Jobseeker’s Diary

So how was Valentine’s? Bet you got plenty of flowers (ladies), and breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the day because you had three dates but managed to take them all out without being caught (guys). I didn’t “celebrate” the so-called lovers’ day. And don’t you even suggest its sour grapes on my part because no one asked me out. I did celebrate once or twice a couple of years ago and even wore a red dress one time but I’ve grown up since. I don’t get this hullabaloo about Valentine’s Day making or breaking a relationship. If he buys you flowers, he loves you. If she doesn’t go out with you, she has another guy. Grow up people. I don’t even know why we’re so eager to embrace these “alien” practices. People get flowers and get home and don’t know what to do with them! Forgive my repetitive mention of flowers. It’s just that they’re apparently one of the sweetest ways to show someone you love them. By the way, I always tell guys I’m not a flower person. Honestly, I don’t appreciate them and I remember telling a friend I would be more embarrassed than pleased if I got a bunch of flowers at work, especially on Valentine’s Day. You’d rather give me cash. The day is however good for business. All you “lovers” did was make florists and related business owners richer. We also got more clients than usual, especially in the evening. It was young couples mostly, eager to express their love for each other. Girls, allow me to stick my nose in your business. If a guy neglects you the entire year and only remembers to call you on Valentine’s, run. Moving on. I’m one of those radio and TV junkies. Most people love to hang out, I love sitting on the couch and watching TV or just listening to my radio throughout the night. My mum always joked that I know more about TV personalities than my neighbours and she’s right. Also, I don’t just watch or listen. I criticise, but not without reason. I’ll start with radio, because it’s the one I have the biggest issues with. First of all, there’s something called “a radio voice” and many radio presenters don’t have that. Trust me I know because I considered going on radio but decided the listeners deserve better. But not everybody is like me, and so we have all manner of squeaky and screechy voices on radio. Then there’re those who try desperately to sound British or American. I wonder if they ever listen to themselves. My grievances don’t stop there. Some presenters like to talk, and talk and talk some more. A song starts to play and they talk through it, telling us details about the artiste which we usually already know. One minute into the song, they interrupt again to take a call as though they can’t wait for the ad break. I always wonder why they don’t let people call in before or after the song. I love listening to a song in its entirety; yes even the “dying” notes and so can’t stand those interruptions, especially because the presenter usually has nothing important to say. Others just have bad timing. They’ll play a song seconds to the news and so have to cut it short and don’t play it again after the news. Then there are those who mix up artistes’ names and song titles. I mean seriously, Lionel Richie, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey etc have distinctive voices. Equally annoying are the mispronunciations of people’s names and places. So instead of listening, I’m busy correcting the presenter. Do your homework people. Remember your primary goal is to keep us informed, not misinform us. Its issues like these that left me no choice but to switch to stations like BBC and Voice of America. BBC is impeccable but I have to say I’m not 100 percent happy with VOA. My biggest complaint is with Meraf Asfaw who presents Daybreak Africa, along with James Butty. It’s a 30-minute programme which airs Monday to Friday from 7a.m. Now the first thing that struck me about this show is Meraf’s corny voice. You have to listen to her to get what I mean. There’s also the fact that the presenters seem to read from the same template every day. I think that’s being lazy and apart from that, it becomes boring and uninspiring. It’s like the potatoes we have for lunch at the restaurant. Cooked in the same unspiced way all the time! And then before and after each newsbyte, Meraf says “...and that was so and so speaking to my colleague John...” On the same show is another guy called Mark Ouma who does the sports roundup for about 4 minutes. “Good Morning Meraf, Good Morning James. In our Daybreak sports news, we begin with football... Senegal upset/etched/outclassed...” this or that team. I wonder why he can’t just say won or beat! And at the end, he goes like “And that’s it from Daybreak sports, I’m Mark Ouma from Johannesburg, South Africa. Back to you Meraf and Mark in our Washington studio.” I wish you could see the irritation on my face every time he says that last bit. “Our Washington Studio.” We know where they are all broadcasting from because we hear it every day so there’s no need for all the repetition. I’m so angered by this I’m considering writing to the producer to ask these people to change. To be continued... nsophie77@yahoo.com