Today I did a lot for not leaving my room except to relieve myself, go on a short walk (’twas a beautiful day), and get dinner. Well not really a whole lot, but more than my average have-my-soul-sucked-out-by-the-internet’s-straw-sit-in-front-of-the-computer-wasting-my-life-away day. I got Student Accounts to write me up a big fat cheque. I complained to the English Dept about cancelling the creative writing course. Got permission from Dr T to use her as a reference should I end up applying for some type of employment this summer (the experts are telling me it’s definitely a good plan). Investigated possibilities of thespian activity in London in the summer that might want to include me even if it doesn’t realize it yet (didn’t find anything useful and then found out that last november there were 2 (T-W-O) George F. Walker plays performed in London. grrr. that soured me up pretty good indeed). And then the guy who wrote and starred in richardthesecond randomly sent me a message on soulseek telling me I should keep writing and stick with it. That was a bit of a surprise. I guess he ran into my webpage, and saw some of my writings, and whether he read them or not, getting encouragement from quite accomplished and seemingly very like-minded people who are established in “the scene” is really exciting (my relationship with the exclamation mark has faltered recently, otherwise I would definitely use one or two here). I thought that was supremely cool, and it really did make me want to stick with it. Seeing what he has done, it looks like there actually is the possibility of a very bright future for crazy art obsessed people (like me). Good old internet.. not entirely evil after all. Yay.
Through all of that, I was working on putting together a new program application for CFMU radio, which hopefully will get me somewhere. I shall share what I have so far:
Name of Program:
Slipstream (unless you can think of something better)
Describe the concept for your program:
Slipstream is about Music. Music as inspiration. Music as life. An emphasis on the lyrical, poetic side of music, whether or not it is instrumental. Music that makes us feel, is rich in atmosphere, takes us to faraway places and stimulates memory and imagination. Music that is honest and has something to say. Some songs will be accompanied by poetic manoeuvers that they inspired. Emphasis on personal yet universal meanings of songs rather than politics, but politics are not excluded, (every good political song starts off with its personal appeal, after all). This is about the power of the music, and not necessarily its subject matter, though obviously those two often go hand in hand. Listeners (if there are any) are invited to call in with songs that do their bodies good and share their insight.
also known as:
I play all my favorite songs and maybe a few of yours. if you’re nice to me.
What knowledge, experience, background, or skills will you bring to this program?
Passion, dedication, an unhealthy obsession with all things musical (just ask anyone who knows me!), I am a very quick learner, lots theatre experience (including Gut Girls and Lysistrata this year at Mac) which of course means proficiency at speaking clearly and assuredly, I selected music for Thespian club’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, made a radio play for my OAC German class with Soundforge and Acid Pro that blew my teacher’s socks off, my brother is a DJ-in-training (of the vinyl variety) so I have some experience with that sort of thing. I make a mean (crossfaded, within a second of 80 minutes, carefully selected and sequenced) mix CD! And most importantly, my English teacher who I had several times in high school and directed me in the school musical said I had a “radio voice”. I do believe he’s right!
What materials will you use for your program? (i.e. magazines, Internet etc…)
My wild and vivid imagination. Knowledge from the internet. A whole lot of music. Plus I’ve been thinking about themes for shows and songs to play since I came to MAC. Maybe even before. Yikes.
In no more than two sentences, describe your program?
An homage to the spirit, atmosphere, and emotion of a broad spectrum of music
How will you promote your show?
I will pimp the shit out of this mfucka. No doubt.
I’m talkin’ radio ads, I’m talkin’ posters, I’m talkin’ talkin’ everybody and anybody into listening to it. Oh, and maybe some on-air give aways and stuff. Of course, the idea is that it will be so good it will promote itself.
If you’d like to do a music program, please list at least ten artists that you would play on your program:
The Decemberists, Weakerthans, Massive Attack, Underworld, Flaming Lips, Outkast, REM, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, A Silver Mt. Zion, Elbow, Calexico, Radiohead, Aim, Dead Can Dance, Hybrid, Nitin Sawhney, Portishead, The Shins, John Vanderslice, Wilco
In your opinion, why is it important for CFMU to broadcast this program?
Just do it. 
But seriously, since coming to McMaster I have noticed an unnerving under-representation of Damon Muma on the airwaves of CFMU.
Availability: Please indicate what days of the week and what times will work best for you. Be flexible and list all possible options:
I will take anything I can get, though I do not know my course schedule for next year. I have decided that I want to do a show so much that I’ll even take an early morning shift. Now that’s dedication. (I am not a morning person, but for you, I will become one!)
Can they resist? I should think (and fervently hope) not
Despite all this unbridled productivity, I also managed to do a little bit of studying for my Psych exam that’s on saturday morning (less review and more learning for the first time though… oh psychology, why did you have to be so early (10:30.. Eeeep) and all the way across campus??). My plan for the rest of the day is to be studying even more. Hopefully that isn’t an entirely unrealistic expectation.