We really need to stop meeting like this.

I guess one thing the new suits over at AAR learned from the old suits was to rip the band-aid off quickly when killing a show. No long goodbyes or opportunities for ineffective petitions from feckless frothing fans this time around. Too bad, though I never really detected any sort of a business plan for the show. Never understood how they were going to pay for it (coffee sponsorship aside) in the long run. They never asked me to pay (I would have, too; God knows I pay for less). Hell, I’d have paid just to get access to the post-show, even though I think I only saw it live once or twice. I don’t know how many other people would have paid. Maybe not enough to make the show financially viable, but it would have been worth a shot.

It seems nobody over there understands that it takes quite a bit of time – and a frickin’ plan – to build an audience and become profitable. Especially when you’re trying to do something innovative, like an Internet-only video show. And if you’re able to use something like BRL as a gateway to exposing new people to your “traditional” content in order to build a new audience (and surely AAR must be in need of a new audience, having all but held a gun to the heads of those of who were so enthusiastic about the prospect of “progressive” radio, way back in 2004), making a “profit” isn’t as important. But, whatever. I never really thought of BRL as part of AAR, and I couldn’t even tell you what else they have on the air these days.

It was nice to be able to stay in touch with Marc on a daily basis again. Kind of like reuniting with an old friend who’d moved away for a while (twice), but was back again. Granted, it was a one-way friendship (which is good, I guess, since he’d no doubt find me disgusting and lacking self-respect), but it was nice. Now he’s moved away again (or, rather, been taken away again), and who knows when we’ll see him next (unless you’re planning on seeing on of his nine “Scorching the Earth” shows in Montreal between July 16th and the 25th).

In other news, I read through the live-blogging of the Sotomayor confirmation hearing that Andrew Pincus is doing at TPM. I can’t watch live, and, frankly, I find people like Graham, Sessions, etc. so repugnant that I can’t really take listening to them for long. Pincus is an appellate litigator in DC whose argued 19 cases in front of SCOTUS, so he’s able to supply some context for we non-lawyers. From Pincus’ account (unlike anything you’ll hear from the traditional media, which just reports that Republicans “got tough” and dutifully regurgitate the GOP spin), it seems pretty clear to me that Sonia is one sharp cookie. Or maybe “enlightened enchilada.” Today is witness day, with witnesses for and against her. Such a waste of time, since these hearings are all just a dog and pony show that won’t influence anybody’s vote (unless she comes out and says something like “usted bastardos blancos viejos me hacen quiero vomitar”).

Some good news, as we’re on Forbes list of “Best Cheap Cities,” coming in at #21 (second only to Albany in NY State). Even better, we’re not only cheap, we’re easy, too.

My stepdaughter flew into town yesterday. Haven’t seen her in something like 5 years. I didn’t see her for long, though, as she and her mother left for Lily Dale this morning at about six o’clock, and the dogs and I will be bach’ing it until Sunday.

Guess I’d better get a move-on and start my day (a day with no BRL podcast to look forward to).