Thank You for Not Sharing

Of all media, radio is said to be the most personal. People listen while dozing off in bed, making supper in the kitchen and changing oil in the garage. The fact that others may be listening out there in the world isn't necessarily something you think about because YOU are listening where YOU are.

This came to mind on Saturday, when a listener called to ask when we were going to air Oberlin faculty member Peter Takacs's recording of the Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 27. We've been playing Peter's recordings of all 32 sonatas in order during October on WCLV.

When talking to a listener, I usually ask "What city do you live in?" I've taken to phrasing the question that way. In my experience, not including the word "city" means there's a 50-50 chance the caller won't mention the city.

After giving this listener the date and time of the Beethoven sonata, I decided to part with custom. I simply asked where she was calling from.

"Home," she said.

Thank goodness she stopped there. She might have been chatting me up from the Necessary Room.