I wonder who originally composed the start-up sounds for computers and cell phones? I guess the aim was a kind of fresh-scrubbed futurism, an enfolding lemon-scented tinkly clean sequence. Which some find irritating, and all find ubiquitous. But here's a secret: you can turn 'em off.

(Image: homelinux.org.)

Sproing!

Ahead or back? How come my computer tells a different time than my cell phone? I really think today should be a holiday, we need to adjust.

(Image: newsline.daylightSavings.jpeg.)

Saw a great film last night at the MUN Cinema Series: The Class, which follows a teacher and his students through a school year. I mistakenly thought it was a documentary; rather, it was inspired by a book, Entre Les Murs (Between The Walls) written by teacher Francois Begaudeau (who plays the teacher in the film). Director Laurent Cantet worked with school staff and students to develop characters and improvise scenes. The resulting hybrid of script and reality is both absorbing and provocative.

(Image: www.minnpost.com.)

Needing a Shot of Parental Zen

Have had a couple of conversations lately about dealing with teenagers; more specifically, how we parents often overreact in terms of problems our kids are having. But it's hard not to overreact, because the parameters of behaviour change so quickly. One day, they maybe leave their mittens at school. The next you're like, "What? You're making and trafficking crystal meth to nuns?"* And you're trying to discuss an issue with someone who, if telling the truth takes 0.0004 more seconds than telling a lie, will tell the lie. "Yes - no - blue - whatever." And who keeps telling you you're crazy - quite the most maddening thing you can say to someone. Learning how to give and maintain space is a big issue for everyone at this stage I guess.

(*Not that my child would ever blah blah blah...)

(Image: www.bbc.co.uk.)

Scattered in bookstores, greyed by dust and time,

Unseen, unsought, unopened, and unsold,

My poems will be savoured as are rarest wines -

When they are old.

- Marina Tsvetaeva (1892 - 1914)

This poet was unknown to me before a seminar yesterday.

(Image: www.poetryloverspage.com.)

Tubular Bells

Walking home from the supermarket Saturday, my husband and I met the daughter of a friend. She was carrying something under her arm - it looked like a two-dimensional harp, one that had slipped from the real world into a cartoon perspective. "What's that you're carrying?' I asked. "A

glockenspiel," she answered. Having never before received the reply "A glockenspiel" in answer to "What's that you're carrying?", I was delighted.

Here is perhaps the most famous modern musical interpretation of that esteemed instrument.

(Image: traditionalmusic.co.uk.)

Extreme Pedestrianism

Well, that was an interesting spot of perambulation early this morning. Ice, freezing rain and big huge mucky puddles for cars to drive through and splash you. I have never seen such bad conditions for walking. People were moving slowly along the sidewalks, carrying bags of salt that they sprinkled before them as they slowly negotiated the slick, catchless sidewalks. (Is there a patron saint for pedestrians?)

(Image: www.ac.gl.ca.)