Posts by drunkenmadman

Hey Melbourne, you look foxy. What are you up to on… say… Tuesday Night?

Jun19
2011 2 Comments

Written by drunkenmadman

Because, you see, we’re around and we’re doing a LIVE EPISODE of the skeptacular In Vino Veritas Podcast on Tuesday 21st June 2011 at the Clyde Hotel, in Carlton, preceded by a set from our very own Dave The Happy Singer, who will be doing what it says on the tin. That is, Singing. Happily. Whilst being called Dave.

He’s quite good at that, apparently.

And he is definitely called Dave. It’s been verified.

You’ll be there? Oh, Melbourne, we’re so happy. We just know it’ll be a night to remember. One way or another.

If you have a Facebook account, you can RSVP here.

Things to bring:

Awesomeness
A drinking hat
A suggestion for three unrelated things
A suggestion for a main topic
A split-sides repair kit

We’d love to see you there. We’d love it even more if you’d bring, say, a friend. And, you know, tell Facebook and Twitter and stuff. Because the more people we get in, the more absurd we will look on stage with three bottles of wine. And that’s what life’s all about.

Posted in Meta - Tagged announcements, events, live

The Parable of the Organ Grinder and his Monkey

Jun17
2011 Leave a Comment

Written by drunkenmadman

Some listeners have expressed the opinion that perhaps my percentage share of the talky bits on the skeptacular In Vino Veritas Podcast is a little… low. They suggest that it’s some kind of injustice, that the lion’s share of hot air is blown not by myself, but by my esteemed colleague Dave The Happy Singer.

To these commentators I dedicate the parable of the Organ Grinder and his Monkey.

A metaphor for our podcast. You're welcome

Every day, the Organ Grinder awakes. He attires himself, readies his kit for the business of the day, rouses the small capuchin monkey he keeps as a companion and heads out for the Town Square, lugging with him the large and cumbersome barrel-organ with which he is wont to ply his trade.

All day long the Organ Grinder cranks his instrument*, producing melodies for passers-by, who occasionally proffer a meagre few coins for the effort. The monkey, for his part, occasionally dances for the amusement of the public and receives fruit and nuts, which he devours with relish**.

Occasionally, the odd pair receive public approbation for their troubles, and are moved on, the Organ Grinder again lugging his ungainly apparatus to a new spot, where their interminable drudgery begins anew. Coin. Fruit. Grinding.

And at the end of the day, away they go home, to sleep, perchance to dream, and to awaken once more the next day to begin the incessant cycle anew.

You dear reader, may imagine that in imparting this tale I attempt to portray myself, transparently, in the role of the Organ Grinder – the ostensible leader of this comical pair – and to cast my steadfast companion Dave The Happy Singer as the monkey, the prancing comic relief to my steady, rhythmic symphony.

You’d be wrong.

I’m the monkey. The monkey gets to sit around while some other nork is doing the heavy lifting. He gets a free ride and none of the blame when the operation is moved on. While Mr Organ Grinder is cranking his arms to the bone, Monkey is having a little dance. Human stooge gets a few coins for his trouble. Monkey gets delicious bananas. Monkey even gets to wake up later than Mr Organ Grinder, downtrodden putz that he is.

And, best of all, the fucker gets to do all this while wearing a fez.