There's a light that never goes out

[offbalance]

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?

Comments

[figmentj.livejournal.com]

I'd go with the curtains, myself, mainly because I have little luck usually getting inconsiderate people to be considerate. Mainly they either tell me to fuck off or agree and then do nothing. I generally just try to make accommodations.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right. *sigh*

Sometimes, I wish humanity sucked less.

[figmentj.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that would be nice. :)

[firynze.livejournal.com]

I'd go with a sign and blackout curtains, personally. The sign because they're being annoying and need to be scolded (and because passive-aggression is acceptable in big-city apartment games) and the curtains because I sincerely doubt they'll do anything about the lamp.

[first-lobster.livejournal.com]

I agree with the curtains and the note- but I don't necessarily think of the note as passive aggressive.
Maybe you could yell it when you yell at them to be quiet, "SHUT THE FUCK UP AND TURN YOUR FUCKING LAMP OFF."

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

The lamp's been gone for a few days now, after no effort on my part. I'm not sure why, but I'm not complaining.

[keightball.livejournal.com]

These are a bit long, not sure what size window you have:
http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=10529


This is what I have, for the shorter length:
http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=1774

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I have pretty long windows. This might be worth looking into. Thanks!

[queenmother49.livejournal.com]

they are in the same building as you? Or another one? If it's the same building, I'd go knock on the door(take someone with you of course) and ask politely that they move the light....but I'd invest in blackout drapes just in case.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Different building. I'd need to find a way to get in, if they're even home. But I'm going to get better curtains, I think.

[teany.livejournal.com]

Maybe leave them a note if you know their apt. number? I'm thinking maybe they won't see the sign, or it won't register that it's meant for them because they're stupid.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I thought about it. Not sure if it's worth the trouble.

And the lamp has been gone since Friday. :)

[whtegrlwthehair.livejournal.com]

i vote for a light-blocking rolldown curtain, if such a thing exists, to accomodate your air conditioner. a sign might escalate the situation if they're really such jerks!

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Seems to be what's in order. I agree about the sign.

[moobie.livejournal.com]

When I lived at home, my old neighbors liked to put on a show during school day mornings. It would usually start at about 6 a.m., with Mom screaming at Juveline Delinquent Son to get up and get ready for school, JDS screaming at her to do assorted obscene things to herself, door slamming, washer-and-dryer slamming (never quite understood that one), and then Grandma would chime in by screaming Bible verses and fire-and-brimstone predictions at JDS. I was *thisclose* to calling the cops several times, but they eventually got locked out of the property by the sheriff because they never paid their mortgage. Anyway, point is, I feel your pain.

I'm a new apartment-dweller too. My upstairs neighbors like to play music REALLY LOUD (usually some Punjabi pop) but they keep it to a decent hour. I have issues with light coming through my blinds too, and am considering getting darker curtains to put up. Is talking to your landlord an option?

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Don't you love a free live performance of Jerry Springer highlights?

My landlady is well aware of the White Trash Jamboree, and basically told me to call the cops if they bother me too much. I feel as though the fine men and women of the 78th Precinct have their hands full with real crime, so I'm holding off. But I may change my mind.

As for the loud music, in college I met my downstairs neighbors and asked nicely if they could lower the reggae (as I couldn't hear my tv) and maybe go easier on the marijuana, as it was aggravating my asthma. I was nice, and they couldn't have been nicer.

[herrsprengstoff.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M82_Barrett_rifle

'nuff said

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

LOL.

Oh, you.

[kip3f.livejournal.com]

You could try getting a sleep mask. That works for me.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

I have yet to find a comfortable one. :/ But I own several.