is going on? What is happening in your world? Where is everyone??

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Anyone any to work as a personal secretary? I can pay you in trident double layer gum! (and i know that is far more entertaining to me than anyone else...but my brain hurts so shut up!)
Thinking things i thought makes my brain head hurt....pain...
Just like the old days! +Tom Anderson is my friend...well in my circle to be more accurate.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

If you have been to www.bcdodge.me to see the facelift please let me know what you think...would love some feedback.
You know there are movies that I DON't own and I am really shocked...

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

One of the best parts of doing live radio...lack of pants. http://ping.fm/QmkHh
This is my first post about this...but if you are interested the newly redesigned www.bcdodge.me is up and running! Have a look and tell me what you think...please?
Testing lattes is not for the lactose intolerant....
Diet update...2 weeks ago Monday marked my official diet start: after 2 weeks i am down 5lbs. (total 9lbs)

Monday, February 13, 2012

Am i following the wrong people, or is facebook dying a slow death? Maybe its just me...

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Just heard "I Heard it through the grapevine" by CCR and my son was shocked to hear it 11 minutes long, so off to wiki I went...In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida 17 minutes! To which the buy said "WHY?!" I said it was the 70's, there was nothing better to do. (FYI the wiki says the live version was 19:00+)

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Just looked at some numbers from @stitcherradio for the recovery room (@rexoverypodcast) not bad for 4 days...thank you stitcher users!
"whiteout conditions" is never a weather alert i thought i would see in the dc area...

Friday, February 10, 2012

My heart & prayers go out to the families & staff of the Walpole Elementary School. It is sad...and I really don't know what else to say it's that bad.
(Not a joke) Nothing says "I'm a poor fata**, please spend your life with me" more than this: http://bit.ly/w8sU8M
And this is how you parent smartass spoiled little kids...http://ping.fm/PL4O8

Thursday, February 9, 2012

This has been a big week for self revelations. HemdAllah.
At some point I became REALLY just...I don't know...bitter about STUPID people and so little time for them. Stop using all the good oxygen!
HEY! Coffee Type people! have a read while you sip your morning joe @ShotOfCoffee blog http://bit.ly/xxpseT

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

I don't know who is in charge around here, but i was promised an inch of snow! Whoever is working on that is slacking off!!
I love 98% of all comedy and comedian... But i just don't get dane cook.
Someone kill me now!! http://bit.ly/zUubrj
I think the Geese are all confused...a week or so ago they were flying north and I thought "Winters over!" today they are all flying south again.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

FRONT PAGE OF BLUBRRY.COM BABY!
FRONT PAGE OF BLUBRRY.COM BABY!
Ok, so to those that I have annoyed with the double posting to twitter...let's see if this fixes it...
Diet update...last Monday marked my official diet start: after a week i am down 4lbs.
After further review of the play...i have to say...i don't like it, nope not one bit

Monday, February 6, 2012

Just got awesome news that The Recovery Room is officially on Stitcher Radio! WOOT WOOT! We are growing...http://bit.ly/ykZ2kU
Who is going to do my proof reading and give me a little feedback on my website, now that the face lift is almost done?
If my website looks good in chrome, safari, and firefox...but looks clunky in IE; does that matter? Who uses IE??
It is done. Come on over and join The Recovery Room on FaceBook http://on.fb.me/zpWxDU
It is never a good sign when your Monday alarm goes off am you have to think...was the last 48 hours a dream? moresleep

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Happy super bowl Sunday! May your team hit a home run...err...whatever...i am going back to sleep.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

I have been thinking about my Recovery Room topic this week i think @ArtieDavis latest blog post "they don't know Jesus; they know you and they don't like you!" sealed the deal! So join me Tuesday night @ 7pm
I think i am officially a geek! I just got a TARDUS live wallpaper for my phone...

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Quick reader poll: 1st phone call is told to call back tomorrow at this time. 2nd phone call made goes to voicemail...am i being avoided??
This is for my sports/new England peps...enjoy! http://ping.fm/COPxN

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Thinking about doing a Facebook "Fan Page" for The Recovery Room (my podcast http://ping.fm/g4DOV) What are your thoughts on this?
Last night on ABC local news the story came out that the US wants bombs to drop on nuclear plants. At which point my 15 year old looked at me and said "Bombing a nuclear plant?? Hell! Nothing could go wrong there!" He makes me proud some days, other days a scratch my head and wonder how he managed to get is pants on! Point being this...if a 15 year old sees an issues MAYBE we should look over our strategy again. http://bit.ly/yMrLwH
There are things I do, because I feel I have to, but it doesn't make them any less heartbreaking.
You know...i want to go to Paradise City, i hear the grass in green.
Its not that i hate or dislike ALL covers or remakes they just need to be RESPECTFUL of the original...

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I have hit a wall & can't seem to break through frustration & with that don't use "expert" in your title if you can't & won't help useless
What the hell would it take to get YOU to click a link? I REALLY want to know...
It’s almost time to Recover! Join me LIVE in about an hour http://ping.fm/XnCyo BlogTalkRadio
Why don't I like the evening news?? This about sums it up! http://bit.ly/yeEFK6

I'll "Talk Hard" if you listen!

Growing up on of my favorite movies was "Pump up The Volume," I always wanted to be Christian Slater! I wanted the ability to speak freely and be amplified. I wanted to speak for the quite, speak for the voiceless, speak for the unspoken (I need to stop before I break into a chorus of Sing by My Chemical Romance).

Than a few years ago a friend showed me the web site BlogTalkRadio.com I quickly learned that this was the platform to do the very thing that I had always wanted to do.

I spent sometime setting up my account and learning how to run things. After awhile I felt I was ready to do my first broadcast and that happened to be What is it like being a Muslim Convert?

It turned out ok I think. I know that I was nervous and all my public speaking and acting class crawled into an escape pod and made an emergency ejection from my brain. But again, it wasn't all bad to date is has had over 600 listens; and a year later it lead to my own documentary They Choose Islam.

Time went by and this little project of mine fell by the wayside. At the same time I trying to run a small Islamic Study Group. Life happened (aka I am lazy) and that too fell by the wayside.

By this time I was feeling really bad. My study group was going nowhere, I wasn't paying attention to my broadcasting on BlogTalk. I wasn't helping myself grow as a Muslim, I wasn't helping spread the truth about Islam, and I wasn't helping to fight Islamophobia. 

After a little poking and prodding by my wife to do something with my study group I had a brain storm. Why not try to combine the study group and my broadcast? And that lead to The Truth Behind Sharia. As of today it has had about 200 listens. 

I had a lot of fun doing these broadcasts. I wanted to do more. I kept mulling it over in my head...How can I work on my nervousness?  How can I get more listeners? Are people even listening to me?

I changed my mindset, and realized I had to shake it off and just do it! Sorry Nike. I decided to just do shows whenever I had free. This resulted in two shows, one of which I had to delete due to technical issues the other was Whatever is on my mind today!

While I was building my confidence I was tweeting and posting about needing feeding back, trying to get listeners to speak up...I am looking at the numbers and I know people are listening but they are not talking back. 

I was talking to my wife one night and sharing my vision and dream with her. At the end of the conversation I had come to the conclusion that, as had been suggested, I would start doing the broadcast every week at the same time. Thus was the birth of the Tuesday night Recovery Room.

Since than I have done 3 or 4 broadcast, and people that comment online I find out later, in person, they really never listened.  This last week I did a broadcast about Islam in Marriage. I got my weekly report of listens and I had a 24% drop in listening.

I have 2 thoughts on why...

First is that I put Islam in the title, and I wonder that with the current Islamophobia spreading like wild fire, maybe that turned some people away and believe me when I say that this doesn't mean I am going to stop doing what I am doing! The other is that I used a different method of promoting the show this past week and I feel liked it failed. 

At the end of the day it is a touch frustrating for me. 

I know the people are there and I know people are listening but I can't get the feed back I feel I need.

What do people like? What do people want to hear more of or less of? 

And to further build on this thought...I still need just a few more surveys done to make the Bluberry computer system kick in. Who would have thought it would have been this much of a struggle to get a handful of these done?

I am not sure what I am doing right or what I am doing wrong...and since people are not coming back to me...I am kind of at a loss. I know its there and I think I am doing it right, I just have to get to a hold of it. 

So if you have the time tonight join me in the Recovery Room and help me recover from this! And for those that are listening...Thanks :)


       
Looking at last weeks numbers, seems Islam & Marriage was not that popular. Oh well! Join me tonight to Recover http://ow.ly/8Feoi
"@RobLowe Couldn't have said it better myself. On the wall at M E Swing Co Coffee, best in DC! Disraeli:Stud pic.twitter.com/wwxxAjYZ" Look who is drinking Swings :)

Monday, January 30, 2012

Whole wheat sugar free blueberry muffins. How were they sweetened you ask? With raw honey :-)
Whole wheat sugar free blueberry muffins. How were they sweetened you ask? With raw honey :-)
My amazing wife never stops shocking me! 1st it was "i just saw 'raising Arizona' & liked it" than came the "cats eye" reference...how cool is she?
If you haven't heard...than you haven't heard! Join me on Tuesday nights in the The Recovery Room
I think I found 1 topic for tomorrows Recovery Room (http://bit.ly/aXGwzK) Is this Halal?? http://bit.ly/xrE6Jf

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Jonathan getting ready for his first dance...sorry!
Jonathan getting ready for his first dance...sorry! "Winter Formal"

Friday, January 27, 2012

Officially over weight (aka fat) diet starts soon!
I just had a brain storm! (and yes it hurt) I need an Imam that can spare me a few minutes a week...any takers?
Wish there was a free service that would pull all these reports I have together & help me make head or tails of this stuff...Anyone? Maybe?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Ambien is kind of awesome...now if i could get some juice that won't cause indigestion i would be rockin it today.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Thanks to everyone that has listened tonight and will listen later...i had fun tonight...what is your feed back?
Listen to tonight's podcast of Islam Marriage 101, with Fatimah updating us on the Muslim Marriage Event http://ping.fm/vQLGW
The simplest way to make me stop doing from doing this post is to click the link! I need 4 more people We can do this! http://t.co/pZlyL5lm
"@rompenni: NYPD uses Islamophobic film to train officers http://t.co/rxKCrH7q Muslim Islam Islamophobia" COME ON! Is this 1930 Germany?

Class Cup #2: Espresso or Drip? (Repost from http://bit.ly/zH2Mha)


How many times have you heard someone say “I can’t start my day without my latte,” or maybe you are that kind of person. If that is the case, I am about to share something with you that might change you morning routine forever.
Truth is if it caffeine you are after to jump start your day, than you might be going about it all wrong (and more than likely spending too much in the process). Before anyone freaks on me, let me say that I do like a good espresso every now and again, and working in the coffee world I am always looking for what coffee geeks call the “god shot.”
What baristas and coffee snobs call a “god shot” is a single origin coffee with which you pull a shot of espresso. What makes it so special is because most espressos are blends. This is due to that fact that some people feel that no single origin coffee is good enough to with stand the pressure that coffee goes through to make an espresso shot. But I feel that I am getting ahead of myself…
Let’s first look at what a shot of espresso is. Espresso is approximately two ounces of a thick ‘heavy bodied’ coffee with a topping of what appears to be foam, but what is called crema. Before I forget, please note I said “heavy bodied,” and not over extracted coffee (which I will come back to).
Now this crema is what makes espresso espresso. We all know water and oil don’t mix, we learned that in element school. But what they didn’t teach us (at least me) was that under high pressure water and oil will…wait for it…emulsify (there is your five dollar word of the day). Coffee beans have oil in them naturally, in case you question me, look at some darker roasted coffee. The darker the roast the more the heat causes these oils to push to the surface of the bean. When you place the coffee in the portafilter and begin the process of extraction the pressure forces the oils and the water to bond, making the foam on top of your shot called crema. On a side note if your espresso don’t have crema, they did something wrong!
This is the part you need to start paying attention to…this crema is where gases and oils from the coffee are fused together, now, if coffee gets its flavor from these oils and gases (and sugars, but that is a later topic) and they are all fused with water what you are really getting is concentrated flavor. And if it is a latte or cappuccino, it is concentrated flavor with heated milk!
The last few points I want to make are that espresso is normally ground very fine, almost powder like. This is because (and it makes for a nice segue into my next point) the water that is being pressurized is in contact for such a short time that you need to make sure all the ground coffee is used. Also, as an aside to this, if the coffee is to course the water just runs right through the grounds; if it is to fine nothing comes out at all…and the water backs up into the machine and finds another way out (i.e.…lose hose) and a big mess is made…don’t ask how I know this.
As I said for a shot of espresso the water is only in contact with the ground coffee for a short time, normally in the neighborhood of twenty-five seconds. In the grand scheme of coffee extraction twenty-five seconds is nothing, especially when compared to something like a French press or drip, which can take up to four minutes.
So now we know that when making drip coffee the water is in contact with the grounds for about four minutes. Another difference is the grind. If you are grinding your coffee for drip it drip it needs to be more course than espresso, meaning there is more surface area for the water to cover.
Since you are all fairly clever people I am guessing you just had a Ah-ha moment. But for those that didn’t have that, let me lay it out for you…powder like grind, bonding of oils and water, twenty five second of water to bean contact verses courser grind, and four minutes of water to bean contact.
Which one will take more of the oils and chemicals (a.k.a. caffeine) out of the ground coffee? The drip will. It has far more time to extract the goodness from that ground coffee than a shot of espresso does.
So next time you need a little pick me up try a cup of coffee rather than a latte or cappuccino. However, if you are drinking that espresso shot for that taste…carry on! If you really want to try something cool order up a Red Eye (a cup of coffee with a shot of espresso in it) or a Black Eye (a cup of coffee with two shots of espresso in it).
As an epilogue to this I was talking with a friend of mine who said “ya, but why do different methods of brewing coffee taste so…well…different?” (Please note that I PERSONALLY do not consider pulling a shot of espresso “brewing” coffee) so now we have Class Cup #3: Why don’t mine taste like that?
And as always here is the DISCLAMER: PLEASE BE AWARE THE THESE POST ARE AND WILL BE HEAVLY LACED WITH PERSONAL OPIOIN. MY STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON MY YEARS WORKING IN SPECIALITY COFFEE AND AS A ROASTMASTER, AS WELL AS BEING A LIFE LONG COFFEE DRINKER.
For questions or comments you can find me on twitter (@BCDodge_me), you can email me, or leave them posted below.