Bakersfield Life

The Last Word with Rachel Legan

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         Best part of my job: Every part. There is not a day that goes by that I am not eternally grateful to have been on 101.5 KGFM my entire adult life. I realize I am only 21 so that isn’t very long but very exciting! I’m kidding, of course. Legal restrictions aside, I can’t think of another job that would allow me as much freedom to just be myself. Having my younger brother, Dustin, as my co-host is also fun. We can air our arguments on-air and let the listener decide who is right (and when I win, everyone gets valuable cash and prizes!)

Best piece of advice: There are two pieces of advice I will never forget. The first one is, “If you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything at all.” The reality is we actually do know what to do most of the time. Instinct should set the stage. Just proceed with caution. My all-time favorite advice, however, was given to me via my best gal, Oprah. Poet Maya Angelou was on her show one day and said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them ... the first time." That statement has been very useful to me. Even when I ignore it, I end up learning from it.

All-time fav Missed Connection story: There isn’t a story that stands out as much as the descriptions people have for each other and what they are doing when they failed to catch the attention of a potential future spouse. I have learned that birth control can be described as “baby blockers.” I believe the missed encounter went something like “You was buyin’ sum baby blockers when we caught eyes pumpin’ fuel.” It’s also fun to read them aloud as they are written. One man discussing a local mother’s recent plastic surgery wrote, “Yowza! I knew them kid feeders under your sweeter was knew cuz I seen you before and you is way more smiking hot nowdays.” It hurts just to read that sentence, but it is hilarious on the air. Thursdays at 7:50 a.m. by the way.

What’s on your iPod: I actually do not own an iPod. If I did, you might be surprised at my taste in music. It is all over the place! Right now, I would have my man Dave Matthews singing his songs “Bartender” and “#27” live at Radio City Music Hall. Love the passion in those songs. I’m also really loving Eminem’s “Airplanes” and “I’m not afraid.” As odd as it sounds, I relate to a lot of Eminem’s lyrics because of similarities in our childhood. Finally I could never go anywhere without Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” Again, just love the lyrics.

When I want to relax ... I lay out in the pool of my recently rented home with a glass (or bottle) of wine and read. Sometimes I’m reading Facebook messages on my phone, sometimes, it’s The Bakersfield Californian and sometimes, it’s a book. I always have some sort of reading material within arm's length.

Three things that define Bakersfield to you: It is the only place I have ever lived so the first thing is home. Second, I’d say unique. We really do have a little bit of everything and our residents defend our love for this city anytime someone tries to knock it down. Obviously they aren’t educated enough to know how tough we are. Finally, the thing I have always noticed is our sense of community. Not only do residents here always come to the aid of others in need, but also we all seem to know each other. I don’t mean personally but if you’re familiar with the theory of six degrees of separation, I think there are only two degrees in Bakersfield.

Place you could be found having lunch on the weekend: Here’s the thing no one knows! I cringe when asked to meet for lunch. Since I have been up at 2:30 a.m. for the last 18 years or so, my schedule is not like the 9-to-5 crowd. My meal clock is different from nearly everyone else. I avoid lunch meetings and gatherings as much as possible and instead opt for an early dinner. Even on weekends, when my husband and stepdaughter are home, they know that it’s the one meal I usually eat at the kitchen counter. Not very glamorous but it works for me!