And I’m Linda Wertheimer
(Note: I’d be watching “The West Wing” right now, but I can’t pick it up. I don’t have cable, and ever since the World Trade Center collapsed, my over-the-air reception has sucked. Dammit. I’m a “West Wing” junkie. I’m getting cable when I move.)
Yesterday my dad sent me an e-mail that said, in part: “Have you written anything lately? I think that you may get inspiration from current events.”
Grammatically a little awkward, yes, but it made me wonder once again if my parents know about this site. I’ve blogged from my parents’ house a few times in the past, and I’m sure I’ve somehow forgotten to delete all traces of the URL. On top of that, they could very well have come across the AP article through Google or elsewhere. Dad, if you’re reading this, I know you can be kind of crafty, so you’re probably going to put me in a position in which I must either tell you I have the site or lie to you about it and feel guilty. You’re not going to come right out and tell me you know about it. You’re testing me. You’re taunting me. Ugh. If you do know about the site (which, if you’re reading this, you do), that’s okay. If you don’t know about the site (in which case you’re not reading this), maybe I’ll tell you at some point. I guess it wouldn’t be a big deal either way.
Anyway.
I talked on the phone with my former therapist this evening in order to get some information about the practice of psychotherapy. It seems that if I decide I want to do this, I should get a Master’s in Social Work (M.S.W.), a two-year program. Before I do that, I should probably do some sort of volunteering — work for a hotline or something. I think I’ll look into that.
And yet I’m not totally sure I want to be a therapist anymore. I’ve been souring a tiny bit on the idea lately, but I tend to do that. Barbara Sher, in her book I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was, at one point discusses the idea of “divers” versus “scanners.” Divers are people who like to delve deep into one particular subject, immerse themselves in it, find out everything about it, specialize. Scanners, on the other hand, love life’s inherent variety. They are perfectly happy flitting around from topic to topic — playing the violin, learning about gardening, exploring medicine, whatever. I’m pretty sure I’m a scanner. I’ve never in my life been able to settle on one thing. American history, classical and choral music, writing, computers, soap operas, comic books… on and on. I’ve wanted to be a journalist, a therapist, a history professor, a choral conductor, a writer. I was pre-med for a year and a half and found biology and organic chemistry very interesting (well, I liked the lectures; I hated the labs). I went to law school. And so on.
But last night while in therapy I had this revelation. I have a latent fantasy. So latent I didn’t really acknowledge it until last night, because it seemed too frivolous. I don’t know if it’s just a passing fancy or not, but it would be so great to work for NPR or a local NPR affiliate such as WNYC. If I could live my fantasy, I’d be like Robert Siegel or Noah Adams of All Things Considered or Ira Glass of This American Life — covering important news stories, interviewing interesting people, dealing with Important Things and Quirky Things. Or I could do weekly commentaries. I don’t know — it’s just a vague idea right now. Seems like a good career for a scanner like me, though. Plus I used to act, and sometimes I miss performing.
Radio doesn’t pay very well, I don’t think, and I’ve never touched a piece of radio equipment in my life. But I’ve always been fascinated by radio. I remember an Ernest Hemingway story where a wounded soldier is lying in a hospital bed and he flips around the radio dial, picking up stations from faraway cities. There’s a scene in Michael Chabon’s recent novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Klay in which a character is in Antartica and passes his time listening to radio broadcasts from all over the world. It’s always seemed so romantic to me. And a radio show is so pure — you use only one sense to process it.
I’ve always been a fan of the “Today” show, too. For some reason I’ve never really been interested in “Good Morning America” (on ABC) or the various incarnations of CBS’s morning program, but “Today” has always really done it for me, even though I don’t have time to watch it in the morning. I don’t know why it has my loyalty, though. Perhaps it’s the chemistry they all have. Perhaps it’s Katie. Perhaps it’s Matt. But even when it was Jane and Bryant I used to be a fan. I used to fantasize about being a national TV anchor, like Bryant Gumbel or Tom Brokaw or whoever, getting to travel all over the world and report on earthshaking events or do a special week of “Today” broadcasts from Africa or whatever.
Except I wouldn’t really want to be in Tom Brokaw’s shoes these days.
Oh, that reminds me. A choice quote from an article in Sunday’s New York Times:
[Two Manhttan post office workers] said some customers caused them additional anxiety by cracking distasteful jokes. “They’ll say something like, ‘Here comes anthrax!’ and put a letter in front of you,” Ms. Thomas said. “They really shouldn’t do that.”
No, they shouldn’t.
Anyway, I think I’m going to look into volunteering at a radio station.
On a final note, I’d just like to remind y’all that negative comments and destructive criticisms are not welcome here. Comments are for encouragement, support, helpful suggestions, intelligent remarks, and so on. I didn’t set up this website so people could tell me what they think is wrong with me or give me a public dressing-down. You have a gripe — you wanna give me a lecture — e-mail me privately.
By the way, Verdezza, you rock.
Kthxbye!
Dear Linda,
I’m touched! Not to mention linked! Thxbck@ya!
I loved your entry tonight. (And no, not just ’cause you mentioned me.) You’re dreaming, thinking out loud — and “that’s a good thing!”
And I think you’re really onto something. I can totally see you in one of the roles you mentioned, or in my own personal favorite Scanner Dream Job™ : being Charlie Rose.
He has what’s gotta be one of the absolute best jobs in the world. Think about it: engaging in intelligent, probing, protracted conversations with fascinating people about compelling subjects, many of them of particular interest to you. A different guest or guests and a new topic every night. Now that‘s cool.
Also, here are the first two things about you that came to mind when you wrote about possibly being the next Noah Adams, et al:
1) you’re already a journalist, by definition (and a damn fine one); and
2) remember your self-observation the night you met Bespectacled Barrage Boy, or The Piano Man, or whatever you’re going to call him? You said, based on the consistently positive reception you get from people you strike up conversations with in social situations (bars, etc.), that you think that people find you appealing — cute, clever, interesting, or words to that effect. That’s one of the keys to the success of the kind of journalists you mentioned. They’re all very intelligent, but in a markedly down-to-earth way; they’re likable, unassuming, non-threatening — and that’s why interviewees open up to them.
Not only do I think that you possess that quality, I think it would serve you well in either a therapeutic or a journalistic role. (Interesting that they’re both primarily about listening, isn’t it?)
Another long-winded post. To bed!
Hi, Jeff!
(…I feel stupid making a comment of little value after Dezz’s long, meaningful post… ^^;;;…but I will write anyway. ^^)
Do you think maybe it’d be kind of cool if your dad read your journal? ^.^ My parents read my online diary…and while sometimes they complain to me (“Too much personal information!”), I know they’re reading because they care about me and want to know what I’m up to. ^-^
(Speaking of which, my mom visited you once because I had you linked. ^o^;;)
I think you should tell your parents about Tin Man, if only to shed the stress you’ve experienced over wondering if they already know. Think of it as a miniature version of coming out. You felt better then and it probably wasn’t as bad as you thought it might be. Whenever you have an opportunity to take control of something that’s impacting you in a negative way – go for it! Cope with what’s out of your control and take control when you can.
The prospect of the parental unit having access to your private thoughts can be rather unnerving. My mother knows about my journal, but she also knows the content would make her nuts with worry so she stays away. We keep in close contact in other ways.
Tell them about Tin Man and whether or not you’re comfortable with them reading. They’ll understand, they seem pretty cool.
this will likely *not* be considered an intelligent remark, but i must say that i think it’s cute that you used the word “y’all” in your post. hee, hee. (i know, i know, all the actual content of your blog, and what do i comment on? the southern dialect . . .)
I just want to clarify that I don’t think people always find me cute and charming and so on. What I meant is that I know how to turn it on. There are plenty of times when I’m out of it, sleepy, annoyed, and so on, and it shows. But I’m also good at making small talk and being flirtatious — when I want to.
Kameko: I don’t know how cool it would be if my parents read my occasional references to Internet sex and so on. (Mom, Dad, if you’re reading this, it’s always safe sex.)
Lacityboy, you make an interesting point… hmm. I will think about that.
Oh, and Kari — the “y’all” comes from spending eight years in central Virginia, where it’s relatively normal usage. One thing the English language lacks is a formal word for the plural of “you.” French has “tu” for singular and “vous” for plural, but all we really have is “you.” I guess there’s “youse,” but that makes you sound like Joe Pesci or something.
“Y’all” just has a nice quaint ring to it, y’hear?
hehe, yeah, i figured it was from your time at uva. i’m a north carolina girl, so it’s definitely a part of my vocabulary, but it was a fun surprise to see it in yours, with your “big city life” (especially compared to mine). :) i’m glad it’s the acceptable form of the plural of “you.” it’s definitely better than “you’uns.” that’s what i tell people when they give me a hard time about it. :)
i was chastised soundly for all of my “y’all”-talk when i was in london earlier this year. but i had to explain that it is the only informal plural “you” that we have here in the lone star state. and hell, it’s in my blood, i can’t help it. those brits are ass-backward, anyway- didn’t even know what a chicken-fried steak was!
sheeeeit.
tinman, come back! i miss you when you’re gone (i.e. not updating at least once daily). hope you’re doing well and enjoying the young new york life that seems to be getting harder and harder to casually enjoy. but if anyone can do it, you can. take care.
Jeff,
After ten years in radio, I can tell you this much: you have Ira Flatow written all over you! I think you’d be amazing in the world of radio mainly because you’re such a wonderful writer. In radio, what’s not off-the-cuff should be well-written. I think you have skills in both areas. Keep your eyes peeled on the NPR job listings locally and nationally. If you love the idea, go for it, man!!
An avid fan (and former Tin Man myself),
Todd