Mike Fedor...reads the letter posted for me on the switcher board when I come into work this morning. I find that this message is the inevitable. They don't need me at WRSC/WBLF anymore. I've lost my job.
It is now possible to automate Grace Lutheran Church. While you are here, watch the automation to make sure it works properly. Give me a report one way or another. In two weeks if it works ok, there will be no more hours for you. I'm sorry.
Dave S.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
The "Dismissal" Note
Sunday, June 29, 2003
Behind the scenes - Local Live Ad Insert
Why are my co-workers such idiots??
Going on about 1 hour's sleep trying not to oversleep my responsibilities in the morning, I went over to my friend Dan's house to play cheaufer for him AGAIN. His air shift was going to start right after mine at 12 Noon when I was done with the Grace Lutheran Church service. We were going to do what we in the radio business call.. "a local drop" - meaning that instead of the usual commercials, we were going to play an on air person live from some "stupid" location trying to drum up interest in what a business was selling/doing. Anyway, you remember my 'ol friend Kevin Nelson, right? Well, he was going to go on the air between our FOX Sports national show for 2 minutes at a time talking about these hot tubs that a company was trying to sell. This is the most expensive commercials we or any other radio station offers. You might have heard a station in your area do a live broadcast from a car dealership. Okay.. enough with the need to know information.
First of all, Kevin shows up at the station late. How professional! He makes one of the new sales girls Dena "total babe but married" H. worry about getting to the site and setting up with all the equipment. So, here is the four of us, Dena, Me, Dan and Kevin standing in the hallway of the studio talking about how we were going to do the "live drops". Since I am the only one who gives a crap and is familiar with the station's format of when the commericals regularly run, when they stop, and how they work, I had to tell the three of them when it when Kevin was expected to be on. Here's a clue, Kevin and Dan... IF YOU ACTUALLY F---ING LISTENED TO THE F---ING STATION THAT YOU F---ING WORK FOR, YOU'D KNOW WHAT TIME THE F---ING COMMERCIALS COME ON!
I have to say this again, because I feel this bears repeating.
Why are my co-workers such idiots?
The frustrating thing is that me, struggling as it is with no money, have to go the extra mile, and work for minimum wage for these people when 'experienced' people like Kevin and Dan get to half ass it all the time?
Dame Broadcasting on-air people (WRSC, QWK Rock, Hot 107.9) get $75 dollars for the first hour for 6 minutes of work. I get $5.25.
Money well spent, Al Dame!
Friday, June 13, 2003
Don't Cross the Boss!
I decided that it was indeed close to time that the WRSC's morning show with Jeff "Ironhead" Byers and Kevin "I'll steal Mikes jokes" Nelson. I decided to stick around and hope that I could contribute to the program in some way. Kevin had mentioned on the air that he was looking around the studio for chocolate chip cookies, but none could be found. I decided that the comment was my big chance to make an impression on the guys by running down the street to the Super Wal-Mart and picking up some cookies. I brought them back within 15 minutes and Kevin was appreciative of me making the efforts despite mentioning his "not so strict" diet. The funniest moments of today's program was when he ate a cookie on the air and commented that he didn't see any members of the Swedish Bikini Team around implying I can just make them appear too! Ask and you shall receive, Mr. Nelson. Kevin and Jeff's Webpage.
Then, I decided to sit around the studio and wait to talk to Casey "the girl next door" the Promotions Manager. I heard that she was "getting voted off the island" so to speak and I wanted to find out if I could get her position and what it would entail. She arrived late, 'round 10 AM but had enough time in her busy schedule to devote just 2 minutes explaining the process of what she does and who to talk to for getting hired. I had to submit a resume to my General Manager Joe who currently hates my guts. Looks like I'm s--t outa luck.
Then, the Owner, the guy who writes the checks, Al Dame of Dame Broadcasting walks in with his wife. This is the big time. The mere mention of his name brings shivers of intimidation to the managements spines (if they had any). That was my cue to leave. I didn't want to talk to my boss Dave "mike's cigarette smoking man" Shannon or run into the GM Joe, who is expected back from recovering from surgery soon. When I went out to the overcrowded parking lot, I found a hot looking metallic silver Jaguar blocking me in,. parked about a few inches away from my rear bumper. So, I went back in to talk to the front desk lobby secretary to inquire about the Jag blocking me in. Bambi (yes, our secretary is named Bambi) told me that the car belonged to none other than AL DAME. Oh S--t! How do you tell the owner of the station and millionaire businessman to move his car? Bambi told me that it would be no trouble at all. Mr. Dame is a really nice guy and very approachable. He was in the GM's office. When I got to the door, Mr. Dame found me standing there and a rare rush of confidence came over me. I asked if he was the owner of the silver Jag and explained that it was blocking me in. Mr. Dame could not have been nicer. He had been shifting some boxes around in the GM's office with Mr. Shannon's help. We walked out together and had a little talk. He sincerely asked what I did around the station and genuinely took the time to listen to what I had to say. Bambi was right. Al Dame was a very nice guy! I pondered the idea of maybe scheduling a meeting with him to "squeal" on my bosses and how they were treating me, but I know he's busy, so, I chose to just leave with a wave goodbye and a firm handshake.
WOW, what a morning!
Then, I decided to sit around the studio and wait to talk to Casey "the girl next door" the Promotions Manager. I heard that she was "getting voted off the island" so to speak and I wanted to find out if I could get her position and what it would entail. She arrived late, 'round 10 AM but had enough time in her busy schedule to devote just 2 minutes explaining the process of what she does and who to talk to for getting hired. I had to submit a resume to my General Manager Joe who currently hates my guts. Looks like I'm s--t outa luck.
Then, the Owner, the guy who writes the checks, Al Dame of Dame Broadcasting walks in with his wife. This is the big time. The mere mention of his name brings shivers of intimidation to the managements spines (if they had any). That was my cue to leave. I didn't want to talk to my boss Dave "mike's cigarette smoking man" Shannon or run into the GM Joe, who is expected back from recovering from surgery soon. When I went out to the overcrowded parking lot, I found a hot looking metallic silver Jaguar blocking me in,. parked about a few inches away from my rear bumper. So, I went back in to talk to the front desk lobby secretary to inquire about the Jag blocking me in. Bambi (yes, our secretary is named Bambi) told me that the car belonged to none other than AL DAME. Oh S--t! How do you tell the owner of the station and millionaire businessman to move his car? Bambi told me that it would be no trouble at all. Mr. Dame is a really nice guy and very approachable. He was in the GM's office. When I got to the door, Mr. Dame found me standing there and a rare rush of confidence came over me. I asked if he was the owner of the silver Jag and explained that it was blocking me in. Mr. Dame could not have been nicer. He had been shifting some boxes around in the GM's office with Mr. Shannon's help. We walked out together and had a little talk. He sincerely asked what I did around the station and genuinely took the time to listen to what I had to say. Bambi was right. Al Dame was a very nice guy! I pondered the idea of maybe scheduling a meeting with him to "squeal" on my bosses and how they were treating me, but I know he's busy, so, I chose to just leave with a wave goodbye and a firm handshake.
WOW, what a morning!
Monday, May 26, 2003
Memorial Day in Historic Boalsburg, PA
Well, I wouldn't have signed up for spending time in historic Boalsburg, PA if I knew we weren't getting paid.
Memorial Day in Centre County is special because they claim that the holiday was first started here with bonnet and hoop skirted maids planting flags on civil war graves. Thinking that I would get some hours by standing under a tent to promote WRSC/WBLF and help out the broadcasters doing what we call a "live remote". Will they get paid? Probably, yea. They get $75 dollars for the first hour when they do these things. Will they let me on the air? No.
The morning came too quickly, at 9:30 AM for a 10 AM shift. Getting lost in the unfamiliar when it's only a 5 minute drive past town limits on the highway. Then parking 4 miles away since the small town's streets were all cut off and walking to the tent in the rain was a real chore. [sarcasm] Festive. [/sarcasm]
Anyway, there felt no end in site to the rain as it started to collect on the white 4-point tailgating tent. Sensing an imminent collapse, Jeff "Ironhead" Byers, the sports director felt it necessary to push the rain off. I commented to his on-air partner Kevin Nelson; "Gee, the water rides have begun!". When it came time for them to go back on the air for a 1 min 30 break to promote the days festivities and carnival, Kevin had relayed on the air. ".. And the water rides have started now."
Bastard stole my joke.
After a while, I started getting hungry. However, with all the gyros, pizza, fries, BBQ, and kettle corn booths lofting their aroma to where we were keeping post, I wanted to cry knowing that I only had $1 to my name. The sun cleared most of the rain up after 12 pm and Jeff had sent me on a mission to get a large bag of popcorn. $6. When I brought it back, luckily Jeff was willing to share. Wendy Nelson was also hanging around the booth helping us hand out balloons with our logo on them. She is 50% bitch and 50% overly-friendly annoying. Though she and I are on good terms, as I am with 90% of the Dame Broadcasting staff, she saw fit to call attention to my 5 'o clock shadow. I didn't want to tell her that my latest condition of being dirt poor and no electricity in my apartment has depressed me to the point of overlooking some basic hygiene needs. I told her that I was going for the "Don Johnson look". She didn't by it.
Once the on air part was done and Jeff and Kevin went elsewhere, the sales staff took over the booth continuing to give out balloons and direct our mascot "Dandylion" around. Casey K., the promotions director and an attractive young woman in the girl next door sort of way, came over and was concerned for my long shift since it was 3 PM. She told me to get something to eat, but I bit my lower lip and told her that I didn't want to go anywhere because I was short on cash. Reluctantly, I spent my last dollar on a small orange drink. It was at this point I seriously considered to "take myself off the market" so to speak. I'm not going to "chase skirts" while I am broke like this.
When I returned after an hour, Casey, Matt the sales guy and his demure fiance were still there. Casey then tried to get me to take the hint that I was no longer needed around. I had nothing else to do that day. Working, greeting the community, and enjoying the festivities kept my mind off of my situation. I made a pleasant "adieu" to Casey and Matt, then walked over to the civil war cannon demonstration. They had a regiment of Civil War actors fire 3 cannons in either intervals or simultaneously. It was loud enough to wake the dead and impressive. The only one disturbing side note is that it was going on right over the Boalsburg cemetery.
I then made the trip back to my car hoping that the fumes of gas in my car will take me back up the road to my apartment.
I also wish that this story had a happy ending. I went home lonely, depressed, and homesick.
How was your Memorial Day?
Memorial Day in Centre County is special because they claim that the holiday was first started here with bonnet and hoop skirted maids planting flags on civil war graves. Thinking that I would get some hours by standing under a tent to promote WRSC/WBLF and help out the broadcasters doing what we call a "live remote". Will they get paid? Probably, yea. They get $75 dollars for the first hour when they do these things. Will they let me on the air? No.
The morning came too quickly, at 9:30 AM for a 10 AM shift. Getting lost in the unfamiliar when it's only a 5 minute drive past town limits on the highway. Then parking 4 miles away since the small town's streets were all cut off and walking to the tent in the rain was a real chore. [sarcasm] Festive. [/sarcasm]
Anyway, there felt no end in site to the rain as it started to collect on the white 4-point tailgating tent. Sensing an imminent collapse, Jeff "Ironhead" Byers, the sports director felt it necessary to push the rain off. I commented to his on-air partner Kevin Nelson; "Gee, the water rides have begun!". When it came time for them to go back on the air for a 1 min 30 break to promote the days festivities and carnival, Kevin had relayed on the air. ".. And the water rides have started now."
Bastard stole my joke.
After a while, I started getting hungry. However, with all the gyros, pizza, fries, BBQ, and kettle corn booths lofting their aroma to where we were keeping post, I wanted to cry knowing that I only had $1 to my name. The sun cleared most of the rain up after 12 pm and Jeff had sent me on a mission to get a large bag of popcorn. $6. When I brought it back, luckily Jeff was willing to share. Wendy Nelson was also hanging around the booth helping us hand out balloons with our logo on them. She is 50% bitch and 50% overly-friendly annoying. Though she and I are on good terms, as I am with 90% of the Dame Broadcasting staff, she saw fit to call attention to my 5 'o clock shadow. I didn't want to tell her that my latest condition of being dirt poor and no electricity in my apartment has depressed me to the point of overlooking some basic hygiene needs. I told her that I was going for the "Don Johnson look". She didn't by it.
Once the on air part was done and Jeff and Kevin went elsewhere, the sales staff took over the booth continuing to give out balloons and direct our mascot "Dandylion" around. Casey K., the promotions director and an attractive young woman in the girl next door sort of way, came over and was concerned for my long shift since it was 3 PM. She told me to get something to eat, but I bit my lower lip and told her that I didn't want to go anywhere because I was short on cash. Reluctantly, I spent my last dollar on a small orange drink. It was at this point I seriously considered to "take myself off the market" so to speak. I'm not going to "chase skirts" while I am broke like this.
When I returned after an hour, Casey, Matt the sales guy and his demure fiance were still there. Casey then tried to get me to take the hint that I was no longer needed around. I had nothing else to do that day. Working, greeting the community, and enjoying the festivities kept my mind off of my situation. I made a pleasant "adieu" to Casey and Matt, then walked over to the civil war cannon demonstration. They had a regiment of Civil War actors fire 3 cannons in either intervals or simultaneously. It was loud enough to wake the dead and impressive. The only one disturbing side note is that it was going on right over the Boalsburg cemetery.
I then made the trip back to my car hoping that the fumes of gas in my car will take me back up the road to my apartment.
I also wish that this story had a happy ending. I went home lonely, depressed, and homesick.
How was your Memorial Day?
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