The Gastrocast

 It is going to be a strange two weeks ahead. First and foremost because my espresso machine bit the dust. I am now operating under emergency coffee procedures. I am still deciding how to proceed. I just spend a bunch of cash on repairing the machine, and don’t think it survived the attempts.  To be fair it has lasted around 5 years. Time to re-trench and think things through. It was a semi-professional model and with the use I give it I need to replace it with a similar model. Time to start counting the pennies. . . .



   Second–my mother is coming for her spring visit.  I am hoping to work in my podcasts around her being here, but I will have to see what I can do.  She views herself as a bit of a food authority and is somewhat argumentative (hmm . . .perhaps that’s where I got it. . . ) She can’t get around very well, so she usually parks herself in the kitchen to watch the serfs (me and kids) prepare her 3 squares a day.  I don’t think the kitchen studio can hold the both of us.



   Third–I know, I know, my Gastrocasts tend to be a bit long winded. I need to cut them down a bit–any suggestions?  I have almost used up my 250MB at Liberated Syndication for the month, so I’ll have to watch the length of this weeks ‘cast and perhaps hold off next weeks until the end of the month rolls over.



  Fourth–my camera is showing no signs of arriving. I am going to wait for a few days before contacting the place I bought it from.  I don’t think they’ll be very helpful. I wish I had just chosen a simpler/cheaper model and kept within my budget. Perhaps I’d have the thing by now. It is causing me too much grief at the moment.



I want to thank everyone who is subscribed and has remained so! I hope you are enjoying things so far. When I get some feedback, I can improve things if needed.

I also want to thank anyone who has contributed to my TIP JAR (paypal) in the right column and/or used the Amazon Links to purchase something recommended here. I know this site is overly commercial, but really–this helps me put together the Gastrocast and cover the expenses of syndication and equiptment.  Thank you for all your kindness.



And finally, if you would be so kind–VOTE for me at Podcastalley.  The more votes I get, the more listeners, I hope, will subscribe and the better the content will become. I just did a survey of some of the newest podcasts and there seem to be tripple the number of food-related and cooking podcasts out there than when I began the Gastrocast. I would like to be able to improve the quality of the material, the content and the experience so that everyone will remain subscibed and not run off to a more glitzy show with better production value. So please VOTE to keep me in the top 5000 podcasts!

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 Just listened to Malcom Gladwell’s presentation to SXSW 2005 on IT Conversations.  Promoting his new book "Blink", Mr. Gladwell gives us some great insight both into how he chose topics for the book, and what constitutes a snap-decision.  I have not read the book, but have it on my wish-list, after reading some press about it a few months ago. Hearing the conversation caused me to reflect on how snap-decisions have worked or not for me.  I have always been fairly good at snap decisions. In construction, as a foreman my crew relied on my ability to see without seeing and come up with solutions on the fly. As a chef, I am constantly changing direction, making choices on very little information. The professional kitchen is full of Emergency Room level pressures during a busy service, there are constant problems and snap decisions abound.  The same goes for catering weddings. Cooking outdoors or in a tent is a nightmare. I sleep for a full day after an large event. The pressures of keeping at all contained can be immense–directing flowers, cakes, waitstaff, cooks, family helpers, bride and groom and guests although not strictly my concearn all impact the food and flawless delivery thereof.

I had never thought before of the decision making process, snap or other. After hearing this presentation, though, I am hoping to tap into the power behind my decision making process to gain more insight into how to do things better and keep things running smoother.

Popularity: 4% [?]