GO NOW: One-hour stress test

At 7 Eastern, I’ll be testing what I hope is this year’s streaming solution for the Xmas Bash! The room is open right now, so pop on in!

[EDIT: it’s over]

It’s GoToMeeting, which is a legitimate, reputable service so don’t panic if you asks you to install a launcher. It’s not spyware or anything awful. Also, a free app is available, and you can watch that way by entering the meeting ID “xmasbash.”

I’m really hoping this works tonight. If I can get a reliable stream going with decent chat functionality, I’m set…and I hopefully will be for the next few years.

So if you have time, pop over and help me find out if I’ll be relaxing for the next six days or seeking out alternatives in a desperate scramble. Hohoho!

We’ll be watching two specials at the test stream, totaling about an hour. One is Xmas related, but not something I’ve yet found a home for in the Bash! The other is not Xmas related, but I think you will agree it is important viewing for the youth of America.

See you there!

Xmas Bash in ONE WEEK! Help me test?

This is your friendly reminder that this year’s Xmas Bash! is one week from today! You won’t want to miss it. You might want to miss it. I have no way of knowing. But! It’s a hell of a lot of fun and you should tune in.

All you have to do is visit this very site at the appointed time!

The 6th Annual Noiseless Chatter Xmas Bash!
Saturday Dec. 8, 7 p.m. Eastern

Five hours, seven forgotten Xmas specials, vintage commercials, Xmas music you’ll wish you’ve never heard, and many more surprises.

So, yes, mark your calendars, set a reminder, tattoo it on your chest, whatever you usually do to remember things. You can also RSVP on Facebook, which is not mandatory but which will both remind you and handle pesky time zone calculations for you.

Anyway, the streaming service that has served us so well for the past couple of years is no longer an option, so this year I’m trying something new.

To make sure everything goes smoothly the night of the stream, I’m going to hold a brief test stream tomorrow, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Again, just come to this very site at the appointed time. The stream will last for about an hour, and while there won’t be any music or host segments or anything like that, I’ll stream two specials that I haven’t been able to find a place for in the past. One is indeed Xmas themed. The other…is a special.

If you’re bored tomorrow at 7 p.m. Eastern, pop in and help me test the new setup. Otherwise, I’ll see you Dec. 8 for the sixth consecutive year I’ve punished you for simply being alive near Christmas.