cones

Pip and Tara question the science behind something we see everyday - our faces. We compare our faces to completely symmetric versions of our faces, discuss our doppelganger experiences and why they look like us, and then we get lost in our eyes, exploring colour vision, colour blindness, and lots more interesting things we didn't know before!

This week, we welcomed Chris Kamery to the podcast to continue our discussion on Autocross this month.  Chris is an avid and accomplished driver mostly in the upstate New York and neighboring areas.  We cover a wide range of topics related to start racing in autocross and what to do and what not to do.  We also attempt to drag him into the dark side of endurance racing.  We hope to see him out at the track soon.  

Topics covered included:

1. Car requirements and preferences
2. Track design and review
3. Typical struggles of new and first time drivers at an autocross event
4. Several places to look for local autocross and other driving events

We may even have been helpful again this week.  We cannot promise this to continue, lol.

On this episode, Vicki and Bill welcomed Sam Strano to our show to discuss another form of racing called autocross.  This involved timed racing laps of a course that is usually artificially defined by a series of cones in a parking lot, air strip or other paved area.  Sam is a multiple time national champion in autocross and we are now signed up for at least one race and one training session and knowing us there will be more to follow.   

Please stop in or visit Sam's company at:  http://www.stranoparts.com/

ITAI KRISS’s new album, Telavana, beautifully combines latin and middle eastern rhythms and melodies in the most uncontrived way possible, highlighting the excellent musicianship of all the players involved. Join Itai and Lorens as they talk the album and many other things.(Song credit: 'Sahadi’s Serenade', ’Shabazi', ‘Buttered Scones and Tea', ‘Azules' by Itai Kriss and Televana)

Welcome back trivia fans!  Today Vinny will give his 10x55 quiz (it's 10 Questions with 55 possible answers!), we will learn some basics and fun facts about the amazing human eye, and finish up with a War of the Rogues's Celebrity Couples quiz!  Enjoy!

Brainy Part 20:18   Behind the Redwood Curtain:  39:38

Catherine is learning from Heidi May's (Velvet Acorn) Failyn Fox Cowl and from Melissa Mall's Simple Man Slipper.

Margaret is learning from Rebecca Velasquez' Terra Cotta Shawl (or Thorns).

Catherine talks about we see and perceive color.

She also talks about the Giant Coastal Salamander.

Catherine offers a tip about the Princess Sole in your socks.

Alex and Rob cast an irreverent eye over local news from their respective home towns.

Listeners can submit stories from their local area to:lapodcast.net@gmail.com 

Stories this week include:

• Bomb disposal team carries out controlled explosion on WWII traffic cone. 
• Cry for help results in brewery challenge for local editor.
• Abused parrot finally speaks out.
• McDonald's introduces McTragic meal for wedding reception held in restaurant.

Also revealed: We feature a story that p*sses on all that came before.

Mailbag:

1. "I've been listening to the show for some time and have become intrigued by the concept of VolContracts. I think I have a decent handle on the differences between implied versus realized volatility and I'm ready to take the next step. But that's where I'm stuck. How do I trade VolContracts? I don't see them promoted or even mentioned by any brokerage firms. If I call or email my broker (Interactive Brokers), are they even going to know what I'm talking about? Do you have any brokers that you'd recommend for their expertise with VolContracts? Also, since they are listed by the CME and track realized vol of Euro futures, I assume that I will need a futures account to trade them. Lastly, are these listed on Globex so I can trade them electronically or do I need to put an order into a pit?"
2. "Bob Krause advocated the use of volatility cones on a recent show, and I know Don has discussed them in the past as well. However, Mark made an excellent point in a recent episode that, in this environment, vol cones may not be the best barometer for where you should work your orders. It got me wondering if maybe there were certain market environments where vol cones were extremely useful, and other times, such as the current environment, when waiting for mean reversion is the quickest way to blowing out. Long Term Capital immediately comes to mind. I'm wondering what you guys think on this issue. I think I know where Mark stands, but I wonder where Don falls on this since I know he is an ardent fan of vol cones."

Crystal Ball: Metal vols -- have we just witnessed the bottom of gold and silver? Mark Sebastian predicts VIX to hit 50 in the next three weeks. We are halfway through the Oct VolContract, and as of Thursday the contract settled at 15.87 -- you would need 18 volatility on the Euro, going forward, to justify that price.

It's a crazy foursome this week! Dale, Scott, Jason and Steve spend the whole show chatting about the hot topics you are dieing the hear about. Besides running down their Easter weekends out of town, the boys talk about the finale of RuPaul's Drag Race and how you have to be so careful these days when it comes to social media and television spoilers; Simon van Kempen from The Real Housewives of New York releases a single (really!); New York state now allows conjugal visits for hitched gay inmates; Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's emails Jason; does anyone REALLY give a shit about the Royal Wedding this weekend?; and, Scott is obsessed with the new Dallas reboot that is filming now in, duh, Dallas.

And it's the return of an old Swish Edition game, "Would You Rather" with a gay twist! (Yes, it's dirty.)

The guys also talk about:

• Grape snow cones
• The confirmation that Ab Fab is coming back
• West Hollywood's Abbey establishes a Gay Walk of Fame
• Obama won't make promises to the LGBT community this go around
• Rachel Maddow on anchors who should come out
• April is STD Awareness Month
• Pat Robertson on abortions promoting lesbianism

All that and the news from Sean Bugg at Metro Weekly.

Episode 131 is called, "Ultimate Hot Topics" and it's brought to you by Adam & Eve, America's most trusted source for adult products.