Crack.

When I was a teenager, my friend Karen's knees would crack each time she bent down. My mother's knees did the same. I remember thinking how neat the sound was and how I wished my knees would do the same. Cracking your fingers is just not the same as the fragile sound that escapes your as knee joints bang against each other involuntarily.

Even though, I knew that the sound was an outcome of bone ends touching each other (well I don’t really know that to be a fact, actually) and, that in the long term, this sound was a bad omen for the future of your bone, none of that took away from the coolness of it.

One the morning of February 1, 2001, I got a glimpse of the feeling behind the noise. As I picked up my arm to help myself off my bed, several bones made me aware of their presence. On the way over to the bathroom, with each movement of my left leg, I became immersed in the symphony of my joints conducted by what I assume must be my herniated disc.

After a half-a-day of cracking, I decided it might be a good idea to call my physical therapist. I must have been right cause he asked me to come over immediately. Apparently, the sounds coupled with the tingling sensation and pain traveling the length of my left leg isn't a particularly good sign.

So I rip myself away from the fascinating world of SQL queries and limp to the therapist. He pulls my legs, uses the sonogram and the heating machine, cracks my pelvis joint so loudly that I'm not sure I will ever be able to procreate, and makes me lie in several uncomfortable positions. And then he gives up. He asks me whether the pain is gone and all I can think of is how now both of my legs are hurting. Helplessly, we part to reconvene the following morning.

On my way back to work, the symphony continues.

Crackle. Pop.

After another hour of idly staring at my beautiful, black flat screen, I pick up my coat and join the commuters of the 6 train.

Now that I can fully appreciate it, I decided I don't really want my knees to make that sound. Where did I get off wanting to be cool anyway?

Previously? Phone Call