The Wedding and the BBC Announcer

Synchronicity Strikes Again

Last weekend was my oldest daughter’s wedding. She and her partner have been a couple for the last thirteen years. You can imagine the humorous speech the groom’s mother gave with regards to her son finally popping the question. The wedding was at VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver. A great venue for a wonderful event.

I took this photo in Yaletown, before meeting our youngest daughter. I know I can fit this location into my current story.

The day before the wedding, the marriage commissioner, Sophie Benzing, and I, had a few moments to chat before the rehearsal. I found out Sophie used to be a regular BBC Radio 5 Live Broadcaster, as well as broadcasting for Sky News and News 24. She moved to Canada a few years ago, and now, besides being a marriage commissioner, she is a voice over artist for Netflix, providing voice over work for described videos.

I told her about my podcast, reading short stories, and how I record from the bedroom closet because I’m trying to eliminate echo. (God help me if I ever saw a wolf spider while recording). I mentioned about editing in Adobe Audition and trying to eliminate “hiss” sounds and plosives, such as “p’s” when recording, without sounding like I was underwater. Sophie told me to purchase an inexpensive snowball microphone. That’s what she uses over some of her more expensive mics. She also suggested a pop filter, which I have. I purchased a snowball microphone, and using my pop filter, I sat in my 9-foot ceiling office, and began recording. Recording in this room is the ultimate test. Oh my gosh! What a difference. I am so impressed with the sound quality.

My new recording set up, much nicer than the bedroom closet.

I’m no longer squished in my closet with hoodies hanging above my head but sitting comfortably in my office recording short stories for the SAM Magazine weekly podcast. I’m having a great time, exposing listeners to samplings of author’s work. This Saturday’s podcast (October 21, 2023) features Winona Kent’s short story, Herd Maintenance, from her just released anthology Ten Stories That Worried My Mother. I recorded Winona’s story three times before I felt I got it right. Winona’s story can also be found in the September 2023 issue of SAM Magazine.

If you would like to use Sophie Benzing as a Voice Artist, she can be found on LinkedIn. Also, if you would like to have a short story read on the SAM Magazine podcast, please send me an email.

Now, I’m hoping to settle into the winter and continue working on my time travel.

Take care everyone.

Joanna