Nov 12 - essay - The Quiet Voice

Nov 12 - essay

11/12/2013

Today an essay, "What I Learned from Radio," under Essays in the website. FK

Cal Roeker

11/14/2013 12:53:24 am

"Get in touch with God
Turn your Radio on"
from Turn Your Radio On, by Wanda Jackson

This particular essay resonated with me in a big way. As may be obvious to those of you that have followed "Cal's" responses, music and the lyrics that go with the music has affected my life in a profound way. Not only the music but the radio itself. I could easily write an essay (and perhaps I will), tracing the early years with a 7 transistor radio glued to my ear, followed by car radios, radio alarms, and various forms of FM Stereo's. The "Music of our Lives", not to mention talk shows, ranging from the Ultra-Conservative to the Ultra-Liberal. Being in sales, I often spend weeks driving from one call to another and it is the radio that keeps me informed and entertained. Give me a good radio drama in the dark of night, complete with a cheery fire, a little whiskey on the rocks, a good cigar, and winters howl outside and you will find a contented man. Imagination during those times will take me places that no TV drama could ever do.

RB Rooson

11/14/2013 09:26:56 am

When I got my first car in High School, I used to get upset when "friends" got in and immediately started 'fiddling' with the radio....who gave you the impression that you could do that? I like WLS Chicago...."yah, but there is much cooler station in Milwaukee!" and so on.....

You know you're getting old when...60's Rock is almost impossible to find. You now shave your ears (another 'old thing') and you are genuinely excited when your prescriptions are ready at Wal-Mart. When you hear obits on the radio of someone famous (or at least semi-famous) and surprised at ages of the dead people.

You're bummed out that the smokin’ hot chick from Body Heat now looks like William Shatner in drag. You say “bummed out.” Women your age have real breasts and artificial hips. You pee in morse code -- dots and dashes. Your car radio is set to “classic rock” so you have something to switch to during NPR pledge drives.

Your doctor says things like “that’s normal for a man your age” and “consider yourself lucky.” You choose your new car because it offers great lumbar support, cruise control, power windows and convenient cup holders.

Watching “The Rolling Stones” perform at the Superbowl made you inconsolably sad. You wonder if the next sneeze you're about to have will actually end your life. Your doctor tells you a new medication will reduce the amount of testosterone in your body and your only response is, “so what.”

And your car radio is set to “classic rock” so you have something to.....oh, wait, I already said that one.....

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Nov 12 - essay

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