I've a real issue with neighbor noise. It is now 22 years since I lived in an apartment building where that might even possibly be a problem. (I lived in an apartment building for one of those years, during my brief "academic tinker" phase. But it was a pretty tonied up place with well built walls, floors, and ceilings.) I really dread the thought of moving into a place where the neighbors think the "10" setting on the volume control is there because sharing is caring.
I have, in the past, had occasion to confront someone who thought they owed no consideration to the rest of the world. Those were all pretty tense moments. Given that I've become less patient with age, I'd rather live in a cabin in the woods than set myself up for such encounters again.
I couldn't agree more. Erin and I have a three-level, 3100- sq. ft. house, way too much for two people, but the nice thing is that we're insulated by space. Not even the college kids next door bother us. Going back to an apartment building seems like a nightmare.
Having spent the last 11 1/2 years living in a 30' X 8' travel trailer, I've learned just how little space I actually need. It has been genuinely enlightening. At this point, even if I could move into a space where I could unpack all the books (55+ boxes worth, stored in a pole barn) I don't think I would choose to do so. But the space? The sound insulation? Things would get ugly. Hopefully the "self defense" plea would have some traction.
"It’s not really my problem if they think I’m weird." OMFG, if I obsessed over that I'd have lapsed into alcoholism or drug addiction decades ago. I know I'm weird, so I assume everyone else does as well. But you have to reach a point where you no longer care what others think of you, because you can't control most of that. Of course, I'd like to be know as a good, kind, caring, and compassionate person, but I suspect there are more than a few folks out there who think I'm a flaming asshole.
And I'm OK with that.
Sometimes I like to keep people guessing.
I grew up in a small town (<1000 people) in northern Minnesota. Yeah, we pretty much knew everyone's secrets. Truthfully, most of them weren't all that interesting, but you make what you can out of what you have to work with.
I guess people in Amelia don’t exercise much, because here in Perugia tons of people go out in activewear. They may be going to or coming from some sort of exercise, but they’re not worried about being seen in the necessary garb or wearing it to run errands or grab a coffee. And among young women, sweatpants paired with a crop top are a popular choice. Just goes to show that nothing in Italy is ever one thing.
You're not wrong. Amelia is old. It's seven-hundred years older than Rome, possibly the oldest village in Italy. Its cittadini are old. So, bella figura is a real thing here. But you live in a fairly young part of Italy, right? Last time I was in Perugia, I was delighted to see so many young people. It's perhaps encouraging to know that the most hidebound notions of bella figura are slowly melting away. You must love it there!
I don’t really know the demographics, but being a major university town we have more than our share of young ‘uns. That makes a huge difference. It’s a happening place, even though it’s also way older than Rome, a major Etruscan city. Naturally I have my complaints (we have the worst roads ANYWHERE), but yeah, I’m happy here.
I've a real issue with neighbor noise. It is now 22 years since I lived in an apartment building where that might even possibly be a problem. (I lived in an apartment building for one of those years, during my brief "academic tinker" phase. But it was a pretty tonied up place with well built walls, floors, and ceilings.) I really dread the thought of moving into a place where the neighbors think the "10" setting on the volume control is there because sharing is caring.
I have, in the past, had occasion to confront someone who thought they owed no consideration to the rest of the world. Those were all pretty tense moments. Given that I've become less patient with age, I'd rather live in a cabin in the woods than set myself up for such encounters again.
A cabin in the woods is totally my speed. Except that I need a lot of coffee.
A LOT of coffee.
Yeah, I'd have to have electricity and running water. Everything else can be built upon those.
Definitely. As long as you've got that, all things are possible. And a cabin in the woods (or, in my dream, at the beach) sounds heavenly.
I am torn between the mountains and the sea. Jimmy's song "A Pirate Looks at Forty" has always spoken to me.
I couldn't agree more. Erin and I have a three-level, 3100- sq. ft. house, way too much for two people, but the nice thing is that we're insulated by space. Not even the college kids next door bother us. Going back to an apartment building seems like a nightmare.
Having spent the last 11 1/2 years living in a 30' X 8' travel trailer, I've learned just how little space I actually need. It has been genuinely enlightening. At this point, even if I could move into a space where I could unpack all the books (55+ boxes worth, stored in a pole barn) I don't think I would choose to do so. But the space? The sound insulation? Things would get ugly. Hopefully the "self defense" plea would have some traction.
I always worry, Gares. Let's hope they just forget you're there.
"It’s not really my problem if they think I’m weird." OMFG, if I obsessed over that I'd have lapsed into alcoholism or drug addiction decades ago. I know I'm weird, so I assume everyone else does as well. But you have to reach a point where you no longer care what others think of you, because you can't control most of that. Of course, I'd like to be know as a good, kind, caring, and compassionate person, but I suspect there are more than a few folks out there who think I'm a flaming asshole.
And I'm OK with that.
Sometimes I like to keep people guessing.
I grew up in a small town (<1000 people) in northern Minnesota. Yeah, we pretty much knew everyone's secrets. Truthfully, most of them weren't all that interesting, but you make what you can out of what you have to work with.
This was, for me, your most delightful read.
Only because you share my love of the surreal!
So true. The way you write about how Italy makes you feel, how it impacts the senses and the soul, is so me.
Everything I write about Italy is a valentine ;-)
I guess people in Amelia don’t exercise much, because here in Perugia tons of people go out in activewear. They may be going to or coming from some sort of exercise, but they’re not worried about being seen in the necessary garb or wearing it to run errands or grab a coffee. And among young women, sweatpants paired with a crop top are a popular choice. Just goes to show that nothing in Italy is ever one thing.
You're not wrong. Amelia is old. It's seven-hundred years older than Rome, possibly the oldest village in Italy. Its cittadini are old. So, bella figura is a real thing here. But you live in a fairly young part of Italy, right? Last time I was in Perugia, I was delighted to see so many young people. It's perhaps encouraging to know that the most hidebound notions of bella figura are slowly melting away. You must love it there!
I don’t really know the demographics, but being a major university town we have more than our share of young ‘uns. That makes a huge difference. It’s a happening place, even though it’s also way older than Rome, a major Etruscan city. Naturally I have my complaints (we have the worst roads ANYWHERE), but yeah, I’m happy here.