In EMT class, they teach us to size up patients when we walk into a room by forming a “general impression”. A quick look at skin signs and a “Hi, howya doin’?” are usually enough to decide if a patent is “sick” or “not sick” and if you can spend some time with them or if you need to get the medics out.
If I had to form a general impression of my life with a quick look, I’d say it’s “not sick” for the first time in a while.
School is good, life at home is good, I’m making just enough money with my other job to pay the bills… and most importantly I’m out of that toxic radio environment I was in for the last few years. This morning, when I got out of the shower, my sweetie was drying her hair and putting on makeup.
She looked at me and said, “You know, I am so glad you’re not in the business any more.”
I asked why.
“Because it’s just no fun anymore. The big companies are just going to continue firing programming people and running stations as lean as they can. You were smart to find something else to do”
Yeah, well. She’s right. That’s why I left. I saw the writing on the wall and realized it was time to cut bait and do something else. There’s a new rumor that Clear Channel is planning to eliminate 1000 positions, company wide, before Christmas. A third will be programming, a third sales and a third management. 1000 of my broadcasting brethren, whacked… right before Christmas.
Why didn’t we unionize? Somebody refresh my memory. Oh yeah… it’s because there are plenty of people who will work for FREE, and if Radio Broadcasters ever did organize, they would be replaced so fast you’d only see a blur of HR people as they filled out the termination paperwork.
I hugged my wife and said, “I’m glad I’m out too, sweetie.”
Then I kissed her, saying, “Have a good day at work”.
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