roadblocked!
so one of the things i'm trying to do with my life is do a radio show at wmua. i tried out four years ago (fact!) and didn't make the cut, which was good because i didn't know a single artist they had in their shelves aside from radiohead. so four years later, i think my music catalog has improved enough to give it a second chance.
here's the reply email they sent me:
----- Forwarded message from Mailer-Daemon@mars.nocstation.info -----
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 16:45:16 -0500
From: Mail Delivery System
Reply-To: Mail Delivery System
Subject: Mail delivery failed: returning message to sender
To: training@wmua.org
First off I would like to say that we received an overwhelming number of
applications for this upcoming training session (62 to be exact). In order to
ensure that everyone gets the most out of the labs and due to the small size of
the studio, we are unable to schedule you for training this semester.
BUT, a second round of training labs will begin 11/8.
Still, I feel as though I should mention that a big problem with our training
process is that people lose interest after they take the test. In order to
become air cleared, you must complete 2 sit-ins with a DJ already on air and
you must do 2 overnights. People end up putting these off for weeks and weeks
and they never get done. My goal is to train people who are enthusiastic about
completing the entire process.
If this sounds like something that you can committ to, I highly recommend that
you apply for the second round this semester.
I am willing to hang on to your applications from this round, so let me know!
Also, I noticed that a lot of you are interested in helping out the station in
other departments. I encourage you to contact any of the department directors
and get involved on a staff. It's a great way to do your service hours, which
is necessary to become a member and get your own show.
I hope you all stay enthusiastic about being a part of WMUA!
If you have any questions feel free to email me back.
Jessie Rogers
Training Director
WMUA-FM
----- End forwarded message -----
oh that's super for me, because i was really looking forward to trying again. right?
here's what i sent the lady in reply:
Dear Ms. Jessie Rogers,
You say your biggest problem with the training process is that people lose interest after taking the test. Four years ago I did the entire training process. I don't think I passed the written test. That was a good thing, because I knew maybe .01% of your rock music catalog and would've wound up being one of those people that loses interest.
So four years later I think I could hold my own amongst the big leaguers. I'm all enthsiastic and ready to give this a second try.
And I get this bogus response from you?!
How did you choose which unlucky sods got voted off the training? Seriously, was it at random or was it people who filled out the applications you deemed unworthy?
Was it because I said I'd play as much Hoobastank as humanly possible? I know your music policy. Nothing mainstreram.
After doing the training four years ago, I now know the kind of people you're referring to who would bail out. When I decided to give it another try again, I intended to be one of those "people who are enthusiastic." You've started the dance off by stepping on both my feet. Thanks sweetie.
Frankly, I detest Hoobastank.
In a perfect world you'd respond back saying you've pulled some strings and are going to let me join one of the training sessions. However, I'm pretty realistic. What you'll probably do is send me back some polite response restating the same words you sent in the first email. I don't need to read that. If you can't pull strings just say that. Also explain how it was decided who did and didn't get to train.
It's also possible that you do have the ability to pull strings and just opt out of doing that because of this email I sent to you. Kudos, I guess.
But be warned that if I ever get a radio show I will make it be the most generic rock/talk show ever, with misogynist dialogue, Beethoven's 5th done complete by farts and the closest indie Hoobastank alternative you have. And I will do this completely out of spite.
I'll do the second round of training, so keep my application. I won't be happy.
Hey that's life.
Eric Marklein
Please disregard the spiteful threat I made at the end. It was a joke. Haha you're laughing, right? Christ.
here's the reply email they sent me:
----- Forwarded message from Mailer-Daemon@mars.nocstation.info -----
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 16:45:16 -0500
From: Mail Delivery System
Reply-To: Mail Delivery System
Subject: Mail delivery failed: returning message to sender
To: training@wmua.org
First off I would like to say that we received an overwhelming number of
applications for this upcoming training session (62 to be exact). In order to
ensure that everyone gets the most out of the labs and due to the small size of
the studio, we are unable to schedule you for training this semester.
BUT, a second round of training labs will begin 11/8.
Still, I feel as though I should mention that a big problem with our training
process is that people lose interest after they take the test. In order to
become air cleared, you must complete 2 sit-ins with a DJ already on air and
you must do 2 overnights. People end up putting these off for weeks and weeks
and they never get done. My goal is to train people who are enthusiastic about
completing the entire process.
If this sounds like something that you can committ to, I highly recommend that
you apply for the second round this semester.
I am willing to hang on to your applications from this round, so let me know!
Also, I noticed that a lot of you are interested in helping out the station in
other departments. I encourage you to contact any of the department directors
and get involved on a staff. It's a great way to do your service hours, which
is necessary to become a member and get your own show.
I hope you all stay enthusiastic about being a part of WMUA!
If you have any questions feel free to email me back.
Jessie Rogers
Training Director
WMUA-FM
----- End forwarded message -----
oh that's super for me, because i was really looking forward to trying again. right?
here's what i sent the lady in reply:
Dear Ms. Jessie Rogers,
You say your biggest problem with the training process is that people lose interest after taking the test. Four years ago I did the entire training process. I don't think I passed the written test. That was a good thing, because I knew maybe .01% of your rock music catalog and would've wound up being one of those people that loses interest.
So four years later I think I could hold my own amongst the big leaguers. I'm all enthsiastic and ready to give this a second try.
And I get this bogus response from you?!
How did you choose which unlucky sods got voted off the training? Seriously, was it at random or was it people who filled out the applications you deemed unworthy?
Was it because I said I'd play as much Hoobastank as humanly possible? I know your music policy. Nothing mainstreram.
After doing the training four years ago, I now know the kind of people you're referring to who would bail out. When I decided to give it another try again, I intended to be one of those "people who are enthusiastic." You've started the dance off by stepping on both my feet. Thanks sweetie.
Frankly, I detest Hoobastank.
In a perfect world you'd respond back saying you've pulled some strings and are going to let me join one of the training sessions. However, I'm pretty realistic. What you'll probably do is send me back some polite response restating the same words you sent in the first email. I don't need to read that. If you can't pull strings just say that. Also explain how it was decided who did and didn't get to train.
It's also possible that you do have the ability to pull strings and just opt out of doing that because of this email I sent to you. Kudos, I guess.
But be warned that if I ever get a radio show I will make it be the most generic rock/talk show ever, with misogynist dialogue, Beethoven's 5th done complete by farts and the closest indie Hoobastank alternative you have. And I will do this completely out of spite.
I'll do the second round of training, so keep my application. I won't be happy.
Hey that's life.
Eric Marklein
Please disregard the spiteful threat I made at the end. It was a joke. Haha you're laughing, right? Christ.