Have I Been Blacklisted ?

I've blogged many times before about winning on the radio.  I love it.  My favorite has been to beat a deejay named Woody at his morning pop culture trivia game "Are You Smarter Than A Woody?"  I have enjoyed so many different concerts, food, and other prizes by winning that daily contest at least a dozen times in the past two years.

But in the last six months something has definitely changed.

Typically, the deejays (Goose and Woody himself) announce a certain caller they will accept for the chance to beat Woody.  My wife, and sometimes my son, will dial their phones while I dial mine (3 times the chances to be the right caller).  It is a frantic few minutes and Goose usually answers the phone with "caller number 4 try again" or a short message along those lines.

But when you're the "right" caller you get a different response: "Hi, who's this?" or "Hi, what's your name?"  That is usually the cue that you're about to be on the radio and have a chance to win some great prizes.  And this is also why I feel like I've been blacklisted.

TWICE in the past month, I have received the "Hi, who's this?" greeting ... only to be told that I am caller number whatever-is-the-number-right-before-the-one-they-need.  This information is never shared until after I announce my name, which generates an "Oh no" response from Woody or Goose.  The first time I just chalked it up to bad luck, but the second time in less than a month makes me question the validity of being turned down from playing.  This is compounded by the fact that only one time EVER has that happened before and they played that person's comments on the radio right after telling them they were the wrong caller.  Neither of my interactions received any airplay.

To be fair, I would totally understand if the deejays didn't want me to play and possibly win again ... but don't lie to me!  Just straight up tell me that you don't want me to play or win again.  I'm a big boy.  I won't complain or say you're being unfair.  I've won literally thousands of dollars worth of prizes from you.  We're cool.  But be honest with me!

I plan to test this theory in the near future by announcing my name as "JC" instead, in the hopes that they won't automatically decline my chance to play.  Then if I win I'll bust out my full name and let them figure out how to handle that!  I'll only make a big scene if they try to deny me without telling me why.


Song Of The Day:
I never really liked the Jackson 5 version of this song but Colbie Caillat's rendition of "I Want You Back" is appropriate for this post.  I want my chance back.  I want to have a fair shot to win some prizes again.  It's been too long.  I miss my free stuff.  :)

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Ever Have A Day Just Go Backwards On You ?

Tuesdays are my Mondays.  I work Tuesday through Saturday, so my work week begins on Tuesdays.  This is only significant because most people dread Mondays, but I do not.  Instead, I often dread Tuesdays.  So it shouldn't really surprise me when Tuesdays seem backwards sometimes.

From the very start today, things were just "off":
 - I lost (for the first time ever) on "AYSTAW" (radio contest)
 - My work computer logged on but wouldn't connect to the network.
 - I had time for lunch, but wasn't hungry (reverse it for the normal situation).
 - I got home in time to do my P90X workout, but never did complete it.
 - I ate dinner early, but then got heartburn (never happens to me).
 - I changed out of my street clothes to be able to play basketball, but neither team (of only 4 each) who had a scheduled game allowed me to sub in for them.

And the day ended with me being wide awake and unable to fall asleep.  That was the only thing that resembled any normal routine for me.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better ...
I can assure you my attitude will be (because I do believe you can create a great day by just having the right attitude about it).

Song Of The Day:
Not all music I like or listen to is "mainstream" but most of it is, if only because of the easy access to it on the radio, etc.  Gabriel Mann is not really mainstream, but you may have heard of him.
One of my favorite songs of his is "Lighted Up" ** and the words from that song came to my mind today.  Specifically the phrases "Tuesday came and went as quickly as expected" and "Sometimes I need to feel rejected."  But overall the song sends a message about finding positive energy in less than ideal circumstances.  At least that's what I think and like about it.
**The video is clips from some soap opera, so just listen to the song.  Sorry.

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Is There A Downside To Winning So Much On The Radio ?

The short answer to the title question is ... yes ...

 

However, it comes with a big BUT attached to it.

(insert your own joke about J-Lo or Sir Mix-A-Lot here).

The downside to all my winnings (mostly from "Are You Smarter Than A Woody?") from 92.9 Peak FM came in the mail today in the form of a 1099-Misc tax form.  You read that right.  I won so much from the same radio station in 2012 that they had to send me a "Miscellaneous Income" form.
The grand total reported?  $1130!

So that will certainly affect our tax refund this year ...

Now here's the big BUT ... (go ahead and crack* another joke here if you must)
 - The tax impact to our household will be so minimal it cannot possibly overshadow the joy that came with all those prizes, gift certificates, tickets to shows, etc.  Especially those items I was able to give away to others, which were easily just as much fun to enjoy knowing that some of my friends got to experience some "free" entertainment!
*Pun intended

Side Note:  I will attempt to spread the winning across more radio stations this year.  Just this afternoon I won from K-Lite 106.3 (the prizes were $100 American Express gift card and the first season of Smash on DVD ... and a 1 in 6 chance at a trip to Las Vegas!)  Life is sooooo good!  :)

Song Of The Day:
This is the song of the day for no other reason than I heard it for the first time on the radio today and it was just too good to not share today.  I barely know the catalog of music from Led Zeppelin, which is a real shame but one I plan to correct very quickly.  This song is "Fool In The Rain" and if it is any indication of the style of their other music, I think I'm in for a real treat as I get to know their classic sound better.

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