Well, this is embarrassing

I was a real jerk last night, and had to make an uncomfortable decision today.

It all started with a new couple moving into the building where I live over by Lake Union. It’s the unit directly above mine. I saw that the For Rent sign had been removed, but hadn’t had the chance to meet the new people yet.

Which brings me to last night. I had finished my dinner, turned off the TV, and put down my phone. I ended up going to bed around 11.

That’s when the move-in started in earnest. Sounds of sliding furniture and boxes being set down directly above me. It was fairly loud, you know, typical move-in sounds.

I told myself to chill out, it’s probably just one last car load of essentials, and then we can all get some sleep.

Unbeknownst to me, the moving company was running way behind, and it was not just one more car load. It was the entire moving truck. Now I can see that totally wasn’t their fault, but at the time I didn’t care.

I was in my bed paying attention to every sound like I was in a wartime bunker. With each new footstep or squeak, my blood pressure got higher and higher.

At about 1:15 in the morning, after another box hit the floor, I yelled out, “Trying to sleep here.”

When the sounds didn’t end, I got up, put on some clothes, and marched around to their door.

I then proceed to be a complete jerk to my new neighbors and to the guy in charge of the move. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I know I’m not proud of it. I’m sure none of them were enjoying finishing up at 2 a.m.

So I huffed and puffed back to my place, and was so mad that I was shaking.

This morning I felt horrible. That behavior goes against everything I believe in about community and being a good neighbor.

It was very uncomfortable for me, but at 9 a.m. I knocked on their door and apologized, asked for a do-over, and tried my best to welcome them to the neighborhood.

I wish I had a mulligan on that one. Ron the Jerk is not my favorite version of myself.