When I was 10, my Big Christmas Present was a clock radio. I loved that thing, with its glowing green digital numbers, fake wood and light-dimming switch. To me it represented the first real feeling of control over my personal choices. I could listen to whatever I chose, instead of always playing along with my parents’ radio stations. I fell asleep almost every night listening to sermons or classical music, and woke up every morning tuned to the cool-kids’ station (WMEE and Those Two Guys In The Morning.)
I’ve kept that clock radio through all of my major life transitions, and recently felt the need to pull it out of storage and hook it up again. For the last three nights I’ve slept once again next to its glowing green light. Although I’m now too blind to read the time without my glasses.
I’ve also been cruising eBay for old games and other fondly-remembered bits of childhood. I wonder what’s going on with me. I think this may be my substitute for sexy affairs and sexy cars. If so, I’m a bigger nerd than I thought.
ah yes…you described WMEE/the reason I listened to it perfectly