That's just it, no one really comprehends the amount of attention he receives as "just a DJ". Family members, both his & mine, as well friends from our days from before he was on air - they could never believe it. Until they saw it when out with us. Then they were completely shocked. They always thought he was BSing when he would tell stories about the crazy things - until they lived it firsthand.
The things I said in my post, that's just the tip of the iceberg. At Christmas time, I cannot even tell you how much stuff we get from listeners - for him, me - our kids. I usually end up donating most of the stuff, we just can't keep it all. When he would talk about our life together on air, all he had to do was mention that he liked Nascar driver A and I liked B - the next day, we'd get tix to races; nascar memorabilia - it goes on and on. We get food - I throw it in the garbage - I'm not eating anything some people I don't know have made!! It could be poisoned for all I know. LOL When the last 2 kids were born, I got more baby stuff from his listeners than I did at my baby shower. No kidding.
About a month ago, the county clerks office called here to verify something - the girl asked me "Is this SO's RadioName house?", I said yes. She started gushing and blah, blah, blah, then the good old - "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone where you live." So, that's always in the back of my head - the stalkers. They're out there - for real. Stuff appears in our mailbox, crazy stuff.
It's scary sometimes - because his real name and his radio name are different. For someone to find his real name, they went through a lot of trouble. Even now - posting on this site I get concerned that someone will figure out who we are. It could probably be done. That bothers me.
And as you said, it's not like he's a major movie star or singer (and by me saying that, I am by no means putting him or his job down in any way) I'm just saying I can't comprehend this level of "stardom" that he's attained in such a small locale - I can't even imagine what Elvis & Priscilla went through!
But, all this is neither here nor there, I guess. What's important is that you're right, neither one of us handled his success properly. He did put the listeners first at times. Still does. Be nice now and reap the rewards later, he would say.
And it did (does) make me feel left out, ignored, and last on his list. Thus, I reacted in my negative way - completely ignoring his need for validation. What a mess.
