Recently there were times I needed to turn on my Discman volume louder and louder so that the music could reach me; times I wondered if there'd be a stage when I'd hit maximum volume and still couldn't concentrate. Times on the walk home when I just wanted to stop and stand absolutely still, because I was just too tired. Times when it didn't matter that I've just had a nice time hanging out with friends, or watched a good film.

I wish I could banish those times.