Sigh.
"Yah see that building cross tha street?"
"Yup." (I did not turn around)
"See tha grates on it?"
(Oh for fuck's sake - I turn around for a second) "I do."
"They look like a' old radio. That's how radios use ta look. Radio is tha best. They used to be this high (she demonstrates) and I'd lie on tha floor an' listen to tha radio. Radio is tha best. TV sucks."
(She did say "radio" that many times. I do not fib.)
(Of course, as she rambles on, I am reading an article about a TV show, and I wish to myself that she would either burst into flames or get transferred to another floor. Seeing as my skin is kind of sensitive to heat, I suppose the latter. Then she creepily rubs my back and skulks off. Later she will come back and ask me (while I am up to my ass in invoices) what "my real job is." After that I would be willing to tolerate a bit of irritated skin if she'd just go away.)
I don't know about you, but as long as I've lived in an urban area, and especially since we sold my car (RIP Luddite - that was the name of my last chariot...that sexy gold '97 tank) I don't listen to the radio. Every once in a while I'll pop on Pandora while at work, or out on a walk, but even then I'm just not tuned in. Now I have NO IDEA what the kids are listening to nowadays! Gah! My only real exposure anymore comes from renting a car for a trip. Even then I scan somewhat in frustration. I don't know how stations really work anymore! All I ever seem to land on is Latin pop (sick beats, but I like to sing along) or intense Bible yelling (a one-sided conversation about faith? Pass.) NPR is cool, but in small bursts. I can handle maybe one or two stories before I need to switch it up. So not much radio for me.
I've always been a big believer in the practice of "going radio silent." Giving in to my most private and misanthropic tendencies. Before my dad got sick I used to do it more frequently, but now keeping my phone off for more than a day or so isn't really a great idea. But starting Friday night and going through Saturday, I'm going to simply unplug. Might check Facebook but not much else. It's going to be SWEET. I'm going to clean and write and catch up on things! I'm going for walks! I might even buy a new pair of shoes for work! Things are gonna get WILD.
Also, I really like these shoes. I used to hate them. Am I growing up, or turning into my Dad?
