We have moved!

We have moved to Wordpress! Yes, after a couple of years on blogspot I have migrated to a Wordpress installation on one of my own domains. This is primarily because Blogspot limited the number of items in a feed to 25 – Wordpress doesn’t. So now iTunes users can go all the way back to June 2007 and download episode 1 without having to trawl through old blog entries. Plus I think the layouts are much better – my wife described Blogger as Geocities for podcasting!

The New Site

Cat & Cthulhu - Promo

In the run-up to the release of "Wake The Dead" in mid-July I'm going to be releasing several promos. Here's the first, a re-release of the M&S Food parody promo.

MP3 Link

Cat & Cthulhu - "Wake The Dead" Coming Summer 2009

Cat & Cthulhu - Episodes 55 to 59 - Brain Eating Amoeba! & Other Stories

Show Notes

1. Introduction
Welcome to the Christmas/New Year special, with five whole episodes for your delectation. Our next episode will a 3-parter marking the end of this series of tales, followed by a short epiologue.

2. Story #1: "Brain Eating Amoeba!"
Based on an actual story, http://www.boingboing.net/2007/09/28/6-die-from-braineati.html

3. Story #2: "Unconscious Violinists"
Would you let someone use your body as a life support machine for 9 months?

4. Story #3: "Trains"
A moral dilemma, except for Cat. As recorded for "The Nightsound Show". Apologies for the sound quality.

5. Story #4: "And Curry!"
Haskell's other gift to the world, with a side of mushroom rice and a peshwari nann bread.

6. Story #5: "Poker Faces"
I see card dealers.

7. Feedback
You can get in touch with the show via http://drop.io/catandcthulhu. You'll need to enter the word "cthulhu" to get access - to prevent spam messages. ;)

Take care and a happy new year to you all!

MP3 Link

Read Cat and Cthulhu

Cat & Cthulhu - Episodes 52 to 54

Show Notes

1. Introduction
Apologies for the lack of shows recently - I have been inundated with work, getting married in the US, the subsequent honeymoon and catching up on everything else. Plus the new World of Warcraft expansion. Which is shiny. However here is a triple bill of episodes to hopefully make up - I'm going to try to endeavour to put out an episode a week in the run up to Christ-/Mithras-/Yith-mas.

In recent news:
* I contributed a reading of "Hallowe'en in a Suburb" by H.P. Lovecraft to "The Nightsound Show" (http://www.nightsound.com)
* Inspired by The Bugcast I now have a drop.io page over at http://drop.io/catandcthulhu where you can share things such as related articles, record promos and leave voicemail with the podcast and other subscribers.


2. Featured Story: "The Game of Kings"
I advise against trying to cheat Cthulhu at any game.

3. Featured Story: "Tummy Rubs for Cthulhu"
Cthulhu is not feeling the love. Unlike the dolphins. Based on this story at the BBC new website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7003148.stm

4. Featured Story: "Digestion"
Ctuhlhu has devoured one too many souls.

5. Commentary

6. Contact Details
If you would like to contribute to the show or have any feedback then you can contact us via the following methods:
Email us at catandcthulhu@drop.io
You can leave messages, files, links to articles and leave voicemail (if you're in the USA or don't mind making an international call) over at http://drop.io/catandcthulhu.


(Apologies for the sound and editing quality - I was recording the commentary and final story late last night while my wife was asleep nearby so I was trying not to wake her.)

MP3 Link

Read Cat and Cthulhu

Banners

Last week I created some web-banners for those among you who might like to feature the Cat and Cthulhu Podcast on your website, blog or journal. These are all based on standard web banner sizes. If you do use them please copy to your own filestore and don't hotlink them from this site. If you do use the banners please ensure that they link back to http://cncpodcast.blogspot.com. Thank you.

Half Banner (234x60px)


Button 1 (120x90px):


Button 2 (120x60px):


Square Button (125x125):



Micro Button (88x31px):

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 51 "There's Something About Drinking"

Show Notes

After a short-break we're back with episode 51. In today's story the eponymous duo discuss the merits of various beverages while relaxing by a mountain lake. In the recent competition there were... zero entries. Not one, nada, nil. Ah well...

1. Intro music
2. Featured Story #51: "There's something about drinking" As read by FNH of cthulhupodcast.co.uk
3. Contact Details
If you would like to read a story, have any comments or suggestions then you can email me (see show for address), skype-voicemail me at catandcthulhu or leave a comment here. You can also review the podcast by selecting the "review this podcast" link on the website.
4. Outro

MP3 Link

Read Cat And Cthulhu (season 1)

Read Cat And Cthulhu (season 2)

Competition: Don't be a mug, win one!

Competition: Don't be a mug, win one!

Hello all. The Cat and Cthulhu Podcast is taking a break for two weeks whilst I am in the USA for my wedding and honeymoon.

In the meantime to keep you all amused and occupied I am running a competion to win a fabulous Cat and Cthulhu Podcast mug! To enter all you have to do is submit a review of your favourite episode of the podcast. (Guest readers cannot review the episode they starred in though.). The reviews may be positive or negative, it doesn't matter as long as it reflects your honest opinion of the show.

I will compile a list of the first 100 entries received and the winner will be chosen by roll of D100 (what else? :wink:)

Selected entries will also be featured on the show and posted in the show notes.

How to Enter:
=========
1. Email your review, either in text or audio (mp3, ogg or wav format), to archimedesuk at gmail dot com. If sending audio please also include a transcript. Please provide your name and your country, country or state of origin. If you win I will contact you via email for the full address to send your prize to.
2. You can alternatively leave the review on iTunes - but please email me your details afterwards.
3. You can also leave your review on the podcastpickle widget on the site, but you'll have to register with podcastpickle to leave a review there. Again, please email me your contact details.


Website: http://cncpodcast.blogspot.com


Conditions:
========
* One entry per person per episode.
* The closing date is Thursday 25th of October or when 100 entries have been received, whichever is sooner.
* Due to cost of postage the mug is only available to those with either a UK or USA address.
* The die roll is final - unless it rolls a number not allocated to an entry in which case it will be re-rolled until an entry is rolled-upon.
* Please keep rude words, etc. to a minimum. Defamatory or otherwise unpleasant entries will be discarded. This show is meant to be suitable for all.

Well that's all for now, happy listening!

Cat & Cthulhu - Episodes 50 "What are we?"

Show Notes

Episode 50! My goodness... it doesn't seem that long ago that I first started doing this show, speaking into the microphone of a logitech webcam. Listening to those early shows now makes me cringe a little but at the time, and indeed now, I'm very proud to have produced something that has lasted this long and that people listen and contribute to. On that note, for this special episode we have FNH as our guest reader. Thanks FNH!

1. Intro music
2. Featured Story #50: "What are we?" As read by FNH of cthulhupodcast.co.uk
3. Featured Podcast: Dumbed Down Life www.dumbeddownlife.com
4. Contact Details
If you would like to read a story, have any comments or suggestions then you can email me (see show for address), skype-voicemail me at catandcthulhu or leave a comment here. You can also review the podcast by selecting the "review this podcast" link on the website.
5. Outro

MP3 Link

Read Cat And Cthulhu (continuity 1)

Read Cat And Cthulhu (continuity 2)

Cat & Cthulhu - Episodes 45 to 49

An extra special edition today: 5 stories in one episode. That means there's only 13 more episodes to go until the end of this current series/continuity. I seem to have finally found the best noise filter settings with this episode. Next week's release will feature FNH as our first guest reader in 25+ episodes. Until then I hope you enjoy this bumper edition.

1. Introduction by FNH of the "Cthulhu Podcast" (cthulhupodcast.co.uk)
2. Intro Theme
3. Featured Story #45: Fountain
4. Featured Story #46: Changes
5. Featured Story #47: Center of the Universe
6. Featured Story #48: Giant Argument
7. Featured Story #49: Busted
8. Outro


MP3 Link

Read Cat and Cthulhu (continuity 1)

Read Cat and Cthulhu (continuity 2)

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 44 "Outside"

Show Notes
1. Intro
2. Listener Feedback
Today's feedback comes from fellow blogger pkmntrainerj.
3. Featured Story: "Outside"
4. Recommended Podcast: The Nightsound Show
5. Contact Details
You can leave feedback or reviews either by emailing me (see podcast for address), leaving a comment here or by clicking the review this podcast link on the podcast homepage. You can also leave a skype voicemail by calling catandcthulhu.
6. Outro
The Cat and Cthulhu podcast is a archimedesuk production. The featured stories are written by William Ellwood and are released under the Creative Commons Non-Commercial Share and Attribute License.

Read Cat and Cthulhu

MP3 Link

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 43 "Can you quit Evil?"

Show Notes

Hello and welcome to the 43rd episode of the Cat and Cthulhu podcast.

Today's episode is a little shorter, as their is no feedback to feature* and as you have heard the promo section has been moved for today to the beginning of the show. Today's promo is for Yog-Radio and stars an interesting manipulation of Tom Baker's voice.

I do have some interesting news however. Some time ago I offered my services to FNH, creator of the Cthulhu Podcast and lo my offer was accepted. In the latest episode of the Cthulhu Podcast I star in a modest role as the guide in a production of H.P. Lovecraft's "The Beast In The Cave". I highly recommend you go check it out at cthulhupodcast.co.uk.

And now to today's featured story: "Can you quit Evil?"

Well I'm afraid that's it for today. don't forget you can review the podcast over at podcastpickle.com, comment on the website, leave a message on the thread at yog-sothoth.com in the yog radio/podcasting forum or leave a skype voicemail for me by calling catandcthulhu. And of course by emailing me at archimedesuk at gmail dot com. Until next time.

*There actually was some feedback but I completely missed it until I came to update - that will teach me to enable comment notification, which I have now done. Rest assured that it will be included in the next episode later this week.

MP3 Link

Read Cat and Cthulhu (old stories)

Read Cat and Cthulhu (new stories)

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 42 "Conspiracy from the Heavens"

Show Notes

1. Intro Music and Intro
   Hello and welcome to the 42nd instalment of the Cat and Cthulhu Podcast. We haven't received any feedback since our last show so it's straight to this episode's featured story.
   
2. Featured Story: "Conspiracy from the Heavens"
   The latest meteor shower is being featured heavily in the news and Cat is convinced it is all part of a wider conspiracy by a third party at present unknown. Cthulhu however thinks Cat is just crazy.
   
   I enjoyed making this episode and trying to emphasise the madness in Cat. I even found myself gesturing at the screen as I acted out the dialogue, as well as looking knowingly at my John Wyndam anthology, which includes 'The Day of the Triffids', that was on one of my bookshelves nearby.
   
   Readers of Cat and Cthulhu should note that Will (the author) has effectively "pressed the reset button" and has started to write new Cat and Cthulhu stories but in a new continuity. You can still access the previous stories and I shall be continuing to produce audio podcasts of them.
   
   
3. Promos
   A promo for Yog Radio and Yog-Sothoth.com followed by a promo for Cat and Cthulhu.
   
4. End Show
   Congratualations to Yog Radio on their 30th Episode. Remember you can leave feedback by emailing me, commenting either on the website or on the forum thread at Yog-Sothoth.com or by leaving a skype voicemail by calling catandcthulhu.
   

MP3

Read Cat and Cthulhu ("Season 1")

Read Cat and Cthulhu ("Season 2")

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 41 "Cthulhu"

Show Notes

We continue with the format started in episode #40.

1. Intro Music
Opening sequence of "Approach of the Leviathan" by Richard Shaw.
2. Introduction
3. Feedback
An email from johnnyhamper of the Yog-Sothoth.com forum.
4. Featured Story Introduction
So what happens in this episode? Cthulhu returns to find Cat very concerned that the Master has not been sleeping properly for a few days since his return from Switzerland.
5. Featured Story
"Cthulhu" by William Ellwood, edited and read by Richard Shaw.
6. Promo
A brief promo for the Cthulhu Podcast by FNH.
7. End Show/Contact Information
You can contact us via email, comment on the blog, review us at http://podcastpickle.com/cast/29002 or even leave us a voicemail message via Skype by calling catandcthulhu. I look forward to hearing from you and value all feedback received.
8. Outro
Another exerpt from "Approach of the Leviathan".

MP3 Link

Read Cat and Cthulhu

Subscribe to this podcast


Creative Commons License
The "Cat and Cthulhu" Podcast by Richard Shaw & William Ellwood is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.
Based on a work at www.catandcthulhu.com.

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 40 "Cat"

Show Notes

For this special 40th episode (plus it's a year since I started first podcasting C&C - "Happy 1st 'cast Day"?) I have decided to change format for this episode and perhaps the next few episodes too, depending on how how popular or successful a change it is. If you have any feedback regarding the podcast feel free to get in contact via the many ways listed at the end of the notes.

1. Intro Music
Opening sequence of "Approach of the Leviathan" by Richard Shaw.
2. Introduction
For the 40th episode I've decided to expand the format of the podcast for this episode and perhaps the next couple as well. This episode is also being produced in stero too. I hope you enjoy the show.
3. Feedback
A few of your comments and other feedback (None in this edition as it's the first time this has been done here)
4. Featured Story Introduction
So what happens in this episode? While Cthulhu is gone Cat explores the outside world, and is joined sitting next to the road by the Chocolate Horror.
5. Featured Story
"Cat" by William Ellwood, read by Richard Shaw.
6. Further information
The two sound clips are from thefreesoundproject. They are BlackbirdFiltered.wav, recorded by acclivity and Lorry.wav, recorded by inchadney, licensed under the Creative Commons Samping Plus 1.0 License.
7. End Show/Contact Information
You can contact us via email, comment on the blog, review us at http://podcastpickle.com/cast/29002 or even leave us a voicemail message via Skype by calling catandcthulhu. I look forward to hearing from you and value all feedback received.
8. Outro
Another exerpt from "Approach of the Leviathan".

MP3 Link

Read Cat and Cthulhu

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 39 "Homeward"

So what happens in this episode?
Cthulhu is feeling homesick and isn't sure of whether to go - because when he gets back Cat may no longer be around.

Author's Comment
"Actually written on the plane home from Switzerland. As was the previous issue. The one before that was written in the airport departure lounge. :P"

Producer's Comment
It's been over a month since the last proper episode went out but in the meantime there's been a special episode and also a parody-promo (incidentally the background track to that was Samba Pa Ti by Carlos Santana, which is a great track in my opinion). One of the reasons for the gap in between episodes was the fact we moved house recently from one side of Sheffield to the other and my personal pc is still not set up in it's own room and that I don't have much quiet time in order to produce these.

Work is still progressing on Episode 40(!). I've got plans for backing/intro music (sourced from old music coursework - I'm just waiting for a friend to convert it from audio cassette to digital for me) plus field sound recordings of traffic, etc. I'm still working on whether or not we'll have a guest reader for the story itself.

You'll notice there is a new standard artwork for this episode (embedded into the mp3) - please be sure to check it out and let me know what you think.

As well as being able to review this podcast at PodcastPickle.com you can also send contributions towards the feeds hosting. All donations are gratefully received and no amount is too small. See the website for further details. Thank you.

MP3 Link

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Cat & Cthulhu - This is not an M&S advert

A cat with a lightsabre.
A depressed android.
A hamster with a buzz cut.
And Cthulhu, eating a muffin.

This is not M&S Food
This is the Cat and Cthulhu podcast

Sponsored by Evil Eldritch Expresso™, product of Coffee Fairy Plc.

MP3 Link

Read Cat and Cthulhu

Cat & Cthulhu - A Very Special Cat And Cthulhu

So what happens in this episode?
Cthulhu has fun involving Shoggoths and toilets and the author makes his views concerning the result of the 2008 London mayoral election clear.

Producer's Comment
This is the first episode since the author stopped writing new stories regularly - but I wouldn't discount the possibility of him doing any more. I have a new headset with which to record episodes - you'll notice the lack of clicking on the recording. This should hopefully tide me over until I can afford a proper microphone but will do for now. I shall endeavour to release episode #39 this week as well as work on the 40th Episode Special on which I'm hoping to include some sound recordings and possibly some music.

Art Submissions
If you enjoy listening to the podcasts or reading the stories and are of an artistic persuasion then I invite you to submit images, created through any medium, that have been inspired by Cat and Cthulhu, whether it be Cat at the Mountains of Madness, Cthulhu dressed as a Pirate of Neo Tokyo or Marvin alone with Maria/Brigitte after their respective universes collapsed.

Submitted images may be featured as cover art on the podcast file themselves or posted on the blog. As such you agree by submitting the images that they be released under the same license type of licence as the podcast itself i.e. the Creative Commons Non-Commercial Share and Attribute License. For more details see http://www.creativecommons.org.

MP3 Link

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Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 38 "The N'th Emergency Service"

So what happens in this episode?
Cthulhu is out of coffee so Cat suggests that he contact Coffee Fairy Plc.

Producer Comment
The title is of course a parody of the AA's old, not to mention false, tagline. Also, I don't think Nestle would like the comment made about their coffee in this episode ;)

MP3 Link

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Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 37 "Harry Potter And The Half Plate Of Chips"

So what happens in this episode?
Cthulhu is reading the latest Harry Potter book and doesn't want Cat to spoil the ending.

Producer Comment
I recorded two episodes today, the second of which will be released later this week (using Blogger's new "scheduler" service which should make posting these podcasts more reliable and regular if I'm going to be away when they're due for release. In the meantime I hope you enjoy this episode, and don't forget to review us over at http://podcastpickle.com/cast/29002/reviews.

MP3 Link

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Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 36 "A Comic Book Death"

So what happens in this episode?
Holes in reality caused by pebbles, lakes surrounded by yellow cliffs and a mysterious woman in a blue bikini? All the Master wants is to come back to life.

Producer's Comment
The Podcast Pickle had indeed not backed up the review or the cast details so I had to sign up again. Ah well... here's the continuation of last week's episode. Enjoy!

MP3 Link


Read C&C

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 35 "The Master dies"

So what happens in this episode?
The Master falls to his death and Cat's meditation is disturbed by the appearance of the Master's ghostly image.

Producer's Comment
This is the first episode in a small story arc primarily concerning the Master and the next part is due out tomorrow. In other news, Podcast Pickle seem to have suffered a server crash and have lost the reviews, the feed and everything to do with C&C. Which is annoying to say the least. I have emailed them what's going on so hopefully there will be some kind of resolution soon.

MP3 Link

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Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 34 "BBQ of the Gods"

So what happens in this episode?
Cat and Cthulhu are throwing a party and everyone seems to be having a good time, apart from Eris and Prometheus.


Producer's Comment
Apologies for not posting for ages but Real Life™ got in the way, what with university work and spending two weeks in Houston, TX in early February. However I plan from now on to make the time to produce episodes more regularly. Please forgive my poorer voice acting in this episode as I got a mouth ulcer a day or so ago and it's quite painful to talk. Hope you like the story anyway.

Regards,
Richard

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MP3 Link

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 33 "Aquaphobia"

So what happens in this episode?
Cat and Cthulhu find out what happens when you leave unfinished wine in a glass for a few weeks as they witness the Master getting rather wet. Now that is what they call an understatement.

Producer's Comment
Nothing to say really about this episode. It didn't take long to make but I had to rerecord a few small segments to eliminate clicking noises. The result isn't too shabby I think. Oh to have access to a proper recording studio once more... or even just a new mic perhaps.

Don't forget you can review this podcast at http://www.podcastpickle.com/cast/29002/reviews!

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MP3 Link

Cat & Cthulhu - Episode 31 "Fireworks" and Episode 32 "Cultists"

So what happens in this episode these episodes?
Kaos is scared of the loud noises and Cat decides to investigate, dragging a more cautious Cthulhu along. Unfortunately Cthulhu gets over excited with all his new worshipers goes a step too far.

Producer's Comment
A review of C&C mentioned that the podcast was too short so this time, instead of releasing these two related shortish episodes seperately during the course of the week I may as well combine them into something more substantial.

Sorry for not releasing over the last couple of weeks but I have been busy celebrating Christmas/Annual Gift Day and New Year/Arbitrary Calendar Reset Day with friends and loved ones.

A happy and prosperous 2008 to you all.

Regards,
Richard

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MP3 Link