Another big snowstorm has pounded our region, dumping snow and sleet. It's disruptive and dangerous, but like the millions of children kept home from school, I can't help rejoicing. During the storm and for hours afterwards the city falls into silence—no cars, no planes, only the occasional snowplow passing (and seldom on our little hill). The Olympics are on, so most people probably don't notice, but I open my window and hang out just to catch the sound of—nothing. Well, there's the rushing of the wind, the soft patter of flakes against the window, and thumps of wet snow sliding off branches and roofs, but nothing manmade. The storm won't last long, and I certainly wouldn't want anyone to suffer because of it, but it's a relief to experience my neighborhood quietly for just a few hours.