My love/hate week with NPR

If you love NPR, which... I have a small group of friends that really, truly love NPR (you liberals!) you hate this week and one just like it about 6 months from now. We are in the fall fund drive. EVERY YEAR it sneaks up on me! I feel so unprepared when I go to turn on Car Talk at 9am on the Saturday of the wretched week and hear the talking, the pleading, of Renee Montagne reminding me of their need this year. I am totally an NPR junkie. I am a listener no matter what. But I totally hate this week.

I was talking to a friend a few years ago during this time of year and we had the conversation... the one that discovered we were both die hard NPR-ers, but confessed that neither had ever pledged. (we sound like we're Greek's or something - Nu Pi Rho) We said so somewhat sheepishly because we both felt the guilt.

And that's the thing about NPR... I confess my undying adoration... but I hate right now... because I am so guilt ridden... Because Ira Glass... a voice I love, one I've welcomed into my home regularly, one that tells me great stories... and then during the fund drives turns on me. It's so manipulative... because he says, "If you've been enjoying the stories NPR has brought you but you don't contribute..." and they liken it to stealing. And then I have an inward battle with myself... "They have CHOSEN to publish themselves... It is my RIGHT to take and NOT give back! THIS is the system. THIS IS UNDERSTOOD!!! You should NOT be guilting me to support a service you have CHOSEN to provide out of good will!!!"

But Ira can't hear me and neither can Sylvia Pagioli or Veer Sing (I love him, he reports from New Delhi and has a wonderful accent). And that's the wonder of it all... they are so unaffected, but I am guilty. Hateful ones that I love. They even get David Sedaris involved... and that's just low. He was born with Greek guilt and could care less who it spills all over.

It's Tuesday... they will go until next Sunday and life will be back to normal programming... guilt free programming... for another 6 months... and then it will happen all over again, this abusive cycle. I'll apologize, tell them it was my fault. I've been listening for too long not to be a pledger and then I'll try to offer some sort of bargain of "maybe if I just convert more NPR listeners they won't make me feel so guilty..." but then it all start again. Who new NPR could be so unhealthy.

Holly, are you with me on this?