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WARNING: - This podcast is an audio journal - up front, open and honest. If its not for you - listen to something else!
Hello, I am Richard Vobes and this is the continuing life story of a divorced man in his early forties.
It's a daily audio journal. It's raw and and up front. It reveals the many worries and concerns that confront us all, from struggling maintain a career to finding a soul mate. In short there is a lot of navel gazing.
It is a look behind the scenes of of an entertainer and one of the UK's most profilic podcasters.
The shows are recorded in the most basic way possible, straight onto my iRiver mp3 player/recorder with a basic lapel mic and then uploaded to the server. I hope you will enjoy them.
Hit the play button to listen online or download them and move across to your mp3 player to listen. You can subscribe to the RSS feed and have your podcatcher software do it for you automatically.
Comments to: Richard at Vobes.com
THE NAKED PODCASTS
Daily Text and Photo Journal
Friday 10th october 2008
I have been out this morning and yesterday filming for the Harvest web site. www.theharvest.co.uk which was fun and perfect weather. This time for a company that provides a delivery service for farmer and customers alike. All local fresh produce - yummy!
Friday 22nd August 2008
I have been away making more video testimonials and one of the places was Scarborough on the North East of England. It was the home of the long lost great great great great great great grandfather of listener Philip Scarborugh, so I recorded some special audio and took some special pictures for him. You see the pictures here: Scarborough Photos
Sunday 13th July 2008
After recording the 1000th show, Paul, Jimmy and myself, went with Georgie, Dawn and Billy to Pizza Express to spend the lovely vouchers that listener Paul Dove had sent over. Thanks matey!
Sunday 22nd June 2008
Sitting at the edit desk working on a composite for the new web site project - the harvest. I have been worried about money and whether this is the right thing to do at this time, but as I have little else to work on, I believe it is!
Monday 9th June 2008
Day five of my recovery and this is how the eye is looking! Pretty scary isn't it? I am still getting headaches and some pain and cannot concentrate for too long on any one thing. Stir crazy? Er, yes, just a bit!
Thursday 5th June 2008
This is what the eye looked like once I took the patch off today after the operation yesterday. The pupil is still very highly dilated and the the eye a bit opaque. But its early days, not even 24 hours later yet!
Tuesday 20th May 2008
On Monday, Paul Stoneman and I met up for lunch at the Black Rabbit p[ub in Arundel and has, alas, a disappointing Ham, Egg and Chips, although the Hopping Hare ale from Badgers Brewery was lovely. Then we went for a stroll along the River Arun near by to catch up on all our respectives news.
Monday 19th May 2008
At the weekend, the kids and I went off to have a drive in the gokarts at Brooklands Park, in Worthing, as well as having a little putting and 15 minutes adventure in the motor boats on the lake there. It made a lovely diversion from the normal Sunday chores!
Thursday 15th May 2008
This is a fascinating book. I think Richard Dawkins puts very clearly how utterly mad the belief in God can be and the weird way people follow their religious beliefs and dogma. I would the religious people to at least give it a read, not to change their minds, but to see what a non believer in God perceives by the believers!
Sunday 27th April 2008
I am reading as much as I can when the eye permits. I am currently researching the Duke of Monmouth and his attempt to become King in 1685 which result in the terrible deafeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor and his eventual beheading at the Tower of London. I am facinated also by the following Bloody Asize lead by infamous Judge Jeffries and the harsh punishments he handed out to the supporters of Monmouth in the west country and in particular Sommersetshire as it was then known.
Wednesday 2nd April 2008
I went for a walk with Paul Stoneman today around the area of Pulborough. We didn't record anything for the show as I need to find a small portable recorder to use that doesn't have so much wind noise. This is an old canal bridge, no longer in use that we crossed on the Arun and Wey canal.
My eye is still no right and I have barely any vision out of it. I really hope it will get better soon. Its been 15 months now!.
Monday 10th March 2008
I am now reading more about the French Revolution. I enjoyed the book by Christopher Hibbert and so have just received this one by Antonia Fraser about Marie Antoinette. The eye is not too bad today, although Saturday evening I had a bad bout of pain and soreness. I get an attack about once a week now.
Off to the Cheddar Gorge this week which I am looking forward to.
Wednesday 27th February 2008
This is the state of the eye now in February 2008. If you compare this to the other photos in September, you will see that there is a worsening effect. I have an ulcer and scratchings on the eye that the doctors say could be permanent!
It’s a worry
Tuesday 5th February 2008
Jimmy has been challenged to make cheese and I figured it would be fun tohave a go myself. I have ordered some rennet and a starter culture amongst a few other bits and pieces need to make the stuff. But one thing I haven't got or can afford is a cheese press - so I thought I better make one!
Friday 25th January 2008
As you know Jimmy and I are off to Europe this year to explore France, Spain and Portugal and with that in mind I have been to Amazon and made a few purchases. Yes more books to read!
I am looking forward to travelling through different countries with all their wonderful landscapes and languages.
Sunday 2nd December 2007
My eye is just not improving after a year and it is really getting me down! I haven't updated this photo journal very much here as there seem to be the same old story to talk about and I am sure we are all board of the eye saga!
I am off to York tomorrow for work to shoot some more testimonial videosand I was hoping to drive so that I could have more flexibility when I arrive there and maybe get a chance to see some of the city, but now because of the eye problems I have to go on the train. Hey ho - life can be awkward at times.
Thursday 6th September 2007
My left eye is flaring up again. You can see in the photo here that the definition has gone and that there is a grey cloud in front of the pupil making it impossible to see out of. My world is a grey mist. I have arranged to see the specialist the minute I get back from the trip to America. I wish it would go for ever!
This is my right eye- its ok. Now you can see the difference! Ouch!
Sun 5th August 2007
I walked down to the beach today to record the NE. I think the iRiver is slowly dying as there was a bit of interference and crackle on the recording. I know what it is, the microphone plug is loose in the socket.I am not sure if that is the fault of the plug or the socket, however if there were proper and professional XLR plugs you wouldn't get that problem.
I am thrilled to see that we have been having a few days of actual summer now. I do hope it lasts, although when the sun is out I find I much rather stop working in the computer and get out into the open countryside or have a stroll on the seafront. I like it in the mornings because there are few people about. I think I must be turning into a bit of a recluse as I seem to prefer open spaces and non crowded ones!
Stanley is off to do his Air Softing today with his freinds in Clapham wood, so I hope he doesn't get attacked by demons! I really ought to do some scripting today, but if the weather is going to stay nice i think I will find an excuse to go out - I wonder what Jimmy is up to day?
Friday 22nd June 2007
Bloody paper work today - catching up with lots of letters, bills and requests for tax information! Never mind it has to be done and it is making a diversion from all the editing I have been doing recently. I haven't mentioned th eeye on the show much that is because it is actually getting better, thank goodness! Although the vision hasn't improved terrible much the pain has all but gone and it is only now a little light sensative,. I am going to have to think whether or not I am returning to the entertainments work!
Wednesday 6th June 2007
Today's Naked Englishman comes from the Vobes garden.I am trying to not ear my glasses as much as possible in an attempt to improve my eye sight. The idea is to retrain my eyes to look correctly and not stare at objects and attempt to see the whole thing. It will be a slow process as trying to learn a new skill so that it is subconscious always takes time. The USA DVD is coming on very nicely and I am quite proud of my work so far, although you mustn't expect anything too professional,there was barely any time for filming, audio recording, researching and taking photos!
Friday 1st June 2007
The Art of Seeing, by Aldious Huxley, is the book that set me off in the persuit of improving my eye sight as a young man. I have no revisited the therory of WD Bates whos work in the 1920's inspired many to look at glasses as crutches for the eyes. Like a leg, after a while a crutch should become obselete and not necessary, but for some reason people still hang on to their glasses. Maybe they don't really need to! WD Bates book can be found for a free download at: http://www.iblindness.org/books/bates/ /a>
Monday 28th May 2007
It's bank holiday Monday here in the UK today and it is time for some rather tasty Lemon Drizzle cake. I can't confess to having made it myself. It was purchased from the Coop and jolly nice it was too! Been busy with thoughts to the new version of the VOBES site and show and where I want to take it as well as thinking about the huge amount of stuff to edit from the USA trip. How we did enjoy it! I wanted to get out for a walk to inspire me but my eye has been playing up and the weather hasn't help too much either! Off to Wales on Wednesday evening for a job on Thursday - oh the normalnes of life!
Saturday 26th May 2007
Bloody eye! I am getting very frustrated with the pain that this wretched condition is causing.I am fed up with the limits this puts on what I am able to achieve from one day to the next. Today i have had to tape it up again just so I can look at the monitor as the glare from the screen is too much and cuase the eye to water and wince. I have taken a few days off from the show to adjust to the normality of being a Dad and looking after the kids. I am also trying to focus on the future of the Vobes Show and impiment the changes I wish to do - but sometime the enormity of the task is too great to contemplate.
Tuesday 15th May 2007
I may look like a milk bottom glasses wearing geek - but please note that I am sporting my Victory Brewing Company T-shirt. Missing the lovely IVY of course, but hey - this is now Virgina Country. The Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular and views amazing. The hotel isn't the best we have stayed in and the food locally now terribly healthy, but its all part of the adventure and Paul and I are having fun!
Monday 14th May 2007
I took an early morning walk into Staunton in Virgina. This is a beauftul small township in the north of Virgina which a very clean collection of what appears to be 'toy' like colonial houses. Paul and I arrived here last night and had a Mexican meal and a wonder around. I wanted to get out for a short walk by myself and record the NE. I even discovered the train station beofre Paul - He He!
Saturday 12th May 2007
The Vobes Usa Team went to the Victory Brewery this evening and there our tour guide was the very beautiful Ivy. I was mesmerised by her and although far younger than I, it awakened my sense of romance and reminded me that I have no lady in my life. Consequently, the NE audio entry ended up fairly self pittying. It is easy to wear a mask and hide your inner most feelings, but some times your fears break through, especially when you realise you are getting too old to make friends with such beautiful women. Life is slipping away!
Wednesday 9th May 2007
Later that day after meeting the DAKK girls at Troy Middle School, which was a hoot, the group, including Mark Radcliffe, Amy, Marks lovely wife, John Berger, Sue and Chris, teachers from the school and Paul Stoneman and myself went ot a brew pub to enjoy a few beers, some wrought Iron ale and lovely American spicy food. This is Brian Mitchel, posing on his bike. He came down from Canada with hsi lovely wife Conny! What a great second day to the trip!
Wednesday 9th May 2007
So we have landed in the great USA a second time and with me is Paul Stoneman to explore this wonderful country. I am not sure how easy it will be to record a NE each day, but I wll do my best. This is an example of the wonderful hills and mountain ranges in PA on route to Mansfield. Notice the mini Statue of Liberty inthe river!
Monday 7th May 2007
Well I am all packed, unshaven and ready to head off to Paul's house for the night before we head up to Heathrow Airport and catch the plane to Dulles International Airport in USA.
Its been a slow week with lots of pain in the eye and not a lot of achievements, but slowly getting ready for the trip and doing all the last minute checks with Paul.
Dawn is staying with the children and so I have had to clear up the house and make sure its all tidy - well, you know what women are like! :)
I am packing a few t-shirts from the last trip to fly the flag of the british and the Vobes show too!
Well, that's about it - next stop America!
Saturday 28th April 2007
My eye is better today. I have a parcel and it is my video camera that I bought to take to the USA to record pictures for the DVD Paul Stoneman and I intend to make. It is a small amateur camera, not like the broadcast stuff I would of course prefer, but as it was cheap and cheerful and small and compact, it was a bargin. I can also use it for some of my country walks too and upload the videos on the server. Its a wide screen model which is nice. Here is a demo in Windows Media Video - it is literally the first thing I filmed with it! And watch out for the taped up eye dude too! http://vobes.com/clients/cameratest.wmv
These are some of the books I have purchased recently. On the left is the Church Explorers Handbook, an excellent piece of work to help assist me with the identification of reglious places in the county of Sussex. I think one of the questions that I continually ask is, 'How old is that Church?' This book will help me to determine when I am out how to date such buildings! The magazine is dated 1936 and is the old county magazine, I don't think any longer in circulation. I wanted this particular issue as it had an article about Beating the Boundries in Burpham, some thing I want to explore in the Vobes show. Finally, The Great Mortality follows the route of the Black Death across the world and explains the devisational effect it had on all it touched! It makes for grim reading!
Thursday 19th April 2007
Georgie is 14 today and does she act like it! I baked her a banana cake and bought some flowers.I think she had a nice time.We toasted the occasion with some Bucks Fizz and later I have to cook Georgie's favouriet Chicken and Bacon baked with rice and white sauce! Yummy!
Thursday 5th April 2007
Paul Stoneman and I went for another 8 mile walk today. Paul got rather obessed with a quaint British postbox that was sunken into the wall at Myrtle Farm. He couldn't stop taking roll upon roll of photos and I eventually had to carry him the rest of the way back to the car.
Tuesday 3rd April 2007
A bad eye day today. I woke to find a horrible grey mist on the surface on of my eye and I need to see the doctors again tomorrow morning! I am now getting a bit scared about the outcome of this terrible parasite!.
Sunday 25th March 2007
Here is an example of how modern life has encroached on the beauty of the south downs. Notice the Sarsen stone in the foreground, the sheep on the brow of the hill and the multi-laned dual carriage way in the background. Harmony?
Sunday 25th March 2007
Billy and I went out for a long walk on the south downs. I told Billy it was only going to be a five mile walk when it was actually seven because I knew he wouldn't have gone otherwise!
Bless him he did the whole walk without complaining!
Tuesday 27th March 2007
I went up toLondon to see Adam Tinkoff about some audio work he might be able to put my way. We met at the Royal Lancaster Hotel where I have performed as an entertainer many times in the past.
On the way through London I passed Buckingham Palace where crowds had gathered in great numbers to see the chaging of the guards.
Saturday 23rd March 2007
Jimmy and I went to Albourne, a tiny rural village north of Brighton. We were there to record a piece for the show entitled 'In the footsteps of Mee', based on the books and travels of Arthur Mee.
Jimmy isn't used to walking terribly far, so I rewarded him for driving me there and making him poke about the countryside with a couple of pints of Harvey's Best and a plate of ham, eggs and chips! Yummy!
Thursday 22nd March 2007
Paul Stoneman and I went on another walk locally, this time around the Climping area of West Sussex, close to the seaside town of Littlehampton. It was a ten mile walk with a stop off at a pub for lunch and a couple of pints of excellent and refreshing Harvey's Sussex Best!
In the evening I went to my daughters's school to watch Georgie in a rock musical, We Will Rock You, by Ben Elton. It was a fabulous peformance by the kids and Georgie ofcourse was superb!
Monday 19th March 2007
I travelled down on Sunday night to Swansea, in Wales to a Travel Inn.It took five hours though small outbursts of snow from Worthing, but luckily my eye was ok most of the way. I was down there to make a video testimonial film for another radio station on the Monday in Neath, close by.
The drive home Monday night was harder, because the car lights coming towards me on the last part of the journey really helped to disorientate me.
Saturday 17th March 2007
Another walk today.An eight mile one this time, which was wonderful. I walked through beautiful woods, met a bunch of horse riders and found the gibbet marker of John Upperton hanged in chains in 1741 for highway robbery! The weather was changable, with sunny moments. I will upload the audio next week.
Friday 16th March 2007
I met Paul today at Barnham train station where he picked me up and drove me to Arundel.We had a lovely time looking at books in a second hand book shop. I spent loads of cash on books on Charles first and second, history of ancient man and the beginning of mechanised transport. Pics here!
Thursday 15th March 2007
Today I went on a 7 mile walk on the South Downs armed with a backback and a camera, oh yes and my Iriver, which I recorded tomorrow's Vobes show on. Check that out from Vobes.com.