Sirius negotiations

I've written before about how E Street Radio is the one reason satellite radio brings me so much joy. Frankly, the ability to listen to my favorite artist all the time is my personal runaway American dream.

So after my Lexus became a wreck on the highway, totaled last July, I had to find a car to replace it. I looked at a sixty-nine Chevy with a 396, Fuelie heads and a Hurst on the floor, but what I wound up with was the exact same Lexus I'd had, only a couple years newer.

Imagine how happy I was to learn my new, replacement pre-owned Lexus came with 3 months of complimentary Sirius Satellite Radio. I figured I'd enjoy E Street Radio 24/7 for that time, then when the offer ended I'd be back to Roy Orbison singing for the lonely.

But then something miraculous happened: the dealer selling me my new Lexus, after a little Tanqueray and wine, disclosed a very useful piece of information. He said, "No matter what Sirius wants you to pay, they'll negotiate it down to $10 a month or less." Good to know.

As the 3-month-end-of-Bruce deadline approached, I started getting mailers from Sirius almost daily about keeping my subscription going. The problem was to continue the same all-channel access complimentary plan I had, they wanted around $25 a month.

So I let the plan lapse. And then they called me.

I won't bore you with all the back and forth, but there was a lot of it. They kept trying to give me a plan that was more money and less channels than I wanted. Eventually the offshore operator asked me "How much do you want to pay?" I said my budget was $60 for six months. Total. All of it.

After putting me on hold, she checked with her supervisor, who said she'd like to see me. I said if she wants to see me, you can tell her that I'm easily found. But I guess she decided it wasn't necessary. The operator took a second shot offering me a bad deal, checked with her supervisor again, then gave me the all-channel access plan with Nav Traffic, weather and sports for only $157 for six months. But they credited me $97.

I'd say do the math but I've done it for you: I got what I wanted for the price I wanted - everything for $10 a month. So now, when I'm out in the street, I get to roll down the window, let the wind blow back my hair and listen to the music I love.

Since I now have the luxury of time on my side, I've actually explored a few other channels. I like Stern in small does. The comedy channels are pretty fun, except I've learned the hard way not to listen to them with the kids in the car. The Real Jazz station is unbelievably great. And, I'm just going to say it because my macho self-esteem is not threatened, the On Broadway channel is fun every now and again. But those are just distractions for a few minutes. I always come home to channel 20 - E Street.

I found that by taking a hard line with Sirius, and being willing to walk away from it all I wound up with exactly what I wanted.

When it comes to satellite radio negotiations, it's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win.

Chrome wheeled, fuel injected

There's not much to be said about taking my car in for service. It's time consuming. It's expensive. It means I actually have to talk to people who work at the dealership. The rewards of doing it - aside from getting my car back with the problem (sometimes) solved - are few and far between.

However, there is one benefit I always look forward to.

The loaner car.

Since I drive a Lexus, I usually get a pretty nice loaner. It's almost always a step up from my model, and it always has something my car doesn't: satellite radio.

The reason that brings me so much joy is it means I get to listen to E Street Radio. All Bruce all the time. It's a little bit of heaven for a Bruce tramp such as myself, who along with my other Bruce tramp pals live for the tours and chase him to stadiums and arenas all across the country and back to see him.

The beauty of Bruce is that even if I hear a song thirty times, each version is different in some way. Especially the concert versions E Street Radio frequently plays. There's always a new phrasing, different intonation, alternate name of "the girl" from the recorded version to pick up on.

The concerts they play - both official and the bootlegs - give a glimpse of the man as he's developing into the artist he is today. It's fascinating to listen as the sometimes silly banter of youth gives way to the thoughtfulness and insight that goes into the craft of a more mature Springsteen.

I personally can't imagine a better job than being an E Street Radio DJ and getting to listen to Bruce day in and day out.

Now, I know there are people who disagree with me. In fact, a good friend and colleague of mine thinks hosting a channel that only plays Bruce is a version of radio purgatory.

Of course, he's entitled to his opinion.

Even if it's wrong.