Shed Dogs. A podcast wherein we discuss things that matter to three old guys who should have better things to do. Featuring Kevin J McNulty, Patrick J Lilburn, and Richard J Tench. It's like watching the ocean from the shore.
For most episodes theme music is Escaping like Indiana Jones by Komiku, with permission. For other episodes theme music is by Voodoo Jazz, with permission.
Every few-odd years Ello and Karen host a reunion of various denizen creatures of vintage mid-1950s or so. We seized on this opportunity to find out how accurate were KJ's recollections, from Episode 16, of Morocco in 1975. In this episode we're joined by Ogre, Art, Sculler, Jim B, Jute, Mel, Carmen and Lori, with cameos by Crusher, Candace, and Joanne.
Read MoreIn this episode the Dogs complete their European trip reports, with special guest Mike from Rossland. Also, RJ gets a purse, Dick's just isn't Dirty any more, poetry corner, and the effects of adenosine on lock-up torque converters.
Read MoreRJ's brother Mike from Rossland joins us in the Shed for the first of two episodes. RJ returns with gifts from Great Britain, and PJ and the Johns o' Groats view the Orkneys for the first time. We hear about RJ's encounters with British celebs (see photo!) and catch up on some Listener Mail while trying out new MooT words!
Read MoreFrom our last pre-UK recording session, we spend some quality time reflecting on how ‘60s Canadian TV is still stuck in our heads 50+ years later. Also, will our bold and subtle-yet-ridiculous scheme to invite the Duchess of Sussex into the shed succeed?
Read MoreBig trouble in a foreign land, plus: the Dogs hone their insult skilz, PJ struggles with travel bookings, and RJ gazes deep into the blinking eyes of news panels. Blink...blink.
Read MoreThe Dogs delve into what colours of car are best, what jury nullification is, and who, if anyone, irons their clothes anymore. We compare opinions on autonomous cars and driving in city traffic, and marvel at the wonder that is the backup camera. And we close with the parable of the city redneck and the country redneck.
The Shed Dogs break new ground: our first interview (with Jon Steeves, the inventor and publisher of the word game MooT that we've played in earlier episodes) and our first sponsorship: free beer! We have a MooT question for listeners, a dozen acknowledgements, and we make our pitch for the unpaid intern producer position for the Shed Dogs. A producer! Unpaid!
Link: MooT, the etymology, grammar, and semantics game
In lucky Episode 13, the Shed Dogs promote a favourite movie and a favourite podcast, at the same time ruminating on our advancing curmudgeonliness. We are startled and informed by KJ's report on fascinating yet little-known rules of English, and we look at comedy that some of us just can't watch. In the "products that are getting worse" category, PJ and RJ once again square off on the question of ceramic-top stoves: vast improvement or labour-intense gimmick?
The Shed Dogs share their observations on hair replacement, and are amazed at The Scariest Disclaimer for an Advertised Medication Ever. We go back and forth on some products that have both improved and pejorated over time, hear about high water at Christina Lake, and share with KJ some sage advice on car buying.
We're all hung over from the episode 10 gala celebration, so we kicked back with some low key listener mail, but then ramped up through some high speed wobble to KJ's scotch-sampling ivy crushing road trip. All dressed up with some two-week old flood news, but hey, it's fascinating nonetheless. And you always wanted to know about the tank rooms before the late-70's upgrade, right? Hey, there's electrolysis involved! And as a bonus we provide an insightful review of Jonny Quest.
In this milestone 10th episode, the Shed Dogs describe how useful the tides can be in waste removal. RJ once again shares solid practical advice, this time on rigging resumés, and the Dogs swallow their pride and concede that Trail, BC, Canada, the Silver City, is probably a pretty good place to retire. We take a moment to clear up critical misconceptions around bicycle shorts and about whether going to an acting school like Studio 58 is worthwhile. But, most importantly, Meghan's getting married!!!
Links: 50 Ways the World is Getting Better, 1000 years of the Royals in nine minutes.
We share things we learned early in life about how to brush our teeth and put on a pillowcase, and things we've learned more recently, like the pros and cons of ever going to the doctor for a checkup. We follow up on the Honda 90 caper from Episode 8, review the Vancouver Auto Show, and share some user mail. Finally, we have a new business model for Facebook, which we passed on to Zuck a few weeks ago, and he seems to be mulling it over as we go live.
This car goes 445 kmh. If you even recognize this make, I want to talk to you about sponsorship. About ANYTHING.
Yeah, it’s nice, but what really sells it are the carefully aligned wheel logos. Zoom in to see smudged chrome on the rear door handle. Tut. Tut. Tut.
Aside from trying and failing to look like RJ was actually touching it, this image includes a stock Lamborghini.
So you take a brand new high end sports car, buy it new, and have it shipped to a shop for extensive customizing….how much money DO you have?
Okay, this car is about as similar to the Volvo 122s I had for years as I am to Mighty Joe Young…but it was nice to see one of these even represented in an auto show.
This is only in here because it’s the first one I’ve seen since about 1968. We used to watch an owner of one of these drive it VERY very carefully into Kootenay Lake, putter around pointlessly for about 2 minutes, and then drive it back out. Fun idea, but…
…this must be the oldest joke that never grew old in all of auto showdom….”Honey, I bought a Ferrari…”
Shed Dog KJ McNulty avails himself of the statute of limitations and reveals his dark past as a caper co-conspirator. His story challenges the wisdom of Free Range Children, another big topic for the week. RJ shares grounded and valuable direction on managing password phobia (a must-hear for those who do anything online) and stuns the other Dogs with a simple trick to undo those pesky errors we all make on our mobile devices.
Links: Honda 90, Password managers, MooT, Utah's Free Range Parenting Law, example bleacher collapse, statutes of limitations. Thanks to FesliyanStudios for the ominous caper music.
The Dogs once again display their well-earned status as World Citizens by trying out soju and then discussing the Arts Club performance of "The Humans", starring Shed Dog KJ McNulty. Also, we cover favourite movies of all time—have a listen and then comment below to let us know yours!
Link: The Humans (play)
That’s KJ, bottom right
The Shed is about to burst into flame with a show chock-full of what's hot in local and national culture. The Shed Dogs discuss a trip to the Junos, the unexpected success of rocketeer Mad Mike Hughes, and an insider's view of how theatre is actually made. We climb down off our chariots and pick an age we would like to be...forever! So strap in, hold onto your lunch, and have fun!
Links: Rocket Man, The Humans
This week we have some key tips for future MBAs on how to run a business, and specifically how KJ supported his future education through a retail services endeavour—Moby's—at the tender age of 16. We review his business plan and operating model, while focussing on the critical issue of cash accounting. The Dogs also talk about using live theatre as a teen teaching tool, TV personalities we love and hate, and what real shed dogs actually are. Finally, we as always have our etymological focus, and have found that smoothies, just so, can change your life.
Links
Life Below Zero (Agnes and Chip); Dissolve (Lucy McNulty); Electric skateboard; Shed hunting dogs; Arctic Air
In a determined attempt to seem grown up, this week the Shed Dogs explore the wonders of cognac - what it is, how to appreciate it, even how to hold it in your hand. Then, and at last, we catch up on all the listener mail, including a look at nicknames and where a couple of ours come from. Finally, we explore why the usual question about Daylight SavingSSSS Time is the wrong one.
Pre-tasting
As we are instructed about structure and scents we may expect to encounter (a hint or creosote? a soupçon of Western decay?), RJ pours the correct amounts. I was a little disappointed that the glasses weren't engraved.
Deftly signalling his readiness to ascend to aristocracy, KJ demonstrates the correct way to hold the glass.
A bottle of fine cognac, and a plastic jar of cashews from Safeway. The Dogs prepare to qualify for Aston Martin ownership.
In this episode the Dogs of the Shed come to grips with topics ranging from their own mortality to hiking to car repair. We get a brief Introduction to Money Laundering, including how politicoes go about falsifying PDFs. They’re forced to concede that there are good movies in the Star Wars saga after all, and just as they finally discuss what exactly MooT is, a surprise visitor drops in to play. All this and more!
LInks
MooT, the etymology, grammar, and semantics game; Hey, would you mind changing my P&L into a Word doc?
The Dogs reveal terrific yet hidden culinary skills, opinions, and even semi-sponsored product recommendations. We also go back in time to validate some of the old stories from Rossland's early history. For hockey fans there's a discussion of Bob Cole's wit, and a look into just a couple of the famous people that Shed Dog KJ McNulty has worked with. All that and more in another action-packed half hour in the Shed!
Links
Fresh Prep; Mixed Doubles Curling, explained by the CBC; MooT, the etymology, grammar, and semantics game; B.C.'s Apology Act; The Flying Steamshovel; Powell's Books in Portland
World’s first helicopter!
The Dogs take some singing lessons, discover K-drama, and talk about rare languages. A warning to our Star Wars fans: in this episode we make fun, ever so gently, of The Force Awakens. We also bare our souls discussing the functional fly, and review the sad lack of Google Maps skills amongst our generation, even in dreams.
