The ones the apocalypse was made for

[cjsmith]

Our neighbors across the back fence are having a pool party, complete with speakers pointing directly toward my house and what sounds like several families' worth of shriekers.

If I were a different person I'd say how sweet and uplifting it all was. I'm not that person. I'm wishing the wheels would fly offa western civ already so the sound system would have no power and the human noisemakers would all have to go concentrate on obtaining food. Worst case, even if they didn't shut up, at least they'd have something to scream about.

Would it really be that much less fun with the music turned down or (God forbid) unplugged? Really, would that wreck the whole day? Would the good time truly be destroyed by speaking in a normal tone of voice?

Yes, I am a curmudgeon. Particularly when it comes to noise.

Edit: Aaah, blessed relief. The hostess is now explaining the rules of a treasure hunt to the boys, and she finally got the bright idea of turning off the music. She, even at what is obviously her top volume, is bearable.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am a curmudgeon. Particularly when it comes to noise.

Seeble!!!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Rob talks about the tyranny of food in Western culture. All social events involve food, even the ones meant to honor him, which is more than a little rude when you think about it. Me, I gripe about the tyranny of pounding screeching soul-destroying levels of noise.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

My usual sarcastic but unheard response, particularly to cars passing nearby with booming subwoofers, is Thanks for sharing.

I think see the point about food, but we're probably guilty of that one, too. When we have game nights, we'll usually have food about such as hors d' ouvres and such. We don't encourage anyone to eat anything they don't want to, though. And I've actually gotten out of the habit of having food when going to the movies. Ridiculous pricing helps there.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ah - I don't think Rob would see any problem with a social event involving food and something else (eg games). It's the ones that are ONLY food, and particularly the ones at which he must show up because he's the one getting some darned award or something, that bug him. Everyone gets what is to them a delicious meal while Rob sits around hungry for usually about two hours.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. I can see the difference there.

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

A few weeks back my neighbor had all her grandkids out on the trampoline all evening. It was 9ish and one of them had been shrieking for an hour. You know that kid is tired but won't go in kind of shriek. It was supremely annoying because I didn't have my AC on and all of my windows were open.

The next day she apologized for the loudness which was cool. I know she felt bad about it. I invited her to my party, so if we get out of hand she will be here!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, same situation here (windows open for the breeze). I don't entertain much, but I will have to remember that trick of inviting the neighbors to the party! :-)

[airporter.livejournal.com]

Definitely not a curmudgeon. Living in a concrete, 13-storey building (13, I know), I've had too many neighbours who don't understand how sound waves work. I usually make two attempts to assist their understanding.

The I let the police explain it to them. Works wonders.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

No kidding! This wasn't quite police-level -- I suspect I was the only one bothered that much, given my positioning ten feet from their pool. I admit I was tempted to put on my Egyptian rock music and turn my speakers out the window. ;-)

I'm reminded of my sister when she was in college. Number of police visits was the measure of a good party. I can only conclude that most human beings are wired so that they have more fun when their ears hurt.

[irascignavojo.livejournal.com]

you have my dearest sympathy. I have to live with someone playing PlayStation2 all afternoon and evening now in my living room... and the noise from that is nervewrecking if you're not inclined to watch...

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed -- I used to live with a guy who played DOOM all the time. Bleah. I am very very lucky that I now live with rfrench, who not only does not play stuff like that but also is willing to take his love of television into a fairly soundproofed room.