Inside traxx: Diary of DJ Sisyphus

Broadcasting Schools Send Me To The Big Time

Just when I was beginning to have my doubts about “these broadcasting schools” as my mom calls them, something about the cute receptionist Lucy made me think twice about throwing in the mic. All week I’ve thought of Lucy, but my next broadcasting school session isn’t until Thursday.

Apparently broadcasting schools space it out a little differently depending on the availability of your mentor. My man DJ Loco had gigs going down for the next couple days, so I wouldn’t be meeting with him. But how could I wait six whole days to see Lucy again?

I could tell by the way she asked when my next broadcasting school class was that she might be interested, but a lot could happen over the course of the week, (as I found out when I caught my former flame Keisha making out with some corn-rowed chump just days after we hung out). Just her name caused a pain in my rib cage. Should I go pick her up from the airport on Sunday or just keep stonewalling her? Man, I was confused. It was times like this I desperately wished broadcasting schools met daily. At least then I could test the waters with Lucy a little and decide my next move.

And just like that, destiny came a ‘callin. The phone rang. I put Teresa in her high chair and headed for the phone. “Hello?” I said.

“Simon?” came that voice I’d know anywhere, like Barry White’s mixed with BBQ sauce for that perfect Southern tang. I couldn’t believe it! DJ Loco was calling me on the phone! If you had told me a month ago this would happen, I never would have believed it. Maybe broadcasting schools really were all they’re cracked up to be. And at his next words, I knew they definitely were.

“Simon, are you there?” DJ Loco continued. “What’s crackin’ for you tonight dude?”

“Uuuh…nothin’” I replied, thinking fast. Surely I could get Miss Anderson next door to watch Teresa if I promised to DJ her niece’s wedding next Friday. (Apparently broadcasting schools do have some clout, at least on my block. Ever since my mom’s been running her mouth at every bridge game in town, I suddenly have more DJ requests than I can handle.)

“Uh-huh. So my buddy just cancelled on me for tonight. It’s the guy who usually helps me load the gear, check the sound, set everything up when I go to a gig. It doesn’t pay anything but it will get you in for free. The venue’s pretty low-key, A CD launch for Mighty Muse at Musictown. Are you interested?”

Hmmm, this did present a delicate quandary for DJ Sisyphus. Musictown was rival to Mixmaster records where I had worked for the past year. But like all schools, broadcasting school was going to have to require some sacrifices. Not to mention Mighty Muse was one of my all- time favorite bands. “Definitely.” I replied.

“Cool. Show up at the station around 7,” DJ Loco said. “Don’t be late.”

“Hey Loco,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Will anyone else from the station be there tonight?”

“Actually yeah,” said DJ Loco. “In fact, there’s one person I think you’ll be especially happy to see.”

Movin' up the Mountain,
DJ Sisyphus