In Sanger, I feel like I’m on vacation. I don’t have to make a reservation, or worry about a timetable. Staying with Steve and Rosemary is the most relaxing time of my life. They are so kind and hospitable, all the pressure of the world lifts from your body. What is there to do in Sanger, not a lot, and that’s great. If you want to do something, go to Fresno and see a movie. Otherwise, I’ll be by the pool, drinking Jack and coke.

Did you ever play SimCity 2000? If your city was founded in 2050 you could choose between a power plant that runs on coal, oil, water, solar, nuclear or fusion.

But that was 2050. Looks like they were 35 years off. Congratulations France, you smell and you will soon have an amazing amount of power.

Apple released iTunes 4.9 today. This is the version that supports podcasting. I�ve installed it, run it, and now I will review it. So here you go.

The Good
If you are new to podcasting, using iTunes to find content is very easy. They have a lot to choose from and it organized into nice categories. To subscribe you pick a show and double-click. This will add the show to your iTunes library, and download the latest episode. That�s it. You can now listen to the show or sync your iPod and listen to the show on your iPod later. So that�s the good.

The Bad
Out of the box, iTunes 4.9 is incomplete. The feeds are not complete. When you find a show a lot of the information is missing. Why, because iTunes is using their own RSS tags and they didn�t let anybody know about it. SUCK. So I added my podcast to a �ADD YOUR PODCAST� link and it came up blank.. The shows were there, but the cool detailed info was missing. WEAK. Also, iTunes 4.9 looks like PODCASTING � WE PREFER PROFESSIONALS. At the top of the page are podcast from big media giants. Star 98.7 and other radio stations get a lot of real estate. The indie podcast are located at the bottom of the page. Do a search for our podcast and it�s not their. HO-HUM. If you want to add a podcast, like NIMH, you have to get the RSS feed, copy it and add it to iTunes. So what’s the difference between iTunes and iPodder, very little. It’s very disappointing. So instead of newbie podcast getting love, KCRW, ABC News, and STAR 98.7 get all the love and no budget podcasters get no love.

The Ugly
As I mentioned, iTunes uses �special� RSS tags. I know have to retype my RSS feed to add the iTunes tags. So I have some work ahead. I need to buy a notebook computer. Donations will be accepted.

Here are some pictures from Jon Regul’s birthday in SF. If you would like full, huge, orig images, email me and I will send them to you. montez[at]gmail.com.

I started using BUZZNET to host my non-camera photos. You can JOIN BUZZNET, it’s free.

Pictures after the jump.
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Well it’s been several weeks and I want to update any of you about our podcast, NIMH in general and whatever else pop into this big ass head of mine.

First, as you know, we changed the web site. Also, the podcast have slowed to twice/week. They are also shorter, about 5-7mins in length. As always we feature new music given away by the artist. We now show up on search engines and are starting to get votes at Podcast Alley and Podcast Pickle.

Tom Webster, Vice President of Edison Media Research was listening to K-YOU in San Francisco when he heard Noise Inside My Head. Here’s what he wrote: First Listen: KYCY (KYOU Radio), San Francisco’s Podcast Format

�NIMH� � �Noise inside my head� � an apt metaphor for much of the programming. Good mix of eclectic and pop alternative from the Spoons to Modest Mouse.

Speaking of KYOU Radio, NIMH was part of the show from DAY 1. Here’s a set-list from the first day: May 12, 2005

In one of the early podcast, I spoke about how radio and TV stations could use podcasting as a means of promotion. I basically said that they could create short format shows that promote upcoming specials, programming, or events. They could also sell these podcast to advertisers and give the advertiser a captured, trackable audience. Well I just read this article about how Clear Channel is starting to do just that. Check it out at Billboard Radio Monitor.

So thanks to everyone who is currently subscribed and/or downloading the NIMH Podcast. I have some new ideas and I hope to soon share them with you.

AMC seeks Loews in a merger that makes sense only if you start shutting some doors. Technology quickly obsoletes the standard and right now the standard is they make a movie, you go to the theater to see it.

Changes on the horizon
Movie theaters are hurting. When blockbuster movies are released, the majority of the first weeks� cash goes back to the distributor. It�s the later weeks� ticket sales that go to the house. But more movies are shit and can�t hold an audience. So the movies start big and then die quickly. Much quicker than they used to. In addition, DVDs are being released sooner and sooner. The new average DVD release is 5 months after the theatrical release. It�s killing ticket sales because people are willing to wait.

You�ve merged, now what?
Close those doors. Remember when every chain was building a multiplex with 20+ screens? Time to start shutting those down. Rather than two 20-plexes in a local area, time for just one. Instead of splitting concessions among two theaters one theater gets them all. But you have to make sure the movie experience is clean and rewarding. Fire the slackers and keep those employees who love movies. Employees who are happy to be there and will engage the consumer as a movie lover and not as a kid who needs the job to buy beer.

Come for the blockbuster, stay for the classic
Start showing movies that are best seen on the big screen. No matter how great your home theater system is, Lord of the Rings looks better on a big screen rather then you 32� TV. With every ticket bought on the opening of a blockbuster, you get a coupon to watch one of the classics you are showing. Here�s how it works. I buy a ticket to see Star Wars EP3. I give you $12. You give me my ticket and a coupon for a half price ticket for the month of X good only for re-release movies. I watch EP3 and go home. Next week, when there is no blockbuster I want to see, I notice that you are showing Lord of the Rings. I come back to the theater with my coupon and pay $5 (regular price for re-release films $10 � � off coupon = $5), buy a soda and popcorn and watch the film. The key is to use you best asset (movie screen and sound system) to your advantage.

That�s all for now. Check out Broken Candy�s MOVIE-A-DAY-IN-LA for a classic near you (if you live in LA that is).