Mark at the UN

Hi friends!

After some high-level dealing and shaking with my boss, I’ve managed to scamper off from work for a week, in order to do something some of you may wonder whether I should be given more time to do:

I’m going to blog.

But this time, it’s actually going to be about something other than that the life of Mark. It’s going to be about the life of Mark, and 60 other youth HIV activists, at the UN’s High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York City. I’ve been given the title of “Youth Web Correspondent,” which is formalese for “Young, Angry Polemic Blogger.” Seriously though, I’m absolutely stoked to be given this outlet for articulating the needs and demands of my generation at such an influential gathering.

Rather than flood inboxes, I’ll point you to the Reproductive Health Reality Check, which is where my postings will be updated with some regularity.

I am hoping to acquire a microphone, through which I may be able to record a podcast of youth voices from the summit. I’ll work on vlogging (video log) next time!

Hope all is well, feel free to send some thoughts on youth empowerment and global health and HIV/AIDS if you’ve got a minute…I know it’s what most of you think about during your spare time anyway. ☺

Live from the concrete jungle of Manhattan,
Mark

Podcast 2: The Other Side Needs Toasting

Hello Dear Listener,

For all those who listened to the first podcast, this will come as a nice gentle step up in production value. The mic volume has been suitably adjusted, only this time I have a cold, which more or less balances the level of listenability to a mere tolerance.

ITSLATE AGAIN...The Podcast! 2: The Other Side Needs Toasting

That is why, in order to boost numbers and win advertising contracts from Clear Channel Corporation or Corporate Values, I have included a brand new sement to the podcast. Yes indeed, ITSLATEAGAIN…The Podcast! Is proud to present its first ever radio contest…

The WHO’S WHO OF 1990 Podcast Competition! After listening, you’ll want to send your submissions to me at Mark dot Hiew at Gmail dot com, or, start looking for consolation gifts for yourself.

Also heavy in the mix this week are Matt Costa, Minus the Bear, Beck—remixed—Of Montreal, Gnarls Barkley and those blessed Strokes. Look out for my take on the omnipresent shampoo/conditioner dilemma and that lovable, somewhat indulgent Mark-commentary readers of this blog are already familiar with.

With love,
Mark

Podcast 1: Exploding Dreams of America

Hello Dear Listener,

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of ITSLATEAGAIN, where slightly dodgy editing work and unrehearsed verbiage are painstakingly thrown together in "It's meant to sound like that" fashion.

Tonight, we begin with the first edition of ITSLATEAGAIN…The Podcast!: "Exploding Dreams of America." (Right click: Save Link As)

A title of unsuitable grandiosity and semi-racy irrelevance, I came up with it at four in the morning after several alternating bouts of bafflement and elation, attempting to fit mp3 and mpeg4 files into wav. format. And that was before exporting and uploading.

So strap yourself in, because streaming live or downloaded onto your handheld Nugget of Nutrition (the iPod), this podcast is loaded with spring-action audio, accessories included! Featuring the indie-love wholesomeness of Ben Lee, M.I.A., Calexico, Stars, My Morning Jacket, Zap Mama, and some mash-up Mac DJ.

Illal Liqaa (Until we meet again),
Mark