The thing about my neighbors who live just below us is, their TV is on at the highest possible volume from about 7 p.m. to about 7 a.m. And the thing about our bedroom windows is, they're actually made out of a special kind of glass that's very similar to Saran Wrap in quality, thickness, etc.
One time, when I was at my very most pregnant--the night before we went to the hospital to have Theo, in fact--I actually went downstairs and knocked on their door at 3 a.m. I didn't think that was too rude since they were probably up--I mean who could sleep with all that noise? Not me. Anyway so against Matt's advice, I went down and knocked on the door. The noise from the TV immediately stopped and I heard a little scurrying toward the door. Then I heard some more scurrying and the TV went back on.
I was probably a pretty scary sight, especially through the fish-eye lens that is the peephole, so I wasn't surprised at this.
Then I wrote a very polite note, also against Matt's advice, pointing out how very loud their TV was, and knocked again; they didn't answer so I slipped it under the door.
They still watch TV all night long, but it's a few decibels lower. I hardly notice it anymore.
The thing about the neighbors who live next to the TV neighbors is, every day, twice a day, at noon and again at 7 p.m., they blast (as in blast, like I'm pretty sure they have industrial-strength subwoofers down there) the same 2 songs: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (the Diana Ross version) and some song I can't place but I think is by the Pretenders. The whole song, then the other song, then silence. A few days ago they replaced the Pretenders song with "What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers.
This actually does not bother me at all; in fact, I am fascinated. These are the only neighbors in our unit that we have never met, because every time we've gone to introduce ourselves they haven't been home or just haven't answered the door. I kind of want to knock again or write another note--just to ask about the history behind the "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" ritual. I'm curious to know whether they're having little mini dance parties or if this is an extreme case of obsessive-compulsiveness or what.
Our neighbors are all very nice. I really like them. But sometimes I miss living in a house.
I bet it's a dance party. I don't think that's as ridiculous anymore, since Megan and I go through similar rituals.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm interested in what you're really listening to, and not "w-fenec.org."
Gee, I wish they'd done that when I was there - sounds like music from my era.
ReplyDeleteAnd I did notice the loud T.V. people - but we were so tired from being up with Theo, I slept anyway!
Maybe Susan Sarandon lives there..
ReplyDeleteOh, how I had forgotten the days of living with others. Our neighbors in our first apt in AR frequently smoked pot and sun bathed nude on their balcony. Then we moved to a townhouse and lived between some frat boys and a batch of giggly girls. The walls must have been thicker there, because we rarely heard them. They just seemed to always take our parking spots.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with you and yours.
I have gotten my kids used to a white noise maker. It's great for paper thin walls and can use it all year round unlike the humidifier which we only like in the winter. One drawbackd - they'll get too used to it and their roomates later in life will think it's kinda quirky. ah well, it keeps 'em asleep now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she is doing her flylady routine and needs the same inspirational music each day to get the dishes done and the clothes folded.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
Theo got some immunization shots today from a mean nurse lady, so he's been screaming all afternoon and night. Just our little contribution to the neighborhood evening cacophony.
ReplyDelete