Center of attention.

I just spent the last 15 minutes or so eating a burrito in my car, while parked in my garage at my apartment complex. Why? Because I have two neighbors who I don’t like sitting outside in their truck smoking. They’re always outside. Usually smoking. Sometimes day drinking. Always concerning themselves with everyone else they see.

They’ve come up with rumors and conspiracy theories about others who live there. They bitch about the ones they don’t like. There’s a couple across the hall they’ve made enemies of as of late. At one point is was complaining how the girl across the hall wears too short of shorts, even resorting to taking pictures of the poor girl to show the other neighbors, probably in hopes of finding enough people to raise the pitchforks with. Lately, it’s been complaining about how the couple’s dog has been killing all the grass out front, even going as far as buying new grass seed to lay down, supposedly. It’s mid-April and I’ve neither seen any grass or seed, so, how long before we walk like we talk around here?

These two strike me as toxic. It’s fitting they sit in a red truck all day, because they present nothing but red flags. Beyond the gossip, stalking of neighbors, constant griping about everything under the sun, chain smoking, and drinking at all hours, I’ve heard bits of racism as well. Like the time the guy turned a simple drain clog a floor below into a rant of how Sudanese people always sacrifice goats in their apartments. Now, there is a Muslim ritual where animal sacrifice can be a thing, but, that time of year lasts four days. FOUR! That’s not all the freaking time! Beyond all of this, when these folks are so full of shit just about anything, I have serious doubts this was happening at all. And it wouldn’t just be Sudanese people doing it, so, why are we singling them out? All of this from a clogged pipe with no Sudanese folks involved. For the record, a maintenance guy found paraffin wax in the drain, which is a far cry from goat’s blood.

Did I mention the conspiracy theories? Like how this dude thinks a pharmacist gave him a messed up Covid-19 vaccine and that’s why he has cancer now. Nothing to do with the smoking and other poor life decisions, I’m sure. Or how the recent solar eclipse was going to dismantle the electrical grid. Last check, we were all fine. I’m feeling the need to inform these folks every box of aluminum foil comes with a free hat.

So, I avoid them at all cost. I’ll walk around the backside of my building if I have to, which means an extra flight of steps to climb. Lately, I’ve resorted to sticking earbuds in my ears as I walk up to avoid conversation. I’m tired, I’ve worked all day, and I’m tired of people, given where I work. All I want is some peace, quiet, and to be left alone. Something every other neighbor has afforded me. It’s not a lot to ask to just shut the fuck up and let people live their lives.

I’ve been playing in around with my navigation on my site(s) this morning. I’m currently adding category links to the content I want to highlight that isn’t long form, like album thoughts and movies I’ve logged. That stuff gets lost in the archive otherwise.