Early Morning

The city, early morning.
Leaves swaying in the breeze,
rustling,
calming.

Bird of the night, random caw.
A car whizzing past,
then stillness,
alone.

Distant hum of a factory.
Passing train on the tracks.
Fade away,
Silence.

J.A.Scott

The American Radio - Part 41

R.a.n.t. of week 10/26/14

This week I decided to take another break and repost an article written by one of my contributing bloggers, Charles Winthrop. Mostly because this week his series touches on a local radio station.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So far in this series, I've looked at the origin of the radio as well as the growing and changing evolution of the American radio station. As I continue the exploration this week, I move from information stations to the more mainstream, 'popular' music stations. For this article I'll be looking at a Milwaukee based station, 99.1 The Mix. Details of my findings have been listed below. When looking at this small slice of airplay, it illustrates some interesting data.

First: one needn't wait to long for their favourite song to be replayed. Chances are, when one tunes to the station, ones particular songs of choice will be played within the hour. Given, of course, they are popular, mainstream and modern.

Second: any tune from before 1995 and one will be waiting a while, though a few are still played. Additionally, often requests are taken, an excellent time to get your preferred song played.

For my findings, I took two random days from the week of 10/19/14 between the times of 7:00 and 17:00. Within this time frame, I came up with the following data.

296 song plays
(Averaging less than 15 songs per hour)

Songs most played.
8 - "Am I Wrong" - Nico & Vinz
8 - "Boom Clap" - Charlie XCX
8 - "Love Runs Out" - OneRepublic
7 - "All About That Bass" - Meghan Trainor
7 - "Girls Chase Boys" - Ingrid Michaelson
12% of total airplay

Artists most played.
14 - Katy Perry
(1)California Gurls
(3)Dark Horse
(2)Hot n Cold
(2)I Kissed a Girl
(1)Last Friday Night
(2)Roar
(2)Teenage Dream
(1)The One That Got Away

14 - P!nk
(2)Blow Me One Last Kiss,
(2)Don't Let Me Get Me,
(2)Just Give Me a Reason,
(1)Perfect,
(2)Raise Your Glass,
(1)So What,
(3)Try,
(1) Who Knew

12 - Maroon 5
(4)Animals,
(1)Daylight,
(1)Love Somebody,
(3)Maps,
(1)Moves Like Jagger,
(1)One More Night,
(1)Wake Up Call

12 - OneRepublic
(4)Counting Stars,
(8)Love Runs Out
17% of airplay

Artists having only one song played.
51 - Alex Clare, Anna Kendrick, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Blink 182, Britney Spears, Capital Cities, Christina Aguilera, Christina Perri, D.H.T., Def Leppard, Ellie Goulding, Enrique Iglesias, Green Day, Gwen Stefani, Hoobastank, Imagine Dragons, Jason Mraz, Jessie J, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Kei$ha, Lady AnteBellum, Marcy Playground, Matchbox 20, Michael Buble, Naked Eyes, Natasha Bedingfield, Nelly, No Doubt, Norah Jones, Oasis, Phillip Phillips, Pitbull, Poison, Police, Rick Springfield, Rixton, Robin Thicke, Ryan Cabrera, Selena Gomez, Sheryl Crow, Soft Cell, Sugarland, The Band Perry, The Fray, The Wanted, Third Eye Blind, U2, UB40, Whitesnake
17% of airplay

Artists having two songs played.
18
11 having the same song - Avril Lavigne, Echosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Florida Georgia Line, Fun, Hot Chelle Rae, John Legend, Magic, Passenger, Plain White T's, Taio Cruz
7 having different songs - Adele, Journey, Kid Rock, Madonna, Neon Trees, Nickleback, Rihanna
12% of airplay

Shortest wait for a replay in a single day.
2 Hours, 20 minutes / Charlie XCX "Boom Clap" (8:47am - 11:07am)

Longest wait for a replay in a single day.
8 hours, 42 minutes / P!nk "Try" (7:57am - 4:39pm)

Interesting to note how songs being played continually only six months ago, have now been relegated to being only single or double plays within a two day time frame. Certainly an indication of the evolution of an American radio station happening before ones very eyes.

Join me next week as I take a look at Indie Rock Stations
Featuring Boston's - 92.5 The River

This excerpt from - 'The Walla Walla Whistler',
used with permission.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Charles Winthrop is a Washington
state writer & D.J. His interests
include music (both modern and
classical) and is a fine art connoisseur.
His articles have appeared in various
magazines including, 'Art Beautiful',
'Music of the Renaissance', and 'The Walla Walla Whistler'.

Thank You

It happened so fast,
with no time to think.
Man behind the wheel,
had too much to drink.

The blood that I bleed,
is certainly red.
as the light you ran through.
Should be you instead.

You quickly drove off,
off into the rain.
I had no time to dwell,
on the horrible pain.

Pain I felt often,
so deep in my heart.
Never ending break,
always tore me apart.

Agony and torture,
weighed in like a brick.
This was much better,
the end came so quick.

Yes, it's finally ended,
the pain is now through.
You killed me tonight.
Thank You

J.A.Scott

It's Not All About You

R.a.n.t. of week 10/19/14

We are often presented with opportunities to either be selfish or selfless. As a child, are we willing to share our treats with others? As an adult, are we willing to allow someone merge into our lane instead of forcing them into the shoulder? As a sit.com. television character, will we simply stand by laughing as an innocent bystander is car-jacked?

Not only can we be selfish to others, we can be selfish to ourselves as well. Take a slob for instance, he's selfish to himself because he allows his laziness to control his life. So he's robbing from himself a chance to lead a clean life. Quite possibly affecting his health, if not his self respect.

Just because a person is an 'adult' doesn't mean they have the ability to do whatever they want in life. Even on a small scale. For example, excluding others is another rant of mine (for another time), but it's also a form of selfishness. When you have certain associates who refuse to accept your invitations and habitually exclude you, it can be frustrating. Especially if the only time you hear from the person is when they need a favour. Ahhh, there we are, the bit of selfishness I was talking about. There is a quote I found online while doing some research for this article. It goes like this. "Don't ask me to do something for you, that you wouldn't do for me." I'm not sure I agree with this quote 100%, but there is a point here. Perhaps this is something we could ask ourselves before asking another person a favour. "If this person asked me to do this for him, would I do it"? Take something simple like a request to run us to the airport when leaving on a business trip. Would we complain if the question were asked of us? Would we be willing to comply? Again, excluding others means we are selfishly thinking of ourselves "This person is good enough to ask favours from, but not good enough for me to associate with."

So selfishness means we are thinking of our own needs. It's a check we should run constantly. If how we act, deprives others of our selflessness we are being selfish. (Duh) And it's something as individuals we should avoid. I have to admit, I forget this at times. Sometimes I'm so wrapped up in trying to acquire something I want, I forget to make sure I'm not neglecting someone else's feelings. Either currently, or potentially in the future. Certainly some food for thought.

Remember: "If you live your life as if everything is about you. You will be left with just that. Just you."

Don't Put Me In A Box

R.a.n.t. of week 10/12/14

I don't want to assume you feel the same way I do on this matter, but I hate when people simply assume something about me instead of finding out exactly my thoughts on the matter. Because let's be honest, when you assume, you make an ass/u/me. You know what I mean? I'll just assume you get it. This seems to happen to me many times. A person will just assume they know what I'm all about, based on knowing one or two things about me. Now it's true I'm a big Science Fiction nerd, but that doesn't mean I'm not into other things. It certainly doesn't mean I can't be coaxed into trying something new.

A few years back I was talking to a buddy about a demolition derby I attended (viewed HERE) and he was like, "But you are not into cars." True, I'm not a gear head, nor will I likely be one in the near future. But the future is a funny thing. It's determined by our actions and what we learn to appreciate. Either something we discover on our own, or introduced to us by our friends. Regulars of my blog will recall I posted photos not to long ago from an auto show being held close to my house. You can view those photos HERE. When I was younger, I had a dream of buying an old jalopy and spending time restoring it. That never came to be, but that doesn't mean I lost my interest in cars, or in doing that. Granted, I'm not very familiar with the operations of a car currently, I have a hard time telling the difference between a tailpipe and the blinker fluid link. In fact, my first car I didn't even know where the gas cap was. I just poured the gas on top of the car in hopes it would soak in somewhere.

The same thing can be said for motorcycles. I've never owned one, don't even particularly like them. But the same friend mentioned before was surprised on one of my recent trips overseas, I attended a motorcycle race on the Isle of Man for a few days. It was actually very exciting and enjoyable. I loved it and would return again. Again, photos of that can be viewed HERE. Another friend had no idea I was into poetry. Well I'm sure you, the reader, know at least that about me. I've currently penned over 170 different poems. So what's the point? I have the "go to" things I'm into, but don't sell me short. I'm willing to try anything new. For years I never thought I would be into karaoke, and now I have my own machine in the bar which I practice on quite frequently. On a related note, (pun intended) just because I have not listed a particular music band among my favourites, doesn't mean I can't grow to like them. I'm hesitant about trying new foods, but when presented with something new, I'll certainly give it a try. Is there an activity I'm not know for being 'into'? That doesn't mean I wouldn't give it a try. Don't just assume because you know one or two things about me, that you know everything about me or all my interests and dreams. That's like putting me in a box, and that just won't do.

BEING PUT IN A BOX - An item stored away for a later time, for a specific reason. And only for that specific reason. I.E. Winter clothing, Summer clothing, toys at a grandparents house, canning supplies, I think you get the idea. I'm more than just a writer with an interest in science fiction.

Getting Lost

R.a.n.t. of week 10/05/14

So I was driving around this weekend with my friends Charley and Sawyer when we became lost. Well, okay, that's stretching the truth a bit. To be honest, I wish I were driving around with friends when I get lost. I'd have others I could place blame on. As it is, I almost always am driving around alone when I'm meeting friends somewhere. Been in the city all my life and there are still times I rely on GPS. So this weekend I missed out on a few things.

To be fair, I did have a great Saturday with my sister and family on our annual trip to Berres Brothers Cafe and also Lindt Outlet. My dad used to go with us too, so we kept him in mind the entire trip. As always, it was an experience, and for a little while we were in control of the moment. Protected from the stress, the noise and hassle of the rest of the weekend. It was our time. But I digress. Getting back to the topic on hand, at least our little jaunt is somewhat related because on our way, I was asked if we should make a turn and I said "Yes". But he driver kept going straight and we missed our exit on the highway. (Boy do I hate when people don't listen to directions). So we had to go the long way around, utilize the GPS, and arrive later than we had planned. But this proves my point. For a brief moment we were 'lost', and yet there were others in the car to which I was able to blame for us not going in the correct direction.

But I had my own direction fails which are clearly my own fault. Saturday evening I was supposed to meet a group of friends at a local park. We have many parks in the area and I can't seem to remember the names of all of them. Well, I couldn't remember the name we were supposed to meet at but I thought I knew the general direction. I took Forest Home Ave as far as I possible could looking for the park in question only to give up and head home. If I were not so phone shy I would have called someone to ask the name of the park, but that's another rant for another time. Again, I realize this is all my fault and I place no blame with anyone else. But I can still be upset with myself can't I? It's not like it happens every day.

The next day, the same thing happened to me. I was supposed to meet some friends for lunch and I did not have the address written down so I just asked for the address. Given the address, I headed over for lunch. What I didn't ask, or failed to notice, was if the address was North or South (Boy do I hate when I don't listen to directions). There is certainly a big different between North 11th street and South 11th street. Driving to what I thought was the address given me, I found an empty lot.  Were we meeting for a picnic in an empty lot? No. I was just on the wrong side of town. (You can see a photo of me lost and driving on the empty lot above). Once again, a victim of my own stupidity.

Spider

He sits upon his silken web,

awaiting just a single tap.

Patient he, throughout the day,

till interrupted from his nap.

A tremor felt, and then he springs

to his victim in the net.

His venom ends another life.

No remorse, no regret.

J.A.Scott