January 11, 2005

sound

I sat in the sound booth at NPR last night, staring past a serious-looking microphone, with equally serious-looking headphones cupped to my ears and an almost familiar voice on the other end said,

“Well, I’m not sure she’s the right person. She doesn’t sound at all like a 13 year old boy.”

Oh the relief!

From Washington D.C. came the questions, and in my booth in New York, I supplied what I hoped were sufficient answers. Overall, I thought it had gone well. You know, minus the nervous giggling and the having to re-read because of a strange new inability to pronounce syllables separately from one another.

I read excerpts from This Fish and answered questions about my relationship with Ben – how we first came in contact, when we met. Connecticut. It was a bit surreal.

Ben and I are worlds away from the kind of relationship we had a year, even six months ago. That we dated, that we were… involved isn’t so far removed that it’s unbelievable; it’s simply in the past. Left behind. And I can most honestly say I would not have it any other way. I don’t mourn the passing of our old iteration. Because there were a lot of not good times. But even now, there are also very few days (maybe three in a month) that we aren’t in contact of some sort. That anything good came of us is a brilliant miracle and a testament to friendship. And to change. And never was this all more clear to me than last night, sitting in the sound booth, reviewing my past.

Leaving the studio, I stepped onto the street, prayed for heavy editing (had I said too much?) and lifted my ringing cell phone.

“Heeeeey! How did it go?”
“I was so nervous, Joe.”
“Nah, I bet it was awesome. I can’t wait to hear it.”
“I’m just ducking into the subway…”
“Alright, sweetie. I’ll try to call you later from work.”

I paused at the ‘sweetie,” a bit surprised at him for saying it -- and at myself for liking the sound of it.

Times, they are a-changin'.

Posted by This Fish at January 11, 2005 11:50 AM
Comments

I love pet names. Especially "boo"

Posted by: Jen at January 11, 2005 11:54 AM

What a surreal experience! Do you know when the story will air on NPR?

Posted by: Melinda at January 11, 2005 11:54 AM

i'm a sucker for "baby girl." *sigh*

and i would love to hear the show. is there any way we could?

Posted by: red at January 11, 2005 12:19 PM

congratulations, H. this is a fabulous new step! you MUST tell us when to listen.

(just please don't tell me if you met Ira Glass, Rob Gifford, or Steve Inskeep because i'll hate you.)

Posted by: julia at January 11, 2005 12:32 PM

NPR is looking for 13 year old boys? Oh god, i've been going about this all wrong... (although I'm on Liane Hansen's sh1t list and will probably never be invited back...pre-pubescent voice notwithstanding)

Posted by: brando at January 11, 2005 01:02 PM

There's so much about who you were, who you are and where you're going here. I love it.

Posted by: Bond Girl at January 11, 2005 01:08 PM

Indeed. It happens to the best, the worst, and in between. And sometimes it doesn't happen at all. Which is tragic.

Not one for pet names, but I do like "boo" and "shorty" for my significant other.

Posted by: Robotnik at January 11, 2005 03:57 PM

My special guy is "bun". Started out as a typo of "hun" and stuck.

Posted by: Annora at January 11, 2005 04:16 PM


should the 'mine' be turning into 'ours' sooner than you expect? :)

Posted by: mrs. p at January 11, 2005 05:22 PM

Congrats Fish. I hope, like the rest of your loyal readers, I get to hear the program. Just don't tell a certain Pacific Northwest blogger that I have to listen to NPR.

Posted by: Plantation at January 11, 2005 09:39 PM

Is green with envy and a little bit cynical allowed here? I mean I'm happy for you and all. But damn when is NPR going to interview me about my love life? Wait, I need a love life first. M'kay. Nevermind.

Posted by: jimmy c at January 11, 2005 09:41 PM

I worked as a newswriter for NPR from '91-'94. Is Carl Castle still there?

Who was your host?

Posted by: Robotnik at January 12, 2005 08:59 AM

Carl Castle rocks. Someday I'll time it right, answer the quiz on Wait! Wait! correctly and have him leave a greeting message on my voicemail.

That'd be shweet.

Posted by: muffy at January 12, 2005 11:22 AM

Beautiful. How much things can change in a year. If only we are open to them changing.

Anxiously awaiting the bit on NPR ...

Posted by: La Chat Noir at January 12, 2005 01:01 PM

For those who don't know, some NPR programs - the flagship ones: ATC, Morning Edition - are posted on the web to listen to, I think for perpetuity.

While I'm thrilled that you're becoming more and more "famous" (Paris Hilton-hood, here we come!), I'm disappointed that NPR couldn't find a different angle of you to ask about. Since you already covered this subject (somewhat) in the article, it would have been cool if they could have done something else.

Either way, look forward to hearing you for the first time and hearing what you had to say. Cheers all around.

Posted by: Michael R at January 12, 2005 01:42 PM