Hey Mom, I’m on the Radio!!

I have to cop to something here…

Ahem, well the thing is I actually listen to talk radio. A lot. I love it.

I know what you are thinking. You’re thinking that I sound like your dad. And I have nothing to say other than… I know.

Ever since I was a kid I listened to talk radio. My family would listen to Pat Whitley’s Restaraunt Show on Sunday mornings on the way to my grandmothers house, and my love for talk had grown from there. I listen to both uber left and right wing talk. From NPR to the Boston FM station 96.9 (elephant central), I just can’t get enough.  I think what I like most about it is how unpredictable talk can be. When you listen to music you know the general formula. Song, song, song, radio DJ quip, commercial, rinse and repeat. With talk radio you never know what kind of lunatic is going to call up, it’s great.

Despite my veteran years listening to radio I have never called in. This all changed a few fateful weeks ago. I was listening to JimBraude and MargeryEagan on Boston 96.9 FM and they were talking about the new Massachusetts state standards that effect school children. Apparently the state wants to do fitness test to children that will indicate whether or not they are obese. I decided to chime in.

When I called I talked to a screener, who quite honestly sounded flustered. I told him that I am a 22 year old college student who is studying to be a teacher. I have a feeling that  a talk show in the middle of the afternoon does not get many calls from people around my age, so after about 5 minutes on hold, I made it on to the air. Sadly for me I have no technological abilities, so I was not able to record my radio debut.

Jim and Margery were quite fun to speak with. I told them my opinion, which was that these type of examinations can be traumatizing for children, and they would be better off seeing a pediatrician than a school nurse. We had a little chuckle about how teachers would fair if they were subjected to this test, and then I was off the air.

I had fun talking on the radio, but I can’t say that I would call up again, unless the subject is on something that I am an expert on. I feel as though it is hard to make valid and convincing points unless you already have information to support what you are saying. All in all I have to say that this assignment was a good experience for me.

May 5, 2009. 1.