Beam Me Up

Episode 224 is the last full episode for the podo site! We have grown way to fast and need more room and bandwidth without it costing an arm an a leg. So remember to go to beammeuppodcast.com for all new episode! I will continue to let you know what is up with this site. Also this week is the edited show that played on WRFR lp/fm on the registered domain you will get the stories as Peter Watts read them.

This Week on episode 224 of Beam Me Up we have two stories plus some music and some goodies from the blog!

First up, Barry sends us in a very funny parody song of Lady Ga Ga's Poker Face called appropriately enough, Outer Space. I have the video on the blog because it is also funny, but I thought, playing the song would be just as entertaining.

Our First story is from a new comer to Beam Me Up, Jasmine Giacomo with her story Cyberia Rising which puts a serious twist on love conquering all. Our last story is part 3 of Peter Watt's The Island. The crew of the Eriophora desperately make a case with the robot AI “Chimp” to move the build of the gate but even Dix my not be convinced. New wrinkles begin to appear about the crew's struggle though out the eons of the builds and surprises and major setback await for the only original crew member now awake.

Plus news and reviews from the blog

Edited for language. If you would like to hear the higher quality unedited version, please log to the main page www.beammeuppodcast.com.

This week in episode 223 we start with Tim Sayell's Bradley Brackett #11 and finish this week's program with part 2 of Peter Watts' The Island.

From the blog, Black hole mechanics in question, also in question was choosing Patric Stewart as captain and a rather unusual music video concerning Ray Bradbury....

Episode 222 is a full day, so it goes fast! First off is Oddcube with his review of The Polar Treasure a Doc Savage pulp.

From the blog (www.wrfrbeameup.blogspot.com) I review Hot Tub Time Machine, I discuss the new webisode Pioneer One, Lagrangian points in Neptune's orbit may hold some of the mysteries of the early Solar System and more!

I finish with Peter Watts reading part 1 of his story The Island

We may not have a hot tub, but we will be traveling fast and light...it's time for Beam Me Up

***ATTENTION you can listen to the Hi-fi version of this program at our new website http://www.beammeuppodcast.com and remember the Podomatic site will be closed as of September first!******

This week on Beam Me Up episode 221

Episode 3 of the Dark Inspectre from Jason Kahn - I review Mushi shi the anime series and live action movie - "Webisodes" I review ARK on Hulu and Ben Browder's new project "Naught for Hire" - And what has to be the most bizarre aid to child-birth ever!

I close this week with a really cute story from Mary Robinette Kowal called The Clockwork Chickadee.

Plus webisodes in general. We are taking ride close to the weird side, so take your reality meds now, its time for Beam Me Up

Don’t forget that BMU is moving to our new digs at beammeuppodcast.com. Come check it out!
Got some interesting stuff in this week’s episode of BMU. We warm up with a quick musical interlude and then quickly head over to theblog at wrfrbeameup.blobspot.com. A real interesting shot film on n. Nuclear Explosions from 1945-1998.
Earth’s most pristine crater, could the universe be much older than we think?, Chuck gets a Mom...guess who?! I list a good film promo of the new year of Star Gate Universe...looks great!
Why your brain will never be online...., and diy satellite

And finally your welcome to listen to part 2 of Marg Karmazin’s very personal tale....Refraining

Enjoy!

Episode 219 sure went quick this week. I start off with an 8bit cover of Wicked Games by SADnes and then off to the blog! I review the anime series Denou Coil, strange super dense stars that shouldn't exist, two short but wicked films, the 5 thousand dollar total cost movie The Raven that rocks and Reign of Death a dark 30ish alternate reality that reminded me of Blade Runner meets steam punk, James May takes a ride to the fringe of space in a U2, Boeing is planning a new crew capsule for the ISS and more.

I end with part one of Refraining by an author new to Beam Me Up, Margaret Karmazin. Revolutions often start with the most unlikely revolutionary.

Its a fast but fun episode of Beam Me Up.

Oh and if you havent checked it out yet, trundle over to http://www.beammeuppodcast.com to see out new podcast site. We are planning on being all moved in by September, so that should give everyone enough time to make the switch (same content, better sound!).

BMU #218 Is ready for your listening pleasure!

This week Episode 10 of Bradley Brackett of the space patrol by Tim Sayell and we finish with part 2 of Jeff Carlson's Long eyes. From the blog, I review Gun-Slinger Girl, The biggest explosion ever seen and recorded in space, The solar system it seems, doesn't have a death start companion, but we have managed to transplant the truly unbelievable! and there is more!

Episode 217 I think you will find fast moving enough. First we have episode 2 of the Dark Inspectre series by Jason Kahn. We start to see a bit more of Jason’s near future world he has constructed for his telepathic cop.

From the blog I review the CD anime series Lain and a hugely entertaining short on you tube called “The Pro” plus more from the blog

Finally a tense story of discovery out amongst the stars. I play part one of Jeff Carlson’s “Long Eyes”

Strap in as the Star Ship BMU lifts off to explore the far reaches of reality.... It time for Beam Me Up!

  

Episode 216 is just solid entertainment this week. We start with a killer piece of music from a German band called Nephew with their song “Science Fiction & Familien” and this song rocks.! Next we get out monthly dose of OddCube who reviews the absolutely dreadful Sy Fy program The Princess of Mars, OddCube tears this stinker a new one and makes it funny! We finish this week with a story from 1995 by Jack Nimersheim called “Moriarty by Modem” and is read by Nelson from New Farmer Films. Jack’s story asks the question what would a fight between the legendary detective Holmes and the infamous Moriarty be like in the digital age. The story is both entertaining and thought provoking. So dust of those deerstalkers, its time for Beam Me Up!

  

Episode 215 of BMU is bound to mystify, confuse and disturb in equal shares, so hand on kiddies. So after a brief musical interlude, I wade right into the deep end with a new series from Jason Kahn call Dark Inspectre. As the series is described: "In a near-future society where “normals” fear and mistrust those with telepathic ability, Jack Garrett leads a special police unit of telepaths with the unique talent of contacting the psychic awareness of the dead" This is episode 1 and we will be doing a new episode each month. For our second story I give you Zeno's Paradox by Doug Hilton. Frequent listeners will recognize the name and remember that Hilton is very inventive writer. This week is no exception. We are faced this week with an insurmountable, life threatening emergency and to the rescue is the most unlikely hero! And his solution will leave you stunned and more than a little disturbed by something that is so far outside what we know is true....RETURN your seats to the upright position, raise your tray table and lock it....flight BMU 215 is about to take off....

Jason Kahn lives in Brooklyn with his lovely wife. His online series, The Dark InSpectre, is currently running courtesy of Abandoned Towers Magazine. His most recent story, Cold Comfort, appears in the July issue of Abandoned Towers while his story The Killer Within was recently released as an e-book by Damnation Books. Other stories of his have appeared in Baen’s Universe, The Best of Gryphonwood 2007, and Strange Stories of Sand and Sea (Fine Tooth Press, 2008).

  

show 214! Plenty of material for a show that I thought might turn into a vast wasteland! We start off with an ethereal piece of music for Boa called Duvet which is the opening music for the anime series Lain. Tim Sayell submits a new Bradley Brackett episode, arena of the Blood Moon and this is episode #9! Great retro fun this! I finish off with a follow on story from Merurio D. Rivera called Dear Annabels which is in the same universe as his wildly inventive "Snatch Me Another" which I played last month. This time he plays with the idea of what would a Dear Abby style of program work in a universe that has snatchers in it. The results are stunning! Plus I have some news on books and news from the blog. In the end it sees there was plenty of stuff! Go figure.

  

Episode 213 went FAST this week!

first, you know that song that plays behind the promos for Haven on SyFy? Found it! It's Short Change Hero by The Heavy and I play it for you as an opener.

Next, Not sure why I dismissed Gattica when it came out but after better than ten years I gave it a look and was surprised! So I do a review.

Lastly I really like Jack McDevitt's Cryptic so I went and asked if we could read it and he said go for it, so this week, Ron Huber reads Cryptic. its a bit long so that is the whole program and it still runs a solid hour so you won't be short changed..... I know....groan.....

  

We got a great exclusive this week on BMU 212 – Colin P. Davies returns to the program with his story “An Honorable Race” from the Time in a Bottle volume 1collection, from Altered Dimension Press. This week's story is read by Crystal Wizard and produced by Abandoned Towers. And as you should know by now, when CrystalWizard reads for us, we always have an excellent episode!

With that we have our monthly fix of OddCube some music and a short trip to the BMU blog for some up to date Sci-Fi news.

I think you will find the hour passing very quickly! Enjoy!

  

Episode 211 of Beam Me Up is certainly a feast for the ears this week.
Well maybe a less than fresh gumdrop....? Well anyway we start off with
episode #8 of Tim Sayell's Bradley Brackett which is always great fun.
From there I review the movie Avatar and end the hour with part 2 of Clockwork
Patchwork and Ravens by Peter M. Ball, which if you have been following the
story is a brilliantly realized distopic future of designer drugs and ultra violent
gangs.

All in all a full hour. Enjoy!

  

Ahhhhh yes, well on our way into our fifth year of Beam Me Up with episode 210. This week we settle in with part one of a truly dystopic future with part one of Peter M. Ball's story called Clockwork, Patchwork and Ravens, but first I head over to the blog for some news and reviews.

I review the science fiction film Sunshine, which I thought had a lot to offer, new science that seems to explain why there is so much matter and hardly any anti-matter in the universe, Peter Riley wants to give you money to read his new book!, Voyager 2 seems to be suffering from old age, this year's NEBULA AWARD WINNERS!!!! and lastly, a short film on the most burning question tourists ask when touring NASA!

As short as it sounds, it is a full hour and then some and won't leave you wanting.

Check for proper alignment, don't look directly into the light, Use all proper hoses, restraints and funnels, it's time for Beam Me Up!

  

Well here we are...the start of year 5 better known as episode 209. This episode moves along really well! We start with a short piece of fiction from Wes Parish called A Man a Plan A Shattered World, a nightmarish tale of one moments kindness forever shattering a man's life. Our last story is Snatch Me Another by Mercurio D. Rivera centers around a most unusual tech that has developed around the discovery of parallel universes and how it totally changes the most fundamental truths about how reality work. From the blog, a review of Iron Man 2, Aliens in the Attic How to build your own Iron Man suit and more.

Yes really, something for everyone.

  

Everything old is new again...know the line? well that's episode 208. It ends the fourth year of podcasting excellence...hey it's my script and I can write it anyway I like! So that means that episode 209 starts the fifth! And you say I didn't get anything from my high school years!
Anyway, everyone concerned put in a great effort, being that it's a new month for one of my fav online mags Antipodean, I find we have a cross over story that we played in an earlier program and that's Shaun Saunder's Local News, so we start with that curious tale, then OddCube joins us for a truly funny review of the old D&D movie. Our last story for the year is a voyage into revelation from Tim Pratt call " The Sea, a Deeper Black" which I think you will find as excellent as I did.

There are little bits here and there that overall I think makes a very good program. Enjoy

  

Prepare yourself to be entertained and maybe slightly disturbed. Its BMU episode 207. We start off with Tim Sayell's ongoing series Bradley Brackett and this week we are treated to even more of the comic clifhanger. Plus Plus we have the thought provoking and possibly quite scary story by Angus MacDonald called Disassembly which deals with the very real and frightening theme of designer life-form warfare.

Plus in stories from the blog, a review of the Movie Up, Giant thunder storms on Saturn and the origins of Earth's water.

Plenty of good stuff, be careful what you eat breath or touch, its time for Beam Me Up.

  

It started out as such a calm day....ahh yes the good ole warm up for all old sci-fi. It seems we have our share of the embodiment of the masters.

In episode 206 we don't spend much time sitting on our laurels! I start with a flash from year 3 in the form or Richard Kadrey's "DMV" Following fast on its heals is new comer David Steffen's "What Makes you Tick" done in real classic scifi. And finally AK Sykora sends us "The coming of the Abries" where sometimes revenge is not just sweet....but tasty. From the blog, a robot mouth to give you a nightmare, Hubble's 20th and more.

Lots of good entertainment. Soups on, belly up to the BMU table.

  

Get your snacks now kiddies because episode 205 never slows down! I start with a year two flash back with Lewis Shiner's Fear Itself where I man completely out of options and freezing to death on a park bench on Christmas discovers a way out from the strangest of sources. From the blog, I review the movie Moon with Nelson from New Farmer Films. Finally we finish up the truly moving story Bridecicle by Will McIntosh and produced by Tony Smith's Star Ship Sofa.

It goes fast, so don't be long. It's time for Beam Me Up

  

Episode 204 is very fast this week. Our Flashback story from year two is Jack McDevitt's Tyger which was a very thought provoking story when I ran it in our second year. The questions that Jack's character asks is if God could create angels, why create man? If he had the power of life in his hands, then why create pain suffering and death? These questions arise as science is on the brink of being able to create pocket universes. This story is every bit as compelling and fresh as it was 2 years ago when I first read it.

The main story this week is part one of Will McIntosh's Bridescicle is up for best short story Hugo for 2009 and produced by another Hugo hopeful Tony Smith of StarShip Sofa. This story has some very innovated twists. What if you could buy insurance that would protect you not from injury but death being the final chapter. But the twist is not that it can be done, but who or what utilizes this new tech.

From the Blog,

2010 Hugo nominations
The worlds deepest hole, to get even deeper
and strange goings on at the LHC!

Guard you Dew its time for Beam Me Up!

  

It seemed episode 203 got away from me this week. I start with a ditty from John Anealio based on a conversation that a blog owner had with a somewhat unruly fan bemoaning the fact that George R.R. Martin hadn't finished a fantasy series and was told that he needed to get a life! lol

Our first story is from episode 40 and never made it to the air, but was featured in the podcast is Mary Turzillo's Digital Love Yes, at 40 she had finally found love. Austin 4.0 Her Macintosh computer. The final story "The Man who murdered himself" A telling of the elephant Man story but in such a way as to really turn the original story on it's ear.

From the blog, I review the Blu-Ray disk of Jumpers. Does Mimas really look like pacman in infrared? A special sail to help control space junk, judge rules that genes can't be patented, a short animation showing how space junk has built up since the 50s and antipodeanSF episode 146 is now online. this and other weirdness.

  

Episode 202 and our first flash back episode! Whats a flashback? Well it has been suggested that as we close in on our year anniversary, we should take selected stores from the previous years and play them. Well with it being our fourth year, there are too many stories to fit on one episode, so I am using a few of the lead in episodes to play a story from each year leading up to the anniversary. So in our first, I have to go with Saunders Curtain Call!

For our regularly scheduled episode....its the conclusion of Joseph Devon's very funny "Lightyears ahead of his Time" and believe me, last week's zaniness was only a taste.

In between, we visit the blog for a review of Robert Blevins collection "A Question of Balance (selected works 1982-2007)" Which proved to be very entertaining. a list of the "100 Best RSS feeds to Follow Science News" and the Hubble confirms accelerated expansion of the Universe.

All in all a very fast and entertaining episode. So come along for something news and a flashback to something old!

And finally please welcome aboard our newest sponsor New Farmer Films (www.newfarmerfilms.com)

  

Here we are the second episode in the 200s or the first depending on how your mind works. And with episode 201 I think its safe to say we had fun.
First off I speak about Spike Jonze's new movie a short called I'm Here. Then we move on to our first story which is episode 6 of Bradley Brackett by Tim Sayell. Our second story at the bottom of the hour is part 1 of Joseph Devon's twisted comedy, Lightyears ahead of his time. Which tells the tale of a very odd man who is the only hope of humanity's salvation somewhere at the very end of time.

From the blog: A concept trailer for a possible movie called Warren Lich, why nuking an asteroid might not work and the answer may subrise you, ESA's Mars Express took some startling 3d photos of Phobos, I spend several minutes talking about 10 absurd but published scientific papers that left me stunned and breathless as I suspect it will you as well! And I finish with a review of the Surrogate dvd movie!

All around I think this is one of the better episodes. I think you will be equally entertained. I know the fruit bats were entertained and so were the bees....and shortly you will know what I am talking about.

Enjoy!

  

Number 200 for Beam Me Up! Auspicious in anyone's book I suspect. So what should I do to make the show memorable...? Well all guessing aside – I wanted something that some of you might have read and have it produced in a manner that would entertain. So when Crystal Wizard of Abandoned Towers produced Colin P. Davies' novelette “The Certainty Principle” I was more than a bit interested. Of course I had planned on doing a two part presentation sometime in the future, the more I listened to the production and the story elements the more I was sold for the 200th episode story.

And it really is a winner, CrystalWizard's excellent production values aside. We have an x/marine forcibly retired to Mars. Our anti-hero is a full on bigot, not for color but against a new class of people that are born not of a mother but of an artificial means.

John Hale does not hide his belief that the “vat born” are nothing but smart machines. But after one fateful decision, John finds himself with nothing but a two week rest up for the rest of his life.

But nothing is clear cut and John finds himself locked in a battle with what is right and what he believes. At stake is his life and quite possible those that he has come to love. But the only way out is straight through his beliefs and what he might wind up paying with, could be his very sanity.

Join me as I play CrystalWizard's production of Colin P. Davis' “The Certainty Principle” on the 200th episode of Beam Me Up

  

This week, in episode 199 I finish playing Jim Kelly's Nebula nominated story Going Deep. Kelly's tale of a not to terribly distant future where a young girl who is desperately trying to find her place in the Moon's digital society. However she finds herself at odds with everyone including her "mother" back from an extended space mission and as Marishka fears, plans to disrupt her life even further by uprooting her and taking her away from her friends. Marishka, fears the change, fears her "mother" and feels she is out of options - Her only chance may be in Going Deep.

But first, Oddcube treats us to a review of Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Hunters of the Red Moon" and from the blog, using the body as an input device, we could have tele-presence robot from NASA on the Moon in 1000 days, one animator's idea on how the Star Trek movie "should" have ended, the iconic moment in Blade Runner done in lego? NO!!!!!!!!

Overall not a bad afternoon! I think you will enjoy this week's offering. So, let's Go Deep with JP Kelly and Oddcube!

  

Never to early to start the award season! This week we are treated to the first part of Jim Kelly's Nebula nominated Going Deep that demonstrates that no matter how far in the future, a young girl faces many of the same problems as she would today and some very very different ones.

But we start the hour with a short poem by David Kopaska-Merkel called Leviathan Rising. Great images in this short. Then we have the conclusion of Carlos Hernandez's powerful Homeostasis.

In between, I visit the blog and review the dvd of Gamer.

So, episode 198 proves to be very fast paced and I am sure that you will enjoy the hour.

  

With episode 197 we deal with the theme of the month. But where others may deal with cards and chocolates, BMU will try and melt your heart, with laser beams mayhaps.

Our first story is from the very talented pen of Benjamin Rosenbaum and his heart felt tale "Night Wakings" that places the love of a husband and farther as the last and lasting gift that he can give. Pack in the hankies for this one. Ben plays a virtuoso on your heart strings with this masterful short.

The final story this week is part one of Carlos Hernandez's "Homeostasis" which takes a run at defining what love is and what it can become and what it was all along. what is love, where does it reside? Is this love real or the result of a computer program and how could you tell the difference. Carlos takes an unflinching look at a husband and farther who suffers a massive head injury. Is he the same person once repaired. Is his love the same or a simulation?

From the Blog, The Nebula final ballots have been released and contains some very exciting selections! What "lights the fuse" of a supernova, The cupola is open and breathtaking, Would warp speed be fatal and so much more.

Mix in some music and mumblin and you have a pretty fine episode....

  

Well, since show 195 self destructed last week, I will try my hardest to get a really good show for you this week. So, after our musical start from The Church "under the Milkyway" I start with our fifth installment of Bradley Brackett of the Space Patrol from Tim Sayell.

From the Blog Roddenbery want someone experienced in playing a robot in his redo of Questor...guess who? And Oscar nominated for short animation, I have Logorama and wicked ride on the weird train as each actor and every set piece is a corporate logo! On YouTube is an excellent HD tour if the ISS, stem to stern so to speak! Plus a film of the last launch of a shuttle at night. I give you the word on all good things to find in this week's blog entries.

Our Second story is a longer piece by CrystalWizard called Breaking Points. Don't get fooled, at first blush it appears to be a fantasy piece, but we quickly find out that all the trappings we hold near and dear as fantasy are tools for CrystalWizard to use to weave a masterful tale of one woman's battle to protect a new planet and it's inhabitants from exploitation.

Finally Phil Seitz joins me with some data on data or more accurately Brent Spiner who has had a very active and varied acting career! Who knew?!

And I promise, next week, a great story from Ben Rosenbaum that will just destroy you! and thats a good thing!

But for now, enjoy, BMU 196

Episode 195a is now ready to enjoy! For those of you seeing an earlier episode, programming was screwed up and there was a conflict in copyright (totally my fault! ) so I had to pare the show down a bit. Thanks for being patient! Lets break the mold a bit...well just crack it a bit for today's show. By that I mean I just wanted to keep everything or as much as I could in house. So this week, our lead off story is by Abandoned Towers CrystalWizard and her production of a story she wrote herself called "The Sculptor" which deals with an artist incapable of accepting anything but perfection even from himself. ! From the blog this week, I finally read the comedy piece from the very very funny The Onion, Hubble catches Pluto changing!, a preview look at issue #5 of Abandoned Towers Magazine, the mmorpg Star Trek is ready to go......., issue 140 of Antipodean flash fiction magazine is now online, Obama scraps the Constellation and moon landing program!!!!, and I review the dvd movie Knowing staring Nick Cage. If everyone will please proceed to your seats, the first movement of Beam Me Up episode 195, is about to begin! Update! DUH already got called on this episode. Those of you that are paying attention - bravo! Yes, I DID play Sculptor in December of last year. In my haste to find a story that fit well with Shaun's story I forgot to check if I had PLAYED it! But it IS a good story and for those of you that didnt download 185 well you get a second try! Thanks for the heads up people! Paul

  

Episode 194 is a bit of the old and a bit of the new and a big dollop of just Odd, I am speaking of our friend Oddcube and this week, oddcube reviews the cult favorite Gamers. But our first is a late 50s story by J. Anthony Ferlane that spins the Martian invasion just a bit oddldy. From the blog NASA is considering a one man VTOL but instead of a jetpack or the complexity of a tilt rotor their present configuration is a unit that takes of much like a helicopter but different. Another real difference is an introduction to the works of the Faking Hoaxer who's ultra realistic film hoaxes will leave you amazed. That and more from the blog.

Out last story is Tim Pratt's A Programic Approach to Perfect Happiness which has personal interaction with robots taken to a whole new level. I think you will really enjoy Tim's slightly unsettling short story.

So put on your favorite fantasy gear Beam Me Up is in the house!

*This episode contains instances of strong language. Though the occurrences are few, some listeners may be disturbed or offended. *

  

Episode 193 is a bit laid back this week - we start off by getting the energy jacked up a notch with a high energy piece called Flappers & Robots from Tyler Walker. The last piece we played of Walkers's as you remember was Computers. If you liked that musical offering, you will enjoy the latest.

Our First story is the Elcano Syndrome by Gustavo Bondoni, a climbing trip to Olympus Mons goes terribly wrong.

Then we take a trip over to the Beam Me Up Blog at http://wrfrbeameup.blogspot.com - This week's articles, skydiving from space, Will we get to see Gene Roddenbery's The Questor Tapes as a series? What if the Earth had rings like Saturn, District 9's DVD is reviewed and Laser Cats 5 a totally irreverent send up of every movie James Cameron ever did, with the help of Ripley no less.

And finally I finish the program up with part 2 of Joe Hensley's and now we are three - a melancholy and thoughtful tale of the cost of nuclear proliferation.

Overall a well paced episode that will keep you well entertained. So, everyone under their desks, bend over and grab your ankles....no, not that...duck and cover, its Beam Me Up time.

  

Episode 192 of Beam Me Up hot, steamy and ready for your enjoyment. Hot and steamy? Well even I can't go that far, but this week is a really fun mix. First, I found a youtube video and the really interesting remix of All Along the Watchtower. This was the music that closed Battlestar Galactica season three. It's the song that had the really strong middle-eastern feel and heavy bass drum back beat. Very mind twisting.

Our first story comes from Tim Sayhill as he continues his tongue firmly in cheek series of Bradley Brackett and the Space Patrol. This week is episode 4.

From the blog, Not quite Sci-fi, but I have the winners of the 2009 Darwin Awards. Which are hilarious as usual, MIT is researching a "food printer", the Doomsday clock is reset and what do you think about a 3 thousand foot space cannon?

The last story is part 1 of Joe Hensley's lonely and thoughtful tale of the effect of Nuclear Proliferation called "and now we are 3"

Well worth the wait my friends. Keep your arms and legs inside the projectile at all times, get ready, we are about to fire off Beam Me Up!

  

Episode 191 is ready for your enjoyment! A dvd and movie review plus a great music cut and Crystal Wizards reads a great story written by Colin Davies.

First up is new track from Symphony of Science called "Unbroken Thread". For those of you that have not been treated to Symphony of Science's music, you're in for a treat. Each cut is a compilation of cuts from scientists like Carl Sagan, David Attenborough, Jane Goodall and others set to music. Its a brilliant idea and the results are quite good.

From the blog I review the DVD Monsters vs Aliens, the book Eclipse Two and a variety of other subjects.

Our story this week is a powerful short story from Colin Pl Davies and read by Crystal Wizards that deals with a contrived second class, much like robots or slaves. Davies puts his own special spin on the milieu to great effect. CW of course adds to the mix with her reading of this fine story.

Good entertainment start to finish! Enjoy!

  

So, this cold snowy afternoon, we will be doing more reading than anything. In episode 190 we start of with a Shaun Saunder's spin of the lottery type of theme in his story "Summer Camp"

From the Blog a top 10: ten scientific achievements that we are waiting for, New Horizons sets a speed record and the Russians have plans for Apophis.

And for the balance of the hour, CrystalWizard reads A.C. Ellis' "Chanter" which is a tale so very hard to button hole. Elements of fantasy, science fiction, immortals, Crystal Queens...but I can honestly say, that whatever you think it is at the on-set, it won't be the same story at the end. A truly wonderful read by CrystalWizard. Enjoy!

  

At the risk of sounding boring, Beam Me Up episode 189 is in full review mode this week. But don't panic, it's all good! From the Beam Me Up blog, I review the DVD of the newest film in the Terminator franchise, "Terminator:Salvation". I follow that up with a review of Jack McDevitt's new collection of stories "Cryptic", which I can easily say is a great collection! Nelson from New Farmer Films drops in with a review of Jamers Cameron's much delayed "Avatar" movie. I finish off the top of the hour by returning to the blog and a listing that caused some controversy - 50 movies that every science geek should watch. Seems a few people took issue with some of the included titles...even yours truly.

The bottom of the hour I reserved for story time. Ron Huber recorded a great short story, from Galaxy SF February 1959 by Ned Lang better known as Robert Sheckley called "Forever"

However this show doesn't last "Forever" so get your snacks, get comfy and enjoy Beam Me Up.

  

Welcome to Beam Me Up episode 188 for December 19th 2009.

I tried to pack as much in as possible with this episode.

I open with a track that I like called Sita in Space by Michaelson followed by a quick Bradley Bracket story by Tim Sayell that is always wonderful campy fun.
I review Jack Mcdivitt's collection of short stories Cryptic. Fans of BMU will recognize many of the stories from this book as they were read on air. But as the review states...The stories read on BMU were good but as my review points out, they were far from the the best this fine volume has to offer. Also, talk about movies that science geeks just need to see, plus some excellent examples of Earth based space photography of common space based objects like the ISS.
I close this episode with the conclusion of Jigoku no Mokushiroku by John McDaid.

So get ready for an elevator ride not to be forgotten! It's Beam Me Up!

  

Beam Me Up 187 turned out to be a Fast program this week. I should have edited out the first part, but it was so funny. I asked my producer Phil for some music, Christmas if possible, preferably of a cosmic theme. Quite straight faced he produces a track called Christmas to the Cosmos and I happy as a clam cue it up. Well you will hear the results but needless to say it was so bad that I was struck numb!

Our first story is by CryistalWizard herself with her sad tale "The Sculptor" I follow that up with a report by CryistalWizard on some of the good stuff that is available on her Abandoned Towers website. From the Blog I read my review of the dvd movie GI Joe. I close this week with part 2 of John McDaid's Jigoku no Mokushiroku

Fast fast program this week....enjoy!

  

In BMU episode 186, I just wanted to have fun this weekend. I did that by starting with a couple of stories, music, oddcube, poetry and a bit from the blog.

First off, The Cromatics beatbox their way though a piece called "the Sun", The first story is Close Encounter from Richard Pitaniello regales us with the most unusual close encounter. David Kopaska-Merkel's dark and ominous poem "Leviathan Rising" evokes some very scary images. Oddcube joins up for a romp aimed directly at the 80s movie "Midnight Madness" who's claim to fame being Michael J. Fox's first movie role. But also managed to spin of some pretty strange cultural phenomena. From the blog, Trekmovie.com hosts a demented if masterful voice over called Happy in Paraguay. Its funny, but the audio is a bit strong which really precluded me from playing the audio here or on the program which would have been wasted anyway - as the voice over is synced up masterfully. A very interesting article on the advancements in mind controlled robotic hardware, I recommend a short animation from Chris Jones called "The Passenger" One of the funniest shorts I have ever seen. And Royce Lee wanted to let us know that Man-Machine book 2 is now available and I have a short review at the blog.

Finally I start reading a disturbing story called Jigoku no mokushroku from John J. McDaid which blurs the boundry between friends, belief and dogma, convictions and beliefs. And conversion happens in the most unusual places.
This week, Part 1

Everyone step to the rear of the car as this elevator is nonstop down to the depths of Beam Me Up!

  

This week we have a couple of real treats on episode 185 of Beam Me Up.

First up is a unique music compilation using quote from leading scientists put together by symphonyofscience.com - The Symphony of Science is a musical project by John Boswell designed to deliver scientific knowledge and philosophy in musical form. A pretty damn entertaining form I might add.

Roy joins me again to review The End of the Century by Chris Roberson and I go to the blog for my review of the DVD movie - The Fountain.

Two great stories are in the mix as well. From Shaun Saunders is a quiet piece detailing humanity as a whole becoming sane for a short while - called "Murmurs". Our closing story is a cautionary tale from David Siegel Bernstein called "Identity Theft". Takes us to a not so different future where hacking software has become ever so much more sophisticated - but what happens when it starts making choices for it's own benefit?

So pull the blanket up, throw another log in the fire-place. Break out the hot-chocolate and marshmallows and settle in for an entertaining hour of of science fiction stories and reviews with Beam Me Up!

Episode 184 will have to be called the review issue! Oddcube reviews Star Wolf and Roy reviews Ben Bova's Voyages Which is enough entertainment for one issue, but I keep piling in on.

Our opening story is a war aftermath war tale from Doug Hilton, called appropriately enough War Story. A father weeps at his son's grave. Lost to him in a war with a ruthless enemy. And the featured story is Matthew Warner's first appearance in Beam Me up with his heart felt quiet tale of a father who wait for his star traveling daughter to return after years and the loos of his mother all told in a quiet visit to his mother's grave. Starting to see a theme here? hummm I didn't even make the connection until I finished the program.... Kinda ghoulish huh? But I think you will agree we have two really competent tales for your enjoyment. Pull up a chair, but don't turn out all the lights...and enjoy the newest episode of Beam Me Up!

On a cold & rainy November weekend, isn't it great to know you can kick back in your warmest jammies and enjoy another exciting episode of Beam Me Up!

Yes, it's episode 183 and this week, we have the ongoing adventures of Bradley Brackett - episode 2 by Tim Sayell, where our intrepid ranger manages to go from bad to worse as far as luck is concerned and Danny Birt sends us "Murphy the Android and His Laws". Yes, Murphy the android is dead center of of the worst case of bad luck imaginable. But no matter how bad it gets, Murphy manages to come out ahead!

In between the two stories, Roy joins me again for a new book review and from the blog I review Michael Bay's transformers movies, Moon water and the Army & Navy once listened for signals from Martians? It's true!

Sit back, press play and enjoy - Beam Me Up!

ps here is a couple of works by Birt that are hosted on Abandoned Towers web site

http://www.cyberwizardproductions.com/Ancient_Tomes_Press/Ending_an_Ending_by_Danny_Birt_fantasy_book.html
http://www.cyberwizardproductions.com/Ancient_Tomes_Press/Beginning_by_Danny_Birt_fantasy_book.html

November is starting off with a bang if I do say so myself. This week on episode 182 of BMU really does go from the superb to the sublime! Crystal Wizard brings us up to speed as to what is new for November on Abandoned Towers. From the blog, The LHC is down - again- and you won't believe how, a billion ton new-born, Garreth Powell has a great deal for fans, on his collection The Last Reef and other stories, Antipodean sf sends news of their newest issue and more.

For this week's stories I lead off with David Kopaska-Merkel reading his story Good Will from Cylinder Seven and the featured story this week is A.K. Sykora reading her story Irresistible.

It's a fast and furious 50 minutes of facts and fiction this week on Beam Me Up!

I hope you're ready for part five and the conclusion to Colin P. Davies serialized "The Monster On Mandrake Street"! Colin has weaved an exciting fast paced tale set on his Pestworld where our protagonist Parvo has maneuvered himself into the position of Head Pestmeister. However that title comes with a hefty price and the coin is Parvo's own nightmares. I can tell you now that you will not be disappointed by the last installment or CrystalWizard's production.

But first we have a tale written by Shaun Saunders as a dedication to Forrest J. Ackerman called Doctor Atomic. Told in the style of old tyme radio drama but with a wry twist at the end that will leave you wondering.

For features we have a review of the CBS radio drama that played in the early 50s called Escape by non other than our master of the absurd - OddCube!

I review the DVD X-Men Origins Wolverine and a hauntingly beautiful song from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra called Children of the Night.

Yes fellow fans, this episodes blasts by so fast that I suggest covering any exposed skin to prevent severe wind-burn. As soon as protection is in place let's strap in, because it's time for Beam Me Up!

Episode 180 of BMU is again a thoroughly terrifying amount of entertainment! First is a great piece of music from John Anealio's site Sci Fi Songs (scifisongs.blogspot.com) called "Beautiful Vampire".

Our first story is a mysterious and chilling tale from Sarah Wagner called "Four Hearts" And we close with Colin P. Davies "the Monster on Mandrake Street" - Crystal Wizard reads part four of Colin's story. Colin has revisited his Pestworld universe and his lead character Parvo. Parvo has maneuvered himself into the position of Head Pestmeister. To Parvo's horror, not all the monsters are relegated to his childhood past. No, some are alive and well and want nothing more than Parvo dead and buried.

From the blog (wrfrbeameup.blogspot.com) I review the movie "Astro Boy", the mysteriously missing moon plume, scientist create the worlds first lab created Black Hole! and more.

Belly up to the entertainment bar pardners. It's happy hour on Beam Me Up!

It's Beam Me Up episode 179 that 21 episodes to the magic 200! Wooooooooohoooo. Ok now that I have that out of my system...

This week it's part 3 of Colin Davies's Monster on Mandrake which if you have been following the serial, know that once again we have rejoined Parvo of Pestworld fame. This time search for a monster while he tries to rid himself of childhoods demons as well. In episode 3, he comes face to face with one of them.

Our first story however is a rollicking return to the style of the radio science fiction theater. Tim Sayill has written Bradley Brackett which CrystalWizard of Abandoned Towers tells me, he will serialized a new episode each and every month. I think you will have great fun listening to part one.

From the blog I review Paulo Bacigalupi's new novel "The Windup Doll" and a review of the dvd "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"

Plus an interesting musical selection.

Its a very quick hour, so don't blink. Get your tea and biscuits now! It's time for Beam Me Up

Here we go, for week two of the Halloween season! Two stories for your listening pleasure this week.

First I open with a tune from the Atlanta Rhythm Section titled Alien. This is one that I never though of as outright science fiction, and really is more about feeling like you don't fit in. But think about it, who better to feel like they are left out of everything that our proverbial Alien?! Works for me! lol.

Our first story is a piece of flash fiction from David Kopaska-Merkel called "Letters" postulates, what would it be like to correspond with loved ones who have passed on, not through mediums but first class post...what would they have to tell us...hummmmm. Author Kopaska-Merkel narrates.

The final story is part 2 of our exclusive Pestworld story from Colin P. Davies called "The Monster on Mandrake Street" narrated by CrystalWizard of Abandoned Towers.

From the blog,

Does Russia Still Have an Active Doomsday Device?
NASA discovers gigantic Saturn ring!
New ION Engine Passes 200KW!
CrystalWizard gives us an update on what's new at Abandoned Towers
Ripley's Power Loader Suit a Reality!

A true entertainment blivet!

Are you ready for the start of the silly season on Beam Me Up? Well good, because we have an hour jam paced with good old fashion strangeness. Our first story is by Tim Sayell reading his very funny "A Single Snapped String" Sayell loves to play with words so you will get a good measure with this short tale.

We close the hour by revisiting Colin P. Davies' Pestworld with an exclusive five part tale called The Monster on Mandrake Street. Davies takes out all the stops in this new story. Intrigue, double dealing, cheating, mystery - you get it all!

From the blog, I review the DVD Hancock, the book Implied Spaces by Walter Jon Williams. Abandoned Towers makes a special deal for listeners of BMU, Ripley's power loader suit is now real! and the top 10 unexplained phenomena.

Please break out your weirdness goggles for this weeks trip in to the strangeness zone that is Beam Me Up!

Beam Me Up episode 176 is a good full hour of entertainment this week, but it will go super fast! Our story this week is from our veteran writer Shaun A. Saunders who revisits his “Looking for the Future that was” universe. Shaun expands on the original theme of an errant traveler looking for an idealized future to a boy just entering manhood following in the path of an almost forgotten grandfather and again finding a future far more shocking than any of the movies or pulps had ever hinted at.

Shaun's story is honest science fiction that extrapolates warnings and trends but is fully grounded in human nature and takes us on a “what if?” ride that will still leave you wondering....

From the Blog, Water on the Moon? Yes! - Say researchers – Some shocking suggestions that could alter the future – and is time leaking out of the universe?!!!!

Set your sidearms to their highest B.S. Setting... get ready to invade Beam Me Up!

Everyone ready for another weekend episode of Beam Me Up? Good! This week I finish with the conclusion to Jack Nimersheim's "Petite Mall" In the final episode, The protagonist makes the ultimate sacrifice, to try and understand why his creations instead of helping patients seems to be killing them. In the process he might lose the very dearest thing he can have..... His humanity.

The first story however is "Canned Man" by Sarah Wagner and produced by Crystal Wizard at Abandoned Towers. Here our explorer and space traveler has lost everything he hold near and dear. He now has only one need and one goal - he will do whatever it takes to fulfill.

From the Blog, I review the movie 9 and the dvd movie Watchmen. Also from the blog....Lost World found! for real! and SyFy set the premier date for the prequel to Battlestar Galactica - Caprica.

Short sweet complete and neat. Enjoy!

Stories and more on 174. Wow poet and don't know it! A couple of stories and a piece of music was all I could fit into the program this week. "My Answer" the closing theme to the most recent block of episodes on Naruto Shippuden starts us off. Next out first story is Collector's Item by R.F. Young read by Ron Huber. Our next story is part one of Petite Mal by Jack Nimersheim which is are really good retelling of the Nano machine medicine sub-genre. The first really good story in this vein that I can recall was Greg Bear's Blood Music. Well scientists and writers alike have had a couple of decades to home the science. What author Nimersheim brings us is a whole magnitude better realized science and medical practicality. But the moral play is still the same.... what levels of sacrifice would you make for your science vs your own humanity and which do you choose if they are mutually exclusive?

Even though the program ran a little long, it moves very very fast. I think you will enjoy it! So upload your nanobots and get ready to go full speed ahead.

Are you ready for some Sci Fi?! cool. In episode 173 we dig deep into the wayback bag and pull out a 1953 story by Robert Sheckley called "Beside Still Waters" Much in the vein of Resnick's Robots Don't Cry or Articles of Faith you will see s common thread run through these stories. I love the story where the protagonist steps outside the restrictions of their nature to show us the true human condition. Asimov was a master at writing about robots, but his failing was in describing the human condition applied to non humans. With stories by Sheckley and Resnick, they were more than the sum of their parts, As much as I loved Asimov, you have to admit, that his robots were always robots, (yes, even the Bicentenial Man, which was a great story but just hinted at what Sheckley does with a deft hand) Our other story is a flash selection from A.K. Sykora called "A Worthy Cause" that asks the question, "what is Humanities true rerdeeming feature?

From the blog
The moon rock that ummm wasn't
Reverse engineering the human brain
and the newest issue of Antipodean

And finally, Oddcube reviews the computer game Dungeon Keeper and CrystalWizard brings us up to speed on what's new over at Abandoned Towers

Overall a good solid program even if I had doubts! no really, everyone went 110% for this week and I think you will enjoy the outcome.

Due to storage constraints, older story readings have
been moved to the archive area.

These archived episodes and stories can be found at our new Sound Click archive site here

http://www.soundclick.com/beammeuppodcast
or

http://www.soundclick.com/BeamMeUp

Both urls take you to the same place.

If you can not find a story here, please select Beam Me Up archive area

Thanks
Paul