The ride home

favorite things — Valerie on March 24, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Ross hates NPR. Hates it. I know. It’s something about the sound bytes when they’re reporting on things like coal mines in West Virginia - they must always read a few lines and then cue a clip of pick axes cling-clanging to “for ambiance.” It doesn’t bother me, but it sends him into a rant. We try to just not talk about it.

But, I love NPR. I think it stems from the fact that my dad loves NPR. When I hear the Lake Wobegon bit on A Prairie Home Companion, I think of riding in the car with my dad as we made the every-other-weekend switch when I was in middle school.

When I leave work, I try listening to music, but it’s just too much stimulus for my introverted brain. I need soothing voices and intelligent conversation, however pretentious it may seem to some people. I know that during that 15-minute ride, NPR will remind that good books do matter and there are things more important out there than the state of my kitchen. And I’ll be honest, the “Bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-buuuuuum” of All Things Considered sends a rush of relaxation through my bones that is currently unmatched by any other sound.

So, I guess I’m trying to say that I will gladly take a Nina Totin’ Bag if you care to send one.

7 Comments »

  1. i go back and forth on NPR. but i love this american life.

    Comment by chewy — March 24, 2008 @ 10:41 pm

  2. I’m the same way on the drive home. I try and listen to music, but I keep getting drawn back to the stories on NPR. My mother tells me only “boring” people listen, but she sucks.

    Comment by Bah — March 25, 2008 @ 7:26 am

  3. I listen to NPR on the way in to work so that I feel somewhat informed, although it’s information fraught with bias, no matter what they say. And then I listen to a public classical radio station on the way home, and it draws all of the kinks out of my muscles.

    I’m torn about supporting them. JG doesn’t want to because they are so blatantly biased, but I feel like I should because I listen to it. You know?

    Comment by RA — March 25, 2008 @ 8:08 am

  4. I love that tote so much! I am an unashamed NPR devotee. The key is to not really think about the sound effects / ambiance. If you concentrate on them too much, it really is crazy!

    Comment by Laurel — March 25, 2008 @ 11:09 am

  5. I am looking at my Nina Totin’ Bag right now. Oh yes, I rule the school.

    Also, I am in love with Kai Ryssdal.

    Comment by Susan — March 25, 2008 @ 4:20 pm

  6. NPR is cool, but I never seem to catch it at the right times, so I’ve added This American Life to my podcasts along with News from Lake Wobegon… best stuff ever for my long rides around the Mid-Atlantic!

    Comment by Jorge — March 26, 2008 @ 9:17 pm

  7. I remember when you first told me a few years back that you listened to NPR because the other stations were just “so stupid,” and I remember saying to myself, “Awwriiight!” But because it was NPR under discussion, I suppose I probably should have said to myself, “Most excellent choice” instead. At any rate, good choice.

    Yer NPR-lovin’ Dad

    Comment by Dad — March 27, 2008 @ 7:25 pm

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