Some People Defy Comprehension

Well, I’ve had a horrible 24 hours. 26 actually. For many months I have been struggling with my neighbours, who are making my nights a misery by staying up late. Yes, they are just living their lives, but mine has become so restricted that I can’t go to bed until they do, or I am forced to sleep on the sofa, and they frequently wake me up in the morning. The configuration of our flats means that their living room/kitchen/conservatory is directly beneath my bedroom, so what with the acoustics and the high decibel level of his voice, as well as cupboards banging, footsteps, TV, or whatever else they happen to be doing down there, there is no chance of me going to sleep at the time of my choice. No, it’s up to them. When I first moved back in, notes were exchanged, and they were extremely understanding. It was ok for a while, but has been getting steadily worse. So I wrote another. It was polite, reasonable, and completely inoffensive. Then I went out to work.

When I got home I found the most vitriolic, rude, unkind letter on my door mat. He insulted me, said I needed to get a life, leave my job and move the country. He basically said I am nothing and he doesn’t care what I think or say. He made it extremely personal. All I did was ask him to compromise a bit, as I have been doing for months now, and have some consideration after 11pm. We all have to learn to live together, and while I understand that we will not all keep to the same schedule, I simply don’t understand his response; he comes across as a selfish, arrogant and ignorant little man. He said he can guarantee that he works harder than me and accused me of thinking I was more important than him! All I wanted was to reach an amicable compromise; and the torrent of abuse I got has upset me beyond belief.

I am extremely grateful to have my parents’ house round the corner to escape to; I couldn’t stay there a second longer with that atmosphere, and I was really distraught. I knew he’d respond, but I never expected such a tirade. I felt physically sick, to have this abuse in my own home. It strikes me as ironic to be told to move to the country by someone who is not even from this country, and neither is his wife, AND they are renting. I own my home and I don’t expect to be treated so appallingly. I have done nothing to him and I don’t deserve this.

So, I have gathered myself together and started finding information about what can be done to sort this out. I am trying to squash the part of me that wants him to suffer as much as I have. I was unable to go to work today with constant nausea and a stomach upset. I am furious at the way he’s behaved, completely uncomprehending of his immaturity and selfishness (oh yes, he’s going to do exactly as he pleases, he told me), and on top of that have a business that is launching in a week and a mountain of work to do in preparation, which I have been unable to do today.

Going back there makes me feel even more sick, but I have to get some things (something else I haven’t been able to do today) and tomorrow I’m going to the country, to see my parents and make a plan. I can’t think about this except in a very abstract way because it makes me so livid, and my stomach’s in knots as it is. My best friend and my parents insist I mustn’t be driven out of my own home, but I will confess that yes, I have thought about it. Of course it would be insanity to give up my lovely flat for some horrible, and temporary tenants downstairs. But look, this is making me ill! I am not a victim, but I am entitled to a life as much as they are.

I’m going to find out how long their lease is. I’m going to speak to the council. I’m going to get information from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau. And on no account am I going to stoop to his pitiful and bullying level. But GOD I want to make him fucking suffer, that pathetic, selfish little shit.

Edit: I hate confrontation, I hate animosity, I thought we could sort this out as adults, but apparently he cannot. As I don’t see why I should lie down and take this any longer, clearly I am going to have to take some action, or I will never be able to live in my own home. But let it be noted that this is NOT what I want. I have a life to live and I do not want to waste it on some miserable low life like him.