The Power of Radio
So there I was in bed Saturday morning half asleep, just thinking about life and whatever and an interesting thing occurred to me; a sort of mental connect the dots that had never come into focus before (ok, a lame metaphor, but just go with me here). Three of the most prominent, life changing events, happened to me as a result of listening to the radio.

1.) April 1980. At 14, I often spent time with my big 'ol head phones on listening to the radio. I always made sure I had a cassette tape ready to go so I'd be ready to record a song I liked as soon as it came on. I know this seems kind of primitive in this age of iPods and mp3's, but hey, it was how things we done then. So, one night, I was flipping through the stations and I heard a song I had never heard before. Not only had I never heard it before, but I'd never heard anything like it before. It was Rush's "Spirit of Radio" and it changed EVERYTHING. I was so awe struck I went out the next day and bought the album (which I consequentially wore completely out and had to buy another copy). It was because of that moment, hearing that song that I decided to become a musician. I had always loved music, this brought it into focus for me (damn! Again with the focus thing).

2.) January 1993. I was in my fifth year of working a crappy warehouse job. One of the only things that kept me sane during the day was listing to the radio ( in this case, WBCN). One afternoon I heard an ad for North East Broadcasting School. The ad talked about getting your degree in music recording. I remember thinking to myself "Holy Crap! You can do that?!" Three weeks later I was signed up for September classes. This led to a multitude of things, one of which was becoming computer savvy which led to my career in IT. (no focus thing this time)

3.) January 2002. While sitting in traffic on the Gilmore bridge one morning on the way to work, an ad came on (this time WFNX)for the Northeast AIDS Ride. 4 Days, 350 miles, New York to Boston. I don't honestly know why but I instantly said " I have to do this". I really hadn't done much riding to speak of for years, didn't own a bike capable of making the voyage, had never done fund raising before, but I HAD to do it. 6 Months later I was rolling into Government Center in Boston, after 4 days on the road, a forever changed man. I was now addicted to my bike.

So, in closing just let me say, " Keep you antennas up"(hehe) you never know what's out there....


 
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Posted by PunkAss at 10:59 AM