Smoke & Sound

“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.” Charlie Chaplin

On Friday, after classes, I went to my techno association rooms to mix and hang out with another colleague on the team. At one moment, I started to get interested in what kind of machines and stuff we have in our rooms. We have LED strips and a camera, and, to my surprise, I found a smoke machine. I removed the thick layer of dust from it and plugged it in to see if it could work.

For context, the rooms we were in were in the school building, and that specific room was rather small and confined. So now, back to me plugging in the smoke machine. At first, the lights turn on but nothing happens. Makes sense, it needs to heat up a bit before use. Then a bit later I try to see if it works. Still nothing. So I presume it is broken. Slightly later smoke comes out. At first, I was amazed, like yes so cool, smoke and colourful lights on a Friday evening!

Within 5 seconds I remembered that this was indeed not a club but my school building and I spotted the smoke detector on the ceiling. At first, the music was still playing from the speakers. So we thought the siren sound was from the song but nope. It was indeed the building. So I went to find the security manager.

Once I told him the story he blankly stared at me. It is not very plausible to be a third-year engineering student and tell someone that I accidentally turned on a smoke machine in a confined room. Either way, no one was hurt and the few students that were in the building on a Friday at 7 P.M. were smoothly evacuated even though there was no real danger.

I took full responsibility and gave the security my information. It was an accident, a dumb one, but not a dangerous one, fortunately. For some reason, I could not get over the fact that I caused it at the start. The morning after it finally started to settle, especially through Chaplin's quote.

This Week's Suggestions:

💡 "On These Questions, Smarter People Do Worse":

Slightly clickbaity title, but it is a very fascinating video on the human condition and how important the feeling of belonging is to our kind. To the point, it might go beyond reason, literally.

🎶 "La Seine" by Vanessa Paradis and M:

I had a raclette evening on Thursday. If you do not know what raclette is, you are missing out! It is melted cheese with potatoes, charcuterie and pickles. This without of course forgetting the wine. Rapidly, the dinner turned into a French singalong. This was one of many songs that was shouted along to!