15: Cats, clothes, cars, and clowns

The 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.

14. The perspicacious Mr. Steeves

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

13. Rumsfeld rides a robot in the office

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?

Links: The invention of nachos, The Rider trailer, Rumsfeldian language rules, curmudgeon, Elon vs. the robots

12. I'm relentless

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.

11. KJ rolls some ivy

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.

10. Meghan's getting married

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.

9. The Dogs brush their teeth

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.

Episode 9 - Auto Show - Koenigsegg Agera RS

This car goes 445 kmh. If you even recognize this make, I want to talk to you about sponsorship. About ANYTHING.

Episode 9 - Auto Show - Rolls limousine

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.

Episode 9 - Auto Show - RJ pushes the limit

Aside from trying and failing to look like RJ was actually touching it, this image includes a stock Lamborghini.

Episode 9 - Auto Show - customized Lambo

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?

Episode 9 - Auto Show - Volvo 122s

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.

Episode 9 - Auto Show - '66 Amphicar

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…

Episode 9 - Auto Show - Model cars

…this must be the oldest joke that never grew old in all of auto showdom….”Honey, I bought a Ferrari…”

8. Free range capers

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.

7. Soju and spoilers

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

KJ's Bio

We're especially pleased with that final note...

Soju

Set of The Humans

...including the scary edge of the upper floor and the spiral staircase.