Cleaning the house can be boring. Music helps, but often it becomes only background and you are left alone with your thoughts and a toilet brush. Which isn't always a bad thing. I'm just saying, sometimes it's nice to be able to switch focus to something interesting to take one's mind off mundane or disgusting tasks.
I use podcasts.
I used to listen to podcasts when I exercised and it made me actually look forward to my four mile daily power walk because I could listen to something interesting, different and sometimes funny every day. I've started running now and one pod cast recently took my mind off my circular run for over half a mile.
My podcast of choice for cleaning day is How Stuff Works. It's free from iTunes, as are all the other podcasts I listen to through NPR. How Stuff Works is a 15-30 minute show about how different things work. Things like dreadlocks, cremation, the Life Straw, homelessness, octopi, the MARS turbine, being a knight and much, much, MUCH more.
Tonight while I dusted I learned how moonshine is made and that today's NASCAR is a direct result of bootleggers running moonshine in their souped up cars and then deciding to see who's was fastest. I bet you didn't know that.
While I folded laundry I learned about credit default swaps (a little thick, but still interesting).
While I cleaned out the tub I learned about where the superstition about Friday the 13th came from.
I spent maybe 2 hours cleaning, but it was actually enjoyable because of my podcasts.
So if you need to do some housecleaning but dread the drudgery, download a few podcasts onto your iPod and start listening.
Other podcasts I enjoy are NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, This American Life, and the CBC's The Vinyl Cafe.
Do you have a favorite podcast?
4 comments:
I would like to know how homelessness works, because each time I think about what I would do if I were homeless, my first course of action would always be on getting out of it.
You already know my favs- The Moth, Planet Money, The Ethicist to name a few
I like the Ethicist also. I also listen to Mormon Stories. I do love the Vinyl Cafe (thanks Afton!) and Stuff You Should Know. I also like the other ones they do: Brain Stuff, Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Stuff You Missed in History Class (sometimes).
There's a podcast called "This I Believe" that is usually inspiring and interesting. That one's not a good one to listen to if you'll have a hard time exercising or doing what you're doing while crying though.
Yes, it's fun to run around the indoor track while alternately laughing out loud or starting to tear up. I no longer care what people think of me. Although I do like the laughing out loud or answering the questions on Wait, Wait more than crying.
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