Going off-topic for just a moment.
...or the soothing crackle of forest fires, and sometimes the cheerful sound of riots. 
Man, you triggered a memory. I was living in West LA during the Rodney King riots, and I'll never forget that constant burning smell in the air whenever I stepped outside my apartment. I don't remember ever smelling that with forest fires, no matter how close they got.
Lena, here in Los Angeles we've had fires, mudslides, earthquakes, riots, and even a 200 car pile-up a couple of days ago. Waiting for plague and pestilence to complete the cycle.
Best,
Sanjay
[This message has been edited by sdurani (edited November 05, 2002).]