iTunes Store Info

Hello all! Great news!

As I'm getting all set up here, things are coming together well... I recently submitted my feed to iTunes, and they've officially approved my podcast. It will be available to search and subscribe to within the next day or so, so keep checking, I'm very excited about it! As Alyrenee would say: "Huzzah!"

0.5 Has Relaunched!

As you can see, I've overhauled the ol' blog. I'm still working out the kinks with iTunes subscriptions, and Pickle Player. I want to make this as accessible as I can to everyone. I've also listed my feed in several new podcast directories, so hopefully this will reach farther than it had an opportunity to before. In other news...

I have gotten my computer back! No word yet on when I will be fully set up-- I have to reinstall programs and dig through spindles of discs to find my files... etc. HOWEVER! I did delve into my iPod and pull out my first episode. Remember, this is almost a year old and hasn't been changed. My mission statement has. I will not be doing commentary-style episodes, but keeping it to in-depth conversation about episodes. I'll be exploring bloopers and gaffes, continuity, mythos, stories from the set, concepts on psychology, morality and subtext. I'll also talk about some of the cast members... etc. It should be interesting.

Episode 0.5 - Coffeecentric (m4a)
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Episode 0.5 - Coffeecentric (mp3)
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Podcast Promo #1.

Hey everyone! Here is my first promo spot for The Espresso Pump. If you have a podcast and you're interested in sharing the love, feel welcome to use it on your podcast, just let me know so I can publicize yours as well. If you're looking for free advertisement for your podcast, send me your promo spots, as well and I will let you know what happens with that.


Promo #1 - Strange Brew (m4a)
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Promo #1 - Strange Brew (mp3)
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Podcast In Preparation

Yes, my mutant beast of a computer is still being reassembled, with the same love and care put into the BuffyBot. I'm excited. Much has been done to it!! I'm starting anew as well. I will be following through with my Buffy Movie podcast episode, but I've decided to disregard my old ideas about doing commentary-like podcasts and stick to a more fluid discussion. I'll be exploring things that occurred during the film, locations, brief bios on the actors, and the differences between the film, the graphic novel and Joss' original script. As well, I'm taking a cue from BuffyCast and delving into some far more interesting subject matter. I've been reading lately, and I'm using my books for inspiration.

Why Buffy Matters: The Art Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer

by Rhonda Wilcox (I.B. Tauris Publishing)

Rhonda Wilcox is the world's foremost authority on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its characters, and its themes. She is co-editor of Fighting the Forces: What's at Stake in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Slayage: The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies. She is an English Professor at Gordon College in Barnesville, GA. Wilcox argues that Buffy is enduring as art by exploring its excellence in both long-term story arc construction and in producing individual episodes that are powerful on their own. She examines the larger patterns that extend through all seven seasons: the hero myth, imagery of light, naming symbolism, Buffy's relationship with Spike, sex, and redemption. Wilcox also focuses on acclaimed and noteworthy episodes, including the musical "Once More, with Feeling," the largely silent and wordless "Hush," and the dream episode "Restless." She examines Buffy's literary narrative, symbolism, visual imagery, and sound. Combining great intelligence and wit, written for fans, this is the worthy companion to the show that has claimed and kept the minds and hearts of watchers worldwide.

This accessible collection of essays on Buffy the Vampire Slayer defends the artistic merit of the fantasy TV show with equal parts wit and insight. Wilcox, an English professor at Gordon College, is a fan of the series and doesn't condescend to other fans or disparage what she believes is "art, and deserves to be so studied. It is a work of literature, of language...of visual art...of music and sound." Wilcox looks at the big-picture narrative arc and at individual episodes, finding impressive, but sometimes tenuously connected, influences at work: Joseph Campbell's momomyth, Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, John Donne, Virgil and Charles Dickens. "One of the great themes of Dickens's Bleak House," she writes, "is our interconnection; and one of the great themes of Buffy is the virtue of community." Not surprisingly, the author has no patience for critics and academics who dismiss Buffy as mere "cult TV" on the basis of its genre and argues that fantasy can have more emotional resonance than realism. Though not convincing as a work of genuine scholarship, Wilcox's book is a serviceable addition to the canon of Buffy.

Although television is often looked down upon, Wilcox, one editor of Slayage, the online journal devoted to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, presents a compelling argument for it as an art form as worthy of respect and acknowledgment as film or literature. She furthers her argument by using Joss Whedon's iconic show as a salient example, drawing on the depth of the characters, the symbolism in the show, and the many real-world commentaries that permeate its narrative. The first half of the book deals with everything from the significance of the characters' names in relation to their identities to parallels between Buffy and the Harry Potter saga, while the second half offers detailed analyses of seven of Buffy's finest, most complex episodes, including the ones that deal with the loss of Buffy's virginity and the almost entirely silent episode "Hush." The library of scholarly Buffy titles continues to grow, with Wilcox's thoughtful, accessible volume an honorable addition to it. (4/5)

The Psychology Of Joss Whedon: An Unauthorized Exploration of Buffy, Angel, and Firefly

by Joy Davidson (Benbella Books)

Joss Whedon—creator of the wildly popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its spin-off Angel, the short-lived series Firefly, and the feature film it inspired, Serenity—takes a seat on the couch in this in-depth examination of the psychological gravity that has captivated his deeply devoted fan base. Whedon fans will enjoy a discussion of issues that are both funny and profound, from the significance of Angel’s mommy issues and the best way to conduct government experiments on vampires to what could drive a man to become a cannibalistic Reaver and the psychological impact of being one girl in all the world chosen to fight the forces of darkness.

Joy Davidson, PhD, is a psychologist, certified sex therapist, and author who is a familiar expert guest on national television and radio, including Oprah, 20/20, CNN News, NPR, Prime Time Live, Entertainment Tonight, and Montel. She is the author of or contributor to 6 nonfiction books and the creator of multivolume self-help videos for women and couples. She is a well-known magazine and web advice columnist and appears frequently in publications such as Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Esquire, Redbook, and Men’s Health. She lives in New York. (5/5)

Other books I'm interested to get my hands on...

True Blood (New Series)

ABOUT THE SHOW: Thanks to a Japanese scientist's invention of synthetic blood, vampires have progressed from legendary monsters to fellow citizens overnight. And while humans have been safely removed from the menu, many remain apprehensive about these creatures "coming out of the coffin." Religious leaders and government officials around the world have chosen their sides, but in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps, the jury is still out.

Local waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), however, knows how it feels to be an outcast. "Cursed" with the ability to listen in on people's thoughts, she's also open-minded about the integration of vampires — particularly when it comes to Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a handsome 173-year-old living up the road. But as Sookie is drawn into a series of mysteries surrounding Bill's arrival in Bon Temps, that tolerance will be put to the test.

A sexy, scary new drama from 'Six Feet Under' creator Alan Ball, 'True Blood' delves into the meticulously-crafted world of novelist Charlaine Harris. Described by the Emmy®-winning Ball as "popcorn for smart people" and featuring a colorful cast of local misfits, 'True Blood' promises an intense ride.

This show is getting the nod from our friends at Geekshow. You can check out their review of the pilot here. Check out the Official Site for True Blood. The premise reminds me a lot of Blade...

HBO is also featuring some interesting vampire links...
BloodCopy - A news site covering the latest vampire news.
LoveBitten - A human/vampire dating site.
Dracola - A soft drink created by the makers of Vamp NRG.
Vampyre Vodka - Produced by the makers of Vampire Wine
Sanguinarius - The ultimate vampire support site.
Tru Blood Energy Drink - A new product related to the upcoming HBO series.
Vamp NRG Drink - A European, vampire-themed energy drink. It's a big seller in Prague.
Talon Blood Punch NRG - A blood-themed energy drink.
Vampire Wine - Wine made at a vinyard that is rumored to be owned by vampires.
Witches Brew - A golden ale (beer) produced by the makers of Vampire Wine
Sanguinarius Links - a searchable directory of all manner of real vampire sites, services, information and products for blood drinkers, psychic vampires and Vampyre lifestylers

Save Moonlight

Yes, it's been cancelled. I know, I know, I know. My heart simply cannot take the loss of all of these amazing stories. Hope is not lost! Sign the petition! Fight for season 2!

Alternatively, there are other things you can do to save the show, even this late in the game! Red Cross and Alex O'Loughlin teamed up and have organized a blood drive to save Moonlight. Just list Moonlight as your organization when you donate!

Go to You Choose and pledge a pint before you donate. You can also register and pledge at Red Cross. You can also print out and sign your name on this Blood Donor card...

... and mail it to:

Nina Tassler, c/o CBS Entertainment

4024 Radford Place, Studio City

CA, USA, 91604.

And last, but certainly not least, Scoobies! Please post this on your site if you have a Buffy fan site or blog. Show your love and support for fellow vampire series, "Moonlight" and our Beloved David Greenwalt...

Visit Save Our Show, where you can buy "Save Moonlight" merchandise.

Buffy The Animated Series: Pilot

Thanks to http://www.buffytheanimatedseries.com/ and http://www.just-sarah.fr/ for posting these links...

Duration: 3:35

In .mp4 Format (Size: 6.7MB)

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In .mpg Format (Size: 7.06MB)

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Buffy Games + Animated Series Promo

I was browsing the net today, as I am occasionally known to do, and I found some awesome stuff! (Writing credit to IGN.com, where I found my info. Newest game first, to oldest, last). Thanks!

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: SACRIFICE
(Nintendo DS)
505 Games has just announced it is reviving Sarah Michelle Gellar's high kicking late nineties icon with its new game Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Sacrifice, a DS exclusive title scheduled to hit Nintendo's handheld this November. It looks to take its cues from the well received Xbox exclusive title from way back when in 2002, employing a third person take on Buffy as she battles through 24 levels in an attempt to seal the re-opened Hellmouth. The story itself is penned by Rob Deshotel, writer of numerous episodes of the TV series throughout its six year reign, seeing Buffy return to Sunnydale after the cataclysmic events of the seventh and final season of the show. Romanian developer Beast is busy preparing the game for its release this autumn, so in the meantime take a stroll around the virtual gallery below to gorge yourself on a whole world of new screens.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: Curse Of The Darkhul King (Gameboy Advance)
ESRB Rating: T for Mild Animated Violence, Mild Realistic Violence
MSRP: $19.99
Published by: THQ
Developed by: Natsume
Release Date: June 11, 2003
Genre: Action

The stakes are high as players assume the role of the world's most fetching foe of the forces of darkness in THQ's Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wrath of the Darkhul King on Game Boy Advance. Buffy hunts loathsome legions through 16 twilit levels before confronting the ultimate evil in the form of the Darkhul King. This side-scroller is crammed with interactive environments -- a fancy phrase meaning you get to break lots of stuff, like doors, crates, spider webs, vases, benches and even stone walls.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: Chaos Bleeds
(Gamecube)
ESRB Rating: T for Realistic Violence
Published by: Vivendi Games
Developed by: Eurocom
Release Date: August 26, 2003
Genre: Third-Person Action
Also Available On: Xbox, PlayStation 2
MSRP: $49.99

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds is a 3rd person action-adventure game based on the successful cult series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Just like the show, the adventure takes place at ground zero for all things vampire -- Sunnydale, California. Developed with the show's writers as a 'lost episode' from season 5, Chaos Bleeds involves an unraveling tale in which a dimensional bleed has been enabled by Pure Evil to consume humanity once and for all. It's up to Buffy and her friends to stop it all from happening ... again!

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER
(XBox)
ESRB Rating: T for Blood, Gore, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
Published by: Fox Interactive
Developed by: The Collective
Release Date: August 19, 2002
Genre: Action
Also Available On: Game Boy Color, Wireless
MSRP: $12.99

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a third-person action/adventure game based on the international hit television series. Players take on the role of Buffy Summers, a typical high school student by day and a fierce destroyer of the undead by night. Buffy the Vampire Slayer combines fighting, action, drama, humor, exploration and puzzle solving in a complex interactive 3D environment.

BUFFY THE ANIMATED SERIES PROMO! (FINALLY!!)



Sign The Petition and Join The Facebook Group now!

Dry Spell Coming To An End...

It dawned on me recently that my podcast has been in existence for nearly a year, with a half episode ever put out. I finally got my computer and was recently given a DVD burner, so things are developing. My internet access has yet to be connected, but in the meantime, I have located my original casts to repost when my connection is up, and I am ready to start producing new episodes pretty quickly. If you have a Buffy podcast, and you need free advertising, I am happy to include a radio spot for your show on mine, just send them to me, and tune in when the episodes come up. Send, send, send!!