All for Nothing

So I went to the dentist tonight, following a typically long day at school. Nothing dramatic as far as dental appointments go, just a semi-annual cleaning. I get there right on time, as is my way, and after two minutes in the waiting room I'm escorted back to the chair.

As I settle back, I notice the soothing sounds of lite rock filling the office. And I spell it "lite" like that, because they've had WLTE playing at that office for as long as I can remember. Even if you don't live in the Cities, you have a station like this wherever you are: The Whitney Houston / Celine Dion ballads, the best-forgotten Billy Joel pop songs from the mid-seventies, and every woman who ever played an acoustic guitar and/or piano who sounds even a little bit like Carole King. You have this station. And I'm not saying that's bad. I'd rather have that stuff on in the dentist's office instead of something like The Offspring or Sum 41 by a mile.

But as I was listening, I heard a station break, and was surprised to learn I was actually listening to "The Bridge on Sirius FM Satellite Radio." Unexpected. And my immediate thought? "Why did they pony up the cash for satellite when they're only listening to a different version of the exact same station they were getting for free over the airwaves?! What would a year-long satellite subscription even cost, because they are totally throwing that money away."

Then it occurred to me: I'll bet anything that the bill for my root canal last summer would more than cover that subscription.

Somehow, I'm left feeling used.