The Need for Noise

[PLFXpert 0]

Why are more and more people becoming so afraid of silence? Or the sounds of nature--birds chirping or ocean waves crashing.

I just saw a waterproof I-pod for swimmers---so they can listen to music while swimming laps. Part of why I LOVE swimming is just hearing the water passing over my body and nothing else.

The other day on our beach some townies brought a huge stereo (I guess they didn't get the memo that salty air and stereos do not mix) and blarred it so that anyone w/in a mile radius down the beach of them had to listen to what they were. Why come to the beach if you hate the sound of seagulls and ocean waves?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE music, too, and I often listen to the news as background. But, I don't NEED noise all the time. Actually, I NEED my silence once in a while and I NEED to hear nature---it's soothing.

A friend of mine was saying she had to turn on her television the other night (we had a severe thunderstorm) to drown out the sound so she could sleep Does the sound of a good rain not interest anyone anymore? I LOVED it.

I'm really starting to fear for the next generation.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Hambone 0]

I love music, I love how it can take a situation and turn it into a much more powerful experience. Can inspire you. I am very easily moved by music. Also as far as storms I love storms they are amazing. Last night the wind started blowing in my neighborhood. I mean blowing, whistling windows trees bent over double, and the coolest part is there is a building that I can see the top of out of my bed room window, it has an enourmous american flag on it, and the flag was straight out. I starred out the window and enjoyed the sound of the wind for about 10 min. IT was awesome.

Fear not, as far as the water proof ipod i think its a great idea, Its like wearing one while you run, I hate to run but if I am listening to music I don't think about the fact that I am running and thus am able to do it for longer.

Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

Fear not, as far as the water proof ipod i think its a great idea, Its like wearing one while you run, I hate to run but if I am listening to music I don't think about the fact that I am running and thus am able to do it for longer.

This pretty much sums up my position on waterproof iPods and wearing them while running.

That being said, I LOVE listening to rain and thunderstorms. Hell, I even have cds with nature sounds that I often use to fall asleep to.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[PLFXpert 0]

I love music too, but would you rather put on your favorite CD than to have listened to the wind blowing last night as you described? That's my point---that some people are on music/noise overload and never stop to enjoy the sounds of nature or children playing or anything else.

I'm all for great inventions---I, however, only think it's a great invention b/c people will buy and use it---not b/c we needed it.

I am a mind person. You mentioned listening to music while running---when you're running if you're cognitively thinking about your steps and breathing rhythmically you actually get a BETTER work out b/c your brain and your body are working in tandem. Plenty of research from credible sources have come to this conclusion so I'm sure it won't be difficult for one to look up. Same with swimming.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Hambone 0]

What you say is true nodoubt. But I hate running and having to think about it makes me hate it more. So if I put on music that makes me think about something I enjoy, say skydiving, then I can think about skydiving while running and be a much happier camper.

Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama

[PLFXpert 0]

PS.

On a personal note regarding running and the "need" for something to help motivate you to do so longer---I look at it differently---as a personal challenge. I don't want help. I want to push my body & my mind.

In general, I don't care much for "working out". I like to stay active.

But, at 24 (i'm 25 now) I decided it was time for at least some sort of set activity to stay healthy. My hunny's family are all runners so he really wanted me to run with him.

I could barely get a mile through w/out being completely exhausted. To look at me, I looked fit---and I could swim forever w/out getting tired---but running kicked my ass. I HATED it. Strangely, that pissed me off though. I didn't want something like running to kick my ass. It took me what seemed like forever (but in reality was about 3 months) to really build up stamina, motivation, get my form & breathing down, etc. Before I knew it I could run 10 miles w/out tiring, or becoming winded and do so in decent time.

It really was more of a challenge of the mind than of the body. Sure, with music I could have "forgotton" I was running, but where's the benefit in that for your mind? And again, it's better for your body to be fully aware of each step you take.

Plus, it was cool to hear the early morning birds chirpping, smell the breakfast joints starting up their grills, hear the ocean still going, never stopping, see the trees swaying. I wouldn't have heard/recognized/even seen all of those things to the extent I did if I had my brain/mind focused on some good tunes.

Anywho....I'm not saying never listen to music while running---just that you shoudln't HAVE to each time you do.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[PLFXpert 0]

Quote

So if I put on music that makes me think about something I enjoy, say skydiving

You know, I've heard through my own little grapevine they are working on an device for skydivers to listen to music while jumping---just me, but I really dont' think that's a good idea. I'm just saying

For me, just being able to jump is enough excitement. I've never missed hearing my favorite song in freefall

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[GTAVercetti 0]

Quote

Quote

So if I put on music that makes me think about something I enjoy, say skydiving

You know, I've heard through my own little grapevine they are working on an device for skydivers to listen to music while jumping---just me, but I really dont' think that's a good idea. I'm just saying

Yes, it is called an iPod.


I would never do that. The volume level to hear over the wind would just destroy my hearing even faster.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[PLFXpert 0]

I know that, silly---but from what I hear it would be in the helmet/modified, etc.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[GTAVercetti 0]

Well, since I wear a skateboard helmet, I guess I would be fucked anyway. I will have to stick to listening to my audible.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Hambone 0]

I would like to have it under canopy but probably just in one ear, both ears is just kind of disorienting to me.

Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama

[simplyputsi 0]

I live next to a heavily active area for people, running and biking. I am amazed at the amount of people I see wearing some sort of music device. I for one don't want to be wearing a noise device when I'm riding my bike. Even though there is a bike lane I want to be able to hear the traffic and also other bikes coming from behind. Also I can listen to my pedal strokes and tell if I'm off in my pace.

As for running I agree that you should be concentrating on your breathing and pace.
However I tend to have to think of some song I know and sing it in my head these days to keep me running. To basically take my mind off the fact that I'm tired and my legs hurt.

I wouldn't dream of music when I swim. I have a hard enough time concentrating as it is. They have had waterproof radios around for some time now, they just were radios though, no mp3.

I'd like to know what techniques you used to get up to 10 miles without running out of breathe or whatever. I'm having a problem with my run and I've been running now for a bit. Any suggestions?

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[jtval 0]

Quote

Why are more and more people becoming so afraid of silence?

TO answer that question in a way you probably weren't expecting...

I personaly think people who are afriad of the silence is b/c of avoidance. usually what happens in times like those is a moment of self-diagnosis; people reflect on their lives. those who aren't happy are the ones who fear silence.


now just b/c someone listens to the Ipod under water doesnt mean they are the person I am talking about . hell that MIGHT be kind of cool. but as much as I enjoy music, I enjoy reflecting on my life. I am not afraid of silence, but sometimes you just wanna do something new.

I need to start posting more boobie threads- I am becoming way to wierd for the bonfire

My photos

My Videos

[PLFXpert 0]

I can't really pinpoint any one technique. I'm no running expert, but I did cash in 500 American Express Rewards points for a 2-year subscripton to "Runner's World" magazine, which came highly recommended to me from an avid marthon-runner and friend.

I mapped out various routes around my area, 1-milers, 2-milers, 3-milers, 4 milers, 6-milers, 8-milers and 10-milers. During that time I ran 5 mornings/week. Since then I run no more than 3-4 mornings/week. Two days I'd run lower miles (like 2 or 3) and two days I'd run 4-milers, alternating days. Then take a day off (always Fridays) and Saturday mornings would be the big one--up early usually on the beach and would do a sixer, then the following Saturday an eighter, then back to a sixer and so on until I felt I could handle more. I stayed at just the sixer for 2 months, though. The third month I finally did an eighter, an eighter and by that third Saturday tried a 10-miler.

I really concentrated on breathing rhythmically and listening to my breaths and my feet and concentrated on how my foot would hit the ground each time. It helped me to imagine myself in a race (though I've never been in one) and people watching and cheering me on--that always made me run faster b/c I'm a show-off

I don't know your routine, but for me, I HAVE to change it up and that's why I have several different routes. I even have ones that are better on windier days b/c I flipping hate running against the wind---and at the beach during storm season it can get pretty darn windy and strong winds and I can't stand feeling like I'm running w/ all my might and not going anywhere That's when I bitch and my hunny stays far behind me

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[PLFXpert 0]

Joe, you're fabulous---I love a little sociological and psychological analysis to spice things up

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[airtwardo 7]

Quote

I need to start posting more boobie threads- I am becoming way to wierd for the bonfire

***

All in favor say AYE.......The 'EYES' have it!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[EricaH 0]

I agree with you 100%. The most aggrivating commerical for me recently was a mom wondering through her home as her kids played games w/ their dad or were doing homework. Then you saw that it was an add for an MP3 player. She was losing out on the life going on around her.

Plus, for exercising, there's debate about how effective it is if you're mind is focused elsewhere. If your at the gym on some machiene, watching TV or focusing on music may decrease the effect the exercise is having on your body. And if you're focusing on something other than your form, you're losing efficiency & increasing your chance for injury.

And then there's the psycological and even psyciological needs a body has for quiet, or nature type noises. I recently read this http://health.msn.com/menshealth/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100125842 article about how there are 3 places in the US completley void of manmade noise. About how what are considered "normal" volumns today are enough to damage your hearing.

Furthermore, when you're outside running, biking or whatever it is a safty matter - you need to hear what's going on around you.


So, that's my soap box for the day. And I'm not getting off it!

As a side note, in my running training we were taught to breathe no more than everyother foot strike. I breathe in left foot right foot breathe out left foot right foot breathe in left foot right foot... you get the point. Any more & you could hyperventilate, any less & you'll run out of oxygen in your extremety muscles. Plus for distance training you should not run so fast that you can't carry on a light conversation. For speed training if you can utter a single word you're not going as fast as you could. Another general rule is to not increase your distance by more than 10% every week. That takes a long time to build up distance, but by using that you will much more easily avoid injury (hairline fractures, shin splings, srress fractures & the like); plus it'll allow your heart to build up strenght to pump hard for long periods of time.

There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear.

PMS #227 (just like the TV show)

[PLFXpert 0]

Helloooooo, sista

Thanks for the backup and right back at ya 100%

Quote

So, that's my soap box for the day. And I'm not getting off it!

It's quite luv-el-ly. As you can see, I've made several additions to mine and even laid out red carpet around my pedastal

Quote

As a side note, in my running training we were taught to breathe no more than everyother foot strike. I breathe in left foot right foot breathe out left foot right foot breathe in left foot right foot... you get the point. Any more & you could hyperventilate, any less & you'll run out of oxygen in your extremety muscles. Plus for distance training you should not run so fast that you can't carry on a light conversation. For speed training if you can utter a single word you're not going as fast as you could. Another general rule is to not increase your distance by more than 10% every week. That takes a long time to build up distance, but by using that you will much more easily avoid injury (hairline fractures, shin splings, srress fractures & the like); plus it'll allow your heart to build up strenght to pump hard for long periods of time.

I read most of that, too, in Runner's World magazine. I don't enjoy talking while running, but every so often we (my hunny and I) exchange words about somthing going on around us---it's good to break things up and also keep ourselves in check and make sure we are not overdoing it. Usually this happens when we run by the Beach Hut Cafe and the smell of bacon and breakfast fills the air---I usually say something along the lines of "Damn you Beach Hut. Damn you!"

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Icon134 0]

I actually enjoy some "silence" sitting on the beach listening a light surf is very relaxing.

unlike a lot of people I almost never wear headphones when I run... (I used to juggle while doing it... to add... an entertainment factor, for myself not so much for others... although the comments I used to get were very motivating...)

one of the funniest things that ever happened... was when a guy walking down the street with his girlfriend jumped out in front of me which resulted in his girlfriend scolding him something fierce... The juggling balls made for good potential (defensive) weapons too since they were tennis balls filled with steel BB's and weighed about 1lb a piece...) I suppose as Karma gets more independent on our runs I can pick up the joggling again...

Scott

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[PLFXpert 0]

Quote

The juggling balls made for good potential (defensive) weapons too since they were tennis balls filled with steel BB's and weighed about 1lb a piece...)

Interesting tactic. I've run with pepper spray in my hand before (b/c I run at 5 a.m. and my hunny was out of town) for defense---just in case---but never considered tennis balls. I like your creativity

Actualy my area is supposedly very safe, but I'm of the frame of mine one (especially a young girl) can never be too cautious in that regard. Plus, there's the scary newspaper delivery man who whips around culdesacs at 60mph in his shitter-car tossing papers like he's an old high school football star who couldn't let the dream go and that evil look he has on his face...

He scares me. I carry pepper spray just in case I"m chased by the paperboy

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[EricaH 0]

I'm so happy to join you on your beautiful soap box. It is decorated nicely.

It's almost like as the world becomes more mechanized, drink machines, ATM, pay @ the pump, stamp machine people pull more & more inside themselves. And thanks to the news there are more preceived enemies out there. Given the 2 it makes so many people afraid of anyone & everything. It's really so unhealthy in so many ways.

I don't like to run with anyone. but I do tend to either talk to myself (quietly) or hum a song just to make sure I'm keeping my pack right. Plus it's a great time to work through any issues - dreams just don't help.

I want to go running with my dog so much! But he's all over the place!! I'm sure I'd hurt myself & probably him if I were to ever really get into the zone with him. He's just fast enough to be able to run around me & tie me up w/ his leash. Plus being a basenji - he'll never be allowed off the leash - especially in a wildlife preserve.

Icon, given your story, say you'd had headphones on & the person that jumped in your path was one that was a preceived enemy - your start could have had a much less pleasent outcome. those 1# tennis balls could do some damage I'm sure.

There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear.

PMS #227 (just like the TV show)

[Icon134 0]

That's always a good idea for a young woman... I was never really worried about it... but I have run in some not so nice parts of Cincinnati, OH, Dayton, OH, and Pittsburgh, PA... and its easy to go from a standard juggling toss to whip a 1 lb ball ball at someone... especially since the weight is likely to take them off gaurd... (my juggling skill is/was such that you wouldn't know by how I juggle them that they are anything other then normal tennis balls...) so you can imagine a potential attacker seeing me tossing around some tennis balls... comming at me... then ending up with some nice weights flying at them...

to make them I basically cut a small slit in the one side of the ball, filled them with steel bb's and used a hot glue gun to close them up... (lead shot would be even heavier but its harder to come by and more expensive...)

they're very durable and just about the right wieght for longer distances... (I have a set of 2.5 lb balls for when I really want to get an anaerobic workout...)

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[airtwardo 7]

so you can imagine a potential attacker seeing me tossing around some tennis balls... comming at me... then ending up with some nice weights flying at them...

***

Chapter six of the street fighting manual says...

NEVER throw something at an attacker, knife, bottle, rock, etc.

You're supposed to wait, get closer and hit 'em with it in 'person'.
Throwing..you could miss, and they now have ammo to THROW BACK!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[Icon134 0]

I actually hum to myself as well... usually the last song I listened to in my car...

and to airtwardo... I've thought of that... but more or less the tennis balls would be used as a distractor... giving me the opportunity to escape...

As my judo instructor would say the best defensive weapon you have at your disposal is the the shoes on your feet...

but yeah... if cornered... having a 1# tennis ball in my hand makes for a nice fist pack... even after I've gotten rid of one of them...

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[airtwardo 7]

Yeah...a couple of extra pounds in your hand, might give ya a Mike Tyson knock out punch!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~