Podcast

• Ep. 67: “What You Missed if You Fell Asleep in October and Woke Up Today”

  In this edition of Bursting the Bubble, the dynamic duo discusses an array of events, including untimely holiday decorations and creepy Art Deco suspenders, that have been occurring in the Park Cities since October.

  They begin with a debate regarding the introduction of beer and wine into grocery stores throughout the Park Cites. Charles welcomes the idea, while Merritt is concerned it may lead to terrible things.
  By Amanda Shafer Jan. 13, 2011 | 11:05 am | 3 Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 66: “We Should go Party. On The Athletics Budget.”

  In this week’s Bursting the Bubble, Charles and Merritt chat about HPISD’s ACE fee, which leads to Merritt professing her love for Helen Williams and offering to buy her a plethora of drinks.

  She also gives HP coaches the green light to grab a round of beers and a steak on the school’s dime.

  Also, a cat stops by! The wonders never cease!
  By Bradford Pearson Oct. 8, 2010 | 3:36 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 65: “He Hasn’t Hated me in Awhile.”

  On this week’s Bursting the Bubble, Merritt and Charles cover the Scots game against the beautiful team of Monterrey Tec.

  We now know that even tornadoes won’t keep Charles from a cheap glass of wine.

  Merritt wants to see a comeback in wooden paddles at schools. They might come in handy when you hear about Merritt’s newest lead on naughty middle-schoolers.

  Update: The mp3 file has been updated to the correct file (9/13/10). Sorry about that folks!
  By Valerie Wong Sep. 10, 2010 | 4:23 pm | 1 Comment | Comments RSS

• Ep. 64: “He’s Off-the-Chart Crazy.”

  It’s a back-to-school edition of Bursting the Bubble. Charles and Merritt are back after a summer hiatus. After visiting her daughter’s junior high open house, Merritt gets sent to the office for her previous blog post about a parking sign.

  Join Merritt and Charles as they take a trip down memory lane and share memories of daydreams, gossip, and smells of junior high.
  By Valerie Wong Sep. 2, 2010 | 12:42 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 63: “There’s man-boob going off the high dive and belly-flopping.”

  The team is back after a short hiatus. Discussed this week is UP City Hall’s decision not to host 24 Hours of Booty, a 24-hour bicycle ride held by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

  Merritt is at it again with her rule-book — this week, about carpool lanes. She has good reason why SMU camp counselors should control the traffic. Charles believes they are perfect candidates since “their brains haven’t been corroded by children yet.”

  Unusual male fashion has been noted at the local pools, hence the title of this podcast.

  And finally, Charles might have a celebrity stalker. Find out who it is on this week’s Bursting the Bubble.
  By Valerie Wong Jun. 17, 2010 | 11:51 am | 2 Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 62: “I Figured, Here, Church And State Are The Same Thing”

  Both teachers and students get antsy as they count down the remaining school days before summer — which, by the way, is customized for church-goers this year by having a 5th of July Parade on Monday. On the other hand, Charles and Merritt celebrate a common trait: being uncommitted Jewish-from-the-father’s-side.

  Because Park Cities residents seem to build their lives around their high school years (Charles’ words, not mine), Charles and Merritt dream up a brilliant plan that would prepare — or better yet — trap students into becoming high school star athletes.

  Merritt whips out her rule book again this week and sets some standards on e-vites. Should you be required to RSVP if you don’t plan on attending the event?

  Charles buys an iPad. While he’s reading the newspaper, Merritt’s friend uses her own iPad to look for spiders in the dark… at a zoo sleepover. Listen to it all on this week’s Bursting the Bubble.
  By Valerie Wong May. 19, 2010 | 10:06 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 61: “You’re Going to Remember This Because You’re So Old”

  Merritt has been doing her homework on community leagues this week. Is the HP Community League the voice of its residents or just part of Town Hall? You decide. Merritt knows a thing or two about the UP Community League as well. Read her column in this week’s paper.

  The latest heated discussion is of the Bradfield Elementary yearbook. Sounds like they’ll end up with two of them this year. The first version didn’t follow yearbook guidelines, so now it has to be rebuilt from scratch. A petition has been started. But putting that yearbook online with all the students’ names and photos? Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.

  Listen to it all on this week’s Bursting the Bubble, and catch Max Fuqua’s nickname for the show.
  By Valerie Wong May. 6, 2010 | 11:59 am | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 60: “I don’t talk politics without booze. I’m drunk now.”

  On this week’s Bursting the Bubble, join Merritt and Charles as they discuss the City Council election’s ad campaign (Merritt’s been doing some research and careful reading) and why UP needs “more bureaucracy and red tape.” Charles hopes to see better use of city money.

  On the topic of politics (and booze), Dallas’ wet petition gains support by some unexpected folks in the Park Cities. Also, Merritt and Charles discuss Max Fuqua’s role in steering the petition.

  The Belles’ secret locker room went without air conditioning for awhile. No serious injuries were reported, but some probably suffered bad hair days. Listen to it all here.
  By Valerie Wong Apr. 30, 2010 | 3:44 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 59: “You’re Like The Dad Version of Ferris Bueller”

  Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to decide on summer camps. Merritt believes the Kanakuk Kamps are now safer than ever (See Pete Newman incident).

  Charles is in charge of the house this week, so watch out. A crazy plan is in the works to trick you into cooking for him and his kids.

  Merritt visits the new Rusty Taco and gives good reviews, if you don’t count the 30-minute wait — nothing a couple of margaritas couldn’t fix. Charles also shares his favorite taco joints and favorite places to hold fake breakfast meetings.

  Merritt whips out her rule book on fourth-grade-graduation celebrations. How far is too far? Find out on this week’s Bursting the Bubble.
  By Valerie Wong Apr. 22, 2010 | 12:43 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS

• Ep. 58: “You’re Using Money in a Very Wasteful Way.”

  This week, Charles and Merritt talk it out with special guest Steve Mace, UP’s community information officer.

  They discuss the city’s expenditures on Hitzelberger Park and Coffee Park, and how the City Council envisions the future of Snider Plaza.

  Merritt wants city officials to admit that money has been wasted on certain city projects, but Mace defends the city’s decisions in its expenditures to ensure a better and safer community.
  By Valerie Wong Apr. 14, 2010 | 11:03 am | No Comments | Comments RSS