Two weeks ago, my job got a whole lot more palatable. No, I didn’t get a promotion or an exciting new project.
I got headphones.
See, I sit in the IT department. Our company has grown a lot in the past few years and desperately needs to expand our building. But until the market and economy improve, we’re all stuffed in corners and cubicles and cubbyholes.
Anyway. My friendly IT neighbors tend to frown on any noise I make, from blowing my nose 20 times a day (What can I say? It’s always allergy season for me!) to discussing communication strategy and project details with my manager at my desk. So to keep the peace, I don’t dare leave my cell phone volume on or listen to music during the day.
And sometimes? A little music could go a long way toward brightening my day and improving my attitude.
Enter the headphones. And even more brilliant, Pandora. If you haven’t tried Pandora, check it out today. Based on loads of research and something called the music genome project, the site creates radio stations based on your preferences. You enter an artist or song you like, and bam! You’ve got your own personalized radio station.
Listening to Pandora, I find myself grinning at songs I haven’t heard in years – or sometimes, ever – and wondering, “Wow, how did Pandora know I like that song?”
I love Pandora. I love my headphones. I love finding new songs and jamming to old favorites. I love being able to e-mail Chelley during the day and say, “I’m listening to rap right now. Does that make you laugh?” or “Is it weird that I’m listening to angry chick songs?”
The variety on Pandora blows me away – if only my iTunes selection was so diverse! I’ve got big band to hair bands, bluegrass to angry chicks, 90s soft rock to contemporary Christian, R&B to old country. Journey, Barenaked Ladies, Plain White Ts, Wilson Phillips, Firehouse, Francesca Battistelli, Sugarland. You want it, they got it.
Now I just have to make sure not to grin too widely or actually sing along to the tunes in my ear. Wouldn’t want to get the IT folks all riled up.
What makes your weekday go by faster? What music makes you grin? (Please, tell me it’s Wilson Phillips. No? Air Supply? Okay, maybe that’s just me…)
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I LOVE Pandora!! I have a Jack Johnson/Jason Mraz/Indigo Girls/Natalie Merchant/U2 station that rocks :).
I’ve never used Pandora, but it sounds awesome! Since I’m home all day (usually), I made up a playlist at http://www.imeem.com and I usually just play that all day long.
So glad you found a way to make your week work a bit happier!
I love it too, but the sound on my computer no longer works. Boo! =( You’re right though – it stinkin’ ROCKS!!!
Thanks for the compliment on my kids. I kind of think they’re cute too. ;)
I’m in love with Pandora too! My current favorite station is Jack Johnson.
My son listens to Pandora, but I haven’t been patient enough to give it a chance. Somewhere around here I have an old Wilson Phillips cassette that I wore out and lately I’ve been diggin’ Sugarland when I hear them in my car. Good stuff.
Leave me out of this. :P I don’t ever have time to email during the day; I’m busy working hard! :P
(Oh, and what makes my week go faster is chatting (but no longer, sadly) and emailing — oh…;)
i love pandora too. during the christmas season ben would get a little mad because all i’d have on was christmas music!
that wouldn’t be good for me at work though, because i’d definitely be singing along. or humming.
are you gonna yell at me for not knowing who wilson phillips is? and although i’ve heard of air supply i couldn’t tell you what they sing… i’m bad aren’t i?!
I love Pandora as well. I’m an even happier camper now that they have an application for Blackberry users. Pandora on my phone. Pandora on my computer. It’s like having satellite radio for free!! :) Love it!
How cool! It sounds awesome =) I wish I could listen to music at work…
pandora is a brilliant invention:)we used it at home for christmas music.
i also listened to non-commerical radio online at work–it definitley helps!
Pandora is so fun! Plus it is pretty kid friendly (depending on your tastes, I guess) so I can listen during the day.
Wihs I could listen to music at work. My boss is anti noise of any kind and would flip out if anyone dared wear headphones. It’s a crazy work environment.
I love love Pandora! I have a Hannah Montana station for my girls and several for me, including Jimmy Buffett. :)
I am definitely adding Jack Johnson to my stations.
p.s. I also have a Britney Spears station…cough.
i’ve recently discovered pandora, and i LOVE it.
glad you got some headphones! way to make work more fun…