Thursday, July 26, 2007

You've got double trouble coming down

A double post today, because I saw a story I wanted to share, and because I wanted to address some of yesterday's comments on radio stuff.

First, the radio stuff. jrh, from Turkey on Whole Wheat, was nice enough to say this: "I believe you greatly underestimate your appeal, my friend..." and it was in response to this : "If you actually knew what I looked like you might not be so quick to call." While I appreciate the compliment, dear, what I said still holds and this is why:

I will never look how people expect me to look.

It is the way radio is, but it I think it's worse for women. No matter where I've gone, no matter what jobs I've done, I always get the same reply, even from people who work in the business:

"You don't look like what I imagined."

And then it's followed by something like this (these are just a sampling of some that I've heard)

I thought you'd be taller.
I thought you'd be blond.
I pictured you as a red head.
I thought you'd be thinner (!)
I thought your hair would be longer.
I thought your hair would be shorter.
I pictured you as a brunette (when I had red hair).


Usually, they're all saying the same thing (especially if they're guys): "I pictured a six-foot tall swimsuit model wearing a bikini standing behind the microphone". I once had an intern say those very words to me. And I am none of those things.

I'm 5'6", I weigh more than 150 lbs, I wear jeans and t-shirts (not bikinis!), my butt is a little on a the ample side, and I favour Converse high top running shoes in various bizarre colours. I occasionally wear heels, but generally not to work. Not when I have to stand for fours hours. And this doesn't mean I think I'm hideous, I just don't look like Pam Anderson or whatever fantasy babe our listeners have in their head.

So I think maybe putting me on our website might be a good thing, because then it would shatter whatever preconceived notion people have of me, and I wouldn't feel like I'm disappointing our listeners every time I meet them.


Okay! Now on to this story...

Oscar the Cat is the Angel of Death. No really. There's a story about it here, although you may have already seen this somewhere else. It's a little uncanny, but I also think it's nice, especially since he's apparently not a people cat. I always liked the idea of animals working in hospice care, but then, I like animals.

And speaking of the animals, we've discovered that Chloe has an intestinal buggy. It's called Spirometra erinacei (don't read that if you're just having a meal, really). It can eventually turn into a tapeworm thing. It's actually fairly rare (our vet said he sees a case maybe once a year). How did she get it? By eating an "aquatic animal", such as a frog, or a lizard. She's going to be fine, but I'm left wondering how the hell a cat who's been in a shelter for six months could eat a frog or a lizard!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

About the cat... when my parents lived in SC, frogs and lizards were everywhere. Occassionly they'd even find one inside. So even sheltered, I'd say that's a distinct possibility. I can't imagine it tasted good, but then again I'm not a cat. Not even a sex kitten. Sigh...

Dumdad said...

Thanks for playing my request! Shame I couldn't hear it. Which Free songs did you play?

Jo Beaufoix said...

How can someone tell how tall you are from your voice?
People are so funny.

And I love Oscar the Angel of Death. Animals can give so much comfort and are so much more aware of stuff than we realise.
About seven and a half years ago, I was playing tug with my old dog Jazzy, but she wouldn't pull me. I tried everything but my usually wappy dog who could pull me across the floor on my knees wouldn't get play.
She tugged gently but seemed to prefer to just sit on my feet and snuggle me instead.
A week later I found out I was pregnant.
After Miss E was born she got rough again.
I'm sure she knew.

Hope Chloe gets better soon.

Sorry about the essay by the way.
x

Poetess said...

Hi Jen

Oh poor cat. they are always up to mischief. Just flead mine so it is not looking very pleased with me.

Thanks for your comment on my blog. Thankfully I am not near the flooding and live on a hill. Though the way things are going you just never know.
PS there's nothing like a bit of mystery so keep the listeners guessing.

Poetessxxx

Poetessxxx

Anonymous said...

"I will never look how people expect me to look."

Okay, yes, I get your point. BUT, just because you don't look like Uma Thurman it doesn't mean you're any less appealing; you're simply more interesting. I rather preferred Janeane Garofalo in that movie.

the rotten correspondent said...

People will always create some kind of picture in their head when they don't know what someone actually looks like. The pity is that in these times that picture usually involves a supermodel type. Like the rest of us don't exist. I'd love to hear your radio voice...see, I'm already creating an image in my head. (or my ears). People are weird. We just can't cope with the unknown.

And as for that cat...just don't come lay with me.

Have a great week! I'll be back Wed.

willowtree said...

I just read that story about the cat on someone else's blog. I think the damn thing is either toxic or radioactive. That's why people die after it's hung around them all day! Don't forget, these people are frail anyway, so it wouldn't take much to push them over the edge.

Jen said...

RC If you know of a good free audio hosting service, let me know! I've been trying to figure out how to post audio clips here for ages. But if you really want to know what I sound like, I'll send a demo to anyone who provides me with an e-mail address.

Anonymous said...

First of all...I don't want that cat walking into my room.

Second of all...radio is fantasy for some allowing them to picture what they want about the person they here. In fact, it's personality and professionalism that's key...and always will be.

By the way...and this one's for you Jen. Here's a funny little primer about radio you may have seen before

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail120.html

Enjoy

Anonymous said...

As for radio... that's why it used to be called "theatre of the mind".