Love is...

...waking up before the sun rises, dragging ass into some crowded basement while it's still dark out, putting your best foot forward for three hours (stifling your yawns), willfully thanking someone for letting you have that opportunity, then stepping back outside into the sunlight, walking to your car half-blind, and being not only glad you did all that, but being eager to do it again.


I volunteered to answer phones this weekend during KCRW's Pledge Drive.  I've been a subscriber before and I wanted to take it to the next level.  Now let me just say, I love KCRW.  KCRW is everything that is right about radio and the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.  They treat their audience like intelligent individuals.  I never know quite what to expect from them.  I can't tell you the number of times I hear them play great new songs from artists I wouldn't normally come across during shows like Nocturna, The Drop, Chocolate City, Metropolis, or Morning Becomes Eclectic... or the number of times I get to where I'm going only to sit in my car for another 10 minutes to hear the conclusion of a brilliant segment on This American Life... or how much it restores my faith in humanity to listen to opposing arguments that I don't agree with, but that are insightful, well thought, eloquently presented viewpoints that aren't inflammatory, empty rhetoric, or a blind meme... or how much I love it when I hear news pieces or focuses on issues I just can't find anywhere else on Television or Radio.  The programming agenda is set by what's good, not what sells.  And that's exactly why they have so many loyal subscribers.

It's trippy to answer phones during a pledge drive.  This morning I spoke to about a dozen subscribers who called in at the Angel level ($365+).  Only three of them were calling with specific premiums in mind.  Most of them were pretty whimsical about it and two flat out refused.  I was really surprised by how many people call in not wanting anything more than to support KCRW & NPR.  It's not about what's in it for them other than -QUALITY- programming they care about.  Some people call in and start by going on for a few minutes about how they love the station and why they're just now subscribing (or why they've been subscribed for the last decade!).  I spoke to this one senior woman who told me she was "playing russian roulette" with her checkbook, but couldn't pass up subscribing and trying to sell her premium to a friend so she wasn't completely broke.  Everything you hear about the diversity and awesomeness of the station supporters is true.  I was thanked by callers for volunteering.  Then I'd thank them for supporting the station.  Then they'd thank me for my thanks.  Yeah, it gets pretty stupid in there. :)

Don't get me wrong.  I subscribed again this year and I totally jacked as many premiums as I could (including a hand-picked selection of 5 killer albums -- two of which I'd already downloaded but wanted real copies of).  But it's refreshing to know that there are so many givers out there.

Anyhow... as a volunteer, they totally hook you up too.  If you dig the station, I highly suggest taking a couple of shifts next time around.  Well, first off I really suggest subscribing (with the Fringe Benefits card premiums like gift certs, dinners, or CD's, and the ticket giveaways through out the year... it more than pays for itself).  But even if you can't afford it, I'd say sign up as a volunteer next time the drive comes around.  You won't be sorry you did.