Anyone who has heard me talk about NPR knows that for the longest time I basically thought it was for uncool nerds. Yeah, I’d listen to it sometimes if I was driving in the morning and I hated Bay Area morning radio (it sucks) and wanted to hear the news. Sometimes I’d catch about 5 minutes on weekends if I as driving around, but then I’d put on my ipod and listen to whatever new band I’d “found” the previous week. For the last several years its been a near obsession of mine (I blame Chris really) to find the next band or sound or whatever. The more obscure the better. Hadn’t heard of it? Good. I had free time and money to get albums and search for them all day. It was fun. My friends ask me what new album I’m listening to, if I could burn them a CD … I felt like the gatekeeper to cool new music. I guess.
Well, over the last couple of months I haven’t had nearly as much free time and money. My searches are shorter and I rely on more crutches (free iTunes downloads, Pitchfork, The AV Club) in my search. I just haven’t had the time. Now I especially don’t have the time and I don’t see much time freeing up (well, at least for the next couple of months). I also realize that this notion of me being the “gatekeeper to cool new music” is absurd since I’m a huge nerd and dork and make no apologizes for it. But man, it was my thing to be cool about. That and possibly movies as well.
Anyway, back to why I’m a hypocrite. Of the six pre-programmed stations in my car in Eugene, two are NPR. (hey, I’ve noticed that about 5% of the time they have different programming and in different parts of town one comes in better than the other, so lay off … its not like Eugene has a great radio selection anyway. I’ve already been tricked into programming a Christian Rock station by accident because I heard a Nickelback song on the first time I heard it and thought it was the lame alternative station in town. Don’t worry, when I heard a commercial for Battle Cry I quickly changed that one to a classic rock station I’d missed. But I digress) And what do I mostly listen to when driving around Eugene, either to Target (for I think the 17th time) or class? NPR podcasts of Cartalk, Prairie Home Companion or Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me.
So tell me I’m a hypocrite. Call someone who has seen the light. Call me an uncool nerd. But whatever you do, don’t tell me what Tom and Ray said on Saturday before I get to hit play on my ipod.
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2 comments:
NPR is on my radio more often than not. Oh, and I gave up trying to keep up to date on the latest bands years ago. I think I've lost that ability to LOVE an album like I used to have. Maybe its old age. I still listen to music at work though.
But maybe my opinion doesn't count: I've got a Christian rock station on my presets. :)
WOO HOO!!!!
Garrison Keillor 4eva!
P.S. I have a not so small crush on Ira Glass.
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