Not much going on in the World of Carl this week. Keeping up with classes and working out group assignments for the most part.
I have been dealing with noisy neighbours, however, here at WCRI. The long and short of it is “there’s a group of guys who decided it was a good idea to move a full drumset, an amp’d up electric guitar, and a keyboard piano into a townhouse, apartment complex”. Not fun for anyone in this building, I’m sure.
I think it’s always this kind of conflict that makes me realize more and more how much I am a stickler for peace, quiet, and fair interpretations of the rules. This I got from my mother (it’s a good thing, sometimes, but is probably a pain in the ass for everyone else). This zeal is hindered and helped by my flash-fire temperament, which I’m absolutely sure I got from my father. Just like actual, carbon-based fires, I think my snap-reactions get stuff done, but whether it’s in the best way possible or exactly the kind of stuff I even want to happen is another question.
Doing some soul-searching, I find that I have a tendency to overextend my advantage when the rules happen to favor me, usually causing otherwise reasonable people to simply snap back and take up a hostile position. This gets in the way of actual problem resolution and kind of kicks everyone’s ass in the long run. My cousins and my parents have been wise enough to point this out to me, so I will be working on that, I guess. I still think I’m generally fair and reasonable when discerning right from wrong—I just need to learn to pick my battles and eventually, not have to fight anyone at all. One thing that Amy has taught me is the alarmingly effective disarming power of a well-timed, honest-to-goodness apology for incisive words without conceding any material point.
Anyway, hopefully things with the neighbours work out because I don’t actually need any shenanigans this year.