We're On The Air

Some people don't like television. I guess I should be one of them but sometimes, there's too much to love. For example, today I spent a good twenty minutes deciding what movie to watch on Comcast On Demand. There are always so many excellent choices! Something like fast food value menu of movies... where is this going? So there's that, but also there's so many high-quality programs: that new green network; Current Television (I never mention this channel because I'm afraid my ex-girlfriend will think that I stole it from her when in fact it's the other way around. See, when we broke up I was the bleeding heart liberal and she was the one indifferent to politics. Then I guess she realized it was fashionable to hop on the Barack train and now she's a Current junkie like John Boyd and the rest of us.); NBC's unbelievable double helping on Thursday night with the Office and 30 Rock. For me, nothing will ever beat listening to a record while reading a book or magazine but there's one thing that comes damn near close and it's on the tube. I'm talking about Radio Free Roscoe.

Like a lot of good television (Degrassi, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi: The Next Generation), RFR was Canadian and geared toward teens. Four suburban high schoolers [three guys (one vaguely Latino or maybe Indian, one African American and one Buddhist) and a girl] are tired of the "Be like this!" mentality they're surrounded by so they do what any fringe-hip clique of teenagers would do: they start their own radio station. It's executed a little less ridiculously than the way its premise sounds. Think like, Pump Up The Volume meets Dawson's Creek minus star-power, unrealistic drama and neverending, hyper-taut love situations. These are kids you could actually relate to... except they had their own pirate radio station.

There's a moment in the second episode that immediately guaranteed itself a place in my life. Lily, Travis, Ray and Robbie are hanging outside the warehouse they'll soon be broadcasting from, debating over on-air aliases. Lily, of course, really wants something special, something that's a good fit... just like the boys'.

Robbie: "How about Shady Lane?"
Ray: "Shady Lane? Yeah, great one Robbie considering nobody has ever, ever called her that!"
Lily: "No, no, it's a song by Pavement, the band, it's the song that made me want to start playing the guitar!"

It's August, I'm fourteen, watching this show on this channel I just got (DishNetwork, baby! Summer before freshman year!) and they're talking about a band I recently fell in love with? Cool I guess is the word?

Throughout its two seasons there were controversial class election campaigns (Lily's "Think Pink!" platform,) struggles to remain original (probably the most important storylines dealt with this,) really cute supporting characters (see: Julia Alexander, Victoria Nestorowicz. Grace and Parker, respectively,) a solid soundtrack (nowhere near Pete and Pete's, however,) really well-done season finales... I was crushed at the end of summer '06 when it was finished off. Degrassi just didn't cut it anymore.

I have the Best of Season One DVD (the only one the ever made. I had to order it off amazon.ca!) and they show re-runs now at 12 and 12:30 in the afternoon on The-N. I was watching them today and I still always find my gut wrenching whenever Robbie's usually benign messages about being yourself take a militant turn or when Lily embarrasses herself on stage at Mickey's. I laugh when Parker quotes Nanny Haynes. I root for Travis and Ray and really, really hope they succeed in their romantic pursuits. I smile when I watch this fucking show! It's the television equivalent of listening to Pirouette. Come watch with me?

Other news:
Hung out with Liz and Emily and Emily's cousin Hope Sunday and it was super, throwback, sophomore year kinda fun. Driving back to Oxford with them listening to Andrew W.K. superfun.

Today I picked up Caitlin and that girl... puts a spell on men! Caitlin, I'm pretty sure you are blessed with the power to make any man fall in love with you. Then we went to the park for Kelly's Peru isjawn and Sarah's Guatemala (?) ishjawn... I didn't take any pictures, but it was hot sweaty stuff your face delight. John was wearing a Rites of Spring shirt and I find myself listening to them now... I love that our taste in music doesn't entirely overlap so we share new things with each other. It's strictly heterosexual. I have trouble memorizing the lyrics to his songs and for that I am sorry. I hope you are better than I am at such things. Practice makes perfect.