I have often noted during my travels in the “big city” that it can be impossible to escape the assault on ones ears and eyes, from the incessant muzak of elevators and waiting rooms, telephone on hold messages, to buses, trains, retail stores, every day traffic and well, the list goes ever on. I won’t even mention restaurants and the pubs.

Advertisers, no longer content with the traditional billboards both tradition and electronic seek newer and even more insidious ways to beat their drums as well, from the logos splashed across the willing derrieres of women in sports pants to Bladerunner style skyscraper LED light boards that blot out all known galaxies.

I also noticed when walking my dog at night that there is not a single un-illuminated centimeter to be found in a one mile radius of my home, even the trees in my local park can be heard groaning under the halogen lamps if you listen close enough. Oh wait, no that’s just the sound of the neighbors all watching Action News.

As someone who spends a significant amount of time in front of speakers and in between headphones I look forward being at home where the only sound I hear is the tea brewing and the dog snoring.

That’s life in the big city.