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Subterranean Radio

Thursdays, 10pm to 1am

WRLR 98.3 FM

The best independent music the top 40's ignore

Local radio at the top of it's holiday game

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Strange dream.  I invented a word: twinksies.  I have no idea what it means, nor what it meant in the dream.  It had something to do with Penni yelling at me for not showing up for our choir recital contest.  We were at some swanky hotel with many escalators.  I was carrying my white gown, like a graduation gown, but I was too terrified to go to the theatre where the competition was to be held.  We lost.  Penni said it was all my fault and I ruined it for her grandchildren.

We were never in a choir together and we were children in the dream.

Strange afternoon.  One of my favorite radio program has a repeat on Wednesday's daylight.  Quite different from the Thursday night hearing the show in a dark room with an almost silent outside.  Today it competed with auto and walking and bicycle traffic noises and the never ending generators growling.  The show was still just as good.

I also reorganized a large plastic container and found a ten year old journal.  Letters to and from some "ex-es" in many categories.  The first experiments where I first allowed myself to add collage and sketches.  Prior to this I felt like journals were only for writing.  And I was always afraid that someone would find it and laugh, criticise, or tease me about my writing.

And successfully made six copies.  I did not lose my temper and I did not break anything.  I listened to myself being patient.  Whoop De Do!

This is the third day I will try to call my friend for her wonderful present.  Seriously, a large cardboard box crammed with all the coolest stuff imaginable.  The perfect glitter rick rack I've been searching for and three skeins of exquisite yarn.  I feel like a princess.  But "the rule" is that one can't use a present until the giver has been thanked.  I've been thanking her verbally here but I'm not sure that counts.  But I don't think I can hold myself back much longer.

Going To A Higher Level Of Public Radio

FIBONACCI

ON

SCHEMES AND THEMES

Up And Attem

• Flipped the clock
• Little Red Hen
• Sad dead ficus
• "Countertop" sun tea
• Postcard project
• Oriental Trading
• Shiny pink pig
• Future cactus
• Choking on lime jello
• Dandy dreams of brothers and movie stars
• Excellent reading material
• Scented candles
• How much do I hate coffee breath?
• I didn't know they were called "mood boards"
• Toenails
• Slipshod correspondent
• Love that carpet sweeper!
• Schemes and Themes tonight!  Alas Subterranean may be no more
• Chicken salad

My Shiny Sense Of Self

As a long time listener to Subterranean radio on WRLR (Has it been three years???) I have been quietly pleased, entertained, and educated by the many charms of independent music.  Endless variety with thought provoking lyrics and melodies are some of the swell reasons to tune in.  Mick, Carl, and Rae always do a superb job of introducing and commenting on an ever changing play list.  Kudos times infinity, man!

And now come Ron and Wil.  Schemes and Themes, the one hour lead in to Subterranean  on Thursday nights charges through.  Last night the program's theme was times of day.  I called in during the third tune with my guess in my usual overachieving manner.  Close, but I should have held off. (Incidentally,obtaining the station's phone number was quite simple and very low tech.)  Yes, yes, yes!  And, like a great O Henry story the show had a twist. 

First song was about sunrise.  Last was about midnight.  Times of day AND the show itself progressed through the times themselves.  And the music DID make me feel all dancy!  When I heard those big bell tones from Cass Elliot I almost wept.  An earlier reference to Mike Ditka was a bonus to this non-sports fan.  Oh, the James Caan/Stephen King film is MISERY.

Wil and Ron have a winning combo going here.  Excellent play lists and pop culture trivia. With the superb Subterranean following as the cherry on top this Thursday night line up is a true delight.  Thanks, Local Radio!!!

Fun In A Very Strange Place

I've written about Subterranean radio on WRLR a time or two.  Great indie music presented by a truly passionate crew of dedicated volunteers.  All Hail Mick, Carl, and Rae.

Now there is another reason to brag about local radio.  Every Thursday night, from nine to ten, a new program called Schemes and Themes.  Songs are linked by....a common theme of course. 

One week it was Beatle songs sung NOT by the Beatles.  Last night it was the Seven Deadly Sins.  Too cool.  Another evening the theme I thought was pretty obvious; but I heard something completely new to me.  It was:

Not only had I never heard the words to this tune before,  I never knew it even HAD words!  And that little bit of info was added by a local radio program!  I am SO proud.

Nah!  I'm not telling the theme.  Tune in yourselves and find out.  Then stay tuned for Subterranean.  Totally worth it.

Lulled

The battle I fight with pain is never ending.  Some days and nights are better than others; but it never goes completely away.  I have little money and no health insurance. and so the weapons available to me in this battle are few.  Last  night was especially bad.

I was stretched out on my bed, thinking grateful thoughts, when I felt the beginning slams of muscular spasms in my right leg.  Twisty, surging cramps that originate behind my knee and seem to contract every fiber.  The pressure is unrelenting.  Unlike labor pains it does not taper off.  It kills and kills and kills and then stops.  The respite, sometimes a minute or two, sometimes an hour; is the time I spend while it gathers itself for the next round.

While it zooms thru me I wrap my head in a sheet and scream, cry, and drip snot.  Not pretty I'm sure.  I try not to disturb anybody and I try to shut up as quickly as possible.  It's hard to relax afterward; difficult to identify what "normal" feels like.  I have no idea what my resting heart rate should be.  I can't imagine what this is doing to my blood pressure.

During these moments my reptile brain takes over.  I would gnaw off my face if I could.  I would sacrifice virgins and puppies if it would help.  I would sell my soul or make spiritual promises I know I could never keep if THIS PAIN WOULD GO AWAY!!!  Instead I call upon the higher functioning part of my brain I can access during these unbearable moments.  I logic my way.

I know if I get some serotonin and norepinephrine (those "good guy, happy hormones") moving around I will survive.  They are weapons I possess.  I focus on the image of my granddaughter's face.  But she is very little and I haven't seen her very often.  I need something now and I need something sure fire,  something to distract me while the pain takes totally over.

Help?

Please?

Anybody?

Somebody?

MUSIC!!  It's Thursday night and I know there's a radio program.  I snap it on and there they are.  Talking, laughing, The topic is the Beatles!  I  am saved!  I listen and smile as the tears stream down.  After a few minutes I know the hormones must be kicking in because the pain is actually subsiding.  The bad guy receptors are being blocked and I'm going to live thru the night.  I drowse for a bit.

 Each time I awaken the DJ's voice is still there.  The conversation has shifted but it doesn't matter.  I mop the tears and drool off my face, turn the pillow over and thank all the forces of light for Professor Cullen and his crew.  He taught me that CBT absolutely works.

This is his show.  Tune in and thank him for me.  I already have.

These Should Be Band Names

Now that I am approaching my dotage, I am amazed that I have somehow acquired the things I used to at least sort of want.  Or really, really desired back in the day. And by things I mean intangible, ethereal things I still have trouble describing.

Think of the charater in "The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" in the confessional tearfully revealing to the priest,  "I want to be famous."  She knew it, but she was sort of ashamed of wanting it.  Me, too.

Today I realized that I am personally acquainted with not one, but two official, real life radio disc jockeys!  That might not count for much in this digital, global day and age.  However, back in my heyday itwould have  made me a minor celebrity just by association.  One guy is a very dear ex-boyfriend from my first college career.  His program broadcasts from too far away for me to even pick up.  The other is a clever, bright guy I know from one of last semester's courses.  His program streams live once a week and I tune in on my aging but still functional laptop.  (Never insult a working computer or automobile lest they explode and die!) His program features undiscovered and "underground" musical talent.

Imagine this:  I love it!  The tunes are all catchy and every song is completely different.  Many, many divergent points of view are represented.  And most of the words can be easily understood!  I find myself dancing in my seat and checking youtube for more.  The years melt away and I am once again almost cool

One final point is this:  All the bands on Contestant #2's show have memorable, unusual names.  So here, in no particular order, are my suggestions for future band titles.  Some have pop culture references, most don't.  If anyone ever uses them I will be expecting a hefty royalty check.  Til then, I'll continue to tune in once a week.


Undisclosed Location
Trounce
Millipeeds Come Marching
ruok?
Guam
Acid in the Eyes of Buddha
Ice Nine
The Box I'm In
Beheaded Chicks From Fresno
Tin Horn Pudding Cup
Dog Fur Coat
The Friends of Luke McCoy
Ribbons On Geckos