Noise 🗞️ Slow News Day #15

Hey,

When I was a kid, I had a habit that came up regularly enough to make me itch with discomfort, but irregularly enough to keep me tantalised by its idiosyncrasy.

It’d usually appear on long car rides or when trying to sleep despite not really being tired enough. A perfect time-filler and brain-blower.

I’d try to create a sequence of sounds—word-like without being words—that, in my opinion, had never been uttered by another human.

Skrimbrippityclerm. Planchubridate. Mountlampfraffel.

I couldn’t rest, couldn’t stop the desperate search, until I’d mentally verbalised a string of sounds that felt convincingly unique.

Do you reckon I ever managed it? At the time, I felt confident I’d achieved my task. Now? I mean, I’ve no idea. Do other people even think nonsense like that? If they do (or did), each one would make the likelihood of my success in the race for the remarkable progressively and infinitesimally smaller. I’m not sure if that’s a comforting thought or not.

I guess it doesn’t really matter if I did it. I managed to quell the incessantly demanding voice and settle that tic each time. It’s a pretty fun testament to the power of a bored kid’s imagination. When I get bored now, I fritter away time on Twitter or YouTube.

Perhaps it’s time to get a bit more creative with my boredom.

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, I’ll potter over to the fridge and pull out a bottle of Lucky Saint. (That link will get both of us £10 off an order if you want to try it out.)

I’m not tee-total, but I find myself drinking less and less alcohol. Lucky Saint is by far and away the best low/no alcohol beer I’ve tried. Crisp, refreshing, zesty. The Devonian in me can think of no better word for it than... lush.

I’ve tried plenty, as well.

So, from fridge to sofa, I’ll crack the cap off and hear the bubbles fizz. I’ll take that first long sip and savour the taste. Cold glass kissing my palm, I’ll breathe out another week and settle my neck back against the pillows as the jangly tones of Swimming Tapes play.

Take it easy,