April 30, 2003

i never heard the quiet
'til you started making noise

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Au Train Island is free of ice, but Au Train Bay is still clogged.

Today was the 8th Annual International Noise Awareness Day.  I hope you enjoyed a quiet day.  Protect your hearing.  Protect your health.  Protect your children.  Take the time to learn more by pointing your favorite web browser to http://www.lhh.org/noise/.

Remember, your right to make noise stops at your neighbor's ears.

Here are some Noise Levels as reported by the League for the Hard of Hearing.  As a point of reference, normal conversation is about 60 decibels.  Remember, noise levels above 85 dBA will harm hearing over time.  A more comprehensive list may be found here.

"...leaf blowers, chain saws, and other power tools can be as loud as 130 dBA and pose a serious risk to those who operate them.  These loud sounds can create an environment that is not conducive to play, study, sleep, or even carry on normal conversation."

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i never saw the morning
'til i stayed up all night

i never saw the sunshine
'til you turned out the light

i never saw my hometown
until i stayed away too long

i never heard the melody
until i needed the song

Tom Waits, from his song San Diego Serenade.

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