…or so I’ve been told, anyway.

Now that I’m measuring my remaining time at my day job in hours instead of days, the coworkers say I’ve got a certain look about me. A patina of “don’t give a flying fungus”, or what some would call a “sh*t-eating grin.”

Whatever. I’m pretty hamn dappy to be self-unemployed once again, and I’m starting it all off the right way. The entrepreneurial way. The good-ole American Spirit way.

I’m going to work my tailfeathers off for a full week, then take two weeks off for Christmas. Seeya!

Episode #100

Now beginneth the really confusing parts… educational grants and official business structuring for tax purposes. If you’re ever thinking of starting your own business, be ready for some heavy reading.

I just got laid off from my [tag]day job[/tag], I’ve got 100 days to turn my entertainment business into something that pays the bills. Want to listen in on how I’m going to do it? Want to be a part of the effort?

For more help on subscribing to [tag]The Countdown[/tag], just visit the Podcast Subscription page.

So everyone’s talking about the hypothetical [tag]iPhone[/tag]™ soon to be announced by [tag]Apple Computer[/tag]. Much has been made of the fact that the trademarks and patents are already filed, not something [tag]Apple[/tag] does just for fun. Yet nobody can figure out just what’s supposed to be so groundbreaking.

A phone? That plays music? *YAWN*

I think I’ve figured it out, though, and I owe this revelation to the [tag]SciFi Network[/tag].
Read More…

Episode #111

This episode I delve into the arcane world of [tag]corporate benefits[/tag] like the 401k and stock options. All kinds of stuff I’ll be giving up just to be my own boss. Sexy? No. Thrilling? No. But is it stuff you’d better know all about before you think about leaving your day job? Oh yes.

I just got laid off from my [tag]day job[/tag], I’ve got 111 days to turn my entertainment business into something that pays the bills. Want to listen in on how I’m going to do it? Want to be a part of the effort?

For more help on subscribing to [tag]The Countdown[/tag], just visit the Podcast Subscription page.

Oh wait, nevermind, that’s not me. That’s [tag]Jesus Christ[/tag]. My bad. Who’d have thought a white man would’ve been born in the middle east? Must be a miracle. Apparently, we share the same beard, the same skin tone, sometimes the same haircut. Definitely not the same career plans, and unfortunately not the same parents or moral integrity.

Wasn’t there something in the [tag]Bible[/tag] about not [tag]worshiping idols[/tag]? And if this isn’t an object of worship, why make a doll out of your God? Will he come with his own [tag]pink Corvette[/tag] in a few years? I don’t know if I’d call this wrong, but isn’t it a bit… weird?

Ah well, if you want to get your own (I’m not making this up) [tag]Talking Jesus Action Figure[/tag], apparently you can. Just don’t let the dog chew on it. And remember, if you dress him up in your [tag]Barbie®[/tag] doll’s clothes, there’s a special seat in [tag]hell[/tag] just for you.

[tags]CNN.com[/tags]

I’ll make this one brief: [tag]Scientists[/tag] announced Monday that they have developed a high-tech [tag]T-shirt[/tag] that turns the strumming of an [tag]air guitar[/tag] into music.

God help us all.

[tags]the seventh seal[/tags]

Episode #116

Today I got a little info about [tag]finances[/tag] from some family, some friends, and some listeners. Here are some of the links I mentioned in this episode:

• [tag]Pro Demo Solutions[/tag], my guitarist’s personal business.
• [tag]Suffering From Sanity[/tag] with Bryce
• [tag]High Orbit[/tag] Episode 32 with pics from my [tag]emergency room[/tag] visit.

I just got laid off from my [tag]day job[/tag], I’ve got 116 days to turn my entertainment business into something that pays the bills. Want to listen in on how I’m going to do it? Want to be a part of the effort?

For more help on subscribing to [tag]The Countdown[/tag], just visit the Podcast Subscription page.

If you’re reading this, chances are good that you’ve become a fan of mine through [tag]podcasting[/tag] or some other [tag]internet[/tag] venue. So it shouldn’t surprise you that I’m following this little debate closely.

In case you weren’t aware, there’s a battle raging quietly about [tag]internet regulation[/tag] that will eventually determine whether or not tiny businesses like podcasters and [tag]indie artists[/tag] can even afford to use the internet to promote and expand.
Read More…

Episode #118

I just got laid off from my day job, I’ve got 118 days to turn my entertainment business into something that pays the bills. Want to listen in on how I’m going to do it? Want to be a part of the effort?

All you have to do is subscribe to the blog in your podcatcher program (iTunes, Juice, etc.) and use this link for the podcast feed:

If you’ve already got iTunes, just click here.

For more help on subscribing to The Countdown, just visit the Podcast Subscription page.

So now [tag]Microsoft[/tag] is going to pay [tag]Universal Music[/tag] a fee for every single [tag]Zune[/tag] player they sell? How exactly does this benefit the consumer?

From what I’ve read, it doesn’t sound like some court settlement, Microsoft actually went along with this idea. I suppose if the Zune came pre-installed with a bunch of Universal music… or maybe if you get a discount on Universal albums/tracks for buying the Zune… Hmm, there doesn’t seem to be any mention of a deal like that anywhere.

In fact, Microsoft still projects the Zune price at $250 and [tag]Zune Marketplace[/tag] song prices at 99¢ per track.

And the Zune doesn’t support podcasts.

So, effectively, Microsoft is just paying a tribute to a major record label for no reason. How exactly is this better than an [tag]iPod[/tag]? And, for that matter, how exactly does this benefit artists, fans, or the music itself?

[tags]Yahoo! News[/tags]