Once upon a time, I was interested in becoming an FSO (Foreign Service Officer) with the US Department of State. I passed the FSOT (Foreign Service Officer Test) but that was, apparently, not good enough.

I auditioned for The Met Opera and failed, twice in a row. Going for the big one and failing was embarrassing. But by reaching for something far out of my grasp, I learned some lessons, had a great experience, and also had some small wins. Visit https://micron.fm/audition-film to view the documentary film mentioned in this episode.

A true story of the time I went to a police station to take a polygraph (lie detector test). It was an unbelievable experience. (To view photographs, read episode transcripts, or find resources mentioned in the show, visit https://micronpodcast.com.)

After spending two years trying (and failing) to discover the original birthplaces and hometowns of my family's European ancestors, I decided to take the plunge and sign up for AncestryDNA. I ordered the kit, spat in a test tube, and mailed it to Ancestry to see what they could find. The results were... not exactly what I expected.

This is episode 3 of 3 in a series about Richard Wagner's collection of German Operas, "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (the "Ring Cycle" in English). In this episode, I share about the overall experience—what it was like spending six days in San Francisco watching a massive, luxurious, expensive show split up into four parts and spread over six days. It was an amazing show worth going to, without a doubt. 

Note: here are some resources for free Ring Cycle performances you can watch online: https://www.operanorth.co.uk/the-ring-cycle/ (Opera North), and https://www.metopera.org/season/on-demand/ (Met Opera On Demand - 7 Day Free Trial available).

2021 Ring Festival: the San Francisco Opera has decided to host an online "Ring Festival" streaming this production that I attended. Visit https://sfopera.com/opera-is-on/ringfestival/ to watch the ring cycle in its entirety, starting on March 6-7, 2021.

This is episode 2 of 3 in a series about Richard Wagner's collection of German Operas, "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (the "Ring Cycle" in English). In this episode, I share about just how the Ring Cycle is superlative in every way: monstrously expensive, notoriously difficult to stage, ridiculously hard to sing. Why? How? And who was the secret patron that made it all possible, when it would have otherwise failed due to the composer's inability to focus and handle his debts? Come learn about how the Ring Cycle is—arguably—the greatest story ever told, at least on stage. (Photo credit: Cory Weaver / San Francisco Opera).

This is episode 1 of 3 in a series about Richard Wagner's collection of German Operas, "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (the "Ring Cycle" in English). Discussed are Looney Tunes, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, "it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings!" and more. Learn about just how impactful the Ring Cycle has been on western culture, music, and more.