Not “what do you want to be when you grow up?”, or “you spent how much at Chez Bruce?”, but “what are you listening to?” There is simply no good answer — or at least not one that does not require explanation.
I could lie, of course. Strangers might reasonably assume it is music, while those who know me a little better probably suspect podcasts. But they would both be wrong. I am listening to nothing at all. Except, even this is not quite right. The truth is, I am listening to white noise.
It began during the second lockdown, when our upstairs neighbours, in their infinite wisdom, decided to rip out their carpet and so suddenly every light footstep sounded like a giant thud above my head. I tried reasoning with [ed: yelling at] them, but when that failed I purchased a pair of noise-cancelling headphones and never looked back (or indeed, up).
Denne historien er fra July 26, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.
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Denne historien er fra July 26, 2024-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Comfort over style? Not for me
Bella Freud says her M&S collab is far from cosy
Jamie Dornan
Actor Jamie Dornan loves breakfastin bed at Claridge's, martinis at Dukes and River Café feasts with Stanley Tucci
Why it doesn't matter the England boss is German
But international football should be 'our best against your best'
Tuchel's England mission
Is he the man with the golden touch?
Jingle tills! The best Christmas in five years
The West End has high hopes after Covid and the cost-of-living crisis
London's new elite? Meet the Gaytriarchy
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Hidden London
SECRET SPOTS YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO DISCOVER
Is Threads a non-toxic social media haven...or a rage-baiting hellscape?
What does Mark Zuckerberg's rival to Elon Musk's X really offer, asks RICHARD GODWIN
Another unsparing reflection of society - with added filth-from France's finest provocateur
HOUELLEBECQ IS SO GENEROUS WITH HIS PLOTS AND SUBPLOTS, THE PERSONAL AND THE POLITICAL
Britain's best lines - This is pure pleasure to read
Hollinghurst's mastery is to come at our times with an oblique but cutting angle