I don’t understand why people have to turn on the news channels the first thing in the morning. Or the sports channels so they can commiserate the results of last night’s game. They are just a lot of people making noise. Stirring the pot up. The only pot that should matter is the coffee pot in the morning.
Over the last five years, I have learned to value starting the day off with music. It helps to get my mind a start and move my body slowly to wake up. It helps me as I do my Daily Morning Pages writing. On weekdays, I stream WFMU’s Wake n Bake Morning Show. https://www.wfmu.org/playlists/WA
I never know what the next song is going to be. And the music styles are not usually anything. I will listen to the rest of the day. This, in a way, gets me out of my own head to start the day off.
I work by myself for the most part of my work day. I had a Wi-Fi signal for time where another business in my building had an open “guest” signal I could use to continue listening to this morning show. I could also get my podcast listening in.
It was nice. …. Until….
That office was shut down and left the building. I then got the “cold sweats” like my dad when he lost the free HBO he “enjoyed” for 15-20 years.
I needed to fill my work space with some music. Also to cut back on my podcast listening. I found it hard to focus on my work while listening to the dialogue. Divided attention was an issue. I tried to listen to local music radio stations. However, their “airplay” is mostly talking and commercials interrupted by music from time to time. I liked the local college station but it rarely has DJ’s to tell the song artists and titles. They don’t have an online playlist either. So if I hear something new to me, it becomes a guessing game for me. Honestly, I have enough “Guess Work” in my life. Why submit myself to more.
When I got my new vehicle it came with a 90 day free trial of Sirius XM. I let it lapsed and after a month of local radio, I had to go back. I like music to clear out my head especially when I am doing long drives. And I hated shouting at the radio, “Shut Up! And Play some f-in music!”. Another problem was the radio stations’ playlist is very narrow and repetitive. AKA boring.
So back to Sirius XM and they also had a deal for a home player which I took to my work .
I do Channel Surf my music listening. It is a way for me to work on Creative side by staying Curious and Observant. Now I make a list of every song that really catches my attention. These songs are then entered into my Spotify playlist which I listen to when I have a Wi-Fi connection. So basically when I am home. I have to say as I review the playlist of what has made it so far is truly awesome for myself. I know it would freak out people if I was to reveal it to them. It might be an effective way to filter out those who aren’t so brave. This has been a good way for me to adjust my own time and space around me.
As one of the greatest radio DJ’s, Dr. Demento said at the end of his show,
“Don’t forget to Stay Demented!”
Skin and Bruises 