Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Aural Assault

It really struck me today as I was standing waiting for the lights to change at the corner of George & Market Streets, in the heart of Sydney, just how much noise you have to contend with in a big city. It's no wonder that most of us would discover, given a quiet enough space, that we have a background level of tinnitus. Today's assualt was courtesy of a busker with an electric guitar and an amplifier turned up waaaaay too loud on one corner, and a Christian Evangelist with a bullhorn on the other. The evening train ride home is often a deafening exercise, with too loud train announcements that sometimes run over the top of each other and trains that screech their way through the underground tunnels of the city stations.

Seriously, it all needs to just SHUT THE F*CK UP!

OK, better now.

9 comments:

Bodhi said...

... and lets not also forget that on that train / bus rise home, once is again aurally assaulted by a constant barrage of endless annoying mobile ringtones and inane conversations.

Of course, my ringtone is non other than the Gloria Gaynor classic, "I will Survive". So its simply way too fabulous to be classifed as annoying. And all my calls are important, and certainly not trifling.

But you would think these people would have the common courtesy to keep all their telecommunications down to a dull roar ... its so bad one can barely hear the latest gossip on one's own headset with all that background noise ...

Bodhi said...

rise home?

Well, sometimes the commuters are rather cute. But of course I meant ride ...

The Other Andrew said...

Rising to the occasion on public transport is always embarrassing, no?

Bodhi said...

Ah, but that's when my silver briefcase comes in handy, yes?

Mikey (TLE) said...

You need to work in an airconditioned supertower complete with its own foodcourt and overpriced gift shop where you can buy those alessi rabbit-shaped (not not the cute Bodhi rabbit...) toothpick dispensers. Then you can insulate yourself from the world by never needing to leave the premises. And I catch a cab home, sweetie!

Miss Eudoxia said...

...as someone once said "imagine you are in a big pink bubble and you can't hear anyone around you. Block it all out....go on a nice holiday in your mind" Doesn't help with rising to the occassion I am afraid :-) It must be a loud day as I have a horrid headache now from howling and barking dogs, not to mention the whining....at least the rabbit has been quiet :-)

Michael said...

I heart kris.

The Other Andrew said...

I agree Kris. Michael, you have to understand that this guy is particularly annoying. He has the bullhorn on his hip, and constantly jiggles around like he need the loo, so his words go loud/soft/loud/soft etc. as the bullhorn swings around. He likes to think up ctach phrases abour Jesus too, "You're on a winner with Jesus" etc. He's smug and he never shuts up.

The Other Andrew said...

He also caused me to make a million typos in that last comment.