an open letter of sorts

to my musical neighbor who shares a wall with my bedroom:

why are you practicing the snare drum after 11 pm?

see, the thing is, i really thought you'd be stopping soon, and you did. you stopped at about 12.30, and i was satisfied. you were quiet until just before 2, and i actually went to bed thinking i'd sleep well.

and now you've started again, and i can remember the piece you're working on well enough to see that you'll be going for another hour or longer.

i'm impressed by the complexity of your music, my mysterious neighbor, and can see why it's necessary to practice the piece to get it just right. it has all sorts of interesting stuff going on. really, it's quite lovely. something i could tap my feet to, possibly even bob my head... if i were listening to it at some other time.

i am thankful that you're using the rubber damper on your drum, kind neighbor. it means that i hear only the dull thumps of drumstick on drum, instead of the lovely rattle of a fully-unleashed snare. however, even with this consideration, i am still hearing the dull thumps i mentioned earlier.

while you have my gratitude for taking that break after midnight, i'd be even more appreciative if, in the future, you extended those midnight breaks until around 8 or so in the morning. that may be earlier than you wish to be up, and i apologize for what must seem a terrible inconvenience. but while i am deeply regretful for complaining at this sharing on your part, it's more than a little inconvenient for *me* to be awake at this late hour, and you see, i am inclined to be a touch selfish after dark.

so let's please resolve this matter thusly: by all means, use your nights to practice the snare drum. please choose a location considerably farther away from my bedroom, though. your kitchen would, in fact, be perfect. see, your kitchen is up against mine, and it is the farthest from my bedroom you could get while remaining in your apartment. it is also the farthest you could get from your downstairs neighbors' bedroom. in fact, it is a place where four kitchens meet, placing it far enough away from any of our bedrooms that your rubber practice mat will absorb the sounds sufficiently for all parties.

doesn't that sound more reasonable than our current setup?

i'm sure you'll find it agreeable if you but give it a try. in the meantime, suppose i will turn my white noise up to the highest notch, and turn my noisy fan up a notch, and possibly even down a melatonin tablet.

take care, dear neighbor. i wish you all the best in your drumming, provided it takes place during lighted hours of the day.

ja ne,

your sleep-deprived next door neighbor