Podcast – The Accidental Curator

The Accidental Curator – Episode 21 – Christmas in Afghanistan

After a very busy 6 month hiatus, I have finally buckled down and produced another podcast. Here’s a little story from my travels overseas in the early 70’s, “Christmas in Afghanistan”, and a wee descriptor:

There was a brief window in time when it was safe to travel to Afghanistan as a tourist, or curious wanderer. December 1973 was just such a window. Here is a story of 8 young travellers following the “Hippie Trail” as it was known, on their way overland to India, with a sojourn through Afghanistan which led to Christmas in Kabul. Join them for this unique trip from another era through the “Graveyard of Empires.”  

Here it is, just click on this link:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-21-christmas-in-afghanistan/

Hope you enjoy it!

Cheers!

George Bathgate

The Accidental Curator – Episode 20 – The Panic Attack

Here’s episode 20 of The Accidental Curator Podcast – The Panic Attack. Unlike my last two podcast posts, I chose not to use an Ai intro and have laboured intensely using actual thinkin’ power to come up with the compelling and gripping intro which follows:

“Ottawa, 1980’s – a young man, balancing his new wave musician aspirations with his soul-crushing job in the Federal Bureaucracy – has an unexpected epiphany of sorts via a Panic Attack.

Written with fondness for the era, friends, and situations he found himself in – George uses self-deprecatory humour to drive this fun journey through the pubs, bedrooms, and basement jams of his mid 20’s. While showing us some insights into the less heralded work as a Communications Officer at the Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation Centre, in our nations capital during the New Wave era.”

Have a listen here:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-20-the-panic-attack/

The Accidental Curator – Episode 19 – “I Could Tell You Wasn’t a Roughneck”

Another update to my podcast with Episode 19 (this will be the last one for a while)…and I’m cutting & pasting Ai’s descriptive preamble to my show, which again, I preferred over my own. It’s a seductive tech advance, and I have my own misgivings – yet, seemingly, not enough to stop me for using it as my intro!🤣

“A Roughneck’s Journey: Trials and Triumphs” In Episode 19 of the podcast, the host returns after a six-month hiatus, sharing tales from a bustling summer at the Shavasana Gallery and Cafe on Mayne Island. As the busy season winds down, the host revisits past ventures, including a brief stint as a roughneck in the oil fields of northern Alberta in the 1970s.

The story, titled “I Could Tell You Wasn’t a Roughneck,” takes listeners on a journey with two young men chasing the allure of big money in the oil sands. Through humorous and harrowing experiences, the episode highlights the challenges and camaraderie of life on the rigs, culminating in a decision that alters the host’s path.

Listeners are invited to explore these vivid tales, which are also available in the host’s book, “All Roads at Any Time.” As the episode concludes, the host reflects on the current state of the world, offering words of encouragement and hope.”

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-19-i-could-tell-you-wasnt-a-roughneck/

The Accidental Curator: Episode 18 – The 4th Corner

I originally published this podcast in April and a friend contacted me to let me know that it had picked up an irritating “time stamp” – like a metronome ticking away in the background – so I contacted Podbean (the host of all my podcasts) to see what could be done. I was encouraged to use their new Ai feature which quite easily corrected the problem. It also rewrote my – somewhat thin – descriptive preamble, and came up with what follows (definitely more enticing than what I wrote…it speaks more highly of myself than I do😆. This redo came out in June):

In this episode of The Accidental Curator, George Bathgate shares a gripping story titled “The Fourth Corner.” As he prepares to reopen his art gallery, George reflects on three significant car accidents he has witnessed over the years in his Kitsilano neighborhood. Each incident, occurring at different corners, serves as a vivid illustration of life’s unpredictability and the importance of staying vigilant.

From the bustling art gallery to the quaint Bruno’s Corner Cup Café, George’s narrative weaves through time and space, capturing the essence of community life and the ever-present potential for unexpected events. Tune in to hear how these experiences have shaped his outlook and to get a sneak peek into his upcoming book of short stories.

Join George for a compelling episode filled with reflection, humour, and a touch of suspense, reminding us all to approach life’s corners with caution and curiosity. Have a listen:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-18-the-fourth-corner/

Cheers!

George Bathgate

The Accidental Curator – Episode 17 – “Knute, Bobby Darrin, and the Law of Unintended Consequences” & Joseph Synn Kune Loh’s exhibit, “Who Am I” a review by Bill Maylone

Here’s a short story I wrote several years ago, about how young, self-absorbed drunks on a bus could have inadvertently added fuel to the revolutionary fires that were building – in pre-revolutionary Iran. And a review of Joseph Synn Kune Loh’s exhibit, “Who Am I” by Bill Maylone…click the attached link for the podcast:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidentalcurator-%e2%80%93episode-17%e2%80%93knutebobby-darrinandthe-law-ofunintended-consequencesjosephsynnkuneloh-sexhibitlooking-for-meaningby/

Cheers!

George

The Accidental Curator – Episode 16 – Saved By Da Mizzles

Two young long-haired travellers arrive in Amsterdam in 1973. One of them, hopes and prays that the rest of his “round the world adventure” will improve over “day one”…it can only get better! Or can it?

And here’s a link to the Podcast: https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-16-saved-by-da-mizzles/

Cheers!

George

The Accidental Curator – Episode 15 – The Astrologer by Joseph Synn Kune Loh & Transient Epileptic Amnesia by George Bathgate

Two stories, or memoirs, today – Joseph Synn Kune Loh’s short story “The Astrologer”, and Transient Epileptic Amnesia by myself – George Bathgate…one is a young man’s encounter at a New Age Conference in Montreal, and the other is one more good reason why you should avoid a life of excess😊

To listen to the Podcast, follow the link:https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-15-the-astrologer-by-joseph-synn-kune-loh-transient-epileptic-amnesia/

The Accidental Curator – Episode 14 – “The Blüthner”

This story originated as a Blog on my Gallery website, from Feb 6, 2020 https://shavasana.ca/2020/02/06/the-bluthner/

“After receiving a 100 year old Blüthner piano, I became fascinated with its long journey to Mayne Island and Shavasana Gallery. Here is a story of how to sleuth the wandering path of an “accidental” piano.” (to watch a 5 minute compilation video which I made called “11 Pieces for the Blüthner” go here: https://youtu.be/f_o4JUtccH8 )

To listen to the Podcast, go here: https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-14-the-bluthner/

The Accidental Curator – Episode 13 – ”Why Don’t You Just Kill Rambo?”

“We laughed…we cried…we moved. Listen to one family’s journey through dog-barking hell”…October 25, 2022

I should probably be out shovelling snow or Christmas shopping, but I feel compelled to finish posting the last of my Podcasts on this site and on my Shavasana Gallery & Café website: https://shavasana.ca/ I’ve only got three left until I’m all caught up, so I’ve put on my heavy winter gear and trudged through the snow-clogged streets to my local Starbucks to complete the task. As I’ve got this process down to a fine art, it’s not terribly difficult, just a little time consuming, which – on this snowy December 20th in Vancouver – seems in short supply. Here’s the Podcast:

.https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-13-why-don-t-you-just-kill-rambo/

Merry Christmas!🙏😊

George

The Accidental Curator – Episode 12 – The Armed Robbery

“A casual Friday night pursuit of pubs and pals in Ottawa turns into an unexpected apprehension of an armed robbery in process” August 16, 2022

I should probably be out shovelling snow or Christmas shopping, but I feel compelled to finish posting the last of my Podcasts on this site and on my Shavasana Gallery & Café website: https://shavasana.ca/ I’ve only got three left until I’m all caught up, so I’ve put on my heavy winter gear and trudged through the snow-clogged streets to my local Starbucks to complete the task. As I’ve got this process down to a fine art, it’s not terribly difficult, just a little time consuming, which – on this snowy December 20th in Vancouver – seems in short supply. Here’s the Podcast:

https://www.theaccidentalcurator.ca/e/the-accidental-curator-episode-12-the-armed-robbery/

Merry Christmas!🙏😊

George