KVR Audio

the_nihilist · Post by **the_nihilist** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:23 am

So.

I've taken a new job. It's your typical 8 hour a day work, nothing really interesting or special about it.

Except for one horrible, sickening detail.

You see, all day without reprise, the radio is hard-tuned to a top 40 radio station, broadcasting at considerable volume. This wouldn't normally be a problem, as in any other situation I would just bring my Mp3 player to work every day. Alas, due to the nature of the job, this isn't an option. Also, there is one aspect of this that makes things both increadibly disturbing, and immensely annoying:

MY COWORKER SINGS ALONG TO THE SONGS. HE IS A 32 YEAR OLD MAN WHO SINGS ALONG TO AVRIL LAVIGNE AND ASHLEY SIMPSON SONGS.

Top 40 radio: 1
My sanity: 0

moonlite · Post by **moonlite** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:31 am

if you can't beat'em, join'em.

The Chase · Post by **The Chase** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:37 am

try going to school surrounded by the clear channel/MTV clones who are always singing it anyway

bluedad · Post by **bluedad** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:39 am

at my gig, during our breaks we always have to hear 'electric slide' 'macarena' etc

herodotus · Post by **herodotus** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:49 am

I so feel for you.

I nearly lost my mind a few years back under similar circumstances.

The only advantage of my present job (and I mean the only advantage) is that I get to listen to whatever I want to all day long.

ross g · Post by **ross g** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:22 am

i had to listen to "new country" when i worked with one dude, he sang along (off key), plus they repeat the songs over and over...

i like classic rock okay, had to listen to that station with the boss, but "american pie" and "runnin' on empty" make me want to smash shit (and i did)....

rg

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:26 am

Ghawds above and below, nihilist -- what a predicament! :-( You have my sincere sympathy.

If I were stuck in that situation I'd probably ask if the music could be changed or at least turned down a bit, on the grounds that it interfered with working.

If that doesn't do it, and I reckon it wont, then short of generating a very localized EMP, I've no advice that would work. *shudder*

A question that I'll not be here to answer for a while, as I'm about to hit the sack, but here goes. What's the physical setup of the workplace? (If you don't mind saying.) A large room with many workers? Individual offices? Cubicles a la Dilbert? Drafty castle with dungeon full of dramatic electrical equipment? Knowing that might give someone (could even be me) some ideas.

hello1234 · Post by **hello1234** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:40 am

"he was a boy, I was a girl.....can I be any more obvious"

or

"did ya really think I was gonna give it up to you"

ResonantOrder · Post by **ResonantOrder** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:48 am

I walked out of a job once because I couldn't take the music anymore.

I may not make much money being self-employed, but at least I can listen, or not listen, to whatever I want.

I've always been sensitive to sound so I feel for ya.

One of the best jobs I ever had was cooking at Mother's Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant, down in Austin. Every one who worked in the kitchen was granted one hour to play whatever music they wanted. I was exposed to massive amounts of great tunes that I had never heard before.

Maybe you can strike a deal with your co-worker to play something else occasionally.

james0tucson · Post by **james0tucson** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:37 am

Wear -20dB earplugs. Make sure they are OSHA approved earplugs. If your employer tries to forbid you from wearing them, you've got your gold mine.

herodotus · Post by **herodotus** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:52 am

james0tucson wrote:Wear -20dB earplugs. Make sure they are OSHA approved earplugs. If your employer tries to forbid you from wearing them, you've got your gold mine.

I tried that in my former situation.

The top 40 was interspersed with really bad dance music mix tapes (or rather, tape) which the Ecuadorans would play over and over again. All day, if you let them.

Some evil man wrote:I like to move it move it

I like to move it move it

I like to move it move it

I like to move it move it

For hours on end!!!

I mean the boom box was right next to my head for god's sake!

When people saw that I actually was wearing earplugs they sort of backed away like I was some sort of circus freak.

When I told them why I was wearing them they looked at me like I was a really offensively snobbish circus freak.

You can't win with some people.

the_nihilist · Post by **the_nihilist** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 3:54 am

james0tucson wrote:Wear -20dB earplugs. Make sure they are OSHA approved earplugs. If your employer tries to forbid you from wearing them, you've got your gold mine.

I wear earplugs all day anyways (its a manual labor job). It doesn't drown out the horrible noise.

androidlove · Post by **androidlove** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:06 am

the station at my work plays classic alternative. i can live with that

if i had to listen to top 40? i'd out dance and out sing the others. they'd get tired of me and change the channel.

maximilians1 · Post by **maximilians1** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 4:12 am

androidlove wrote:the station at my work plays classic alternative. i can live with that

if i had to listen to top 40? i'd out dance and out sing the others. they'd get tired of me and change the channel.

good tip, sing along but a lot LOUDER and off key and throw in generous servings of pelvic thrusts and grinds ... that'll learn'em

Norbert · Post by **Norbert** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 7:22 am

Tell em' you find the lyrics objectionable, and against your religion. If they tell you "tough titties", sue em'. If anyone harrasses you about it, sue em'. If they fire you, sue em'.

Make sure you submit your complaint in writing, so you have proof of it.

Top 40 radio vs. my sanity