You may have heard that the wristwatch is suffering a great decline.

The reason, according to a news report I read, is the mobile phone. I guess it's not really a surprise; who wants to carry multiple time-keeping devices? I tried going a day without a watch recently, wondering if I should join the crowd, and I found out I'm not ready. I carried the phone with me to lunch, but I have to either open the phone or press an external button to check the time, which I found annoying compared to simply turning my wrist slightly. It's amazing what can irritate when you're just sitting there reading a book...

CDs listened to today:

• Milton Babbitt: Philomel
• Bloque: (eponymous)
• Franz Schubert: Piano Quintet In A, "The Trout"
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
• The Elms: The Big Surprise
• The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out