Not All is Right with the World of a Knight

[b l a n k]

I've got a stellar educational record; I've got a family who, despite its quirks, supports my every endeavor; and I occasionally save the world by driving a computer-powered car and throwing a sword at terrorists, etc.

But what you don't know is that I've lived in seven different houses across five states, plus one I rented with my brother for college.

My life has been shaped by moving, moving, and moving again, which is kind of ironic when you consider that my parents each grew up in the same household until they met in college, at which point it was true love at first sight, but that's a story completely irrelevant to the one I'm trying to tell.

Back on track. Lately, the neighbors, who may or may not have ties to Cosa Nostra given their leisured lifestyle and Italian family name, have been as lazy as sloths lounging around their pool and playing tasteless "music" at such volumes that we can't open or even close our windows without hearing that dreadful bass make our ears bleed. We've tried to peacefully tell them to stop, but that's weirdly gotten their panties in a twist, and now, they've been playing that music louder than ever.

And this evening, my mother confessed that she's spent the last couple of days looking at houses for the ten quadrillionth time in her life. There's virtually nothing we can reasonably afford in the Bay Area anymore, which is why we've considered heading out to some other part of CA or even up to the Portland/Salem area, where Colonel KR Sr., farming expert, once owned a ranch.

I'm sure some of you are thinking that the best thing to do at this point would be to finally take the initiative to move out, but, based on the types of jobs I can get right now, I couldn't afford even a decent apartment around these parts. I love this part of the country. I know it like the back of my gauntlet, but it's a bankrupt state with an outrageous real estate market.

After seeing my parents make the decision to move and move again, it gives me that feeling that they're just never happy with where they are. Actually, Mom says she's always happy, and I believe it, but I wish her face would show that more often.

It's my old man, really, who's never been happy with whatever job (and therefore house) he's had since he left GE. The story goes that he was filling out some kind of employee survey but was strictly forbidden from writing down that his ultimate goal was to become the president and CEO of the company, and he was broken right then and there. Nowadays, he often claims to see an alternate version of himself as the head of GE. And I think he's still got everything it takes to be a CEO of a corporate empire, but I guess the past can't be changed. Might as well keep moving forward.

Okay, where was I? Yeah, the neighbor problem. What should we do? We can't just blast our own music at deafening volumes; that would be stooping to their level. Or would it? Or should we move? Or should we sue them? Or what else could we do? I don't know how we're finally going to resolve this conflict, *sigh,* but I do know that what'll happen in the near future will change us forever...and all I want is for everyone I know to be happy. That's the impossible dream I love to dream.

It's times like these when I wish CKR Sr. were still with us. He could lift his daughters and balance them on their feet with one hand, he learned how to play spectacular piano scores without any formal training, and he always remembered to pack his shotgun in case somebody caused him trouble...not that he actually wanted to kill anyone, of course! But it's easy to imagine how he would resolve this conflict, and he'd do it well.

Bonus question if you can answer it: What's the real estate market like in your pocket of the world compared to that of CA?

[Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds]

I don't get the discomfort with moving. I have lived in over a dozen houses and still love changing locations. I'm ready to move from this place. So, you know, I honestly cannot understand and have only the barest sympathy in a "sorry you're not happy though I can't see why" kind of way. Hope things look up again soon, regardless.

[Bomby]

You do realize Cosa Nostra barely even exists outside of NYC and Chicago, right?

[Random User]

I thought that typically you can call police in response to disturbances of the peace.

Anyways, the housing market in the DC area? Hahaha. You might as well get a mansion in LA. You'll be paying about the same for a decently-sized house's mortgage here.

[b l a n k]

Hah! You make it seem so simple, RU. I don’t know how they’d respond if we did. Who knows what legal defense (or weapons) they have backing them up?

Maybe, Bomby, but I remember hearing Mom conversing with several different Italian-American home and garden workers over the years who each reacted in suspicious ways when she mentioned the Mafia in a completely non-accusatory context.

[QUOTE="Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds, post: 1479047, member: 17429"]I don't get the discomfort with moving. I have lived in over a dozen houses and still love changing locations. I'm ready to move from this place. So, you know, I honestly cannot understand and have only the barest sympathy in a "sorry you're not happy though I can't see why" kind of way. Hope things look up again soon, regardless.[/QUOTE]

Okay, so I wrote the opening post a little late at night, and I didn’t think of telling you how I look at moving from a positive perspective as well. When all hope appears lost, or when moving seems like a chore, I try to see every move as a new adventure, a new age of discovery (think: Indiana Jones-ish). And besides, I’ve been to Portland a couple of times. It’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen, so if that’s where I end up next, things may work out well in the end.

And it may work out if I move somewhere only a little further north.

And it may work out if I go east to the South lands, where I spent a summer vacation two years ago and met some really, really nice people, including a former babysitter who now has her own family.

There are still a lot of possibilities as to what could happen next, but the best I can do is be prepared for anything.

[Bomby]

If they acted "suspiciously" on mentions of Cosa Nostra, it's probably due to the fact that in spite of the fact that there are only around 3000 mafiosi in the US total, hearing mentions it gets old really damn fast for Italian Americans (especially Sicilians).

Source: Me

[b l a n k]

Should've watched my mouth knowing that I was talking directly to a Sicilian-American!

[smol Kat]

[QUOTE="King Bomby, post: 1479083, member: 17840"]If they acted "suspiciously" on mentions of Cosa Nostra, it's probably due to the fact that in spite of the fact that there are only around 3000 mafiosi in the US total, hearing mentions it gets old really damn fast for Italian Americans (especially Sicilians).

Source: Me[/QUOTE]
I'm going to barn the everloving **** out of this because I am dating a Sicilian American myself.

Therefore, I can't say I have a lot of sympathy for you KR. Moving is a hassle but suck it up and do it.

[I REALLY HATE POKEMON!]

Well, instead of peacefully "telling" them to do what you want, perhaps you could havs respectfully requested it instead. That would have been a better first choice.