not my mama's NPR

Whether I'm a Washingtonian or a Raleighite, NPR has stuck by my side...

Some of my most vivid pre-teen memories were made while riding in the car to Richmond for guitar lessons. Once a week, Mom and I would set off with my guitar and homework -- talking, reading, and listening to the radio. If it were up to me, we'd have listened to whatever the flavor of the middle school moment was, but Mom drove... she had the final say.

NPR was the standard choice, and it made me miserable. God, was it ever boring. I couldn't understand the appeal. I don't remember exactly what they were talking about. I have a vague recollection of a segment on some sort of Korean poem translation. I do remember that all things were considered...

Since becoming an adult, I have learned that deep mental stimulation is not part of everyone's day-to-day unless you seek it out. Some people are researchers, but most of us are drones of some kind. This is not a knock to anyone's job -- this is simply an observation that once we leave academia, we have to choose to read or consider new ideas. 

I don't remember when I rediscovered NPR as an adult, but I remember feeling like I had found an old friend. NPR was like the awkward kid you avoided on the playground... who grew up to be ridiculously attractive and interesting. I couldn't believe it.

Thank you, NPR, for sticking by my side even when I thought you were uncool and wouldn't let you sit beside me at lunch. You turned out to the love of my life and I look forward to our bright future. Whether you call yourself "WAMU" or "WUNC" You make me a better (and much more well-informed) version of myself. <3