Episode Twenty-Three

Ravi and Sonia welcome writer and humorist Christopher Monks to talk about "the incident" generated by his blog utterwonder.com

It's an episode that pulls out all the stops: The DriveTime Glovebox (aka "DriveTime Mailbox"), an Aussie tribute, a minor collision, the return of the Digital Cohost, the emergence of the DriveTime Censoring Board, the return of the DriveTime Reading Room -- and if that weren't enough -- a peek into next week's unprecedented DriveTime Event.

(QuickTime, 08:57)

Episode Twenty-Two

Ravi and Sonia rejoice in a new running character: "Enna The Coffee Gal". They then welcome Marc Hodosh, chairperson of FIRST Boston, who describes the upcoming Boston Regional Robotics Competition -- and assures Ravi that the robots will not rebel. And "The Woz" is duly honored.

(QuickTime, 08:13)

Episode Twenty-One

Ravi and Sonia welcome their first "unknown" guest -- his identity shrouded by the grace of the DriveTime digital elves -- who explains his blog precogs.net. Ravi encourages him to embrace his anonymity with the aid of a paper bag... before revealing his true identity to the world.

And evening hours in the studio reemerge for the first time since October.

(QuickTime, 08:47)

Episode Twenty

Ravi navigates Studio-A to the auto shop, while Sonia pilots Studio-V behind him. After some worrisome moments apart, they reunite in the welcoming bosom of Studio-A... only to find themselves "Waiting for Mike Zirilli."

Finally -- in a DriveTime first -- Ravi gives up the driver's seat.

(QuickTime, 08:22)

Aussie Alert!

I've been informed by friends living "Down Under" that DriveTime will be featured on this week's episode of Beyond Tomorrow, the Australian science and technology program. It airs Wednesday night in Australia, which is who-knows-when in Boston (some time on Tuesday?!) I welcome any reviews from Australian residents.

Long-time DriveTime viewers will remember when Kim Watkins took a ride in Studio-A last November.

Update:
Read the official preview description on the Yahoo7 page (note the reference to the "ageing Audi").

Episode Nineteen

It's a chilly DriveTime Weekend Edition as Ravi and Sonia welcome Melanie Orndorff from LA to talk about her faith exploration blog, Uncommon Path -- as well as other "Godcasts".

Plus, a peek at next week's DriveTime Event.

(QuickTime, 08:52)

Episode Eighteen

Ravi bids farewell to Torino with another DriveTime Olympic Moment before he and Sonia welcome Toronto-based artist Chris Gardiner from the Great White North. Chris explains why he's traveled to Boston and shares insights about his work. Finally, cultural boundaries are erased when currency matters are discussed.

(QuickTime, 08:31)

Fever

Episode 18 will be delayed slightly -- up later this evening (or maybe Saturday a.m.) -- due to my fever... my Olympic Fever! (too much curling and ice skater gazing.)

Episode Seventeen

Ravi pays honor to Torino in a DriveTime Olympic Moment before he and Sonia welcome John Sullivan from the band James The Viking. Ravi whips out the air guitar to accompany the opening track from their new CD.

And a surprising -- yet familiar -- "bonus guest" pops in for the coda.

(QuickTime, 09:26)

Production update

Episode 17 will be posted later this evening -- a splendid President's Day weekend edition, complete with George Washington wigs.

Okay -- that's not true, but I like the sound of that... Damn! Sonia could have had the Washington wig and I could have played up my "Lincolnesque" qualities (a description granted to me by a high school teacher after my recitation of the Gettysburg Address).

iTunes not refreshing

For unknown reasons the latest episode has still not appeared up on the iTunes DriveTime page after three days. It usually takes a bit to appear, but never this long. It does download from iTunes if one is subscribed to the feed.

Coincidentally (or not so coincidentally,) I've added a little 'Subscribe with FireAnt' chicklet (above the iTunes chicklet no less!)

Update:
This has been fixed.

Episode Sixteen

Ravi and Sonia talk pandas and gorillas before an austere recap of their weekend in Washington D.C. Aaron Hurley, currently appearing "off Centre Street" in The Footlight Club's production of The Lion in Winter, visits studio-A to talk about acting in America's oldest community theater. And the three make their way to a car wash for a sweeps-ladened date with destiny.

(QuickTime, 09:49)

Episode Fifteen

Ravi and Sonia cut to the chase and welcome Huck Davies, Master of Ceremonies for the New England Belt Sander Racing Association (NEBSRA). Huck explains the concept of belt sander racing, Studio-A has a a near miss with a pair of red-light running rogues and Ravi attempts to start the buzz about February sweeps events.

(QuickTime, 08:28)

Episode Fourteen

Ravi and Sonia check in with Johnny Carrera about his odometer themed game and the camera takes an unexpected tumble. Plus, newly anointed Cultural Critic Peter Bebergal joins Ravi and Sonia for the DriveTime Cultural Minute and prepares this package of recommendations:

• A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong
  
• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
  
• Animal Collective's album Feels

And Ravi does some air guitar.

(QuickTime, 09:09)

Episode Thirteen

Ravi and Sonia share a jaunty recap of their hiatus before opening up the DriveTime Glovebox, where a recommendation prompts a new segment: DriveTime Science Friday.

Original music by Hans Indigo Spencer (www.indigoinventions.com.)

(QuickTime, 09:20)

Production Update

"Lucky" Episode Thirteen will be posted on Saturday, as Sonia and I only returned back to the DriveTime studios this morning.

I thank you for your patience!

Episode Twelve

Guest host Stefan Economou welcomes the band Big Digits into spacious Studio-T to talk about their upcoming West Coast tour -- and discovers extra space where the back seat should be.

(QuickTime, 08:41)

Hiatus is over!

The official DriveTime 2005 Winter Hiatus is over. We're back from sunny climes and back "on the grid."

New episodes forthcoming!

DriveTime 2005 Winter Hiatus

DriveTime has officially entered its 2005 Winter Hiatus (ie. no commuting going on right now, so no studio time right now).

We'll be back in 2006 with new episodes, surprise guests, near-misses and other fun!

Episode Eleven

In the conclusion to episode ten, writer Peter Bebergal reads a piece about Chanukah and Christmas for Ravi -- and a "digital Sonia." Finally, as Ravi and Peter chaw over some Australian licorice, a somewhat semi-regular proposition is offered.

(QuickTime, 09:15)