Hey,
So, you may fuck up, and you may fuck up badly... But have you ever fucked up and had it reported on by international news?
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1572563/are-these-the-most-annoying-neighbours-ever-psychotic-pair-send-volley-of-texts-telling-man-to-be-quiet-every-time-their-baby-has-a-nap/#comments
http://elitedaily.com/news/guy-text-exchanges-neighbors-from-hell/1576837/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3731057/Couple-plague-neighbours-texts-asking-silent-time-baby-nap-s-quiet-s-right.html#reader-comments
http://www.mndailynews.com/trending/37158-couple-plague-their-neighbours-with-texts-asking-him-to-be-silent-every-time-their-baby-has-a-nap-even-when-he-s-being-quiet-so-who-s-in-the-right.html
https://twitter.com/DailyMail/status/763064736896389120
View image on TwitterView image on Twitter
 Follow
 Daily Mail US ✔ @DailyMail
Man shares ridiculous noise complaints he receives from his fussy neighbors http://dailym.ai/2aPvNAN
10:29 AM - 9 Aug 2016
  22 22 Retweets   33 33 likes

http://thoughtcatalog.com/jacob-geers/2016/08/this-man-has-an-epic-story-about-his-psychotic-neighbors-and-boy-its-a-wild-ride/
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/couple-constantly-texts-neighbor-when-baby-naps-photos
http://www.scarymommy.com/parent-texts-complain-noisy-neighbor-child-nap/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/life/83011723/Neighbour-noise-battle-Whos-in-the-right
http://www.farrahgray.com/couple-plague-neighbor-texts-asking-silent-every-time-baby-nap-even-hes-quiet-whos-right/
http://eyeopenertv.com/2016/08/09/man-constantly-plagued-with-request-for-him-to-be-quiet-so-neighbors-baby-can-sleep/
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11690971
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/wtf/this-is-why-you-should-always-be-wary-of-your-neighbours/news-story/0962e99b640c0fe399fb157fac24ff7a
(These are just the ones that cropped up within the first few hours, there are a lot more you can find with Google. Especially in the Scandinavian region for some reason.)
My name is ChefShwasty, and for quite some time, I've been chronicling my ongoing struggle with my psychotic downstairs neighbors on Imgur. It involves harassment, confrontation, legal advice, getting MULTIPLE people fired (accidentally), news coverage on a few continents and in many different languages, and the birth of the Imgur phrase "cut a hole in the floor and shit through it."
Through a 14-part saga, I submit to you the complete story of how I fucked up my introducing myself to my neighbors, and bringing a year-long outright war, complete with original posts, and a brief synopsis of each post if you'd rather not read it all.
1, The Intro: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
A Story of my Psychotic Neighbors
1 of 17
Saturday, March 19th, 2016; The day it began

On March 19th of this year, we got new neighbors. After having had three or four different people move in and out over a span of time (we live in low-income apartments), this was nothing new. I put my shoes on, went down, and introduced myself. I gave them my phone number, and told them that if they needed anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I also mentioned that I have an electronic drum kit (the words "drinking" in her text autocorrected from "drumming"), and that I only really use it a few times a week, for half an hour, around 4-o'clock when I get off work.

I asked her that if is ever a bother, or wakes up the baby, or if we're ever too loud at ALL, to please let us know. Now, I had done this with all previous tenants, and never gotten one complaint. The very next morning, I receive the text above. I was chopping onions for a vegetable stew I was making for dinner later that night, and apparently it was too much. I do a fair bit of cooking (check the username), so I'm not flailing wildly with a knife. I know what I'm doing.

That was the first text. What follows is a story of harassment, stalking, and blackmail.


The post that started it all. Screen caps of text conversations with my downstairs neighbors, who I introduced myself to with the intent of being neighborly. Gave them my phone number, because they have children (at that time, only one), and I wanted them to let me know if there was anything I could do for them or their kids. They start hallucinating noise that wasn't me, and start making unrealistic demands of silence. They get management involved, and I back down out of fear. It should also be mentioned that I own an electronic drum kit, and that comes into play, but the complaints happen even when I'm doing something as innocuous as chopping vegetables.
2, The Reaction: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
Psychotic Neighbors: UPDATE
1 of 2
IT SAYS RIGHT FUCKING THERE

I took a lot of the advice. Or, at least, I tried. I'll break this down by a summation of the comments:

@T3hi84n2g : Bring the managers in, have them listen to how quiet I am, and don't tell the neighbors.

Outcome: I went over immediately after work and began talking to the head manager. She declined to come inside to listen because she listened from their apartment once. I accept this. I knew that it wasn't going to be silent, there's no way it can be. However, my flexibility with asking for their schedule, decreased frequency, and adaptation to their presence should've more than compensated for it. When I asked how loud, or for an approximate decibel level, I was given none. When I asked my friend on the inside later, he said that she didn't want to listen to the complaints anymore, and she felt this would be the easiest answer. My other friend who was previously a tenant next to me mentioned that she had several run-ins with the manager, who is seemingly and extremely biased towards families. So, this option, though great advice, did not work.

@Linwelle : Complain about their level of volume.

Outcome: I didn't want to fight fire with whining. I really don't like being that guy, even if the outcome suits me. I believe that they have a right to make the noise that they're making, like I believe in mine. So, instead, I opted to tell them about their barbeque smoker, which is against policy. Every time the dude fires up the smoker, my smoke alarms go off. It's irritating, and when I complained, the manager said that they were "looking into it." I then told them about the pounding on the ceiling, to which her advice was to call them when it happens. WTF am I gonna do to get them there in the 5-seconds of ceiling-pounding apeshit rage? I'm being balked at every chance.

@CampDaddy : Record everything that they do.

Outcome: As evident, I'm saving the text logs. I also downloaded a voice recorder on my phone, so that every time I am forced to interact with them, I will record it. I briefly entertained the idea of setting up my camera, but with how small the apartment is, it wouldn't work out too well, and I don't want to feel like that's necessary. But everything is being documented.

@Aldamas : Move apartments in the complex

Outcome: Why? I like my apartment. I've been here for a few years now. I can't afford the deposit that would most-likely charge, and I have all my stuff where I like it. They've only been here a few months. I shouldn't have to change because of them. The previous downstairs neighbors used to have 15-hour parties, complete with techno, pot smoke, and crashing beer bottles. Comparatively, I miss those people.

I appreciate all of the advice, but it seems that the iron is too hot to strike (I know nothing about metallurgy, so I don't know if this metaphor is apt or not). I have to wait for a bit, and gather more intel. In the meantime, any and all advice is welcomed with open arms. A


I obtained a copy of the rent agreement, and highlighted portions of it that have to do with noise. I also respond to some more general questions, and legal advice. For those of you not familiar with Oregon renter laws, there pretty much aren't fucking any.
3, The Final Straw: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
Psychotic Neighbors Update 3

I did it.

I finally stood up for myself.

For everyone who asked me to, and for everyone who wished they could. I have begun a process that evidently will not be easy, nor fun. I can't submit myself to their psychotic, narcissistic whim. I won't be ran over again.

But, I'm scared. I can't lose my home.

I don't know what kind of things you guys do for comfort, but it's a little hard right now when I hear a shouting match unfolding downstairs that's going to end in my doorway. I don't ever ask for this, from friends or family, but, Imgur...

Help.

 Part 1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx

Part 2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT


Feeling bolstered from support from thousands of people (including the first post making international headlines and sparking a few YouTube videos http://imgur.com/gallery/d4bbq
(Psychotic Neighbors cont.) I... I... What? What?! WHAT DID YOU PEOPLE DO?!
How the hell did you get me to the front page of a news website on another continent?!

I don't know what to do. Do I... Take the day off? Should I go try to get VIP treatment at Denny's or something? @N4chtm4hr told me to buy a lottery ticket... I promise to split it with him if I win.

But seriously, guys. WTF.


), I stand up for myself. I tell them to please stop talking to me, and they threaten me with management.
4, A New Dope: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
Psychotic Neighbors Update 4: The Law Abiding Citizen
1 of 8
It may start off damning, but it gets clearer.

This is my local noise ordinance law in Salem, Oregon. I understand that the wording here is heavily against me in the eyes of the opposed. I play a musical instrument, though it's akin to calling Rock Band drums a musical instrument. I don't think that playing the rubber pad should count as an instrument.


With the assistance of quite a few lawyers on Imgur, I built a case around a quantifiable measurement of sound by county and city ordinance. I was able to prove that I'm well within my rights.
5, Neighbors Strike Back: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
Psychotic Neighbors Update 5: Hoo, boy. Am I RAGING.

Previously, on Imgur:
1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3

I am the embodiment of rage. I posses the fury of an atomic bomb. My sheer force of hatred has accelerated the natural decay of all things. MY AURA IS ONE OF CARNAGE.

I'm going to keep this short, because my hands are still shaking.

I had a friend over on Sunday, someone who I haven't seen in a long time. He and I decided to play some good 'ol fashioned Rock Band.

"But that's so loud! I thought you were going to be quiet? You can't blast music in an apart-..."

Headphones. I ran a splitter, and we were wearing headphones. Nobody was singing. Headphones. HEADPHONES. And, if you'll reference the first post I made? They asked if the noise could be moved to another room. We were in another room. We couldn't have been further AWAY from that room if we had tried.

And, referencing the 4th update, I'm still WELL WITHIN the legal confines of allotted noise. And I'm currently waiting for a call back from the parent company of my complex so I can obtain a hard-copy of their noise ordinance regulations. Several phone calls, two voicemails, and no reply.

Okay, I'm gonna take a walk now. I'll tag the people who want an update in a minute.

I just want to get this resolved.

But holy FUCK am I mad.

-Chef


The first official noise complaint from the management company. Here's the thing, though; I wasn't drumming, or doing anything unreasonable. Later speculation suggests that the neighbors had been calling the managers every night about me, and rather than be fair or unbiased, they just decided putting a black mark on my record was a quicker solution.
6, Upper-Management: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
Psychotic Update Neighbors 6: Had a chit-chat with upper management...
1 of 5
After about 20 phone calls, several voice mails, and no reply over a week and a half, thought I'd try email...

I initially thought it would be just faster to talk to someone on the phone, obtain some forms, and get it over with. But the length of time I spent on hold, or just the lack of reply put me on a breaking point. I consulted with one of the Imgurian lawyers offering me advice and help (thank you guys, you're all fucking awesome!), and they said to email instead. That way I have everything documented. Not a bad idea at all.

For those on mobile, this is what I wrote.

Hello, [portfolio manager],

My name is Joe, and I'm a tenant with [name of apartment complex] in Salem, Oregon. I'm writing today in an attempt to obtain any definition of what would violate a noise ordinance, preferably in a unit of measurement (decibels). I apologize for coming to you for this matter, but the local management has only offered the renter's agreement, which does not give any solid guidelines. Unfortunately, the documents that I posses say:

"Between 10:00PM and 7:00AM the level and/or type of noise emitted from the unit may not exceed what is normal and customary for similar housing."

Unfortunately, the nebulous nature of this statement has lead to conflict in the complex, with the new tenants below me barraging the main office with complaints, and harassing me with threats of legal action. I've been a tenant for over two years, and have had multiple tenants around me move in and out, and not once have I ever received a complaint from any of them. That being said, I am still well within the confines of what defines "excessive noise" both by the city of Salem and Marion county ordinances, according to the documents I have, and the noise readings I have taken.

Once again I apologize for having to come to you with this matter, but I do so by both legal advice, and the advice of former tenants. The frequency of harassment has left me in a curious predicament of no longer feeling like I am truly "at home" in my own home. I feel like my every step is being listened to, and scrutinized with the intent of attempting to coerce the local management into evicting me. I have personally attempted to intermediary this difficult issue directly with the new tenants below me, only to be met with unceasing and unrealistic demands of silence. And when those demands were not satiated to their liking, the confrontation was both tense with a posture that implies a possibility of physical altercation, and then immediately relegated to management, who have not expressed any interest in seeing another side of the story. In the interest of an expedited resolution, I merely ask for documents to aide me to end the altercations, so that I may be left in peace.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Joe


A transcript of the email that I sent to the parent company of management. I tried calling, and left notes and voicemails with no reply. Eventually, after enough emails, I finally got a reply, which was curt, scathing, and obviously biased.
7, Upper Mgmt PT 2: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
Psychotic Neighbors Update: I waited TWO FUCKING WEEKS
1 of 2
I waited two weeks for a reply from this woman

Previously, on Imgur...
1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S

As you can see in the 6th update, I wrote management about getting a quantifiable noise level. I waited almost two weeks without reply (not wanting to push the issue), and then decided to send the email you see above:

[Upper management],

I hate to bother you again, and I'm sure you're busy. I once again ask for a more definitive noise regulation other than user interpretation. I would not be so persistent in this matter were it not so important to me. This has actually evolved beyond the drumming, with myself receiving a personal complaint once for chopping vegetables in my own kitchen. I consider myself to be a decent chef, so rest assured I was not flailing wildly with a butcher knife, but rather using a sharpened Ginsu knife to dice. The sensitivity of the other tenants has brought about a feeling of persecution and harassment. I had previously attempted to resolve this inter-personally with them, only to be met with unreasonability.

I don't feel at home in my own home. And now I am in a constant state of fear of legal recourse, merely because they struck first and have the paperwork, and now local management, on their side. I feel like I need some defense in the matter from someone unbiased. If you cannot provide the regulations that I ask for, or if you simply do not have time, please point me in the direction of someone who might be able to assist me. I apologize again for any frustration this is causing.

Thank you for your time,

Joe


Another curt response from management.
8, Final Update...?: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4
Psychotic Neighbors; FINAL UPDATE

https://youtu.be/Xmu0qJ-WlvQ

The final update is in video format. I'm sorry, but I'd rather not fuck over fellow mobile-users with 50+ gifs.

Thank you all.

Sincerely,

ChefShwasty

Context:
1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
7: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0


At this point, I had given up. I had exhausted every option available to me (sans hole cutting) through proper channels. There's a YouTube video involved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmu0qJ-WlvQ&feature=youtu.be) with a full explanation.
9, Managers FIRED: http://imgur.com/gallery/2opOV
ANOTHER PSYCHOTIC NEIGHBORS UPDATE?!?! MANAGERS FIRED! (Part...9?)
I really thought I was done with this. I gave up. I fuckin' QUIT.

PREVIOUSLY, ON IMGUR

1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
7: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
8: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4

But then the apartment managers go and do a fool thing like get themselves fired? You'd better believe this is game on, bitches.

I have a renewed sense of energy for this, and it feels vindicating that the three people in charge of this apartment have been shit-canned for probably biased behavior or something. And anyone saying that they just quit, I HIGHLY doubt three people without relation to one another, who joined at different times, would just quite at the same time. They's been FI-YAHED.

Sorry about the giddyness. I might be able to watch TV again! Or walk out of my apartment without feeling like my every fucking move is being watched.

Come October 22nd, Bianca, Esther, and Steve are going to be my new friends.

Also, I'm not tagging the people who asked for an update list. I feel... Needy doing that. Just had to share my excitement.

Thank you all for your support.

-Chef


To the surprise of EVERYONE, the managers who had been the lap-dogs for the neighbors were fired. Whereas there's no definitive evidence to suggest that is has anything to do with this saga, later on, it's made apparent that both management and the neighbors are well aware of the public nature of this battle.
10, THE WAR IS COME: http://imgur.com/gallery/Btif7
THIS. MEANS. WAR.
"We received a noise complaint Saturday night, Sunday morning at 12:13AM. We got a second call at 12:40 am from the same resident informing us that the noise had not stopped and that they would be calling the police. Please note that the quiet hours are from 10PM to 8AM the next morning. This is your first written warning."

Everything died down.

Peace had been accomplished.

A truce was brokered with the coming of new managers.

But now?

It's on.

They've officially been caught in a lie, and there's nothing they can do about it. We were in bed before midnight. They claimed to have called the cops. I called the cops, and they have no record. Lawyers have been called. Cops have been called. Gonna call Diamond Joe Biden and see if he'll come and help out.

I'm fucking done.

Chef is done with this shit.

Previously, on fucking Imgur:

1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
7: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
8: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4
9: http://imgur.com/gallery/2opOV

Buckle up, bitches. We're gonna get fuckin' real.

FP Edit: No, I don't want money, donations, or presents. If you have some extra money and feel like giving it to a worthy cause, please, give here:

https://www.gofundme.com/SuperPenelope

A friend of mine's daughter is fighting for her life. Nobody, least of all a child, should be going through this. Thank you all.

If you want to send me hand-drawn doodles, please send them here, BUT ONLY IF THEY FIT IN AN ENVELOPE (if not, they get rejected by the office):
To:
Chef S.
PO Box 17244
Salem, OR 97305

NEW UPDATE:
http://imgur.com/gallery/3OtFt

^^^^^NNNEEEEWWWWWW UPPPDDAAAATTTTEEEE^^^^^^


New managers issued a noise complaint just after midnight on a night I was already in bed. It states that the police were called. Once again, I was in fucking BED. I never saw no red and blue lights, never heard pounding at my door, nothing. I call bullshit.
11, The Intervention: http://imgur.com/gallery/3OtFt
PSYCHOTIC NEIGHBOR UPDATE: Tuesday, February 7th; INTERVENTION
1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
7: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
8: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4
9: http://imgur.com/gallery/2opOV
10: http://imgur.com/gallery/Btif7

So, yesterday, I showed a new noise violation. My neighbors claimed to have called the cops. I called the police, and they told me a call was placed to them, but they found no noise upon investigation. I told my managers this, and this is the paraphrased response:

"We're tired of them calling whenever something doesn't go exactly their way. They are the only ones making complaints in this entire place. And they complain about more than just [me]. We're scheduling a meeting with them and [me], and we're going to have an intervention."

So, there you have it. It's going to be me and them in a small room. And brother, I'm pissed.

I'm going to record this entire meeting, and if there's enough interest, I SWEAR I WILL POST THE FULL MEETING TO YOUTUBE, AND LINK IT HERE. NO DOCTORING, ALTERING, ANYTHING. YOU ASKED FOR THE TRUTH, SO THE TRUTH YOU SHALL FUCKING HAVE, IMGUR.

OP

WILL

DELIVER

This whole fucking thing might be finally coming to an end.

ALSO

I've gotten about 300+ messages, 300+ SnapChats, 100+ emails, and 1000+ comments. I've tried to reply to as many of them as I can, but I've quickly learned how impossible that truly is.

I appreciate all the love and support. But I do not want any donations. If you have money and feel like helping a good cause, try this: https://www.gofundme.com/SuperPenelope

That's the daughter of a friend of mine, and I hate seeing horrible things happen to good people. It's unfuckingfair that a child should ever have this happen to them.

But, if you're absolutely ADAMANT about sending me stuff? Whiskey, mix cds, bomb threats, glitter in an envelope, WHATEVER:

Send packages to:
Joe R.
1590 Sunnyview RD NE
Salem, OR 97303

Or letters/hand drawn doodles to:
Joe R.
PO Box 17244
Salem, OR 97305

Love to you all.

-Chef

FOR THOSE LOST:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmu0qJ-WlvQ&t=2s


After calling bullshit, the new REASONABLE managers called an intervention between the two units, and we sat down and talked (http://imgur.com/gallery/6HyjK
Psychotic Neighbors; OP DELIVERS
1 of 2
PREVIOUSLY, ON IMGUR:

1: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
7: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
8: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4
9: http://imgur.com/gallery/2opOV
10: http://imgur.com/gallery/Btif7
11: http://imgur.com/gallery/3OtFt

I'm sorry that this took a while, I know a lot of you were hanging onto the edge of your seats, and I wish this was more interesting, or gave more closure... But it is what it is.

Linked at the bottom is the raw audio, with only personal information censored (for obvious reasons). I've made some annotations because I don't think anyone wants to sit through 22 minutes of people talking without at least some form of levity.

So, here are the players:

Manager: Higher-pitched professional voice
Her: Same tone, more Barbie-esque inflection
Him: Medium-high pitch
Me: Lower pitch

For those that don't feel like fucking slogging through 20+ minutes, I'll give you a tl;dr:

Them: You were loud last weekend. But we didn't get our stories straight and fumble through this part.
Me: No, I was in bed. Girlfriend was sick.
Them: We called the cops.
Manager: That's true.
Me: They found “no cause to investigate,” I checked with the Salem Police. I was in bed.
Manager: Also true.
Them: You're still loud.
Me: We live in an apartment with thin walls, everything is loud.
Them: We read your stuff on the internet.
Manager: Yeah, us too.
Me: Cool.
Manager: I'm out of ideas on how to handle this, because it's embarrassing that grown adults should have to be counseled on simple behavior.
Me and Them: Huh?
Manager: Just kidding, I didn't actually say that, but it's heavily implied. Anyways, ideas?
Me: Not really.
Them: Nope.
Manager: Great, meeting adjourned!
Me: … Srsly.

Here it is: https://youtu.be/_Eoq9HJTE8E


WITH FULL AUDIO OF THE MEETING). In the meeting, they get caught in several lies, double-talk themselves, and almost no resolution is reached. It sounds like the general consensus is that they need to shut the fuck up and stop lodging complaints every night.
12, More Firings?, http://imgur.com/gallery/fEx7r
Fucking Psychotic Neighbors Update: One Step Forward, 12-Steps Back
1 of 2
Fuck.

Previously, on Imgur:

1, The Intro: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2, The Reaction: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3, The Final Straw: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4, A New Dope: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5, Neighbors Strike Back: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6, Upper-Management: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
7, Upper Mgmt PT 2: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
8, Final Update...?: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4
9, Managers FIRED: http://imgur.com/gallery/2opOV
10, THE WAR IS COME: http://imgur.com/gallery/Btif7
11, The Intervention: http://imgur.com/gallery/3OtFt

I posted this earlier and had to take it down, because I accidentally left my address on here. Big fuckin' whoops. Please don't stalk me.

Anyways, so, this happened. Remember the new, fair manager? The one that actually listened and called the Psychos out on their bullshit? The one that hosted a meeting that somewhat cultivated in her asking them to take a fuckin' chill pill and relax?

Canned. Fired. Hasta la vista, rationality.

So, I'm kinda at a loss. I'm going to meet the new managers tonight. It's just a real shame. Bianca was very relaxed, professional, fair, and intelligent.

I have this sinking fucking feeling like those psychos might've had something to do with their termination. And I really hope the new managers are open to listening to all sides of the story, and stand up for equal living rights.

But on another note...


It felt like we were making progress. But then the new, rational managers were fired, too. God knows why. I was going to bake them cookies. Fear set in. Were we going back to the same annoying pattern that we had had previously? Was every inch of gain for naught?
13, The End: http://imgur.com/gallery/gPd5gtO
FUCK YOU, NEIGHBORS! Victory! It's over! FINISHED!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zj0-0StiflY

PREVIOUSLY, ON IMGUR

1, The Intro: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
2, The Reaction: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
3, The Final Straw: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
4, A New Dope: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
5, Neighbors Strike Back: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
6, Upper-Management: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
7, Upper Mgmt PT 2: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
8, Final Update...?: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4
9, Managers FIRED: http://imgur.com/gallery/2opOV
10, THE WAR IS COME: http://imgur.com/gallery/Btif7
11, The Intervention: http://imgur.com/gallery/3OtFt
12, More Firings?, http://imgur.com/gallery/fEx7r

So, I think the day has finally arrived.

I'm safe.

I've tested the waters. I've been too sick to fight for myself lately, so there were no developments. After getting better, I started to drum more on occasion. I started to turn my TV up to a normal volume. I walked without slippers. I got up at two AM for a drink of water and the cops weren't called. It's been weird, but I finally feel like I'm not going to get evicted.

As a final test, I had my friend over on Saturday (@SousChefShellacked on SnapChat, and a frequent guest in Shwasty Kitchen if you're a subscriber) and through a system of headphones, we were able to play music; which has been the dream of mine since this all began. No noise was really made other than some slight clicking, and bass slapping, but to us, over our headphones, it was fun. And the last time this was attempted was when this entire thing started. But we're done.

I want to thank you all for giving me the courage to stand up for myself. Thank you. I wouldn't have that smile on my face that you see above if it weren't for you.

Whereas this is (hopefully) the end of a fucking saga, I'm not leaving. I'm an avid Imgur user (see; addict), I'm still on Snapchat, and I'll still debase myself for your viewing pleasure on YouTube. We make food, we drink, we play games (does anyone want to play "Seven Days to Die" on the Xbox One? Add me on XBL: ChefShwasty), we try recipes we're submitted, and we take requests.

Seriously, thank you.

Also, don't forget about our charity drive! http://imgur.com/gallery/Nw9w6 Let's help animals!

It's been a long time coming, but here goes nothing.

*Deep breath*

The End.

-Chef


So, I got sick. Borderline-pneumonia for a while, so I couldn't do much. When I felt better, I started slowly pushing the envelope. I did drum practice once or twice; no complaints. I turned my TV up to watch a movie to a normal volume; no complaints. I even stayed up til midnight one night playing video games (albeit, quietly); no complaints. It had seemed like what had been asserted previously was still written in stone. A lot of people questioned: "WHAT HAPPENED?!" I couldn't give much of a resolution. I didn't really know what happened.
14, Epilogue http://imgur.com/gallery/G2Ydm
Epilogue to the Psychotic Neighbor story, WITH COMPLETE TL;DR
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Victory couldn't feel better.

PREVIOUSLY, ON IMGUR (wall of text, complete tl;dr of the saga [which, in-and-of itself is probably going to be tl;dr])

1, The Intro: http://imgur.com/gallery/LspSx
The post that started it all. Screen caps of text conversations with my downstairs neighbors, who I introduced myself to with the intent of being neighborly. Gave them my phone number, because they have children (at that time, only one), and I wanted them to let me know if there was anything I could do for them or their kids. They start hallucinating noise that wasn't me, and start making unrealistic demands of silence. They get management involved, and I back down out of fear. It should also be mentioned that I own an electronic drum kit, and that comes into play, but the complaints happen even when I'm doing something as innocuous as chopping vegetables.

2, The Reaction: http://imgur.com/gallery/DyeoT
I obtained a copy of the rent agreement, and highlighted portions of it that have to do with noise. I also respond to some more general questions.

3, The Final Straw: http://imgur.com/gallery/kvR8xsB
Feeling bolstered from support from thousands of people (including the first post making international headlines and sparking a few YouTube videos http://imgur.com/gallery/d4bbq), I stand up for myself. I tell them to please stop talking to me, and they threaten me with management.

4, A New Dope: http://imgur.com/gallery/gh9J3
With the assistance of quite a few lawyers on Imgur, I built a case around a quantifiable measurement of sound by county and city ordinance. I was able to prove that I'm well within my rights.

5, Neighbors Strike Back: http://imgur.com/gallery/XwHla3s
The first official noise complaint from the management company. Here's the thing, though; I wasn't drumming, or doing anything unreasonable. Later speculation suggests that the neighbors had been calling the managers every night about me, and rather than be fair or unbiased, they just decided putting a black mark on my record was a quicker solution.

6, Upper-Management: http://imgur.com/gallery/cMo0S
A transcript of the email that I sent to the parent company of management. I tried calling, and left notes and voicemails with no reply. Eventually, after enough emails, I finally got a reply, which was curt, scathing, and obviously biased.

7, Upper Mgmt PT 2: http://imgur.com/gallery/Uu7I0
Another curt response from management.

8, Final Update...?: http://imgur.com/gallery/JxLBIa4
At this point, I had given up. I had exhausted every option available to me (sans hole cutting) through proper channels. There's a YouTube video involved (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmu0qJ-WlvQ&feature=youtu.be) with a full explanation.

9, Managers FIRED: http://imgur.com/gallery/2opOV
To the surprise of EVERYONE, the managers who had been the lap-dogs for the neighbors were fired. Whereas there's no definitive evidence to suggest that is has anything to do with this saga, later on, it's made apparent that both management and the neighbors are well aware of the public nature of this battle.

10, THE WAR IS COME: http://imgur.com/gallery/Btif7
New managers issued a noise complaint just after midnight on a night I was already in bed. It states that the police were called. Once again, I was in fucking BED. I never saw no red and blue lights, never heard pounding at my door, nothing. I call bullshit. I also gave in at this point to people who wanted to mail me random stuff, and posted a PO box and address. We'll get to that later.

11, The Intervention: http://imgur.com/gallery/3OtFt
After calling bullshit, the new REASONABLE managers called an intervention between the two units, and we sat down and talked (http://imgur.com/gallery/6HyjK WITH FULL AUDIO OF THE MEETING). In the meeting, they get caught in several lies, double-talk themselves, and almost no resolution is reached. It sounds like the general consensus is that they need to shut the fuck up and stop lodging complaints every night.

12, More Firings?, http://imgur.com/gallery/fEx7r
It felt like we were making progress. But then the new, rational managers were fired, too. God knows why. I was going to bake them cookies. Fear set in. Were we going back to the same annoying pattern that we had had previously? Was every inch of gain for naught?

13, The End: http://imgur.com/gallery/gPd5gtO
So, I got sick. Borderline-pneumonia for a while, so I couldn't do much. When I felt better, I started slowly pushing the envelope. I did drum practice once or twice; no complaints. I turned my TV up to watch a movie to a normal volume; no complaints. I even stayed up til midnight one night playing video games (albeit, quietly); no complaints. It had seemed like what had been asserted previously was still written in stone. A lot of people questioned: "WHAT HAPPENED?!" I couldn't give much of a resolution. I didn't really know what happened.

Until today.

They're gone. They moved. I've listened to them over the weekend throwing shit left and right, yelling at each other, children screaming, and shit getting loaded up into the above-pictured U-Haul. I was so happy. Saturday night, I did drum practice at 8PM, having made sure that they weren't home. It felt so fucking freeing. I was almost moved to tears. I hadn't felt at home in my own home for far too long.


They're gone. They moved. I've listened to them over the weekend throwing shit left and right, yelling at each other, children screaming, and shit getting loaded up into the above-pictured U-Haul. I was so happy. Saturday night, I did drum practice at 8PM, having made sure that they weren't home. It felt so fucking freeing. I was almost moved to tears. I hadn't felt at home in my own home for far too long.
So, that's it. I'm home free. Thanks to the help of thousands of people, the day I fucked up a little more than a year ago is rendered null. But on top of that, good things have happened. We helped to raise over $13,000 for a girl with a rare bone marrow disease (http://imgur.com/gallery/wUwp8
You all asked me to set up a GoFundMe... (Psychotic Neighbors)
I have, and still do, refuse.

Because stupid, UNFAIR shit like this happens. I whine about not being able to unwind in my apartment, but a friend of mine's daughter is going through hell. No child should have to have a fucking bone-marrow transplant. NO child. And Penelope has a rare blood disease called Diamond Blackfan Anemia.

This world is fucking awful sometimes, and I don't pretend to understand it. But we all have a chance to make it a little less unfeeling.

I received hundreds of messages, comments, and emails asking me to set up a GoFundMe to help me move out of my shitty apartment complex. I always deferred, saying that there's a lot of other causes billions of times more worthy than my own. And here we are.

 https://www.gofundme.com/SuperPenelope

Anyone that was offering to buy me a bottle of whiskey, pay my deposit, help with rent, ANYTHING... Please, take all of those kind offers, and send it her way.

Thank you for reading, and I appreciate all of you.

-ChefShwasty


). I've made some friends that will last a lifetime, and heard stories to warm my heart. This has turned me from a cynical jackass into someone that might believe there is some goodness left in humanity from the love and support of the masses.
And last but not least, if you'd like to help the last charity drive I'll be able to do with this ridiculous 15-minutes of fame bullshit, here's how you can help some adorable animals: http://imgur.com/gallery/Nw9w6
Thank you, and don't forget to be neighborly,
-Chef
tl;dr- guy introduces himself to neighbors, who become so noise sensitive, guy lives in silence; injustice causes international news coverage, guy fights back, people get fired, charities get funded, battles are fought, guy eventually wins.
EDIT: If anyone wants to get a hold of me or be friends, here's some contact info:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/chefshwastykitchen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChefShwasty
Snapchat: @ChefShwasty
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/chefshwasty
Email: ChefShwasty@Gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChefShwasty
XboxLive: ChefShwasty
And don't forget about the charity thing we're doing for the animals! Going to have to rent a U-Haul to get everything to the Humane Society at this point. Why not a full-on box truck? http://imgur.com/gallery/Nw9w6
WANT TO HELP SOME GAWT DAMN ANIMALS?! Team up with ChefShwasty!
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Alright, Imgur, let's do some good.

The Willamette Humane Society here in Salem, OR is a hub for animal adoptions, taking animals from high-kill shelters in California, Hawaii, Texas, and other surrounding areas. At any given time, they have around 120 cats and dogs, and it's not always easy to make sure they're all lavished and pampered the way that we'd like to see. It can be difficult for such an efficient non-profit to make sure all the wheels stay greased.

So, I've got a proposition for you glorious bastards where everybody wins.

Here's a link to a list of supplies that they go through: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/43LNY65R05WN/ref=cm_sw_su_w

If you have some spare cash and want to make a kitten smile, spend $20 and let's feed some adorable animals! Hell, they might even feed the ugly ones, too. Or, buy a laser pointer! Dog toys! Treats!

Now, here's where we get creative.


Edit 2: Thanks for all the kind messages! And if you're wondering about what to donate from the list, I just talked to my contact, and she said they need food, leashes, and harnesses.
And if you don't want to click the link above, here's the list: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/43LNY65R05WN/ref=cm_sw_su_w
And ship it here:
Joe R 1590 Sunnyview RD Salem, OR 97303
THANK YOU!