So here I am, stuck here in the night with nothing but a headache (another minor concussion--but my hard head saved me) and a yowling cat in heat for company. Finally little Miss "I'm in HEAT! YOWLLL!" falls asleep on the old blanket in front of the radiator, and I think, "Ahhhh--peace and quiet." HA! Not on your life.

Yes, the kids on the other side of the building are partying away again--and my ear plugs have seen better days (or rather, nights.) Here it is, 9:30 at night--and here, if I had a car, no prob, just go to the 24 hour K-Mart or WalMart and get another set, right? Problem. No car--in this case, I would have to spend around 8 dollars round trip car fare, plus 4 or 5 dollars for plugs, and wait about 20 to 30 minutes each way--in the cold night--in the bargain. Not gonna' happen.

So what to do? OPERA! That's right, I turn on my Media Player and try to find the best--or rather, worst--opera station on the net. Turn the speakers to the wall facing the offending apartment, turn them up full volume and...voila! Works every time, like a charm. Seriously. Kids today loathe and destest opera, even more than I loathe and destest heavy metal.

Believe me, they do most definately get the hint. They nearly always either turn it down, or turn it off, altogher. Love it! Bless opera.

In my case, it truly ain't over 'till the fat lady (or fat Nancy, I should say) sings! And that would be my next course of action, actually. Get a Mr. Microphone and belt out some show tunes--but I wouldn't do that, not really. Wouldn't want to start a panic in the building, now would I?