Name that sound?

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Name that sound?

Submitted by earball on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 9:36pm.

Since we're getting all community oriented with our senses (see the earlier "What's That Smell" post), does anyone know what that sound is? I mean, that sound that is resonating from somewhere downtown and is loud enough to be heard all over the lower Westside, if not beyond.

It sounds like one of those flexible tubes you can swing over your head, that make 3 tones or so, changing with the speed it's swung at. Don't know the name of those instruments, but I hope you know what I mean.

I've heard this sound on and off for a few weeks, in various locations on the Westside and on the west side of downtown. Anyone know what it is?

earball's blog
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I haven't heard that sound...

Submitted by The Original Yoda on Sat, 06/28/2008 - 11:48pm.

...but have you heard a clancking sound coming from downtown, at night?

It usually comes in threes. Bang, bang, bang. Heavy metal on heavy metal.

I hear that all the time and

Submitted by ashley on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 12:56am.

I hear that all the time and it drives me crazy-- I have no idea what it is! Just three little notes in a scale randomly going off in the middle of the day. I'd love to know, so I hope someone here figures it out.

Squids

Submitted by Laurian on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 4:47am.

Big, red cruel Squids.

It could be...

Submitted by Meta Hogan on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 6:03am.

...the Whistling Buses. Does it go "ooo-EEEEE-ooooo"?

Song of the Isthmus?

Submitted by earball on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 7:49am.

I like the squids and whistling buses (do they really whistle? I haven't heard it...)

But I'm starting to think that maybe it's the sound of the isthmus raising up a song in protest of the absurdities some are planning to pile atop it.

Okay, maybe not. But now that it seems none of us know the source, I'm even more curious. Hopping on my investigating bike now... will report back. Send out the dogs if I'm not back in 48 hours.

Haven't heard that

Submitted by Logarithm on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 8:26am.

...but when a friend and I were sitting on a bench by Capitol Lake we did hear someone across the lake practicing their baritone possibly tuba? Something low and brass. It was beautiful to listen to.

Yes, it IS the sound from some of the new

Submitted by Guglielmo on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 4:10pm.

IT diesel busses. Go down to the transit center and they'll tell you all about it. Like this, but ours sound nicer.

Five O'clock Whistle

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 8:38pm.

I like the new whistling bus exhaust pipes. The new diesels are so much cleaner burning too. Much appreciated by my aging lungs.

I have also been hearing a 5 o'clock whistle the past few months. It's quite timely. Does anyone know the source?

Fishtail Brewery

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 8:52pm.

It's been blowing for years.

Formally of the Olympia Brewery

Submitted by Laurian on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 11:35pm.

Now to tie smells and sounds together. Back when the Brewery made beer and the wind blew from the south downtown would fill with the delectable scent of mulled hops and malt. Mmmm Beer.

Hops are okay...

Submitted by earball on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 8:30am.

And I fondly recall the wafting of their pungent scent through Oly, but there's one smell that I associate with Oly that I never smelt elsewhere. In fact, it's no longer available here, thanks to the departure of the KFC. It was the smell of fried chicken and mudflats at low tide. Now the chicken is gone, and the mudflats seem less aromatic. Perhaps they mis the Colonel...

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