in media res

Today I have discovered podcasting. Okay, I have known it has existed for years but this is a personal discovery of the value of podcasting. It is not the same as if, for example, I’d discovered America.

It’s of value to me even though I am pod-less. Pod-lessness is becoming increasingly rare these days. So often now I see those little white earpieces worn by people on trains and buses. They are podded. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” does rather spring to mind when I see them. In that movie of course people-like beings actually hatch out of pods.

Anyway, I have digressed. Although I’m pod-less I do have a computer with iTunes which means I can subscribe to podcasts and they will be automatically downloaded to my computer when they are released. On BBC Radio Three there is a great programme called “CD Review”. In that programme is a regular feature called “Building a Library” which goes out early on Saturday morning. Although I’m quite keen on building a library, taking, say the Jubilee library in Brighton as my model, I never get up early enough on Saturday morning to hear this feature.

Now they have started podcasting “Building a Library” and so today I’ve had it automatically downloaded to my computer. In preparation I’ve been sketching some drawings for my new library to be erected in my back garden. Rather surprisingly however the feature seems to consist of playing CDs and discussing their merits. I’m thinking perhaps this is because building a library is a substantial undertaking and maybe we need to be in the right mood for it before we begin.

Today we’ve had some extremely lovely Mozart chamber music and I think I’ll be getting the preferred CD. Something to listen to while sketching the plans for my library.