I know that weird things make me happy, but this is AWESOME!! The alarm clock not only has the capacity to wake to trickling water, crickets chirping and many other "natural" noises, i-pod hook-ups and dual alarms, but (you won't believe this) it shines the time onto the ceiling! In the middle of the night, or early morning, you do not have to lift your head off of the pillow to see the time, just open your eyes slightly and see the time. Oh. My. God...one of my BEST purchases EVER!!