Doing What's Best "4" All

Way back in March I thanked Brett Favre for his long tenure with the Green Bay Packers.

It was a fun ride, with plenty of excitement and entertainment including a Super Bowl Championship, the thrill of overcoming a broken thumb to smack down the Vikings on National Television, to giving a high five to an official after a touchdown.

But it was over. It was time to move on, not just for him, but for me as well the humble fan(actually a Green Bay Packers Stockholder). Just a few moments to reflect, watch the tearful retirement speech, maybe watch a few old games on videotape the NFL doesn't know I have since I haven't sought written permission from them. Then a simple thank you and then realize that life goes on.

Even if you don't care about football or sports for that matter you've probably been forced at some point to hear the news that Favre had an itch to play again and his now seeking reinstatement into the league and play again for the Packers.

So the lesson for all involved here is what I previously mentioned. Life goes on, and sometimes we need to be reminded that there are other things in life that we can and maybe should do. Including Hall of Fame caliber Quarterbacks.

Does Brett have the right to want to play again. Sure. But is Brett really the right person to know what is best for him in this situation based on what it means to his team and now the entire National Football League(N.F.L.). Sometimes we has humans are faced with certain realities, and sometimes the person directly involved is not really the best expert to what is really best for that person. Actually sometimes we are the last person to know when it is time to move on in a situation, whether in be in football, or a job or even a relationship.

Now the Evil SPorts Network is posing the question that the Packers are bribing Brett by offering him between 20 and 25 million dollars for ten years to stay retired under a Marketing and Promotional Contract for the Packers.

What appears to be a bribe on the surface, is actually an offer that is not only in the best interests for Brett and The Packers, but the entire N.F.L.

What ESPN forgets is that making up stories and creating drama is entertainment for them and their audience. The real entertainment comes from the actual game itself and not in a 90 second(two minutes if it's Primetime or Monday Night Countdown) highlight of their importance or choosing. You really can't have one without the other.

So while letting Brett play seems like a great idea, the media frenzy or circus is too distracting for all parties involved, and if releasing him or trading then sounds like a better option for the Packers just for the sake of letting Favre play for the sake of playing, a reporter or two may stick around Green Bay just to see how they are doing, the rest of the circus would follow Brett and the process just lives on in a different location. That is not in the best interest for the game itself, and in reality for Brett, and that is why the Commissioner of the N.F.L. Roger Goodell has not yet reinstated Favre, which was according to the mighty network a rubber stamp deal that would have been done seconds after the N.F.L. received Favre's letter of intent.
As much as I have enjoyed the play of Favre over the years, I am grateful for the time and effort spent but life goes on and the reality is the game goes on, and what ever happens over the next couple of days, when the games begin, whoever is playing. I'll be there.

Updated 2/9/09

Blowing It!

So let's say I'm mad at China.

I actually might be, maybe not, but for the sake of discussion let's just say I'm just furious at China for their reported human rights violations, cheap labor and just plain being mean.

The Olympic torch is going through my town(for the sake of discussion), a historic event and because I am so mad at the Chinese I'm going to go up to the torch relay and blow out the torch with a fire extinguisher in protest of the games being played in Beijing.

WOW! Now I showed them. Not only did I blow out the torch, so did two other people along the route(or at least according to the National Geographic story).

People are impressed and the Chinese are now going to be nice.

NOT!

The only people that are really mad and demanding action are the poor souls that have to re-light the torch every three miles after some freak for some cause or another puts it out.

I am all for free expression, but not empty expression, since this form of protest solves nothing.

I am not sure what the right form of protest against China should be, whether to boycott take-out or blockade all trade ships for which all Consumer Electronics stores in the U.S. would have to shut down.

But my main thought is to use what the Dalai Lama preached when he was in the U.S. last year. Compassion.

The Olympics or more accurately the Olympic spirit is supposed to show that we can for a least a couple of weeks all get along and compete in spirit, the human spirit.

Blowing out the Olympic Torch is attacking the spirit of the Olympics and it's main symbol and having no effect what so ever on the source of the protest, just because China happens to be the host country.

So go out and wave your Tibet flags, eat at McDonald's instead of a take-out(you know you want to anyway), eat macaroni and cheese instead of Ramen noodles(you know you want to anyway) and live with compassion and carry the Olympic(and Christmas) spirit with you always.

Radioaffliction Lucky #7

Vol. 7 of The Radioaffliction is here, with host Peter A. Clay along with guests Adam Clay (for the third time in a row) and Jim Reid (of "How to Make and Eat a Raw Beef Sandwich" fame).

Click Here to listen or download!

Topics include:
* Is it o.k. for a vegan to eat a steak for money?
* Bringing Blatz Beer back to California!
* Is it ever o.k. to park in a disabled stall?
* How did Strip Malls get their name?
* Lowering the drinking age in Vermont?
* Bacteria causes snow!
* Changes at Ebay and is feedback really important?
Plus much, much more!

Enjoy!



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Now playing: Paul McCartney - Live And Let Die
via FoxyTunes

Taste Test Show!

I came across this site that had some fun facts, and this one kind of bothered me a little.

An apple, onion, and potato all have the same taste. The differences in flavor are caused by their smell. To prove this - pinch your nose and take a bite from each. They will all taste sweet.

Yes they all taste sweet, but they all taste different, because they're all different chemically, and biologically. The only analogy I can think of is like all snowflakes are different, they look the same(and taste the same actually), but they are all different.
Just a thought.



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Now playing: Leo Laporte and the TWiTs - TWiT 136: Dvorak Unzipped
via FoxyTunes

Stimulate This!

Question! What is the second most valuable commodity in the US after Oil?
Answer! COFFEE!
Why do we need to be so stimulated?
I got really upset with myself a couple months ago after I had a Red Bull, and then all of a sudden I'm cleaning my apartment! Why did I need to be chemically stimulated in order to be motivated to do something?
Can't things be like Tony Robbins or even L. Ron Hubbard say, that your mind is the most incredible machine or computer ever created, but it is only as good as the data entered.

Click here for a Radioaffliction Quickie on the subject!

So you should be able will yourself without any aid of any foreign chemical(fully realizing that everything is chemical), but by just entering the data of Today I must clean the apartment, and keep it clean so I don't have to do a major cleanup job every month(year) or so. What happens is we(as humans) wake up in the morning and feel like crap so we feed into the computer, "I don't want to go to work today", "I don't want to clean my apartment", "I don't want to take the garbage out, take the kids to school, or clean the litter box!" Therefore we(as humans) look to stimulants, coffee, tea or something else(my latest kick is Diet Rockstar, no sugar, no carbs, and as far as I can tell no nutrasweet) to help motivate.

Now there is the real question.
Shouldn't motivation lead to stimulation and not the other way around?

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Now playing: Genesis - Robbery, Assault & Battery
via FoxyTunes

Thanks 4 it All!

Click here for a Radioaffliction Quickie!

Good Morning Madison 3: Don't Try This at Home

All the Headlines you need to wake up in the Capitol city of Wisconsin!

In Episode 3:
An apology for episode 2 and how not to open a bottle of Champagne(really don't this at home)!



Click here to watch or download.

Enjoy

The Radioaffliction: Are The Chicago Cubs treated unfairly in the USA?

The Radioaffliction Vol. 6 is finally here!

Click here to listen or right click it to download!

Joined once again by my Brother Adam as co-host we discuss the following topics.
*Moving Forward by stepping back.
*Final thoughts on the website So Lost in Wisconsin.
*I thank the Chicago Cubs for Losing!
*Get rid of Columbus Day as a holiday?
*What hours should liquor stores be open?
**Commercial Break**
*Look older right away with Ms. Wrinkles!
*More topics include:
*Words you think you know.
*F.I.B.'s
*Is Good Morning Madison "Bill" insensitive?
And much much more!

Help make The Radioaffliction interactive and play the "um" game.
Count how many times Adam and I(mostly me) say "um" or "uh"(please don't make it a drinking game).
Enjoy.

Things I Shouldn't Find Funny:

But do!

Good Morning Madison: Episode 2 "Bill"

Enjoy episode 2 of "Good Morning Madison:Bill"(episode 1 was in Rick & Pete Special Vol.2
In this episode:
*Interviews and hot topics you need to start your day in the Capitol city of Wisconsin.
*Interview with "Bill" Campbell.
*Tribute to Technical Director "Bill" McCoy as he misses his first show in years.


Please enjoy!

Click here to directly download the video!

Just How Fast is Fast Enough?

Click here for a Radioaffliction Quickie on this subject!

Now that I drive nearly an hour to and from work each day, I have time to observe certain behaviors in humans as they use motor vehicles to get from point a to point b. It's not something I really want to do, it's something I can't avoid, but I do need something to do while driving along listening to my ipod through a bad FM transmitter.
One of my biggest pet peeves in interstate highway travel is people trying to complete a pass while on cruise control. Someone who is just a half step faster than me but is too lazy just to tap on the gas to safely get by. No they just sit there creeping along and taking ten minutes to complete a pass waiting for one of us to blow a tire and take us both out. Step on the gas for two seconds, complete the pass and let us both move on with life.
A close second is the driver who gets right up to your bumper expecting you to get out of their way(as if you were obligated to) because they actually believe there is such a thing as a "fast lane". Try explaining that to the nice officer when he pulls you over. The moral dilemma with this is that I'm already(admittingly) speeding, that right folks I'm a law breaker! So I'm left to ponder the question, "What is the world coming to when ten miles over the speed limit isn't fast enough?"
So that begs the question, "What is fast enough?"
Why? Because individual States can't decide either.
Here in Wisconsin and Illinois it's 65, but in Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota it's 70, and in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming it's 75, and the jury is still out with Montana.
I don't have a big problem with someone who wants to put their life in their own hands, that is after all what freedom is supposed to be all about. It's just seems to me like a big ego trip to see who can be the bigger law breaker, and maybe that's my problem. Plus I'm always at a loss to figure out what the big hurry is!
Anyway that's what I'm pondering, I'd love to hear your comments,
Until next time,
Drive Safely!

Dance Away!

Never dance at work to music on your cell phone when a co-worker can video you with their cell phone!

Click here to download the full video!

It's a Miracle That He Writes the Songs!

Got into a discussion on my myLot page(actually just remembering that I had a myLot page) about the Top 5 Barry Manilow songs, and I couldn't help but share mine with you on this page.
Here they are:
#5 - New York City Rhythm - Having spent time in New York as a child the lines hit home. "The Pounding beat of the city streets"
#4 - Daybreak - No matter how crappy the previous day was, listening to this song every morning will make you snap your fingers and force you to have a great day.
#3 - All the Time - If more people would listen to this song and realize how much time they are wasting worrying about things instead of moving on, the world would be a better place!
#2 - Trying to Get the Feeling Again - Up and down, all around trying to get that feeling again. Most likely should follow the advice on #3 but still a great song.
#1 - Weekend in New England - Starts slow, ends strong and my nominee for the best Barry Song that should be remade by Linkin Park or some heavy metal band. Strong emotional song for all those lost weekends. "Somewhere Down the Road" is not a bad choice but that song goes nowhere if Barry doesn't do this song first.

Now you can share yours with me, and as Iron Maiden once said "Don't Lie and Don't Say You Don't Know"(clever that I use Iron Maiden to offset the Barry Manilow!).

The Truth! - From a Certain Point of View!

Is it okay to lie?
A rather loaded question, and certainly good dinner time conversation because it really has more theories than answers, and no matter what anyone thinks it's just their opinion based on what they think or believe. Is it the truth? Who is really to say.
Now should you lie?
Lying has such negative connotations, try to simply tell the truth from a certain point of view. Be creative because you can justify just about anything if you really set your mind to it. Look at some of the bloggers out there, Left wingers think that all the worlds problems come from Right wingers(actual quote that comes up quite often "Just when you think the GOP couldn't get any slimier--), Right wingers think all the worlds problems come from Left wingers, and leads people to use such silly words like rant.

So who is telling the truth?

Let's explore the theories with these examples-

I think the Green Bay Packers are the best football team to WATCH in the NFL! Not only do they have players(Brett Favre! But not singling anyone out) and talent that are fun to watch, they have history. They are the only founding team to still be in their original city(Cardinals and Bears are technically older, but started in Chicago and Decatur, even though Green Bay for their first 75 years played a third of their home games in Milwaukee). Even the way the organization is set up they are an underdog to the other franchises, and they sell out everywhere they play, an intrasquad scrimmage, preseason games, and on the road, etc. They could have a neutral site game in South Dakota and it will sell out. Now is that the truth? The truth as I see it for the reasons explained. God help them, but there are people who actually like the Vikings(especially in South Dakota) that may disagree with that, and either give me their truth, or just say that what I said was my opinion.

Fictional example-
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ben at the time) was asked a direct question from Luke Skywalker "How did My Father Die?"
Now you can go back to your dinner time conversation about whether to lie or not in this situation. You could be brave and tell the complete truth(you would kind of expect that from a Jedi wouldn't you?), but remember Luke has been isolated from the goings on in the universe at this time.
"Your father was the chosen one to bring balance to the Force, but something went wrong and he turned to evil and he helped kill all the Jedi and your mother for that matter, and in order for that prophecy to come true, I need to train you as a Jedi so you can kill him and his master, and bring the Force back into balance." Now do you think that would have worked? Obi-Wan then did what you expect an exiled Jedi to do and tell the truth from his point of view. "A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine before he turned to evil, he betrayed and murdered your father!"
Pretty powerful if you think about it, it doesn't destroy the image Luke has of his father, and it preserves the good feeling Obi-Wan has about Anakin before he turned(Obi-Wan also doesn't have explain the fact that he almost killed his father). Luke eventually finds out the "real" truth and is pretty ticked! But gains perspective and basically learns on his own how to become a Jedi, and by not following in his fathers footsteps, uses the truth against him in their final battle in front of the Emperor. By not giving in to anger and hate(for the most part, turns out he's pretty sensitive about his sister), he becomes powerful enough to know that there is still good in is father, so when he defeats Darth Vader, he sacrifices himself in front of the Emperor so that the only one who can save him is Anakin. Luke could not have done that without knowing the "real" truth, but if he learned of all that at the time he asked the initial question, it may have been too much for the young lad to take, and would have gone crying back to his Uncle's moisture farm who at that very moment was being slaughtered by Imperial Stormtroopers.

Theological example -
This is a touchy area, but I feel obligated because I get so many hits from Google to this site from a post I wrote when Dr. Gene Scott passed away almost two years ago. Not because of him but that fact that his much younger wife(red flag!) Melissa had taken over the Church, and that Melissa had an AKA(FLARE!!) Barbi Bridges! Anyway I received many comments on that post(and still do) including this one from Gerald Krug:
"I know some of the insides of the ministry and as my daddy said to me,"Son,you can't live your whole life on B.S.", so tell me how did this ministry survive? Try by truth.

Yes, but who's truth! What is the truth and from who's point of view. Not I'm not going to say that Dr. Scott lied, and I'm not saying that Melissa is lying now. I find it refreshing that the very few sermons I've seen Melissa do, she has brought up the topic of sin. Go with what you know! Who better to preach about sin, and in turn who better to preach about forgiveness(if she's ever asked for it).
Like everyone else I have questions about Life, the universe and everything and when I first started on my task I was on the quest for the truth! And that's why I didn't want to go to a Church, because technically a Church is not based on truth, but on Faith. The quest then went from the "truth" to the quest for knowledge. Knowing things in turn helped me sort out falses more than finds truth, but that's a far better starting point than trying to sort out truths from so many points of view. Leading to the point of view that with knowledge comes wisdom. Not sure how well that has worked out for me, but it hasn't affected my sense of humor!
So from that and as a thank you to Gerald for commenting, and to all who are so fascinated with Melissa Scott, I say this. I don't know if Dr. Scott was truthful, but I do think he was knowledgeable, and had a pretty good idea what the falses were.
So in conclusion(finally), if you think someone is lying to you, don't call them a liar. Don't call them a truthful person from a certain point of view. Make them squirm, get as much knowledge as you can, and find out what the falses are(left & right wingers please take note!), and go from there.
Just look what gaining knowledge did for Luke Skywalker, the universe is now a much better place!

Until next time,
PAC

So What's Holding YOU Back?

Move Over Emeril!

If you are looking for something different and easy for your Super Bowl party, or if you are ever having a special someone over, I have a great recipe for making your own pizza. I've had this recipe stored on my stumbleupon page for sometime, and finally had some spare time to try it out.
Above is the before photo.
Above is the after photo!
I was surprised how easy it was to make, and how quick. The whole process only took a half an hour and it only took that long because it was my first time with this recipe. I make a mean Mac & Cheese, but I am no chef, and I was able to put this all together.
Above is the after, after photo! I guess I like it.
Check out the recipe for yourself here, and let know what other toppings would be good!

You Can Have the Chair Back, When We Get New Kitty Litter!

It's hard to update a website, when your chair is constantly being held hostage!

Mylot Page

Just a quick link to my myLot User Profile page.

Just What Are The Best Ways to Communicate?

Ann Althouse (my main competition for having the best blog from Madison) has a great post in response to what a lady in Atlanta wrote to the New York Times in response to one of their editorials on blogging, which said:

I have a suggestion that would save us all a lot of time and aggravation as we grow increasingly more addicted to modern technology.

It's ridiculously simple really. How about if all those who spend much of their time chattering on their cellphones stow them somewhere, and actually talk to the living, breathing human beings right in front of them? Then maybe they wouldn't have to spend so much time blogging us all senseless.

We'd all be truly communicating, and we'd have more time to truly accomplish something. Or perhaps just enjoy life.

Radical idea? You decide.

Ann and her commenter's are doing a better job of tackling the topic of communication.
My thought process started with the lady's (whose name is Leslie R. Hunter) notion of the increasing addiction to modern technology in regards to communication.
Something I read somewhere defined technology has a better method of doing something, and that's what these new devices are doing in many areas including communication.
When I read a statement like Ms. Hunters, I think of a person who is overwhelmed by the advance of technology. Since shifts in technology used to take place only a few times in one persons lifetime, now they happen a few times every five or ten years, if not sooner.
Choice should not be critiqued based solely on personal taste. Yes, personal (one on one) communication is very good and healthy, but it may be hard to believe, but some people have phobia's about that, mine is calling people on the phone. Don't ask me why, but I'd rather email somebody than call them. But that's me, I still have a cell phone and I love it when people call me. I also agree that some people could be more tactful (click here for my post about a man on his cell phone while going to the bathroom!) with their addiction to modern technology, but I can only encourage people to communicate by what ever means they see fit.

Thanks for taking a moment to stop by,
PAC

Priceless!

Once again I try to keep things tasteful on this site. But this really made me laugh!
Thanks to Packer Palace for the photo.

Find a Penny? Pick it Up!

Click here for a Radioaffliction Quickie audio post on this subject!

I enjoy the site Gullible Info, and it is there I found this interesting tidbit.

"People in a west coast city are three times more likely to stop and pick up a coin on the street than people in an east coast city."

Now that may only mean that a west coast city is three times more likely to lose a coin on the street than an east coast city, but it does beg to offer this question.

If you saw a coin on the street(or sidewalk), why wouldn't you pick it up?

Even the lonely penny(it's real name is the one cent piece, pennies come from England and heaven I'm told), which it's existence is mind boggling to me, especially since it costs more to make it than it can be tendered for, not to mention how long retailers have been duping people into believing that it's a better deal that something is $4.99 rather than an even $5.00, with all that said, the penny is still worth something.
There is even an incentive for the stray coin,
"Find a penny pick it up, the rest of the day you'll have good luck!".
Others have amended that by saying the coin must be heads up but hey, you've got an opportunity here. I've struggled with that theory when I come across one in a urinal, and I'm forced to think just how badly do I need good luck for the rest of the day.
Anyway the point is, coins come in handy, and they add up, so if you see one that has lost a home, give it one until you can find a nice cash register for it.
One other thing that still boggles my mind, is that how many people still don't know that the two dollar bill is still in active circulation, and yet it is still being rebuffed by the general public.
I wrote about that last year in a post, and I still can't figure it out. 2 is a nice even number, and can be very helpful is cash situations. I would rather have 2 two dollar bills than 4 one's, and heck I'd rather have 3 two dollar bills than a 5 and a 1.
It is after all just my opinion, but the lesson learned today, love and take care of your coins and your two dollar bill!
Have a great day,
PAC

Updated 12/31/06:
This also from Gullible.info:
In its "lifetime" an average dollar bill is touched by over 10,000 different people.

Going Where No One Should Have Gone Before

Earlier this year I posted "Where No One Should Go Before(or ever)!", in which I discussed the audacity of Viacom/CBS Paramounts decision to bring back Star Trek with an all new cast playing the original characters with the major plot point being how Kirk and Spock met at Starfleet Academy(which they didn't, I don't care what some of these Star Trek sites say. Spock was on the Enterprise at least 13 years before Kirk became Captain).
My two major points were that you couldn't have new people playing established characters and bring any credibility to the story(or the actors playing them for that matter), and you had an estimated 86 year gap between generations: Fill it!
Then I discover that Cawley Entertainment Company and Retro Films Studios have for two years been doing what CBS/Paramount only plan to do with Star Trek: New Voyages!
Instead of going back to the early days, they are continuing with the original five year mission, essentially picking up where the series left off, even revisiting some old episodes(another suggestion I made in my earlier post), using the original blue prints for the set, an original writer from the series, original bit actors that appeared and original guest stars, and now even original cast members! In fact the show is so faithfully done, that you almost forget that these are just people playing costume.
Almost!
James Cawley makes a good Captain, but he is not Jim Kirk, and John Kelley's "Damn it I'm a Doctor" impression is just embarrassing, and don't get me started with Charles Root's performance as Scotty. I'm not really saying the performances are bad, it's just that doing it this way doesn't allow the actors to establish their characters, it forces them to act like the characters as we remember them. The one exception so far would be Andy Bray's performance as Pavel Chekov, especially in the episode "To Serve All My Days" only to be out done by original Chekov actor Walter Koenig, who should win some sort of an award for best supporting actor, only proving the point that the only people who should play those parts are the ones that actually played them.
Check them out for yourself at http://newvoyages.com and tell me what you think, but in my opinion with the performances which are faithfully done(almost to a fault), and stories that are too good, even the special effects are too good for the original Star Trek, I am forced to stick to my original conclusion:
A new Star Trek, or no Star Trek.
PAC

Proving It Doesn't Hurt To Learn Things!

Physics 10: Physics for Future Presidents. Spring 2006. Professor Richard A. Muller. The most interesting and important topics in physics, stressing conceptual understanding rather than math, with applications to current events. Topics covered may vary and may include energy and conservation, radioactivity, nuclear physics, the Theory of Relativity, lasers, explosions, earthquakes, superconductors, and quantum physics. [courses] [physics10] [spring2006]

Stumbled upon this, and got physics, philosophy and Indentity Theory all in one lecture.
Enjoy,
PAC

Request Hotline: More Raw Beef!

The past month has been nothing but visiting family and friends having family and friends visit, and when that much family gets together a certain point comes along when requests are made like, "We should do this more often", and "Answer your damn phone!"
But my family and most of my friends are a little weird and the most requests I got during the visits were asking if I still had the video of my cousin Jim making and eating a raw beef sandwich!
And I replied, "Of course I do!", and since The Radioaffliction is a public service, and it's iTunes link has expired I have decided the world should never forget "How to Make and Eat a Raw Beef Sandwich!"
First watch the video, then if you are not grossed out and you want to make and eat your own raw beef sandwich here is Jim Reid's recipe in order:
1 slice of Rye bread buttered(or use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter or if you can find it I found that "Move Over Butter" works really well).
1 Package of Ground Round(Please don't eat the whole package, just enough to cover the slice of bread).
Seasonings: Salt & Pepper(seasoned salt works very well too).
Optional Items:
Slice of Onion
BLATZ BEER(Optional?)!

There you have it, just in time for the holidays!
If you could be so kind once you have watched the video, if you could write a review for it here. Thanks and enjoy!

The Radioaffliction Podcast Vol.5

The Radioaffliction Vol.5 is finally here!

In this edition, my brother Adam Clay joins me as co-host as we discuss the following topics.
* Should I apologize for not broadcasting/podcasting in almost 6 months.

* We review the blog Lost in Wisconsin! (can you really be lost if you know where you are?)

* What qualfies a city to be called a suburb?

* We discuss the book from Dorene M. Lorenz, and how to find ways to write a book, and the merits of self publishing.

*Plus much, much more!

You can download or listen to the show from iTunes, or click on the above link to play it in your browser.
Enjoy, and please tell us what you think of the show!