The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski

Steven Sirski

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Places & Travel
Updated Daily

The daily musings of an expat in Beijing.

21h ago

SSAB - August 31, 2026

Hello from Niagara Falls, Canada! What a weekend! Yes still in Canada. Where did we leave off? The economics of backpacking AND… video making? Combine to see me stay one more day in Toronto. Made a video for the Nomad Pod Hotel and they let me stay the night for free. Off to Niagara and WOW there’s a lot more to do here than I thought, and that I would be willing to do. Boat ride: $54 (couldn’t take my luggage so I stowed it behind a bunch of trees); Hotel $70; Power Station $37; Journey Behind the Falls $37 (worth it because of the singing that later went on). Things are expensive, and there are no water fountains. Did find an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $12.99…coffee was extra at $3.99! Wish me luck on my voyage to America! And yes, my China visa debacle video is now live. Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great start of week!! 00:00 Niagara Arrival Update 00:51 Rainbow Bridge Nerves 03:09 Toronto Extra Day Recap 04:40 Food and City Diversity 06:34 China Return Pressure 09:01 Hostel Promo Video Hustle 13:20 Video Backlog Reality Check 15:25 Train to Niagara Plans Change 17:18 Budget Hotel on Canadian Side 20:31 Niagara Attractions and Costs 22:08 Luggage Problem at the Boat 23:35 Luggage and boat ride 26:01 Meeting fans and touring 26:44 Power station review 28:21 Niagara costs and packages 32:14 Behind the Falls letdown 35:00 Food water and city vibe 38:17 Travel timing and bridge 41:23 Hostel check-in fee panic 42:49 Wrap up and next episode
3d ago

SSAB - August 28, 2026

Owie my tummy hurts! Stupid California Reaper! Stupid YouTube video making! Back to my normal set up! Broadcasting LIVE from the Nomad Hostel in downtown Toronto! A new pod capsule hotel here in Toronto. CHEAP! ($60!). Friendly staff! (They’re new?) How long will this last?? They will even let me use the washer dryer for free! Got the Queens Street video done but… it’s not what I thought it would be. -DID see some passed out junkies outside the hostel last night, but when I went out later to shoot the video, it just seemed odd to be recording them -Walked from the hostel to the end of the Western side of the street -Met a dispensary worker and he was more than happy to talk shop! Not sure how this is going to work when I go back to China! -And I tried Dave’s Hot Chicken CAROLINA REAPER! All for the Tube… and yes, my stomach hurt after. And what happened to Niagara? Well, the economics of staying one more night and… Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario to… Lake America? I gotta see this! https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/tariffs/2026/08/28/pm-carney-challenges-trumps-order-to-rename-lake-ontario-to-lake-america Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great weekend! 00:00 Reaper Regrets 00:27 New Hostel Economics 01:53 Minimalist Packing Mishap 02:47 The Case of the Missing Shorts 06:13 Why Niagara Falls Waits 06:36 Podcast Editing Apology 10:21 Hostel Chats and Work Visas 13:18 Queen Street West Reality 16:48 Show Dont Tell Filmmaking 20:57 Dispensary Interview Detour 24:22 Finding an Ending 25:31 Daves Hot Chicken Temptation 26:57 Reaper Regrets Begin 29:15 Honey Milkshake Survival 30:38 Why Eat This 33:26 Delayed Stomach Fallout 34:50 Editing And Channel Updates 37:05 Pod Hotel Explained 40:19 Niagara Falls Game Plan 41:36 US Cities Road Trip Debate 45:02 Sign Off And Laundry Math
4d ago

SSAB - August 27, 2026

It wasn’t the upgrade, Steve. Did you check the connection? Yeesh! Off to the Hockey Hall of Fame! It’s not a museum, but an honorary area for hockey. Didn’t know there were two Stanley Cups! Yes, I bought a picture for $10 despite having a cell phone. Lots of history and old stuff, might be worth it if you’re into sports or want to learn about one of Canada’s premier attractions. It was a good trip down memory lane, but I almost missed some of the museum because it was tucked away to the opposite direction of the cinema space. DID make a video, but may only publish to Facebook. Yes, I did get my visa. What next? And I got a new follower! That makes 12 on Spotify and 7 on Apple! Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great one!! 00:00 Rolling Setup Checks 01:15 DJI Mic Connection Fail 04:56 Toronto Food Sticker Shock 10:39 Notes on a Napkin 13:16 Visa Secured and Hostel Chats 16:16 Should I Go Niagara 21:59 Sponsor Pitch and Trip Plan 23:49 Border Crossing Story Arc 26:58 Making Better Travel Stories 28:51 Buffalo Detroit Reality Check 31:45 ChatGPT Workflow Hacks 32:44 Travel Plans To Beijing 33:32 Podcast Stats And Followers 35:26 Daily Podcast And Video Setup 37:21 Toronto Bike Share Review 41:42 Hockey Hall Of Fame Tour 51:05 Goalie Masks And Global Hockey 54:42 Summit Series And Rivalries 01:01:19 Stanley Cup And Verdict 01:04:40 Wrap Up And Support Links
5d ago

SSAB - August 26, 2026

Out and about today! One more day until I can go away! My apologies for yesterday’s accusation of smoke in the room. No no, it’s just that they’re bathed in it! Both from Quebec, hitch hiked here, the younger guy (19 yr) hitch hiked across Europe, Morocco and then travelled Turkey. No blog! No vlog! No ego! Disappointment with the Canadian work-travel experience! Italian guy in the room… been here since January and nary a job to be found. Granted, he was around Lake Heuron for a while and I’m not sure how much there is to do there for an architect. Going back to Italy for hiring season, but has two years to use the work visa here in Canada. I apologized for my country’s lack of opportunities. A bit of pressure on this guy, or he’s putting it on himself, since by 36 companies won’t hire him, if he buys a house the govt contributes some money if you’re under the age of 36, among a host of other things. And broadcasting live from outside the TMX in Toronto! Want to know what money sounds like? Don’t bother going to trading floor! You can’t get in! Off to downtown! Share bikes! CN Tower! And the most disappointing thing ever: the Financial District! Stopped off at the Everyside pub for a pint and wings, pints were only $5! Asked the hostess if she saw any correlation between happy people, sad people and market movements. No. She just usually works on all day happy hour days. Might skew the numbers! Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great one!! 00:00 Botched First Recording 02:03 DJI Mic Meets iOS Beta 03:51 Outside the TMX 05:04 Stock Exchanges Are Digital 08:19 Wolf of Wall Street Takeaway 09:27 Pub and Art Oddities 11:41 Clearing the YouTube Backlog 13:47 Queen Street West Reality 15:27 CN Tower Bike Challenge 18:08 Next Stops Hockey and Niagara 20:55 Crossing Into the US 22:18 Border Trouble Stories 22:37 Buffalo Detroit Travel Plan 23:36 Vlog Ideas and Long Form Push 25:26 Hostel Weed Mystery Solved 27:47 Quebec Roommates and Hitchhiking 29:21 To Monetize or Not 33:50 Italian Architect Work Visa Woes 38:29 Deadlines Mortgages and Reality 41:08 Classics Degree and Sign Off
6d ago

SSAB - August 25, 2026

Crack bags, skunks and cops, what do they have in common? They’re all found where I am now! Location shoot! This time… from a parkette! Right now in Masaryk Park right beside Dunn Avenue Parkette. What a sleep! Terrible! Cars! Noise! And the guy in the bed next having night terrors! READ A DIFFERENT BOOK! (He’s reading about how the US accepted Nazis after World War 2). Up and out for a run at 7.30, along Queens Street and then through some park along the river. All told, 9km in 1 hour 8 minutes 43 seconds. Thought about running to the CN Tower but I had already gone a lot further than I wanted. Worse still, shops along Queens Street West where I’m staying don’t open till 9am! Spent the day organizing photos and videos, something I should probably do more of, rather than waiting until the end of my travels. Debating whether to go out today, into the city or just around the block. How is the block you’re living on? And met a working traveller from Britain now here in Canada working at a kids camp. Was teaching climbing to kids at camp. She was a dancer before getting into climbing and mountaineering. No, sorry, no interview, sadly. Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great one!! 00:00 Crack Bags Skunks Cops 01:00 Hostel Frustrations 02:20 Queen Street West Vibes 04:53 Parkette Bench Setup 06:44 Editing Visa Video Plans 09:10 Job Timeline Visa Pressure 10:34 Winnipeg Video Ideas 12:05 Travel Life and Girlfriend 14:42 Next Stops and Transport 16:20 Hostel Room Characters 20:01 Night Terrors and No Sleep 23:32 Panda Eyes Pivot 25:02 Story Driven Vlogs 25:50 Editing Reality Check 26:17 Film Books Festivals 28:10 YouTube Movies Skepticism 30:03 Visa Week Plans 31:36 Morning Run Queen 35:11 GoPro Movement Channel 36:38 Tomato Juice Quest 37:55 Hostel Mountaineer Chat 43:40 Audio Podcast Philosophy 45:12 Wrap Up Links
Aug 24

SSAB - August 24, 2026

Location shoot and hello from Toronto! How was the flight and the trip over here? Ended up taking a taxi at 3 o’clock in the morning, mainly because I figured it was cheaper than a hostel in Toronto… but still would’ve been better to get that later flight. Visa application done and did! And now to wait! Thursday is pick up day. Should I stay? Or should I go? (They were waiting for me!) I also took my envelope back soooo… guess I’m staying. How’s the hostel?! Where are you staying? And yes, I spent some time this weekend doing some recording. How did it go? Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great start of week! 00:00 Hello From Toronto 00:36 Sketchy Queen Street Setup 02:21 Early Taxi To Airport 03:45 Winnipeg Airport Surprise 04:24 Full Flight And Carry On 06:27 Landing And Visa Mission 07:13 Pearson Transit Options 09:11 Subway Ride To University 13:47 Visa Center Fingerprints 16:41 Overstay Story And Costs 18:30 Should I Stay Or Fly 19:52 Last Minute Flight Prices 22:00 Staying in Toronto Plans 22:47 Niagara Falls Idea 24:00 Detroit Detour Debate 26:46 Content and Canada Costs 28:55 China Return Timeline 32:26 Recording Cymbals Project 37:36 Minimalism and Stuff Value 40:07 Wrap Up and Cymbal Track
Aug 22

SSAB - August 21, 2026

Flight booked! Monday 5am! I might change that. Got some ideas for videos. Workout in! Getting strong. Is it the collagen? The supplements? Or just the timing? 5km run done in about 35 minutes, full body weights, plus deadlifts 5 x 225 lbs. Off to Long and McQuade to view the drum sets and… rent microphones? And out for dinner with Mumsy and her friend, catching up and talking Toronto. Joey’s Only for fish and chips, then to BDI only to find out the line got longer! Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great weekend! See you in… Toronto? 00:00 Flight Plans and Fitness 00:33 Why Toronto Biometrics 03:15 Ticket Costs and Packing 06:06 Hunting Cheaper Returns 08:03 Dinner and Old Friends 13:38 Should I Delay Monday 16:28 Aviation Museum Idea 20:12 Work Email and Beijing Return 21:57 Gym Session Breakdown 24:11 Supplements and Drinking 30:33 Long and McQuade Mission 32:22 Cymbal Sets and Sendoff 37:42 Recording Workflow and Gear 43:14 Wrap Up and Links
Aug 21

SSAB - August 20, 2026

They say you only clean when you’re trying to avoid something… I’m avoiding booking tickets because I’m still miffed about going to Toronto! But what else is there to do? So what was I cleaning? The Attic of course! Was requested for an old CD player, and I found one! Some of my first drum cymbals and… the family’s FIRST COMPUTER! (Listen til the end! Gotta finish up reading The Stand AND 1929… it’s coming due. And my apologies for digressions yesterday! As I was recording, my nose felt tickley! The logistics of podcasting is that if the episodes are longer than my transcripts don’t automatically get deposited into my master spreadsheet! Donate to the show! PayPal link below! https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA *** Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.com Transcript and more available on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1om1Geup1o6Adi-A8kTAnCf12Zo7nDkAt?usp=sharing Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.com Language vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlog Google Stock Tracker Sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kbpCC2cieuq23zYyr0-WznPRogVX0aS86BF4_vPvgMY/edit?usp=sharing Hope you have a great one!! 00:00 Attic Cleaning Kickoff 00:33 Podcast Length Limits 04:00 Rebooting the Interview Show 08:31 Cat Fur and Decluttering 12:29 Sentimental Drum Memories 20:35 CD Player and Digital Hoarding 27:34 Sizzle Cymbal Storytime 29:30 Apple IIc Time Capsule 31:58 Finishing the Books 32:52 1929 Crash and Margin 39:29 The Stand Progress Update 41:52 Wrap Up and Links

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The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski (Trailer)

The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski

The daily musings of an expat in Beijing.

Creator

Steven Sirski
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

1.4K
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Steven Sirski
Show Website

The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski