Can you guess what I was listening to last night? Take a read – oh, and bring the earplugs!
Earplugs. Can I have a pair?
Neighbourly Nerves
What are you doing up there?
I hear you pounding on the floors again,
A thin line for my ceiling, my ears,
And my last nerve -
That is growing weaker by the second.
You make me wish I still had earplugs
(Though I don’t miss the days I wore them
As I slept before night shifts of zombie eyes and tired isolation).
You can pound until 7pm, that’s the city bylaw,
And I have the phone number for the strata president,
He’s a friend, you know.
Do you own a watch?
I do hope you get that renovation done,
Though I don’t know your name
(Or your project)
And then let me have a quiet night -
As my mind is loud enough without your pounding from above me.
©2012 Christy Birmingham
What are you doing up there?
So very fine to end this poem with this confession of a “loud mind”! I have found that when my mind and spirits are quiet at bedtime, it matters not what loud noises surround me! I fall asleep anyway!
Yes granbee, I like to have my mind and spirit calm and quiet at bedtime. I did sleep well, no construction allowed late at night! Nice to see you xx
Love It CB
I know the feeling !!!!!!!!! xx
Hi CF, it’s CB here! Ah, neighbours! I will just keep smiling and get through it. Thanks for your sweet comment xx
Or just really blast loud music for like 12 seconds in the middle of the night ?????? lol
CB you are cute !!!!!!!!
don’t let those neighbours bug you …..:) xx
LOL Cat well I hope it would at least be a good song if that happened! Like one of your tunes
Thanks and CF you are a cutie too!
NOOOOOOO — something really loud ………..
lol
only for 12 seconds …………………..
that would be a good warning
if you want a good loud song – let me know
i have many musical ideas for noisy neighbours
i have this certain song in my head right now
just say the word
Just in case ok ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR2XilcGYOo
emergency loudness ………..
Oh Cat, I just turned up the music! Perfect selection my musical genius friend, I have it on stand by!!
wooooohooooooo
That song could wake anyone up ! right
xx
lol 
xo
i just played it in my headphones ….and wooooo it’s fun
let me know – what happens
Hehe yes it’s a good one Cat! hehe
Giggles are good
xx
glad i made you laugh
xx
have a great night
hopefully a quiet one
Thanks Cat xx
Some neighbours can be so inconsiderate, can’t they? If it’s not a reno happening it’s band practice time. I sympathize!
Hehe Susan, yes I suppose one or the other! Thanks hon
Thank you for reading my blog, I enjoyed reading several of your entries as well-I will follow your blog and hope you will mine as well
Hello and thanks for looking around the poetry and other musings here. Yes, I now follow your blog as well and it is nice to be connected.
The video of the “prank” played on the ball player was so funny-were you in on it? Do you know any of the people involved? In am case, hope your noisy neighbors settle down.
What video? I don’t understand… Yes I hope they settle down soo as well.
I loved it…had an unexpected twist…made me think of my post today on perspectives…hate listening to another man’s construction…
Yes Jane, now if I can get them down here to work on my place with a few renovations here and there… that could be a worthwhile solution! Thanks Jane for your comment and support.
After 7pm, call bylaw – if they’re closed call the cops… nobody has to put up with that in Canada, we have civilized rules here….
Hehe Marc. I looked at my strata bylaws and turns out the cut-off is 8pm. I’ll be watching the clock, don’t you worry! Thanks for the comment buddy.
Interesting it’s the same all over the world I guess
Cheers!
Yes dilipnaidu, I suppose some issues are worldwide, good observation
Love it, Christy, and have “been there” before!
Lauren, I am getting the feeling I am not alone… I see many readers related
Thanks hon for the comment xx
I have had some bad neighbors when I was living in apartments and Condos. Even took 1 to court and wound up in a mediation (that was a waste of resources). So my rule going forward is always be on top. I refuse to sign anything pertaining to living under someone. Noticed this comment above “nobody has to put up with that in Canada” If this is true How cool is Canada?
Mark, I won’t speak for all of Canada – though I would like to! Good for you and you may have a decent solution with the top-floor method. Perhaps I will win the lottery and have a house before the construction ends! Hehe. Thanks for the comment, nice to see you here.
Great Poem Christy,
I swore I’d never live below, next to or above anyone ever again. I’ve been walked on, blasted out, bugged out, stunk out, cooked out, and any other kind of obnoxiousness you can think of.
Oh Mike, blasted out is this situation! A stand-alone house one day will be great! Thanks for stopping to comment my friend.
Love it Christy, especially the ‘loud mind’ at the end, lol! So sorry your neighbours are so inconsiderate, though. ((((Hugs)))) Sending you love and positive energies for a peaceful weekend, my friend! ~ Love, Julie xoxox
Thanks Julie, I wonder if you will be able to hear the noise when you move back to BC?
They continue today but I’ll get through it. So nice to have your support xx
In situations like this, I like to run an audio recorder, and then play it for the people making the noise. They simply aren’t thinking about how other people are interpretting the noise they’re making, and usually feel pretty stupid and rude when they’re made to walk a mile in your shoes.
Ah Miro, that’s a wise tip for me. I have been offered the solution to print out this poem and put it under their door! I haven’t done it yet…
Love that you’re channeling your frustration through creative expression instead of calling the cops!
Kelli, the pen is the mightiest of methods, isn’t it?! Nice to see you!
Loved this, it reminded me of my apartment days. Sometimes even being on the top floor doesn’t help though. I once lived above a man who was clearly going through a bad break-up, he played ‘bad country’ all day every day loudly and on a bad stereo with all his windows and the patio door open.
Whoohoo….cry me a river. My kids were young, they still hate country (except Lyle Lovett) to this day.
Hehe Valentine, glad you could relate. I’ll take the music over the hammering… wait, I’ll be careful what I wish for!
Oh, yes. Been there!
Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by! Well I suppose it will quiet down soon, a gal can hope can’t she!
I have always wondered why they are called “apart”ments when they are all stuck together. Ugh. This is on my list of “never again”s. I like at least 200 feet between me and my neighbors, although honestly, the next place will likely be closer to a quarter mile.
Earplugs. *Shudder*
{HUGZ}
Red.
xxx
So true about the name. Perhaps we could you “together”ments instead of apartments… or we could just get me into a stand-alone house somewhere instead! I’m hoping the noise will be done soon given the smaller space than a house. Stay tuned… xx
Sometimes the noises that really keep us awake are the ones in our minds
Quite right, Eric. The noises we create in our minds can cause many sleepless nights. Take care, my friend.
Wowza– I’ve definitely been there before, Christy. Earplugs and I go WAY back! Hope you’ve managed to have a better sleep since then. At least you got a sassy poem out of it.
Oh yes, we never know when and where we will get inspiration! I thought they were done and then nope they came back tonight. I will keep an eye on the time hehe. Thanks for stopping by, Dana!
Arrgh those neighbours… Yes, they are out there… My thoughts always go out to those whose neighbours are not always neighbourly… Sending you a Quiet thought. x
Sue, I heard yesterday that the work is done. My neighbours were putting in a new floor; hardwood I suppose. Now I am monitoring the situation! Sending you peaceful thoughts as well
Christy!! I feel your pain, I have had the WORST luck with neighbors over the years.. Great poem, glad I’m not the only one…..
Hi Jeff, nice to see you here! Nope you’re not the only one who needs earplugs… glad you enjoyed the read. At least they gave me material to write about!