Words from the dial

A few terms turn up again and again in these notes. Here they are, in plain language, the way we would explain them across the counter.

Low speed

The gentlest setting on a fan. Less air, much less noise, and the setting most of our evening customers end up using.

Oscillation

The slow side to side turn of a fan head. Some people like the change in air on the skin; others find a fixed direction calmer for sleep.

Anchor cue

Something you already see or hear at a fixed time, used as the signal to start a habit: a fan switched on, a radio host saying hello.

Station memory

On a radio, the button that keeps a favourite frequency. In these notes, also the small pleasure of recalling a song before it is sung.

Reading seat

A chair kept for one purpose. When a chair does only one job, sitting in it becomes part of the habit.

Throw of a lamp

How far and how wide a lamp spreads its light. For reading, a short throw aimed over the shoulder works better than a ceiling fixture.

Three line note

The evening scrap of paper from the first item: one event, one waiting task, one name.

Name slip

A bit of paper inside a book cover listing the people of the story, glanced at before each sitting.