In an extremely irritating twist, an update to Skype resets our recorded audio format to the lowest possible quality. No, Gentle Listener, this week's hosts Randall Smith, Wesley Johnson, Benjamin Gilbert, Matt McCormick, and Jarret Green did not record the show into a coffee can or trumpet mute, howsoever difficult you may find it to credit that assertion after hearing the show.

In this episode:
A Morning Zoo opening. The origin and proper pronunciation of "Mattholomew," detailed. Jokes at the expense of diabetics, made by diabetics. What Jarret's been up to: his neck in snow, for a week, apparently. Ben types loudly. Jarret enjoying a 7-minute commute; no longer enjoying podcasts to any great extent. A promise to liveblog/ustream the amputation of his feet, made by Wes, in the event he comes to that pass. Jarret recommends the new M. Ward CD, and is seconded by Matt. Ben is mistaken for that guy from Death Cab for Cutie. Ben reports from his time writing for Joystiq. He is a busy man, and reads other sites far less frequently. Ben's Xbox still at MS. He finished watching Band of Brothers, and was blown away. The fate of Matt's repaired 360, disclosed; also revealed, Matt's wife's suspicious disposition. Craig's list produces a trade for a slightly used Ipod Touch, battery not included. Sketchy references to To Catch a Predator. Wes playing Retrogame Challenge. Wes steps into HDTV land -- Woot! Wes out of debt. Ben on MGS4 and Pixeljunk Eden, but not on Flow'r. Noby Noby Boy described in the most prurient fashion imaginable. Jarret playing text games and loving them. Randall plugs PercussONE, having played and enjoyed it. Street Fighter IV blathered on about at length, including comments on controller choices. Matt gets to the end credits in Burnout Paradise, having reached an A-Level license. Has glitchy fun with GTA: The Lost and the Damned. And then the hosts of this here episode consider the questions raised in Part Two of Shawn Elliott's Symposium severally.

Music:
Opening: excerpt from "Hail to the Chief" by John Philip Souza. Closing: excerpt from "8-Bit Junkie" by George Wood.