NPR Rap

If you enjoy NPR you'll get a kick out of this:

Radio update

Although I'm still lamenting the loss of my NPR signal from Michigan Radio, I've discovered I can get WDET, the Detroit public radio station.

WDET broadcasts Morning Edition, Fresh Air, and All Things Considered, but features a show called Detroit Today in the middle of the day, and plays Jazz in the evening.

On the weekend I can listen to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me and Car Talk, but there is no Prairie Home Companion! No Radio Lab. No The Story.

So, this is a good news/bad news kind of thing. But, I'm not complaining. At least I can listen to NPR in my kitchen again, even though the only radio able to pull in the signal is my big old radio/cassette/cd player - which takes up a good portion of our counter space:

I've also recently discovered that there are decent little radios available for purchase that come with FM antenna hook ups. So, when the budget allows I may once again be a regular Michigan Radio listener. Hurray!

Radio rant

Not long ago I mentioned in this blog how great it was that there are so many good radio stations here in the Detroit area. This was significant to me since I listen to the radio a lot, mostly NPR, but jazz and classical stations too.

But for some odd reason our radios don't work very well in our new house. We get a lot of static and can't tune in NPR at all! I get it fine in the car, so I know I'm within the listening area, but in the house there's too much interference.

I think this phenomena might have something to do with the many giant TV and radio towers near our new home, but who knows? I'm especially annoyed that the point on the dial where I should get NPR, I now get a sports talk station - loud and clear. Blagh!

This is a huge loss in my life and I hardly know what to do with myself. There is a void now where I used to feel connected, informed, entertained, and a part of something important.

I'm especially lost in the kitchen, where I find it almost impossible to function without a radio.

And what really bugs me about this is that I can't fix the problem by going out and buying a better radio - because they don't exist. It's all about ipod docks now.

I remember when radios used to have a button you could press after tuning in your station. This would keep your radio tuned exactly where you wanted it without static from nearby stations. But, alas, they don't make radios with this feature anymore. Just ask a sales-kid in Best Buy about it and see what kind of look you get.

I'm in grief about the loss of my NPR, but I think I'm still in the denial phase. I keep trying to tune it in. Maybe it will work today, I'll think. Or maybe it will work if I put the radio over here, or here, or if I hook up the antenna and hold it with both hands crossed above my head... It's a sad, sad thing.

Radio 2

One advantage of living in Detroit is the quantity and quality of radio stations. I can get three NPR's, classical, jazz, smooth jazz, R&B, and more than enough classic rock and oldies. But the best of it all is CBC Radio 2. This is the national radio network of Canada and I've been listening to it quite a bit during the last few months.

Radio 2 features classical music in the morning with a wonderful host who always has interesting things to say about the music, and then there's a show called Radio 2 Drive from 3:00 - 6:00 that always seems to be playing something great that I've never heard before. Later there's a show called Tonic with jazz and R&B.

Who knew the Canadians were so hip?