WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (aw, how nice) WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (ok, stop it) WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS WE WISH YOU A MERRY (I said stop it) CHRISTMAS WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (WHY wont you STOP IT?) WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS (Oh, come on!) WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS...
GAAAAAAH!!! MAKE IT STOP, FOR THE LOVE OF CAKE!
Are you starting to feel like this?
Not yet?
Have you started to listen to your favorite radio station, only to find they have switched COMPLETELY to Christmas?
You don't mind, you say?
Wow.
I'd love to hear from you a week from now when you openly complain to a passenger in your car "Oh, I forgot, they're playing Christmas music until the 1st of the year".
I didn't used to be like this. I loved Christmas music, and the holidays. It just gets to you after a week of listening to the same music again and again. It has to do with where you work. Here at the radio station, we have our AC station playing Christmas tunes until the end of the year. This is nice if you are the person who really loves Christmas music during the holidays. For the rest of us who's attention span is fewer than 6 songs, or the iPod generation who's constant shuffle presents them with a definite change every song, this is a problem.
Everyone here at the radio station is already sick of the Christmas crap.
YES IT IS CRAP.
We are all sick and tired of hearing it.
But we are doing it for the listeners.
We are doing it for the people who love the music and play it all day.
We are doing it for the ones who can't get enough of the Christmas spirit.
We are doing it...
Hmmm. That's all I got.
Yeah. We are doing it.
Jeez.
...
No, really, make it stop.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Industry from an insider
I've worked in radio for now some 11 years. That's a pretty long ass time. With the work, come moments in your job that you look back on and either cringe, shake your head and laugh, or try really hard to remember because you blocked out several years due to poor management.
Remind me to tell you that story one of these days.
I guess what made me write this entry was something that really made my day that I had totally forgotten about.
It was more than likely 2001 or 2002. It was close to the holiday season and all of the commercials everyone groans and complains about hearing every commercial break were playing with regular rotation. I myself found it irritating to hear Christmas jingles playing on the commercials while down the hall, more commericals were being produced with more homogenized music of the holidays being unceremoniously slapped together with glazed hams and car dealerships. It's the sort of thing in radio and TV that makes you tire of (any) holiday fast.
I was still trying to stomach everything when on my business phone, a caller who was listening to a radio commercial earlier in the previous evening asked about some product being sold for the holidays. Judging by her voice, she was easily in her late 60's to early 70's. Kind, sweet and sincere, her voice echoed with the sense of deep, wishful thinking that she could hopefully find this commercial she had no time to write down. I can't remember what the commercial was about, it's been so long, but all I remember was the sound in her voice when she asked if I could find the commercial we played.
I kindly got her telephone number and told her I would call her back whenever I found it.
I searched the log*. I couldn't find anything that remotely matched her commercial. Then I started to think it wasn't one of ours, but one of the national spots** that airs. So I went onto each radio shows website and reviewed their holiday commercials. I found the one she was asking for (not in the right time slot she said) and called her back. The sound of relief in her voice that I was able to find the commercial, product name and a phone number made her day. She thanked me untold times and asked for my name. I didn't think too much of it, thanked her for listening and hung up.
One week later, I go out to my mailbox at the radio station and find a holiday card and a small, simple box of chocolates. I opened the card up and found that the nice lady who I had given the information to, ordered exactly what she wanted for the holiday and had sent me a thank you card and the candies to thank me for helping her send the exact gift she needed. My supervisor had seen the chocolates on the table and had asked who they were from, so I showed him the card and explained what happened.
My whole point of the story is this. If you call up a radio station, just remember that the people who answer the phones, take your call, take your requests and put up with your stupid questions on a daily basis are human. We have emotions, thoughts and opinions just like you. We strive to be as personable and like-able as possible so you keep listening and be entertained by us. We also (probably like you) like to get some sort of token of appreciation for the things we do.
If we look up a phone number for you on a commercial we played that you didn't have enough common sense to try and listen for again, thank us -- don't just say "uh huh, 'kay" and hang up. If you hear the radio station is "off air", for the love of God do not call us and ask us the question "Do you guys know you're off air?".
We know.
For the love of Pete, we know.
With that said, do us one simple favor. Call us up and say thank you every once in a while. You'd be surprised how shocked and thankful we are for the compliment and acknowledgement for a seemingly thankless job well done.
*Radio stations have what are called commercial logs that tell us the name of the commercial advertiser, the time they should play, the total length of the commercial, and how long the total commercial break should be, as well as any other information such as Legal ID's, Promos, Tags, Liners etc.
**National Spots are commercials that are found nationwide. A perfect example would be a commercial for Ruby Tuesday's, Applebees or Kohl's department stores.
Remind me to tell you that story one of these days.
I guess what made me write this entry was something that really made my day that I had totally forgotten about.
It was more than likely 2001 or 2002. It was close to the holiday season and all of the commercials everyone groans and complains about hearing every commercial break were playing with regular rotation. I myself found it irritating to hear Christmas jingles playing on the commercials while down the hall, more commericals were being produced with more homogenized music of the holidays being unceremoniously slapped together with glazed hams and car dealerships. It's the sort of thing in radio and TV that makes you tire of (any) holiday fast.
I was still trying to stomach everything when on my business phone, a caller who was listening to a radio commercial earlier in the previous evening asked about some product being sold for the holidays. Judging by her voice, she was easily in her late 60's to early 70's. Kind, sweet and sincere, her voice echoed with the sense of deep, wishful thinking that she could hopefully find this commercial she had no time to write down. I can't remember what the commercial was about, it's been so long, but all I remember was the sound in her voice when she asked if I could find the commercial we played.
I kindly got her telephone number and told her I would call her back whenever I found it.
I searched the log*. I couldn't find anything that remotely matched her commercial. Then I started to think it wasn't one of ours, but one of the national spots** that airs. So I went onto each radio shows website and reviewed their holiday commercials. I found the one she was asking for (not in the right time slot she said) and called her back. The sound of relief in her voice that I was able to find the commercial, product name and a phone number made her day. She thanked me untold times and asked for my name. I didn't think too much of it, thanked her for listening and hung up.
One week later, I go out to my mailbox at the radio station and find a holiday card and a small, simple box of chocolates. I opened the card up and found that the nice lady who I had given the information to, ordered exactly what she wanted for the holiday and had sent me a thank you card and the candies to thank me for helping her send the exact gift she needed. My supervisor had seen the chocolates on the table and had asked who they were from, so I showed him the card and explained what happened.
My whole point of the story is this. If you call up a radio station, just remember that the people who answer the phones, take your call, take your requests and put up with your stupid questions on a daily basis are human. We have emotions, thoughts and opinions just like you. We strive to be as personable and like-able as possible so you keep listening and be entertained by us. We also (probably like you) like to get some sort of token of appreciation for the things we do.
If we look up a phone number for you on a commercial we played that you didn't have enough common sense to try and listen for again, thank us -- don't just say "uh huh, 'kay" and hang up. If you hear the radio station is "off air", for the love of God do not call us and ask us the question "Do you guys know you're off air?".
We know.
For the love of Pete, we know.
With that said, do us one simple favor. Call us up and say thank you every once in a while. You'd be surprised how shocked and thankful we are for the compliment and acknowledgement for a seemingly thankless job well done.
*Radio stations have what are called commercial logs that tell us the name of the commercial advertiser, the time they should play, the total length of the commercial, and how long the total commercial break should be, as well as any other information such as Legal ID's, Promos, Tags, Liners etc.
**National Spots are commercials that are found nationwide. A perfect example would be a commercial for Ruby Tuesday's, Applebees or Kohl's department stores.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Unhealthy Spending Addictions
I'm paid every Wednesday.
All bills are paid up.
I sneak off to a guilty pleasure.
Its out of the way.
The pleasures are really expensive for what they are.
What should take 10 minutes usually takes an hour.
I mean really, $140 for sheets?
Yeah. Sheets.
Don't ask me why Bed Bath & Beyond has become a personal favorite place of mine. It just has. Within the last 3 weeks, I have spent around $500 in bedding and housewares alone. It's like I figure, spend money on yourself and make sure you enjoy what you buy.
I have bought everything from a down mattress top for my bed, new $140 sheets (1,000 thread count cotton sheets!) new contour shaped pillows, duvet covers and body pillows. I am so comfortable in bed its actually harder to get out of bed than normal, and whenever I am warm, especially on cool mornings, forget it. I ain't getting out of bed.
I urge everyone to head out there and take a look at what they have. You might see me there.
All bills are paid up.
I sneak off to a guilty pleasure.
Its out of the way.
The pleasures are really expensive for what they are.
What should take 10 minutes usually takes an hour.
I mean really, $140 for sheets?
Yeah. Sheets.
Don't ask me why Bed Bath & Beyond has become a personal favorite place of mine. It just has. Within the last 3 weeks, I have spent around $500 in bedding and housewares alone. It's like I figure, spend money on yourself and make sure you enjoy what you buy.
I have bought everything from a down mattress top for my bed, new $140 sheets (1,000 thread count cotton sheets!) new contour shaped pillows, duvet covers and body pillows. I am so comfortable in bed its actually harder to get out of bed than normal, and whenever I am warm, especially on cool mornings, forget it. I ain't getting out of bed.
I urge everyone to head out there and take a look at what they have. You might see me there.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Holes in the wall that don't involve getting tested later...
So I haven't been updating my blog the past few days. These things happen. You see, I've been doing some research into some projects that don't involve the unlawful act of breaking & entering. That part is behind me. For now anyways.
I get off work at 11am. Prime time to grab some good lunch. Problem is, once you are sick and tired of all the cookie-cutter type restaurants, what is left?
Hole-in-the-walls.
They're fucking awesome.
This sign is definitely vintage. Fuck, the building itself is pretty damn vintage. It's all business. 1950's meets 1960's retro glass & modern brick styling where you drive thro the fucking building and watch as the servers actually COOK the burgers from fresh ground meat.
Yes, you can clearly see you must order by numbers. If you don't know what the fuck you're ordering by the time you get to the only working speaker box, you're hosed. Short order cooks (who themselves are short tempered) ask you with no other tone of voice but that of business what you want, and how you want it. Then, when you pull one car length forward, you are welcomed with the sweet smell of actual grilled burger smell as white smoke billows out the top of the kitchen air vent, filling your car with the most delicious aroma of real burgers.
Then you stop and think to yourself "I can get this same burger, maybe a little larger from the Burger King down the road".
Well, sure you can. You can also pay more for the same burger that comes wrapped in a simple bag with a simple logo that needs no multimillion dollar ad campaign that keeps them in business. You can go somewhere else where you have no earthly idea where they get their meat, their cheese, their onions for their honest-to-god real onion rings hand battered and fried.
Sure you don't have to wait in an ungodly line for the food. You can clearly see that I am still like 3 car lengths behind the main window, and still like 5 from the end of the line. Shit, there are days you can't get into this place because the line goes out onto Mesa street.
But its a good burger at a good price.
Oh, and the owner of the joint still works the cash register and greets you with a hello and a thank you.
If you want to try an amazing, yet somewhat familiar tasting hamburger without all that marketing voodoo and support a long time El Paso establishment, you may visit the only remaining Charcoaler at:
5837 N. Mesa
PS -- Study the menu really good and know what you want to order. No matter what you order, you will enjoy it.
I get off work at 11am. Prime time to grab some good lunch. Problem is, once you are sick and tired of all the cookie-cutter type restaurants, what is left?
Hole-in-the-walls.
They're fucking awesome.
This sign is definitely vintage. Fuck, the building itself is pretty damn vintage. It's all business. 1950's meets 1960's retro glass & modern brick styling where you drive thro the fucking building and watch as the servers actually COOK the burgers from fresh ground meat.
Yes, you can clearly see you must order by numbers. If you don't know what the fuck you're ordering by the time you get to the only working speaker box, you're hosed. Short order cooks (who themselves are short tempered) ask you with no other tone of voice but that of business what you want, and how you want it. Then, when you pull one car length forward, you are welcomed with the sweet smell of actual grilled burger smell as white smoke billows out the top of the kitchen air vent, filling your car with the most delicious aroma of real burgers.
Then you stop and think to yourself "I can get this same burger, maybe a little larger from the Burger King down the road".
Well, sure you can. You can also pay more for the same burger that comes wrapped in a simple bag with a simple logo that needs no multimillion dollar ad campaign that keeps them in business. You can go somewhere else where you have no earthly idea where they get their meat, their cheese, their onions for their honest-to-god real onion rings hand battered and fried.
Sure you don't have to wait in an ungodly line for the food. You can clearly see that I am still like 3 car lengths behind the main window, and still like 5 from the end of the line. Shit, there are days you can't get into this place because the line goes out onto Mesa street.
But its a good burger at a good price.
Oh, and the owner of the joint still works the cash register and greets you with a hello and a thank you.
If you want to try an amazing, yet somewhat familiar tasting hamburger without all that marketing voodoo and support a long time El Paso establishment, you may visit the only remaining Charcoaler at:
5837 N. Mesa
PS -- Study the menu really good and know what you want to order. No matter what you order, you will enjoy it.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
From the studios
Just thought it was pretty cool. Im not a political person, but I am damn glad that there is a change in power in the House. This means a definite change in 2008.
Now, if we can only get Kerry to shut the fuck up.
Head on over to Clauds' site for her exhuberant take on the elections.
Be warned, she might be reeeally buzzed when she writes it.
Now, if we can only get Kerry to shut the fuck up.
Head on over to Clauds' site for her exhuberant take on the elections.
Be warned, she might be reeeally buzzed when she writes it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
