Back to Work

Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin have a totally natural emotional reaction to the unreasonable demands they place on themselves after reading The Spongebob Report. Maybe they wouldn't have offended non-ex-Marines if they had just taken some time and consulted their Manager of Expectations. Links for this episode:kung fu grippe - [Probably the Greatest Keynote Slide of All Time]Dan Benjammin' (danbenjammin) on TwitterEddie Van Halen: The Complete 1978 Interviews[Dan] with the Les Paul (circa 1991) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Is SpongeBob SquarePants Bad for Children? - NYTimes.comkung fu grippe - ["the visual equivalent of being told you’re eating human flesh"]Macramé - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaGuided by Voices - Game of Pricks (Amoeba Records) - YouTubeAshton Kutcher's Lady in Her PantiesHypercritical #33 [Jay-Sir on Markdown and why he doesn't use it]Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science - Magazine - The Atlanticsnopes.com: Microwaving Plastic Releases Cancer-Causing AgentsFAQs: Using Plastics in the MicrowaveTech Myth: Is it Safe to Microwave Plastic? | Apartment Therapy UnplggdChancre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAwayFind - Mobile notifications for priority messages. The email management solution for Gmail and Exchange.Gesneriaceae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCaillou: Games, Coloring and Activities | PBS KIDSDesigning With Web Standards, 3rd EditionWon’t somebody please think of the gerbils? [dive into mark]Blueprint: A CSS Framework | Spend your time innovating, not replicatingThe Effects of Fast-Paced CartoonsNickelodeon Responds to Study Claiming ‘SpongeBob’ Hinders Preschoolers’ Attention Spans - ABC NewsDorf on Golf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaDorf On Golf 1 of 3 - YouTubeBuild and Analyze #42 [Dan explains 'The Double Speed Bit'] Don Draper: "No. You do not 'COVER' for me; you MANAGE people's expectations."Sponsored by Campaign Monitor and Shopify.

Merlin and Dan talk about Dan's sabbatical, hotdogs, services, triggers, Quicksilver, Launchbar, and why there's no 'I' in 'ordnance.' Sponsored by MailChimp and Smile.

With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by John Roderick of The Long Winters to talk about life as a bull in a china closet, craving real-world constraints, making better records, and being banned for life from Interpol’s corn chip bowl. Links for this episode:Van Halen - Hot For Teacher - YouTubeDef Leppard- Bringing on the Heartbreak - YouTubeRobert John "Mutt" Lange - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHighway to Hell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaUniversity of Washington - washington.eduThe Long Wintersjohn roderick (johnroderick) on TwitterJohn Roderick (musician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia012: Interview: John Roderick | The Merlin Show016: Interview: John Roderick, Part 2 | The Merlin Show017: Interview: John Roderick, Part 3 | The Merlin Show018: Interview: John Roderick, Part 4 | The Merlin ShowVideo: John Roderick on String Art Owls, Copper Pipe, and Bono's Boss | 43 FoldersFlickr: Merlin's extensive "John Roderick" gallery"Blue Diamonds" - the Long Winters - YouTubeThe Long Winters: "The Commander Thinks Aloud" - YouTubeThe Long Winters - Through With Love Preview - YouTubeHarvey Danger - Sad Sweetheart of the Rodeo - YouTubereading room | the long winters library & archiveImpasto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHelen Frankenthaler - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRichard Hugo reads "Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg"Wesley Stace | John Wesley HardingMISSPEAK: "For Those About to Rock We Salute You" (not "Highway to Hell")Space Shuttle Columbia disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimp[PDF] The Believer: John Roderick Interview (June/July 2005)Venom (band) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAshcan Rantings: Interview with John Roderick of The Long WintersHarm's Way by Jeff DeRoche - Seattle News - The Stranger, Seattle's Only NewspaperThe Animals - House of the Rising Sun (1964) High Definition [HD] - YouTubeJohn Roderick: A Night on the Town - a set on FlickrAlex Van Halen: Artists: Modern Drummer MagazineComparative History of Ideas ProgramCheer-Accident - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJohn VandersliceAC/DC - “Back In Black” (1980) kung fu grippe - "Before my heart overflowed."Air-Raid #60: Hobos of the Future with John Roderick – The Air-Raid PodcastHanford SiteMr. Show: Gay Son/Grass Valley Greg - YouTubeWestern State Hurricanes "Car Parts" - YouTubeTampabay: 'They said they were glad it wasn't me'kung fu grippe - Jim? What a horrible, foul-mouthed little man. ...Sponsored by Byword, MailChimp, and Smile.

With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by Jonathan Coulton to talk about traveling, horn sections, and Jonathan’s new album, Artificial Heart. Links for this episode:Jonathan Coulton - Home PageJoCo Cruise Crazy II: February 19–26, 2012 | A 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise on Holland America’s ms Westerdam, with Jonathan Coulton and friends | JoCo Cruise Crazy IIThing a Week Redux002: Interview: Jonathan Coulton | The Merlin Show007: Interview: Jonathan Coulton, Part 2 | The Merlin Showabattoir - definition of abattoir by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008) - IMDbPaul and Storm » Original Comedy Music from Professional Singing PersonsJonathan Coulton - First Track from Artificial HeartJonathan Coulton - StoreJohn Flansburgh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJohn Flansburgh - TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge BaseJonathan Coulton - Shirts and StuffTopatoCo: Skullcrusher Mountain ShirtJonathan Coulton - TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge BaseA Conversation With John Flansburgh And Jonathan Coulton | The AwlArtificial Heart (album) - JoCopedia, the Jonathan Coulton wikiSticking It To Myself - JoCopedia, the Jonathan Coulton wikiToday With Your Wife - JoCopedia, the Jonathan Coulton wikiJonathan Coulton - "Mr. Fancy Pants" in SF - YouTubeZendrum | CatalogRick Springfield - Love Is Alright Tonite - YouTubePut Your Heart In It | This American LifeStan Harrison- Composer and Saxophone PlayerDan Levine - TMBW: The They Might Be Giants Knowledge BaseBrazil (1985)Thing a Week - JoCopedia, the Jonathan Coulton wikiJonathan Coulton & Merlin Mann | Flickr - Photo Sharing!Jackson Browne - The Load Out / Stay - Live 1978 - YouTubeJonathan Coulton (jonathancoulton) on TwitterRoad to … - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[SPONSOR] Byword • A Simple Text Editor for Mac[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimp[SPONSOR] TextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time!MP3: Exclusive New Jonathan Coulton Song on Blurt OnlineSponsored by Byword, MailChimp, and Smile.

With Dan on sabbatical, Merlin is joined by TV’s Rob Corddry (Children’s Hospital, The Daily Show, Hot Tub Time Machine) to talk about Getting Things Done, writing, fear, and finding success as a blood-soaked clown. Links for this episode:Who Are You in Sex and the City? from Naked Babies and Jordan_MorrisRob Corddry Has A Broner from Funny Or Die, Rob Corddry, and BradX Lossless Decoder: Lossless audio decoder for Mac OS XHowardStern.com - Official site of The Howard Stern ShowHoward Stern denies 'Super 8' bootleg | Inside Movies | EW.comYouTube Blog: Broadcast YourselfAdult Swim Presents: Childrens Hospital Season 3Productive Talk Compilation: 8-episode podcast with GTD's David Allen | 43 FoldersBruce Seeds (bruceseeds) on Twitter [Thanks for help finding that SPY article!]PDF: "Celebrity Refuseniks" - _Spy_ March 1993Amazon.com: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (9780142000281): David Allen: Books[SPONSOR] Email Marketing and Email List Manager | MailChimp[SPONSOR] Website Builder - Build a Website, Create a Blog - Squarespace[SPONSOR] Wufoo: Online Form Builder - Create Web Forms & SurveysBloody Clowns, Sex, and Sickness: Childrens Hospital Premieres on Adult Swim Sunday - Page 3 - Blogcritics VideoAmazon.com: Let It Beard: Boston Spaceships: MusicAmazon.com: Bakesale: Sebadoh: MusicThelonious Monk - Monk's Dream - YouTubeBuild and Analyze #35: Fair and Balanced - 5by5Fluxtumblr - Guided By Voices "Empties Crushed and Fired Away"Ladies? | Flickr - Photo Sharing!BigChampagne - Online Media MeasurementFX Networks - Louie - Full Episodes and Exclusive VideoHairless Whisper - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - 06/10/03 - Video Clip | Comedy CentralFlotsametrics and the Floating World: ExcerptChildrens Hospital Gets Renewed for Season 4 - News - TV.comblackrimglasses.comLake Bell - IMDbMPU 050: Workflows with David Wain « Mac Power UsersRob Corddry - IMDbDavid Wain - IMDbJonathan Stern - IMDbLostpedia - The Lost EncyclopediaOccam's razor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJ.J. Abrams - Lostpedia - The Lost EncyclopediaDamon Lindelof - Lostpedia - The Lost EncyclopediaBrian K. Vaughan - Lostpedia - The Lost EncyclopediaRob Corddry on Getting Things Done as an ActorThe Winner (TV Series 2007) - IMDbHarold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008) - IMDbRob Corddry's Boston - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - 07/27/04 - Video Clip | Comedy CentralSponsored by MailChimp, Squarespace, and Wufoo.

Dan and Merlin talk about kid stuff, including the threat of Hot Wheels® donation, the inevitability of skinned knees, the nefariousness of the hospital gift basket, plus an important way every Dad has to go pro. Links for this episode:Wherein I go a touch more insane | dooce®30 Years Ago Today: The Day the Middle Class Died | MichaelMoore.comWoodcarving: What is your secret? « Outside the CaveAmazon.com: Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities (9780140233032): Erik Larson: BooksPrepping. - mlkshkNeurosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition) (9780316778008): William Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears, James Sears: BooksCurb Your Enthusiasm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBob Einstein - IMDbWelcome to Amy's Ice CreamsShabbos goy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[Sponsor] Sponsor: Smile SoftwareTextExpander: Mac Typing Shortcut Utility Saves You Time![Sponsor] Build a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespace[Sponsor] Wufoo: Online Form Builder - Create Web Forms & SurveysTheodor Herzl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSandwich VideoBreathless (1960 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHysteria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSponsored by Smile, Squarespace, and Wufoo.

Merlin and Dan discuss the shameful state of film school, the realities of Ape Law, Merlin's rock opera, and the subliminal downside of Spongebob's big promotion. Links for this episode:We Commissioned A Rock Opera | MailChimp Email Marketing BlogSlideshows, Slideshows Everywhere - Blog - The Official Squarespace BlogWufoo Docs · Notification SettingsSometimes There's A Mankung fu grippe - Get that "Plica Plica" songNetflix: Joan Rivers: A Piece of WorkWufoo Blog · Using Wufoo for Project Inquiry FormsAlexanderTechnique.comAlexander technique - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaThe Marketplace of IdeasHam the Chimp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaham chimp - Google SearchTwitter / @hotdogsladies: Show of hands: Who wants ...ccMixter - Welcome to ccMixterBuild a Website - Create a Blog - SquarespaceAMC Javelin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA VC: Subconscious Information ProcessingSponsored by Flow, Squarespace, and Wufoo.

This week Wutang Dan and The MZA bring the ruckus to finding a job, selling your Mustang, and putting your house on the market: remember that you can't negotiate with reality, Merlin can't do anything to make you love him, enthusiasm is irreplaceable, and you've got to find your position of strength. Protect ya neck! Links for this episode:A Sandwich, A Wallet, and Elizabeth Taylor's Cousin | 43 FoldersFlow: Task Management and Online Collaboration for TeamsWufoo: Online Form Builder - Create Web Forms & SurveysBuild a Website - Create a Blog - Squarespacepony interior - Google SearchFord Mustang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaKat Von D - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: What Color Is Your Parachute? 2011: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers (9781580082709): Richard N. Bolles: BooksBack to Work #24: The Daddy for your Destiny - 5by5Back to Work #23: Failure is ALWAYS an Option - 5by5The Marketplace of IdeasSin-eater - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFolk devil - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSponsored by Flow, Squarespace, and Wufoo.

Dan and Merlin talk about nerds getting problems and about using Markdown in BBEdit, Textmate or any text app because you need to find tools that remove friction, not distractions. Links for this episode:OS X Lion and the state of the new 1Password extension (Updated) | Agile BlogDaring Fireball: MarkdownMultiMarkdownAnd now it’s all this (Blog of "Dr Drang")Welcome to BrettTerpstra.com, home of Brett Terpstra and his nerderyMacromedia HomeSite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCoeliac disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBuild and Analyze #34: My Best Dan Benjamin Impression - 5by5TextMate — The Missing Editor for Mac OS XBare Bones Software | BBEdit 10 is here!Posting style - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaText files and me IV - BBEdit and TextMate - All thisProjects - Brett TerpstranvALT 2.0 - Notational Velocity ForkBlogsmith Blogging Bundle for TextmateMarkdown Service Tools - Brett TerpstraSodastream | Turn Water Into Fresh Sparkling Water And SodaTextMate Manual » BundlesByword • A Simple Text Editor for MacUntitled-1.jpgTextMate Blog » Introduction to scopesByword MultiMarkdown GuideThink of Microsoft Word as the internetScott Schwartz - IMDbMPU 046: Workflows with Merlin Mann II « Mac Power UsersSponsored by OmniPlan 2 and Harvest.

Dan's in a closet, but Merlin has a lot of FU from the last show: good jobs don't get posted on Craigslist and while you may not know what's gonna happen next, you're not just gonna install Xcode and retire on your angry bird so either do your research, get mercantile and take the leap of faith or you'll be polishing your golden handcuffs. Links for this episode:MacSparky - Blog - JugglingSatisficing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaPrinciple of good enough - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaRational ignorance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaYouTube - "Preparing for John Siracusa's Review of OS X Lion"Karl Van Hœt (karlvanhoet) on Twitterkung fu grippe - Hi. I’m 12. How am I even allowed to go to...kung fu grippe - "Plica Pilca" (Back to Work Theme Song)Anatomy of a Crushing (Pinboard Blog)Pinboard: social bookmarking for introvertsBack to Work #23: Failure is ALWAYS an Option - 5by5Sci-Fi Hi-Fi: PodWorksAfter Dark #34: After Back To Work 024 - 5by5Amazon.com: Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (0029236723101): Steve Krug, Roger Black: BooksCybernetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAmazon.com: Secrets of Successful Web Sites (0752059038236): David Siegel: BooksAmazon.com: Creating Killer Web Sites (2nd Edition) (0752059043315): David Siegel: Bookskung fu grippe - “My Business Papers” Dan’s cover letter. The...backtowork_final | Flickr - Photo Sharing!The Wand of Brooklyn [Thanks, chainmailformanatees]Clutch (eggs) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCollective noun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaList of collective nouns for birds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaShowbot | Turtle LogDavid Siegel - "The Project Cycle" (1997)Sponsored by 1Password, Squarespace, and Flow.