the anonymous answering machine

2012-02-07T21:51:00.001-05:00

The answering machine is back online. Leave a message.

"This is god."

2011-01-20T22:33:00.000-05:00

"You order Chinese food."

2010-05-24T22:50:00.003-04:00

Want more frequent updates? Tell more people to leave messages.

"That was uncalled for."

2010-04-10T12:59:00.001-04:00

"I eat bugs."

2010-03-22T17:08:00.000-04:00

2010-03-07T22:43:00.001-05:00

a bit delayed. a few messages. i wish for many more. next update: when my wish comes true.

Razorcake #55

2010-02-25T14:44:00.001-05:00

There will be an ad for The Anonymous Answering Machine in Razorcake #55. Cool!

no love

2010-02-20T00:17:00.002-05:00

no update this week, not enough messages to really justify it. will combine this weeks messages into next week.

"i don't really think i'll eat scrambled eggs anymore"

2010-02-14T18:04:00.001-05:00

the tape was full. now it's empty. call.

"happy birthday to you"

2010-02-06T15:13:00.002-05:00

more creative messages please!

Welcome back

2010-02-04T19:56:00.000-05:00

Back. 617-608-2483.

messages v4

2009-07-02T11:17:00.002-04:00

to answer the question stated here: the original anonymous answering machine hosted on this same blog was run in texas. eventually that answering machine was discontinued. i then discovered the project online and wanted to re-start it. i live in boston. so, that's how it got to boston! cool, right? now get all your friends to call and flyer the world so that it doesn't meet the same fate as the old answering machine!!!!!

messages v3

2009-06-20T13:54:00.003-04:00

messages v2

2009-06-20T13:29:00.002-04:00

messages v1

2009-04-26T01:34:00.002-04:00

long delay.
couldn't find a good way to post messages.
hopefully this works.

over and out

2008-04-27T17:18:00.001-04:00

the phone is down. no final post. sorryz.

Notice: Line coming down

2008-04-15T20:06:00.000-04:00

The phone line is going down at the end of the month.

Leave a final message!

a word from the operator

2008-04-02T04:05:00.000-04:00

If you dig this site, please throw in a buck or two to show some support. Or at least post some comments (positive or negative) just so that I know that someone out there is enjoying this. I've been thinking about stopping the project but I don't think it has yet fulfilled its potential.

Also, I'd like to encourage people to call in whenever they are listening to something that they find fascinating. Anything. A lecture, a song, a conversation, a physical ahem interaction, a xerox machine. Whatever. Think about it. Any sound. Do it.

"this is weird guys"

2008-03-29T18:15:00.000-04:00

So SXSW was cruel to the answering machine. It got unplugged. Things got lost. But nevertheless, here it is. Sorry if your message got lost.

Also, please send many more messages! And if you like, post flyers so that another random stranger might just call in. Bathroom walls, company cards, give it away as your fake number. Give it away to grandmother. Really anyone and everyone.

"please instruct me as to why i have dialed this number"

2008-02-29T14:03:00.000-05:00

This week we have an interesting conglomeration of sounds and voices. We open with a threat and a taxonomic reading. We have some singing, some wishes, some strange voices, a few requests, a repeat call from our old buddy, and a sex line call from a familiar duo, too. Please enjoy!

ALSO, this week we will be asking that callers record messages related to a theme. This week's theme is FORBIDDEN SOUNDS! Please contribute.

"i don't want to be on any kind of recorded thing"

2008-02-18T21:34:00.000-05:00

Finally an update!

First, we have some tension about music pretension and a request for the return of stolen merchandise. Then, we have a rather extended reading about words and emotions. Some of my favorites include a blues for Wendy's Spicy Chicken Combo (with a side of fries), some random laughter and a noise-to-meows piece. Enjoy!

the machine has been fixed

2008-02-13T13:11:00.000-05:00

we have switched answering machine so now we are up and running. here's the proof:

"david, it's your mother"

2008-02-08T16:53:00.000-05:00

the good news: it seems that i may need to be posting these more frequently than i had originally expected ... at least at the rate things are going right now.

the bad news: the machine is still cutting some people off a little too early. and no one likes a rude machine on the other end of the line, so i am looking into a replacement (thanks lori) but am in need of a different power adapter. 'til then, i'd suggest starting your message with some regular human speech because that's what the machine is listening for.

in this installment we have a message for david from his mother (isn't this from a movie), some more feedback, a dialogue from someone's favorite movie, a prank call, a telemarketer, an awesome samba groove, a rather extended reading about religion. enjoy. oh and please keep calling and spread the word!

"hey buddy, it's me!"

2008-02-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

here's our first anonymous answering machine mix ... collected between february 3rd and february 6th, 2008. we have a song or two, some noise experiments, some beats, a confession, and even a few greetings.

i know some of you may have had some issues with the machine cutting you off, so i will be tinkering with the setup this evening.

also, i am adding a links section. check out the Dial-A-Stranger project which is also based in austin and hosted by my friend mercedes and her friend zachary. thanks to stephanie b. for the heads-up.

the flyer

2008-02-04T16:37:00.000-05:00

Here is the flyer for the project. Click it for full size. Please feel free to distribute it as you see fit.

the line is open!

2008-02-04T15:13:00.000-05:00

call 512-524-0718 and leave a message, a song, a story, a noise, a confession, a recording from the field ... really whatever you'd like. the machine will pick up and your message will be recorded. you can leave up to 60 seconds per message. the message will be date and time stamped.

put our number in your phone and call any time and as much as you'd like. no caller identification please.

highlights will be posted here on a somewhat-weekly basis.