Before I begin… no, I’m not joining a cult or getting all “Dungeons and Dragons” on you. I just couldn’t think of a unifying theme for today’s show, and the first thing I saw on iTunes was “Magic to Do” from Pippin and “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John. So that’s the show’s title explained. That aside, today’s show is dedicated to (more) apples and apple pie, and a very special segment– my review of “The Pirate Queen.” I promised you a review, and here it is… and you have to listen to the show to find out how I liked it. Sneaky eh? Drop me a line and let me know what you think.. did you see it? Do you agree with my statements? Or will you just wait til the thing opens on Broadway to find out how you like it? Share!! Have a great weekend everyone. I’m off to the north! Links: Dr. John’s Fortress | The Blogging Times | Tuna Girl | The Traveling Spotlight Music: Magic to Do: Pippin: Original Broadway Cast Recording (iTunes) Magic: Olivia Newton-John | Back to Basics: The Essential Collection (iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo Chat with me: AOL: rcktmanil | Yahoo: rcktman Windows Messenger: rcktmanil | Skype: rcktmanil Email me: rick (at) rcktman (dot) com

Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care? Will I wake tomorrow From this nightmare? – Rent, Jonathan Larson, 1996 Watching the new TV show “Brothers and Sisters” tonight, I realized a few things about myself– things that I didn’t necessarily like, and things that I’m glad I was able to avoid in life. Life is not about regrets, or letting bad decisions affect the way you live it. It’s simply about what you do with what is given to you. I’m fortunate enough to have learned such lessons from my mother, and those lessons have helped me a great deal in life. This is probably my most frank, and most revealing podcast to date. I invite you to listen with an open mind and heart. Thanks. Music: Will I? | Rent: Original Broadway Cast Recording (iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo Chat with me: AOL: rcktmanil | Yahoo: rcktman Windows Messenger: rcktmanil | Skype: rcktmanil Email me: rick (at) rcktman (dot) com

And every one of us has to face that day; Do you cross the bridge, or do you fade away? And every one of us that ever came to play Has to cross the bridge or fade away…. Life throws crossroads and bridges at us all the time. Sometimes we make the wrong choices… and sometimes we make the right choices. Isn’t that what life is all about? Today’s PadCast is inspired by the newest song by Elton John, “The Bridge” from his newest album “The Captain and The Kid” - featured in today’s show. On today’s show, I talk about this song and how it has affected me as it relates to things that have happened in my life in the last few months. EXCLUSIVE! I also give an update on the new guy I met yesterday. Only you PadCast listeners get the latest scoop! So you’d better listen if you want to find out what’s new in that story. Bribery is a good thing, isn’t it? Music: (Opening) The Bridge - Elton John - The Captain and The Kid (iTunes) Music: (Closing) Song For Guy (remix) - Elton John - Remixed (iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo Chat with me: AOL: rcktmanil | Yahoo: rcktman Windows Messenger: rcktmanil | Skype: rcktmanil Email me: rick (at) rcktman (dot) com

Wow… PadCast Number Twenty! I guess I did make it after all. Whee!!!! Now on to more important things… Today’s PadCast touches on these very important topics: Jobs Coincidences Creeps Pussies You’ll find out what I mean when you hear the show. And make sure you stick around afterward for an extra special interview! Music: (Opening) Love is All Around (Theme from The Mary Tyler Moore Show) - Sonny Curtis. Not available for sale. Music: (Closing) Love is All Around - Joan Jett - Fit To Be Tied (iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo Chat with me: AOL: rcktmanil | Yahoo: rcktman Windows Messenger: rcktmanil | Skype: rcktmanil Email me: rick (at) rcktman (dot) com

Tom Cruise is crazy. Osama bin Laden is Nuts. Whitney Houston is a purple banana. Let's put 'em in the truck. OK OK ... I'm trying too hard to replicate the lyrics of Prince's famous song "Let's Go Crazy." But it's still true. Crazy people are out there... and some of them are getting their due. Watch for my rant on Tom Cruise tomorrow for more good stuff about that whacko. I'm heading to Saugatuck this weekend. If you'll be camping at CampIt, let me know! Please call my comment line at (773) 782-6RCK (782-6725). Call me. Leave messages. Be on a show! Watch for a special guest coming soon... as soon as I convince him that he has nothing to be afraid of. ;-) He knows who he is. :-D It's late so I need to go to bed. Comment, people! Music: (Opening) Let's Go Crazy: Prince / The Hits Vol. 1 (iTunes) Music: (Closing) Crazy Mama: J.J. Cale / The Very Best of J.J. Cale (iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo Chat with me: AOL: rcktmanil | Yahoo: rcktman | Windows Messenger: rcktmanil | Skype: rcktmanil

Wow! I think this is three PadCasts in one month. What’s wrong with me? Well… I’ve been working a lot on getting the PadCast to the “next level” as they say… and with the help of a fellow podcaster named JayT, I’ve fixed things and gotten things back on track. I met JayT this past weekend at the Gay Bloggers Chicago event and he’s a great guy! Please visit JayT, and check out his shows! So… higher ground. That’s where I’m trying to head with my life. That’s where I’m heading with all of my situations in life. And it’s also where I’m heading with the Pad and the PadCasts. And with the support of great people like JayT, Scott-O-Rama and all of you out there who read, listen, and support me… I’m heading there. Music: Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder (Innervisions) iTunes Download The Tide Is High - Blondie (Greatest Hits) iTunes Download

OK, lest you think today’s PadCast is going to be all depressing and weepy and “woe is me”, think again. I was actually quite chipper when I recorded it. Maybe I was just tired (considering how late it was), or maybe I’m just sick and tired of being mopey. The main reason I chose the title was the music, but it also has something to do with the weather, which has been incredibly dreary lately. Where is our sun!?!? Anyway… lots of talk about all of my bad luck lately, and how it finally seems to be getting a little bit better. It’s about time! Also discussing the Gay Bloggers:Chicago event this Saturday at Cocktail, and the Podcasting Awards… have you voted yet??? So drop it in your iPod, click it and listen… do whatever you wish. Just do it, and let me know what you think! Music: (Opening) Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling: The Fortunes song only (iTunes) Music: (Closing) Another Rainy Day In New York City: Chicago / Chicago X (partial album only on iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo Chat with me: AOL: rcktmanil | Yahoo: rcktman | Windows Messenger: rcktmanil | Skype: rcktmanil UPDATE! CALL ME! I now have a comment line! Call me and make me feel special! (773) 782-6725 (that’s 782-6RCK. Yeah I know it’s not all that clever. I tried. But that’s all they had available. But call anyway!!!)

Wow. What a crazy week. Between the going out almost every single night to the oppressive heat to the countless hot gay men (and girls) from countries far and wide invading this city, there’s no doubt that Chicago was the gayest place on Earth. But now it’s over. And life, somehow, has to return back to normal. I’m glad that I got a chance to at least go to the opening and closing ceremonies. If I hadn’t gone, I would have felt like I missed something, for sure… but now that I’ve been there and experienced it firsthand, I know I would have hated myself in the end. Today’s PadCast sums up my feelings on the Gay Games– from the ridiculously long opening ceremonies, to the perfectly timed and performed closing ceremonies; and of course highlighting the appearance of the delightful Cyndi Lauper, dressed only as Cyndi could be dressed– in Pride Statue of Liberty drag. Gotta love her. So after listening, please comment and let me know your thoughts on the games. Were you there? What did you see? What did you hate? What did you love? And would you ever go if you had the chance? And while you’re at it, check these out and do some browsing ’round: Music: (Opening) Cyndi Lauper: True Colors - The Body Acoustic (iTunes) Music: (Closing) Cyndi Lauper: True Colors - The Essential: Cyndi Lauper (iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo

To celebrate the 2nd Birthday of RcktMan’s Launching Pad, and to thank everyone for everything in the last few days… a special treat! A PadCast! Join me as I talk about the convergence of thousands of gays upon the city of Chicago this weekend for the Gay Games– including one known for his hot toaster oven; the premiere of my favorite show on TV, Project Runway, and my glowing reviews of The Devil Wears Prada and Superman Returns… along with other juicy tidbits and silly things along the way. Music: Sly and the Family Stone: Thank You (Falettin’ Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (iTunes) Elton John: Song For Guy (iTunes) Subscribe: iTunes | Odeo

Yeah I know… is that dead horse dead yet? Well hey, it’s my blog/podcast, so sue me. A final (I PROMISE) recap of New York, the cruise that died, and a bit more talk about Father’s Day and our idiot president, which I know you’ll enjoy. That and a visit from Screech just to make things cute. All wrapped up in less than 30 minutes. What could possibly be bad about that? Music: Smokey Robinson- Cruisin’ (Where There’s Smoke…) iTunes Download Simon and Garfunkel - America (Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits) iTunes Download