Can you hear it?

Not yet? OK, hang in there. The goal is to have you ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜hearÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ this piece, if possible for you of course, and without any fancy computer technology.

Prior to Christmas, I absent-mindedly opened a can of diet Ginger Ale (donÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™t judge). There was no one else home, it was completely quiet and the ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜clack, tssssshhhhÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ sound just seemed to resonate more than usual.

Opening of a pop or beer can has to be one of the best sounds out there. Got me thinking. What are the other ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜bestÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ sounds?

So, with the help of some of my talented Black Press colleagues, hereÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s a sample of those sounds.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The crunch, crunch of skates on ice, especially the first couple of steps. Even better if youÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™re outside on a pond or a lake. Anyone else remember the frightening sound of ice ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜settlingÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ beneath you when youÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™re way out above deep water? You thought it was cracking and you were about to meet a watery demise? Still sends chills down my spine.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The rumble of a V8 engine. Always awesome. Reminds me of days watching my first sports hero, Rick OÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™Dell, at Western Speedway. Being in the pits or front row and listening as the cars zoomed by in a pack (even more intense at an Indy Car or F1 race) was always memorable. Stick tap (also a great sound) to the sound of an idling dragster or funny car. IÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™d even toss in the distinctive sound of an old VW engine.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Harder to find these days, but the smooth slice of a paper cutter.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ My ringtone. The guitar intro by ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜Sweet Child oÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ MineÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ by Guns NÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ Roses. Live a Pavlovian dog, I instinctively reach for my phone whenever I hear the song on the radio.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜hisssssssssss thwackÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ sound of a good fastball hitting a catcherÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s mitt. Also the perfect sound (and feeling) when you absolutely barrel up on a pitch. Similar to a perfectly piped golf drive.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The ping of a shot off a metal goalpost. Even better if youÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™re the goalie.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ A babyÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s uncontrolled giggle. Try not to laugh yourself.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ A chainsaw firing up. Same for an old lawn mower.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ My MumÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s voice. Man, I wish we had more videos back in the day. Also the distinctive sound of any family memberÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s walk in the hall at night.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ A rotary phone when you had a series of higher numbers.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The noise of a diving board when you jump as high as you can. Also the calming sound after you enter the water.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The first bite of a foldover kettle chip.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The woosh tearing off the metal lid on a fresh container of tennis balls.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The pleasing slice of scissors skating atop wrapping paper.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The staccato popping of bubble wrap.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The thunderous ending to a fireworks show. (Dogs donÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™t agree).

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Thunder itself. And lightning. And pounding rain outside your window.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The crunch of your boot steps in fresh snow, while youÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™re otherwise surrounded by a cloak of white silence.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The rush of a raging river. The calming sounds of waves lapping on the beach.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The school bell/buzzer to end the day.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The piercing shriek of a boiling kettle.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Birds chirping outside your open window on a summer morning.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The flapping of sheets, hanging on a clothesline and dancing in the breeze.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The bang of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜capsÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ from those little toy guns back in the day.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜cheep, cheep, tweeetÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ of Mattel Classic Football, still the worldÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s best electronic game.

So, have you ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½˜heardÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™ any of them yet as you read along?

HereÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s some more, from my colleagues:

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Guitar fuzz set just left to sustain.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The Seismic Charges from Star Wars.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ R2D2ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s screams when something goes wrong.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The sound of a really nice bike freehub when it spins.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ The crackle of a campfire.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Loons at a lake (the birds, I hope).

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Distant train horns.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ A dog snoring; a cat purring.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Anchor chains, plane engines and train whistles.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ Those chimes that precede announcements on the ferries.

What are some of your favourites? Anything not listed here that resonated with you? Let me know.

PQB News/VI Free Daily editor can be reached by email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca or by phone at 250-905-0019.