Noisy Neighbors

Action is the antidote to despair. 

Joan Baez 

Good morning friends and family. It's going to be a beautiful day here in Brooklyn. Sunny and temps are going up close to 80. I'm off today for the park. Been waiting awhile for this. Have my bag packed and ready to go. It is just so peaceful sitting up on that hill looking over the water. And since I read the history of the park and discovered that my ancestors once owned the land.  I get the feeling that they are still there.

Had a rough weekend. Mr. Leadfoot again. I've never had to deal with such a noisy neighbor. This time he had some visitors. I hate to call it a party because they were out on the fire escape, and he was pacing in the bedroom. Strange guy he is!!! I'm thinking he is on cocaine most of the time. On Friday, this went on until almost two in the morning.  Heck, they even went out on the fire escape and carried on just above my bedroom window.

Saturday night was a repeat...even worse. Thankfully it did not go on as late, but it started earlier and went on for hours.  At one point I was in tears and had to go stand in the lobby for some relief. I knew my BP was rising. Especially when I banged on the pipes and heard the little bitch laughing at me. Music was blasting and it sounded like they were jumping off furniture and wrestling. It's hard to explain the noise, but for sure it's not something anyone wants to live with so I did some research last night and saw that my hands aren't tied. There ARE things I can do.

First step is a contact. If this doesn't work I will be calling the super again....but Leadfoot doesn't listen to him either. But, I do owe him the respect of telling him before I call the building management. I don't think they will be too happy to hear they were out on the fire escape. Calling the police won't work because they won't come, but I need the call on record. So, the final step will be Civil Court. Hey, maybe I can make a couple bucks out of this. At any rate the noise issue will be on record and peace and quiet in my own home is all I really want. This is a quality of life issue.

Then on Sunday it happened. While I was at church, Mr. Leadfoot and pals started in again. Hubby has been working nights on weekends because they get more calls. So, he hasn't really had to put up with any of their nonsense. And because he is working until about 2 am in the morning, he was sleeping when they started. So he went upstairs and didn't knock, he said he banged on the door with the side of his hand. Leadfoot's little female friend poked her head out. Here's the conversation as per Ralph.

Ralph: And not very politely) Are you the owner of this apartment?
Girl: No.
Ralph: Get him.
Girl: Okay. (She leaves and comes back without Leadfoot). He's not home. (Yeah right, I say to myself. You'd know he wasn't home and wouldn't have to go check. Mr. Leadfoot, it turns out, is a real chicken sh.... and wimp)
Ralph: (yelling) Then I'll tell you. YOU ARE 'NOT' THE ONLY TENANTS IN THIS BUILDING. THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING DOWNSTAIRS AND WE ARE TIRED OF YOUR NONSENSE. WE CAN'T SLEEP. STOP THE DAMN JUMPING AROUND AND ACT LIKE NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS.
(At this point she gives him a nervous smile).
Ralph: DO I LOOK LIKE I'M SMILING???? THIS IS NOT A JOKE AND I WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR NONSENSE ANY LONGER.

There was more said, but this is the gist of it. Hasn't been a peep out of them since I got home. Guess they needed to be put in their place. Ralph said they probably either thought I was living alone or that we were an older couple and that they could get away with it.  Meanwhile, I had already put a letter in their door and notified the super. He sent an email to the office and urged me to call the first thing today. All I can say is, they messed with the wrong people. You can only push us so far.

Ever since he is  up there tiptoeing around so quietly. He did move a little furniture yesterday but did so very, very slowly and only a wee bit at a time. I'd like to say he is just finally being respectful, but I believe the truth is he is afraid of Ralph and doesn't want him to know he is up there. Whatever it takes. At least I finally have some peace and quiet.

Have a good one.