There's a light that never goes out

I may have written before about the people who live across the airshaft from me. You know, those pillars of society that spend 9/10ths of their time at home screaming at each other (and their kids) as loud as their lungs allow. 9/10ths of said screaming usually occurs between the hours of 8-10am on the weekends. I know that one of the kids is named Ryan from the way the mother, with her husky-yet-banshee-esque tones, bellows for her offspring and his apparent wrongdoings all the livelong weekend day. Anyway, Brooklyn Banshee and the White Trash Family Jamboree is just a part of the landscape that I've accepted in terms of apartment living. Lately, we've been screaming back at them to "Shut the fuck up," and it appears that it's working. I guess that when you talk to people like that in terms they understand, it works.

Lately, though, I have a new issue.

I am pretty sensitive to light. It wakes me up, it keeps me up, and it keeps me from sleeping as well as I could be. Of course, Tony and Angela and their shrieking bratlings have been leaving a burning lamp in the window DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM MY BED ALL NIGHT LONG. It's some tacky, beaded monstrosity that's actually quite bright. It shines right through my blinds, like a little ball of fire all night long. I have no idea what to do. Getting heavier curtains or shades is one option, as is a giant sign that says, "YOUR LAMP IS KEEPING ME AWAKE. PLEASE MOVE IT." Other ideas potentially involving a slingshot, the owner of said slingshot, and several small rocks have also been contemplated, but I really don't want to have to remove my air conditioner from my window or cause some kind of property damage that I could potentially get in trouble for. Still, when you're cranky and have slept poorly, ideas like that seem to reach an Einstein-level brilliance. I've also long-debated calling information and seeing if the apartment across the way is listed, then calling and either speaking to one of the residents or leaving a message. This has been eliminated in fear of how batshit crazy they may actually be, and it's best not to poke the lion, etc. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, and that's the best option. I have no idea.

Do any long-time apartment dwellers out there have any recommendations for how to handle this? I'm sort of new to the game here. I'm thinking a sign or a phone call is my best option. Am I totally off the mark?

There's a light that never goes out

I may have written before about the people who live across the airshaft from me. You know, those pillars of society that spend 9/10ths of their time at home screaming at each other (and their kids) as loud as their lungs allow. 9/10ths of said screaming usually occurs between the hours of 8-10am on the weekends. I know that one of the kids is named Ryan from the way the mother, with her husky-yet-banshee-esque tones, bellows for her offspring and his apparent wrongdoings all the livelong weekend day. Anyway, Brooklyn Banshee and the White Trash Family Jamboree is just a part of the landscape that I've accepted in terms of apartment living. Lately, we've been screaming back at them to "Shut the fuck up," and it appears that it's working. I guess that when you talk to people like that in terms they understand, it works.

Lately, though, I have a new issue.

I am pretty sensitive to light. It wakes me up, it keeps me up, and it keeps me from sleeping as well as I could be. Of course, Tony and Angela and their shrieking bratlings have been leaving a burning lamp in the window DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM MY BED ALL NIGHT LONG. It's some tacky, beaded monstrosity that's actually quite bright. It shines right through my blinds, like a little ball of fire all night long. I have no idea what to do. Getting heavier curtains or shades is one option, as is a giant sign that says, "YOUR LAMP IS KEEPING ME AWAKE. PLEASE MOVE IT." Other ideas potentially involving a slingshot, the owner of said slingshot, and several small rocks have also been contemplated, but I really don't want to have to remove my air conditioner from my window or cause some kind of property damage that I could potentially get in trouble for. Still, when you're cranky and have slept poorly, ideas like that seem to reach an Einstein-level brilliance. I've also long-debated calling information and seeing if the apartment across the way is listed, then calling and either speaking to one of the residents or leaving a message. This has been eliminated in fear of how batshit crazy they may actually be, and it's best not to poke the lion, etc. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, and that's the best option. I have no idea.

Do any long-time apartment dwellers out there have any recommendations for how to handle this? I'm sort of new to the game here. I'm thinking a sign or a phone call is my best option. Am I totally off the mark?

And now it's time for a breakdown.

New Orleans Girl is playing En Vogue right now. And I'm reminded how very much I loved En Vogue back in the day. Was there any modern girl group as cool as En Vogue? I doubt it.*

*TLC did come close, I'll admit.

Seriously. Destiny's Child wishes they were this cool.

(also? My allergy attack can stop any time now. No, really. Stop.)

And now it's time for a breakdown.

New Orleans Girl is playing En Vogue right now. And I'm reminded how very much I loved En Vogue back in the day. Was there any modern girl group as cool as En Vogue? I doubt it.*

*TLC did come close, I'll admit.

Seriously. Destiny's Child wishes they were this cool.

(also? My allergy attack can stop any time now. No, really. Stop.)