Inside traxx: Diary of DJ Sisyphus

The Aftermath

Monday, the day after the big car wash. Would my dreams of going to broadcasting school come true? Would I ever become a real disc jockey? I was about to find out.

I had a good feeling though, I must admit. Yesterday-the day I DJ'd Keisha's car wash in order to earn money for broadcasting school-dawned bright and sunny, which I knew was a good sign. I showered, pulled on my favorite polo shirt and lucky pumas, grabbed my disc jockey gear, and headed out the door. I showed up early to set up my stuff, and to get a little time with Keisha. "Hi Simon," she said when I arrived. "Hey Keisha," I said. "Where should I set up my stuff?" I asked, gesturing to my turntables, amp and speakers. She pointed to a nearby tarp. "Okay," I said. As you can, things are really heating up.

Anyways, the car wash was a huge success from the second it kicked off. Keisha's younger sister set up a lemonade stand and Keisha's dad, the Reverend (gulp) was going around smiling and waving at everyone. The best part was, once cars pulled over to be washed, they were treated to at least five, unadulterated moments of my master music mixing. I totally felt like a real DJ, and knew more and more I had to make my broadcasting school dreams a reality. I was made for this.

Later in the day, Keisha's mom set out some snacks and drinks, so people were pulling over to get their car washed, take a break from the traffic or just stretch their legs and hang out. In short, it turned into the block party of the century, with yours truly as DJ. Pretty awesome huh? I wish all the broadcasting jobs that had turned me away could see me now.

But things are about to get even better, or maybe worse. But I guess that is the nature of life for a man called Sisyphus. After the car wash, Keisha said I could stop by today and pick up my percent of the car wash money. I am pretty nervous, since how much I make pretty much determines if I can sign up for broadcasting school, thus ultimately deciding if I will ever break into broadcasting. Plus, this could be my big chance to ask Keisha out on a date. My heart is beating as I make my way to her door. What should I say; what should I do? My pulse quickened as the door swung open. I blinked. This enormous blue haired old lady was definitely not Kiesha. "Is Keisha here?" I asked, my voice squeaking. (Sheesh, my dreams of breaking into broadcasting were never going to come true if my voice wouldn't stop cracking every time I got nervous.) "No-o-o" the enormous lady bellowed. "I'm Keisha's grandmother, Lydia. You Simon?"

I nodded, petrified. Had I come this close to achieving my broadcasting school dreams, only to be broken in half by this supersized lady? What had Keisha told her about me?

"Keisha said you might be stoppin' by," she said. "She left you this," she said, thrusting an envelope at me.

At the sight of the envelope my eyes widened. It looked pretty fat, fat like- But, with a slam of the door, Keisha's grandmother disappeared. I stayed cool on the way home, waiting until I got up to my room to open the envelope that would determine whether I would be able to go to broadcasting school once and for all. Jackpot! 150 dollars earned in one day. Not bad.

Later that night at dinner I talked to my parents, who were so impressed with my financial savvy they offered to pay the other half of my broadcasting school registration fee. By tomorrow, I'll be a proud student at the National Broadcasting Training Network! I feel like my dreams of becoming a radio DJ are finally in reach...

Later that night I got another surprise: I had been so concerned about the money in the envelope I had failed to notice the piece of paper that fluttered on to the bed. It was a note from Keisha, inviting me to church and then a barbeque at her house next Sunday. Score two for DJ Sisyphus! Man, it's hard to believe a week ago I was feeling so low. It feels good to be up again.

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DJ Sisyphus