Jack ‘n Tracie

Just to clarify, I am NOT prejudice against anyone. My neighbors could be black, white, brown, orange, or from Mars. The music is too loud. *Most* of the time it is cultural sounding folk music. Sometimes it’s not and I can recognize artists and could tell you exactly what song they are playing. I could sing along to it even though they are next door with windows and doors closed. It’s not the kind of music or the people who are playing it. It’s the volume.

I was angry that had the tables been turned, I don’t think the management would offer to move me if I ignored warnings to comply. They’d probably evict me. It angered me that Jack and I have tried to get along with our neighbors. That we told them we would love to live peacefully near them. I’ve told them I’d like to see our kids play together. So understand that it angered me a LOT to hear them claim discrimination.

Having said all that, the man and his sister-in-law came to our house to try to work it out last night. At first she was pretty insistant that I was being unreasonable. When I realized we were not getting anywhere, I asked her to turn the volume of their stereo to the level they usually play it and come in to my home and listen. When they heard how loud it was here, I could literally see the looks of realization mixed with disappointment on their faces. Our conversation took a big turn after that.

All of a sudden she wanted to work something out. She also informed us that the unit the management was going to move them to is only a 2 bedroom (I did not know that when I was informed the management would be moving them.) They are currently in a 3 bedroom. So they had motive to work this out with us.

She was insistent that her sister and brother-in-law love to play their music and do not want to stop. I reassured her several times that I’m not asking that they stop playing music. And I assured her that I don’t even mind *hearing* the music. I know I will hear it reguardless. But the level they had it drowned out our own music and TV. When she heard it for herself, she even said she agreed that would be annoying. So we agreed on a “quiet period” during the day and she said she’d ask her sister to try to turn it down.

I feel good overall about this but I’m still a bit skeptical of the man’s wife. When I mentioned to her sister that I tried to be nice and she was pretty rude to me, the sister got very animated and said her sister has a bad attitude and that’s just how she is to everyone, even her own family. I have to admit that made me feel a bit better about myself. At least I know she wasn’t just like that to me. Jack agreed.

So we’ll see how it goes.