But for the grace

Now that my nose is back to the blogstone, I want to take this chance to tell you about a new and very special person in my life. A person who reminds me daily that I am never alone, and who stretches my capacity for compassion in an infuriating world.

I'm talking, of course, of Eldun, my Extremely Loud, Demented Upstairs Neighbor.

Eldun first came into my life about a month after I moved in. I paused at my front door and wondered if I had left my TV on. Which was odd, since the voices were in Spanish. Also, I didn't own a TV. After I got inside, I learned it was Eldun's TV, which was booming through the floorboards, and echoing around the courtyard, and vibrating the fillings out of my teeth. OK, I thought. This city is full of people who feel compelled to share their auditory interests with the rest of the solar system. About the only thing you can do is take comfort in the fact that someday they will be dead.

Then, about a week later, came the yelling.

I was on the couch reading when I first heard the voice, which was loud and clear enough to make me think part of my brain was seceding. But it was Eldun, screaming into the phone at some poor soul who wasn't contributing much to the conversation. The pattern was amazingly consistent:

1. 20-second screed;
2. 2-second pause;
3. repeat.

This happened about three times a week. For hours, sometimes. And the frustrating thing--apart from, you know, the insanity--was that I couldn't understand a word of it. What was happening in this man's life? Who or what stirred such unrelenting passion? Was it a lover? A blackmailer? Verizon Wireless?

After about a month of this, I finally went upstairs to meet the Voice From Above. He answered the door sheepishly, jumbled gray hair and undershirt barely visible behind the door. He seemed to know immediately who I was and why I was there, and before I said two words he was all sorrysorrysorrysir. And he bowed a lot. I came downstairs satisfied that we had reached some sort of détente and enjoyed about an hour of peace--before some other poor sod was getting an earful.

Later, I got the lowdown from my super, who knows everything about everything. Eldun used to drive a NYC bus until he had a stroke while driving his route. There wasn't much damage, and no one was hurt, but he was impaired enough for the MTA to abruptly cut him loose. So now he's basically a shut-in, a man in his mid-50s who has no one and is suddenly jobless, frequently disoriented, and mostly deaf. And now he spends his days pacing in his rugless prison, filling the void with as much noise as his broken head can sense.

If Younger Me had been the one living beneath Eldun, I might have broken a dozen broom handles against the ceiling. As it is, I've learned to roll with it. Every once in a while, when he's particularly vituperative, I'll go try to talk him down. And if he starts up while the kids and I are piled into the couch watching a movie, I might hug 'em a little more tightly.

Comments

[Hänni]

Anyone who has ever rented has likely had their own version of EDLUND. Mine was not so much noisy, just a genuine a-hole who let his dog crap all over the shared walkway and then egged my car in retribution when I reported it to the main office.I was very happy when he was evicted.

[Alli]

Poor Eldun, make him some soup and buy him a throw rug.

[21stCenturyMom]

There are a surprising number of good things that come with age - grace and compassion being 2 of them. The body breaking down is on the other list.

[Amie Simmons]

Eldun NEEDS you.

[carosgram]

So glad you are back to blogging! Have you tried ear plugs yet? Good luck with your neighbor.

[Schafer Hardwood]

ELDUN neads a hearing aid it sounds like.

[Helen Mell]

I didn't read your title first but that's exactly what came to mind as I was reading about Eldun. Then decided to leave a comment, and saw it. Could have been a different type of post, am glad it wasn't.

[antler chandelier]

I am glad you are back to blogging. I love reading your blog

[Dave]

Invite Eldun down to watch the movie LOL!!

[MSC Dissertation]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!

[nutrition supplements]

This is different type of delight that I have wittenesses at all together.

[amanda]

It is this post I'll remember the next time I am left speechless by the callousness of most people.

[Pitch]

Love the blog, but "false start on the offense". Hoping you are back (again) in blog action soon.

[Laura]

I have an Eldun. Except he isn't old and sick, he's young and annoying. I can hear his music over everything else I try to do, my television included. Ahh! We have broken a dozen broom handles. . . I even called the police one night when they played their incredibly annoying music at top volume from 2am until 5am, but they just don't get the hint that it BOTHERS us! No wonder why I can't sleep! ;)

[Crafty]

We have an Eldun! He was singing "I like big butts" VERY LOUDLY on his Rock Band at 11pm with his 12 year old daughter one night. I will forever be scarred by the image of my neighbor singing to his daughter that she makes him so horny. It doesn't matter how many times I talk to them, or how many times the neighbors call the cops on them, they act like they're the only people in the neighborhood.