Wrapping the Buddha in tinsel

Tradition is a peculiar thing. I'm a Buddhist, but every year without fail, I have celebrated Christmas. Being Buddhist is not an anti-Christian or any other religion stance, so I enjoy celebrating.

This year, I went out and pick my very own tree. There it was at the Family Dollar near my job, boxed and waiting to go home with me. The scene embodied the spirit I've come to associate with the holiday. I laughed as my co-worker and I ran out on our lunch break and "selected" this tree. Mind you, there were only like three models to choose from.

There was the 4 foot for $10. My 6 foot, regal tree for $20. And another pre lit, 6-foot one for $25.

Afterward carrying my new tree's box out to the car, we headed to Subway and had lunch back at the library. We laughed, talked and enjoyed each other's company, which is part of why the holidays are my favorite. People feel closer. Laugh a little louder. Share a little more.

A few days passed without much brew-ha-ha...

Then Sunday rolled around. We unpacked the tree and the baby was "in charge" of the boxes. Essentially, she grabbed empty ornament boxes and shook them around. Hard work, but someone has to do it. After about an hour and a half, we had a tree complete with purple lights (in honor of my favorite singer, Prince) and purple and iridescent ornaments. What a joy...



I now interrupt this festive moment with a bit of sadness about the changes at my local public radio station, WDET FM 101.9...

Allow me to say that I am disappointed. I am a twenty-something and have listened to DET with my mother since my childhood. There used to be a nice balance of local and NPR programming. We felt there was something special about DET. It offered us music that we couldn't find anywhere else. The hosts became old friends.

Then those friends are taken away without any concern for the listener. Literally, overnight, the programming became strictly NPR-based with a few local shows at odd hours just to pacify listeners. We are the ones who pledge our hard-earned money to support the station. I am so disappointed.

Two hosts left after 22 and 31 years of service to the station. There was no sense of loyalty to the hosts that had given us decades of themselves. Where will we go for the annual tribute to Jimi Hendrix? Who will give us the Halloween shows we love to share with our families?

I love this city. I am a native Detroiter. Even my degrees were earned in Detroit. DET used to be one thing about Detroit that gave me hope that there were others like me who thought outside of the box. Now, DET has buckled and I can only pray for its future.