Shows
Storytime with GamerDudeBrushes With GreatnessFor the first episode of 2024, GamerDude talks about his "brushes with greatness," which is times in his life where he as met, or interacted with, or at least seen, someone who is famous. GamerDude first talks about how he was a very minor celebrity back in his radio DJ days, and how the people he encountered then shaped how he handled encounters with famous people when he got older.GamerDude's first "brush with greatness" was before his DJ days, when he was a kid at a game at Yankee Stadium. That's where he got Joe Garagiola's autograph...2024-01-1924 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories about endings, and beginnings, and year-end sales.The end of the year got GamerDude to thinking about the post-Christmas sales his dad used to take him to the day after Christmas. He remembers the deals his dad was able to negotiate, and how the annual "getting Christmas Stuff on-sale" trip was another family tradition.GamerDude also talks about the end of the year, and how New Year's resolutions can set you up for failure. He prefers looking at the New Year as either an opportunity to correct course if things aren't going the way you want them to, or to stay the course and...2023-12-2819 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About Christmas Music, And 10 of GamerDude's Favorite Non-Traditional "Carols" (REPEAT)For this week's episode, GamerDude decided to go back to Season Three, when he first did this episode about Christmas music, and shared 10 of his favorite non-traditional Christmas songs. GamerDude's stories this week include stories about the holiday concerts in school, and learning to sing Christmas carols around the piano with his mother. He shares the story about having to sing "O Come, All Ye Faithful" in front of the family, and how that experience was so traumatizing for him. GamerDude also talks about the how the tire companies used to put out vinyl albums each year...2023-12-1428 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnother Year Is Drawing To A CloseThis week, GamerDude talks about how we all tend to react to the approach of the end of the year, as we take stock of what we hoped to accomplish, what we did accomplish, and what we plan to do next year. He talks about how his decision to take early retirement came at the end of the year, and how and why he arrived at that decision. He also talks about how the things he does now are done at his own pace, without as much concern for the artificial restrictions imposed by the construct of "time."2023-12-0719 minStorytime with GamerDudeBeing Thankful, Family Politics, The Kids Table, and Other Thanksgiving TraditionsGamerDude is talking about Thanksgiving again this week, with another reminder of how important it is to be thankful, especially in these days of tough times and a world seemingly suffering from a global case of COVID-related PTSD. GamerDude revisits the topic of "family politics" and how they influenced his Thanksgivings as a child. He talks about alternating Thanksgivings between his grandmother's houses, and how he didn't like visiting his dad's mom for the holiday because he was relegated to the "kid's table." GamerDude also revisits the Thanksgiving at his mom's mom's house, when his...2023-11-2320 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About Stories For StorytimeThis week, GamerDude talks about the stories he tells, and why he chooses to tell the stories he does. He talks about preserving his dad's stories, because they are not only his dad's stories, but they give insight into his dad, and into GamerDude. The stories helped form the basis for the kind of person GamerDude is. GamerDude retells the tale of his dad posing as a botanist to get some plants on a plane, and tells the story about the three-legged dog at the vet, the piano in the van, and the riding lawnmower.GamerDude also...2023-11-0922 minStorytime with GamerDudeThe Case For Wired Ear-Phones, Calculators, and Dials, Knobs and Levers.This week, GamerDude is talking about some older technology and devices that he believes we should hang on to. He talks about his wired headset/ear-phones, which inspired this week's episode. He discusses how inexpensive they are for what they do, and how much of a hassle ear buds can be.GamerDude also talks about the value of an old fashioned pen and paper, and the simplicity of the old school calculator. He talks about how he prefers watches to trying to get the time from his phone. GamerDude also discusses the benefits of physical media, like DVDs and CDs...2023-11-0222 minStorytime with GamerDudeGamerDude's Mom (Remastered)GamerDude has remastered another episode from Season 1. This episode originally released for Mothers' Day, but GamerDude wanted to share the stories again.In this episode, he talks about how everyone has different relationships with their moms, and every mom has her own unique issues. GamerDude talks about his mom, and how he knew very little about her life before she was "Mom." He also shares memories of what life was like with her, and how - as her first child - he was "The Experiment." He also shares a poem of hers that she wrote when he was young...2023-09-2820 minStorytime with GamerDudeA "Best Of Storytime" Redux (From 2020)This week, GamerDude is re-posting a "Best of" episode from 2020. This is one of the first episodes where GamerDude started re-editing and cleaning up some of the sounds and glitches from episodes in the first season of Storytime.In this "Best of" episode, GamerDude talks about his love for radio, and (with the help of your imagination) creates the podcast studio in New York City, and introduces you to Mr. Agador. He also has stories about the amazing technology in our smart phones these days. He also includes stories about "gaming" before video games, which included playing with Lionel trains...2023-09-2120 minStorytime with GamerDudeRoller Coasters, Waiting In Line, Sex, And Other Things We View Differently As We Get OlderThis week, GamerDude got to thinking about how our view of things change as we get older. For example, riding roller coasters used to be a huge deal; GamerDude would actually plan trips around amusement parks and locations where he could ride a roller coaster. But as he's gotten older, the aches and pains of a day on the coasters has changed his view on them.GamerDude talks about several other things that getting older has changed his view on. He talks about how his patience for waiting in line is now significantly shorter than it used to be. He...2023-09-1422 minStorytime with GamerDudeGamerDude's Grandparents - RemasteredGamerDude has gone back to Seasons 1 to re-edit and re-produce the episode he did about his grandparents. (In all of these re-masters, GamerDude tries to clean up some of the technical glitches that occurred in some of the episodes from the first season, and also edits them so they sound cleaner.)GamerDude talks about his memories of his two grandfathers, although those memories are limited because they both died when GamerDude was still very young. He talks about his mother's father and his work driving a mule cart, and his father's father and his work as a civil engineer.He...2023-07-2725 minStorytime with GamerDudeIndiana Jones, Sequels, And Life Before The InternetThe latest Indiana Jones sequel inspired GamerDude to talk about why certain sequels just don't work, and also reminded him - once again - of the differences between the generations. He talks about the time when Raiders of the Lost Ark released in 1981, and how different the world was then - pre-internet and pre-social media. He talks about the two sequels to that movie, and how the original trilogy ended perfectly. He also talks about the Crystal Skull fiasco and why it was an unnecessary movie.GamerDude also talks about why a sequel made more than 40 years after the original...2023-07-0624 minStorytime with GamerDudeEmbolisations, Paragangliomas, and Other Fun Words To SayThis week's episode is about Mrs. GamerDude's adventures handling a paraganglioma, and is made with her knowledge and approval. GamerDude talks about what the initial diagnosis was like for her, and what a paraganglioma actually is. He talks about the trips to the hospital, and the preparation for surgery. He talks about how he did his best to help Mrs. GamerDude through the "worrying process" and also talks about how important it is to be supportive without making it all about you. GamerDude also talks about the logistics of the treatment and the procedures, from getting to the hospital in...2023-06-2824 minStorytime with GamerDudeThe Best of Storytime ReduxWith some personal things going on, and his voice not quite 100%, GamerDude has gone back to Season Three for one of his favorite Best of Storytime episodes. In this episode, GamerDude shares stories about how he drove on his aunt's farm when he was 11, and how he spent quality bonding time with his dad while learning to bake. He also discusses his own "golden age" of television, and what TV was like when he was a kid. He also shares a story about combining his basketball skills and his job at a radio station to form the WRNJ All-Stars for...2023-06-2122 minStorytime with GamerDudeLust + Politics = Scandal!This week, GamerDude talks about how the lust for power, or love, or sex, usually leads to scandal in the political arena. He also talks about how some political types survive these scandals while others simply disappear. GamerDude talks about the sexual scandals involving trump, from the Access Hollywood tape, to Stormy Daniels, to E. Jean Carroll and how, years ago, any one of them would have been disqualifying, but in this day and age, they are not. He compares them to the scandals that former presidential candidates Gary Hart, John Edwards, Newt Gingrich, and Ted Kennedy were involved in...2023-05-1722 minStorytime with GamerDudeOkay, Boomer; Let's Talk About "Generations"This week, GamerDude talks about the "generations" sociologists have created to characterize people born in different eras. He goes back to 1908 to talk about The Greatest Generation, which fought World War Two, and goes through the chronological sequence of generations as described by the Pew Research Center. GamerDude talks about The Silent Generation, The Baby Boomers, Generation X, The Millennials, Gen Z, and the latest: Gen Alpha.GamerDude talks about how some characteristics and attitudes are attributed to a specific generation, but also discusses how there's some overlap between the generations, and how these characteristics are not necessarily unique to...2023-05-1022 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnother Helping Of The Best Of StorytimeGamerDude goes back to Season 2 this week, for more of the Best of Storytime. He pulls some stories about his shopping with his mom, the clicker she used to stay on-budget, and the brand comparison she taught him. He also pulls some of his recollections of the mall, and how it used to be THE place for everyone to gather when he was a kid. GamerDude also talks about some of the brands and stores he used to go to and use, including Polaroid and Circuit City.2023-04-0619 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About PetsThis week, GamerDude talks about the pets that he's had in his life. The first pet he remembers is the dog that his parents had before GamerDude was even born: Barney. GamerDude talks about how Barney protected him when he wandered away from the house as a child, and how Barney had a bit of a tragic life. He talks about the other dog and the cats he grew up with, and remembers the very first cat that he got "on his own": O'Malley. GamerDude also talks about the dogs he got for his kids. He remembers Cody, the black...2023-03-2923 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About Star Trek: RemasteredGamerDude has dipped back into Season 1 of Storytime for one of his favorite episodes, where he expresses his appreciation for the Star Trek universe. He took this episode back to the production room and re-edited and re-produced it, cleaning up some of the sound issues that he didn't fully appreciate back in Season 1. He wanted to do that with this episode because it captures the full spirit of his appreciation for the world of Star Trek.In this episode, GamerDude talks about why Star Trek matters to him. He talks about the feelings of hope it inspired...2023-02-1523 minStorytime with GamerDudeCar Shopping With GamerDudeThanks to COVID and the strange effect it has had on the car market, from slowing the production of new cars to increasing the prices of used cars, GamerDude found himself in a unique situation: he had a used truck that was worth more than he bought it for. Combined with the facts that he wasn't commuting anymore, and that he didn't really need two vehicles anymore, GamerDude decided to try to take advantage of the upside-down car market before prices reverted to normal. This week, he tells the tale of two dealerships, two vehicles, and how serendipity played...2023-02-0827 minStorytime with GamerDudeMore From The Cutting Room FloorLong-time listeners know that GamerDude has collected stories from previous episodes of Storytime that didn't make the final cut. But, he's saved those stories for occasions just like this - when he can put together an episode of clips of stories GamerDude likes, but hasn't included in an episode yet. So, this week, he's put together an episode with stories about dating, and about why he decided not to stay in radio, and about some of his "cool toys" when he was a kid. He also remembers pop-tops (those tabs off old soda cans) and talks about the importance...2023-01-2519 minStorytime with GamerDudeA Lawyer's TalesThis week, GamerDude talks again about the practice of law, and also has a couple of stories from his early days as a lawyer. WARNING: This is not an upbeat episode, and the stories involve criminal cases, death, and sexual assault, so if you'd rather not hear stories about these kinds of things, you should skip this episode.GamerDude talks about how different areas of the law will result in having different kinds of people as clients, and how stories in criminal cases will differ from those is family law cases. He also talks about his days...2023-01-1820 minStorytime with GamerDudeMovies, Tropes, and One-Liners That Don't Stand The Test Of TimeReturning to one of his favorite topics, GamerDude talks about some movies that were big when they came out but, in his opinion, haven't held up over time. He talks about some dramas, like The Matrix and Top Gun, which he doesn't believe have aged well. GamerDude also talks about several comedies that have not stood the test of time, from The Mask, with Jim Carrey, to Weekend at Bernie's, to the classic Blazing Saddles (along with several more).
GamerDude also talks about genre tropes that used to exist that seem to have disappeared over the years. He talks about how...2022-11-0226 minStorytime with GamerDudeDoing It Yourself (Or: Tool Time With GamerDude)This week's "do it yourself" episode is all about how GamerDude learned how (and why) things like car maintenance and some home repair projects were things that he could do on his own. He talks about his dad, and how he saved and eventually re-purposed everything, from vacuum cleaners to nuts and bolts from an iron fence. He talks about learning how to do things himself because it was always less expensive if you could get something done on your own.
He re-visits his days working in a garage, and how he learned to do oil changes and tune-ups. He...2022-08-0324 minStorytime with GamerDudeConcert Tickets, Gumball Machines, and Getting Away From It AllThe recent news story about $5,000 concert tickets for Bruce Springsteen's latest tour reminded GamerDude of what buying tickets used to be like. Long before computerized "dynamic pricing," GamerDude talks about waiting in line at the box office, or at the Ticketmaster office in Tower Records or Sam Goody. He remembers lining up hours before the box office opened, and then picking your seats off the seating chart. He also remembers the standardized pricing, and how you only paid scalpers if you had no alternative.
GamerDude also remembers some other things that used to be a part of daily life. He t...2022-07-2725 minStorytime with GamerDudeMore Of The Best Of Vacation StoriesAs GamerDude explains in the intro to this week's "Best of..." episode, it was a tough week. The actions of the Supreme Court during the week before GamerDude recorded this episode was upsetting, maddening, and disheartening, as GamerDude explains in the intro. Rather than go off on yet another rant, he decided to go to his happy place, and put together this episode about vacations.
This week, there are stories about beaches, and preparing for traveling. GamerDude also talks about how important it is to have rainy day activities because you just KNOW it's going to rain at least one...2022-06-2920 minStorytime with GamerDudeTaking The Bar ExamThis week, GamerDude goes back into the world of law to discuss The Bar Exam. Before a law school graduate can become a full-fledged practicing attorney, he or she has to pass the bar exam. Each state has its own requirements, so new prospective attorneys have to pass the bar exam for the state they want to practice in before they can become a full-fledged attorney.
The bar exam takes place over two- to three-days and consists of a combination of essay and multiple choice questions. Each state has different requirements for the essay questions, which cover different areas of the...2022-06-2224 minStorytime with GamerDudeWhy Good Storytelling Is Important In Video Games (Even Shooters!)GamerDude talks about storytelling this week. His recent experiences playing The Last of Us, Part 2 and Battlefield 2042 got him thinking about the elements of good stories, and how story-telling technicques can make or break a game.
GamerDude talks about story structure, and how the most simple - have a beginning, a middle where something happens, and an end - can be effective if done correctly. He talks about books he loved as a kid, where story structure and characters kept him coming back to re-read the same books over again, because he wanted to revisit the characters, or the worlds...2022-06-0826 minStorytime with GamerDudeSome Comments on Uvalde, And Stories About Vacationing In A PandemicBecause of the horrific events in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022, while GamerDude was away, he wanted to share some thoughts on the police response to the situation. He remembers what police officers used to be like, and how they've always been depicted on TV and in the movies, and how what happened in Uvalde was nothing like anything he'd ever seen before.
GamerDude's also shares his stories about vacationing during a pandemic. He talks about how no one wants to admit that COVID is still around, and still a danger, and still a factor in our lives. Because of that...2022-06-0124 minStorytime with GamerDudeCurrent Events Have Become Simply ExhaustingThe focus in this week's Storytime is on a number of current events that have been exhausting and depressing over the past few weeks. GamerDude talks about the white supremacist's terrorist attack on a supermarket in a black neighborhood in Buffalo, New York, and the nonsensical "replacement theory" that the murderous terrorist relied on in his "manifesto." He also talks about the potential (at this writing) over-ruling of the landmark case of Roe v. Wade, and the consequences of the Supreme Court stripping rights from women. He talks about the impact on women, and also the impact on his belief...2022-05-1822 minStorytime with GamerDudeStorytime With Bryant Chappel (host of The Nerf Report)This week, GamerDude invited Bryant Chappel, host of The Nerf Report, to share some of his stories on Storytime. They talk about Bryant's early days as a Twitch streamer and how demanding being a live streamer can be. Bryant opens up about the demands that being a content creater can put on you, and how important it is to be aware of when you, as a content creator, need to take a break.
Bryant also talks about how he changed gears from being a live streamer to creating The Nerf Report. He talks about the origins of his YouTube channel, a...2022-05-0436 minStorytime with GamerDudeWhen Playtime Meant Burning Wood, Making Models, And Mixing ChemicalsAn old electric football game inspired this week's StoryTime. GamerDude remembered what playing with the electric football game was like, and how unique a game it was. It also reminded him of the other activites that he used to do to pass time when he was a kid, most of which no longer exist. He talks about the spin-art machine he and his siblings had as kids, and how they would create abstract "masterpieces" with a squeeze bottle of paint and a high-speed turntable. He rememberd friends who had wood-burning kits, which were basically hot pokers designed for burning wood...2022-04-2026 minStorytime with GamerDudeA "Very Special" Best Of StorytimeIn a "very special" Best Of episode, GamerDude goes back to Season 1 and two of his most commented on episodes. The first excerpt is from his episode about bullying, and what it was like growing up being bullied on an almost daily basis, from being called "four eyes" (because of his glasses) to unprovoked physical attacks just because he existed.
He also re-shares the stories about how he came to be the "fat kid" in school, and how being rewarded with food led to him gaining a lot of weight between middle school and high school. He talks about what i...2022-03-3022 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnother Serving Of The Best Of StorytimeThis week's "Best of" episode includes stories from early in Season 1 that GamerDude has re-edited and re-mastered to clean up some of the "noise interference" some of the Season 1 episodes had. GamerDude talks about visiting his aunt when he was 11 years old, and driving a car for the first time. He also talks about his grandfathers and shares the very few memories he has about them. He talks about playing outside after school when he was a kid, and how the world for kids was very different when he was young. He also talks about the power of music, and how...2022-02-1623 minStorytime with GamerDudeMore Life Advice From GamerDudeThis week, GamerDude passes on some more tips that he's found helpful over the course of his life. He talks about the importance of being open to new ideas, and being open to trying new things. He talks about time, and how our views of things, and events, change over time. He talks about the value of making good memories, the kinds that won't fade over time, and that will stay with you for years.
GamerDude also talks about the importance of staying active and doing things so that you can enjoy your life, and make memories, even as you ge...2022-01-1922 minStorytime with GamerDudeChristmas SpiritWhen GamerDude was a kid, having "Christams spirit" was easy. You watched the Christmas specials on TV (Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown), you went shopping at the mall, and you finished up all your school projects before winter break. GamerDude talks about how it's more difficult these days to have the "Christmas spirit" we knew as kids, or even the spirit we knew before COVID. But, this week, he talks about the little aspects of Christmas spirit that we can all enjoy today, even in the midst of COVID fatigue. He talks about the nostalgia of watching the old Christmas specials, a...2021-12-2223 minStorytime with GamerDudeSo This Is Pre-ChristmasWhen GamerDude was a kid, the first couple of weeks after Thanksgiving were a lead-up to Christmas. It was the time when the Christmas shopping started, when the decorating began, and when the Christmas cards were written. This week, GamerDude talks about what that time was like, and how his dad had a hard-and-fast December 1 line-in-the-sand for Christmas decorations - no decorations before December! He talks about the various decorations they did have, and the type of ornaments he grew up with. He talks about garland and tinsel, and how annoying it was to hang tinsel to his mom's exacting...2021-12-0822 minStorytime with GamerDudeLosing Dad And Handling GriefIn another "very special episode of StoryTime," GamerDude talks about his dad's death 15 years ago. He talks about the last few months of his dad's life, and how "the fixer" in GamerDude drove him to try and "fix" the situation. He talks about how his parents had been relying on Christian Science for treatment, and how - even though he was brought up in the religion, and acknowledged and respected their beliefs - GamerDude nevertheless felt compelled to get his father to the hospital to try to get him some treatment. He talks about the challenge of dealing with his...2021-11-0328 minStorytime with GamerDudeCelebrating 200 Episodes and The Best and Worst of Halloween CandyGamerDude talks about how pleased and grateful he is about completing 200 episodes of Storytime. He talks about why he started doing Storytime - to preserve the stories of what life was like when he was growing up so that his friends and his family could one day go back and hear them. He talks about how he feels that he squandered the opportunity to get stories from his parents, and his grandparents about their lives, because he realizes now how much he would have liked to know more about their lives, and how much the world can change in less t...2021-10-2727 minStorytime with GamerDudeGamerDude's TED Talk on DatingGamerDude has noticed that "dating" these days is not like it used to be. After seeing, reading and hearing about the horror stories of dating in today's world, GamerDude wanted to talk about what dating used to be like, what the purpose of dating used to be, and why getting back to old-fashioned dating would be a good thing.
GamerDude has noticed that, for a lot of people these days, the primary purpose of going on a date is to wind up having sex with someone, and often on the first date. While the idea of having sex was always...2021-10-2022 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnd Yet More Of The Best Of StorytimeIn another "Best of Storytime" episode, GamerDude has compiled some of his favorite stories about words, language, and stories. He talks about how he rarely curses, and some of the "curse" words he was never allowed to say as a kid. He explains his distate for the mangling of the language by mispronouncing or misusing words like "niche" and "regardless." He talks about two of his favorite words: poppycock and balderdash, as well as some of the other words and phrases we don't use anymore. And, he explains what "a shaggy dog story" is, and tells the first "shaggy dog st...2021-09-1523 minStorytime with GamerDudeHow To VacationGamerDude has years of experience in planning and taking vacations. This week, instead of talking about any specific vacation location, he's put together some advice on how to plan and take a good vacation. He talks about what goes into planning a good vacation and, while some points may seem obvious, not everyone actually does the things that GamerDude suggests.
He talks about knowing where you want to go, and suggests not just saying "the beach" and then trying to find one. GamerDude believes you should pick a destination, and then do a little research to find out what's there. He...2021-08-1125 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnd Yet Another "Best Of Storytime"In another "Best Of Storytime" episode, GamerDude has pulled some stories from Season One. He talks about being a fidgety kid, and some of the "momisms" that generated. He talks about how watching movies on TV was the only way to catch a movie before the days of VCRs, DVDs, and streaming services. He talks about how he loved the stories Jean Shepard told on the radio, and how he looked forward to the radio show every night when he was supposed to be asleep. He remembers what it was like to have a "party line" for the phone when he was...2021-06-0220 minStorytime with GamerDudeGamerDude's Trivia BraindumpAs GamerDude has talked about in the past, he's a huge fan of trivia, and a lot of the little nuggets of knowledge he's learned over the years have been stuck in his head since childhood. This week, he shares some of that trivia. He talks about how John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, still has a living grandson. He talks about how Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II of England were not only contemporaries, but actually met each other. And, he talks about George Washington's knowledge of dinosaurs, and how recently famous actors and artists like Pi...2021-05-1221 minStorytime with GamerDudeThis Week's "Long Distance Dedication" Is A Mix-TapeGamerDude has always loved music, and talks about being in band for years, and teaching himself three chords on the guitar. He then shifts gears and talks about the music he grew up with, and how there were very distinct genres of music, like Rock, and Adult Contemporary, and Easy Listening, and Classical, with bright lines between the genres.He discusses how those genres have changed over the years, and wonders whether artists like James Taylor, Jim Croce, and America would have made it today.
GamerDude also talks about Top 40 radio. He explains where "Top 40" came from, and how record...2021-03-3124 minStorytime with GamerDudeHere's Another "Best of Storytime"!In this "Best of" episode, GamerDude goes back to Season 1 and remasters some of the earliest stories he told from the first four episodes. First, he talks about radio being the "theater of the mind" and how interesting and entertaining it is to let your imagination create the world you're listening to. This is also where we first "meet" Mister Agador. Next, he tells the story about telephones being a fixture in the house when he was growing up, and how extension phones worked. He talks about collect and person-to-person calls as well. Finally, he talks about some of the boar...2021-03-2422 minStorytime with GamerDudeA Day In The LifeStorytime has always been about GamerDude sharing stories about his experiences growing up, and in life. This week, he talks about how he kept a diary when he was a kid, which, unfortunately he got rid of years ago. He talks about the value of keeping a journal or a diary to record your day-to-day life so that you can keep those memories, and re-visit them in the future. He talks about how memories fade over time, and how a journal can help you remember things you might otherwise forget.
GamerDude also talks about his fascination with the day-to-day life...2021-03-0328 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnd Still More Of The Best Of StorytimeIn this "Best of" Episode, GamerDude goes back to Season 2 for some stories about winter activities, playing outside in the snow, and why he doesn't ski. He also talks about his days as a runner, his best time running a mile, and running against one of the track star sprinters in high school. He also talks about his love of basketball, how much pick-up ball he played in college, and how he was always "looking for a game" for years. Finally, he shares stories about washing and drying your hair and how, as a kid, his mom was obsessessed with h...2021-02-1022 minStorytime with GamerDudeFamily StoriesIn this week's episode, GamerDude talks about family. He talks about his "blood" family and the family you choose. He also talks about the connections he had with his immediate family growing up. He talks about "extended family," like cousins, and aunts, and uncles, and how he really didn't have much interaction with his extended family when he was growing up. He shares some of the "family stories" that were always shared during family get togethers - like Grandma's eyebrows - and the importance of keeping the lore of the family alive, and why these stories helped inspire Storytime with...2021-02-0324 minStorytime with GamerDudeIt's Another "Best of Storytime!"This week features another "Best of" episode, with stories from Season 1. First, GamerDude shares part of his "very special episode" about bullying, and talks about what it was like to be bullied as a child, through middle school. He then switches gears, and shares some lighter stories about his love of music, and how his mother tried to teach him piano. He also talks about how manners are so important in the world, and explains how "please," "thank you," and "excuse me" are the building blocks of learning how to be polite. GamerDude then closes out the episode with a...2021-01-1323 minStorytime with GamerDudeClassic Cartoons and Why Bugs Bunny Is The GOATLong time listeners know that GamerDude loves TV, and grew up watching a lot of different shows, including cartoons. He talks about the "packages" of classic cartoons from the '40s and '50s the local channels put together when he was a kid, almost always featuring Bugs Bunny. He also talks about the kid-centric cartoons that began to develop in the '60s and "70s, including Quick Draw McGraw and Baba Looie, Huckleberry Hound, and Mr. Peabody. He also talks about how Scooby Doo and the gang premiered on Saturday mornings, and how other kid-centered cartoons also developed, like S...2021-01-0723 minStorytime with GamerDudeThat Same Auld Lang SyneAs a New Year looms before us, GamerDude talks about the weird little period between Christmas and New Years, where some people (as in retail) work like crazy, and other people try to do nothing at all. He talks about a serendiptous trip to New York City to see the Christmas decorations after Christmas, and how it still felt Christmasy even a week after the holiday.
He also re-visits some of his family's laid back New Year's Eve Traditions, which include going absolutely no where. Thanks to GamerDad and his annual warnings about "all the drunks being on the road...2020-12-3022 minStorytime with GamerDudeBest of Storytime Christmas StoriesGamerDude has re-mastered some of his favorite Christmas stories from Season 1 for this "Best of" episode. He has put together some stories about Christmas shopping, and how important it is to give gifts that actually have meaning. He talks about some of the Christmas decorations he grew up with, from a two-foot tall stuffed Santa, to a green flood light, to his dad's prohibition against "fake" Christmas trees. And, he also includes his explanation about why Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.2020-12-0222 minStorytime with GamerDudeDeleted ScenesGamerDude has shared a LOT of stories over the three seasons of Storytime and sometimes, a story may not make it into the final episode. In this week's Storytime, GamerDude has compiled six stories from a variety of different episodes over the yeears that didn't make the final cut of their episode, whether due to time constraints, or focus, or topic, or whatever. GamerDude has stories about grilling, and about how to use your barbecue grill to slow cook your meat. He also has another cooking story about using a griddle, and keeping things warm when cooking for multiple people.
F...2020-11-0420 minStorytime with GamerDudeStill More Of The Best Of StorytimeIn this week's "Best Of" episode, GamerDude revisits some stories from Season 1. He talks about some superstitions that he actually believes (and some that he doesn't). He shares a story about one of his favorite words - balderdash. He talks about wasting energy worrying about things that are beyond your control. And he shares one of his favorite Halloween stories, about his exploits on "mischief night" and why he always worries about the "family jewels" on Halloween.2020-10-1422 minStorytime with GamerDudeThe Best of Storytime - Vacation EditionIn this week's "Best of" episode, GamerDude goes back to Season One and brings back stories about summer vacation time. He talks about how, when he was growing up, family vacations focused on what Dad wanted, not how to entertain the kids. He talks about the family's first trips to Chincoteague, Virginia, and what a "beach day" was for his family. He also brings back the story about the joys of summer as a kid, and his travels by bike to Hacklebarney State Park. And, he talks about back-to-school shopping for a lunch box!2020-08-2625 minStorytime with GamerDudeLessons Learned From Growing Older But Not UpAs GamerDude points out in this episode, growing older is inevitable but how you "grow up" is completely up to you. Relying on Jimmy Buffett's philosophy, GamerDude talks about the choice we all have in our attitudes about growing older and about choosing between keeping youthful attitudes as we grow older or becoming the "get off my lawn guy."
GamerDude talks about when he realized that growing older changes your outlook on life, and your physical abilities, but doesn't have to change the way you feel about yourself. He talks about playing in an adult basketball league in his late thi...2020-08-1223 minStorytime with GamerDudeMore Random Memories and StoriesStorytime has always been primarily about GamerDude's memories from growing up. This week, he talks about the value of keeping those memories, and preserving what's happening to you today so that you'll be able to remember it down the road. He also talks about some of the random little memories that have come up over the years of doing this podcast. He talks about the olfactory memory of his grandfather's shed. He remembers the scents of old grass clippings and motor oil, and how that musty smell still triggers memories of that shed. He talks about the odor around his gran...2020-07-2223 minStorytime with GamerDudeDad-isms, Dad Jokes, and All Things Dad-aliciousIn this year's Father's Day episode, GamerDude goes through a list of the Dad-isms his father used on him, and those he's used on his kids. They include everything from "A little dirt never hurt anybody," to "I will turn this car around!" and so many others. GamerDude also tells the story about when his dad actually did stop the car, and made him get out and walk, and also talks about the time he bought his dad a cell phone. As you might expect, hilarity ensued.
GamerDude also shares some good, old-fashioned dad jokes about pencils, stairs and graveyards, as...2020-06-1720 minStorytime with GamerDudeAn Old White Guy Explains "Black Lives Matter" to White People Who Don't Get ItInstead of the usual stories this week, GamerDude talks about the Black Lives Matter movement. As an old, white guy, he recognizes that the movement isn't about him, but also knows that he has a voice that he can use to support the movement, and perhaps explain it to those who might not understand it. He explains how Black Lives Matter actually means Black Lives Matter Too, because in the current climate, too many people - including the police and the criminal justice system - place less value (or no value) on black lives. In old, white guy language, GamerDude...2020-06-1021 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnd Still More of The Best of StorytimeFor this "Best of" episode, GamerDude has gone back to early in Season One and has re-edited and re-mastered some of the stories from early episodes. He has stories about his love for radio, and replays the creation of the podcast studio, and Mister Agador. He recounts his fascination with telephones, and how phones have always been used to bring us closer to people. He replays some stories about the early games he played, from "Go Fish" with his great-aunt, to devouring the rule book for Monopoly and literally cornering the housing market. And, he talks about his "dream car" (in...2020-06-0321 minStorytime with GamerDude10 Great Old Movies on Netflix and 10 Old Movie Tropes We Don't See AnymoreWhether you're still in lockdown mode from COVID-19, or just looking for some good old movies to watch because you've binge-watched everything else, GamerDude has a list of some great old movies that (as of this recording) are available on Netflix. All of the movies on this list are at least 30 years old, but they still hold up and are worth watching. If you haven't seen movies like Goodfellas, Dirty Harry, True Grit, or Jerry Maguire (and 7 others, including 3 Harrison Ford films), you can find them all on Netflix, and they're worth taking the time to watch.
GamerDude also dusts o...2020-05-2027 minStorytime with GamerDudeLearning Lessons From Aesop's FablesAs regular listeners know, GamerDude has always enjoyed stories, whether reading them or having them read to him. Some of the earliest stories that he remembers from his childhood were Aesop's fables. Aesop was an ancient Greek storyteller who was probably one of the earliest "people-watchers." He watched people, saw how they acted, and crafted stories about people and their behavior from his observations. He would use animals in his stories to portray the characteristics he observed, and each of his stories - some of them quite short - would convey a moral, or lesson, that could be learned from the b...2020-04-2221 minStorytime with GamerDudeShaggy Dog StoriesAs you can tell from this podcast, GamerDude loves to tell stories. In this episode, he talks about shaggy dog stories, what they are and what they're supposed to do. Basically, a shaggy dog story is a story that has a long build up and eventually goes nowhere. GamerDude explains how shaggy dog stories are told purely for entertainment and amusement; sometimes, the entertainment is for the audience, and sometimes it's just for the storyteller.
GamerDude also explains why shaggy dog stories are called shaggy dog stories. He tells what many believe to be the archetypical shaggy dog story, which is...2020-04-1521 minStorytime with GamerDudeAnytime Is Breakfast Time!GamerDude has always loved breakfast. When he was a kid, he ate mostly cereal, and he loved the different kinds of sugary cereals all kids love, even though his mom didn't buy them very often. He craved the Sugar Smacks, Sugar Corn Pops, and Sugar Frosted Flakes, but usually had to settle for Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, and the various Chex cereals. He also enjoyed Shredded Wheat, especially after his dad taught him how to make warm shredded wheat. He also liked hot cereal, from oatmeal, to Cream of Wheat, and once again, his dad taught him a way to...2020-04-0124 minStorytime with GamerDudeFear, Anger, and Dealing With PanicIn this week's episode, GamerDude talks about how the corona virus, which is on everyone's mind these days, has reintroduced people to the ideas his mom drilled into his head when he was young, like washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough. He then takes a more serious look at the fear and anger that the virus has stirred up in society. He talks about the importance of recognizing these emotions, and not acting out of fear, or anger, or panic. He talks about the importance of understanding the underlying facts of a situation, and using common sen...2020-03-1825 minStorytime with GamerDudeBest of Storytime - Movie Tropes EditionAs regular listeners of Storytime know, GamerDude is a huge fan of the movies. In this "Best Of" episode, GamerDude has compiled many of the movie tropes he loves to hate. From the "always present parking space" that's always there for the protagonist, to the "easily exploding car" that so many action movies seem to have, to someone always running upstairs, or onto the roof, to escape pursuit, to the arch-villain's "this is why I'm doing it" speech at the end of the film, GamerDude talks about all of the tropes you can find over and over again in the m...2020-03-0423 minStorytime with GamerDudeTired TV Plots and Memorable TV Theme SongsThis week's episode is all about TV. In the first part, GamerDude talks about several TV plots that have been re-used and recycled over the years in the various TV series he's watched. He talks about several different plot points, including how tired he is of the "Falsely Accused" plot, and the "Is Our Hero Dead?" plot. Unless it's a series finale, GamerDude is quite certain that the hero is not dead as a result of the freak explosion, the car crash, or the missing plane.GamerDude also talks about "Mistaken Identities" and "Evil Twins," as well as several others.
I...2020-02-1927 minStorytime with GamerDudeDo You Want To Play A Game?GamerDude revisits the topic of games, which he first talked about in Season One. This time, he takes a deep dive into some of the games he enjoyed as a kid. He talks about how he enjoyed playing games so much that he would sometimes play four person Monopoly and play all four seats. He talks about how he developed a love for trivia games, starting with the early editions of Go To The Head Of The Class. He shares some of the "easy" questions from the 1957 edition his dad picked up at an auction one year; you can test you...2020-02-0527 minStorytime with GamerDudeStill More of The Best Of StorytimeGamerDude has gone back to Season 1 for some stories for this "Best of" episode. He brings back the story of learning to drive when he was 11, while visiting his aunt. He also tells the story of learning to bake with his dad. He also brings back the story about his "golden age" of television, and the syndicated shows he watched on the six television channels that existed in his area when he was growing up. He also talks about his greatest moment in his pick-up basketball career - his buzzer-beating shot when he was playing for the basketball team for the r...2020-01-1523 minStorytime with GamerDudeIt's Time To Do The Chores"Doing chores" was a big part of GamerDude's childhood, and this week, he talks about all that was expected of him as a kid. Looking back, it doesn't seem like the chores were too much, but to a 10 year old, having to spend thirty minutes doing something that wasn't fun was a huge burden. What the chores taught GamerDude was that there were times in your life that you had to do things that you didn't want to do, but you had to do them anyway.
GamerDude talks about having to make the bed, clean the bathroom, vacuum the rugs, an...2020-01-0824 minStorytime with GamerDudeThe Greatest GiftWith the holiday season in full swing, GamerDude wanted to take a few minutes to share a story that was written by Phillip Van Doren Stern back in 1943. The story, called The Greatest Gift, had humble beginnings - the author is reported to have come up with the idea while shaving one morning - but it may sound quite familiar to you as you listen. No spoilers, but this simple story slowly grew into a cultural phenomenon, without ever losing its heartfelt message. The message is a simple one that we should remember every day, and particularly at the time of...2019-12-2523 minStorytime with GamerDudeThe Best And Worst of the Holiday Specials GamerDude Grew Up WithWhen GamerDude was growing up, without the benefit of DVDs or VHS tapes, if you wanted to watch Santa Claus is Coming to Town, you had one chance per year to catch it when it aired. As a result, all of the holiday specials were truly "special occasions," and "appointment TV" for anyone wanting to catch a bit of the holiday spirit. In this episode, GamerDude talks about his five least favorite, and his five most favorite holiday specials from when he was growing up, as well as some honorable mentions in both categories. Included in this episode: Grandma Got R...2019-12-0527 minStorytime with GamerDudeCelebrating Thanksgiving And Episode 100 Of StorytimeGamerDude celebrates Episode 100 of the podcast with some stories about Thanksgiving. He talks about the family gatherings he had during the holidays, and talks about his first family political battle: trying to graduate from the "kids table" at his grandmother's house. He talks about his grandmother's famous rice ring, her infamous undercooked turkey, and the tasty appetizer she always served (orange sherbet in cranberry juice).
He then spends some time talking about the journey to 100 episodes of Storytime, and how grateful he is for all those who listen around the world. He talks about how thankful he is that so...2019-11-2722 minStorytime with GamerDudeMore Random MusingsIn this episode, GamerDude has compiled a number of short stories about various memories he has from growing up, about a wide variety of topics. He talks about the one time he went sailing in an old school sailboat. The story about sailing reminded him of the one cruise he and his family went on, and he explains how "fun" the cruise experience was.
GamerDude also talks about a couple random driving tips about driving on the road with tractor trailers that he learned from his dad on a road trip to Ohio. He also talks about discovering the "motorcyclist's salu...2019-11-1323 minStorytime with GamerDudeStill More of The Best Of StoryTimeIn this "Best of Storytime" episode, GamerDude brings back the story of when his dad joined him to play softball while wearing bermuda shorts and combat boots. He also talks about why he doesn't curse, and explains what it was like trying to record movies back when he was a kid; it was especially challenging because there was no actual way to record movies, at home, when GamerDude was growing up.
GamerDude also brings back the story of his "on-again, off-again, in-again, Finnegan" relationship that he had in his 20s, and how draining such a relationship can be - and...2019-09-0422 minStorytime with GamerDudeTV Theme Songs GamerDude Grew Up WithRegular listeners already know about GamerDude's love for music, and for TV, when he was growing up. In this episode, he talks about - and plays - 15 of the most memorable TV theme songs that he grew up with. This is by no means the most definitive or complete list. The songs featured in this episode run the gamut from Saturday morning cartoons to late night television and everything in between. This is just the first in what GamerDude anticipates will be a continuing series of TV Theme Song episodes.
Rather than tell you about the titles of the songs h...2019-07-3130 minStorytime with GamerDudeBest of Storytime - Volume 5In this "Best of" episode, GamerDude has compiled some of his favorite stories from past episodes. This week, he tells the story about when he was bullied in the seventh grade and how it has stayed with him through the years. He also includes the story about learning Trumpeter's Lullaby in middle school for a band concert. He also tells the story about going swimming during the summertime at the local ponds near where he grew up. He also recalls his smuggled fireworks and how he almost took his dad out with an errant Roman candle. And he tells the s...2019-06-1922 minStorytime with GamerDudeUFOs, The Bermuda Triangle, and Chariots of the GodsWhen he was a kid, GamerDude discovered the book Chariots of the Gods. The author theorized that aliens from other worlds visited ancient humans and, because they were so advanced, the aliens were presumed to be gods. The books discusses various instances offered as "proof" that aliens visited the earth long ago, including Ezekial's visions of angels in the sky, the destruction of Sodom (was it God, or a nuclear explosion?) and the creation of Stonehenge (how were ancient people able to move 25 ton rocks 140 miles?). GamerDude went from ancient aliens to current ones when he started reading about UFOs. He...2019-06-0523 minStorytime with GamerDudeBest of Storytime - Volume 3In this "Best of Storytime" episode, GamerDude tells stories about growing up without any seasoning stronger than salt, and his love for homemade chocolate chip cookie dough. He also talks about his first air-shift as a radio newscaster, and his family's first trip to Chincoteague, Virginia for family vacation. And, he tells the story about his one and only buzzer beater on the basketball court2019-05-0823 minStorytime with GamerDudeBest of Storytime - Volume 2Once again borrowing from Johnny Carson's "The Best of Carson," this week's episode features highlights from shows from last season. In this "Best of Storytime," GamerDude talks about cursing, and why he generally doesn't curse. He talks about mis-used and mis-pronounced words. He also delves into the origin of certain words (including the Twitch stream favorite, "chum"), and finishes up by talking about what was behind the curtain in the back of the video stores he grew up with. Enjoy!2019-04-1022 minStorytime with GamerDudeLet's Go To The Mall!When GamerDude was growing up, there was no internet to "hang out" on, or to shop on, or to meet people on. The "hang out" was the shopping mall. Shopping malls popped up all across the country and, as it turns out, had many of the same stores coast-to-coast. GamerDude talks about the main stores he remembers, from the large "anchor" stores like Sears, JC Penney, and Macy's, to the smaller chains. The malls had clothing stores, like Casual Corner and Chess King, and shoe stores, like Kinney and Thom McAn. You could find books at B. Dalton and Waldenbooks, an...2019-03-2725 minStorytime with GamerDudeBest of Storytime - Volume 1Taking a page from Johnny Carson's playbook, GamerDude created this "Best of Storytime" episode. It's a re-run that's not a re-run; rather, it's highlights from previous episodes that have gotten the most mentions from listeners, or that GameDude especially likes. In this week's Best Of episode, GamerDude has included the stories of his first date in 8th grade, some thoughts about the power of music, the feelings about friendship inspired by the original Star Trek series, and his driving pet peeves. Enjoy!2019-02-2723 minStorytime with GamerDudeRandom MusingsSince starting Storytime, GamerDude has compiled a list of random memories of isolated incidents that happened when he was growing up. Some are brief, some more extended, and they will just pop into GamerDude's head out of the blue. In this episode, he talks about Saturday morning cartoons, from Bugs Bunny and Tom & Jerry to H.R. Pufenstuf and The Land of the Lost. He remembers "mittens on a string" and "soap on a rope." He talks about the time he wandered off with the family dog when he was a toddler, and how he discovered the "joys" of Listerine...2019-02-0622 minStorytime with GamerDudeRun, GamerDude, Run!GamerDude talks about why he started running when he was young. He touches on his days as "the fat kid" and how that initially inspired him, and then talks about what became his "bible" of running, an old book called "The Beginning Runner's Guide." He tells the story about how he was paired up with one of the track team members in high school during gym class (before he lost the weight), and how crushing it was to see that runner finish a lap before GamerDude was half-way around the track. He talks about his first real running shoes, and h...2019-01-1625 minStorytime with GamerDudeMore Great Movies and Bad TropesIn this episode, GamerDude goes back to the movie theater to talk about 10 of his favorite under-rated comedies. Probably none of these movies will make anyone's Top Ten List of all time great movies, but they all have appeal to GamerDude on some level. There are some absurd movies on this list, including The Golden Child and Big Trouble in Little China, and some genuine comedy gems, including Galaxy Quest, Keanu and Hot Fuzz. GamerDude gives a brief synopsis of all 10 of his favorite under-rated comedies.
In the second part of this episode, GamerDude pulls out the Trusty Trope Book to...2019-01-0923 minStorytime with GamerDudeThe End Of The Year As We Know ItAs 2018 draws to a close, GamerDude talks about that week between Christmas and New Year's when he was a kid. He remembers the lull between the holidays, when the new Christmas toys got tested, and when he would thoroughly enjoy the time off from school. He talks about the New Year's Eve tradition his father had that he continues to this day. GamerDude Dad celebrated New Year's Eve by ordering in a bunch of Chinese food (Happy Family, anyone? Fried dumplings?), watching movies, playing games, and waiting for the Times Square ball to drop at midnight, and that's exactly what Gamer...2018-12-2619 minStorytime with GamerDudeHomemade Costumes, Bags of Candy and . . . toilet paper?When GamerDude was growing up, Halloween was not as focused on the scary, creepy stuff as it is today. When he was a kid, Halloween was about putting together as good a costume as you could and, more importantly, going trick-or-treating to as many houses to get as many treats as was humanly possible. GamerDude talks about the old style Halloween costumes he could never afford as a kid, which is why he always had home-made costumes. He talks about his playing card costume, and his partner costumes, when he was Oliver Hardy (to his friend's Stan Laurel), and when h...2018-10-2429 minStorytime with GamerDudeGreat Movies and Bad TropesAs he's talked about in previous episodes, GamerDude is a big fan of the movies. In this episode, he talks about 10 classic movies from the "good old days" that he believes everyone should take the time and add to their "must see" movie list. Now, these are not the 10 greatest movies of all time, or the 10 best; these are just 10 movies that, to GamerDude, are really good movies that everyone should take the time to watch. The list runs the gamut from The Wizard of Oz to The Dirty Dozen, and includes comedies, dramas and action films.
With all of t...2018-09-0525 minStorytime with GamerDudeWhat's on TV?GamerDude has always been a fan of television and in this episode, he has more stories about the TV shows he grew up with. Television changed in the 1970s, right when GamerDude was at his most impressionable. In addition to explaining how all TV in the 1970s was "appointment TV" because there was no way to record the shows, he talks about the changes in television, from allowing married couples to actually share a bed on television, to the acceptance of "bathroom humor" in All in the Family, to the the "T & A" shows of the '70s, which gave...2018-08-2227 minStorytime with GamerDudeBonding with GamerDadGamerDude has more stories about his father, "GamerDad". In this episode, GamerDude tells the stories of the bonding moments he remembers with his father. He tells the story about the one time his father actually played softball with him and the neighborhood kids, wearing Bermuda shorts and combat boots. He talks about bonding with his father while sorting nails and screws and nuts and bolts in the precursor to "the Man Cave," that area of the basement known as "The Workbench." GamerDude then revisits the trips to the auctions his father attended every Saturday, and talks about the "wonder boxes" his...2018-08-0832 minStorytime with GamerDudeDriving with GamerDudeGamerDude's passion for cars and driving is well-known. The stories today go back to when he first became aware of the mechanics of driving while driving with his Dad. He talks about when he drove his aunt's Ford Bronco in her field when he was 11, and how that gave him "the bug" for driving. He talks about driving up and down his parents' driveway hundreds of times, practicing K-turns and parallel parking, and damaging two cars in the process. He tells the story about his driving test in an ice storm, and his first accident a week later. He talks abo...2018-07-1827 minStorytime with GamerDudeWelcome to Chincoteague!GamerDude's father found out about Chincoteague, Virginia when GamerDude was still young, and discovered it was an answer to a prayer - it gave the family the perfect vacation, at least as far as GamerDad was concerned. Chincoteague is right next to the Assateague National Seashore, and it gave GamerDude's dad a quiet, undeveloped, non-commercial vacation spot where he could sit on the sand, read a book, and watch the ocean. It was great for a busy corporate type, but for GamerDude, it was just another situation where he had to find ways to entertain himself. In this episode, he ta...2018-07-1129 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About Food, Glorious Food!GamerDude's love for food is no secret, and in this episode of Storytime, he talks about how learning to bake a cake with his father was an important bonding experience with him, and also opened up the roadway to bigger and better things - like homemade chocolate chip cookie dough!. He talks about learning how to frost a cake, and bake cookies, and then moves on to the "regular" food you had to eat before you got to dessert. He talks about his father's aversion to seasoning of any kind, the only condiments allowed in the house, and the one s...2018-05-2329 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories about Words and LanguageGamerDude's mother taught English and theater and, as a result, was a bit of a "language snob." For as long as he can remember, GamerDude's mom drilled correct pronunciations and correct usage of words into his head, and she passed her "snobbery" on to him. Today's stories involve GamerDude getting in trouble for mis-using the word "nausesous" when refusing to apologize to his sister, and his mother going crazy about the non-word "irregardless" and the mis-pronunciation of "nuclear." She didn't understand why people would say something "needs cleaned" if it "needed to be cleaned." GamerDude explains what is was like t...2018-05-0225 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About DatingGamerDude tells the story about his first real date in eighth grade, which confirms that dating has always been a difficult process for almost everyone. GamerDude tells stories about the "rules" for dating he grew up with, and how they impacted that first tense phone call with the "girl of his dreams - 8th grade edition." GamerDude lays out the rules, which included the boy asking the girl out and giving her at least a week's notice. There were eating rules (don't order food you have to eat with your fingers), manners rules (hold open the doors and always pull out...2018-04-2530 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories about Mom-isms, Cursing and Colorful MetaphorsIn this episode, GamerDude tells some stories about some of the "Mom-isms" he grew up wiith, which also tend to be universal. From "Because I'm your mother," to "Were you raised in a barn?" Mother GamerDude had a vast "playbook" of phrases she used. She also had an aresenal of colorful metaphors, such as "hopping around like a hen on a hot jonny cake." Then, there was the cursing - or the lack of it. GamerDude talks about how there were very few curse words employed in his house when he was growing up, which is why - to this da...2018-04-0423 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About MusicIn this episode of Storytime, GamerDude talks about how music has always been a factor in his life. He discusses his early days taking piano lessons from his mother, followed by his days playing trumpet in middle school and high school. He shares some samples from two classical pieces of music - A Trumpeter's Lullaby and The 1812 Overture - that influenced him then and have stayed with him through the years. He talks about how he finally learned that classical music was the background music for the Bugs Bunny cartoons he grew up with, and plays some samples from The...2018-03-2127 minStorytime with GamerDudeStories About GamerDude's Radio DaysGamerDude tells the stories about his first on-air broadcast as a newscaster at his college radio station, doing the 6 a.m. newscast. He talks about how that experience gave him the first nudge in the direction of trying a career in radio. He talks about the influence of Howard Stern, and how the fact that Howard was doing fun, and interesting, and entertaining radio inspired him to get back on the air. (He also recommends Howard's movie, Private Parts, as both a good look at Howard's early career, and as a good movie in general.)
GamerDude talks about his days as...2018-03-1435 minStorytime with GamerDudeStorytime with GamerDude: The PilotIn this pilot episode of Storytime, GamerDude talks about the inspirations behind this podcast. It started with his story-telling during his live Twitch streams, expanded as he worked on The GamerCat Show with ReactiveCat, and traces it roots back to his days as a radio broadcaster. He also talks about his inspiration from the late Jean Shepard, iconic radio broadcaster in New York, and the author whose work inspired the classic movie A Christmas Story. GamerDude's plans for Storytime include stories about growing up, games, bullying, parents, kids, siblings, relationships, love, friendship, and many other topics. Storytime is simply going t...2018-01-0319 min