My struggle with NPR withdrawal

It would be normal to think that after a few weeks away, a person would miss their friends, co-workers or the routine of their happy lives.  Turns out, that’s not a problem for me. 

But I didn’t count on this.  I’ll admit it – I’m a nerd for NPR.  I stream NPR’s Morning Edition every day at my desk and apparently, have taken my allegiance to a creepy degree.  Despite liking all the NPR personalities, I’m distraught whenever Steve or Renee are away on assignment and find myself oddly comforted upon their return.  I assumed my love of news radio would be a bonus on my lengthy drives – but it’s been borderline impossible to get a clear NPR station for more than 15 minutes or so. 

Many times, I can barely get any radio stations at all and when I do, the choices are slim.  One time, I had to choose between a Spanish station, a spiritual talk station and what I believe was the broadcasting of a local little league game.  I chose the Spanish station.  No, I do not speak Spanish.

The next day, I listened to NPR’s Talk of the Nation for almost 5 minutes when it also turned Spanish.  I listened for an additional 10 minutes to see if it would come back.  It didn’t.  And frankly, making out “NPR.org” in the midst of minutes worth of words you don’t understand was both deflating and cruel. 

So I sign off my love letter to Public Radio as the familiar Morning Edition music plays in the deep recesses of my road-crazy head.  Ignore the mountains and fields and vast areas with no signal and come back to me soon, my friend.  I miss you.